I've settled on a first product for vaping, but need recomondations on parts \ and E liquid

[Mikenet]

You've only done that once?



Ummm about that. I hope you're not expecting to get your PV and be done with cigarettes effortlessly. Some lucky souls are like that and I hope you're one but, I wasn't. Do what works for you but, here's what I did. I went ahead and smoked 3 or 4 cigarettes a day for a few weeks. When I smoked them I did nothing else. No watching TV, sitting at the computer etc. I vaped all I wanted whenever I wanted. I had trouble finding the riht nic level flavort etc. as well. After a few weeks I got it worked out and I found I really wasn't looking forward to those cigarettes. Then it was a lot easier to put them down.

"You've only done that once?"

What get help online, or assemble a computer? Only one computer build thankfully, but I'm online for research or help on some project all the time. Come to think of it, I was just finishing getting help at howtogeek forums when I ran across the advertisement for V2 cigs.

I was getting some help with installing dual operating systems, and using virtual machines. Just as I was finishing up that project I got sidetracked by what I thought would be another useless advertisement, but I clicked on it, browsed the V2 website, and was interested in getting a PV ever since. I almost bought one of theirs, but thankfully I found my way here instead.

As for quitting smoking, I guess my plan is to ween myself off them slowly over a period of 3 months or less. I was thinking of cutting my ciggerets down to about 10 a day to start while using the PV in between.

If my cravings aren't too bad with 10 cigs a day, I'll try cutting them down to 5 a day hopefully within a month. I'll go less and less as my body becomes adapted to the PV. I undertand that there will be some withdrawel from the lack of other non nicotine chemicals in ciggerets.

Also I'm still thinking that the best case scenario for a good PV is that it delivers about half the nicotine that cigarettes do. Its not just the CNN report that I presented in my first post that has me worried about this, but forums like the following two right here at ECF......


http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...appeals-court-issues-stay-238.html#post677284

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/nicotine/44958-so-we-getting-we-not-nicotine.html


So this cautions me enough to want to take it slow, and expect it to be a bit of a challenge. I just hope this PV helps enough to make it reasonable to quit, instead of miserable. That's really what Im hoping for. Not a miracle but something that will make quitting noticeably easier.

If it can do that within 3 months and have me close to quitting, I'll stick with it. If not I might return it just before the 90 warrenty expires but I'm really hoping for the best on this one.

Mike

 

[MickeyRat]

What get help online, or assemble a computer? Only one computer build thankfully, but I'm online for research or help on some project all the time. Come to think of it, I was just finishing getting help at howtogeek forums when I ran across the advertisement for V2 cigs.

I'm afraid I'm a super geek. I can't tell you how many computers I've built. I'm sure it's in the double digits. It helps being a computer professional and working with a bunch of other geeks. Getting to be a thing of the past though. Laptops and tablets will kill that particular pastime.

As for the rest, I was just trying to do a little level setting. This is the easiest way I know to get off of cigarettes but, easiest is not the same thing as effortless. Hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones.

 

[RialCeLmiT]

After hearing many suggestions on products in my first post......

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...some-concerns-about-e-cigs-need-opinions.html

I've decided to go with the Maxi RoughStack V2 kit from the following website.....

Maxi RoughStack V2 Kit


It seems to offer all the flexibility I'll need, and has different power options if different types of batteries are used. A decent amount of power at under 100 bucks is what I was looking for and I'm hoping this one will deliver. Id love to hear any opinions on this product from anyone who has used it, or knows about it. This will be my first purchase of any E-cig or Vapor product so I still need all the help I can get.

The kit above comes with the following items...

1 Maxi Rough Stack Unit
2 16340 3.7v batteries
1 AG-126 Battery Charger

2 510 Atomizers (4.5 ohm)
5 Empty 510 Single Round cartridges(with filling but no e-liquid)
1 10 ml Dekang USA e-liquid 24mg


Im guessing this has everything I need to start vaping right away (correct me if im wrong)

However I want to add a few things to my purchase to increase my options and need some advice on the compatibility of any addons.

