Is that all there is?

[Ominae117]

So a few months ago I decided I wanted to make the switch from analogs to e-cigs. After vigorously researching different models, brands, suppliers, and reading some recommendations to people whose needs were similar to my own, I decided to purchase the Puresmoker Pilot m401. At the time, I was told it would be the best option for me. When it arrived, I was like a kid at Christmas. Tearing open the package with enthusiasm. After everything was charged and ready to go, I gave it a shot.

For the first couple days that I had it, I played around with it a bunch. However, I was also extremely disappointed. There was 0 flavor with either of the carts I purchased (Basic Marlboro and "555") and both simply tasted like burnt plastic, if there was any taste at all. The vapor production was equally disappointing. After watching videos and reviews with people blowing out what looked like small clouds (such as Puresmoker's product lineup video) I had a little wisp of vapor, barely visible when exhaling. Whats worse is that there was no throat hit to speak of, and it didn't even feel like I was inahling or exhaling much of anything. I figured I had something defective and switched out different atomizers, different batteries, different carts. no improvement. After giving it one last shot and getting a mouthful of liquid, I put it in my drawer out of frustration and forgot about it. shortly afterwards, I went back to analogs.

A few days ago, I stumbled across it and decided to break it out and try it again. After recharging everything, cleaning the atomizer, and fresh carts and liquid, I tried it again only to have that same shameful performance. I used it pretty heavily when I first purchased it for about a week with no change or improvement in performance. I had been told that most needed to be "broken in." After using it again for a few days, I gave up.

Were my expectations too high? Is that all there is?
I don't want to give up trying, but is this the kind of performance I can expect from all e-cigs? am I doing something wrong? Any recommendations of something else to try?

Help me e-cig forum, you're my only hope.
-Om

 

[Sun Vaporer]

Om--Your issue was and more then likey still is IMO, the prefilled cartridges---they dry up and are terrible. Purchase some eliquid and you will see what all the real deal is--------Sun

 

[Wormwood]

Were my expectations too high? Is that all there is?
I don't want to give up trying, but is this the kind of performance I can expect from all e-cigs? am I doing something wrong? Any recommendations of something else to try?

Help me e-cig forum, you're my only hope.
-Om[/quote]

Ominae117
I am a beginner, too. From my experience and from all the investigation ive put forth, I have found that different vaporizers excel differently in their own ways. It really depends what you are expecting from it.

Now as far as your expectations.... it really depends, are you looking for thick vapor, portability, control, throat hit? These are the things you should look up.

I have seen quite a few people who chose the m401 for thier first personal vaporizor and the results are about even, half are disapointed, and the other half rave about how it does exactly what they wanted. From what you have said maybe you need an upgrade... or maybe you are still getting used to using your m401, I personally dont own an m401, maybe someone else can chime in one, but are you lung inhaling or are you getting mouthful b4 u inhale?

 

[Wormwood]

Om--Your issue was and more then likey still is IMO, the prefilled cartridges---they dry up and are terrible. Purchase some eliquid and you will see what all the real deal is--------Sun

this is very true, i've only had a handful of satisfied experiences with pre filled carts.

 

[wv2win]

this is very true, i've only had a handful of satisfied experiences with pre filled carts.

I agree with Sun, using liquid will definitely help. Based on your disappointment level, I would suggest getting a manual switch PV so you can control how you vape and heat that atomizer up as much as you want. For many, this is more satisfying.

 

[Rhetoric Camel]

yup prefilled carts are definitely NOT the way to go. Liquid is the best. And remember when taking drags, inhale into the mouth, then the lungs, and also take SLOW drags, if you try to hit it like a cigarette or a joint you will be disappointed, and possibly get some liquid in your mouth (when using liquid instead of prefilled carts)

 

[mamacat]

Ominae117 ~ Welcome to ECF!!

Most of the "prefilled" carts I ever tried were terrible to say the least. I was never able to find one that tasted good. I bought some liquid and have never looked back. I even took my "prefills" and washed out the cart filler, filled them with my own juice and used them.

Best Wishes!

