My first post
sorry about a long post on such a small subject
I would like to share my experiences with super-mini ecigs. I'm 60 years old and have smoked a pack a day all my life. I switched to ecigs about 9 months ago and have been off analogs ever since. Although I am relatively new to vaping, I've tried a lot of different PV units while looking for the one that did it for me, so maybe my experience will be helpful to others.
Many times I've seen smokers who are interested in switching to ecigs look to this forum for information (like I did) and most of the time they are advised to avoid super-minis (like I did) because they do not perform as well as other, more sophisticated (and larger) units.
Based on the strong consensus expressed on the forums (not just this one), I started out by trying a few of the more popular, highly acclaimed, larger PVs (I won't mention brand names because they were all great). Finally, on a whim, I tried a super-mini. Of course, the mini was an entirely different experience from the larger PVs, but the "differences" worked for me. I would have saved a couple hundred dollars if I started with the mini first.
It's like the 2 guys being chased through the woods by a bear. The 1st guy stops to change his shoes. The 2nd guy asks him what he's doing
1st guy: "I'm putting on my running shoes."
2nd guy: "What for? Even with running shoes you can't outrun that bear."
1st guy: "I don't need to outrun the bear I only need to outrun you!"
Like the guy in the woods my electronic cigarette doesn't need to outrun all the other e-cigs it only needs to outrun an analog cigarette and that's pretty easy.
After all, I don't consider myself a "vaper" I'm a "smoker". I vape to satisfy a habit (and addiction), not as a hobby. I don't need a multi-voltage, dual-coil, fuel-injected, super-charged PV to get a good smoke. I just want to pull a cig out of a pack, hold it between my fingers (or lips), drag on it for a while, tap it on the ashtray occasionally and enjoy the smoke while getting my nicotine fix. Super-minis give me the most satisfying "smoking" experience, closest to the real thing.
So, instead of comparing minis to larger PVs, let's look at the performance of mini ecigs against analog cigarettes
Note: for the record, I finally settled on E8 batteries and cartos ordered direct from e-cig in China, probably the smallest and cheapest products available.
Battery Life - the batteries last for an average of 75 strong hits, which is equal to about 5 analogs. Of course a PV with a larger battery will last longer but why bother? I didn't mind lighting up another analog after every 15 drags, so I certainly don't mind changing the battery a lot less often. Besides, if this was such an important issue for smokers, then the analog companies would have come up with a cigarette that lasted much longer (oh yeah, it's called a cigar).
Cartomizers - if fill each carto with about 0.5ml of juice (max capacity is 0.8ml), and this gives me an average of 60 deep drags, which equals about 4 analogs. So 5 cartos equals about a pack of cigarettes. This works for me as I can switch flavors a few times throughout the day. Again, changing a carto is no more bothersome than lighting up or opening up a new pack of analogs. Also, the cartos on these minis run a little hot, which I like as it feels nice and I think it enhances the throat hit.
One of the things that I first noticed when I switched to ecigs was that it was difficult to "pace" my vaping because there were no butts to count. For instance, I usually had 3 cigarettes with my morning cappuccino, and with a larger PV I had no idea how much I was vaping. Now, with my current mini, I know that if I finish a whole carto in one sitting or more than 5 cartos in a day or more than 4 batteries in a day, I'm over indulging (which I often do).
Throat Hit - although I am no expert on how this is produced, I find that the TH depends more on the flavor (and maybe the flavor concentration) of the liquid than on anything else. I don't see a noticeable difference between various PG/VG ratios, nicotine concentrations or voltages. I'm sure these factors contribute, but I find that a strong flavor always overrides them. I have to admit that I vape only juices with strong tobacco flavors, so maybe this helps the TH. Anyway, I've settled (for the time being) on several flavors in 50/50 PG/VG that give me a throat hit even stronger than the analogs I was smoking.
Nicotine - not much to say here I smoked a pack of Davidoff Classics daily at 0.6mg per cigarette for a total of 12mg of nicotine per day (ouch). I've balanced the nicotine concentration in my juice against my daily amount of vaping so that I get the same 12mgs per day and have no cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
Vapor Production - using the 50/50 PG/VG mix produces a thick flavorful vapor much more than any analog. Also, again, since the cartos tend to run hot on these minis with this mix, it is a nice warm vapor. If you don't like the cartos getting too warm, a 70/30 mix runs much cooler and still produces more vapor than analogs which actually have a rather thin, dry, harsh vapor much more like 100% PG.
