Just saying hi!

[Dirgon]

So... Hi

I'm fairly new to vaping in general, gave it my first go around new years last year with an Envy Bliss e-cig, and absolutely hated it. At first I thought it would be the greatest thing ever; the last time I quit smoking I was angry all the time and two months after quitting I got sick of going off on everyone for the smallest things, so I started again. I really thought e-cigs would be the answer; I wanted to quit not only for my health but because my fiancée hates that I smoke.

Well, to put it short, the Envy was bad. Bad flavor, bad battery life, bad vapor, did not satisfy AT ALL. That was a waste of $80.

A year later, a few weeks back, I ordered a Red Dragon starter kit, it advertised more vapor, and reviews from e-cig sites said it worked well. Well... it did. I loved it for the 3 days I used it, before sending it back this past Monday. Saturday, I had a wedding, charged both batteries and headed to it, but both batteries died quick; I was smoking analogs an hour into the reception.

I found this forum, read some threads, found a retailer selling an eGo, and decided it sounded perfect.

Now to the questions part!

Finally got it today. Charging a battery now and playing around with the juice I ordered trying to get it "right"

I've noticed the flavor is incredible, absolutely perfect, for the first cig or so's worth of drags, but I keep having to top off between uses. This is a bit frustrating, because at least with the red dragon the flavor was consistent throughout the cart.

I've been dripping a few drops on the atty and then topping off the cart. Am I on the right track, here? I'm trying to get a feel for the best way to make a cart last, consistently, for days when I'm on the go and plan to carry around 2-3 full carts.

When I fill the carts, I just put the syringe in and push the plunger slowly while pulling up. I stop when the liquid hits the top of the cart, dab the excess (a little trigger happy still) and slap the cart in, or put a cap on it and drop it in my empty-cigarette-box-turned-vaporizer-carrying-case.

I've also noticed my atty makes kind of a boiling water type sound, and that's when the flavor is the absolute strongest, once the atty is silent it starts to taste... off. Not a big deal, but is that sound bad? Am I damaging the atty?

Lastly, how easy was it for most people to switch from analogs to vaping? My first real go with the red dragon it was kinda off and on, I still found myself craving a cig, but I think it was just a mental thing.


One final note: I didn't notice it anywhere, but is there a rule here about discussing retailers NOT listed on the list of suppliers? I found the retailer I ordered everything through to be very pleasant and spot on, but he's not listed here.

 

[devnull71]

Dirgon,

Welcome to the forum! It sounds like you're doing everything correct. I believe the eGo takes the same Joye 510 style atomizers that I use. The vapor does taper off quite a bit from that first fantastic initial drag, and I've never been able to run one completely dry. If your cartridges contain the regular white cotton-like filler material, you may want to change that to a "blue foam mod", which uses a cut up Marineland Rite-Size U aquarium filter sleeve in place of the white filler material. The blue foam holds more liquid, wicks better, and doesn't impart any flavor to your juice. (Some info on this available here, I never bother with the straw).

Rather than carrying around a bunch of pre-filled cartridges, I've moved to keeping a small plastic 3ml bottle of juice in my pocket. Easy to top off a cart when it runs a bit dry. Good Luck!

 

[Pissy]

Welcome to the forum, I use the Ego and direct drip. This is not conducive to my work place so I'm considering the Ego Tank. Since I have the batteries all I would have to do is buy the atomizer and tank cartridges. Maybe this is something you might look into.

Let us know how you're doing, if you have more questions, ask away, there are a great number of knowledgeable folks here willing to help.

 

[No Brag]

That was "Just saying Hi"!!! Just kidding, glad you are here and enjoy the journey to the smoke free world.

So... Hi

I'm fairly new to vaping in general, gave it my first go around new years last year with an Envy Bliss e-cig, and absolutely hated it. At first I thought it would be the greatest thing ever; the last time I quit smoking I was angry all the time and two months after quitting I got sick of going off on everyone for the smallest things, so I started again. I really thought e-cigs would be the answer; I wanted to quit not only for my health but because my fiancée hates that I smoke.

Well, to put it short, the Envy was bad. Bad flavor, bad battery life, bad vapor, did not satisfy AT ALL. That was a waste of $80.

