Hi, I'm Keener

[Keener]

Howdy, all!

Name's Keener, and I'm a n00blet. First post, so pardon the introduction.

I've smoked Marlboro reds for 15 years (turning 30 this July, so half my life). Held steady at about 1.5-2 packs a day. I decided that I wanted to quit when my baby was born two years ago. After countless attempts (involving every method from hypnosis to the patch, gum to gnawing pencils and toothpicks into shreds), I was close to throwing my hands up. I was addicted--HARD--and I knew it.

Last Thursday I happened across a pamphlet at the local gas station for an e-cigarette. I grabbed it on the way out, not expecting much. But as I read over it later that evening I found myself interested enough to start up the old reliable Google search. It eventually led me here where I've been bouncing around and reading, checking links, doing some field research.

I was going to wait and buy a unit after thorough research, but my wife (who quit cold turkey when she found out she was pregnant, bless her strong heart) was so excited at the idea of vaping that she picked me up a starter kit at the gas station on Friday. Haven't found any posts on the brand on here (21st Century Smoke), but I decided to try it and purchase a more researched unit later.

Friday, I smoked 2 cigarettes all day--all the rest was vaping. Saturday, I had 1 cigarette. Sunday, same. Monday, well, my car broke down and I smoked 5 analogs out of mental calamity. Tuesday I reaffirmed myself and I've not had an analog cigarette in two days now. I'm amazed--I never thought it possible.

So here I am, on a mission. I'm sure I'll probably relapse for awhile, getting used to this whole new world. But it's good--it's great--to know there are so many others in my shoes. I have faith that I'll get to see my daughter grow up, watch her graduate college, walk her down the aisle without fear of analogs taking me to my grave first.

After some thorough research, I think the Vapor4Life Vapor King kit will best suit my needs for now (and as soon as a new deal pops up I intend on grabbing that bad boy...come ON, Memorial Day Sale!).

So, all that blathering aside, just wanted to present myself and say "Hello!". It's a pleasure to read y'alls' posts and know that I'm in good company here. Here's to the future and many, many vapes ahead!

 

[nosmok]

Congrats on taking another step towards quitting. The gum sucked, patches didn't do it, and pills were not for me. The e-cig did it tho. I haven't smoked in over a year now. It did take a little time and commitment to totally switch to 100% vaping, but well worth it.

And a big Welcome.. forgot that

 

[keyzygirl]

Welcome to ECF!!!Lots to learn and lots of people to help!!

 

[gadabout]

congrats! i too am a noobe! i did the same also. bought an ecig from a tobascco store here in town..and was blown away at how my craving for a real cig diminished! the ppl on this forrum are awesome and genuinly care about others battles kicking the habit. so you found a great place for knowledge..support..and help. i got the ego after my trusty google and youtube research. good luck and keep vaping!

 

[Keener]

Thanks, nosmok and keyzygirl!

Yeah, the other methods just frustrated me so much that I had to go have a cigarette... d'oh! Everybody here seems really helpful and friendly.

 

[davelog]

Congrats for taking the first steps, Keener! If you find your current setup isn't quite enough to turn you away from the analogs, consider upgrading to a beefier system - it really does make all the difference in the world. I used a cigarette-looking e-cig for a couple years to augment my smoking, but it wasn't until I replaced it with an eGo tank that I was able to put the smokes away forever.

Whatever works for you, though, run with it. It's a whole new world out there without the nails.

 

[wv2win]

Congratulations on your journey to being tobacco free. V4L is well supported on ECF. A few pointers. Always stick with manual batteries (small button) - much better performance and control. Get eliquid in the 24mg nicotine strength to start out. You can always make it weaker but you can't make it stronger. Most need this level to make the transition. You can easily reduce the strength over time if you need to. If you find you want more of the "inhaled feel" of an analog (cigarette), you may need to move up to a better battery PV. Either a larger 3.7 volt battery such as the eGo/Riva 510 or a good 5 volt or (VV) variable volt PV (personal vaporizer) such as the GLV2 from Great Lakes Vapor or the Darwin from nhaler.com. Plus there are many other good ones in these categories.

Good Luck

Rule of Thumb: the more it looks like the real thing, the worse the performance.

 

[Keener]

Gadabout, I had a look at the Ego and saw a great review of it on YouTube (I believe it was YT, the past fews days of research are a blur lol). Great to have some other n00bers around!

Contrary to what Kermit says, it's fairly easy being green.

 

[classwife]

Welcome to ECF Keener ! Congratulations to you and your wife !!!

 

[CBB]

Hi Keener welcome to ECF.

21st century has never been identified as any standard model to the best of my knowledge so chances are you will not be able to find any cartomizers to work on the batteries or viceversa, but any place is a good start and it appears they are cheap so you really aren't out any money. They are also likely refillable if you can disassemble the cartomizers enough to see the filler material, or the condom method of refilling may work.

