First Post and Question

[JimM66]

Hello everyone! Been lurking here for a few weeks - searching and learning. Thought it was time to finally register and say THANKS!

I bought an 808 setup two years ago. KR808D1 XL Battery 380mAh, KR808D1 Blank Cartomizers, charger and some juices. Tried it for a couple of months (while still smoking), but put it aside. Have used it on and off since then, until last month. Vaped and smoked for a few weeks in May before finally ditching the analogs. The juice I had was no good anymore (wasn't really impressed with it to start with). Found a local shop that sells one brand of e-liquid. Again, not impressed but not too terrible. Ordered from 2 vendors online and got more flavors. And once again...

I really want more flavor. Not something with a hint of flavor, or worse, something that tastes like a fog machine. The question is... is it the juices, the cartomizers or me?

I have tried and want to find mostly fruit flavors - cherry, lime, grape, orange, lemonade. If it is the juices I have gotten so far, does anyone know of a vendor who makes juices with strong flavor?

Any suggestions will be appreciated. And thanks for all the info here on the forum - not always easy to find what I'm searching for, but always learning something new.

 

[Fisheeboy]

Welcome and congrats to you.
I like Mt Baker Vapor. They offer the option of extra flavor shots to your e-liquid so you could definitely get a strong flavor if you wanted to. There are others out there that also offer that same option. And there is also the option of buying your own flavoring to add to your liquids to get it right where you like it.

 

[glointhedark]

What is your nicotine level, and your pg/vg ratio on your eliquids?

My daughter and I just switched from 808 systems with cartos to Evods in March. With the 808s, we were using 18 mg nicotine, and went between 80 pg/20 vg, 70 pg/30 vg, and 65 pg/35 vg. We finally settled on the 65/35 pg/vg ratio when we switched to Mt. Baker Vapor's eliquids last October. We were pretty happy with the flavor using the cartos at all those ratios.

 

[The Torch]

It is my experience that 2 years ago tank systems totally sucked, but I never used Cartos. If you can find a vape shop near you, they will likely let you try their juice and therefore a more modern tank. If that seems better than your system, I suggest you get something like a Kanger, Evod or Aspire DBC which all have high approval rates here.

 

[twgbonehead]

Hi, and Welcome to ECF!

I'd agree with the Torch, you should really try a better type of head. I'd recommend something in a BCC or BDC. I never liked the cartos that much; it's difficult to get a good, consistent vape with them (unless it's in a carto tank).

I don't know of much that's available for an 808 connector. However, you can pick up one of these:
901/808D Battery to 510 Atomizer Adapter

and this will let you use any of the 510 heads. (Tried to find an 808->ego/510 adapter for you; no luck). You can get 510->510/ego adapters but that's starting to get to be a big stack!

If you're ready for a new battery, I would definitely suggest you get one with a 510/ego thread. That will let you use nearly every modern head that's out there! (and if you're ready to go that route, I'd recommend the MVP).

 

[sheerpoetry]

Vape shops do let you try their models! Which is something I wish I knew before I bought a kit online, but oh well.

Alice in Vapeland has some yummy stuff and you can add extra flavor to most, just not their sample sizes. They'll also change the PG/VG ratio if you'd like.

I tried four juices from VaporHut and have actually really liked them. The first two needed to steep a bit to get a truer flavor, but the Parely Apple is AMAZING. Tastes just like apple pear juice! It's done better in my ecig than the others, too.

If you do go into a shop and try a new system and decide to purchase, check out www. discountvapers .com! Fast, reasonable shipping costs, great value, and good products! I've been really pleased!

 

[madmartyr72]

Hello, and welcome!

