Literally about to give up vaping

[Caridwen]

I think we've all had days where we wanted to chuck it all and buy some smokes. It's OK to vent. Just don't give up. Maybe we can help you work out what issues you're having without buying more gear.

 

[mrwilliams2]

From the tone of your posts, I think you have already given up and are here more to rant about your failure more than anything else. Make no mistake about it; you are in the minority. There is a forum full of people here that have been successful with vaping. It isn't for everyone. Also, I had to chuckle when you said that no one was helpful here on ECF. I have been helped by more people on this forum more times that I can count.

The only advice I can give you is to not give up. No one here will be able to tell you what YOU will like the best. That part is up to you. There are so many different options (APV's, mods, kits, juice flavors, PG/VG mixes, delivery methods) because EVERYONE likes something different. Stick it out and you will eventually find something that you like.

I was a PAD smoker. Currently, for me, vaping is less expensive than smoking. I have 1300 mah spinner as my main and 2 650 ego's for back up. I also have 4 tanks. The only things I have to purchase at this point are cartos and juice. I did spend more money than I would have liked to find what worked for me, but in the end, it was worth it.

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

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?

I like your honesty. You're speaking about an ego-t? I thought those weren't VV in anyway, shape or form. What is this business about ego-t's taking 18650 batts? And where am I going to find all of these things that lead to a proper vape at least until I have the funds for something that will actually give me the dream vape.

 

[Caridwen]

Can you list what you currently have?

 

[samwest]

Back up and regroup. If you want satisfaction get a cheap 5 volt mod, some tasty VG juice and a standard joyetech atty and drip that stuff right onto the coil. I have a lot of pv's, juice, accessories but simple is better and most times more reliable. I want consistancy in my vaping experience, don't you? The real piece of advice I have for you is stay the hell out of brick and mortar stores! Everything you need is on or in this forum, ya just have to read it and make informed decisions. PM these good people, don't be shy, ask the hard questions! Do Not Give Up! Your health is at stake, and when you get to be a geezer like me you will be more fragile still.

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

From the tone of your posts, I think you have already given up and are here more to rant about your failure more than anything else. Make no mistake about it; you are in the minority. There is a forum full of people here that have been successful with vaping. It isn't for everyone. Also, I had to chuckle when you said that no one was helpful here on ECF. I have been helped by more people on this forum more times that I can count.

The only advice I can give you is to not give up. No one here will be able to tell you what YOU will like the best. That part is up to you. There are so many different options (APV's, mods, kits, juice flavors, PG/VG mixes, delivery methods) because EVERYONE likes something different. Stick it out and you will eventually find something that you like.

I was a PAD smoker. Currently, for me, vaping is less expensive than smoking. I have 1300 mah spinner as my main and 2 650 ego's for back up. I also have 4 tanks. The only things I have to purchase at this point are cartos and juice. I did spend more money than I would have liked to find what worked for me, but in the end, it was worth it.

Alright, I get what you're saying. I'm not giving up. I'm legitimately frustrated and I think it's more of a rant against my local shop that will remain nameless because I respect this movement and don't want any of them to fail. But I'm sad and ...... at the same time. My saying that no one helps on ECF was an overreaction. I have found help on info ABOUT things but not WHY the ABOUTNESS is good. If that makes any sense.

 

[Dauyd]

Ego-T isn't VV.

You can run it in regulated mode, which keeps it at 3.4v, or you can run it unregulated, so it puts out whatever the battery puts out on its own (roughly 4.1v on a fresh charge, and slowly dropping as the charge wears down)

 

[samwest]

I'm here for ya. I may not follow this thread but I will answer if you PM me. Good luck.

 

[Lowstorm]

Hello! I'm new to this too! (A week to be exact) I've spent $120 bucks, and think I'm set for a few months, including juices. But I shop online.

I tried using the bud-tank system, and by the time I was 2 days in, it was tasting like 'burnt plastic' with a little bit of flavor. I've read up and found that its likely dry hits from the tank I was using. I invested in clearomizers now, and I can tell you-its a whole different game with them. Sure, they hold less juice, but just flavor is amazing. I too have an ego co but its a twist, so I can discover what I like and what works for me.

Doing the math, I've been using e-cigs for 7 days now. That's $45 dollars into my 120 investment. The crap I'm coughing up is disgustingly amazing, and I know I'm not reapplying the tar/smoke back where that came from.

I can, of course, send you to the sites that I got these from. But that may not help you. And I don't think its a filling issue either. Some of the 'good' products out there just aren't 'good' for some of us, while great for others.

