Health mini-cig from DealExtreme

[TropicalBob]

(SEE UPDATE IN NEW POST: My opinion is now greatly elevated)

Okay, so this is the most attractive price anyone has ever seen: two e-cigs, 12 cartridges and a charger for $36. I ordered.

Immediately, I have some problems. The charger is European. I'm in America, so I need the adaptor this time. There is very little vapor, especially compared to the DealExtreme e-cigar I've been using almost two months now. Worst of all, there appears to be no inexpensive source for replacement cartridges, and these don't refill like the ones in my e-pipe and e-cigar. The brochure that came with the set, written in Chinese English, said the cartridges are one-time use only.

DealExtreme does not sell cartridges.

I have bought a shaver with no replacement blades.

It's a bargain, but only if I can use it beyond the original 12 cartridges. We'll see.

I also noticed (could be coincidence) that this makes me cough.

 

[marian00]

Hi Bob:

I recieved my Health Ciggies two days ago. I was delighted with the price of this 2-for-1 Health Cigarette as well. I agree with your assessment as to the low quality of the vapor it emits. However, I decided that I'd e-drip some extra-high, cherry-scented nicotine into both the filter and the atomizer. And now it smokes GREAT!! It's fantastic, in fact. I've been using the same filter for three days now.

The mini e-cigs I got from e-cig.com that I thought were worthless now work somewhat decently when I e-drip them with the extra-high nicotine. The regular-sized e-cig.com e-cigarette isn't that good either unless you saturate it with e-liquid.

I do have one question for you, though, Bob. The battery that came with our Health Ciggies has both a green and a red light. When you first plug in your battery, the green light stays lit for a little bit, then turns off, and then all you have left is the red. When do we know it's ready? Because it stays red forever.

Marian

 

[TropicalBob]

I'll sure give that a try!

The mini cigs came with charged batteries, so I haven't yet used the charger (and still must obtain an adaptor). I'm now rotating among the cigar, pipe and cig. Cig vapor is very sweet, by the way. Much tastier than the e-cig liquid I use in the cigar and pipe (flue-cured tobacco flavor).

 

[marian00]

Hi Bob:

Where are you from? I bought a universal plug adapter from Staples. I ordered the Euro-to-U.S. plug adapter from here:
http://www.thecellshop.net (Travel Adapter EU 2 Round Socket to US 2 Pins Standard: $3.99.)

Marian

 

[markab]

Hi TB,
I'm sorry to hear that your not off to a good start with your new mini-cig. I received my e-cigar from Dealextreme yesterday and was disappointed with the lack of vapor it was producing with either of the two batteries. I decided to leave one of the batteries on the charger for five hours (even though they seemed to be charged) and then give it another go. The results were night and day. I was getting much more vapor. You should trying giving the battery a good five hour plus charge to see if it makes any difference. Good luck.

Mark

 

[TropicalBob]

You all are right. I've got a real mini-cig today! I charged both batteries for many hours (what a strange charger in that the green light goes OFF and red light stays on when the charge is complete). Anyhow, it's now producing decent vapor and the taste is pretty good. Overall, I'm now very pleased with this purchase.

My only cavaet is that I have no idea where to buy replacement cartridges. I tried dripping and, yes, it worked, but liquid oozed into my mouth (and it's made to taste a bit nasty on purpose; we don't want people dripping into their mouths!). In fact, I had to drain the e-cig to continue using it. So I'm worried how to handle cartridge replacement when the 12 that came with these cigs are used up. It's too bad the cartridges aren't of the foam variety, so we could easily refill or replace.

At this moment, the order of desirability and daily use is: E-cigar from DealExtreme; mini cigs from DealExtreme; and e-pipe from e-Cig. That's influenced by the ease with which I can transport these with me. I bought the pendant holder from e-Cig for the cigar and I always hang it around my neck. My cigar is thus always ready. The cigs depend on me wearing a shirt with a pocket. The pipe is too big to take with me, so I use it when I'm working at the computer or reading.

Overall now, I like this Health mini-cig. Helluva bargain, folks, at $36 for two and 12 cartridges!

 

[TropicalBob]

PROBLEM. The battery in one of my new Health mini cigs is dead. Dead dead. I am now about to learn how difficult it is to get replacement parts for this product. I've filed a form on the defect and should hear within about three days. Only one cigarette's battery is affected, so far. I'm still using the other mini cig.

I also learned, however, that dripping liquid into the cartridge clogs the unit hopelessly. You can suck until your cheeks turn inside-out. It just ruins the draw of the unit. I'm now even more concerned about acquiring replacements cartridges. In fact, I've pretty much tossed out any idea of ever using this. My cigar and pipe refill so easily -- blank cartridges and e-liquid make this process easy. I think I blew $36 on the mini cigs, guys.

I'm clinging to the e-cigar now, taking it everywhere. It vapes up a storm and is very easy to handle, plus I have the pendant to carry it in.

 

[markab]

Hi TB,
Perhap not all is lost. Could you not use these cartridges;

https://e-cig.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=77

I don't know if they would fit your model but it's amazing how many parts are interchangable between different manufacters. I just received an order from e-cig for a skid load of blank cartridges for my Sedansa. They fit and work great, and the price was right -36 cents for a pack of 5 cores, because I ordered in bulk. Best of luck. Let us know how things go.

