bought the mall ecig and hate it!!

[mgriffith67]

OK I broke down and bought the "smoking everywhere" ecig at the mall where I work. It sucks!! It only lasts about an hour or two per cartridge , and I really dont puff on it that much. Also the vaping is almost nada!! Totally unsatisfying!! Is there a better ecig? or am I doing something wrong? I am totally unhappy with this and tempted to go back to really smoking !! Its been a week of no smoking and I really want to continue, but I am not getting any help from these awful "pretend" cigarettes. Any help or suggestions?? I have read some posts here. But I am new and have no idea what half the stuff is that people are talking about . Please tell me a better way to do this!! THank you so much!!

Michelle

 

[wv2win]

I've seen more bad reviews of the SE's than I think anyother PV (personal vaporizer). You definitely want to get a PV that has a good track record. Then you really have to "learn" how to vape. It's not as simple as lighting an analog (cig). I would suggest watching some of the "new user" video's on the forum such as from Scott and Spikey. But in the long run for most, it is a much better alternative that might just save your life. I have provided this advice to other new members and some have found it helpful.

I read this forum and looked at older forum threads for two weeks before I purchased my first electronic vaporizer.

My first electronic vaporizer was a blue DSE901 from Phil at e-Smokey Treats - Electronic Cigarette's, The healthy alternative to traditional tobacco cigarette's. Phil is a little more expensive than some suppliers but he provides a 3 month warranty instead of 14 days, gives you two atomizers instead of just one and provides a phone number where you can call him which most suppliers do not. Like all suppliers, the kit comes with two batteries and a charger. The battery will last about 2-3 hours before needing recharged although some users report getting 4-5 hours but that has not been my experience. His 901 starter kit is $69.95 where some other suppliers will sell them for $49.95 or $59.95 but without the extra’s that Phil provides. I would consider the DSE901 a good first purchase and it is about the size of a regular 100 cigarette. (If you purchase from Phil at e-smokey-treats.com, when it asks for a coupon code, use esmoking101 and you should get 10% off.)

Many users like the classic penstyle 801 model which has a larger atomizer and cart and a typical battery charge life of about 4-5 hours. The draw is lighter, more like a straw due to having 4 holes in the atomizer and the bigger cart. The 801 is larger and looks more like a big pen instead of regular cigarette. You can also purchase a USB pass-through for both the 901 and 801, which allows you to plug into a usb port on your computer and not have to worry about changing batteries. You can then purchase a portable battery pack for the usb pass-through such as this one from Kennsington (Kensington - Portable Power Pack for Select Mobile Devices - Black - K38021) and make your usb power portable. Make sure the power pack is at least 1000mAh power output.

Most users want an e-vap to provide the “throat hit” that is most like a real cigarette (analog as we call them) as well as long battery life. IMO, the only way to get that is to purchase a manual e-vape that allows you to push a button and heat up the atomizer more before you inhale. The one that does that the best is the screwdriver (SD) from trog at: - The ScrewDriver - An electronic cigarette that simply works. It is more expensive but it just can’t be beat for long battery life and throat hit. And my experience with trog has been outstanding. I have emailed him many times with questions and he almost always responds any where from 10 minutes to an hour or so.

IMO, the only way you will enjoy vaping is if you buy e-liquid or e-juice to refill your carts instead of use the prefilled cartridges that come with the starter kits. Plus it is way more cost effective. My favorite liquid to date is the riskee and cola flavors from Puresmoker: PureSmoker.com - Your #1 Source For PV's, Parts, & Accessories!. My recommendation is to get a little higher nicotine (nic) strength because you can always dilute it with USP glycerin that you can get at a drug store for $5 or $6. I use 24mg nic strength. The highest is 36mg and there is also 18, 11, 6 and 0. I also thought I would like the tobacco flavors the best, but in most cases, IMO, they don’t taste that similar to real tobacco. I do know that some forum members love e-smokey treats tobacco flavor, however.

Hope this helps and good luck.

