How long does a SI prefilled carto last?

[Basilor]

As usual, Awsum gives good advice. However, I believe he really only likes the 78mm autos, which is why he is a big CE3 fan.

Also, keep in mind, SI is releasing a bunch of new US made flavors at the end of the month. I also believe they are going to have smaller sample sizes.

SteveI, yes your initial investment may be a bit higher with the hardware purchases, but evens out over time. I am still using the 2 X2 manual batteries I purchased in May, plus 1 78mm auto I got shortly thereafter. So I wouldn't get too worked up about getting a few batteries. Haven't had a problem with them.

The prefilled cartos are nice, and you can keep refilling them time and time again. I have taken all the filament out of a few that I use as drip testers for the DIY juice I am now playing with.

I don't know if VV devices are better or not, there is another thread here discussing them. I am avoiding them, because when I get a juice I like, my X2 works just fine. With my personality, I would endlessly chase the next device / tank / mod etc looking for that "perfect" set up. I am already down that road with DIY juice mixing, that's enough obsession for me. The X2 + Clearos works great, and I am definitly going to try the T3's.

Oh, btw, here is the link to the videos on how to do just about everything with SI products:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...tructions-demo-videos-how-care-your-volt.html

Mark

 

[Sasha20]

Great advice Mark...Thanks. I didn't know SI was coming out with new US flavors that is great news! I didn't see that anywhere else.

Anyway, Just so I have all this correct. A blank or prefilled carto would last for about 20 refuills then you would toss it? How do you know when to toss it. Also, How often do you replace the battery? Since all cartos are black how do you keep track of which carto is what flavor...

How does everyone keep track of all this...Sorry for all the questions but I am new and there is so much to learn.

 

[WorksForMe]

I wouldn't get too hung up on exactly how many times you refill a carto. After you use them a while, you'll know when their not working right anymore. I've seen other people talk about doing things to extend their life, but it's not really worth it unless you just like to play around with them. You can make flavor labels for them with a label maker.

The batteries are supposed to last about 300 charge cycles. How long they last depends on how often you charge them. When they don't hold a charge anymore it's time for a new one.

J.R.

 

[awsum140]

Basilor is right, I am a 78mm fan just because they're so convenient most of the time but I use CE3s on X2s all the time as well. I just was out at a pumpkin chunk and used an X2/clearo all morning at that event so I do use both regularly. Cartos last until they don't work right, even if you clean them. Exactly how long, in terms of refills is concerned or in time for that matter, is subject to way too many variables, but I think 30 refills is a reasonable amount as long as they don't get run dry too often. I used my original cartos for about three weeks and they're still in great shape and I keep them for backups. The same is true of batteries, too many variables, but the 300 recharges is a resonable way to look at it. Now how you track all this stuff is beyond me. I did start keeping a log but it got to be too much of a pain in the .... so now I only log my X2 charging and keep track of them by numbering the batteries inside the end cap with a Sharpie.

 

[Sasha20]

Is it okay to inhale the vapor into the lungs like a ciggarette? I read on the forum you are supposed to just blow it out and not inhale but when I do this I just don't feel satisfied.

 

[WorksForMe]

I can't imagine not inhaling the vapor. That's the whole point for me.

J.R.

 

[Black Strat]

Is it okay to inhale the vapor into the lungs like a ciggarette? I read on the forum you are supposed to just blow it out and not inhale but when I do this I just don't feel satisfied.

It is completely ok to inhale the vapor. That is the whole point for most of us and oh, so satisfying!

 

[Black Strat]

I am totally new to vaping just ordered my SI starter kit. I am trying to figure out how many cartos to purchase that would equal a pack of ciggarettes. SI website says that one carto equal 15-20 ciggs but then I read on the newbie ECF sticky that one carto only equal 5 to 7 ciggs. Can somone tell me what the real answer is?

Thanks!

