E-Cig Misery!

[Martin Williams]

Hey Everyone

I'm feeling a little miserable about my e-cig experiences to date; I'm wondering if anyone can help me.

I started out with a Gammuci about 12 months ago, I used it for a month but got frustrated with it due to inconsistent smoking, no "throat hit" and other irrirants. I ditched it.

I tried again this month and bought an m403 (branded ProSmoke) and whilst I've found this better, my experiences are still really poor.

I've read on a couple of posts that it seems to be 3rd time lucky!! I'd rather customize the 403 to work to my tastes, but I'm willing to buy one more e-cig. I'm based in the UK.

I'm hoping somebody can help me find what I'm looking for. Basically - I'm after the most realistic I can find. I'm a heavy 40 a day smoker looking to cut down, at the moment. Here is what I'm after - I don't even know if the e-cig technology is advanced enough to provide it all, although I don't think I'm asking alot!

- Harsh throat hit, just like smoke a real cig. This is essential.

- Consistency!!! Both e-cigs that I've had have been horrifically in consistent. By that I mean I'll take a puff 1 minute and get a reasonably good draw, I'll take a puff 2 minutes later and get nothing. This is perhaps by biggest bug bear.

- A tobacco taste that in some way resembles that of a real cig. I've seen Marlborough cartridges, was going to give them a try.

Can somebody help me find the right e-cig for me, find somewhere I can buy PG juice instead of VG with the 403, and will this make the difference?

Just need a bit of guidance really.

Thanks

M

 

[Iwannaquit4good]

I would say to get an Ego or Riva with LR atties. Do a 50/50 mix of PG/VG for flavor, vapor, and throat hit. As for the Tobacco I am not really good for that. Most of the Tobacco's that I did try, man it's been a while. I did a lot of menthol's, when I first started vaping. Then I got hooked on flavors. I found some menthol's that did give me my fix. I was a menthol smoker full flavor! Hopefully others can help you on that. Don't give up! Best of luck finding your sweet spot and throat hit! I don't know what companies do the UK.

 

[mlinky]

Get a Liberty-Flights 510 Riva kit for $30. Throw in a pack or two of Boge 510 2ohm cartos (7.99/5 pack) and some 24mg juice.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I second starting with either a Riva or an eGo, but I wouldn't suggest starting out with LR attys. LR attys should only be used for dripping and they can ruin MOSFET type batteries like the eGo and Riva. Just get a starter kit and get going with that first. If you want more throat hit, then try juices with a higher amount of PG. Once you get comfortable with using it, then try the LR attys. I wouldn't suggest going lower than 2.0ohms just to be on the safe side.

 

[GaBulldog87]

Have to agree with the poster above me on the eGo. Although, the eGo isn't big if you won't something a little smaller go with the 510. As for the bit about a good tobacco flavor, being relatively new to the world of vaping I have tried plenty of different "tobacco" juices and I have to say nothing is really going to give you a burning tobacco flavor. However, with the range of tobacco options BETTER tasting alternatives are out there. Order a good amount of 3ml or 5ml bottles of various juices and find your favorite flavor. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Meggalette]

+1 on the Riva. I also needed a harsher throat hit, upped my nic to 24mg and that did the trick. I was loyal to my M403 until my Riva came along this Christmas. What a difference! If you use carts (not cartos) make sure to pick up some blue aquarium foam to replace the poly filling. I think the blue foam feeds the juice to the atty in a much more consistent fashion than the poly. (I also replaced the filling in my tiny 403 carts with blue foam, and that really made a HUGE difference in its performance. The 403 remains my backup pv)

 

[kilgoretrout]

Get a Liberty-Flights 510 Riva kit for $30. Throw in a pack or two of Boge 510 2ohm cartos (7.99/5 pack) and some 24mg juice.

^^ This would be my suggestion as well. Riva 510 with some 24mg PG tobacco flavors. I like USA mix and 'tobacco'.

 

[geminimind]

Backwoods brew 555 tastes like an analog but way better. To me anyway. Been vaping for 6 days.

 

[chimney55]

+ 1 for the Riva 510 kit E-Liquid

For juice, go at least 24mg. or 30 mg. I've never gotten any tobacco flavored juices from LF. I get mine from Backwoods Brew or Freedom Smoke USA. For bigger throat hit, go higher on the PG than the VG.

 

[Ardeagold]

Yep...either the eGO or the Riva. XL cartomizers, charge, fill and go!

I like the eGO USB Passthru. You can plug into your computer while working, and it's charging the battery while you vape. Then unplug and go (make sure it's fully charged tho). The cartomizers are the atomizer and cartridge all in one. With a cigarette lighter adapter, you can even charge in your car if you want...or vape. Mega cartos for this too.

Here's the eGO starter kit: Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Joye eGo

eGO USB Passthru: Electronic Cigarette - Pass-throughs - Joye eGo

And the Riva: Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva 510

XL Cartomizers: [http://www.liberty-flights.com/product.asp?id=66

(Remember, they're empty and hold about 2mls of fluid so you need the juice too!)

Click the discount on the top left to see the actual prices.

They're all one site...so you can just navigate from there.