Flavors - e-liquid flavors vs analog flavors? no contest here! The choice is virtually infinite and every one of them is far above any analog. I like to take strong tobacco bases (Flue Cured Tennessee, Golden Virginia, Perique, Tuscan, Burley, etc ), maybe blend a few together, like Flue Cured plus a little Tuscany (dark & smokey) and add just a few drops of flavor like coffee, cocoa, hazelnut, caramel, etc to make them more mellow and complex.
At the risk of starting a fierce debate I know that taste preference is very subjective, but I have tried juice from a lot of the most popular premium e-liquid vendors that get good reviews in the online forums, but I haven't found any that I like as much as the inexpensive flavor concentrates that I get from China. I have yet to find an RY4 that I prefer over the cheap stuff that I get from China. I don't know why and I never expected it, but that's just how it is for me (so far). However, I'll keep having fun trying all the different "gourmet" brands in hope of maybe finding something better (or maybe developing more sophisticated tastes).
Convenience - the size and shape are exactly the same as an analog (8mm x 90mm) they sit comfortably between the fingers and can even be held between the lips. The hand-mouth movements are identical to smoking an analog. The feel of the "draw" is also similar to an analog.
I'm currently on assignment in a country where smoking is still permitted in restaurants and coffee shops, and I'm very comfortable smoking in public as the mini ecigs are inconspicuous and do not attract attention. Whenever I start to vape, the waiters always bring me an ashtray and often offer me a light.
I used a small cigarette case for my analogs and it also works great for my minis. It holds a full day's supply of "smokes" 6 batteries and 7 cartos.
Don't get me wrong I love my eGo and 510, and admit that they produce a superior vapor to the minis, but satisfying a lifelong smoking habit involves a lot more variables than just vapor, and minis cover all the bases. I totally get that the techno aspect of electronic cigarettes makes it very interesting and fun to search for the "holy grail" of vaping and it is no doubt a great hobby trying to bring the vaping experience to new heights. So please keep experimenting with all those fancy gadgets and gizmos, because I'm sure the new technologies that are developed on the high end will eventually trickle down to the super-minis which is where I'll be staying.
So, if you're a smoker who is thinking about trying egis, my advice (which I know is contrary to what most everyone else here is saying) is "KISS"
1. get a half dozen of the smallest, cheapest super-mini batteries that you can find
2. get a couple dozen blank cartomizers
3. get 2 usb charges
4. get a bunch of different tobacco flavored juices in small amounts
5. smoke them
It worked for me haven't touched an analog in over 9 months and don't even think about them, because I'm still "smoking" the same as I always did.
I would like to share my experiences with super-mini ecigs. I'm 60 years old and have smoked a pack a day all my life. I switched to ecigs about 9 months ago and have been off analogs ever since. Although I am relatively new to vaping, I've tried a lot of different PV units while looking for the one that did it for me, so maybe my experience will be helpful to others.
Many times I've seen smokers who are interested in switching to ecigs look to this forum for information (like I did) and most of the time they are advised to avoid super-minis (like I did) because they do not perform as well as other, more sophisticated (and larger) units.
Based on the strong consensus expressed on the forums (not just this one), I started out by trying a few of the more popular, highly acclaimed, larger PVs (I won't mention brand names because they were all great). Finally, on a whim, I tried a super-mini. Of course, the mini was an entirely different experience from the larger PVs, but the "differences" worked for me. I would have saved a couple hundred dollars if I started with the mini first.
It's like the 2 guys being chased through the woods by a bear. The 1st guy stops to change his shoes. The 2nd guy asks him what he's doing
1st guy: "I'm putting on my running shoes."
2nd guy: "What for? Even with running shoes you can't outrun that bear."
1st guy: "I don't need to outrun the bear I only need to outrun you!"
Like the guy in the woods my electronic cigarette doesn't need to outrun all the other e-cigs it only needs to outrun an analog cigarette and that's pretty easy.
After all, I don't consider myself a "vaper" I'm a "smoker". I vape to satisfy a habit (and addiction), not as a hobby. I don't need a multi-voltage, dual-coil, fuel-injected, super-charged PV to get a good smoke. I just want to pull a cig out of a pack, hold it between my fingers (or lips), drag on it for a while, tap it on the ashtray occasionally and enjoy the smoke while getting my nicotine fix. Super-minis give me the most satisfying "smoking" experience, closest to the real thing.
So, instead of comparing minis to larger PVs, let's look at the performance of mini ecigs against analog cigarettes
Note: for the record, I finally settled on E8 batteries and cartos ordered direct from e-cig in China, probably the smallest and cheapest products available.
Battery Life - the batteries last for an average of 75 strong hits, which is equal to about 5 analogs. Of course a PV with a larger battery will last longer but why bother? I didn't mind lighting up another analog after every 15 drags, so I certainly don't mind changing the battery a lot less often. Besides, if this was such an important issue for smokers, then the analog companies would have come up with a cigarette that lasted much longer (oh yeah, it's called a cigar).
