Help with my next steps to success in e-cig vs tobacco!

[moseng]

I hope this is the right place for this? But I was thinking that you experts have been right where I am now so…


I was smoking a ½ pack a day until last week when I got a stock 510 starter kit in the mail. The good news is that I’ve only smoked 10 cigs in the last week. The bad news IMO is I can’t put the thing down! I am like a chimney, fog machine! Anyway, here are some things I noticed in my first week.

Battery life… Everyone said it, but I didn’t listen. The stock 510’s are horrible and if it wasn’t for the PCC That came with the kit I would have chucked them the first day. I go easily through about 5-7 battery charges a day.

Carts – Having to refill them while out and about and it is a real PIA! I’ve tried a couple mods with the short piece of blue foam working the best so far. I still have to refill them way more than I want though. I am currently going through 7-10 refills a day.

Real cig (OK, Analog) Cravings - I have tried several nic strengths, PG and VG based up to 18mg. And As I said I am vaping way way more than I smoked! I “think” I may have to go higher on the nic, at least during the day. Not sure about that though. Also, those first couple of hits from a fresh battery and newly filled cart is “almost” enough, but not quite. The vapor is ok but what I was hoping for was more of a satisfying hit if you know what I mean! Maybe a stronger throat hit maybe to mimic real cigs more closely?

So, I figure there are a couple of things I can try….


Batteries – Hmmm, think I will wait until I try a few things out before investing any more money on another type of battery system. I mean I could find myself looking for some sort of HV juice dispensing mod so why spend more money on say an EGO/Riva/whatever right now?

Cartomizers - because they hold more. I am thinking I could fill 2 or 3 in the morning and be good for the day. I go through about 7-9 full carts a day now (modded with blue foam).

Stronger juice – I have some 24mg on the way as well as as some others from a different vendor.

Higher Voltage - I ordered a 5 volt pass through and an LR atomizer to try out (not together of course). I am hoping this might help with the not quite enough thing?

Long and boring I know but I was hoping you all could tell me if I’m on the right track or I’m just blowing vapor out of my ! Of course I am open to any other ideas!


Thanks!

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Hi there It sounds to me like you are on the right track, and you have indeed run into the same issues that most of us who have been vaping a while have run into. Here's my take on some of them:

Batteries - the 510 atomizer being relatively low resistance even in standard form, really canes the small batteries. The eGo style devices are a good upgrade and very popular. There are other options however! Things like a 14500 battery box mod (there is a kit here, you may be able to find pre-assembled ones as well) offer a substantial upgrade in battery power for little expense. They aren't particularly stylish, but functional, and maybe a good stop gap until you get a high end mod. The Mega 510 (280mah) batteries are a bit better than the standard type, but obviously still have their limits. USB pass throughs are good for saving your batteries.

Cartomizers - yes I've taken to using these more often when I go out. They hold more liquid than standard cartridges and mostly work consistently. Once filled they need little attention and can be used until they start to run out. I personally like the E2 cartomizers best (fillerless ceramic type that need to be filled with a syringe). Theres also the new Joye branded 510 type which some like, which internally look rather like a conventional atty and cart arrangement but in one unit. And theres the older type cartomizers made by companies like Boge, which are a simple design where the filler is wrapped around the heating coil. This last type don't need to be filled by syringe, and are either filled using the "condom method" using one of the supplied rubber end caps, or by taking out the end cap and dripping liquid onto the filler. All are available in 510 fittings so you can use them with your current hardware.

Stronger juice - by all means try different strengths. You may find that you need to vape less with stronger juices. Because I cannot vape in work I have to take short "smoke breaks" and find the extra strong juices (e.g. 36mg) good here. If vaping more frequently at home, I use lower strengths. Take care though and don't over do it.

