Another Newbie...

[TechSys]

Hello all. My name is Dennis. I have been smoking analog cigarettes since the age of 13. I am now going on 41. My brand of choice is (was) Marlbor Medium 100. I was up to 3 packs a day, depending on how bored I was at certain times. I have been looking for an easier way to either cut down or quit smoking than using patches (makes me smoke more), gum (same effect), or hypnotism (yes, I've tried it, don't work). I promised my wife and 2 year old son I would try e-cigs cause they may be the needed thing to replace the habit.
On Sunday January 31, 2010 I bought my first e-cig from a Kangaroo conveniance store. The starter pack cost a total of $78 and some change. Yea, quite expensive. It came with 2 batteries, 1 atomizer, 1 charger, and 5 carts of regular flavor.
Even though I was a little hesitant, maybe scared, I let one of the batteries charge up. Once it was charged I gave it a try. Not bad at all. Did not have the taste I wanted, but still, it wasn't bad. For the following week I smoked it as much as I possibly could, but still went back to an analog quite frequently. Yesterday I bought a 10 pack of refills. I let the battery charge up over night and wouldn't you know it, I left the darn thing at home when I left for work. So today I'm doing analogs, but not enjoying them as much.
I'm reading all the things I can do with the e-cig I have. Really considering using the e-liquid to refill the carts I have. I've seen some with very high mg rating on them, which may be what I need to start out with, then work myself down to 0mg. Maybe by that time I'll be able to totally stop smoking anything, which would be real good.

I do have to learn how to clean the atomizer. Seems like every now and then the e-cig won't turn on when I take a drag. I have blown into both ends which helped for a day. I actually think the battery went dead at that time though. When I have the e-cig with me, I am always taking a drag off it.

I guess that's about it, Any questions, please ask. Thanks

 

[ejoker]

welcome tech. read as much as you can here, ask questions, and stick with it!!

 

[lightinup]

Welcome to the forum TechSys! There is alot of great info on this site and alot of people to help you with all your questions! Keep working at it and Good Luck!

 

[jj2]

Quote: "I do have to learn how to clean the atomizer. Seems like every now and then the e-cig won't turn on when I take a drag. I have blown into both ends which helped for a day. I actually think the battery went dead at that time though. When I have the e-cig with me, I am always taking a drag off it."

A lot of people are happy with the auto's.
It was my choice when I started. You really should get a manual and give it a try. If you handy at making things, spend some time in the Modders Section---do something with that battery that sounds like it's dying.

Start with the NicoStick--it's the easiest. Once you've made one to get some experience go on to little (or bigger) mods.
If you don't want to build, there are Mods you can buy. Anyway, they make life sooo much better.

Cleaning the atty. Don't do it unless you have too. Then I recommend Crest Mouthwash Pro. Vodka isn't bad either. I tried Pepsi and it just killed mine and water (hot or cold) is okay but not as good.

Don't feel lonely, I use mine lot too!!!

 

[beerstud]

Good Luck Techsys, hope you keep it up. I bought my 1st e-cig at a mall kiosk and wasn't to happy with it. I was having the same problems you are experiencing. I've upgraded since to a 510 manual battery and the difference has been night and day. Save some money and buy the e-liquids to refill your carts and in your case would start off with the higher nicotine levels if your smoking 3 packs a day. There is a lot of good information on this forum, so don't be afraid to ask questions.

 

[Poeia]

So today I'm doing analogs, but not enjoying them as much.
I'm reading all the things I can do with the e-cig I have. Really considering using the e-liquid to refill the carts I have. I've seen some with very high mg rating on them, which may be what I need to start out with, then work myself down to 0mg. Maybe by that time I'll be able to totally stop smoking anything, which would be real good.

Isn't it a great feeling when you find you prefer the PV to analogs?

I swear everybody who has been nagging me for years to quit has two comments when they find out I've switched to PVs. 1) Congratulations. I think that's wonderful. 2) Does that mean you'll be able to quit eventually?

Give me a break! It's only been a couple of weeks. Maybe someday I'll use less or no nicotine. Maybe someday I'll stop using a PV altogether. But for now, let me enjoy the fact that I'm not killing myself with analogs any longer (and that I'm saving a lot of money in the process.)

So, TechSys, give yourself a break and enjoy what you've accomplished so far!

 

[TechSys]

Wow, didn't expect so many replies so soon. Thanks for the warm welcome. I can't wait until I get home so I can vape instead of doing the analog thing. I have been coughing up a storm today due to having to use analogs. Makes me feel like crap.

I am going to order some eliquid tonight. Figure since I've got 15 carts, now would be a good time to start with the liquid. The salesperson at Kangaroo also told me to look for some liquid as it's better.

My mom actually lets me vape in her house even though I refuse to. I feel that even though it's better for every one I still have to respect her house. She is actually proud of me for trying these things.

Like I said earlier, I started smoking analogs at 13. I saw my father go through 3 or 4 years with cancer until he died when I was in my 20s. He did not have any signs of cancer until 1 year after he quit smoking. Wish e-cigs were out back then, maybe he would have tried them and still be here today.. never know.

Gonna go look at the nicostick now, as well as some other mods. Anything to save me from buying analogs at $6+ a pack.

thanks again for the warm welcome.