A year later, a few weeks back, I ordered a Red Dragon starter kit, it advertised more vapor, and reviews from e-cig sites said it worked well. Well... it did. I loved it for the 3 days I used it, before sending it back this past Monday. Saturday, I had a wedding, charged both batteries and headed to it, but both batteries died quick; I was smoking analogs an hour into the reception.

I found this forum, read some threads, found a retailer selling an eGo, and decided it sounded perfect.

Now to the questions part!

Finally got it today. Charging a battery now and playing around with the juice I ordered trying to get it "right"

I've noticed the flavor is incredible, absolutely perfect, for the first cig or so's worth of drags, but I keep having to top off between uses. This is a bit frustrating, because at least with the red dragon the flavor was consistent throughout the cart.

I've been dripping a few drops on the atty and then topping off the cart. Am I on the right track, here? I'm trying to get a feel for the best way to make a cart last, consistently, for days when I'm on the go and plan to carry around 2-3 full carts.

When I fill the carts, I just put the syringe in and push the plunger slowly while pulling up. I stop when the liquid hits the top of the cart, dab the excess (a little trigger happy still) and slap the cart in, or put a cap on it and drop it in my empty-cigarette-box-turned-vaporizer-carrying-case.

I've also noticed my atty makes kind of a boiling water type sound, and that's when the flavor is the absolute strongest, once the atty is silent it starts to taste... off. Not a big deal, but is that sound bad? Am I damaging the atty?

Lastly, how easy was it for most people to switch from analogs to vaping? My first real go with the red dragon it was kinda off and on, I still found myself craving a cig, but I think it was just a mental thing.


One final note: I didn't notice it anywhere, but is there a rule here about discussing retailers NOT listed on the list of suppliers? I found the retailer I ordered everything through to be very pleasant and spot on, but he's not listed here.

 

[Dirgon]

Haha, yeah.... I didn't mean to go off on such a large tangent, but things happen!


I didn't even know about the tank until now... the retailer I purchased my eGo from sells it, but he's currently out of stock. He also sells the blue foam, which I'm considering buying, but the shipping would cost more than the foam, so I'll have to put that off until I want/need something else.

I've been looking into the Johnson Creek juice, mainly because it's a company that at least appears very reputable, and the ONLY downside I've seen to my switch to refilling my own carts has been purchasing juice from someone who's just mixing it themselves, though that may just be paranoia.

Still trying to find good reviews of different retailers and their liquids.

 

[Numevexo]

Hi Dirgon,
The boiling type sound is normal. That's the sizzle of the atty vaporizing the e-juice.
Regarding your question about quitting analogs; many folks find it very easy to sub the vaping for analogs. I've chosen to taper off some each week. When I first started vaping a few months ago, I was smoking 1 to 1 1/2 PAD. After a couple weeks, i was down to 1 PAD. Now I smoke 6-8 analogs a day. This process varies from person to person. Do what works for you. Remember that every analog you avoid, is a step in the right direction.
Lots of reviews of JC e-juice on YouTube.
Welcome to the forum and good luck in all your future vaping endeavors!

 

[bruiser]

Welcome to the forum, and I'm going to confuse you even more. You might want to check into the eGo Mega atomizers and Mega cartomizers. These things hold lots and lots of juice and a full one might last all day. You do have to use a syringe to fill the Mega cartomizer. With the Mega atomizer cartridge, you just drip into the cartridge. It'll hold 70 to 80 drops on the first fill.

 

[Spaniard]

Hi Dirgon and good luck. Im still waiting for my gear to arrive.

 

[Astronomer]

I am an absolute newbie ( dont even have my first e-cig yet ) but it is in the mail, I found the eGo Tank cheap, Clouds of vapor website and use bigbuyer as the code for an extra 10% off, I ended up with 2 whole units, chargers, tanks and even the shipping for under $60

Liked your thread and thought I would mention where I got mine, they had 2 in stock... I think they only have one starter kit now

Haha, yeah.... I didn't mean to go off on such a large tangent, but things happen!


I didn't even know about the tank until now... the retailer I purchased my eGo from sells it, but he's currently out of stock. He also sells the blue foam, which I'm considering buying, but the shipping would cost more than the foam, so I'll have to put that off until I want/need something else.

