first try not so good

[Mark Schuknecht]

Hello forum!

A couple of days ago, I purchased the Liberty Stix Starter Kit (libertystix.com), which contains: 1 battery and 2 chargers (1 wall, 1 USB). I also then tried the "HIGH" tobacco cartridges (2 of them in a pack). Well, what I have discovered is that the battery hardly holds a charge for more than an hour before I need to put it on the charger again, and the cartridges IN NO WAY are equivalent to 1-2 pk. of analogs. I also have to take such a huge drag to get any good vapor it is ridiculous. I would like to keep vaping and using this set-up as it seems so much more convient then "dripping". If I am correct in the advice I have read, I think I need A) a more powerful battery (self-contained or "push a button" I really don't care) and B)better cartridges (I need VAPOR and carts that are going to LAST for a while). Could someone steer me towards a compatible set-up? Thanks so much forum and good luck to everyone who is trying to give up the analogs!

 

[Seabrook]

Hi Mark,

It's kind of a girl thing to like little and petite stuff to begin with, but since you're a guy (bigger is better, wink), you can skip the beginner series of 510s and 808s and go straight to the eGos and Rivas if you want a fighting chance with your battery life. Try Liberty-Flights 20% off coupon with the Riva set. That might make you happier. Also when you order, be sure and order a back-up battery charger. That will give you a break of high maintenance until you decide which mod would float your boat. Anyway, that's my advice for easing the learning curve.

 

[fivestar]

+1 on the message above mine.

 

[Ric Pennington]

+2

While you are at it. Go ahead and get the ego-T tanks and atomizer. Search around and find a juice you like so you'll have something to fill it with.

 

[Rosa]

OR, maybe you'd like the eGo-T instead:
YouTube - eGo-T Tank System Review



edit: @Ric -- jinx, you owe me a coke!

 

[knobbysmoo]

Hi and welcome! I am new to this too so don't have much to offer. I did find that adapting to a pv takes a little time and practice. I usually have to take a few quick drags before a good vapor starts. I have yet to find a cartridge that equals 1-2 packs but the cost of eliquid is so cheap (compared to cigs) that I don't mind. I use a Joye 510 ( a great starter pv) and definitely have more than one battery. I have 8 so that there are always a few fully charged. I know me and do not want to temp fate by not having a working pv at all times!

 

[Chrissie]

Hello & welcome Mark

Not certain but that looks like something like a cheapo HealthE e-cig that you have paid over the odds for & as for the price of the replacement cartridges

You are right. there is no way the carts will last for 1 to 2 packs of real cigs Plus IMHO a starter kit isn't a starter kit if it only has one battery!

One of the best deals going at the moment for a more powerful e-cig that will last so much longer between charges is the Riva from liberty Flights (no I'm not affiliated with them - they really do just have one of the best deals going).

Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva 510

Click the icon top left of that page to get a 20% discount.

You will also have to buy some juice for that kit.

 

[Chrissie]

Oops, apologies to all the other posters, I should have refreshed before posting

 

[swedishfish]

Get juice- minimum 30 ml. Either a 30 ml bottle or sample sizes but get enough.

If your getting the ego- get at least 2 boxes of cartomizers if you go that route. I only use cartos so I don't know much about carts. And an extra battery or a pass-thru. If something happens to one battery you don't want to be stuck with just one.

 

[Rosa]

Plus if you choose the Riva, you can add the tank system atomizer and cart to it as follows:


Riva $34 http://www.liberty-flights.com/product.asp?id=55
Tank carts $6 Electronic Cigarette - Cartridges - Joye eGo - T
Tank system atomizer $14 Electronic Cigarette - Atomizers & Cones - Joye eGo - T

Plus $3 shipping:

then, all you need is juice.

 

[Seabrook]

Yeah, Rosa above is right on. Go for it!! You won't regret it, really.

Don't forget the back-up charger. I fried two and the plastic casing on a third broke a couple of days ago, but I glued it back together.

 

[dormouse]

The seedy top level of e-cig websites lie and also charge ripoff prices. But not to worry - there are lots of affordable models without the BS.

Cartomizers (aka carto which screw onto the battery and have an atomizer inside) do not last as long as a pack of cigs. And cartridges (aka carts) which hold the juice of a 3-piece ecig, last only for 3-5 cigs before you have to refill. But as long as you are not buying from a rip-off rebrander, they are both refillable. I have been using the same cart for 2 months (I switched the stuffing to blue foam). I mostly vape cartos now - I am on my 5th day of refilling this Vapor4Life carto. (cart is the juice part of a 3-piece ecig, carto is the mouth part of a 2-piece)

You need to at least go to something a bit bigger and thicker than a cigarette to get decent performance.
The two most popular starting good ecigs are 510 and KR808D-1. Comparison and links here:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...st-electronic-cigarette-first-time-vaper.html

The 510 is a bit slimmer of the two, and has shorter battery charge life (180mah or about 2-3 hours of light to moderate vaping)
The KR808D-1 is a bit thicker but it's a 2-piece so more of its length is battery (280mah standard batteries, or about 3-4.5 hours of light to moderate vaping). If you vape constantly, cut those times in half (though constant vapers usually use a passthrough instead and vape off AC-to-USB).

If you want super-long battery life of 6-8 hours and the ability to use harder-hitting low resistance attys and cartomizers (cartos) then you need to look at fat battery 650mah+ Ego, Riva 510, Vgo, etc. Not everybody needs that. I was a lights smoker so I don't need bigger hits and I have chargers at home and at work and a PCC when I am out. I have both a KR808D-1 (the Vapor4Life.com model) and a 510.

And oh - manual batteries - I think most people on the forum would agree manual batteries are better than automatic. Less work, more consistent drags, and usually better sealed against getting killed if any juice leaks from the atty or carto.

