Hi all,
It took me about 4 months, but I finally have an e-cigarette. Here's some notes for noobs who are having trouble making their first purchase. This isn't a model review so much as my first impressions as a VAPER.
I have a KR808-D1. This particular model is from Vapor4Life. In the week I've had it, here are some observations I'd like to share:
If you are a pack a day or less smoker, a super mini with a PCC should be sufficient and convenient.
I have the usual KR8 style PCC which has the battery pack within a typical vintage style metal cigarette case. The case supposedly will recharge a standard battery 4x. The case holds one battery and two cartos.
I charge the case each night. I have not yet come close to running it to dead. I also charge the battery I use on a wall charger each night. During the day, I leave the batt in the PCC so it is always at max charge. I don't let it run all the way down, then wait for the PCC to bring it back up.
I switch back n' forth between the two cartos I carry in the case, rather than using one until its empty. I don't want to run it down to dry and risk burning the polyfill prematurely which will taint the flavor.
Each night I top off the cartos I'm using with a refill bottle of juice. I put four drops in, give it a couple swings in my hand, similar to an underhand softball fast pitch, so the centrifugal force moves the juice down into the polyfill. I add four more drops and do it again, then add 1 drop. This will soak the polyfill to wet without it looking flooded. I don't get any into the hollow center tube. I have not yet had a carto leak, nor have I inhaled juice.
I use a standard length auto battery. I have not yet run a battery too low to use. I have no problem with the auto battery. It does not "go off" on its own, even in my truck, which is very loud. I actually prefer the auto battery to the manuals. It is much more like smoking a cig. You just take a drag, and you can hold it how you feel comfortable, rather than having to hold it where the button is. The button on the manual batteries has become annoying and I don't use them.
A primer puff is effective for larger clouds of vapor, but is not actually necessary. The technique is a long easy draw, regardless. Drawing harder is not like pedaling faster. But the quick primer puff followed by the long easy draw provides the best results.
Inconsistency in your puff is directly related to the inconsistency in your draw. Don't blame the device if its your technique that is varying from puff to puff. A patient, long easy draw works best.
You CAN get that light-headed queazy nicotine buzz from these. I have used 24mg cartos and 8mg cartos. The buzz is there.
If you don't like the juice that's in the carto, you can put a "condom cap" on the end (after removing the white plug) and use centrifugal force to get the juice out. Search "taryn spin" here for details. Or just hold it in your hand and crank your arm like a fast pitch underhand windup.
The only thing I carry daily is the PCC. Two cartos and one battery. I topped off the cartos before bed, and put the case and battery on the charger. In the morning, I grab the PCC and go.
To charge the PCC, use a USB charger with output rated 500mA. This is one-half amp. Older USB 1.0 is not enough. USB 2.0 and newer will work.
Shaking your bottles of juice before topping off will give more consistent flavor. It didn't say "shake well" on my bottle, but I've found it's necessary.
Keep your juices and cartos in a sealed plastic container in the fridge.
Keep 90% isopropyl on hand for clean up and sanitizing your cartos. Also for removing the glue if you peel off the labels.
Topping up cartos with removable rubber end plugs does not require a syringe. Just a few drops at a time while holding the carto at an angle. Two fast pitch arm swings will shake the juice down a bit so you can add a few more. Top it until the polyfil looks damp, not soaked.
When you push the little white plug back in after a refill, do not put your finger over the hole you suck through. This can force juice out the atomizer end.
Twist a tissue into a point and wipe the atomizer end if juice leaks out.
Save the condoms with the little point inside, to put on after topping off. They go on the atomizer end. Be careful not to force juice out the opposite end when you replace them.
The PCC with one battery and two cartridges holds me all day no problem. If you need to carry some add'l cartos, prep them, put the little caps on, and carry them as spares.
Don't get in the habit of sucking on the thing like a lollipop. It's not candy, it's a cig. I've not had any problem with overheating attys, drawing to burnt marshmallow taste, or running out of power/juice. If you're not constantly sucking on this thing, it will provide the experience you seek without a problem. I don't see a need to carry a second battery or extra cartos.
obviously, everyone's preferences are different, and over time you'll develop your own habits. but to get started, a PCC with a quality super mini will suffice. This KR8 has the convenience of cartos, and since it's from Vapor4Life, there's noticeable quality to all of the pieces in the kit. Don't waste time with the mall products that are overpriced redistributions of the basic hardware designs. Choose a vendor like V4L who maintains continuous quality control and stands behind the product as their own.
if anyone has questions, i'll be happy to discuss my experience with anyone anytime.
good luck.