I've been looking into the Johnson Creek juice, mainly because it's a company that at least appears very reputable, and the ONLY downside I've seen to my switch to refilling my own carts has been purchasing juice from someone who's just mixing it themselves, though that may just be paranoia.

Still trying to find good reviews of different retailers and their liquids.

 

[Philbilly]

Just started two days ago myself with a tornado. Lot's of people have been speaking highly of Freedomsmokesusa for some good juice. I'm still fiddling with my setup as well, but right now I'm direct dripping while trying to mod a cartridge......."juuuust Right." All I have to say besides all that is you've definitely come to the right place for answers. Good luck.

 

[Dirgon]

Thanks for all the welcomes.

I picked up a 5 pack of empty tanks and two tank attys from cignot, hopefully it'll get here soon; I know she ships from Chicago (I think?) and that SHOULD only be a day, but with the terrible weather we're having in the midwest, who knows? Kinda wish I would've done more research ahead of time, but ah well, either way I figure I'll come out ahead of the game at some point. I feel a bit more comfortable anyways having carts and attys sitting around as a backup if my tank attys die. Overall I'm VERY happy with my eGo, I'm actually finding it extremely easy to quit analogs all together. Haven't had one, or craved one, since I opened the box.

One thing I'm trying to figure out is exactly what I want in nicotine strength. I've been trying to find some decent guidelines but really can't. I'm ordering a bottle of 0 for my fiancée, and I'm thinking I might want 8 for when I'm relaxing at home (so far today I've found I REALLY just don't want to put it down when I'm relaxing watching TV), and 18 when I want to satisfy that craving on the run. Still trying to get an understanding between PV and VG and mixtures of the two. I didn't realize how confusing this would be!

 

[DropEmCigs]

Hi Dirgon. Congrats and a welcome from me, too. There's always an ECF member around for you. This is truly a great place to be and to get help.

One thing I'm trying to figure out is exactly what I want in nicotine strength. I've been trying to find some decent guidelines but really can't. I'm ordering a bottle of 0 for my fiancée, and I'm thinking I might want 8 for when I'm relaxing at home (so far today I've found I REALLY just don't want to put it down when I'm relaxing watching TV), and 18 when I want to satisfy that craving on the run. Still trying to get an understanding between PV and VG and mixtures of the two. I didn't realize how confusing this would be!

Your basic perception how to administer nicotine level is just fine. Stong for "cravings", milder for relaxation. And your value suggestions sounds fine, too. Then you can see what gets you the most - craving or relaxation, and adjust levels accordingly. More than 24mg should not be necessary.
You will also need a syringe+needle, if not supplied with the tanks. This to fill the tanks. Needle must be thick. You can blunt it yourself, if you don't like messing with the sharp needle. Available at the pharmacy or similar.

PG is used for medical inhalors, as example. Very generalized it the nicotine solvent, will endorse taste and TH (throat "hit"), but not so much vape.
VG is a common additive (sweetener) to food and animal feed, considered safe to take in. Vaping of it is not really examined "to the bottom", but as the saying goes: 4000 toxic compounds and carbon oxide and tar make a (much) worse alternative. VG make the vape milder, may also take some of the flavour out, but will make for thicker vape.

This site - just learned of today - describes some, and you can also order some (USP grade it is, that's important). It's rather cheap, and you can use it to "cut" (thin) the nicotine level of a juice.
And you can get some dripping bottles, too (for the carts, on the move). And some flavours (for the fun of it).....

This could be the start down the road where you mix your own juices from nicotine extracts - if you think that it sounds interesting. Will save you some extra money too, compared to ready-made juices. Many will prefer the ready-made juice out of convenience, tho.

Good luck!

 

[Bradder]

Welcome to the forums; looks as if you are on a good track. One thing that was mentioned is the Highping blue foam plug method, Some people love it and some not so hot on it, but I have found that it does hold a l ot more liquid and seems to even out the flavor throughout the cart.

As for waiting to buy the foam, yes there are vendors that carry it (plus shipping) but you can also find it at any local pet/aquarium store - same stuff and a lot cheaper. You might pick some up and give it a try.