Literally about to give up vaping

[Apathetic Cardigan]

Alright Vapers abroad and Vapers nearby, new vapers, experienced vapers, rage vapers and calm vapers. I'm going to be honest with you. Starting August of this year I've made the switch to vaping. At first I was happy by the simple fact that it wasn't an analog. But there's a serious problem, i'm starting to give up. My reasons for giving up are as follows:

1. Contrary to popular belief, this is not cheaper than analogs, in fact, it's quite a bit more expensive (unless you're over a pack a day smoker, which I wasn't, I just really liked nicotine and really hated how I smelled.)
2. The learning curve I've since gotten over, from this forum I've figured out alot of things on how they work. But I still don't know the fundamentals on how to make a choice when I go to a local e cigarette shop. It's like vaping is a subculture of people who don't want you in it. So they offer the ....tiest tech and don't explain why upgrading is better.
3. There is no middle ground. Meaning that you either buy crap ego-t's and c's or the insanely fragile v's or some other ridiculous "cig" like itastes. Nowhere from shops and other vapers do I receive any sort of comparison. All of the real comparisons are on the APV's that are so crazily out of many peoples price range that were stuck in a vortex of wondering why all our .... sucks. If there was a middle of the road that wasn't a C but wasn't a Provari (I know zmax's, LT's, etc exist, but there's no justification for getting them because everyone says they are terrible.)
4. Juice, what the hell? No matter who I buy from, what flavor, how expensive, they all suck. I'm not sure if it's the set up I'm using (I'm poor: ego-c upgrade with a j-tank and laser drilled LR cartomizers) but I don't get anything. Either the carto doesn't fire very well or the juice doesn't hit, or the flavor gets lost in the polyfill so i'm tasting a mixture of propylene glycol and moisture. (And yes, I've watched every video on how to fill cartos, i've had several employees of local shops explain to me how to fill cartos, it never works, ever). And if I do get some flavor it's for 3 pulls maximum and usually doesn't provide any satisfying clouds (I really think this is because of my setup which leads me to my next point.)
5. Setups, I don't think many people are being truthful with customers about these products. I find it strange that when I try a friends ego-t with some tank that i've never seen before and I actually taste something. My mind is blown by that and then I take another drag off of mine and i'm like "... where did it go?" So, in my research, I've never found "this is good to use on ego's" rather I get "this will fit ego's." But "fit" is far different than "works well"
6. Breakability. Within a month of my vaping I'd gone through 3 batteries, mind you this is not because I dropped them, they simply decided to not work anymore. I've seen similar stories of someone getting out of their car with their near 200 dollar mod and boom, no more mod. What is the value in that? With my c i'm so scared of breaking off anything or even the ....ing battery in half that I simply hold it, in my hand, all day long.

So! What the hell do I do? Can someone offer me any reason to keep going with this? Because I am six flavorless puffs away from throwing this whole stupid concept up on craigslist and using the money for cigarettes. Ecigs are not providing what most people promised they would. Flavor, satisfaction of nicotine intake, interesting subculture of people who cared and who are happy for people they get off cigarettes, and real communication that wasn't ultimately to make as much money as possible.

Thank you and any advice or responses would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jeffjr464]

ive been using genuine joyetech ego c twists for 3 months without a single hiccup, the problem isn't your batteries, unless you bought knockoffs, if i were you, i'd get a couple vivi nova's buy some good juice and vape your brains out

 

[Bullette the Cowdog]

Hi apathetic
Sorry stuff isn't working out for ya.
I've been at this vaping stuff over 8 months now. I am a frugal Cowdog so I don't spend a lot of $$$. I have used 2 Kgo batteries on rotation for 8 months now. Quite satisfied. Kgo battery is 3.7 volts solidly built vs ego's 3.3 volts. So I get a warmer vape. Those batteries + a charger cost me about $45.
Why go to a vape shop when you can order on the Internet & save $$$.
I only use cartomizers...no tanks. Smoketech 1.7 ohm cartomizers.
Juice is something you have to figure out yourself.
But a 3.7 volt battery with a 1.7 ohm cartomizer gives a great vape.
Hope you can get this figured out so you can save your health.
Bullette says woof!

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

I know I didn't get a knockoff because it's from the local shop nearby. And I started on vivi novas but I find they are even stupider than J-tanks. Not only does no one explain a lick on how they work, but they don't provide that beautiful plume of vapor that I'm looking for. Not only that, but I've been told they need to be replaced every other month which is so unjustifiable to me I could never bring myself to buy another.