First of all I don't know for sure if I'm going to lean toward Atomizers or Cartomizers. The kit comes with 2 attys, which will probably be enough for testing. However I really like the sound of Cartos so Im going to get a few of these as well.

These are the two I'm looking at getting, but I don't know which one is better or more compatable with the Maxi Roughstack..... (remember I'm a newb)

The 510-Dual-Coil-Stainless-Mega-Cartomizer
510 Dual Coil Stainless Mega Cartomizer

and

The eGo-Mega-Dual-Coil-Cartomizer
eGo Mega Dual Coil Cartomizer Flat-Tip


I'm thinking that one or both of these may require an adapter extension, so any direct links from madvapes.com on compatible extensions would be helpful.

I'm also going to get a 2nd battery as extra, since the kit comes with the batteries needed for High volt vaping, I'm going to get one of the 18650 Batteries for a 3.7V experience.

I'll probably go with this one...

TrustFire Protected 18650 Battery
TrustFire Protected 18650 Battery, 2400 mah

Another upgrade I was wanting is a USB passthrough so that I can extend the life of the battery by using it less. I don't know which one to get that would be compatible with this unit, so any suggestions would be helpful.

Lastly I need to test out various E-liquids available at madvapes or possibly elsewhere, and need some links on a good sampler pack. The sampler packs I saw at madvapes had 18mg per ml, which I think may be a little weak. I was hoping to go with 24mg or possibly more.

Any comments on E-liquds that produce a very thick but smooth tasting vapor would also catch my attention. Currently I smoke menthol's, so any flavor that mimics that would be nice to hear about too!

Mike

I apologize if people already said what I'm about too but I never have the patience to read...

Firstly- I would reccomend a drip tip, even a cheapy basic looking one...I don't know if anybody uses them for actual dripping, but it feels more comfortable in your mouth, prevents you from burning your lip (more of a problem with cartomizers but still) and because if you do switch over to Cartos (There honestly just wayyy better..Everyone starts on Atties though) then you don't have to go through the hassle of dealign with those stupidwhite rubber caps..

Secondly- I make my own liquid and I'm a bit outdated on the liquid suppliers..But I suggest you don't get a big vial, as things you tihnk you will like you tend not too, and things you end up loving our thigns you'd never thought be worth vaping,...Things really do taste different when it comes to drinking and eating vs inhaling...For example...I love chocolate...I'm amazed I weigh less than 200 lbs, but all chocolate flavors I've vaped I find disgusting...I will never get a vanilla shake, I hate them with everything in me, but I rather enjoy vapign vanilla based flavors... More so the point of this paragraph though was to say to get samplers...Rather than a giant 30ml bbottle, find a site that will give you a 5 or 10 pack of 3 or 5 mls...The only one I know offhand was Blue Mist Vaping, and then next time around get the big one of the flavor you liked, and still try samples here and there

Thirdly- CARTOMIZERS CARTOMIZERS CARTOMIZERS...Atomizers supposedly last longer, and are easier to maintain...I find that absolute BS and I've dealt with many cartomizers and atomizzers...In my experience when my cartomizers get a lil gunky tasting boila nd an alcohol bath make them like new...They are extremely cheaper and are easier to replace...Although One cartomizers may not last as long as one atomizers, the amount you woudl get for the same price by far outlasts an atomizer...And for me, atomizers are always great for the first week or two, but then after awhile thye just drastically lose performance, and when they do you have to order a new one or whatever and it's lame..I've never been able to really restore an atomizer the same way I've been able to restore a cartomizer...I also find that Cartomizers in general tend to hold more liquid...More liquid means less hassle right? Also I feel they perform 2X if not better than any atomizer I have tried...All in all there a total win for me, no exceptions, I probably will enver use an Atty again

Good luck with your vaping

 

[RialCeLmiT]

I'm afraid I'm a super geek. I can't tell you how many computers I've built. I'm sure it's in the double digits. It helps being a computer professional and working with a bunch of other geeks. Getting to be a thing of the past though. Laptops and tablets will kill that particular pastime.