A KR808D-1 (Vaporking) is an excellent starter kit but they do have a shortish battery life, at 1.5-2 packs a day that could be an issue for you. A big battery style would give you much longer battery life, and there is a large battery model that will work with a KR8, the 901 uses the same threads as a KR8 the air venting isn't the same but some times 901 batteries are made to work with KR8 and if they aren't they can easily be modified to work or transitioned with an adapeter. Liberty-Flights has a Riva 901 starter kit for $30 if you click on their 20% off banner and I believe this batter will work with KR8 cartomizers unmodified.

The 901 starter kit comes with atomizers but it is always good to have both atomizers and cartomizers (cartomizers are a 2 piece the cartridge is built into the atomizer where as a atomizer needs a separate cartridge)

 

[Linden]

Congratulations! These devices are a miracle and life-saving. I am so happy that you found them. I want to re-affirm that V4L is a wonderful choice. I tend to order on Fridays and they never let me down with a Friday sale. Start with 24mg (maybe some 36 just in case). My big mistake was not ordering a high enough mg starting out. I'm down to 18 now after 2.5 months.
edit: the throat hit was nice!

 

[awesome1]

Welcome to the boards. I am also turning 30 in September so I decided to try quitting with the use of e-cigs. I smoked a pack a day for the last 13 years and tried to quit on more than one occasion with no success. 2 weeks ago I purchased ane-power E-Power Replacable Battery kit! For the first week I was switching back and forth with analogs while I sampled juices to see what I liked and disliked. Tomorrow will be one week analog free with zero craving and this includes getting hammered on Saturday night. That was the real test for me. Not having an analogue while drinking. Good luck in achieving your goal.

 

[Debian Dog]

yep once you get on a "good" system you will forget all about analogs. Just dialing in your tastes, preferences, and wants is the "trick".

I liked the Ego 510 setup but am 80% on the GoGo now (3 ml vape that lasts all day). If you can try/see other models it is very helpful. After checking out a few of the variable voltage models and vaping them I will be picking one up soon. Check out all the videos on the net on the various models if nothing else.

 

[incantius]

+1 on the V4L Vapor King!!!

 

[Keener]

Davelog, that's the best quote in a sig ever lol. The more I read, the more I'm thinking you're right about banking up to a big boy for full transition. I'm shooting through what I have now like candy and even then it's only supplemental at best.

WV2win, thanks for the 510 heads-up. The only cartos that can be bought for what I have now locally are the 16 mg and it's not cutting it (probably doubling up on hits to compensate). That's a great rule of thumb. BTW, <--- WV born and raised, always great to see a fellow mountaineer!

 

[Keener]

Thanks, classwife!!! Feels great to be among others who understand and are wholeheartedly helpful!

CBB, that makes a lot of sense. I'm finding myself charging my rinka-ma-dink unit now several times a day and turning to analogs while I wait (which is defeating my purpose). I just looked at the Liberty Flights site and love the Riva 901 you pointed out (great price, too!). Thanks SO much for pointing that unit out. Mods scare me yet as I'm greener than a leprechaun sitting in a lettuce patch eating broccoli, but with a little more research I may end up actually grabbing this one. Again, thanks so much for the recommendation!

 

[Keener]

Linden, I totally agree that I need to step up to a 24 mg or better. The 16 mg is a bit weak for me right now. Great to hear about the Friday sales... now to just sit back and bide my time [rings hands deviantly].

Awesome1, right now looking at that link--thanks for putting it in there! And "GRATS!" on that week w/o the strangling headlock of the analogs. I quit drinking awhile back, but I still remember how bad I wanted--nay, needed--that cigarette whenever I had a bottle in my hand. Just as strong a need as with a cup of morning coffee, if not worse!

 

[Keener]

Debian Dog, yeah it looks as though it can be overwhelming--all the information, all the types and models. So many options and variables. Could be forever and a day until I find one that works for me. I looked into the Ego 510 a little bit but had never checked out that GoGo (will do so now). Thanks!

Incantius, all I hear is great things about them. Look very forward to doing business with them in the future. Sounds like their customer satisfaction is setting the bar out there.

 

[Debian Dog]

What really helped me was actually getting to use some of the high end devices and various mods, attys, tanks.

But yes it takes a while to get your head around it.

Beamed from my DroidX

 

[wv2win]

Davelog, that's the best quote in a sig ever lol. The more I read, the more I'm thinking you're right about banking up to a big boy for full transition. I'm shooting through what I have now like candy and even then it's only supplemental at best.

WV2win, thanks for the 510 heads-up. The only cartos that can be bought for what I have now locally are the 16 mg and it's not cutting it (probably doubling up on hits to compensate). That's a great rule of thumb. BTW, <--- WV born and raised, always great to see a fellow mountaineer!

I too am glad to see more of my fellow Mountaineer's on ECF! I would suggest at some point for you to take a look at one of the variable volt devices. If you get a good one, it makes vaping more "hassle free" and provides the best consistency and flexibility. I use the Darwin from nhaler.com. Because it uses regulated, boost circuit technology, every inhale is the same over the life of the battery charge, which is 21+ hours on the Darwin. And it's basically a "set it and forget it" device. Here is a site that summerizes many of the better battery devices:

Best e-Cig Mod List | e-Cig Mods Database