 

[tnt56]

I hate to hear your experience has been so bad so far. I'm going with Bullette as far as start shoping online. That way your not traped in the local store. I've been to one that was like you described and never went back for anything.This is one of the kits I started out with and I believe it might be the same thing that Bullette is refering to
KGO kit1100mAh by SLB
I do wish you good luck.

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

Bullette I have ego-c upgrade meaning I can switch to the VV setting of 3.7 volts. It changes nothing, still tastes like prop glycol and moisture. And as far as I'm concerned the shipping price mixed with the waiting time of ordering online isn't worth it, because most likely it's going to taste like prop glycol and moisture when it gets to me. My problem isn't with my setup and how to make it better. My problem is that no one gives a crap to explain WHY. No one explains WHY Vivi's are better, no one explains WHY 1.7 ohm carto's are good for k-go's or e-go's. They just say "try this, spend more money on this, maybe this will do this." But my brain doesn't work like that. I don't just say "okay, stranger person said to try X so I'll run right out and spend my money on X for no reason." I need more than just "try it." I don't have enough money for just "try it." I need answers. Real answers on why I should "try it."

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

To clarify my previous post. My problem isn't with making my set up better. It's that I have no evidence on why X will improve Y. I know for a fact that Provari's will improve alot of things. But how can someone who's barely struggling to get by with rent and the like afford something like that? Nicotine does many things for me, it's levels my mood out between class, it helps me wake up in the morning, so I want it. But I don't want it from cigarettes unless I have to. Vaping is on the cusp of being the greatest thing to happen to smokers since the filter. But the pioneers don't care about the people that are fueling their pioneering.

 

[Caridwen]

o! What the hell do I do? Can someone offer me any reason to keep going with this? Because I am six flavorless puffs away from throwing this whole stupid concept up on craigslist and using the money for cigarettes. Ecigs are not providing what most people promised they would. Flavor, satisfaction of nicotine intake, interesting subculture of people who cared and who are happy for people they get off cigarettes, and real communication that wasn't ultimately to make as much money as possible.

Thank you and any advice or responses would be greatly appreciated.

None of us are making money. We're just trying to help others get off cigarettes if that's what they want to do. I don't know that it's cheaper than RYO and there are the touchy hit/miss products involved. They're tiny relatively inexpensive electronic devices that are used and handled a lot.

I didn't chase the 'best' as far as liquid or pvs go. I used an ego type device with cartos for around a year before I ventured out. Liquid, I found one that was acceptable- I wasn't looking to fall in love. If you hate the ones you have, believe it or not unflavored isn't all that bad. And it's cheap. If I could get a couple months out of a $15 battery, I was happy.

Up to you if you think it's worth it. It was for me because I didn't want to smoke.

 

[RPadTV]

My problem is that no one gives a crap to explain WHY. No one explains WHY Vivi's are better,

Sure they do. People like Vivi's because of the capacity and ease of use. Personally, I've not had luck with them.

no one explains WHY 1.7 ohm carto's are good for k-go's or e-go's.

That has been explained a lot. Lower resistance cartos are preferred on fixed-voltage devices because you get more wattage, which results in more vapor/flavor.

It sounds like you want someone to hold your hand throughout the entire process and tell you what's best for you. It doesn't work like that. Everyone has different preferences and tastes. There's a lot of great information to be found in ECF, including the explanations that you claim aren't there. You just have to dig more and figure some things out on your own.

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

None of us are making money. We're just trying to help others get off cigarettes if that's what they want to do. I don't know that it's cheaper than RYO and there are the touchy hit/miss products involved. They're tiny relatively inexpensive electronic devices that are used and handled a lot.

I didn't chase the 'best' as far as liquid or pvs go. I used an ego type device with cartos for around a year before I ventured out. Liquid, I found one that was acceptable- I wasn't looking to fall in love. If you hate the ones you have, believe it or not unflavored isn't all that bad. And it's cheap. If I could get a couple months out of a $15 battery, I was happy.

Up to you if you think it's worth it. It was for me because I didn't want to smoke.