How fast/hard are you sucking? The first time I tried, I was sucking too hard. do nice, slow, smooth drags, fill your mouth, then inhale. It might help.

 

[RPadTV]

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!

Again, I don't know what kind of answer you're looking for. There is no "right" or "best" here. It's personal taste and preference. Some people prefer the throat hit and stronger flavor that PG provides. Some people like the heaviness and bigger vapor of VG. Then there are people that are allergic to PG. All of this information has been stated hundreds of times in hundreds of posts. There is no "optimum" for all users.

 

[DreamingButterfly81]

I was a pack a day smoker for 17 years. I've been vaping for 9 months. That being said, I've had plenty of moments where I wanted to throw my equipment against the wall and light up. I just want to connect part A with part B and vape something amazing and I want it RIGHT NOW! Lol. I'm not a tinker type. I didn't know the first thing about ohms or volts or watts. Nor did I want to know. The first time my husband saw me trying to figure out my multimeter he laughed at me. The thing is, I was faced with a choice, I could figure this out and ride this learning curve and have a lot if great vape days and a few bad ones (I won't lie, I've had bad vape *weeks* lol) or I could smoke. I don't want to smoke. So I vape. And learn.
I can't recommend a specific product to you. My guess on why you're juice tastes yucky is the company that makes it, if you are only buying your juice from one spot, chances are you need a new vendor. I understand your hesitation to order online, but that's where you're going to find the majority of vendors that ARE in this because the are avid vapers, and truly want to help. This community wants to help.
There are plenty of people who are just in it for the money. My local mall kiosk is a great example. He couldn't care less about my success. He also wouldn't recognize a Provari.
I wish you the best of success with vaping. There are decisions that you can make that will make the process easier for you. But the first is do you want this, now that you know that there is a lot to learn? Are you willing to try the various stuff out there until you find what you like? I know the cost adds up at first. Trust me. Is it worth it? It was to me. It may not be to you.
Good luck to you and I wish you well!

 

[rse1]

During my vaping journey I have had frustrating moments as you describe - Nothing seems to work for me the way it seems to work for others and I'm getting discouraged/broke continuously trying things that don't work well for me - Then I remembered that I'm vaping to save my life. I was a 1.5 PAD smoker for 50 years and I was starting to get emphysema. I've been vaping for a year and the lung congestion is gone, I don't get as many colds, and I smell better.

Vaping is a young industry (invented in 2005) and users wanted the benefits enough to put up with poor products. Producing vapor is really a simple system with three components: a power source; a juice delivery system; and an eliquid. The last year has seen tremendous advances in better products because of user-groups like the ECF and concerned suppliers like GotVapes.

I have tried:
power - BLU, KR808D systems, ego systems, big-batt mods, bottom feeders, VV systems, embedded/replaceable batteries, regulated/unregulated mechanical/electronic switches
delivery - Cartridge systems (510T,EGO-T/W/C), cartomizers (single/dual coil, standard/low resistance, horizontal/vertical coil, top/bottom coil), tanks, dripping (top) and bottom feed to atomizers.
eliquids - hundreds of samples from tens of suppliers at NIC levels from 0% to 2.4%

The combination that I found works the best for me (YMMV):
an ego-type power (the Joye ego-t mod 18650 with IMR batteries and a smartcharger)
Vision CE4+/CE5 (Stardust) small tanks with LR coils (1.8-2.1 Ohms)
GoodProphets VG RY4 and ........... Ambrosia (both at 18mg or 1.8% nic)

If you have any questions about equipment, just ask here - you'll get plenty of input.
Take care and keep vaping.

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

Okay this is in reply to many people asking me to ask my real questions. First I will start with the very beginning.
First and only PV: Ego-C upgrade with two voltages. Both kind of hard to distinguish between.
First tank: Vivi Nova medium size.
Second tank: J-tank medium size
Punched cartos are the only real thing I've been using besides vivi's. I didn't understand the concept of dripping so I've stuck with punched cartos. At first I was getting the double punched cartos but because they are no longer offered I can only get the single hole, laser drilled cartos and I'm starting to think they don't work.
Juice's I have tried: Almost every single high caliber juice. They all suck save blue raspberry. They either have no flavor or don't taste anything like they're advertised. (ex. Vanilla tastes like a drop of vanilla in a cup of water.)
Other brands since tried: Zombie: plugs up cartos in 3 total drags and either doesn't hit or so much flavor my eyes go bloodshot. Vermillion River (I liked this one alright, but it wasn't the most special thing ever.) Drag'n Juice: the taste of prop glycol and nothing else. electronic stix premium juice: this one works if you and they nail it juuust right. Unfortunately, they don't make em anymore. JB juice: can be good, but more often than not it gets lost in polyfill. So from reading my own post just now, I seriously think it's the carto's.

