New Here and to "Vaping"

[bluebelle]

Hello from New York!

Have been reading this forum for the past few weeks while trying to research e-cigarettes. So much useful information here. Thank you!

Still trying to get the hang of vaping. Did finally settle on ordering the Blu starter kit as an introduction to vaping a couple of weeks ago. Figured it was an economical way to see if I would like it and see if it would work for me.

Have cut down on cigarettes tremendously (smoking 35 years and a two to three (on the weekend) pack a day habit down to about 5-7 cigarettes a day). But sometimes, Blu just doesn't cut it, and their "flavors" leave me rather disappointed.

Ordered one for my 23 year old daughter. She is a much lighter smoker than I was and I think it will work out well, especially economically since I have been supporting her and her habits lately.

Would like to "step up" and get something with a more punch as far as nicotine and taste (more like a tobacco), along with a bit more vapor production, for myself though and maybe finally say goodbye to cigarettes entirely.

Am open to suggestions about what might be better, was thinking about the Vapor King since I have read such great reviews of it here.

Also open to a welcome too...thank you for all the help you people gave me, even before I joined the forum!

 

[jj2]

After upgrading, give the Blu to your daughter.

 

[CreativeSort]

How does your daughter like it? Has she used it much?

 

[bluebelle]

That's the plan. She will have extra batteries and chargers this way. The way she goes through things they won't be wasted.

 

[bluebelle]

She likes it. It is her first e-cigarette experience too. But as I said she is not the smoker her mother was. Not trying to knock Blu, just need a little something else personally.

Still am a bit confused with the options of the DIY refilling of cartridges.

Taking it one step at a time here.

 

[DC2]

I would suggest a 510 for you.
Or if you don't mind the larger size, an eGo/Tornado/Riva model.

 

[KEITH97M3]

Bluebelle, I have been vaping for over 3 years now and the advantage newbies have now is information. In this day and age there is no reason for someone to start off with something that doesn't satisfy or last long. If money is factor I would suggest getting a Hello016 kit along with some cartomizers, the kit is less than 40 bucks and the cartoz are less than $7 for a 5pack. Also if you find yourself dying for a cigarette, chances are you haven't found the right juice that can satisfy.

Give Boba's Bounty 24mg by Avejuice a try, it is all VG and packs a punch that can satisfy almost any analog smoker. Doesn't matter if you are a menthol or non menthol smoker, this juice seems to be able to satisfy both types as I have converted many friends with this.

I wish I had all this info 3 years ago then I wouldn't have wasted thousands of dollars on junk. Back then all I had was a damn NoJoy with a battery that couldn't even last 1 hour of heavy vaping. Fast forward to the current date, I now have a Precious-L that can go 2 days easy on the same battery which is the only thing I have used for the last 4 months.

Aloha, Keith

 

[CreativeSort]

Good info! Thanks! I was never a heavy smoker, but I enjoy vaping a lot. Was wondering what her experiences were like, coming at it from a casual standpoint like me.

 

[dilyla]

I, too, was a heavy 2-3 pack a day smoker and I also use the Vapor King KR808. I thought maybe I could offer a little insight just from what my experience has been so far even though I'm new to vaping (3 weeks tomorrow).

I do love the convenience, simplicity & portability of the KR808. But, I don't find the batteries to be as long lasting as proclaimed for all day use chain smokers (charge holds maybe 2-3 hours tops?) and so I don't use it for all-day vaping. If you are where you can use a pass through via your computer, I would suggest getting one of those, too. It just seems much more satisfying to me -- more vapor & more throat hit and no batteries to run down and have to recharge.

Just FYI, I ordered/started with 18mg cartomizers (I smoked ultra lights) and found that to be just about right for me. The vendor just happened to throw in some sample 24mg cartomizers, too, and in those first few days for those times that I didn't feel I was getting the "punch" from the 18 mg, a couple of puffs on one of those 24mg seemed to appease the craving very quickly.

Three weeks later, and I feel I'm ready to step down the nic. (I think I'm addicted to the vape flavors more than I ever was the nic!) I seem to reach a vaping "saturation" zone by late evening where I'm not interested in vaping -- that *never* happened with analogs -- chained them from the minute I got up in morning until going to bed.

If you decide to go the Vapor King route, I would also suggest manual batteries over the autos. Especially since you were a heavy smoker like me -- the manual allows you much more control.

Refilling the cartomizers is very simple ... googling youtube will produce tons of simple "how to" videos. Some vendors have the "how to" videos right on their websites, too (I'm pretty sure I saw them on the V4L website, which is where I ordered my starter kit).

Just my 2 cents. Hope it's helped some.