PS: the smallest bottle of liquid is 10ml and usually costs $9.99. In general (everyone is different) you should get any where from 5-14 days out of that size bottle. In addition, you can wash out the fabric in the pre-filled cartridges and reuse them. The fabric is simply polyester batting which you can get enough for a year's worth for about $5 from Wal-Mart.
________________________________________


Here is a little more information. This is a link that provides information on most models of electronic vaporizers:

E-Cigarette Models



PS: a new US alternative to the Screwdriver that many members are raving about. I would check it out: Zi Moshi Home

 

[dumwaldo]

#1 - The SE GOLD e-cig sold in the malls is a model number RN4081 e-cigarette. It is important for you to know that to assist in finding parts that are compatible.

#2 - regardless of what e-cig you have you might need to adjust the way you drag on it to get better results. Do not try to suck hard. Give a quick pull to get the light going then drag evenly with a bit lower suction. A smooth longer drag is going to work much better than a quick hard drag.

#3 - the hole in the cartridge that you suck the vapor though is Kind of small. If you bite down a bit on the end of the cartridge you can free up the end cap and create a filter end that resembles a parliment cigarette. but has a slightly less restrictive opening. This can help get more vapor through.

#4 - SE cartridges are certainly not the best. They do NOT last as long as a pack of ciggarettes as the rep at the mall probably told you. A single cart is probably closer to about 3 to 4 cigarettes.

#5 - You will achieve your absolute best results using a technique called dripping. You will need your own liquid to do this, it can not be done with cartridges. I use the dripping technique in my SE GOLD and it is very strong that way.

#6 - YOU WILL GREATLEY BENEFIT from clicking the link in my siganture and watching Spikeys 1 hour into to vaping video.

#7 - I disagree with at least 75% of what wv2win has to say.

#8 - in the last device prefrence poll the RN4081 came up as the 4th most popular model.

#9 - after extensive reading and watching hours of video reviews I have concluded the RN4081 is completely on par with the DSE901 in just about every aspect of performance. The only thing that seems to make the DSE901 more popular is the higher availability of parts and such. In fact I have seen a prefrence for the RN4081 from a very well respected member of this forum, watch this... YouTube - E-Cig Comparison


DW

 

[Treece]

I agree, dumwaldo. I'm very happy with RN4081. The juice is the key to a good experience. I prefer vaping to smoking now. Tastes much better, and I'm feeling so-o-o-o much healthier.

Hope you can stick with it, mggriffin. I think you'll find it's well worth it.

Treece

 

[JustJulie]

I do not have a SE e-cig, so I can't comment from first-hand experience regarding the particular model you have. However, with ANY model, you really do need some liquid. As noted by the other posters, the cartridges do not last a long time (heck, none of them really do), and the best "vape" you're going to get is either with direct dripping or with topping off your cartridge (both of which require liquid).

And, yes, the technique for vaping is different than smoking. I strongly ditto Dumwaldo's recommendation that you watch Spikey's video. I handed my sister a DSE901, and she couldn't get any vapor from it. She handed it back to me, and I puffed away quite happily with tons of vapor. Handed it back to her, and she still struggled. It took her awhile to figure out how to take the primer puff and how not to suck too hard and too fast. There's a definite learning curve.

Before giving up on the SE e-cig you have, I'd see if you can make it work better for you by watching Spikey's video to get down the basic techniques and by experimenting with topping off cartridges and/or direct dripping.

I have several different models of e-cigs and NONE of them perform well, imo, unless I have either a super-fresh cartridge or one that is freshly topped off. (I don't direct drip so much now, but if you do it carefully, it can provide an excellent vaping experience.)

 

[wv2win]

If you disagree, you might be more specific. I didn't make up these observations. Along with my own experiences, I took the advice from members who have been vaping for a year or more and have tried 10-12 different models of PV's. How many different PV's have you used and which ones? I would like to gauge your experience.

It seems you agree with using liquid so you must not agree with the devices that have been shown to be a better PV. Have you used a PV with a 1000mAh battery and a manual switch so you have a true comparison?

On dripping, I agree that it can provide a better throat hit. It also will gum up your atomizer and leak into your battery compartment making the switch stick and causing the the need to buy many more batteries. This is not a problem with a manual switch, however.