 

[Mark Schuknecht]

WOW! You guys are awesome! The vids and details you all have given me are so helpful! I am going to try to get my money back from this "girlie" setup (lol@Seabrook) and I think that e-go tank setup might be right up my alley (the amount of vapor he is getting blew me away..lol!). One more thing if I might...I smoked Marlboro (and Lights) for years and the last couple of years I switched to rolling my own with Kentucky Select tobacco. If you guys could recommended some liquid that comes close or any other of your guys' fav flavs I would again be so grateful. I can start a new thread if needed as well. THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!!! =)

 

[jeannest]

Mark, that looks like a terrible starter kit you purchased. Maybe you could return it? Vaping is wonderful if you have the right gear. I never thought I'd quit smoking. In fact, I bought my first ecig so I could indulge in nicotine gratification when I was unable to smoke a regular cigarette. I really didn't have any actual intention of quitting smoking. I really loved to smoke. In fact, the day I got my first ecig, I also bought 2 cartons of analogs. That was a long time ago and those cartons are still sitting in my closet. I NEVER dreamed that I'd ever quit smoking. E-cigs have been my miracle. So don't give up now!

You need to get a decent starter kit and some good tasting juice. Most people like the ego/riva ecigs. If you prefer a more skinny PV, the 510 mega batteries and KR808 xl batteries have better battery life than the standard ones. I hated the cartridges that came with my first kit. I love cartomizers; definitely give them a try. Many people are really enjoying the new Tank system for their ego. There is a big discussion about the Ego Tank on the General Ecig Discussion board.

 

[Rosa]

I found that you can't mimic the taste of burning vegetable matter no matter how you try... But there are some really good flavors out there that satisfy my need of burning tobacco and aren't too wacky for a beginner:

RY4, 555, and Wyatt earp are all good ones.

You'd be SHOCKED at how many vapers (even folks who smoked the same brand for upwards of 40 years or more) found out that they actually prefer the desserty flavors like cinnamon bun or apple cobbler. I like a nice pear or banana on occasion, but my go to flavors are still the three listed above. In the likely chance that you will be among the majority and end up liking the fruity or dessert flavors, I'd add a couple into your cart just to try them.

 

[Pissy]

Welcome to the forum, much information here. I didn't smoke tobacco flavor (only menthols) so I can't help you with the juice choice. You will probably get some good advice from others on that and a whole slew of "taste is subjective" posts that are so spot on. I am vaping stuff that I never thought I would like, still can't go as far as bacon, pizza or broccoli yet.

Keep us up to speed on how your vaping journey is progressing and how you like your new equipment.

 

[Filthy-Beast]

Mark,

You'll love the tank.

I started 2 weeks ago with the K808 type of system and the trick to getting a better hit to take a small puff to start the coil then a longer slower drag to get a better hit and more vapor. If it's a manual battery then just press the button for a couple seconds before beginning the slow drag. If you hit it like a cigarette you'll get weak vapor.

For the last week I've been using an Ego, I tried regular carts and atomizers and also some mega cartomizers, they work great and I even did some dripping. However for the last few days I've been rocking the Tank and can't see going back unless there's and emergency.

I've trying to find a good supplier and after reading a bunch of liquid reviews I have ordered lots of samples and they're shipping to me. Look at Backwoods Brew, Velvet Vapor, Tasty Vapor, Gourmet Vapor and vaporite.

 

[Rosa]

I found that you can't mimic the taste of burning vegetable matter no matter how you try... But there are some really good flavors out there that satisfy my need of burning tobacco and aren't too wacky for a beginner:

RY4, 555, and Wyatt earp are all good ones.

You'd be SHOCKED at how many vapers (even folks who smoked the same brand for upwards of 40 years or more) found out that they actually prefer the desserty flavors like cinnamon bun or apple cobbler. I like a nice pear or banana on occasion, but my go to flavors are still the three listed above. In the likely chance that you will be among the majority and end up liking the fruity or dessert flavors, I'd add a couple into your cart just to try them.

Almost forgot: if you do get the tank you may want to see if your juice vendor does "double flavor" juice -- it's just like regular juice but the flavor is twice as strong. A few reviewers are saying that the flavor is not as strong with the tank system, a stronger tasting juice might be in order.

 

[Freddy]

Mark ... I am (was) in the same situation as you, only been at this a few weeks and still learning the ways. Dragging on a PV is different than a cig ... long and slow drags has been working better. Juice with a mix of VG/PG gives a better vapor than straight PG. Flavorings ... I am giving up on searching for a "replacement" to the tobacco ... after a few days away from the analogs (still doing maybe one or two a day out of habit) I find I don't even like the flavor of the cigs. The nic level was tough for me ... I was going for the strong which I thought was 18 to 24, but I found that 36 is what it took for me to get rid of the cravings. Can't (and dont want to) vape that all day, I just have it handy for when I need it. Lastly, it seems to me that the nic "feeling" hits faster with an analog ... just find your nic level and keep at it.

 

[Freddy]

Mark ... I am (was) in the same situation as you, only been at this a few weeks and still learning the ways. Dragging on a PV is different than a cig ... long and slow drags has been working better. Juice with a mix of VG/PG gives a better vapor than straight PG. Flavorings ... I am giving up on searching for a "replacement" to the tobacco ... after a few days away from the analogs (still doing maybe one or two a day out of habit) I find I don't even like the flavor of the cigs. The nic level was tough for me ... I was going for the strong which I thought was 18 to 24, but I found that 36 is what it took for me to get rid of the cravings. Can't (and dont want to) vape that all day, I just have it handy for when I need it. Lastly, it seems to me that the nic "feeling" hits faster with an analog ... just find your nic level and keep at it.

And the folks here are amazing ... in knowledge and support!