You misunderstood what I meant by people making money. What I mean is E cigarette shops, battery makers, mod makers, the companies of these that are making these products. They aren't just a humanitarian project aimed at helping people quit smoking, I don't expect them to be, they are a business afterall, but I was thinking and hoping there would be more help from these people. Maybe my whole concept of vaping is actually just a far off dream and my expectations were simply too high. And I don't want to smoke either, that's why i'm here. I want some real discussion on some truth about these things. What should be bought with what. What PG/VG should be used with what? Why would they even tell you the levels of PG/VG unless they were supposed to be used optimally with something? SEE? ISN'T THAT ANNOYING?! No one even thinks to mention why PG/VG levels are important! That's the kind of stuff that is making my eyes explode over and over again from frustration!

 

[Dauyd]

Alright Vapers abroad and Vapers nearby, new vapers, experienced vapers, rage vapers and calm vapers. I'm going to be honest with you. Starting August of this year I've made the switch to vaping. At first I was happy by the simple fact that it wasn't an analog. But there's a serious problem, i'm starting to give up. My reasons for giving up are as follows:

1. Contrary to popular belief, this is not cheaper than analogs, in fact, it's quite a bit more expensive (unless you're over a pack a day smoker, which I wasn't, I just really liked nicotine and really hated how I smelled.)

I DIY and rebuild my coils. It comes to $1.86 per week. I could have been a pack a MONTH smoker and still be spending less.

If you stay away from buying new equipment, it IS cheaper.

2. The learning curve I've since gotten over, from this forum I've figured out alot of things on how they work. But I still don't know the fundamentals on how to make a choice when I go to a local e cigarette shop. It's like Vaping is a subculture of people who don't want you in it. So they offer the ....tiest tech and don't explain why upgrading is better.

Simple solution- stay away from that shop. There are lousy auto dealers out there, too- doesn't mean cars are no good.

3. There is no middle ground. Meaning that you either buy crap ego-t's and c's or the insanely fragile v's or some other ridiculous "cig" like itastes. Nowhere from shops and other vapers do I receive any sort of comparison. All of the real comparisons are on the APV's that are so crazily out of many peoples price range that were stuck in a vortex of wondering why all our .... sucks. If there was a middle of the road that wasn't a C but wasn't a Provari (I know zmax's, LT's, etc exist, but there's no justification for getting them because everyone says they are terrible.)

There is plenty of middle ground. You mention some of them. Ignore the fanboys. If all you talked to were Mercedes fans, you'd think that a chevy wouldn't work, too.

4. Juice, what the hell? No matter who I buy from, what flavor, how expensive, they all suck. I'm not sure if it's the set up I'm using (I'm poor: ego-c upgrade with a j-tank and laser drilled LR cartomizers) but I don't get anything. Either the carto doesn't fire very well or the juice doesn't hit, or the flavor gets lost in the polyfill so i'm tasting a mixture of propylene glycol and moisture. (And yes, I've watched every video on how to fill cartos, i've had several employees of local shops explain to me how to fill cartos, it never works, ever). And if I do get some flavor it's for 3 pulls maximum and usually doesn't provide any satisfying clouds (I really think this is because of my setup which leads me to my next point.)

I agree- it sounds more like a carto problem than a juice one.

5. Setups, I don't think many people are being truthful with customers about these products. I find it strange that when I try a friends ego-t with some tank that i've never seen before and I actually taste something. My mind is blown by that and then I take another drag off of mine and i'm like "... where did it go?" So, in my research, I've never found "this is good to use on ego's" rather I get "this will fit ego's." But "fit" is far different than "works well"

If your friends works, then why not get what he uses? Seems kinda obvious to me.

6. Breakability. Within a month of my vaping I'd gone through 3 batteries, mind you this is not because I dropped them, they simply decided to not work anymore. I've seen similar stories of someone getting out of their car with their near 200 dollar mod and boom, no more mod. What is the value in that? With my c i'm so scared of breaking off anything or even the ....ing battery in half that I simply hold it, in my hand, all day long.

See #3 above.

So! What the hell do I do? Can someone offer me any reason to keep going with this? Because I am six flavorless puffs away from throwing this whole stupid concept up on craigslist and using the money for cigarettes. Ecigs are not providing what most people promised they would. Flavor, satisfaction of nicotine intake, interesting subculture of people who cared and who are happy for people they get off cigarettes, and real communication that wasn't ultimately to make as much money as possible.

Thank you and any advice or responses would be greatly appreciated.

