New Guy From Virginia

[Torqueguy]

Hello Folks

New guy from Central Virginia here. I've been a 35 year smoker. For the last 20 years, I've done the Uncle Buck progression method from ciggs, to pipes, to cigars, to chew, to gum then the slow progression back to Marlboro Reds again. I'm in my early 50's now and with emphysema and COPD just around the corner, I must quit or die. How's that for a wake up call?

I first heard of eciggs about 6 months ago and ordered a cheap rip-off from a non ecigg source. It had no battery life, hardly any vapor and was hot and bitter. As such, I wrote it off as a gimmick.

Recently, after a full physical where the Dr said knock it off or else, I decided to make another effort. I started to do some real research and discovered the Screwdriver. I ordered it immediately and should get it Wednesday. It seems well built and with good battery life. I also discovered that it can be fed by liquid vs cartridges which I also didn't know. I've ordered 30ml of assorted flavors in full potency and now am just sitting by the mailbox.

My questions are as follows;

Have there been people here that quit the real ciggs with this?

If so, do you ever get the urge to go back? Is there a better system than the screwdriver? as a mechanical engineer, I like well built stuff and am concerned about entrusting my quit on a device that could crap out.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Hello and welcome to ecf...
and yes members here have quit the analogs(cigs) with these devices.....I have heard the screwdriver is a good model...Does it have 510 threads(where the atty screws into the battery)
the ecigs (when you find your correct nic level) will stave off any cravings for cigs, for most people.....
I smoked analogs for over 40 years and was able to switch effortlessly..... everyone is different....go at your own pace and visit here often for advice and support.

 

[Jlamar49]

Welcome! I am new too but yes there are definitely people who quite real cigs "analogs" with e-cigs. I'm one. I haven't had a analog since March. I have the urge to try one occassionally just to see if I would still like it but haven't succumbed and don't plan to. I don't know about a better system than the screwdriver as you are already one step ahead of me. I use an eGo. I think others will be surprised that you skipped right over the need to have it look like and taste like a real cigarette and went straight for a mod. I'm on the hunt for a mod but they are all too manly for me...I want something a bit more girlie.

Anyway, welcome and good luck!

 

[jerobero]

well.........I havent been here long myself. Im a 4 pack a day smoker been vaping a week and still smoke, but have managed to cut back to 4 cigs a day. Using various e cig models. Right now im out of liquid and really seem to be Craving my ecig mod alot. so im trying to not smoke. I think for me vaping has helped I too have the copd emph-problem and i already feel better.

 

[wv2win]

I would say the vast majority have quit using analogs (cigs). Being a Marlboro smoker (as I was) here are a few suggestions:

Rule of Thumb: the more it looks like the real thing, the worse the performance.

To better simulate the warmth of smoking, a PV (personal vaporizer) needs larger batteries. We call that "simulation", throat hit. Better throat hit comes from warm vapor (bigger batteries) and higher nicotine content in the eliquid. Based on what you smoke, I would suggest the following for a new "vaper"

1. An eGo or Riva 510 kit or a VGO 801 kit. That should get you about 5 hours on a charge before needing to change the battery. It's the size of a slim, smaller cigar.

2. Manual batteries NOT auto batteries. The vast majority of us on ECF use manual batteries because it give you, the user, control over the warmth of vapor. Auto batteries have an opening to the battery compartment and will eventually get liquid into the battery and kill it. Many auto batteries are set off by noise and plainly just don't heat the liquid well enough to get consistent vapor.

3. Based on what you smoke, start out with 24mg eliquid. Many use 36mg eliquid. Too many new vapers start out at too low a nicotine level, get frustrated and go back to smoking. You can always lower the nic level if you find you need less, but you can't make it stronger. Nicotine is one part of the equation that provides better throat hit.

4. Get blank cartomizers along with some spare atomizers and some blank carts and then buy several different samples of eliquid to try and find out what you like. Remember, no eliquid tastes just like an analog. FYI, the closes I have found to Marlboro is Liberty Flights (PG version) "Home Counties" flavor in 24mg nicotine strength.

5. If you take to vaping, don't be surprised if you don't move up to one of the better battery devices that are either 5 volt or variable volt PV's. Much better performance, battery life and consistency. But I would wait until you see if you like it or not. Most of us have 3 - 6 different PV's.

Here are some reputable suppliers, well supported on ECF:

Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva 510

http://shop.nhaler.com/main.sc

Ego from Joyetech

Good Luck

Note: I didn't see where you had ordered a Screwdriver. That is a good beginner PV. Good choice on your part! That was actually the second PV I bought.

 

[Stevew443]

Welcome to the group. I am just over the VA border in the eastern pahnandle of WV.
I have not used the screwdriver, but people have quit smoking by using e-cigs. I have quit a pack a day 40 year habit with my e-cig. I still have the urge for a smoke, but I will vape instead, and that urge goes away very quickly. The e-cig gives you the hand to mouth movements of smoking, the juice (depending on what you have) will give you some nicotine to help you over the withdrawals, and the vapor gives you the feel of smoke. The one thing you will miss is that horrible shortness of breath, the hacking every morning when you awake, and the stink that hangs around smokers.
Good luck to you, and we are here to help each other.