 

[dumwaldo]

I am not going to engage in a point by point debate with you but I find your opinions to be extremist and not entirely founded in reality. If one person complains about the SE GOLD, you turn it into 'it is the most complained about model'. If one person says the screwdriver is the best you turn it into 'everybody here thinks the screwdriver is the best'.

I am sorry but I simply do not find your opinions to be in accordance with the reality I have been experiencing or even a vast majority of opinions I have read expressed around the forum.

I do not think you read enough to actually have informed opinions. Much of what you say seems to be incomplete and lacking in full information. You are suggesting purchase prices twice what the OP could be paying, You are making outlandish claims about the pen style units that a lot of people seem to be trying to move away from rather than move towards, you are claiming the "only" way to get good throat hit is with a manual unit but I get throat hits that choke two pack a day smokers out of my SE GOLD automatic battery unit.

About the only thing I can agree with you on is the opinions expressed regarding the use of liquids and even that, your advice is incomplete and does not mention anything about PG and non-PG liquids and your recommendation that the OP get stronger liquid than they think they need is dubious considering most of the advice I have read around the forum seems to indicate people generally need lower strength than they think they need.

I do not think you can see the forest from the trees.

DW

 

[gatsby]

I don't want this to turn into a pile on but to wv's post represents the kind of posts that chase people away from vaping. I like alot of people discovered PVs through a bad impulse buy at the mall and like the OP I was ready to ditch whole idea. I didn't find this forum until after the buy and subsequent disappointment and at first because of purchasing a SE kit I almost gave up after reading the first few posts. If this poster had stated they bought a 901 from PS or something like that the response would be so much different, but some folks can't help but use any mention of SE to go off (I agree that SE and the folks who work for them need to be hit with big stick, but that has little to do with the people who are introduced to vaping through them).

So to the OP, go to the model specific area in the e-cig review section and read about the 4081. It helps to know that even though you paid way too much you still have a very usable device. There is a big learning curve for these things and it certainly helps to buy juice and get away from the prefilled carts. Also it takes a few days for the atomizer to get worked in enough to be satisfying. The battery and carts don't last that long on any mini so you will want to get another battery and/or usb pass through if this is going to work for you, but if you are like me and don't want to have to go buy another new kit just to see if this is the way to go. Invest some time in learning how it works and buy a bottle of good strong juice. If you are also like me it won't be long until you see that this has promise and you won't feel bad sinking another $75 in parts and a kit that better meet your needs.

 

[gatsby]

Oh and for ease of navigation here is a link to the 4081 model discussion:

RN 4081 *Super Mini* - e-cigarette-forum.com • The place for electronic cigarette reviews, news and chat

 

[JustJulie]

I'm going to avoid a pile-on, too.

If you are also like me it won't be long until you see that this has promise and you won't feel bad sinking another $75 in parts and a kit that better meet your needs.

Gatsby is very correct that many of us do wind up getting a second (or even third, four, fifth . . . ) model of e-cig. I personally have an embarrassing number of models in my arsenal, and I truly don't regret a single purchase. If I want a smooth vape where I really taste the liquid, I pull out my Kissbox. If I want something hard-hitting, I pull out my Dura-C or my Screwdriver. If I go out and about, I make sure to bring my DSE901 along with some extra unused cartridges so that when someone sees me vaping whatever device it is that I happen to have on hand, I can let them test-drive my DSE901.

If your pocketbook allows, you may find that you enjoy trying different models and adding them to your collection. And then again, you may be one of those smart and frugal folks who sticks with a single model because it's easier and sooooo much cheaper.

But whatever you decide to do, it does make sense to learn the basics of vaping with a single model. Since you purchased a SE e-cig, that's what I'd work with, and I wouldn't be chasing after other models until I had given this one a fair chance. As you can see, some folks are quite taken with their SE e-cigs. And even if you decide you don't like it, having taken the time to work with a single model will have given you a chance to decide what it is that you're looking for, and you'll have a baseline from which to branch out.

I have my issues with SE's marketing and pricing, but the truth is that that company is responsible for introducing a lot of people to the joys of vaping. And, yeah, you probably overpaid for it, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not really that big a deal. While some look at e-cigs as a way of saving money, for me, it's all about the health aspects. I feel so much better now that I've given up my 2+ pack a day tobacco habit, and you just can't put a price tag on that. Really.