Regardless of what the vendors claim, the 5-7 cigarettes worth is the right answer. All vendors will claim otherwise but those of us with some experience know the truth because we experience the truth. No marketing or advertising. I figure about 6 cigarettes worth.

 

[awsum140]

Well, I treat an e-cig just like a cigarette and will admit to inhaling, LOL. The chemical components, propolene glychol, vegetable glycerine, nicotine and flavors would appear to pose far less risk than the 4000 or so chemicals in a cigarette, not to mention no ash or tar. The chemicals in vaping liquids are all "generally regarded as safe" by the FDA and are used in many foods and medical inhalants as well. If you don't inhale you won't feel the "throat hit" that comes from inhaling vapor or cigarette smoke which is a major component of "the pleasure of smoking". I would suggest you do your own research and reach your own conclusions, however.

Back to how long a carto lasts, it just dawned on me that the signal that it's in need of a refill is the very first slight hint of a hot material, think of the smell of a hot iron on cotton, when you take a drag. That was my signal when using cartos that it was time to swap them out or add some liquid. It's also a good idea to wipe off the threads and contact area on the battery where the carto attaches and the threads and contact on the carto each time you swap cartos or batteries, just to keep everything clean.

Just my opinion, worth what you're paying for it, your results and mileage may vary, no warrantee or guarantee is expressed or implied.

 

[Black Strat]

Great advice Mark...Thanks. I didn't know SI was coming out with new US flavors that is great news! I didn't see that anywhere else.

Anyway, Just so I have all this correct. A blank or prefilled carto would last for about 20 refuills then you would toss it? How do you know when to toss it. Also, How often do you replace the battery? Since all cartos are black how do you keep track of which carto is what flavor...

How does everyone keep track of all this...Sorry for all the questions but I am new and there is so much to learn.

The cartos will last a decent amount of time. You will know when to change them when the performance declines. The same is true for batteries. As far as keeping track, I use those little colored sticky dots from Office Max. I put a one or two letter code that describes the flavor, like "CC" for Caramel Cappuccino.

 

[Sasha20]

Thanks for replying! On the newbie sticky they say not to smoke it like a ciggarette and inhale but rather hold it in your mouth and blow it out thru the nose and mouth. I tried that and hated it!

Anyway, Got my Volt starter kit today. I like the vapor it produces but I have to say I ordered the smooth sampler prefilled and i am not really crazy about any of the flavors. I am sort of disappointed because I was hoping I would really like one of them. While they are not terrible I am just not that impressed with them. maybe i need to order some sweeter flavors and see if i like those better. I hope so.

I do like the vapor the manual and automatic battery produces. It is very smiliar to smoking. Now I just need to find a flavor i like.

 

[Black Strat]

You are welcome! The search for the right e-juice is the hardest part. I did a LOT of sampling before I found mine. Most were ok, a few just plain bad and now I have a bunch that are YUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMY for me.

Some good juice vendors:

Heathers Heavenly Vapes (all time favorite)
Backwoods Brew...Malty Toffee!!!
ECBlend...very inexpensive and the Chocolate Hazelnut Tobacco is amazing to me.
Copper Creek

 

[awsum140]

Finding a flavor you really like is probably the most difficult part of vaping. I'm still trying flavors after four months and, while I have my favorites at the moment, I'm still looking for the magical one flavor. To make things worse, you will find your taste buds changing as the effects of cigarette smoke wear off. On the other hand, it can be a lot of fun trying new fllavors.

 

[Sasha20]

I just smoked an analog to compare......Here are my thoughts. The throat hit on the volt ciggs is more harsh the analog is a smoother hit and the volt flavor leaves a bad aftertaste in my mouth that lingers. Though I must say the analog does too!

Maybe the 12mg niocotene is too strong not sure why the throat hit is so harsh to me. My analogs are virigina slim lights so maybe the ecigg is a stronger hit? or maybe I am inhaling too much vapor not sure.

