Disclaimer: This is likely to be long and rambling, my apologies.
I finally received my rig on Wednesday - eGo Twist! I had already read tips for first-time set up and made written notes to get started. It really tried my patience to have to wait to fully charge the batteries, but I managed to contain myself. I had purchased some juices in flavors that I thought I would love - flavors that I like in the "solid" counterparts, ie: coffee, chocolate, caramel...and tobacco. I loaded these in Nano clearos. (BTW - I really like the Nanos, I've already ordered a dozen more!). I was sad to discover that I really really really didn't like any of them. The tobacco flavors were the worst IMO - shocking. Cleaning/drying all of the clearos so that I can change flavors leads to more impatience. I next load up mint flavors, menthol (just in case), and licorice (I don't eat it IRL, but got it in a sample pack, so WTH). I've never been a menthol smoker, and I don't often chew gum - I was surprised to discover that these are much more tolerable. I actually enjoy the menthol and licorice flavors the most....really?!?! Go figure. After literally spending days in the general juice forum, I was very frustrated with the process of choosing juice. It seemed so elusive to get information that would convince me to choose decisively. Now I know why.
The eGo itself is great. I did a ton of research and read advice here on ECF. I am so glad to have the VV, it is nice to be able to fine tune the vape. The kit feels solid/quality without being too heavy. My criticisms are minor. I bought the stainless thinking the black rubberized finish might not last, but the stainless feels a bit clammy to me (I can wrap the batteries and use them until they die, then try the black next time). The led buttons are too bright, distractingly making my fingers glow when pressed.
I haven't had any gurgling or leakage issues, and I have kept them standing in a mug. I haven't taken them out into the world - I'm still a bit self-conscious about vaping in public, and I haven't decided just how to travel with them. I have to say that it is odd to me that I was not self-conscious about smoking in public, but somehow sucking on a metal tube makes me think twice...I'm sure I will eventually get over it. It has also been great to not have to go outside with it - I don't smoke in my home, and you can't smoke anywhere indoors in New York - another bonus for vaping!
I have saved out the tanks and carts until I find a juice that I really like. Dripping seems a bit advanced/tedious/possibly messy to me, so I'm sticking with the Nano clearos for now...they hold enough juice to last me for hours (tip - put the mouth piece on as fast as possible after adding juice, or at least that's what the site said), and they have been so far problem-free. I have refilled them when they get low without issue.
IMO juice is everything. I had thought that I would be able to tolerate any flavor at least temporarily - not true. The tobacco flavors were too utterly nasty. If I had only purchased those, I would have had to put the whole kit away despite the fact that I had purchased a great set up for me. My advice to anyone considering vaping - choose a wide variety of flavors, since flavor is most important initial impression...if the flavor literally makes you gag, the other aspects of the juice won't matter. I personally haven't had any issues with nic strength (I chose mostly 18 mg and some 12 mg to start, with one 24 mg) or PG reaction. I did purchase some juices with different PG/VG mixes, but that has not been a deciding issue so far. I was concerned that nic strength would be a huge issue, but it hasn't been - I vape for a shorter period of time than it takes to smoke a 'log, but vape more often than I would normally smoke. I suppose that my nic intake is basically the same - there doesn't seem to be any craving differences or physical withdrawal reactions. Perhaps I am subconsciously able to maintain the "needed" nic levels. I seem to prefer a bit more VG in the juice - it is somehow, indescribably, better to me (see how subjective and elusive juice is?). In the end, it has been worth it to me to buy some juices that I think I will never touch again in order to find some that I actually like. Of course, I have already placed orders with 2 more juice suppliers in the hunt for the perfect vape experience - I would say that one should expect to invest a bit of money and effort in the big juice search.
Here is another thing that I didn't expect: I find that vaping is smoother and nicer than smoking. I didn't realize, or I have become so used to it, that cigarette smoke is harsh in my throat. I would also recommend drinking water along with vaping - for me, it makes a difference especially with PG heavy juices.
In the end, it turns out that all of the frustration is worth it - I'm off to a great start. I haven't smoked a 'log since, and vaping is much more satisfying than I thought it could be. I thought I should keep the 'logs around just in case, but I don't need them - though YMMV. Many thanks to the ECF vets who share their wisdom, and thanks to the noobs who ask the questions that I haven't thought of. Can I consider myself a vaper now? I hope so.
