Do's and Dont's for First Timers...from a Newbie

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rem700

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Jul 29, 2011
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Yep, there is a fine line between "stocking up" and overstocking. : /

Maybe sell those extra attys in the classifieds here, or gift them in the PIF section. : )

I was surprised the shipping on one China order was like 2 weeks didnt really need it but the wife found it on sale $25 shipped and ordered for backup and was expecting a 2 month wait.

I think I cracked the $1000 mark with this mornings order since I started vapeing in Aug.

I ordered the kit you linked figure if I throw in a couple attys and a fluxo or 2 and all the left over juices I didnt like it should make a good starter gift/kit for my brother.
From the kit I ordered I received these emails
12:50 a.m order confirmation
5:54 a.m thank you for your order and they will ship shortly
7:12 a.m order shipped there out of Chicago so I should have my order fri or sat.

Where is this PIF section I keep seeing referenced? Found the PIF section
 
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DaSmokinLoon

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Jan 30, 2012
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From my limited experiance I would say jump in.. Spend two weeks of cig money and buy a good system.
I started on a Totally Wicked 510T. I won't knock it because it is what actually got me off the cigs, but in a lot of ways it was wasted money.
In less than a week I ended up spending money on a big batt mod, at day ten I bought a tank.. and here I sit.

It doesn't 'need' to look like a cig.
It doesn't have to be tobacco flavored.

It does need to be easy to use.
It does need to have the capacity in juice and batt to keep you from constantly messing with it.


Thats just two cents from a guy very new to vaping but very succefully killing out the 'craves'.
Really good advice, especially "It does need to have the capacity in juice and batt to keep you from constantly messing with it." This was one of my biggest problems that lead me right back to smoking the first time around.
 

CrystalClaire

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I've been vaping for only a month and I regret not buying a higher end, better model from the get go. I have two kGos and two epowers and keep one of each at home and in my office. If I could turn back time, I'd get a Provari first.

I also made the mistake of ordering too many juices at a very high nic strength. The majority at 36 and 24 mgs but one is 49 mgs! I dropped to 18 and 12 mg within 2 weeks and have far too much high nic juice I'll never use.

Additionally, remember taste is subjective and don't be discouraged if you don't like some of the highly rated juices others rave about. I can't stand KBVs highly recommended OMG, Candy Bar or Rice Crispy Treats but their Gooey Better Cake is an all day vape for me.

And on the subject of taste, if you don't like a flavor right away, try steeping it for a few days or longer. I've fallen in love with juices I wasn't crazy about the first time I tried them. Ms T's Snickerdoodles, for instance.

I'd also recommend having a back up pv. I ordered two when I started and lost one within a week. Had I not had the back up, I likely would have grabbed some analogs.

If you're using cartomizers, make sure you always have enough on hand. I ran out and it wasn't very fun:)

Lastly, it's better to overfill .a cartomizer than under filling. Once a carto is burned, it's not useable..

Sorry about the wall of text. I hope it helps someone just starting out. Good luck!.
 

PaporPlas

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Dec 27, 2011
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I've been vaping for only a month and I regret not buying a higher end, better model from the get go. I have two kGos and two epowers and keep one of each at home and in my office. If I could turn back time, I'd get a Provari first.

I also made the mistake of ordering too many juices at a very high nic strength. The majority at 36 and 24 mgs but one is 49 mgs! I dropped to 18 and 12 mg within 2 weeks and have far too much high nic juice I'll never use.

Additionally, remember taste is subjective and don't be discouraged if you don't like some of the highly rated juices others rave about. I can't stand KBVs highly recommended OMG, Candy Bar or Rice Crispy Treats but their Gooey Better Cake is an all day vape for me.

And on the subject of taste, if you don't like a flavor right away, try steeping it for a few days or longer. I've fallen in love with juices I wasn't crazy about the first time I tried them. Ms T's Snickerdoodles, for instance.

I'd also recommend having a back up pv. I ordered two when I started and lost one within a week. Had I not had the back up, I likely would have grabbed some analogs.