Mark

 

[TropicalBob]

DealExtreme was very good. They got back to me on my problem within 24 hours. Offered either a replacement or half off my price. I took half-off because I now have a working mini-cig with 12 cartridges, two atomizers and a battery charger for $18. I'm using the working mini-cig as I write this. No billowing vapors, but the taste is pleasant enough and I can see vapor exhale from mouth and nose.

 

[LVD]

Hi TB,
Perhap not all is lost. Could you not use these cartridges;

https://e-cig.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=77

It looks more that the cartriges of freesmoke would fit the dealextreme mini

http://www.freesmoke.eu/product_inf....html&XTCsid=c0635288648711993912c04510ef5811

 

[TropicalBob]

Those are the cartridges! But that place ought to be renamed FeeSmoke. My Lord, 25 blank cartridges cost $47 in US currency? I beg your pardon. I can stamp 'em myself cheaper than that. That is outrageous. I just ordered a 30ml e-Liquid container, 5 cigar blank cartridges and 5 e-pipe blank cartridges for $22 WITH SHIPPING FROM CHINA. Gimme a break. Ripoff prices will sink many of these starry-eyed entrepreneurs trying to cash in on our newfound pleasure. Damn them to recession hell. Back to e-Cig ...

 

[Meltrex]

Hey TB, does your mini health e-cig look anything like mine, Just recieved these today???

 

[TropicalBob]

Exactly. That's the same mini-cig.

 

[Meltrex]

I found a seller on Ebay with these... He sells the cartridges as well... I ordered 5 sets of the mini ciggs along with 300 cartridges . He was selling the mini cigs at a buy it now for 9.99 then 29.99 shipping.. since I bought 300 cartridges he sold them to me at 0.50 cents each and gave me a 5% percent discount. Reason I ordered so many is everyone at work wants one. I've been using the e-cigarette from Njoy.. not liking these little mini cigs compared to the njoy's. I have to suck really hard to get anything out of it, even to get the light to glow for that matter..... Taste is pleasant.

How is yours holding up so far? I'm worried these will quit working after a few weeks..

 

[TropicalBob]

Love your avatar. I'm a daily pipe smoker and this looks like the famous "Bob" jokingly used years ago.

The remaining mini-cig is doing fine, but does require a different "smoking" technique. This is a "long draw" type. If you sip at it, as I would for a pipe, the light doesn't even come on. You have to really drag on the thing and then continue dragging on it. Pretty good vapor, but a lot of work.

Good to know the cartridges are out there.

The "refund" I was promised turns to be store credit. Ouch. What else do I need from DealExtreme? Nothing at the moment.

 

[LVD]

Ripoff prices. Back to e-Cig ...

One dollar buys you what? A handfull of air, one euro however is still worth something.... Don't blame the small entrepreneurs in Spain for the world economy.

e-Cig is chepaer in any currency anyhow. But in euro or stirling is almost for free.

 

[LVD]

I'm a daily pipe smoker ...The remaining mini-cig is doing fine, but ...

Why do't you buy a E-pipe?

 

[TropicalBob]

An E-Cig e-Pipe was my first e-smoking purchase, about the first of this year. An e-Cigar followed. Then the mini cigs. The e-pipe is heavy and I use it only at home in my recliner, or sometimes working at the computer. It in no way replicates real pipe smoking. Not in taste, quantity or quality of "smoke/vapor", aroma. No way. So I smoke about 3/4 pipefuls a day, outside, and use the e devices inside or in the car.

And prices are what I have to pay. Investors are driving currency prices, not consumers like myself. For me, I'll shop based on my cost, not Spain's. If I have a problem, then they do too. Yes, this is a global economy. We're all on the same ship. But, for now, he with the best exchange rate rules.

 

[Oliver]

In defense of Freesmoke (and their prices are high, no matter where you are), I believe they have their liquid specially manufactured in a Spanish pharmacy to regulate the quality and purity. I suspect this is why the price is higher, although they may be adding a premium on top.

SJ

 

[TropicalBob]

Let me try to bring this up-to-date, because my opinion of my bargain has waffled quite a bit. I didn't like it at first; then I did. Then I fretted cartridges. Then one battery died and I got a half-price refund into Paypal. Then I discovered how to use e-Liquid to refill these.

But after many "smokes," I am now disappointed with the mini. It just can't keep up with the e-cigar or e-pipe. And, of those two, the e-cigar from DealExtreme is a standout. I use it almost non-stop every day. I've even taken up dripping, which I said I wouldn't do (changed my mind). The thing is incredible now.

I tried dripping the mini and it just wasn't the same. It made a mess, repeatedly. It did not produce all that much vapor. When I drip the e-Cigar, I can produce clouds of vapor. The e-pipe didn't drip well, either. Maybe I missed the atomizer, but I didn't get lots and lots of vapor.

The mini is still being used, but I have to puff hard to get almost nothing from it. That's not the recipe for e-smoking success. And I'm now discouraged from trying ANY small product. That's a problem in a market flooded with cheap imitations. What I really want now is that new cigar coming from Ruyan!!

And I guess if I'm off cigarettes, I'm better off imitating a cigar or pipe, right?