I would point out that you are posting this on a forum full of people that like to help and have no vested interest in getting you to buy anything.

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

Holy .... thank you! From my experience no one has given a real english answer as to why 1.7 low resistance is good. They go crazy with engineering techincal Jargon that leaves us out in the cold.

 

[tartanraven]

Ever notice that stores have a "no return" policy and are manned by people that sell a product but don't really KNOW anything outside of that particular product? This tells me something....they SELL things. It's their concern to get your money, and not if you really enjoy it..they know you wont be back, and they really don't care. Online shops not only sell the basics, but they sell upgrades and mods and are run by people in this "subculture". I'm finding that vaping is indeed like owning a Harley...it's fun but you also benefit from working on it. There is no such thing as an e-cig that just works permanently...they all need maintenance and replacement of parts that will in fact wear out in time. Not gonna lie here, this may not be for you, but I really don't understand how you haven't seen help on this forum. I don't think anyone is really intending on walking people through the experience, but they certainly share theirs. Your friend has a setup that works for you, why not duplicate it? I'm new as well to vaping and this forum, and the mods and lingo can be overwhelming...but taking a couple of breaths and following up on manufacturers websites help clear the cobwebs. In conclusion...this doesn't have to be a crush to your finances, you can do this on the relatively cheap..it's like Lamborghinis and Ford Focus...both do the exact same thing, they drive you where you want to go....the Lamborghini just makes a bigger statement, and does it MUCH faster. Good luck, and don't feel bad if this just isn't for you.

 

[yzer]

I've been vaping for a year. I smoked a pack and a half a day for thirty years. My last cigarette was nearly seven months ago. I now vape about two ml per day.

I'm not going to tell you what to use and why. It won't help most people. People burn cartos with improper filling, they don't like the flavors, they buy the latest gizmos because someone made a YouTube video and swore it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Fact is there is some inexpensive gear out there that works very well. Some good expensive gear too. And a lot of stuff that doesn't work well regardless of price.

My vaping expense for the last year has been less than 25% of what I paid to smoke.

My best advice: keep it simple. Learn for yourself how things work. The forums can help but they also contain a lot of misinformation. And no, vaping isn't going to be what smoking was for most people. Quitting cigarettes takes work and the willingness to give up something you used to enjoy. Not everyone can do it, even with vaping.

 

[fourthrok]

What flavor are you using? And what is the PG and/or VG levels in it? VG is VERY thick and can be difficult to wick or use with cartotanks unless there are multiple holes. I wouldn't mess with the "clearos" or vivis or anything like that. Cartomizers are the easiest. I don't mean attys with a cartridge. I mean the single unit cartomizers. Single coil...but from the way you are talking, you might be one of those that would benefit from dual coils. I have 2 eGo C passthroughs, and assorted generic eGos, 2 kGos,and Apollo (among a great many other options) All of them work fine...and the voltage for them ranges from 3.4 (eGo) to 3.7 (others) the variable volt use whatever volt I set them for. They work great with LR cartomizers. I prefer 2ohm.

Being cost conscious myself...I've moved to things that can have easy part replacement (eGo T Mod, Gripper [mine is non VV, but the VV is good too] and mechanicals like the telescope). If something breaks, it's reasonably easy and cheap to replace. Personally I think the eGo T Mod would be a great choice for you right now. You can choose to vape at 4.1-3.4 in unregulated mode, or opt for the regulated eGo voltage of 3.4 volts. If the power head fizzles, buy another one for less than $9. If you get sick of the color tube you got...replace it with another color for around $8. Change out the batteries as needed. Most of the 18650 IMR and li-ions are $9 or less. You might need to invest in a Joyetech USB rapid charger and an independent wall type wall charger. And maybe an adapter if you want to use cartotanks so the threading on the eGo Mod is covered and it looks better (more sturdy too).

Anyway...I don't understand why you aren't getting a proper vape...I'm thinking it HAS to be the juice? Maybe?

 

[SDave1969]

After over a month, I have settled for the Kanger T3s and a few tanks that I rotate. I am very careful not to drop or knock the units and I always have a spare battery close by. The Kanger is very durable and is my "at work" vape. At the house, I like to experiment with other equipment and I only buy one of something and if I like it, I may buy more. Good luck.

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

I DIY and rebuild my coils. It comes to $1.86 per week. I could have been a pack a MONTH smoker and still be spending less.

If you stay away from buying new equipment, it IS cheaper.