If you're using cartomizers, make sure you always have enough on hand. I ran out and it wasn't very fun:)

Lastly, it's better to overfill .a cartomizer than under filling. Once a carto is burned, it's not useable..

Sorry about the wall of text. I hope it helps someone just starting out. Good luck!.

Great post!

As for the too high of nic level stock you have. Simply purchase some 0mg of the same brand and flavor. Mix the two with varying ratios to get a lower nic level. E.g. 10ml of 36mg Gooey Better Cake with 20ml of 0mg Gooey Better Cake would give you 30ml of 12mg Gooey Better Cake! - If they don't have that flavor in 0mg, buy the lowest and do the math. : )
 
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DC2

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Jun 21, 2009
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Additionally, remember taste is subjective and don't be discouraged if you don't like some of the highly rated juices others rave about.
Nothing could be more true.
:)

I've come to the conclusion that many of the juices others rave about I probably won't even like.
Over the years I've tried many of them and most of them just don't do it for me for one reason or another.

And on the subject of taste, if you don't like a flavor right away, try steeping it for a few days or longer.
Solid advice there.

Back in my early days we didn't even know about steeping.
I got rid of a LOT of juice I might have loved if I had let it steep awhile.

Now I try every sample I get a bunch of times over the course of weeks before I decide it has to go.
 

sandybeach

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Nov 8, 2011
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I've been vaping for only a month and I regret not buying a higher end, better model from the get go. I have two kGos and two epowers and keep one of each at home and in my office. If I could turn back time, I'd get a Provari first.

I also made the mistake of ordering too many juices at a very high nic strength. The majority at 36 and 24 mgs but one is 49 mgs! I dropped to 18 and 12 mg within 2 weeks and have far too much high nic juice I'll never use.

Additionally, remember taste is subjective and don't be discouraged if you don't like some of the highly rated juices others rave about. I can't stand KBVs highly recommended OMG, Candy Bar or Rice Crispy Treats but their Gooey Better Cake is an all day vape for me.

And on the subject of taste, if you don't like a flavor right away, try steeping it for a few days or longer. I've fallen in love with juices I wasn't crazy about the first time I tried them. Ms T's Snickerdoodles, for instance.

I'd also recommend having a back up pv. I ordered two when I started and lost one within a week. Had I not had the back up, I likely would have grabbed some analogs.

If you're using cartomizers, make sure you always have enough on hand. I ran out and it wasn't very fun:)

Lastly, it's better to overfill .a cartomizer than under filling. Once a carto is burned, it's not useable..

Sorry about the wall of text. I hope it helps someone just starting out. Good luck!.

Claire, what a great post! I started out with Kgo, burned one out after 6 weeks, and the other is losing its threading. I too, wish I had started with a better PV. I didn't get the Provari, but I got a nice VV box mod that will serve me well until I get one.
Sandy
 

Theseus

Full Member
Jan 29, 2012
23
43
NYC
New vaper... got conned with some of the free S&H trials, but thankfully cancelled all within the allotted time.

Found ECF, read a lot, read the tutorials. Again, newb, focused on analog experience, so went KR808, analog look, tobacco flavors.... have had my Volt starter kit for less than than 24 hours. And again, thanks, got very quick feedback here at ECF pointing me to SI Volt.

(LOL... how typical is that??!!)

Not planning on cutting off analog immediately, but am already pretty sure I will cut consumption (usually 1.5 PAD) down by half or more without even thinking about it. Would like to transition to no analogs, but not sweating it.

Great community. Some questions:

1) I've been an ultra-light smoker for over 30 years, albeit at 1.5 PAD. I went with 6mg on the Volt, maybe low. Feels okay in terms of nic, but I don't really get the translation, and some of the posts I've seen indicate I should be going through nic withdrawal.

2) I've seen the following two contradicting statements:
a) "A cartomizer is good for 1.5-2.0 packs."
b) "A cartomizer is good for 4-6 cig equivalents."

3) Related: I don't understand how to know when a cartomizer is running low. Right now, I am still on my first cartomizer, SI's "Smokey Joe", i.e. Turkish... it was sort of bitter to begin with, but still doesn't taste really different or "burnt", but I am definitely at 15+ equivalent analogs (I think... see below).

