Despair/hope

[oldfatguy]

Ok, one step forward two steps back? As I have mentioned I got my first kit on Monday. No instructions so I tried to guess. I received two pre filled cartomizers and two empty ones. Not know which was which I tried to vape one and it turned out to be one of the empty ones and of course I ruined it. Got in touch with company and Jeff walked me through filling the empty cartomizers, step by step. Got one filled and when I tried to vape it, it was like trying to suck a lemon through a straw. I kept at it a while and finally started getting some vapor but the taste was really bad. What bothers me about this is the two pre filled cartomizers were pretty good and I knew I could get off the analogs by using that, however I filled the empty one with the liquid I got with my first kit, I had ordered the 36 mg nicotine since I am a heavy smoker and figured I would need a large dose to start.
Where I am at now, I have ordered another battery, a pack (5) of cartomizers with a filler needle. I need to get back online today and try to order a flavor I can handle that will help me get switched from analogs to vaping. I am sure people on this forum will have some suggestions. While I am waiting for my new liquid I am going to study how to fill the cartomizers via you tube. I may well have filled the one wrong by misunderstanding something Jeff told me.
If the two pre filled ones had not tasted so good and really worked I would probably have given up when I tried the one I filled myself. Anyway. I am always open to info and ideas.
Thanks
Oldfatguy

 

[5vz]

Hang in there man.

I find that if I fill a carto a few hours before vaping that works perfectly. I don't use the syringe method anymore. I have used "condom" method with success, especially if filling a new one and letting sit overnight until morning. However, I now just pop the top off, start adding 3 to 5 drops at a time until it looks moist enough. Let it sit a few minutes and can vape. All cartos taste better, vape better, to me, after a few days use too.

 

[Girl4givn]

Don't feel bad.... I had to go over to my parents yesterday and help my dad figure out how to use the new tankomizer on my mom's Inferno they just got in. That's one of my biggest complaints so far - lack of instruction. For veterans to this vaping thing, it's no big deal, but for us newbies, it's hard to figure out what to do. Now, if you go out and buy an electrical can opener, you receive a manual with instructions in 20 different languages. Go figure!

I can't help with the cartomizers, I use a drip tip. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone. There are a lot of us muddling through this - thank God for our ECF friends who know more than we do!

 

[Rosco]

That's why coming to ECF first really helps. If you don't learn a ton of info after being here....you can't learn.
Good luck.

 

[Kargonet]

It will get better that I can guarantee. It is confusing in the beginning with all the different parts and pieces and figuring everything out. If it hadn't been for ECF, the great members here and the vast amount of information I'd have probably given up or honestly, not even given it a chance.

What kind of kit did you receive? If you're looking for an analog type flavor I can recommend Boba's Bounty from here Alien Visions E-Juice. It's right on the money for a non-menthol analog and the owner is great.

Keep reading, keep asking questions, keep watching videos and you'll be a pro in no time.

Good luck to you!

 

[oldfatguy]

Hang in there man.

I find that if I fill a carto a few hours before vaping that works perfectly. I don't use the syringe method anymore. I have used "condom" method with success, especially if filling a new one and letting sit overnight until morning. However, I now just pop the top off, start adding 3 to 5 drops at a time until it looks moist enough. Let it sit a few minutes and can vape. All cartos taste better, vape better, to me, after a few days use too.

The condom method was how Jeff told me to fill the cart. He said to fill it until a small amt. came out the top then let the excess drain out and wipe it down. I am about 93.2 percent sure the biggest problem was the flavor. I hope I am not too dumb to eventually learn how to do this. Can I assume the condom method of filling takes the place of using the filler needle?
thanks

 

[Bootsand]

The beginning can be rough, and a bit expensive, and you get a feel for things, and figure out what works best for you. I'm glad you're persevering, it's totally worth it once you get into the groove! I had a few failed experiments on what I liked and didn't like; I've burned atties, bought crap I hated, and spent a lot of time researching... and it was all very, very worth it. The initial costs have been long since absorbed, and my yearly budget is probably a little over 100 bucks now, I have a PV that I adore, and can mix flavors that make swoon.