Higher power - a 5v pass through will work best with a 2amp AC adapter, they are likely to draw too much power for most PC's. The greater voltage means your atomizers get hotter, and so kick out more vapour. Same for the LR atomizers, but I would recommend NOT using an LR atomizer on a standard ("skinny") battery as they draw too much power. They can be used on things like eGo's or ideally a mod (like the box mod) with high drain LiMn battery.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[Kurt]

moseng, I sounds like you are definitely on the right track! Congrats on reducing your analog consumption! This is a journey, not a magic bullet. The 510 is a great starter PV, but the short battery life and finicky attys tend to make them a stepping stone to other PVs. I highly recommend 510 cartos to get away from atty problems (I like Boge soft-tips). Great flavor and vapor and they last a long time with normal vaping...whatever that is.

I tend to not use carts anymore when vaping from an atty...I used foam too, which was about the best I could get from them, but carts tend to leak, so with attys I primarily drip. When out and about for a while, cartos are best for me.

Longer batt life can be gotten a few ways. A larger battery mod, like an eGo, Riva, or Hello016. The batts on those also require a special charger, like the 510, but they last at least 3 times as long, or longer. I myself like the box mods with a 14500 batt (AA sized Li-ion 3.7V). They have a master switch, so you can put them in a pocket without them accidentally firing up if the button is pressed.

The bigger issue is switching from analogs entirely to PVs. Remember, PVs are NOT intended to be a smoking cessation device. That many do quit smoking entirely is good, but it is not the case with everyone, and you should not compare yourself to others in this regard. Cigarette addiction is a very complicated habit, and is very particular to the person. Some simply need nicotine, and vaping does it.

Different flavors can be more effective, like tobacco flavors. And there are plenty out there. Higher voltage can also be more effective, and many find that a 5V model with a regular atty is the kick needed to forget about analogs.

Some need the other tobacco alkaloids as well, and so are continually confused and frustrated that the miracle of quitting has not visited them with just vaping. I am one of those. Nicotine is not enough for me. I also use Sweidsh snus, which is, unlike the american snus, very low in tobacco-related carcinogens (american snus is low too, compared to smoking, but not nearly as low as Swedish, which has very little disease profile), and it works really really well. Just nic tends to make me too nervous, and does not kill the serious cravings when under stress. Snus is NOT chewing tobacco, or dip, and there is no spitting necessary. A pouch under the lip and some water to drink, I find it tastes great, and is really effective. For many here, snus has done the trick when just vaping did not.

There are dissolvable tobacco products, like Orbs or Stonewalls, which are like a big tick-tack, go under the lip, and slowly dissolve. I have not tried them, but there are those here that really like them, although for me they sound like they are too sweet.

Be patient, try some of the suggests I have made, and don't beat yourself up. At the very least you are cutting down on analogs, and that's great! There are many options, and none of them need be expensive (good snus is surprisingly cheap, especially compared to expensive cigarettes!). The trick for me was to be good to myself, indulge a little, try things, and have fun with this hobby, which for me included making my own juices. There are a lot of options, but no single solution that fits for everyone.

 

[newbutt]

IMO, one of the most important things to remember is that you haven't quit smoking, you've stopped using tobacco, you've changed habits.

I vaped more when I started, I think everyone does. And as you are changing habits,you're trying to fit this new habit in your life. How much stuff do I need to take with me if I leave the house? How much to take on a trip? I use to carry a half dozen charged batteries,an extra atty,a PCC & a bottle of juice with me,if I left the house for more than a 1/2 hour. If I went on a trip, I took just about everything.
Since switching to an Ego & cartomizers, life is a lot easier. 5ml of juice & an extra battery & I'm good. That being praise for the mobility of the Ego,when I'm home, I still use a 306. I just think the vapor production & the flavor I get are superior to anything I've tried.

Trying to find that happy place is a challenge & for me it is as much about taste as nic strength. The 36mg didn't satisfy me anymore than 24mg,made me woozy a few times. I've had good tasting 16mg that was just fine. Personally, I haven't had any juice from China that I could tolerate, it all has a chemical taste & smell. I've got dozens of bottles from different vendors that I'll never use, some never opened.

In short, everything you described is normal. Welcome to vaping Keep trying different things,follow the advice here on the forum & you'll find your spot.

Good luck,
NB