2 & 3 together) So how long should I vape a cartridge???? Not by time, I guess, but by puffs? And yes, I am cognizant that my puffing style is in transition, so does that mean the newb metrics are "analog puffs" versus "e-draws", and if so, again, when do I need to change or re-charge the cartomizer??

4) I am getting very different vapor and TH results from the Volt on:
a) 65mm battery,
versus
b) USB pass-through (much more)
- why would that be the case, when the KR808-D1 (2nd gen) is regulated at 3.6V in both cases?

5) Once I get more comfortable, it seems like it makes sense to re-charge cartomizers for a week or so... what does that mean in practice:
a) For a given cartomizer: how many drops per day of re-charge, and for how long?
b) How do you know when to stop?

(While I've been writing this, I've been expecting the cartomizer I've been using to start to run out... it still tastes the same, a bit bitter, but not burnt. Again, how will I know?)

Thanks.

BTW, thanks again to ECF posters for an awesome community, and for in general pointing me to the Volt... by far the best of the 808s and SI as best such supplier, IIUC.
 

Theseus

Full Member
Jan 29, 2012
23
43
NYC
I just realized I should have broken up my above post, to get past the "initial 5" rule on ECF for new members.

Sorry... this is #2 I guess.

But, in the meantime, I am really enjoying Volt on USB... way better than I expected.

I got two packs of the Smooth Sampler. Again, I'm on 'Smokey Joe' (Turkish) so far, TBD as to other flavors.).

#3 post. :)
 
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PaporPlas

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Dec 27, 2011
656
399
Los Angeles
New vaper... got conned with some of the free S&H trials, but thankfully cancelled all within the allotted time.

Found ECF, read a lot, read the tutorials. Again, newb, focused on analog experience, so went KR808, analog look, tobacco flavors.... have had my Volt starter kit for less than than 24 hours. And again, thanks, got very quick feedback here at ECF pointing me to SI Volt.

(LOL... how typical is that??!!)

Not planning on cutting off analog immediately, but am already pretty sure I will cut consumption (usually 1.5 PAD) down by half or more without even thinking about it. Would like to transition to no analogs, but not sweating it.

Great community. Some questions:

1) I've been an ultra-light smoker for over 30 years, albeit at 1.5 PAD. I went with 6mg on the Volt, maybe low. Feels okay in terms of nic, but I don't really get the translation, and some of the posts I've seen indicate I should be going through nic withdrawal.

2) I've seen the following two contradicting statements:
a) "A cartomizer is good for 1.5-2.0 packs."
b) "A cartomizer is good for 4-6 cig equivalents."

3) Related: I don't understand how to know when a cartomizer is running low. Right now, I am still on my first cartomizer, SI's "Smokey Joe", i.e. Turkish... it was sort of bitter to begin with, but still doesn't taste really different or "burnt", but I am definitely at 15+ equivalent analogs (I think... see below).

2 & 3 together) So how long should I vape a cartridge???? Not by time, I guess, but by puffs? And yes, I am cognizant that my puffing style is in transition, so does that mean the newb metrics are "analog puffs" versus "e-draws", and if so, again, when do I need to change or re-charge the cartomizer??

4) I am getting very different vapor and TH results from the Volt on:
a) 65mm battery,
versus
b) USB pass-through (much more)
- why would that be the case, when the KR808-D1 (2nd gen) is regulated at 3.6V in both cases?

5) Once I get more comfortable, it seems like it makes sense to re-charge cartomizers for a week or so... what does that mean in practice:
a) For a given cartomizer: how many drops per day of re-charge, and for how long?
b) How do you know when to stop?

(While I've been writing this, I've been expecting the cartomizer I've been using to start to run out... it still tastes the same, a bit bitter, but not burnt. Again, how will I know?)

Thanks.

BTW, thanks again to ECF posters for an awesome community, and for in general pointing me to the Volt... by far the best of the 808s and SI as best such supplier, IIUC.

Theseus,

Welcome to vaping heaven & ECF.