Cartomizers - if fill each carto with about 0.5ml of juice (max capacity is 0.8ml), and this gives me an average of 60 deep drags, which equals about 4 analogs. So 5 cartos equals about a pack of cigarettes. This works for me as I can switch flavors a few times throughout the day. Again, changing a carto is no more bothersome than lighting up or opening up a new pack of analogs. Also, the cartos on these minis run a little hot, which I like as it feels nice and I think it enhances the throat hit.
One of the things that I first noticed when I switched to ecigs was that it was difficult to "pace" my vaping because there were no butts to count. For instance, I usually had 3 cigarettes with my morning cappuccino, and with a larger PV I had no idea how much I was vaping. Now, with my current mini, I know that if I finish a whole carto in one sitting or more than 5 cartos in a day or more than 4 batteries in a day, I'm over indulging (which I often do).
Throat Hit - although I am no expert on how this is produced, I find that the TH depends more on the flavor (and maybe the flavor concentration) of the liquid than on anything else. I don't see a noticeable difference between various PG/VG ratios, nicotine concentrations or voltages. I'm sure these factors contribute, but I find that a strong flavor always overrides them. I have to admit that I vape only juices with strong tobacco flavors, so maybe this helps the TH. Anyway, I've settled (for the time being) on several flavors in 50/50 PG/VG that give me a throat hit even stronger than the analogs I was smoking.
Nicotine - not much to say here I smoked a pack of Davidoff Classics daily at 0.6mg per cigarette for a total of 12mg of nicotine per day (ouch). I've balanced the nicotine concentration in my juice against my daily amount of vaping so that I get the same 12mgs per day and have no cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
Vapor Production - using the 50/50 PG/VG mix produces a thick flavorful vapor much more than any analog. Also, again, since the cartos tend to run hot on these minis with this mix, it is a nice warm vapor. If you don't like the cartos getting too warm, a 70/30 mix runs much cooler and still produces more vapor than analogs which actually have a rather thin, dry, harsh vapor much more like 100% PG.
Flavors - e-liquid flavors vs analog flavors? no contest here! The choice is virtually infinite and every one of them is far above any analog. I like to take strong tobacco bases (Flue Cured Tennessee, Golden Virginia, Perique, Tuscan, Burley, etc ), maybe blend a few together, like Flue Cured plus a little Tuscany (dark & smokey) and add just a few drops of flavor like coffee, cocoa, hazelnut, caramel, etc to make them more mellow and complex.
At the risk of starting a fierce debate I know that taste preference is very subjective, but I have tried juice from a lot of the most popular premium e-liquid vendors that get good reviews in the online forums, but I haven't found any that I like as much as the inexpensive flavor concentrates that I get from China. I have yet to find an RY4 that I prefer over the cheap stuff that I get from China. I don't know why and I never expected it, but that's just how it is for me (so far). However, I'll keep having fun trying all the different "gourmet" brands in hope of maybe finding something better (or maybe developing more sophisticated tastes).
Convenience - the size and shape are exactly the same as an analog (8mm x 90mm) they sit comfortably between the fingers and can even be held between the lips. The hand-mouth movements are identical to smoking an analog. The feel of the "draw" is also similar to an analog.
I'm currently on assignment in a country where smoking is still permitted in restaurants and coffee shops, and I'm very comfortable smoking in public as the mini ecigs are inconspicuous and do not attract attention. Whenever I start to vape, the waiters always bring me an ashtray and often offer me a light.
I used a small cigarette case for my analogs and it also works great for my minis. It holds a full day's supply of "smokes" 6 batteries and 7 cartos.
Don't get me wrong I love my eGo and 510, and admit that they produce a superior vapor to the minis, but satisfying a lifelong smoking habit involves a lot more variables than just vapor, and minis cover all the bases. I totally get that the techno aspect of electronic cigarettes makes it very interesting and fun to search for the "holy grail" of vaping and it is no doubt a great hobby trying to bring the vaping experience to new heights. So please keep experimenting with all those fancy gadgets and gizmos, because I'm sure the new technologies that are developed on the high end will eventually trickle down to the super-minis which is where I'll be staying.
So, if you're a smoker who is thinking about trying egis, my advice (which I know is contrary to what most everyone else here is saying) is "KISS"
1. get a half dozen of the smallest, cheapest super-mini batteries that you can find
2. get a couple dozen blank cartomizers
3. get 2 usb charges
4. get a bunch of different tobacco flavored juices in small amounts
5. smoke them
It worked for me haven't touched an analog in over 9 months and don't even think about them, because I'm still "smoking" the same as I always did.