The KR808-type ecigs is usually the first electronic devices people are introduced to because they are sold in gas stations, discount tobacco stores, and hell, even Walmart! They're small and compact, fit easily into your pockets, and look and feel like analogs. For people thinking about making the transition from smoking to vaping, they are very sexy and comfortable to start with ( I too started with the KR808's). Making the transition is hard, especially if you smoked for many years (23 years for me). It's hard because the addiction to smoking doesn't want you to quit, and will cause your mind to find reasons not to, no matter how trivial the reason may be. As smokers, we knew that no matter what, every analog would taste the same and perform the same, cigarette after cigarette, pack after pack, carton after carton. Unfortunately, vaping isn't as consistent, and requires a lot more maintenance to be effective (but so worth it).

Like you, when I first started out vaping on the KR808's, I too found the flavors to be too bland for my taste, so I went on a hunt. I bought so many bottles of juice from different vendors that my shelf started to look like a vape store display! In the end -despite all my best efforts, I just couldn't get vaping to keep me away from the analogs. After a few months of relapsing back to smoking, I sat down with a pen and paper and wrote-out all the reasons I felt vaping had failed me. Key reasons for me were my juice tasted like crap, not enough vapor production, crappy battery life, and I absolutely hated having to top off cartos so quickly. Then it dawned on me. Perhaps it wasn't my juice after all...and I was right!

Now, I have never been one to discourage the use of one PV over another on these forums (because whatever keeps a person off the real deal is the best PV), but in this case I must say to you that your PV is likely the main culprit. Unless you are using LR cartos on your KR808, the 3.7v just isn't enough power to open up your liquids true flavor (and vapor) potential. Even with high PG base in your cartos (high VG in cartos generally create wicking issues and tend to give that "foggy" bland taste), flavor and throat hit will lack. Now, with that being said, before you invest much more into different vendors juices, you may want to give an upgrade a try if your serious about staying off the cigs. There are many great upgrades out there to choose from! I think one of the best and most cost effective upgrades for you would be an eGo Twist or something similar. A standard 510 eGo Twist can be purchased from almost any vendor nowadays for around $20-25, and come in 650-1300mAh variable voltage batteries. I have twists that I have had for years now and they are still going strong (and still used at work). For tanks, the eGo Twist will fit almost anything on it (not your 808 cartos however. Different threading). If you would like to keep the sleekness of a skinny PV, there are many awesome mini clearomizers on the market. Kangertech, IMO, makes some of the best (Protank Mini 3, and Aerotank Mini to name a few).

In all honesty, let me just say this...if a carto-topped KR808 is the only ecig you have ever tried and you do decide to upgrade to a vv device like the eGo Twist with a Kanger Aerotank Mini set at about 4.5v, do yourself a favor and sit down first because it will knock you off your feet! Lol! Seriously, you won't know what just happened! The flavor of your ejuice will not only punch you in your face, but it will produce so much vapor that you will think your head is on fire! It is a totally different vape experience, trust me! Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Maestro]

Try Nicoticket. Their juices are almost too flavorful. Their Creme Brulee is so strong and sweet I have to mix it with something else to tone it down.

 

[Baditude]

I really want more flavor. Not something with a hint of flavor, or worse, something that tastes like a fog machine. The question is... is it the juices, the cartomizers or me?

I have tried and want to find mostly fruit flavors - cherry, lime, grape, orange, lemonade. If it is the juices I have gotten so far, does anyone know of a vendor who makes juices with strong flavor?

Any suggestions will be appreciated. And thanks for all the info here on the forum - not always easy to find what I'm searching for, but always learning something new.

First off, welcome to ECF.

Second, the gear that you are using is still introductory level for beginners. There are better products available, but you will need to pay for quality. Generally speaking, the bigger the battery the better the performance. You can't expect a battery the size of a cigarette to give you the performance you are seeking. At minimum, you should look into an "ego variable voltage setup" with a Spinner or Twist battery. Expect to pay $60 - $80 for two quality batteries, a couple of tanks, and charger. (not including the juice) My Vapor Store has a starter setup that fits this need.

Good Starting Setup for a Beginning Vaper





To go full throttle hardcore into vaping, consider a "mod" or advanced personal vaporizer. This level of setup will most closely resemble a real cigarette.