 

[Sasha20]

I really want to like this ecigg thign so I can get off the analogs.

i also noticed that I felt a bit light headed after several vapes. I guess you can't keep vaping in a row like a ciggarette. Though I want too because just 2 vapes every 15 mintues doens't feel like smoking to me. Maybe I need to try the 6mg nicotene strengh then I would be able to vape more times? not sure.

 

[Sasha20]

You are welcome! The search for the right e-juice is the hardest part. I did a LOT of sampling before I found mine. Most were ok, a few just plain bad and now I have a bunch that are YUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMY for me.

Some good juice vendors:

Heathers Heavenly Vapes (all time favorite)
Backwoods Brew...Malty Toffee!!!
ECBlend...very inexpensive and the Chocolate Hazelnut Tobacco is amazing to me.
Copper Creek

Do the above vendors sell prefilled cartos or just juice? I am totally new to this and haven't filled any cartos yet.

 

[WorksForMe]

It sounds to me like your right about trying the 6ml strength liquid. I get light headed and sometimes get headaches if I get too much nicotene. Also, you should get less throat hit with lower strength liquids.

Using e-cigs is a learning experience. Sometimes you'll be confused and things won't work right, but if you keep trying and learning, eventually you'll figure it all out.

J.R.

 

[Sasha20]

Yes, I have a slight headache from trying the different cartos....next order will be 6 mg strength with just a few 12.

I also notice the smooth sampler cartos left a nasty aftertaste in my mouth. I am disappointed beacuse I really wanted to love these flavors but one good thing is I do like the experience of vaping so now I just have to hunt for some flavors i like.

 

[SteveI]

Thanks for replying! On the newbie sticky they say not to smoke it like a ciggarette and inhale but rather hold it in your mouth and blow it out thru the nose and mouth. I tried that and hated it!

Anyway, Got my Volt starter kit today. I like the vapor it produces but I have to say I ordered the smooth sampler prefilled and i am not really crazy about any of the flavors. I am sort of disappointed because I was hoping I would really like one of them. While they are not terrible I am just not that impressed with them. maybe i need to order some sweeter flavors and see if i like those better. I hope so.

I do like the vapor the manual and automatic battery produces. It is very smiliar to smoking. Now I just need to find a flavor i like.

I feel the exact same way about the flavors and the vapor... For now, work with what you got. See if it helps cut down on the cigs, while you look for other flavors. Stick with it, I'm looking too. I figure I more than half way there on the road to quitting cigarettes. Finding the right flavor will be the bullzeye.

My first mistake was limited my flavors to mostly tobacco-like taste. Even though I smoked 26 years, I can honestly say I don't really like the taste of cigarettes, duh. I'm now gotta sample every non-tobacco flavor until I find a few I really like. Even if I don't find one, the flavors are not so bad I can't vape them, and for now, that's good enough to quit. Today I only had 1 cigarette.

Good luck, and enjoy your new kit.

 

[Duster6524]

Thanks for replying! On the newbie sticky they say not to smoke it like a ciggarette and inhale but rather hold it in your mouth and blow it out thru the nose and mouth. I tried that and hated it!

Anyway, Got my Volt starter kit today. I like the vapor it produces but I have to say I ordered the smooth sampler prefilled and i am not really crazy about any of the flavors. I am sort of disappointed because I was hoping I would really like one of them. While they are not terrible I am just not that impressed with them. maybe i need to order some sweeter flavors and see if i like those better. I hope so.

I do like the vapor the manual and automatic battery produces. It is very smiliar to smoking. Now I just need to find a flavor i like.

Not sure if what I saw was the same phrase or not, but what I seen was to take a draw into your mouth then inhale to your lungs instead of drawing straight into your lungs. I also seem to remember something about the inhale mouth/exhale nose thing but I think it was about greater flavor experience or something?
I too almost had a stroke from reading and trying to understand all the info here! Hang in there, you'll get through to a better life soon!