As for the rest, I was just trying to do a little level setting. This is the easiest way I know to get off of cigarettes but, easiest is not the same thing as effortless. Hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones.

I was the kid that used to laugh behind your back in HS.. Although I've always been a little more intelligent then most kids my age, I never once considered myself a geek or a nerd cause I wasn't...I enjoyed video games btu I'd rather play sports and although I knew alot of computers I wasn't like a tech guy...After HS seems all my former cool buddies got lame, my jock friends turned into football couch potatoes and my stoner friends turned into junkies...I hang out with "nerds" now cause there alot more fun, we have a good time, and if theres nothing else going on we fall back to computers and video games...Not to mention a couple of my science geek guys have helped me in producing synthetic Cannabinoids...So A+ for the nerds!

 

[Mikenet]

I'm afraid I'm a super geek. I can't tell you how many computers I've built. I'm sure it's in the double digits. It helps being a computer professional and working with a bunch of other geeks. Getting to be a thing of the past though. Laptops and tablets will kill that particular pastime.

As for the rest, I was just trying to do a little level setting. This is the easiest way I know to get off of cigarettes but, easiest is not the same thing as effortless. Hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones.

That's a lot of builds, and people think I'm a computer wiz. Truth is, I just know how to read. Yae, I can read read! Well that and patience go a long way when dealing with computers, especially when there are gaps in my overall knowledge of them.

Im right with ya on the "level setting" on quitting smoking. I doubt I'll be one of those guys who picks up the PV and can quit smoking overnight, although it would be nice. I'm prepared to put fourth some effort though if need be.

 

[Baldr]

Mikenet, any luck with your order showing up today?

 

[Mikenet]

Mikenet, any luck with your order showing up today?

Not yet, but the tracking info says that it left my towns local UPS for delivery at 9:00AM. Most of the time UPS saves our area for the end of the delivery route though. I'm on a mountain at 3700 ft, and in the country so It will probably be here before 7pm I hope. That's the latest I've seen them out here.

 

[Mikenet]

I got my PV

At first I was worried because I saw the size of the box. I said there is no way they fit 23 items, including the PV and adapter into that little box, but I opened it up and everything is their and looks good.

I have one of the batteries charging now, the 3000 mah 18650. The light on my AG-126 is red, so I guess that means charging.

This wait isn't too bad though because ive been busy packing so I can start moving into my new place tomorrow, that keeps my mind busy. I'll try to get back onto the forums tonight to get some more pointers if I have time.

Thanks for all the help so far everyone.

Mike

 

[Baldr]

Good to hear you got it.

Batteries normally ship with about an 80% charge. So you can pretty much take one and start using it, while your other battery gets a full charge.

 

[Mikenet]

Hey guys I was hoping to reignite the topic of E Liquids here. It turns out that the first E Liquid I tried from madvapes is irritating my throat. I'm vaping 18mg spearmint, it taste really good but I can't hold it in very long without coughing.

Some suggestions Ive had is to lower the nicotine content, which I don't want to do, or raise the VG content. Id prefer to raise the VG content but I do have a question.

Does VG deliver nicotine as effectively as PG? I've heard that you get more TH from PG based liquids and I was wondering if this also means that PG is delivering more of the nicotine.

My goal here is to find a pleasant liquid to vape without sacrificing nicotine content or delivery.

Right now I'm assuming my best option is to raise the VG level with my next E Liquid purchase just enough to make the vape more soothing, but not so much that I clogg my cartomizers. I was thinking perhaps a 60pg/40vg blend might be worth a try. Madvapes does not offer many options for specific mixes, unless you mix your own, so I'll probably be needing another website for E-liquid.

Anyone have any ideas on sites?

So far......

Gourmet Vapor

Is really jumping out at me because they alow you to customize any pg/vg level you want, and they seem to have a decent selection of flavors to boot.

But I don't know how good their Eliquid is, and getting pointed to an ECF forum review of this site would really help.

