Hi from a Newbie and Did I Jump the Gun?

[MagicAries]

I'm a long time smoker that is sick of smoking...but I love to smoke! I must live under a rock because I hadn't heard of ecigs until very recently. My neighbour bought one (nic free and not very good. Almost got a hernia dragging on it) a couple of months ago which lead to me thinking about how this could actually work for me to get off nicotine...or at the very least, not take in all the other garbage in cigarettes.

This past weekend, I had time to "Google" about ecigs and reviews, etc...and I had to have the Apollo Extreme ecig kit. I didn't want any other. Just the Apollo. So I ordered it and felt really good about it until I hear about a nic ban in Canada. *sigh* My intent has always been to slowly wean myself off of nicotine with the end result of vaping no nicotine, but supplementing with nicotine gum/lozenges. Now it doesn't look like I'll be able to do that...at least with the Apollo, which my heart is set on. Since the Apollo is not compatible with other cartomizers and I don't have the option to refill with my own e liquid and with the ban on nicotine, what other alternative is there other than to continue smoking or quit in the painful traditional way. Should I return it? I just know that once it's in my hands (if I get it and it isn't return) that I'll love it.

I guess I'm looking for reassurance, support and perhaps commiserate with others with the same dilemma.

 

[Amraann]

From one newbie to another.. Welcome!
I cannot understand why Canada has banned liquid nicotine. I mean they still sell analog cigs. It just makes no sense to me at all.
There is a section on the forum here for Canadians... Maybe some will have some advice for you.

 

[Mindfield]

Not to worry, Magic. I'm in Canada, and I'm vaping my brains out, ban or no ban. I've been ordering from all manner of US vendors and have not had a shipment lost once. That doesn't mean it won't happen, of course, and maybe I'm just pressing my luck, but I've ordered tons of juices -- got another big shipment coming in tomorrow probably (already cleared the border) -- and have not been disappointed yet. As far as I'm concerned, Health Canada can shove their ban up their Canadian Shield. I'm vaping, I'm loving it, and they can pry my PV from my cold, dead hands -- and that's going to be longer than expected because I don't smoke anymore.

If it bothers you however there are a few Canadian vendors that I know of who sell liquids with nicotine in them. Electro-Vapors, CdnVapor, Canada Vapor and Maple Leaf Vapes all carry nic-based liquids. I haven't tried them myself, but I think I'm going to give Maple Leaf a go soon, just to see if their juices are any good. Either way though, those don't have to cross any borders so you won't have to worry about getting them.

You should have no trouble getting hardware, from here or the US. As I understand it, hardware won't get stopped at the border, only nic-based liquids. If they get stopped at all, that is; like I said, no issues here in almost a year of vaping.

Take heart. There are ways and ways.

 

[Beans]

Well now that we know you can get nic.....Welcome and congratulations! You will get all the support you need here. I don't know about the kit you got, many of us started with "other" brands and quickly found they were a waste of money. But have no fear ECF will help you find your vaping bliss.

 

[swedishfish]

You could email the person you got the kit from, I think he's a registered supplier here, and ask what type of batteries they have. Then you can purchase empty cartridges for it and juice and fill them yourself. I tried to do a search here on the board but couldn't get a clear answer about the type of battery.

At a later time, you might want to purchase a kit that is a little more adaptable and easier to find parts for. You can pick up a joye ego at Liberty Flights for about $30. The ego is a 510 so all ego 510, dips, attys, carts will fit that and they're readily available. You can get a regular 510 also. If you purchase another mini like a Bloog, Volt, V4L they're all KR808's.

 

[carpedebass]

Welcome to the forums! I hope you post often and let us know how you get along. I started with something similar to those Apollos...didn't take long before I found it just wasn't what I needed. I ended up going with a sparkplug, but plan to build a mod very soon. I'm sure the Apollos will be a fair starting point, but you'll likely end up progressing toward the other end of the spectrum soon. Best to ya'!

 

[MagicAries]

Thanks all for making me feel better! It's good to hear from other Canadian's (and non-Canadian's willing to help this unknowledgable soon-to-be-vaporinger?? lol) about still being able to get products with no hassle. I've been perusing the Canadian forum and I have ALOT to learn! Oh my, my head is swimming and it isn't a buzz from nicotine! At least I know if things don't pan out with Apollo, I have alternatives right here in my own country. I seriously think this is a fantastic alternative for smokers and don't know why there is such a stink about it. Don't ban it! I hate to say it, but ban this, then ban cigarettes. At the very least, have it regulated, but let us make the choices, thank you very much.