If you ever have any questions at all, there are about a zillion people here on ECF that will help you with anything too this is the most active, helpful forum I've ever came across, and I'm glad you found us!

 

[oldfatguy]

Don't feel bad.... I had to go over to my parents yesterday and help my dad figure out how to use the new tankomizer on my mom's Inferno they just got in. That's one of my biggest complaints so far - lack of instruction. For veterans to this vaping thing, it's no big deal, but for us newbies, it's hard to figure out what to do. Now, if you go out and buy an electrical can opener, you receive a manual with instructions in 20 different languages. Go figure!

I can't help with the cartomizers, I use a drip tip. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone. There are a lot of us muddling through this - thank God for our ECF friends who know more than we do!

10/4 on the ECF friends. I have read some of the drip method and plan to look into it in the future, just want to get started this way and then hopfully make some progress. Onward through the fog.

 

[5vz]

Yep, no needle needed with the condom method. Some juices do not taste good to some of us, trust me, had a bad one couldn't vape it.

You will get the hang of it. There are lots of youtube videos too, they helped me figure all this stuff out. I learn easier from watching.

 

[oldfatguy]

Thanks for all the info from everyone. I was a bit skittish starting on this. My first effort was with an online rip off company. Thankfully I got out for only ten dollars but that was after fighting for weeks to get the charges of over a hundred dollars taken off my credit card. I know we have to learn but I really hate learning the hard way, of course it is easier to remember that way. ha

 

[5vz]

Sorry to hear about the ripoff site. It happens to a LOT of people. Thank goodness you got out of it for only $10. Keep asking us here, we will find an answer if we don't know it yet.

 

[Girl4givn]

10/4 on the ECF friends. I have read some of the drip method and plan to look into it in the future, just want to get started this way and then hopfully make some progress. Onward through the fog.

I absolutely love the drip method, but I mix constantly. I add a drop of menthol to almost everything just to give it that icy kick.

My mom's tankomizer is AWESOME. I actually toyed with the idea of getting one after I saw hers, but it seems like it may be more for people who want to keep the same flavor for a few days. It definitely holds a lot of juice so you don't have to worry about refilling. I'm guesstimating hers is going to last her about 1 to 1-1/2 weeks, depending on how much she uses it.

 

[dormouse]

I use standard cartos with soft caps and just pop the mouth end cap and drip liquid into the stuffing. I used the condom method one time when I had spin the liquid out of a non-working prefilled carto and I pushed it into a blank. Either way, it takes a while to get a carto working well after I fill. It needs to really soak and distribute into the stuffing and that center air channel needs to be clear.

Are your cartos hardcaps? What model are you using?

 

[oldfatguy]

I use standard cartos with soft caps and just pop the mouth end cap and drip liquid into the stuffing. I used the condom method one time when I had spin the liquid out of a non-working prefilled carto and I pushed it into a blank. Either way, it takes a while to get a carto working well after I fill. It needs to really soak and distribute into the stuffing and that center air channel needs to be clear.

Are your cartos hardcaps? What model are you using?

forgive me for still being pretty much lost on the terms.. The cartomizers I have are 520 cartomizers for the joy ego ? brand. the cap is soft rubber but for some reason I do not think that is what you mean. ?
I got the 520 Mega compact sample kit from wordup-ecig. all it says on the cartomizer is "empty 520 cartomizer"

 

[Pneathery]

If you got a regular atty, and cart you might want to at least try it out. I bought some regular cartomizer's, and some LR cartomizer's, and HATED both of them. I went back to the 510 mega atty/cart. Those carts can last up to an hour. I have ordered the tank system, and should be getting it in the mail today I hope.
Hang in there, you can do it man, I went from 3 packs a day to straight vaping overnight.
Vaping is the most amazing thing I've ever run across, I never smoked menthols before, but I find them to be very satisfying.