 

[dollyllama]

Hi also from NY (upstate, near Albany). Been vaping since the price went up and am very satisfied. I have a KR808 too but not a vapor king brand. I was 1.5 pack a day smoker, sometimes more. I vape pretty constantly, I'd probably vape in my sleep if I could figure out how. I have 4 batteries that I rotate, some last longer than others but get a good 4-5 hours out of them most of the time. I just started refilling the carts and ordered 50 ml from Hong Kong (which is scheduled for delivery any day now, it's at the PO and needed to be signed for) but found a smoke shop that carries juice for the interim. It's more expensive but still cheaper than analogs. I also use between 11 and 16 mg juice since I was a "lights" smoker but I think I could stand a 24 without a problem, more than that would probably kick my ..... Refilling the carts is definitely more economical than buying and finding a local supplier or buying large quantities or mixing your own is going to cut down on shipping costs as well (some suppliers ship free though, so that's a plus).

I think the KR808s or the Joye 510 or eGos are the most highly recommended and widely used, though not many sites will actually tell you which battery they have branded. Vapor King is the KR808.

Refilling the cartomizers for the 808 is easy, though there are probably more effective ways than the way I do it which is just to drip drops through the little hole on the connector end, but it works and I don't need any special equipment to do it. Just make sure to clean the end with a paper towel so you don't get any in the battery.

I read the entire 6 part series on this site (awesome information) and there's a picture guide with the most well known batteries and styles which helped me figure out which I had.

My next purchase will be a passthrough since the entire time I'm at work I can use it and then at least 1/2 the time I'm home, just makes sense to do that.

 

[bluebelle]

Thanks to everyone for the welcome and all the advice.

While money is not inexhaustible, now that I really do feel this is a viable solution for me after trying the Blu, I do not want to get something that will be another "stepping stone." Do want this to succeed and for the first time in years I feel like there is a viable alternative to smoking.

Not sure even though I have read the "newbie" info threads and have read a lot of threads here before joining what a 510 exactly is...perhaps I am just familar with name brands being a newbie...any help would be welcome.

I do enoy vaping and it seems to make everyone around me happier. Certainly is a step in the right direction for my daughter by me getting her to vape instead of smoke.

My steady is very happy too that I am trying this, since he doesn't smoke,and although he has told me "he doesn't mind" if I do smoke, I see the looks sometimes and hear the comments about how those things are going to kill me, etc often enough...He got his son who is also a smoker to order an e cig to try too since I told him I was having such success.

And I have felt a difference already in my chest and smoker's cough since I have been vaping more and smoking much less.

The highest level in Blu cartridges is 16mg. I think this might be part of my difficulty, was looking for something that might offer 24 mg. After all I am a nictotine addict and used to a high dosage over many years. More of a vapor intake might help too to make the transition.

Any suggestions you may have for me here are most welcomed. Thank you again for all the help already.

 

[DC2]

The highest level in Blu cartridges is 16mg. I think this might be part of my difficulty, was looking for something that might offer 24 mg. After all I am a nictotine addict and used to a high dosage over many years. More of a vapor intake might help too to make the transition.

Any suggestions you may have for me here are most welcomed. Thank you again for all the help already.

I would definitely suggest getting a bunch of samplers.

Check out some of the choices for samplers in post #3 of this thread...
Taking the plunge!

That is by far the best compilation of samplers I've ever seen.

 

[hiram13pm]

I've been using a 510 since I started vaping 4 months ago. True, the batteries don't have much lifespan, but the PCC takes care of that... not to mention you get the psychological "fiddling with the pack" thing in there, as well. I've converted several people, including my boss' wife, who got an eGo. One of her eGo battys would last me all day; she was a medium to light smoker, and can go two days or more on one batty charge.

Take a look at them at Cignot your Midwest Electronic Cigarette store. ... Cignot is a really good starting place for noobs. Prices are very good, customer service is 5-star, and shipping is faster than anything I've seen in my life. There's also a really good PDF there about the 510.

One of the positives about the 510... it's a really popular model, so lots of other ones like the eGo and many mods are compatible with 510 atomizers. Cristal (boss' wife) and I can "back each other up" now if one of us blows our last atty

 

[bluebelle]

Took the plunge and the advice I received here today. After more research and trying to give the Blu a fair chance, just ordered the Joye 510 kit from the cignot site, along with 2 26 nicotine strength bottles of juice.

Nothing wrong with the Blu, just wasn't cutting it for me. Have been treading water so to speak as far as completely getting rid of the "real" cigarette smoking. Didn't help that the steady got me a couple of cartons from the reservation a couple of weeks ago either.