Questions: Why aren't these LR single hole, laser drilled cartos not working?
What is the best way to run a carto?
How do I tell the difference between HR and LR?
What is polyfill?
How do I get the most out of cartos?
Is pyrex different delrin? What is better?
How do these passthrough batts work? Why don't they sound like they are firing my cartos?
Are drip tips only function to make it easier to vape? or are some brands actually better for vape production and flavor?

 

[Dauyd]

I'd like to help you out, but I'm not sure specifically what it is that you are trying to figure out.

I'll start with this:

Vapor and flavor production is mostly related to your atomizer (carto, tank, clearo, dripp, etc).

A battery is a battery. As far as vapor and flavor production, contrary to what you might think from reading the forum, the battery is largely irrelevant.

A 3.4v battery from one manufacturer isn't going to give a better vape than a 3.4v battery from a different manufacturer.

A $50 VV (with some caveats) set to 3.4v isn't going to give a better vape than a $250 VV battery, or a $9.99 eGo battery.

That being said, there ARE vapor advantages to VV vs fixed voltage. You can adjust the voltage to "tune" the wattage and increase or decrease how hard you run your chosen atomizer.

However, if that sweet spot is at 3.4 volts, you aren't going to get aqny better vape from a provari than you are an eGo. The advantages to higher end PV's are in other factors (reliability, battery life, bragging rights, etc)

 

[carlton M]

Lots of good advice here and people wanting to help, I say listen to them; stick with it! Vaping may just save your life (smoking won't)!

 

[Standpoint]

You state that you have had multiple bad devices, which sounds like a quality issue. I have had many different types and brands of batteries, and have only had a few go bad on me - usually the cig sizes ones. I am very hard on my equipment, I drop them constantly, often on cement, bend them in my pockets, overcharge them, etc. To the point where the paint always comes off.

You also complain about lack of flavor - maybe you should give serious thought to different brand liquid? For example, Virgin Vapor will custom make flavor strength for you if you ask when ordering, maybe give them a try.

It also sounds like your problem is with the atomizer/tank you are using. You stated that 'everyone' says that the Vivi Novas are bad and don't last, but that is not true, as I like the Vivi Nova, its durability and quality, and I would fall under the 'everyone' category. I would seriously consider a few of the different clearomizers, CE style devices, or a Vivi as I find them to give great flavor and can have decent capacity.

Finding the right liquid and equipment is a trial and error process, but once you have what you like the cost definitely goes down.

 

[tj99959]

Where do you live in Utah? If you're near Ogden, I'd be glad to help you figure it out.
Somehow I get the idea that you have been bouncing around with products without ever figuring out how to use them to their full potential.
I would also venture to guess that you have been vaping one device/flavor long enough for your taste buds to become numb instead of changing up so that the taste buds can stay in the game.

 

[Dauyd]

How do I tell the difference between HR and LR?

Is pyrex different delrin? What is better?

Are drip tips only function to make it easier to vape? or are some brands actually better for vape production and flavor?

Answering what I can:

HR vs LR is in the ohms rating on the cartos. Roughly speaking, anything from 2.5ohms and up is considered high resistance, and anything 2.0 ohms and lower is low. If you are running fixed voltage (3.4 or 3.7), then you probably want to go with lower resistance so the battery gives out enough voltage to fire the atomizer at an acceptable level of heat. Higher resistance needs more voltage to fire well.

Watts is what matters. there is a formula for figuring out watts, but in a nutshell, the lower the voltage the lower the watts. At the same time, the Higher the resistance, the lower the watts. So if you lower your resistance, you lower your voltage and vice versa to get the same watts.

Pyrex is glass. Delrin is plastic. Doesn't make any difference unless you use some juices (cinnamon, some fruits) that can eat the plastic.

Drip tips are just the part you stick in your mouth. They look nice, and have a larger hole so you can drip your juice through witho0ut having to take it off. They are nice, but mostly a convenience/looks thing.

 

[blondeambition3]

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 .......n, 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.

You sound like me not all too long ago.... I feel for you... honestly I do.

 

[yzer]

Single, double and triple hole tank cartos are available here: different resistances, single and dual coil.

Pre Punched Replacement tank cartomizers