 

[bleck]

I'm honestly in the camp that dislikes the 401. The flavors aren't right (seems to get too hot and has more of a steamy taste), and it's difficult to get a good amount of vapor from it without making a loud whistling sound. I've tried 3 atomizers etc. and had the same issues. My 901 & 801 are still the main e-cigs I use. It really can be difficult at first finding the one that works for best for your situation. I'd definitely recommend buying some liquid though, cart liquid = gross. I've never enjoyed the liquid that came w/ a cart. I always clean 'em out and put my own liquid in and buy blanks from then on.

 

[Ominae117]

Thanks for all of the quick replies!

In regards to what I'm looking for, I'm looking for thick vapor with a decent flavor. I'll definitely try some different liquid and filling my own cartridges. Is there any particular type of liquid that would help provide this, or any recommendations of brands/types?

Also, are liquid vendors generally only online or would specialty smoke shops possibly carry them as well? A new one of these just opened a few blocks away and they seem to carry NJOY's and Smoking Everywhere products from signs out front in addition to regular tobacco stuff. I'll probably call to see if they have them first, just thought I'd ask whether or not you've ever seen the liquid carried in stores?

-Om

 

[bleck]

There's a local shop near me that sells some e-cig stuff, including liquid. Huge markup compared to online retailers though. I've only planned on purchasing there if I got real desperate. It's definitely worth a shot though.

 

[Ominae117]

I'm honestly in the camp that dislikes the 401. The flavors aren't right (seems to get too hot and has more of a steamy taste), and it's difficult to get a good amount of vapor from it without making a loud whistling sound.

I definitely agree with you there. The whistling sound, even on soft and slow drags bugs the hell out of me. Are there any models that don't have that at all or is that pretty standard most of the time?

-Om

 

[PakAdayX50]

I have given 901 starter sets to several friends. Some have had disappointing experiences even with bottled juice. (I strongly agree with earlier advice about the prefilled carts. Those seem to be uniformly awful.) After watching them, I saw they were puffing too hard and getting little to no vapor, I advised they slow down; take very slow deep drags into the mouth, not straight into the lungs. That made all the difference! There is a zen quality to happy vaping. Be the vape.

 

[towardsthelight]

I definitely agree with you there. The whistling sound, even on soft and slow drags bugs the hell out of me. Are there any models that don't have that at all or is that pretty standard most of the time?

-Om

Hmmm, I have an M401 from Shawn at Litecigusa & no whistling here.

 

[SueandCootie]

I was lucky, that from reading here I knew: to buy some liquid with my first cig, that it would take some playing around to get it right, how to wash out and refill carts, and that with all these folks enjoying it I could make it work. The flavor mixing thing really captured my imagination immediately, and I started right up with that..it's adds to the fun. Not everyone enjoys everything, but I couldn't afford analogs any more, this was the best option, having tried to quit other ways...and it worked. Take your time to see if you can find a setup that works for you, it's worth a try!!

 

[wv2win]

Thanks for all of the quick replies!

In regards to what I'm looking for, I'm looking for thick vapor with a decent flavor. I'll definitely try some different liquid and filling my own cartridges. Is there any particular type of liquid that would help provide this, or any recommendations of brands/types?

Also, are liquid vendors generally only online or would specialty smoke shops possibly carry them as well? A new one of these just opened a few blocks away and they seem to carry NJOY's and Smoking Everywhere products from signs out front in addition to regular tobacco stuff. I'll probably call to see if they have them first, just thought I'd ask whether or not you've ever seen the liquid carried in stores?

-Om

The only places I've seen it locally are all WAY overpriced. The three suppliers that I have had good success with, good liquid and good prices are these:

http://www.ruyandirect.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=15&productname

www.eastmall.net

http://shop.rockymountainvapor.com/

Many members like the RY4 flavor and I also like the KENT flavor.

 

[sherid]

So a few months ago I decided I wanted to make the switch from analogs to e-cigs. After vigorously researching different models, brands, suppliers, and reading some recommendations to people whose needs were similar to my own, I decided to purchase the Puresmoker Pilot m401. At the time, I was told it would be the best option for me. When it arrived, I was like a kid at Christmas. Tearing open the package with enthusiasm. After everything was charged and ready to go, I gave it a shot.