Tj
It took me about 4 months, but I finally have an e-cigarette. Here's some notes for noobs who are having trouble making their first purchase. This isn't a model review so much as my first impressions as a VAPER.
I have a KR808-D1. This particular model is from Vapor4Life. In the week I've had it, here are some observations I'd like to share:
If you are a pack a day or less smoker, a super mini with a PCC should be sufficient and convenient.
I have the usual KR8 style PCC which has the battery pack within a typical vintage style metal cigarette case. The case supposedly will recharge a standard battery 4x. The case holds one battery and two cartos.
I charge the case each night. I have not yet come close to running it to dead. I also charge the battery I use on a wall charger each night. During the day, I leave the batt in the PCC so it is always at max charge. I don't let it run all the way down, then wait for the PCC to bring it back up.
I switch back n' forth between the two cartos I carry in the case, rather than using one until its empty. I don't want to run it down to dry and risk burning the polyfill prematurely which will taint the flavor.
Each night I top off the cartos I'm using with a refill bottle of juice. I put four drops in, give it a couple swings in my hand, similar to an underhand softball fast pitch, so the centrifugal force moves the juice down into the polyfill. I add four more drops and do it again, then add 1 drop. This will soak the polyfill to wet without it looking flooded. I don't get any into the hollow center tube. I have not yet had a carto leak, nor have I inhaled juice.
I use a standard length auto battery. I have not yet run a battery too low to use. I have no problem with the auto battery. It does not "go off" on its own, even in my truck, which is very loud. I actually prefer the auto battery to the manuals. It is much more like smoking a cig. You just take a drag, and you can hold it how you feel comfortable, rather than having to hold it where the button is. The button on the manual batteries has become annoying and I don't use them.
A primer puff is effective for larger clouds of vapor, but is not actually necessary. The technique is a long easy draw, regardless. Drawing harder is not like pedaling faster. But the quick primer puff followed by the long easy draw provides the best results.
Inconsistency in your puff is directly related to the inconsistency in your draw. Don't blame the device if its your technique that is varying from puff to puff. A patient, long easy draw works best.
You CAN get that light-headed queazy nicotine buzz from these. I have used 24mg cartos and 8mg cartos. The buzz is there.
If you don't like the juice that's in the carto, you can put a "condom cap" on the end (after removing the white plug) and use centrifugal force to get the juice out. Search "taryn spin" here for details. Or just hold it in your hand and crank your arm like a fast pitch underhand windup.
The only thing I carry daily is the PCC. Two cartos and one battery. I topped off the cartos before bed, and put the case and battery on the charger. In the morning, I grab the PCC and go.
To charge the PCC, use a USB charger with output rated 500mA. This is one-half amp. Older USB 1.0 is not enough. USB 2.0 and newer will work.
Shaking your bottles of juice before topping off will give more consistent flavor. It didn't say "shake well" on my bottle, but I've found it's necessary.
Keep your juices and cartos in a sealed plastic container in the fridge.
Keep 90% isopropyl on hand for clean up and sanitizing your cartos. Also for removing the glue if you peel off the labels.
Topping up cartos with removable rubber end plugs does not require a syringe. Just a few drops at a time while holding the carto at an angle. Two fast pitch arm swings will shake the juice down a bit so you can add a few more. Top it until the polyfil looks damp, not soaked.
When you push the little white plug back in after a refill, do not put your finger over the hole you suck through. This can force juice out the atomizer end.
Twist a tissue into a point and wipe the atomizer end if juice leaks out.
Save the condoms with the little point inside, to put on after topping off. They go on the atomizer end. Be careful not to force juice out the opposite end when you replace them.
The PCC with one battery and two cartridges holds me all day no problem. If you need to carry some add'l cartos, prep them, put the little caps on, and carry them as spares.
Don't get in the habit of sucking on the thing like a lollipop. It's not candy, it's a cig. I've not had any problem with overheating attys, drawing to burnt marshmallow taste, or running out of power/juice. If you're not constantly sucking on this thing, it will provide the experience you seek without a problem. I don't see a need to carry a second battery or extra cartos.
obviously, everyone's preferences are different, and over time you'll develop your own habits. but to get started, a PCC with a quality super mini will suffice. This KR8 has the convenience of cartos, and since it's from Vapor4Life, there's noticeable quality to all of the pieces in the kit. Don't waste time with the mall products that are overpriced redistributions of the basic hardware designs. Choose a vendor like V4L who maintains continuous quality control and stands behind the product as their own.
if anyone has questions, i'll be happy to discuss my experience with anyone anytime.
good luck.
Tj
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