I posted this thread over a month ago, seems longer. I really posted it then, because, like so many things in life it is so easy to move onto a level of "experience" that we forget how complex and confusing things seem when first begun.

Anyway, now that you know you want to vape, and have a taste for how it is working, I really suggest you get a stronger PV. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it needs to have a battery with more than 200mAh like your Volt has. This is a large part of why the pass-thru gives you "more" compared to your battery. Even though it is regulated, once the battery drops below a certain charge it can't be regulated "up" to the 3.6v that the pass-thru will sustain constantly. That make sense?

Concerning cartomizers. There are so many different sizes .3ml - 1ml - 2ml - 3.5ml - 5ml etc... So, it also depends on how much eJuice it holds when filled. I have 3.5ml cartos, and when I first fill them they only take about 3ml, then when I go to re-fill them I can only get 2ml in them, since the wicks are already saturated. I vape around 3ml per day. I used to smoke 1/2 PAD. So, I vape quite a bit for how little I smoked. Bottom line is get no less than a 2ml carto. It's hard to use the rule, "once it starts tasting weak or burnt" change it or refill it, cuz your battery can be that culprit as well. Another reason to get longer lasting batteries. I have 650mAh batteries and swap out every 3-4 hours with a freshly charged one. I have been using clearomizer cartos (you can see where the fluid is at as far as getting low) so I am learning how much vaping it takes to get low on a 3.5ml. I've just ordered some 5ml Mega Ego Dual Core Cartomizers. They will allow me to refill with 3ml of liquid each time. That won't get me through the day, cuz I will probably swap out for a new one after a few hours to be safe...probably only using 2ml - 2.5ml of the carto. It is very important to never dry out, or burn your carto, it will not taste the same if you do. So, I stop long before it could burn.

I am learning that more is more with vaping. Always have too much. Too much battery - if you want to vape cleanly for 2-3 hours have at least a 650mAh. Supposedly 100mAh = 1 hour, but we know from video recorders and cell phones one should probably cut any projected battery time in half. If you want to be able to vape for 2-3 hours without burning your carto have a couple of full 1ml cartos, or a full 3.5ml. I get 8-9 days from a 30ml bottle of liquid. When doing the math I should get 10 days, but there is a certain amount of loss that comes from leaking cartos, tossing 1/2 full cartos that start to taste burnt, spillage, etc...

As for you using 6mg and not having cig cravings, that's great. Now, make your vaping experience easier by getting better equipment. The Volt can be a great back up. I recommend this unit quite a bit. It is a perfect step up for very little money. The batteries are 900mAh and the cartos 5ml. It might feel big compared to a cig but you will get used to it and like it better than the feel of a cig within a day or two. If you prefer using a cig looking unit when you are out and about take your Volt and use the Ego at home. But, I can almost guarantee you that once you vape with something like this you will probably get over wanting a cig looking/feeling pv.

http://www.vaporbeast.com/Mega_Smok_Tech_Ego_p/sk3.htm

Good luck!
 
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I think some of my favorite advice for newbies is to just jump in and get started.

This is exactly the conclusion that I've come to. I've done the research and gotten a lot of good info here, the electronic_cigarette group on Reddit and tons of vids on Youtube (thanks Dr. Vapor!) I finally decided that all the "book learnin'" in the world wasn't going to help until I had a solid, real world frame of reference with which to compare and contrast. With that in mind, I ordered a G6 starter kit from Halo which should be here tomorrow. It seems that nobody hits their butter zone on the first try and I fully expect that this will not be the last PV I ever try. It seems the best a newbie can do is buy a solidly reviewed product from a solidly reviewed company and see where that takes them. Thanks for all the help, folks!
 

Theseus

Full Member
Jan 29, 2012
23
43
NYC
PaporPlas:

Thanks very much for such a speedy and comprehensive response (what a great community).

I feel like, as a new vaper, I barely understand half of your post... gotta go to bed; I will reply with some more questions over the next couple of days.

I would like to meet with any vapers in Manhattan... maybe some in-person interactions would help me progress better.

-Richard
 
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