 

[wv2win]

I am not going to engage in a point by point debate with you but I find your opinions to be extremist and not entirely founded in reality. If one person complains about the SE GOLD, you turn it into 'it is the most complained about model'. If one person says the screwdriver is the best you turn it into 'everybody here thinks the screwdriver is the best'.

I am sorry but I simply do not find your opinions to be in accordance with the reality I have been experiencing or even a vast majority of opinions I have read expressed around the forum.

I do not think you read enough to actually have informed opinions. Much of what you say seems to be incomplete and lacking in full information. You are suggesting purchase prices twice what the OP could be paying, You are making outlandish claims about the pen style units that a lot of people seem to be trying to move away from rather than move towards, you are claiming the "only" way to get good throat hit is with a manual unit but I get throat hits that choke two pack a day smokers out of my SE GOLD automatic battery unit.

About the only thing I can agree with you on is the opinions expressed regarding the use of liquids and even that, your advice is incomplete and does not mention anything about PG and non-PG liquids and your recommendation that the OP get stronger liquid than they think they need is dubious considering most of the advice I have read around the forum seems to indicate people generally need lower strength than they think they need.

I do not think you can see the forest from the trees.

DW

I don't blame you for not wanting to answer my questions but instead just "trash" the quite valid advice I provided. You joined this forum this month, have 60 posts and somehow you think my advice is bad and your's is just great. That's a very arrogant position. I suspect you have one PV and that you have never tried a Dura-C or Titan or Zi Moshi or Screwdriver or any PV with a 1000mAh battery and/or a manual switch, yet you "act" like you are well informed and experienced and attack my advice.

Did I attack your advice? No. I have read more threads on this forum than you ever possibly could going back to December of 2008 and yet you think you know how the veteran members think and what they recommended before you ever heard the word "e-cig". Again, quite arrogant.

You also will not address the valid point that dripping on the atomizer as you recommend has casued premature battery failure for many users as reported on this forum. Is that because you are too arrogant to think you might not know the facts or just that you aren't as informed as you think you are?

As far as incomplete advice, I suppose I could write a 10 page report on all things PV but I don't think SmokeyJoe would like that too much. And there isn't one point in my post that has not been made by others on this forum way before you joined and supports my own experiences.

You also stated that the purchase prices I quoted were twice what the OP would be paying. For a 901 which I recommended, the range I provided was $49.95-$69.95. Please tell us all just one supplier that have 901's for $25 without buying in bulk?

Explaining the difference between PG & VG is more than most new users want to know in an initial post but I have explained it many times in follow-up posts. Interesting, I noticed you didn't mention it in your post either but you threw it in my face. More arrogance.

On the strength of the liquid I gave the OP my experience and stated that clearly and that you can't increase the nic strength but you can decrease it easily. Again, giving the OP options. How that is bad, wrong or incomplete advice, I would love to know.

Oh, wait, you dont' want to provide enough information or answer specific questions or provide information about how experienced you are do you.

Here's mine and it's not nearly as vast as many but definitely much more than you: I've used an 801, 901, 401, Kissbox, peewee, pipe and screwdriver. I used 10 different suppliers; tried 22 different flavors of liquid; tried 7 different strengths of liquid; made my own liquid using PG and VG and tried 4 different suppliers of flavorings.

 

[dumwaldo]

I don't blame you for not wanting to answer my questions but instead just "trash" the quite valid advice I provided. You joined this forum this month, have 60 posts and somehow you think my advice is bad and your's is just great. That's a very arrogant position. I suspect you have one PV and that you have never tried a Dura-C or Titan or Zi Moshi or Screwdriver or any PV with a 1000mAh battery and/or a manual switch, yet you "act" like you are well informed and experienced and attack my advice.

As soon as this has anything to do with the discussion I will be happy to address it but in this thread it is just subversion.

Did I attack your advice? No. I have read more threads on this forum than you ever possibly could going back to December of 2008 and yet you think you know how the veteran members think and what they recommended before you ever heard the word "e-cig". Again, quite arrogant.