 

[bruiser]

Since you're in the UK, check out Liberty Flights, as they are there.

 

[JC Okie]

I've heard that Liberty Flights' juices have a big throat hit. That would be right down your alley. And they have insanely great prices right now on both the Riva and the eGo. I'd go for the Riva with some 24mg tobacco juice. You'll be set.

 

[ScottinSoCal]

I'm going to disagree with everyone on here.

You don't want an eGo or Riva. I have one, and it's a great PV, and it works beautifully for me, but it doesn't offer:

Harsh throat hit, just like smoke a real cig. This is essential.

I'm taking that "essential" as meaning anything that doesn't offer this is a deal killer. The eGo doesn't offer this. It gives a good throat hit, but not like that.

I would suggest a 5 or 6 volt mod, or a variable voltage setup. The vapor is hotter, the throat hit is extreme, and the VV will let you dial in exactly what you want. You can go with lower resistance atomizers than is possible with anything off-the-shelf. The batteries are also cheaper, and there are some out there that are really well reviewed. For what you listed, I don't think you're going to be completely satisfied with anything less. My suggestion would be the GLV-2 (Great Lakes Vapor), but I'm biased, since I ordered a GLV for myself.

Edited to add: Mods cost more - quite a bit more - than a standard off-the-shelf setup, which is why a lot of people don't get into them. An eGo setup will cost you USD$40-$70, depending on where you shop. A good 5 or 6 volt mod will cost you USD$120+.

 

[qwertylesh]

I used an M401 Kit for a month, it got me off smoking, I discovered about half way into that month that the way you draw on those tiny little atomizers makes all the difference to the vapor production and the amount of nicotine and flavour you get.

you dont draw on them as hard as a cigarette, you draw on them very softly, only to feel the vapor gently fill around your tongue.
then you'll find that they vape rather well.

Personally I got sick of the recharging and filling endless cartridges and went to an eGo.
Since the Leo's are out now, and arent as harsh as the mega egos, if you want an all day ecig that looks bling and vapes with flavour, you may want to look into that if you still dont find it working out with the 403 (401 and 403 are the same, only different mah and length of battery)

I wish you all the best martin, keep reading into ecigs, how-twos and with some persistence you can stay off the stinky sticks

edit: also going to have to completely agree with ScottinSoCal, he's totally right, A higher voltage mod and 510 normal resistance atomizer may be exactly what the OP needs.
I have a Buzz variable voltage at 4.7v and it blows all my other PV's out of the water in terms of vapor production and throat hit.

 

[chimney55]

I'm taking that "essential" as meaning anything that doesn't offer this is a deal killer. The eGo doesn't offer this. It gives a good throat hit, but not like that.

I disagree. A lot of the throat hit comes from the juice (nic. level, flavor, etc.)

 

[qwertylesh]

many things affect the TH, atty design, voltage level, juice additives (i.e, QHIT), nicotine level.

yes, nic level plays a big part. but so does the voltage you vape at and the differences in atomizer types.

 

[alisab]

I agree with ScottinSoCal - I was surprised no one said this right away - that is about voltage. Yes type of juice, nic level, atty or carto all play into TH but I also need a big TH and found it really only after I went to a 6 volt mod. Night and Day. People are often selling very good mods in the classified section - I bought a P18 today (125 shipped) I bought a Chameleon a few weeks ago (70 shipped). Both are able to be used at 6 volts. You would need to buy the batteries and chargers, attys and/or cartos but, in the end you will have wonderful TH.

 

[Zen~]

Scott in social was the first one on the thread that was paying attention to the actual needs of the OP...

Alisab, too is right on with the voltage issue, but I'll pipe in with my thoughts...

The easiest way to get it right, and ONLY way to get everything you need, always... Is to go with variable voltage.

The Buzz is amazing for the money... For the price of 13 packs of smokes in NY, you can have a Buzz... With batteries and a charger. This is LESS money than the average mall eCig.

With a variable, you can dial in that harshness... As much or as little as you desire. There are several variable voltage PVs out there these days and more coming out each month.

I was a 5v guy for a while, then 6v... Now I own two vv devices and I can tell you on no uncertain terms, it's the answer to MOST of the issues that have plagued PVs from the start. It's not about high voltage... It's about getting THE RIGHT voltage. The difference between 5.0 and 5.2 volts can be nothing shy of amazing.

My advice? Get a VV... Virtually any one on the market will do...

And join me in saying JUST SAY NO TO eGo... It's not the answer...

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I disagree, Zen. VV and expensive mods are not the way for a new person to get started. New people don't know and understand the difference between LR and HV vaping, which is why I don't recommend mods to inexperienced people. It's like putting someone into a calculus class when they don't know how to do algebra. Once they get used to vaping and they done some reading on the LR and HV attys and have a basic understanding of when to use them, then they can start looking into mods. If they want to throw the money at it, they can. There is nothing wrong with getting an eGo as a beginning kit.

 

[dormouse]

You'll have to go to something bigger. I was a light and ultralights smoker and I do OK on M402 and M401 but I would never recommend them to someone who wants big hit. And I wouldn't recommend the M403 (which is auto) to anyone except someone who must vape handsfree while they work (and only because it is very light)