New to the trend... NEED HELP

[TripleBlack090]

What's up guys, I'm new the e-cig world, just took my first puff the other day. I believe it was a "V4L"?? It was designed like some sort of louie vouton purse or something with "V4L" logos all over it. Doesn't matter, I didn't like it either way, the amount of vapor that was blown out after inhalation was miniscule if that. The unsatisfactory visual stimulation of the vapor really makes it hard for me to wanna try these things, it honestly reminded me of when I tried quitting tobacco cigs by not lighting them, and simply drawing air through and taking an inhalation, but being unsatisfied with lack of "throat-drag".

So I guess the question(s) is/are the following:

1. Which e-cig produces the "tobacco throat-drag" feeling?

2. Out of those that produce that feeling, which produce AT LEAST moderate amounts of exhaled vapor?

3. Out of THOSE that produce that feeling, and that amount of exhaled vapor, which ones require/allow (adapters) cartomizers?

4. Out of " "..., which ones sell cartomizers that last AT LEAST 1 pack? And for cheaper than $3.00/pack?

5. I don't want it to look identical to a cigarette. Cigarettes are dirty looking. I want a black e-cig, I would prefer no glow, but if it has to, I don't mind. I'd prefer blue... just to be different.

PLEASE HELP. I need one of these ASAP, I wanna quit this cancer crap!! Thanks so much guys, glad to be here! -Nick

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

Welcome to ECF and to vaping, TripleBlack090!

That V4L-logo’d e-cig you tried was a KR808D-1 model (specifically the “Vapor King” sold by Vapor4Life, thus the V4L). The KR808D-1 is the most popular of the two-component “cartomizer” e-cigs (i.e., battery + integrated atomizer/cartridge). Although popular and respected – and the simplest – it is only one type of electronic cigarette (the others are three-component, with separate atomizer and cartridge). Before commenting on other types, let me address your concerns as they apply to the KR808D-1.

No cartomizer (whatever brand) lasts as long as a pack of cigarettes (without refilling with e-liquid, which is possible to do). The GreenCig cartomizers (which also will work with KR808D-1 batteries) come closest, but the best price I’ve seen is $15 for a 5-pack, i.e., at, not under, $3. GreenCig carts produce an extraordinary amount of vapor, but most people find the flavor and throat hit (what you call “throat drag”) to be less than KR808D-1 carts or many other models. However, either of these cartomizers can be refilled with e-liquid, stretching their life beyond one pack.

The KR808D-1 cartomizers are less expensive and most people who use them find their flavor and throat hit to be strong. And the vapor produced can be quite good, depending on how you draw on it. With virtually any e-cig, you need to use a different draw technique than you use on a “regular” cigarette (we call them analogs). Instead of a sharp quick draw directly into your lungs, a long steady draw (e.g., 3 to 7 seconds) into your mouth, then inhale into your lungs. The e-cig you tried probably had an automatic battery. With this type of battery, it can be helpful to begin with a brief “primer puff” to turn on the battery, immediately before that long drag. igetcha demonstrates all this:

YouTube - Electronic Cigarette Drag Technique​

With a manual battery (which has a button on the side) – now available for most e-cig models – you just press the button during your draw. No primer puff is needed.

With this technique, almost certainly you will get good vapor from a KR808D-1 (assuming you are using a fully-charged battery and a fairly new cartomizer).

But, as I mentioned, the cartomizers are only one type of e-cig. I was impressed by how Breakfastchef put it in another forum:

Just jump right in with a 901, 801 or 510. You really cannot go wrong with any of those devices. Once you start vaping you will understand what folks are talking about on vaping forums. Use the device for a couple of weeks as it was intended to be used by the manufacturer. Resist the urge to do unnecessary things like cleaning, changing cartridge filler material and other silliness.

Make mental notes of the things you like and the shortcomings of your device. Use this list to evaluate subsequent purchases.
​

Although he shortchanged other models, such as the M401 and KR808D-1, he makes a lot of sense. This will not be your only e-cig purchase. You want it to be a satisfying choice, but not your final choice. Any of these models – with the flavor(s) of e-liquid you enjoy and at a comfortable nicotine level – will deliver a satisfying vaping experience. And all of them are available in black, some in blue. Most of these do “glow” (i.e., have an LED at the end, which lights when the battery is on) ... but later on you can attach the atomizers to more expensive "battery mods." which don't glow.

To learn more, I refer you to the WWV Illustrated Guide linked in my signature. It will answer a great many of the questions you have (and others you will have), describes each model and e-liquid, and provides examples of where to get them. Also read/watch reviews in the E-Liquid Reviews, Model Specific Discussion, and Video-Reviews forums. And explore the forums of the wonderful Supporting Suppliers to find out where to get all this stuff.

Enjoy your exciting exploration of this strange new world of vaping, TripleBlack090!