 

[MickeyRat]

Higher VG provides more vapor and it mutes the flavor a little. It'll be thicker. So, it might wick differently. I've never heard of it effecting nicotine delivery one way or the other. A few people are allergic to PG. You might be unlucky there and not be able to tolerate it at all. You really do need an atomizer and drip tip so you can sample before filling a Carto.

Drink plenty of water as well.

I'm pretty sure you can adjust your VG/PG ratio at Tasty Vapor as well.

 

[Mindfield]

VG doesn't effect nicotine delivery, just flavour and throat hit, specifically it somewhat mutes both the higher you go. 60/40 still isn't that bad though, and Gourmet Vapor is well regarded around here. I'd try it out and see.

 

[Xaiver]

Couple of things. When I first switched to vaping, I would cough every few hits. Why? I really don't know. Maybe it was improper inhale technique, maybe it was because my body wasn't sure what was going on? So, keep that in mind, it does take a bit of adjustment.

It's entirely possible that your getting too many watts hitting your throat, causing your cough. High volts + low reisstance = high watts, more vapor/flavor/etc.

And...the goal isn't to hold it in. Inhale from the PV into your mouth, hold the button for a 5 count or so worth of drag, then let it sit in your mouth for a secondish, then into the lungs, then out.

Anyhow, remember, coughing is normal for a while. (And you'll love it when you're trying to convert people, and they take a big hit off your PV, and burst into a coughing fit) It just takes some getting used to, and the content of the liquid doesn't make much different with that part. I think you'll find that you've settled into the harness after a few days or a week.

-X

 

[MickeyRat]

I knew I'd seen something about this. If you find you have to go pure VG, you might try this site. You can adjust everything about the juice including the throat hit. On here he's nikhil and pretty active in the DIY forum.

 

[Mikenet]

I knew I'd seen something about this. If you find you have to go pure VG, you might try this site. You can adjust everything about the juice including the throat hit. On here he's nikhil and pretty active in the DIY forum.

PureVapes looks nice, very customizable liquids. I wouldn't be sure what TH setting would be good, if any. They have Warm, Hot, or Tickling. Im thinking to stay away from tickling TH as a no brainier, since the liquids I use already tickle my throat.

Only concern I have about their site is that they don't have a very big selection of flavors. Otherwise the ability to customize is great, and the prices seem reasonable.

Xaiver

Couple of things. When I first switched to vaping, I would cough every few hits. Why? I really don't know. Maybe it was improper inhale technique, maybe it was because my body wasn't sure what was going on? So, keep that in mind, it does take a bit of adjustment.

It's entirely possible that your getting too many watts hitting your throat, causing your cough. High volts + low reisstance = high watts, more vapor/flavor/etc.

And...the goal isn't to hold it in. Inhale from the PV into your mouth, hold the button for a 5 count or so worth of drag, then let it sit in your mouth for a secondish, then into the lungs, then out.

Anyhow, remember, coughing is normal for a while. (And you'll love it when you're trying to convert people, and they take a big hit off your PV, and burst into a coughing fit) It just takes some getting used to, and the content of the liquid doesn't make much different with that part. I think you'll find that you've settled into the harness after a few days or a week.

-X

My uncle did that yesterday, hehe. He took a big hit off my PV and coughed more than I did when I first tried it. I had previously read about breathing into the mouth first, so I was somewhat prepared, but I still coughed.

What I didn't try is letting the vapor sit in my mouth a bit longer before inhaling. I find letting it sit a second longer is helping so thanks for the tip. However there is still some irritation and I still cough a bit sometimes while using this technique, but at any rate it's better.

I'm a bit worried about the effectiveness of nicotine delivery using this method though. I could be wrong but it's my assumption that the lungs actually absorb things like nicotine better and faster than your mouth can.

A good example of that for me is feeling the difference between smoking a cigarette and doing dip or nicotine gum. Both methods can absorb nicotine, but a hit off of a cigarette always seems faster and more pleasing.

If it's true that the lungs deliver nicotine faster and better than the mouth, then I also figure that holding vapor in the mouth for too long would mean that most of it is absorbed in the mouth and throat before it ever reaches the lungs.