Mindfield: So glad to hear you don't smoke cigarettes anymore! This is what I hope to accomplish by vaping and it's good to hear that others have done just that.

 

[swedishfish]

The first thing I ever vaped was an Apollo disposable. Trying that, I knew that vaping would be possible for me. It may work out well for you. I'd try to figure out what type of battery it has so you can purchase accessories for it if you like. If not, at least it introduced you to vaping. When you get your nic juice I'm sure you'll be on your way to being cig free!

 

[dormouse]

correcting this since I was confusing it with a different "Apollo 510":

If this is what you got
http://www.apolloecigs.com/
That Apollo may be an RN4081 or a 510. You would have to try a cartomizer for each to tell. Or it could be the looks-like-RN4081 incompatible rebrander model we've seen recently.


If it is a 510 -
Standard Joye 510 - 180mah or about 1-3 hours of vaping (1.8 hours or moderate vaping since 100mah is about 1 hour of moderate vaping). You can also buy elsewhere long 510 mega xl manual 280mah batteries with 60-70% more charge (I use those at home and would use them out except I have a sweet roomy NoSmokeVA.com PCC for my small 510 manual batteries)

I use 510 manuals as some of my ecigs (mainly with Boge cartos and thin clear juices, 20% or less VG). I also use the hotter KR808D-1 manual (Vapor4Life and SmokelessImage)

I also use a big fat battery model Riva 510 that can use the hotter low resistance atomizers and cartomizers (slim ecigs cannot use those). If you decide to look at those see Liberty-Flights.com, press the 20% off and look at Riva 510. My Riva 510 Lite Bundle from there was under $30 for 2 complete 750mah Rivas. They come with low resistance atomizers but I mainly use Boge cartomizers on it. It's a nice pair having slim 510 and a Riva. I use standard resistance Boge cartos and move them between the two. I use the Riva when I want a bigger hit.

Ahhh you are in Canada. Ignore specific shops I listed until you see where you can and can't buy from. There is a Canada forum on ECF and they know where to get stuff. Once you have a total of 5 non-spammed posts or replies in New Members, about an hour later you will be able to post elsewhere on the forum.

Canada forum:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/canada-forum/

 

[MagicAries]

Thanks so much for your reassurance, not only about still being able to get products, but that you also don't smoke anymore. It does make me feel better about taking this step to transition myself from smoking cigarettes to vaping.

On average, how long do you wait for an order to arrive from the US?

 

[MagicAries]

The first thing I ever vaped was an Apollo disposable. Trying that, I knew that vaping would be possible for me. It may work out well for you. I'd try to figure out what type of battery it has so you can purchase accessories for it if you like. If not, at least it introduced you to vaping. When you get your nic juice I'm sure you'll be on your way to being cig free!

Thanks very much for your input and encouragement. I'll have to start taking notes on all the info I'm getting!

 

[MagicAries]

Wow, thanks for all that info! I need to research all you wrote because I'm so new I don't understand half of it! lol I'm taking many notes!

 

[Mindfield]

Thanks all for making me feel better! It's good to hear from other Canadian's (and non-Canadian's willing to help this unknowledgable soon-to-be-vaporinger?? lol) about still being able to get products with no hassle. I've been perusing the Canadian forum and I have ALOT to learn! Oh my, my head is swimming and it isn't a buzz from nicotine! At least I know if things don't pan out with Apollo, I have alternatives right here in my own country. I seriously think this is a fantastic alternative for smokers and don't know why there is such a stink about it. Don't ban it! I hate to say it, but ban this, then ban cigarettes. At the very least, have it regulated, but let us make the choices, thank you very much.

That's how we all feel. The SCOTUS slapped the FDA's rump in trying to ban them and now they have to regulate them as reduced-risk tobacco products, I'm just hoping that Health Canada will follow the US's lead. Fashionably late as always, but hopefully wearing the same outfit.

Mindfield: So glad to hear you don't smoke cigarettes anymore! This is what I hope to accomplish by vaping and it's good to hear that others have done just that.

Thanks! It is not only possible, it's likely. I had zero problems making the switch -- for me it was as easy as switching brands. To a far better brand. That didn't have all the crap in it. Not everyone can switch immediately like that but E-cigs let you go at the pace that's comfortable you, vaping the strength that you find best suits you, in the base mixture that works best for you, on the devices you find most appealing and effective. There's a way for everyone to find "their" vape, so don't worry. You should have no trouble finding yours. Your wallet may not like you for it if you get caught up in it like many of us do -- but who needs money when you've got your health?