 

[syndicate2083]

Congratulations on starting the switch. I wish you luck with your future trials.

I personally started with a kr808d-1 unit (got mine from puresmoker) and it works quite well. If you need something easy the cartridge and atomizer are combined in these (cartomizer) which is great, since it lasts a while and you can refill it pretty easily. Good lifespan on the batt too. The initial kit is pretty cheap (29.99 I think)

If you want juices there are tons of vendors, and lists here on the site. I recently got some juice in from Tasy Vapor and it is really awesome. Given your smoking habits, I would say try a 36mg mix and or a 24mg mix and see how those go for ya, I tend to use 36mg when I wake up and at my desk, and 18mg for my longer drives and just sitting around at home.

I mention the above two things as I have personal experience with them, and so far they have been great for me. That said, I hope whatever you get works for you. I would also mirror one of the above comments and say at least try a manual batt/mod unit out and see if you like those.

Have a nice day!

 

[TechSys]

I am going to try a manual one as soon as I can. Living payday to payday right now is kind of sucking.
Earlier tonight I ordered a bottle of ultrapure 36mg regular flavor. Can't remember what size bottle though. It was the $13 one. If that works out good I'll order a couple big bottles.
I put my second battery on charge probably 15 minutes ago. It has never had a charge. Figure I'll charge it over night, take both to work tomorrow, and charge my current one.
I have smoked 3 cigarettes since I've been home. That's a lot less (usually 10 or more) than normal. I'm so happy.
I tried something tonight and got one hell of a hit that tasted so darn good. I took the cart off the Npro and took a drag off the atomizer while it was still connected to the battery. That was the best hit I've gotten of it and it tasted pretty much like a normal cigarette.
I'm kind of thinking about making the hole in the carts a little bigger. That way I may not have to suck as hard to get a good hit. I've tried covering the 2 little holes where the atomizer connects to the battery, and even though I get a good hit, it still takes a good long hard drag to get it.

I have to get the wife one soon. Told her if it works for me and I like it, I'll get one for her. Just gotta work out the little kinks here and there first.

 

[CaptJay]

Oh you have SO much reading ahead of you lol
Lots to learn, lots of questions (probably), lots of working out your right nic strength, lots of trying flavors. It's fun It's not cheap though but it is less harmful (we think..) than actual ciggies. Certainly less smelly and better for your lungs (anecdotally at least) Don't stress if you smoke a few though at first - some of us do, we give it up eventually though - its not a race.
Good luck to you

 

[GPWill]

This place is the best! Keep reading and trying and you will be another success story. You will learn of all of the amazing results from the people here. Wish you the best.

40 years pack a day.. Now 2 snus and a 12mg cart.

 

[lulubell360]

I'm new to forums & e-cigs so bare w/me. I don't even know how to ask a question except on others questions. Any way, I bought a maxxvapor pro (local company in AL) on 2/5 & it was working pretty good then yesterday, after watching you tube videos, I decided to clean the atomizer. I think I may have killed it. I soaked it in coke then ran hot water throug it & let it sit upside down over night & now I'm not getting anything but liquid in my mouth. Help!!! I also have a DSE801 I got in th mail yesterday that is working I can use as backup in case I need to send my atomizer into company for replacement. I have really been enjoying this new way of smoking & DO NOT want to quit it this is the longest I have gone without a reg. for yrs. I'm not sure how to take care of them @ this point. HELP!!

 

[syndicate2083]

If you got a hit that you like better off the atomizer itself, you may want to try dripping in general, when you can that is, Here is a guide to doing so

 

[lulubell360]

thanks. I had tried that before also but it didn't work this time either. It's doing better now though, I blew it out really good & let it dry for awhile. I read the thing on how to drip & realized I had a closed off battery. So I guess it's safer not to drip.

 

[DC2]

So I guess it's safer not to drip.

Unless you have a manual battery, then you have almost nothing to worry about.
But even so you can still flood the atomizer if you drip too much.

Just keep on keeping on, and it will all come to you in good time!

 

[lulubell360]

thanks all for helping a newcomer out!

 

[DC2]

We're all here to help!

 

[MsSki]

My story is close to yours too. I got my first ecig 3 weeks ago from the Mall rats and very very unhappy and all i thought about was smoking normal real smokes. THEN i was told to try the joye510 and order some juices, I was also told to order from cignot.com AWESOME advice. sence i got the 510 in i have only had 3 anolog smokes. I use to smoke 2 packs aday. But it wasnt a lost cause with my over priced Mall ecig i got, I started adding drops of juice to the atty and to the carts and they work wonderful, It seems the carts that were prefilled were not moist enough to produce the vapor i wanted. But im very happy and I love the folks here and I think im addicted to them as much as I am vaping and even tho im totally THRILLED with my 510 i want try them all, I want a Silver bullet and Chuck and Im sure tomarrow there will another i will want to try. But for now the 510 with high Nic(30mg) keeps me off the anologs without cravings.

Welcome to the group
Tara

 

[dee5]

One small warning about closing the vent holes when you taking a drag. You could burn up your atomizer doing that so it's better to block it sporadically or "flutter" it like a flute player would do. Man, it's hard to describe things in text sometimes! But I hope you can visualize what I mean. If there are two air holes, just block one.