 

[oldfatguy]

If you got a regular atty, and cart you might want to at least try it out. I bought some regular cartomizer's, and some LR cartomizer's, and HATED both of them. I went back to the 510 mega atty/cart. Those carts can last up to an hour. I have ordered the tank system, and should be getting it in the mail today I hope.
Hang in there, you can do it man, I went from 3 packs a day to straight vaping overnight.
Vaping is the most amazing thing I've ever run across, I never smoked menthols before, but I find them to be very satisfying.

All I have tried is the cartomizer, I may get up the courage to try the atomizer/cart method. I am 62 and have smoked for 50 years so I would really like to quit. ha.

 

[cags]

Don't feel bad.... I had to go over to my parents yesterday and help my dad figure out how to use the new tankomizer on my mom's Inferno they just got in. That's one of my biggest complaints so far - lack of instruction. For veterans to this vaping thing, it's no big deal, but for us newbies, it's hard to figure out what to do. Now, if you go out and buy an electrical can opener, you receive a manual with instructions in 20 different languages. Go figure!

lack of instructions....what is up with that?? I couldn't even put the disposable one I tried together without writing the company for help. something with pictures would be great. I know there are instructions all over you tube, but sometimes I have trouble playing those and sometimes it is still hard to see what they are doing.

 

[Pneathery]

Just try it, it is a little bit more work from what vie heard, but I really didn't like the way the cartomizErs drew. One of them was like a way too thick milkshake and I kept on getting juice in my mouth, and the other one was way too easy. The atomizer/cart gave me the best draw.
Just screw on the regular atomizer, take the cart with the filling in it, and drop drops in it till it won't hold any more, slide it into the atty, hold down the button for a second before you draw through it. If you filled it a little bit too much (I always do) it will sound like a water .... gurgle, gurgle, gurgle.
However I found about the third drag to be the best. Try it, and you might never have to smoke again.
I'm 38, or 39 he'll I don't know, but I've been smoking since I was 13. I have bad breathing problems. Use an inhaler, and have a machine at home to help me breathe. After one week I found myself not needing the inhalers anymore.
I can breathe.
I've tried to stop smoking so many times, but this time is different, I don't miss it, I don't want to smoke at all.
Anyway good luck man. You can do it.

 

[Rosa]

All I have tried is the cartomizer, I may get up the courage to try the atomizer/cart method. I am 62 and have smoked for 50 years so I would really like to quit. ha.

MOST vapers on ECF are 41-60 years old: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/polls/119058-how-old-vapers.html

and MOST vapers smoked for more than 25 years (many for more than 50 years too): http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/polls/42293-how-many-years-were-you-analog-smoker.html

Man, I love the polls : Polls



Anyway, my point is that you are here with your peers in a place where most of us know exactly what you are going through. I hope you can get the thing to work, and I hope you like it. But if it's not everything you thought it was supposed to be, if it doesn't make you KNOW that your relationship with tobacco cigarettes is finally over, don't hesitate to talk about it here. We can recommend all sorts of solutions to any short comings that you feel like it has... it's even possible that you'd do well with a different e-cig (likely even) I looked at the 520 and it looks to be an entry level e-cig - perhaps not suited to a heavy smoker like you or me...IMO. If this is what you got: Wordupecig 520 Mega Compact kit

Good Luck in figuring all this out though, once you get a kit that works and some e-liquids that you like all those days of smoking will be in the past. E-cigs can really really work, but it does take some trial and error to figure out your best set up.

 

[rmpetty]

Hi there Oldfatguy, I was kinda in the same boat as you, I'll be 62 next month and have been smoking since I was 13. Thats 49 years of that crap. I had received an email offer for "a complete e-cig" for only the cost of $4.99 shipping. If I were to keep it for more than 20 days they would bill my CC for $99.95 - Plus Keep me "supplied" for a cost of $59.95 a month. I deleted it!
A couple of days later I started thinking about it and did a search for electronic cigarettes and thankfully came across ECF. These members have walked me through everything and I owe them big time. They will help you too. Good luck, I wish you the best.