I think I'm getting the hang of vaping... Love to hear your thoughts/suggestions

[MikeB]

Hi. I've been at this for a little over a month. I'm still smoking analogues (a lot), but much less than I was prior to my ecig. I had a rough start, and honestly almost gave up completely, but thanks to many of you here, I feel I am finally settling in.

Here's what is working (same as last post, just better):
-BogeTech 510 cartomizer
-Dekang DK-TAB
-510 automatic battery.

The Boge cartos are awesome! thanks especially to dormouse for recommending them, giving detailed instructions, and reinforcing those instructions when I was having trouble. I had been having trouble with leaks, and I honestly thought I was following his instructions, but after re-reading them I realized that while I was following the general principles, I was not following the instructions exactly. Now I am, and no more leaks. Not one. Thanks dormouse! (read the instructions here. they work!) Also, I finally realized they don't exactly have to have that "slushy" look like a cartridge does. These things hold so much liquid, even if the top looks dry I can still vape it. I was way overfilling. Now I count my drops on the first fill, and when topping off I stop as soon as it looks damp or doesn't soak up the liquid right away -- If it sits on top for a 1 second, its done.

I was also having trouble with my auto batteries, but guess what? Fixing the leaky carto issue nipped this in the bud. I have a pair of autos I've been using for over a week and they are still behaving just like new. Long drags, no misfires, no firing in my pocket, no quick cut-off, and even when I do hit the cut off, if I am still dragging it just lights back up. This one is simple: Never, Never, NEVER get liquid in an automatic battery! (and if you do, clean it up quick!) Once it gets down that little pinhole in the battery connection, its toast.

If your interested, and want more background and/or want to read all the suggestions I got, here are my threads:

1. OK... I give in. I think I need help.
2. Trying Suggestiongs and General Follow Up to Previous
3. SUCCESS, finnally! (well.. sort of. Still have Questions.

 

[Natalia]

Sounds like you have it down! Congrats
dormouse gives great advice.

 

[MikeB]

Also, forgot to mention, but I ordered a Bloog last night. Thanks to jp1000 and bstedh for suggesting (paraphrasing here) that I look into 808's and bloog/volts. I've been reading about them and watching reviews all week. I know there are other 808's and the Volt is cheaper than the bloog, but bloog is having a sale this weekend with 25% off, and it was the one I had seen reviewed the most. Anyway, I'm excited about it and can't wait for it to get here.

 

[MikeB]

Natalia:

Yes, the only thing is.... I still smoke analogues. I am reaching for the ecig more and more, but I still can't quit those analogues... they're so damn yummy. I'm really jealous of those that say things like, "I just tried a real cig after one day of vaping! It was gross!"... yea... I don't feel like that. lol

 

[Twinturbo4486]

Congrats! Keep up the good work and eventually drop them nasty analogs. Almost three full days for me and im doing alright.

 

[dormouse]

Grats!! Glad everything is working well! I do find thin juices keep my cartos working well the longest. I need to dig up my DK-Tab and try it again. Lately the only tobacco I've been vaping is mostly a cocoa taste to me (Vapor4Life WOWbacco).

 

[Hooshka]

Was too lazy to read all of the suggestions you got, but try upping the nic level to 24 or 36 mg/ml and that might help. Try playing around with flavors and find one that you like a lot. A few places sell small sampler bottles so you can try a lot of juices. My original mistake was trying to mimic the smoking experience by getting Marlboro and Camel juices. I found you're not going to mimic the experience, but replace it with something different. I settled on some coffee and expresso flavors because I was a big coffee/smoking lover...and I find this is a really pleasant vape for me. You might also want to try a 3.7V mod or a VV mod. I just got the Provari and have been dialing in higher voltages. It's a completely new experience and actually feels more like smoking. With a tobacco flavored juice and 5V, you get warm vapor and a different taste that feels more like the real thing. Hang in there and try to find a juice that you like, vape a decent amount to fill the oral urge and you'll likely find you are reaching for the analogs less and less until you don't need them any more. Be patient with yourself and don't compare yourself to others to gauge your success. We're all different and everyone quits/switches to vaping in different ways.

 

[Aras]

I just got an e-power from madvapes (other peeps sell them too) I love this thing more than my big batt mods!!! Looks like the ego's big bro. Been using ce2's and dripping on reg attys. Just awesome. I know you just ordered a bloog but, I couldn't quit analogs until I got a mod that lasted all day and was ready whenever I wanted it. It was hard for me not to bum a smoke when I forgot to charge batts on smaller mods. Even ego batts died halfway through my day. This thing is also the easiest to use simply because it is regulated at 3.7v and blinks when the batt is low!