Simple solution- stay away from that shop. There are lousy auto dealers out there, too- doesn't mean cars are no good.



There is plenty of middle ground. You mention some of them. Ignore the fanboys. If all you talked to were Mercedes fans, you'd think that a chevy wouldn't work, too.



I agree- it sounds more like a carto problem than a juice one.



If your friends works, then why not get what he uses? Seems kinda obvious to me.



See #3 above.



I would point out that you are posting this on a forum full of people that like to help and have no vested interest in getting you to buy anything.

Thanks for your no bull.... answer. I seriously appreciate it. But the reason why I don't just "go with what he has" is because he has something that I don't like, which is a tiny tank. And as far as i'm concerned the people on this forum are really hard to get to in terms of help. This is the first thread that didn't turn immediately into technical jargon with papavape coming in and schooling everyone on ohms and electricity language. When that happens, I log out, there's no reason for me to keep reading chinese.

 

[Caridwen]

You misunderstood what I meant by people making money. What I mean is E cigarette shops, battery makers, mod makers, the companies of these that are making these products. They aren't just a humanitarian project aimed at helping people quit smoking, I don't expect them to be, they are a business afterall, but I was thinking and hoping there would be more help from these people. Maybe my whole concept of vaping is actually just a far off dream and my expectations were simply too high. And I don't want to smoke either, that's why i'm here. I want some real discussion on some truth about these things. What should be bought with what. What PG/VG should be used with what? Why would they even tell you the levels of PG/VG unless they were supposed to be used optimally with something? SEE? ISN'T THAT ANNOYING?! No one even thinks to mention why PG/VG levels are important! That's the kind of stuff that is making my eyes explode over and over again from frustration!

I understand. No question, there can be a frustration level with vaping. Especially for those of us unlucky enough not to have a B & M store around. I have people in my family that gave it a go and didn't stick with it.

Why I stuck with it and they didn't boggles my mind because I'm the worlds biggest quitter. I think because I really hated smoking- A LOT. The first time I tried it I realized that vaping was the closest I would ever get to quitting so I stuck it out. My neighbor smoked 50 years and stuck it out. Miracle.

I just read, read and read some more. Got the ego kit, a box of cartomizers (all they had when I started). Did a google search for the type of liquid recommended for the cig I smoked and lucked out and just stuck with that.

 

[Dauyd]

OK- try this.

What are your questions? You posted a list of gripes, but not really anything that can be answered.

What info are you looking for?

I wil agree with you on one thing- all too often, people post questions, and for some reason 1/2 or more of the responses will be "get a (insert their favorite PV)". They don't bother to actually answer the question.

 

[Keega]

I wrote this part last but will put it here. So here is the advice part, wall of text after is optional:
Here is what I advise: Examine your juice ratios. You say you want "clouds of vapour." OK get a juice with a higher VG%. try a 70%vg 30%pg mix. Try a CE3 clearo. They're cheap and at least 3 out of a 5pk will work and last you 2-3 weeks each.


There are a lot of oddities in the vaping subculture. You're right on there not being a totally reliable middle ground at the moment.
To get a mod that works the way it's bloody well supposed to is next to impossible for under $100. (Do not even start about Z/Vmax's. 3.2v does not equal 4.3 volts under any circumstances. You can go ahead and fry your atties. I know the new one has a "fix" but $120? really, for the tube alone?)

I've been using my eGo C twists for about a month with no issues, aside from running out of charge and wishing I had a bigger battery.
I live in Australia where a pack of smokes costs $16. So I *could* buy a provari and come out a head of the curve in a single month, but I still can't justify it.

What kind of juice are you using? Try some CE3 clearos, I've been using them with 100% VG juice (ok, slightly diluted with water/vodka, but no PG at all) in my little CE3 comets and they vape like champions on my twists. They only cost like $10 for a five pack of CE3s and last for for 2-4 weeks if you get a really good one. These things are all mass produced in China, our cartos, tanks, clearos, cartridges... they're all hand made in stupidly high volume. If you're getting a 20% failure rating on your cartos, thats well within acceptable for this type of product.

This is also why mass produced mods are crappy atm. The higher end mods, and the crazy euro designer mods are all done in small machine shops, that's why there are waiting lists and they can charge a crap load of cash. In the next 12 months we will start seeing 'reliable' vv mods coming out of China, so that's something to look forward to.