Actually because I HAVE BEEN reading the forum I have seen what the real veteran members think of you. IMHO it is not very flattering. I do not hold that against you though. I have been you on many forums. The guy that is all technical knowledge with a piss poor demeanor and attitude that everythingI say MUST be right.

You also will not address the valid point that dripping on the atomizer as you recommend has casued premature battery failure for many users as reported on this forum. Is that because you are too arrogant to think you might not know the facts or just that you aren't as informed as you think you are?

Actually I think you are exaggerating a great deal. This is something I pointed out before. Because I HAVE BEEN reading the forum I know that it is not a rampant problem like you are making it out to be. prove me wrong and find me three posts from people with dead RN4081 batteries from dripping and I will admit to being wrong on this one.

As far as incomplete advice, I suppose I could write a 10 page report on all things PV but I don't think SmokeyJoe would like that too much. And there isn't one point in my post that has not been made by others on this forum way before you joined and supports my own experiences.

It is such a shame you have zero understanding of context. In a discussion with other experienced vapers it would be totally appropriate to impart elaborate devices like the screwdriver or the GG but in a discussion with someone who has no real experience it is not exactly appropriate and will only serve to confuse the OP, the situation and the ability to get the OP the information that could help their current situation.

Why would someone even bother to listen to advice on how to improve their experience if they believe you when you say they will not be able to get throat hit without a manual switch device? A statement that is absolutely, and without ANY doubt 100% wrong.

You also stated that the purchase prices I quoted were twice what the OP would be paying. For a 901 which I recommended, the range I provided was $49.95-$69.95. Please tell us all just one supplier that have 901's for $25 without buying in bulk?

RuyanDirect oh great reader of others. Amazing how you are reading so much more than me and have been around so much longer but I somehow managed to find that one. Absolutely remarkable I tell you.

Explaining the difference between PG & VG is more than most new users want to know in an initial post but I have explained it many times in follow-up posts. Interesting, I noticed you didn't mention it in your post either but you threw it in my face. More arrogance.

Actually I did mention it in my post. see point #6? Well Spikey explains about liquids in her video. The problem here is I actually watched her video because I am actually taking in information here. You on the other hand can not be bothered with what anybody else has to say because you have convinced yourself you already know everything.

And you think you can talk about arrogance you obtuse D-bag?

On the strength of the liquid I gave the OP my experience and stated that clearly and that you can't increase the nic strength but you can decrease it easily. Again, giving the OP options. How that is bad, wrong or incomplete advice, I would love to know.

Because to much information to quickly is a deterent to the general public. If you really think someone who's only experience with E-cigs is a trip to the mall is ready to start mixing or cutting liquids I think you are completely detached from the real world that the rest of us live in.

Oh, wait, you dont' want to provide enough information or answer specific questions or provide information about how experienced you are do you.

You are right, I have no interest whatsoever in 'prooving my credentials'. The fact of the matter is my 'credentials' are inconsequential if the things I am saying are correct.

Here's mine and it's not nearly as vast as many but definitely much more than you: I've used an 801, 901, 401, Kissbox, peewee, pipe and screwdriver. I used 10 different suppliers; tried 22 different flavors of liquid; tried 7 different strengths of liquid; made my own liquid using PG and VG and tried 4 different suppliers of flavorings.

I hope it makes you feel good to say all that but it makes virtually no difference if you are unable to relate to a beginer

You know, it is a shame. You are obviously an intelligent guy and you write well ut you seem to impair yourself with an unrealistic expectation that any old newbie is ready for the advanced course and has a small fortune to lay out on vaping equipment.

You need to understand that not everybody is you. Not everybody is looking for the same thing and your advice, might be perfect for you but for a newbie it is generally bad advice. You do not seem to have the ability to understand that advanced advice does not belong in the beginner section.

At the end of the day, I have the exact same device as the OP and I have advice to offer to help improve the OP's experience. You have a well rounded knowledge of PV's in general but do not seem to have any advice for the OP on how to improve their situation other then suggesting the go back to square one, start over and spend a bunch of money.

Now REALLY, how much sense does your advice make to give to someone who just spent a few HUNDRED dollars on something they are not satisfied with?