Want to thank everyone here for the great advice. Hopefully will be smoke free entirely in a couple of days. have heard they ship super quickly. Hope so.

 

[Big Hitter]

Hello from Binghamton here, I started with the blu for a week before I sent it back for a refund. Then I got a 510 kit which is WAAAAYYY better (especially with cartomizers IMO). Then I went with an EGO, an natural step up from 510s, even though I have bought some other mods, the EGO is my day to day PV. The battery life is great, it hits great with cartomizers, and you can get a kit for 50 bucks with free shipping if you look around.

The tough part is finding flavors that you like. I don't jump around much, just like analogs, I found a flavor I like and I am sticking with it. Honey flu cured cartomizers (or liquid) from liquidXpress.

I couldn't be happier with it. No real desire to jump around and get 30 different flavors like some people (I have no problem with that if its your thing though).

Congrats on going electronic though, you will love it. If I have an analog cig now I think it would make me sick. I can't believe I walked around stinking that bad either.

 

[bluebelle]

Got my 510 yesterday morning. Amazing shipping speed from Cignot. Especially compared with Blu's shipping speed. Easily took a week or more when ordering any supplies or kits from them. Ordered the kit Thursday morning from Cignot, had it Saturday morning.

Big difference in vapor production and throat hit too. Would not have considered the manual batteries except for the posters here, thank you.

Also found out that the wall charger for Blu fits the USB cord for the 510, so I can recharge the PCC both ways PC or wall outlet.

Am hoping the higher nicotine concentration helps too. Will be doing some e-looking/shopping for spare cartridges and some juices I think this afternoon. My kit did come with 2 bottles but I would like to try others. Did choose a menthol bottle as one, since I did smoke menthols, but as with the Blu, it ends up being more minty than menthol.

Yes, I topped off my first cartridge last night. There may be hope for this newbie yet.

Am also hoping very much that this model will give me the first smoke free day in over 30 years soon.

 

[champions]

You followed my path exactly. Good luck it really works. I "barely" miss my cigarettes. Thought I might slip yesterday out with my sister who still smokes analogs, but I didn't. I actually gave her some parts and a charger and hopefully she will be smoke free soon. Agree with you on the Blu, not a terrible unit, just not for me........ until I started dripping on it. the atty is perfect for dripping. I still love my 510 and eGo more, but use the Blu sometimes too.

Good luck

 

[champions]

Got my 510 yesterday morning. Amazing shipping speed from Cignot. Especially compared with Blu's shipping speed. Easily took a week or more when ordering any supplies or kits from them. Ordered the kit Thursday morning from Cignot, had it Saturday morning.

Big difference in vapor production and throat hit too. Would not have considered the manual batteries except for the posters here, thank you.

Also found out that the wall charger for Blu fits the USB cord for the 510, so I can recharge the PCC both ways PC or wall outlet.

Am hoping the higher nicotine concentration helps too. Will be doing some e-looking/shopping for spare cartridges and some juices I think this afternoon. My kit did come with 2 bottles but I would like to try others. Did choose a menthol bottle as one, since I did smoke menthols, but as with the Blu, it ends up being more minty than menthol.

Yes, I topped off my first cartridge last night. There may be hope for this newbie yet.

Am also hoping very much that this model will give me the first smoke free day in over 30 years soon.

Don't use the Blu chargers to charge your 510 batteries and vice versa!! It will ruin them. hopefully you won't read this too late. They say the polarity is reversed. I haven't tried it, but have read it a thousand times. Hope it's not too late.

 

[bluebelle]

Not trying to put too much pressure on myself. With the Blu I did cut down tremendously, but am still smoking. Am hoping this will eliminate the need.

I know it is a psychological addiction as well, and do have to ask myself do I want one or do I need one. Think with this 510system, I may just have to get over the want and not the actual need so much as I did with Blu.

Blu is great I think for lighter smokers, and is a great introduction to this. Still have my Blus and will probably use them again, but the 510 is a much better system for people like me who were true "professionals" when it came to smoking. Their shipping ia a bit long, but if you plan and order with that in mind, it shouldn't be a hassle. Not bashing Blu at all, without it I would not have tried vaping. It did show me what is possible if I try and for that I am grateful.

Haven't tried dripping yet. Might be something new to do when I buy a few more bottles.

 

[bluebelle]

Really? I only charged the PCC when I got it yesterday with the wall outlet, since my kit only came with computer charger cords. Charging from a wall outlet was always quicker with Blu, so I thought it would be with the 510. Will have to look for a wall adapter then too for the 510. Won't do that again.

Thank you. This forum is great for information. No matter how much research I have done on line, I have learned mre reading here.