For the first couple days that I had it, I played around with it a bunch. However, I was also extremely disappointed. There was 0 flavor with either of the carts I purchased (Basic Marlboro and "555") and both simply tasted like burnt plastic, if there was any taste at all. The vapor production was equally disappointing. After watching videos and reviews with people blowing out what looked like small clouds (such as Puresmoker's product lineup video) I had a little wisp of vapor, barely visible when exhaling. Whats worse is that there was no throat hit to speak of, and it didn't even feel like I was inahling or exhaling much of anything. I figured I had something defective and switched out different atomizers, different batteries, different carts. no improvement. After giving it one last shot and getting a mouthful of liquid, I put it in my drawer out of frustration and forgot about it. shortly afterwards, I went back to analogs.

A few days ago, I stumbled across it and decided to break it out and try it again. After recharging everything, cleaning the atomizer, and fresh carts and liquid, I tried it again only to have that same shameful performance. I used it pretty heavily when I first purchased it for about a week with no change or improvement in performance. I had been told that most needed to be "broken in." After using it again for a few days, I gave up.

Were my expectations too high? Is that all there is?
I don't want to give up trying, but is this the kind of performance I can expect from all e-cigs? am I doing something wrong? Any recommendations of something else to try?

Help me e-cig forum, you're my only hope.
-Om

I had a Pilot, found it totally unsatisfying, and sold it. Many others swear by this model. Buy yourself a Dura, a Stick, or a VX2, and your experience will improve dramatically. My first experiences with e cigs were very disappointing, much as you describe. Now, that I own the three models I mentioned, all that has changed.

 

[rocknroll]

After watching them, I saw they were puffing too hard and getting little to no vapor, I advised they slow down; take very slow deep drags into the mouth, not straight into the lungs. That made all the difference! There is a zen quality to happy vaping. Be the vape.

Yeah, that is the key. Long, slow drags. I bought 2 m401 starter kits. One for me and one for the wife. We refill our own cartriges with e-liquid. When I first started, I would take very hard drags and it produced very little vapor at all. It basically looked as though it was a little chilly outside and you could see my breath a little bit. I wasn't getting the throat and lung hit that I was looking for at all. I was very dissappointed.

I'm a truck driver and got the package just before I had to go on the road. So, I gave my wife hers and left out the door with mine. She reported that she loved hers. I told her that I hated mine.

Anyway, I came home to see her puffing away and getting lots of vapor. I told her to hand it over and let me try it. I got the same results as before, hardly any vapor. She hit mine and was getting big billowing clouds. I asked her what the heck she was doing that I'm not? Why is there such a significant difference? She couldn't explain it to me. She said she just naturally does it. (Yeah, I couldn't pass that one up and replied that women just naturally know how to suck. LOL)

Anyway, I just sat and watched her until I figured it out. Low and behold, long, light, slow draws is the technique. Now I'm a happy camper and love my m401.

Hope that helps.

 

[HaploVoss]

Thanks for all of the quick replies!

In regards to what I'm looking for, I'm looking for thick vapor with a decent flavor. I'll definitely try some different liquid and filling my own cartridges. Is there any particular type of liquid that would help provide this, or any recommendations of brands/types?

Also, are liquid vendors generally only online or would specialty smoke shops possibly carry them as well? A new one of these just opened a few blocks away and they seem to carry NJOY's and Smoking Everywhere products from signs out front in addition to regular tobacco stuff. I'll probably call to see if they have them first, just thought I'd ask whether or not you've ever seen the liquid carried in stores?

-Om

nhaler.com is some of the best there is. I am uncertain of the compatibility, but I do not believe the cartridges for either the NJoy or SE will fit on the M401 - I could be mistaken - any takers? You could grab some, and squeeze the juice out of the filler I suppose. LOL - the SE chocolate carts are a fav of my wife's when we are running low and need a quick fix, but online is way cheaper.

I recommend you grab yourself a bunch of sampler sizes from Drew. You won't be dissapointed.

Take care,
- Hap