If you are not at least STARTING to get the picture here i am at a complete loss on how to explain it to you. You really need to take your head out of that bubble and actually consider the other persons perspective before you speak.

And one last thing...
Challenging others experience level is a very juvinile tactic. I am quite sure you would not appreciate it very much if I tried to imply you are unqualified to speak to me because this is your first forum so you obviously do not know how to condust yourself on one but I have been utilizing web based forums for around a decade. Seriously, you don't even have a full page of google results behind your name. Who the ***** do you think you are?

DW

 

[cherrypopwizkid]

(In the voice of Penelope from SNL)

Well I invented electronic cigarettes so...

I have thirty one different kinds, so little bit more, just a little bit more than you, so....

I was the first member on this forum, and the first to make a video, and I invented youtube and I invented forums and computers so...

My vapor actually cures cancer so....

 

[rock]

I know, the cartridges only last an hour or two like you said. I wish they would make them cheaper so I don't need to buy juice, because the juice is too thin and clogs the atomizer. I think the carts you buy are good, but do not last.

I like the Janty Kissbox cig I have, but the manual button and the automatic button always breaks, but other wise its ok because of the Big Carts thay have.

 

[JustJulie]

(In the voice of Penelope from SNL)

Well I invented electronic cigarettes so...

I have thirty one different kinds, so little bit more, just a little bit more than you, so....

I was the first member on this forum, and the first to make a video, and I invented youtube and I invented forums and computers so...

My vapor actually cures cancer so....

Well, MY vapor actually cures cancer in bystanders. Yup, and it cures diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure . . . oh, yeah . . . and erectile dysfunction, too.

Did I mention I dated Morgan Fairchild (said in my Jon Lovitz voice).

 

[rock]

I think the first time someone tries the e-cig it makes them choke because I did and someone else I made try it. My opion is the manual switch is the best. The automatic switch worked good at first and then it under preformed after a while. I have the Janty and I had two manual swiches and one auto break in 65 days. The button is too thin and it falls into the unit when you press on it.

Also I think Johnson Creek Juice is too thin and clogs the atomizer's but its tastes good. I do like Janty's Juice a little better.

 

[Treece]

Well, MY vapor actually cures cancer in bystanders. Yup, and it cures diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure . . . oh, yeah . . . and erectile dysfunction, too.

Curing all this stuff is nice, JustJulie, but can your vapor make the FDA disappear? 'Cause that would be really cool and helpful.

Treece

 

[gatsby]

Ah message boards. No matter the topic at least a thread or two a day will come down to measuring "membership".

 

[cherrypopwizkid]

Ah message boards. No matter the topic at least a thread or two a day will come down to measuring "membership".

So it is written. So it was. And so it shall be again.

Honestly I was really interested in this match, I wish they had kept at it. In the begining I figured Waldo had this one. Not only did he land the preimptive strike his points and research were crushing. But then WV came back at him with some hard facts about his membership status and length of use and I was all like "Ahh snap son!" I was hopeing to see another attack, cause both sides of that were off the chain! ...I need a girlfriend.

 

[Vapor]

Sorry but i'll have to disagree that the SE Gold is on par with the 901 performance wise.

I own both and my first e-cig was the SE Gold. While the SE Gold is not a terrible device by any means...the 901 outperforms it in every category for maybe battery life being mostly the same.

I reckon a lot of people have tricked themselves into "liking" the device because of just how much they paid for their SE Gold's. When you can get a 901 at one third of the price for the cheaper ones (mostly from china though)

The drag for the SE Gold is also very finicky. You have to learn the exact method to get the most out of the SE Gold....or you wont get any at all like you are experiencing.

If i were you i would just get a 901 if you can justify all the troubles of buying it online and all that other stuff.

But if you want to work with the SE Gold then you still have to go online and get some liquid juice for it, unless you are willing to pay for the overly overpriced cartridges they sell.

So heres my recommendation.

Try to work with your SE Gold with some liquid juice.
Try different ways of dragging on the device.
Do a prepuff before you start with the long drag (this is key)

If you are still not satisfied....spend some more money and get the 901 instead of going back to analogs again.