On average, how long do you wait for an order to arrive from the US?

Depends on who you order from, what shipping method they use, and whether they offer (and you've paid for) express shipping.

I've had orders take one to two weeks via normal USPS priority, one week USPS express, and one business day FedEx priority. Of course it also depends on where it's coming from exactly. My orders from Vaperite using normal USPS priority were all within or under a week the three times I've ordered from him. Juicy Vapor is about a week by express shipping, plus a day or two because their juices are made to order and can take a couple of days to fulfill the order. MadVapes has been trying different carriers, and the two orders I've got from them were literally here next business day via FedEx.

 

[mkp]

Wow, thanks for all that info! I need to research all you wrote because I'm so new I don't understand half of it! lol I'm taking many notes!

I'd venture to say that most of us were just as overwhelmed in the beginning stages as you are! The thing is, you really don't have to go off the deep end all at once. Get your hands on the equipment, learn to trust that it can really replace cigs, and branch out if and as needed. I went for months with my first set, upgraded to something with better battery life, then stayed with that for another year...I didn't mess with learning about ohms and volts and all that foreign (to me) stuff...just found what worked for me and that was fine.

Fairly recently my interest in experimenting has been sparked by the acquisition of my first mod, so I'm trying to learn a bit of the technical side of things, but I didn't (and still don't) need to.

40+ year smoker, last cigarette was August 11, 2009.

Melissa

 

[dormouse]

Wait - double checking my info about Apollo being 510

I retract that and I will edit my post.

http://www.apolloecigs.com/
That appears to be RN4081 though it could be the mystery incompatible looks-like-RN4081 model. Or it could indeed be 510 threading with a weird atomizer

There is some other Apollo ecig I have seen referred to Apollo 510 but I don't know who sells that. I thought they were one and the same.

 

[MagicAries]

That's how we all feel. The SCOTUS slapped the FDA's rump in trying to ban them and now they have to regulate them as reduced-risk tobacco products, I'm just hoping that Health Canada will follow the US's lead. Fashionably late as always, but hopefully wearing the same outfit.

Ditto, because I have a feeling if Health Canada doesn't, they're going to have a lot of very angry people to deal with.

Thanks! It is not only possible, it's likely. I had zero problems making the switch -- for me it was as easy as switching brands. To a far better brand. That didn't have all the crap in it. Not everyone can switch immediately like that but E-cigs let you go at the pace that's comfortable you, vaping the strength that you find best suits you, in the base mixture that works best for you, on the devices you find most appealing and effective. There's a way for everyone to find "their" vape, so don't worry. You should have no trouble finding yours. Your wallet may not like you for it if you get caught up in it like many of us do -- but who needs money when you've got your health?

Hahahaha! Still cheaper than cigarettes, no? I was uncertain about what strength nicotine carts to get, so I got one of each in high @ 1.8%, medium @ 1.4% and low @ 1.1%. I figure that even though my cigarettes are extra light, I would have a better chance of switching to vaping using a high nicotine cart. It's all a wait see for me because the low may be perfect for me!

Depends on who you order from, what shipping method they use, and whether they offer (and you've paid for) express shipping.

I've had orders take one to two weeks via normal USPS priority, one week USPS express, and one business day FedEx priority. Of course it also depends on where it's coming from exactly. My orders from Vaperite using normal USPS priority were all within or under a week the three times I've ordered from him. Juicy Vapor is about a week by express shipping, plus a day or two because their juices are made to order and can take a couple of days to fulfill the order. MadVapes has been trying different carriers, and the two orders I've got from them were literally here next business day via FedEx.

Thanks for the info. It's about the time frame I was thinking.

Now, this may be too personal, but what about duty charges? Are they horrible?

 

[dormouse]

Be sure to read my PM and and my message above. What you have may or may not be 510 compatible.

 

[Sallana]

You probably will only love it for a week before you start thinking to yourself "What are these mods people are talking about?"

It's all down/up hill from there. Depending on how you look at it

 

[MagicAries]

This is very encouraging! One step at a time. Good advice and it gives me time to learn more. Thank you and congrats on having your last cigarette in 2009 after 40+ years! That is an accomplishment!

 

[MagicAries]

Thanks for your help! I think the Apollo Extreme kit I bought was released not to long ago. I don't know how ecigs work, but do mods end up coming out for sale after a certain amount of time? Does that make sense? lol I'm trying to ask if other companies will try to make their own prefilled/refillable carts for others ecigs?