I finally received my rig on Wednesday - eGo Twist! I had already read tips for first-time set up and made written notes to get started. It really tried my patience to have to wait to fully charge the batteries, but I managed to contain myself. I had purchased some juices in flavors that I thought I would love - flavors that I like in the "solid" counterparts, ie: coffee, chocolate, caramel...and tobacco. I loaded these in Nano clearos. (BTW - I really like the Nanos, I've already ordered a dozen more!). I was sad to discover that I really really really didn't like any of them. The tobacco flavors were the worst IMO - shocking. Cleaning/drying all of the clearos so that I can change flavors leads to more impatience. I next load up mint flavors, menthol (just in case), and licorice (I don't eat it IRL, but got it in a sample pack, so WTH). I've never been a menthol smoker, and I don't often chew gum - I was surprised to discover that these are much more tolerable. I actually enjoy the menthol and licorice flavors the most....really?!?! Go figure. After literally spending days in the general juice forum, I was very frustrated with the process of choosing juice. It seemed so elusive to get information that would convince me to choose decisively. Now I know why.
The eGo itself is great. I did a ton of research and read advice here on ECF. I am so glad to have the VV, it is nice to be able to fine tune the vape. The kit feels solid/quality without being too heavy. My criticisms are minor. I bought the stainless thinking the black rubberized finish might not last, but the stainless feels a bit clammy to me (I can wrap the batteries and use them until they die, then try the black next time). The led buttons are too bright, distractingly making my fingers glow when pressed.
I haven't had any gurgling or leakage issues, and I have kept them standing in a mug. I haven't taken them out into the world - I'm still a bit self-conscious about vaping in public, and I haven't decided just how to travel with them. I have to say that it is odd to me that I was not self-conscious about smoking in public, but somehow sucking on a metal tube makes me think twice...I'm sure I will eventually get over it. It has also been great to not have to go outside with it - I don't smoke in my home, and you can't smoke anywhere indoors in New York - another bonus for vaping!
I have saved out the tanks and carts until I find a juice that I really like. Dripping seems a bit advanced/tedious/possibly messy to me, so I'm sticking with the Nano clearos for now...they hold enough juice to last me for hours (tip - put the mouth piece on as fast as possible after adding juice, or at least that's what the site said), and they have been so far problem-free. I have refilled them when they get low without issue.
IMO juice is everything. I had thought that I would be able to tolerate any flavor at least temporarily - not true. The tobacco flavors were too utterly nasty. If I had only purchased those, I would have had to put the whole kit away despite the fact that I had purchased a great set up for me. My advice to anyone considering vaping - choose a wide variety of flavors, since flavor is most important initial impression...if the flavor literally makes you gag, the other aspects of the juice won't matter. I personally haven't had any issues with nic strength (I chose mostly 18 mg and some 12 mg to start, with one 24 mg) or PG reaction. I did purchase some juices with different PG/VG mixes, but that has not been a deciding issue so far. I was concerned that nic strength would be a huge issue, but it hasn't been - I vape for a shorter period of time than it takes to smoke a 'log, but vape more often than I would normally smoke. I suppose that my nic intake is basically the same - there doesn't seem to be any craving differences or physical withdrawal reactions. Perhaps I am subconsciously able to maintain the "needed" nic levels. I seem to prefer a bit more VG in the juice - it is somehow, indescribably, better to me (see how subjective and elusive juice is?). In the end, it has been worth it to me to buy some juices that I think I will never touch again in order to find some that I actually like. Of course, I have already placed orders with 2 more juice suppliers in the hunt for the perfect vape experience - I would say that one should expect to invest a bit of money and effort in the big juice search.
Here is another thing that I didn't expect: I find that vaping is smoother and nicer than smoking. I didn't realize, or I have become so used to it, that cigarette smoke is harsh in my throat. I would also recommend drinking water along with vaping - for me, it makes a difference especially with PG heavy juices.
In the end, it turns out that all of the frustration is worth it - I'm off to a great start. I haven't smoked a 'log since, and vaping is much more satisfying than I thought it could be. I thought I should keep the 'logs around just in case, but I don't need them - though YMMV. Many thanks to the ECF vets who share their wisdom, and thanks to the noobs who ask the questions that I haven't thought of. Can I consider myself a vaper now? I hope so.
I had all of the tobacco flavored juices and cant stand any of them. Never liked menthols cigs but my fav juice is menthol. Glad I ordered that in my first test batch. You will most likely have some physical withdrawl, my muscles ached around day 4. My sinus cleared up about the same time.