 

[CBB]

You have ordered a good rig, not the best but well made and you should not have issues with it. The real trick is in finding the right juice. Most Americans prefer USA made juices, DeKang(Chinese) juices are usually 100%PG which is very harsh and irritates the throat and lungs. A blend with at least 20%VG takes the harshness out of it. I prefer 30%VG.

There are lots of great suppliers of juices and hardware listed in the Forum Suppliers list (button at the top of the forum window) Backwoods Brew and Freedom Smoke USA are very popular among people seeking tobacco flavors, but many forum suppliers carry a good variety of various flavor juices. Juices can be found in thousands of flavors, tobacco based, fruits, drinks, sweet, savory its all out there somewhere.

I was a 24 year 2.5 pack a day Marlboro red smoker and quit the 3rd day I had my vaporizer.

 

[TomCatt]

Torque,
If your screwdriver was a 'kit' it should come with either an atomizer (atty) and cartridges (carts) or with cartomizers (cartos). You will need one or the other to use the liquid that you bought. The cartomizers are an atomizer/cartridge in a single unit. Check out the 'stickies' at the top of forum page to get some pointers on using these items.

Edit: If the screwdriver wasn't a kit; you will need to order either atomizer/cartridge or cartomizer.

 

[ancient puffer]

Hello, Torqueguy, welcome to ECF. Looks like we're neighbors

I have a screwdriver and I think you'll be very pleased with it. Its nothing fancy, just a rock solid device (it has 901 threading). I've had mine a while, but I believe the kit still comes with a 901 to 510 adapter, so you can try lots of different atomizers, cartomizers, etc.

Battery lasts about all day, and you should have a spare that comes with the kit. Charge one, while you use the other if you're a VERY heavy vaper (which you may be, at first), but I just swapped the battery each day and recharged the older one.

I've tried a lot of different "attachments", they all work well on the SD (I got the black one, no finger prints ), but they are all a matter of preference. The most convenient is 901 cartomizers, which you can refill with your own liquid, there are various brands and resistances, but the standard ones are fine to start. (The SLB brand ones are extra nice).

Next is cartridges, with an atomizer, but they're more "fiddly" than the cartomizers (atomizer and cartridge combined).

The least convenient, but best flavor and vapor is direct dripping, and the SD works great for that. You can try all of them then decide which one(s) you like. (If you decide you like direct dripping, get yourself a "drip tip", saves having to pop the mouthpiece off to add ejuice).

Juice: A lot of your success depends on getting enough nicotine, 18mg to 24mg is a good place to start, although YMMV. Its common for your taste to change after you've been off cigarettes for a while, so don't overload yourself with "tobacco" flavors. Just try to order enough to last a few weeks (usually around 3 or 4 ml per day is an "average" usage)

I've *never* had a problem with the SD, it just works like its supposed to. Congratulations on a good choice, don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

 

[Torqueguy]

Dear Folks, many thanks for your kindness and well wishes.

I guess the reason for my post was that I thought PV was too good to be true. As an old guy, i thought this might be a thing for kids. My son smokes flavored hookah's and such, apple flavor. It's nice but I don't smoke for flavor, I smoke because I can't seem to get off nicotine.

My questions on the SD were because I want a good rig. God willing, I'll be able to get off the analogs and if so, would hate to succumb to them if the thing broke. I see now that most of you have different machines. I think that's great and if I can quit with this method, will probably try a few more. Actually, I run a large company and have a multitude of lathes, grinders and milling machines. Once I figure this thing out, I'd like to try my hand at making a couple good ones. I like robust machinery, what the heck.

Thanks again and I'll keep you all posted on the results once I get the SC this week. For the record, I just came in the house from burning a cowboy and the stink is starting to get to me. It never bothered me in all these years but maybe it's Providence

Best
mz

 

[ancient puffer]

I'm extra curious how you make out and what you think of the SD. Please post back and let us know how its going and don't be afraid to ask questions in the meantime. (I'm an old guy too, 65 here, 1-2 packs a day for 50 years)

 

[Tree Top Pilot]

I am a new guy as well to this. I have done a lot of reading here to get a jump start on my adventures with e-cigs. Well worth reading experiances here...helped me to gain an invaluable insight on what was to soon follow. I purchase the eGo stainless 1000mah battery{the whole kit x2}. This is my first week without my usual smokes. Took a bit of getting used to...but I have already smelled and tasted the results of a healing body. Best of all....I can now enjoy a vape while in flight....without a fire issue. I really like the flavor of Johnson Creek Red Oak domestic. It really tastes better than the wintons I burned up hard earned cash on for too many years. I have no plans on going back at all now. Thanks for all the great reading and topics available here!

 

[lemonshrew]

Good luck Torqueguy! I bet we'll be seeing you in the modders forum before long! BTW, I quit my 2 ppd 20 year habit after only 3 days. Everybody is different, so don't stress if it takes you a while.