I also tried a little experimenting on my second day of vaping and took a long slow drag directly into my lungs. I have to say my face was pretty red after doing that, but I got a buzz doing it. This might have something to do with a quick delivery of nicotine to the lungs, but I'm not sure.

 

[Mikenet]

VG doesn't effect nicotine delivery, just flavour and throat hit, specifically it somewhat mutes both the higher you go. 60/40 still isn't that bad though, and Gourmet Vapor is well regarded around here. I'd try it out and see.

So far Gourmet Vapor and Pure Vapes are the only two sites Ive seen that offer any PG/VG combo you want. Every other site Ive run across has no selection options or limited options. Both of those sites offer PG/VG levels that can be adjusted in increments of 10 all the way up or down the scale.

So I might end up giving one of these a try indeed , unless anyone else has info on another site that offers this kind of customization, without mixing your own.

 

[debook]

You might watch the classifieds for a good deal too, not to take away from the roughstack which is a great device but there are very capable and compatible devices in the classifieds all the time. Get something used to save some $$$ until you figure out what you like, then you can spend to get a premium PV. With the low resistance atomizers and cartos widely available now, something with a 18650 will do great and give that higher voltage experience with less complexity. You're going to go through a learning phase where you'll have to find ejuices that you like, it gets expensive initially but levels off once you find your vaping taste.

 

[MickeyRat]

Tasty Vapor allows you to specify the ratio as well. I DIY my juice so not a lot of help but, I did buy some there.

 

[Xaiver]

Part of the buzz you're talking about is from lack of oxygen. It's a side effect of coughing, getting light-headed and sort of woozy. It's a thing that smokers feel is a good thing, but what it actually is, is your brain being deprived of oxygen, and then shaken all about.

Nicotine absorbtion: Here's the deal. Big Tobacco has had approximately 150 years with this chemical, to blend and twist and manipulate it so that it will absorb and travel to your brain as quickly as possible. Nicotine triggers dopamine receptors in your brain to simulate a sort of 'happy' feeling. Analogs also slow down something in your brain that causes dopamine to be re-absorbed, as well as a whole slew of other things.

The e-cig was -invented- in 1995ish, giving them less than 15 years to sort of replicate that analog experience. Nicotine itself doesn't really work the way that analogs make them work. Nicotine takes time to go through your system, and if you're not buying it from Big tobacco, it's going to take more time, because it's probably not infused with a bunch of other junk.

As I've said quite a few times, there's an adapting period that you're going to go through. You will almost certainly feel cravings for a while. When you feel them, just vape like your life depends on it. I was out of the crazy craving window by 2 weeks, and within a month the smell of analogs made my nose wrinkle. I'm coming up on 3 months now, and except for the occasional "I wonder if those still taste any good", I don't get cravings or desire for them anymore...only curiosity.

Oh...and I don't know if it's just me, but when I used to french inhale analogs and blow it out my nose, my nostrils would be kinda dry and sore....and with vapor, it stays really moist, perhaps even a bit more.

As for throat irritation, your body is trying to heal. You just stopped running scalding hot smoke, with tons of bad chemicals, through it. Water vapor isn't really causing the pain, it's just making it more noticeable. Keep drinking water, lots and lots of water. Other things help too, coffee, soda, etc, but water is going to help you keep your taste buds and such clean more than the others. I've found that if I'm vaping something and drinking root beer, it tastes about half as potent as if I'm drinking water....then I get a LOT more flavor.

Hope this helped,
-X

 

[debook]

There was a big discussion here about the raw throat when I first started vaping, a lot of people tried Sensodyne Pronamel with Gentle Whitening which when used at least twice a day seemed to alleviate a lot of the throat burn as it heals. Plus, after about a week you'll notice your smile getting a few shades lighter. I used it and it seemed to help, and Xavier's correct about the roughly first two weeks. It takes a bit to detox from the garbage in analogs and plan on vaping intensely to fight off the cravings.