It's under $50 and a better product than my mods that cost me over $100 each. Like I mentioned before, it took me awhile to quit analogs (about 3 months) Now it's been a year and I still have a cig sometimes when someone offers but, I usually get sick of it after a few puffs and grab my e-cig. I wish you the best of luck in your new habit! All things aside, vaping is much more fun than smoking and you'll feel better! I hated buying cigarettes, I love buying juice and mods! Not to mention I wouldn't have this gorgeous redhead hanging around if I stuck to analogs!!! Epic Win!

 

[MikeB]

Grats!! Glad everything is working well! I do find thin juices keep my cartos working well the longest. I need to dig up my DK-Tab and try it again. Lately the only tobacco I've been vaping is mostly a cocoa taste to me (Vapor4Life WOWbacco).

Seriously, Dormouse... I can't give you enough praise. You're suggestions have gotten me to where I am. But I don't want to sound like a fanboy/stalker/crazy, so I'll stop there. By thanks!

Also... I wouldn't call DK-Tab tobacco myself. I know it is supposed to be, but I don't see it. However, it is a really satisfying vape. It's not too sweet like soooo many -- and its a different sweet, not a sugary sweet, but mellow like dark chocolate is sweet -- and it has a very complex flavor. Honestly it reminds me of my wine days and trying to pick out flavor "notes". So many liquids are a one taste wonder, but every time I vape DK-Tab I can pick out a subtle flavor I hadn't noticed before. Real tobacco is like that too -- so many subtle and complex flavors. Anyway, I like it.

 

[sam.8]

Hey, any time prior to the ecig that I quit smoking.....once I caved the analog was fantastic. That rush you get, can feel it in your legs etc, etc. So I've been analog free for three weeks, today at work I decided to try one from a friend. I can honestly say this is the first time ever I really didn't like it. No coughing or anything, but after this long without I do think your taste changes. It was bitter, acidic and chemically. I took two puffs and really didn't want any more.

I do think the trick is to ditch them for a while, have your system reset a little, feel some of the benefits from not smoking in order to really sorta see what they taste like. I too have read the posts where people say they were gross and did not think I would ever get like that. And hear I am less than a month into it and if I had some in the house right now I wouldn't bother.

No rush, go at your own pace for sure, but I can fully relate now how easy it can happen. sorta shocking!! Good luck!!

 

[Natalia]

Natalia:

Yes, the only thing is.... I still smoke analogues. I am reaching for the ecig more and more, but I still can't quit those analogues... they're so damn yummy. I'm really jealous of those that say things like, "I just tried a real cig after one day of vaping! It was gross!"... yea... I don't feel like that. lol

Just my personal preference and my opinion, but I think once you get your 808's (I don't have Bloog but other models), you'll have a easier time easing off the analogs I love my 808's even more than my 510's. Do you have a PT?

 

[MikeB]

Hooska, Deadguy, and sam.8
I really appreciate your encouragement. I think it will just take time, but the fact that I am reaching for my ecig more and more is a real positive thing I hold onto -- makes me feel that I eventually will just stop reaching for the analogues.

Also, those mods you suggested look interesting, but mods really baffle me. So does higher voltages. Batteries, connections, buttons, use-this-with-that-but-not-with-this. The variables go through the roof! I feel like whatever I pick, I am going to make the wrong choice and regret it -- as in, I should have got this mod instead of that, etc. Also, I really like my automatic batteries, and I haven't seen any mods that just let you take a puff without holding or pressing something. I would like to try a mod though, and higher voltages too.

 

[MikeB]

Just my personal preference and my opinion, but I think once you get your 808's (I don't have Bloog but other models), you'll have a easier time easing off the analogs I love my 808's even more than my 510's. Do you have a PT?

Good! I hope so too

and no, no passthrough.

 

[Natalia]

Good! I hope so too

and no, no passthrough.

I use my PT most of the day, but I think it should be called my "pacifier" ....LOL

 

[Aras]

Like I said this thing (e-power) works like an ego with a replaceable battery. That's it. 510 connector, battery and a tube. I didn't like manual batteries either until I got used to vaping a bit, now I don't like auto batteries because I hit the button for about a second before I puff to let the atty warm up. And it's only $50! Anyway good luck and if you have any questions or concerns there are plenty of people here happy to help, even a Deadguy! The other thing I did was throw out my ashtrays, I hated going outside to smoke.