Advancing Up the Vaping Ladder with Ego's & Mods





That only covers the "battery end" or power supply. There's a ladder of juice delivery attachments, too. From pre-fill cartridges, to clearomizers, to cartotanks, to rebuildable atomizers (RBA's). The higher you go on the chain, the better the flavor and vapor. There's a price to be paid for the higher end devices, financially and time management and degree of complexity (learning curve). It all depends upon how deeply you want to get into this venture.

Proper Terminology: Is it a Carto, a Tank, or What?

E-liquids are probably the most complex subject. Tasting flavors is extremely subjective - what one person loves another one will hate. I don't put much credibility into juice reviews just because everyone's palate is going to be different from mine. I will recommend purchasing from vape shops which allow you to try their flavors before you purchase them. If not available to you, purchase from online vendors who offer sample packs to try for cheap. No reason to waste money on 30 ml of juice only to find you can't stand it.

 

[neyel8r]

Hello everyone! Been lurking here for a few weeks - searching and learning. Thought it was time to finally register and say THANKS!

I bought an 808 setup two years ago. KR808D1 XL Battery 380mAh, KR808D1 Blank Cartomizers, charger and some juices. Tried it for a couple of months (while still smoking), but put it aside. Have used it on and off since then, until last month. Vaped and smoked for a few weeks in May before finally ditching the analogs. The juice I had was no good anymore (wasn't really impressed with it to start with). Found a local shop that sells one brand of e-liquid. Again, not impressed but not too terrible. Ordered from 2 vendors online and got more flavors. And once again...

I really want more flavor. Not something with a hint of flavor, or worse, something that tastes like a fog machine. The question is... is it the juices, the cartomizers or me?

I have tried and want to find mostly fruit flavors - cherry, lime, grape, orange, lemonade. If it is the juices I have gotten so far, does anyone know of a vendor who makes juices with strong flavor?

Any suggestions will be appreciated. And thanks for all the info here on the forum - not always easy to find what I'm searching for, but always learning something new.

i'm really beginning to develop a great fondness for Slim's E-Juice... i'm vaping Pizza and Bacon (each with heavy flavor) & they're both very good! (sure, these sorts of flavors might be somewhat obscure, but if Slim's can do these types of food flavors this well, i have absolutely no doubt they'll nail the fruity ones or any others with no sweat at alll!!) i've actually not yet tried any of the fruity flavors yet but i'll have Dutch Apple Pie & Extreme Ice arriving shortly via vapemail. anyway, there are many great reviews on the site & Slim's has a plethora of fruit flavors, their prices are great & their shipping is fast & free so i'm positive you'll find something that tickles your fancy... happy vaping!!

 

[SURGEON GENERAL]

KR8 was good. Only other thing of kanger I have is Kanger Evod. Not so inconspicuous like the KR8. The only best inconspicuous is the eroll/emini. If you're getting XL KR8 batteries, then just get the bigger pipe-bomb shaped ones for god sakes. XL batteries are stupidily long as is anyway for an inconspicuous effect.

If all you have been using a cig-a-like ecig for all this time, trust me, the bigger models are better for whatever quality.

 

[kinggirl]

+1 for nicoticket. That's all I vape.

 

[JimM66]

Thanks for the welcome and the suggestions. I have been using 18mg with mostly a 50/50 blend. Not sure what the blend was on the locally purchased ones.

I have been considering an system upgrade, mainly for home as I have found myself vaping a lot when sitting at the computer. Right now though, the 808 I have is perfect for work. It fits in my pocket, it's sturdy, automatic so no buttons to worry about, haven't noticed a problem with leaks. It did help make the transition from analogs easier for me. I think I may be ready to change systems soon, but not just yet.

I realize flavors are subjective. Vendor reviews have not been particularly helpful (one said it was the best they ever had, the next said it was awful). I have checked out quite a few sites in search of juices. Lime seemed hard to find at first, but now I see quite a few who offer it. Cherry has been my biggest disappointment though, went from weak to weaker, and new one tastes like a fog machine. All are steeping, though I don't have much hope for that one.

Thanks again for all the great suggestions!