New Vaper, Frustrated

[Ashurbanipal]

So I really enjoyed the first few puffs I got out of my Gamucci USB Starter kit.

I bought it at a Gas Station in Johnson City, Tennessee, so I wasn't expecting great results, but I still wanted to try an E-Cig. I'd been hoping to get a menthol disposable, but they were out.

The advertisements promise 150-200 puffs. They promise that a pack of 5 cartriges equals a carton of "analogs" as I think the fora here are calling them.

I wouldn't be surprised if advertisements lie.

I have never gotten the same buzz off of one of these vapors that I'd get off of a pack of high-quality analogs. (For example, Dunhills. They're pretty good in the US.)

I DO feel about 120% better physically then I did when smoking the old Analogs.

However, I'm using nicotine to treat my ADHD at the moment because America does not and never needed health care reform as the television reminds me daily. [/wangst]

I liked those first few puffs, but I've gone through a cartridge a day since getting this thing.

Recently, I realized that propolene glycol, the substance suspending the chemical, is probably drying out before all of the nicotine is absorbed, so I dropped a few drops of tap water into the cartridge. I get more vapor now, kind of.

The literature led me to believe that a cartridge would last me at least a week. This hasn't really been the case.

Cartridges are more expensive than a pack of top-quality analogs, and a pack would usually last me three weeks.

So advise me. Water recharge: good or bad idea? Gamucci E-Cig: Crap?

Is there a way to make this cheaper than regular cigs? Cause it's not at this juncture.

 

[Upinthehills]

Hi Ashurbanipal! First, welcome to ECF. You've come to the right place to have your questions answered. I've not heard of a Gamucci, so am unable to help you there. I do know the advertisements for cartridges lasting like an entire pack of cigs aren't true. Rather than buying expensive prefilled cartridges, I'd suggest buying some good e-juice and refilling your cartridges yourself.

I also don't think adding water to your cartridge will really help, all it does is dilute your juice so you'll get less flavor and nicotine with each inhale.

For myself, it's not yet cheaper than regular cigarettes, but that is because I keep wanting new and better equipment and juices. For me, I've quit smoking and that is priceless. It's some of the best money I have ever or will ever spend. I've been smoke free for going on eight weeks, and it's worth every penny to not be hacking up a lung each morning and to be able to do a zip line in the Colorado mountains and run back across the valley without needing to stop halfway to catch my breath. (That was the day before yesterday!)

I wish you the best of luck in your search for the e-cigarette that will work best for you.

 

[LadyPhoenix]

What cartomizers are you buying that are more expensive than analogs? I buy from Vapor4Life, and I get a 5-pack of prefilled carts for $10.50. So that's $2.1 per cartomizer. I'd say it's about equivalent to a pack of analogs, for me. Out here in PA a pack of Parliament costs $6.20. So that's a significant savings. I'm not familiar with the equipment you are using so I can't speak with any authority, can only tell you of my experience. Then, of course, I can refill them 2-3 times with eliquids, making them even more economical.

I also found that I started with the 11mg carts, and it wasn't enough for me. So I went through them like crazy. I am now vaping 24 mgs and it feels just right for me.

 

[forthwith]

Not exactly crud, but some much better alternatives to consider. Much more affordable too. I personally got a 510 kit from madvapes for about 32 bucks.. and if you don't want to order off the web, most head shops as well as tobacconists sell e cigs. A kr808d would probably be easiest, but there is so much good info on the 510 and there are so many peeps selling different variations, It's easy to find replacements. If you need a bigger buzz, try higher nic juice.. like 36mg. dunhill. when you start refilling cartridges, the equivalent to that 14 dollar gamucci 5 pack refill costs about 2 dollars.

 

[Shaka]

Hey Ash!

Several things:
1. It's too soon to get frustrated.
2. Don't believe advertising, it's all hype.
3. Get yourself a dependable unit based on recommendations here. Read these threads first (long but well-worth it, promise!)
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...rated-guide-e-cigs-part-1-6-a.html#post552767
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...c-cigarette-first-time-vaper.html#post1438697
4. Educate yourself with the wisdom of the experienced members here (not from me, I'm still a noob).
5. If you excercise restraint and don't go hog-wild buying the latest and greatest hardware and juices (they got bacon and waffles so you can vape your breakfast on the road. lol), you're going to save a lot of $$.
6. What is cigarettes really costing you? Your life maybe?

Welcome to ecf Ash. We're all here to help.

 

[rosesense]

I don't recommend using tap water. Not only does it dilute but you probably don't want the things in some tap water to be inside your lungs. Get some good quality liquid and use that, it isn't that expensive to fill the carts.

 

[romping]

Get the right equipment and juice and i promise you will get more nicotine buzz than any cigarette.

 

[SNUGGLES]

the cartridges for any of the E-cigs I have tried never lasted as long as they said but it still is slightly cheaper than regular cigarettes, especially when considering the health benefits...

my only problem is I never smoked in my car or house before, so no I smoke twice as much... but oh well... I have turned many of my friends on to Vaping so we all trade carts and share supplies

 

[Shaka]

the cartridges for any of the E-cigs I have tried never lasted as long as they said but it still is slightly cheaper than regular cigarettes, especially when considering the health benefits...

Hey Snuggs.

Don't toss your prefilled carts after using (keep the condoms too) because they last practically forever if you refill. Just remove, wash, and dry the filling (or you can use any one of a number of mods...see Cartridge Mods subforum in Modders Forum). Get yourself some juice and refill. An easy and good mod you should try is Highping's because you don't need to buy anything and works great:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ighping-cart-mod-simple-gets.html#post1180408

As you evolve you will most likely drip for most of your vaping, and use carts only for convenience.

 

[Whistle_Pig]

Cartridges are more expensive than a pack of top-quality analogs, and a pack would usually last me three weeks.

Gotta ask whether you meant to say carton there. Otherwise, you're smoking 1 cigarette a day, sometimes 2.

 

[Buzzy]

Hi, Ashurbanipal! And welcome!
BTW, I've never met a really, really old Assyrian king before.... I'm not sure of the proper protocol. Oh, and congratulations on the whole library organization thing.

Do you have the Gamucci Classic, or the Micro? I looked them up online, but cannot tell about compatibility with any other makes. Their cartridges look to be what are often referred to here as "cartomizers." Ecigs are of two kinds - a three piece - battery, atomizer, and cartridge - and a two piece - battery and cartomizer. The cartomizer serves as both atomizer and cartridge.

There are two other types of cartomizers - one for the KR808D-1, and one for the Joye 510. Both can be bought with soft caps that can be easily popped off for refilling of the cartomizers. Cartomizers cost about $2.00 each, and will last for 3 to 6 refills. Some report a lot more. E liquid is pretty inexpensive really, and refilling is not difficult.

Check out vapor4life.com for the Vapor King - a KR808D-1 basically, with some improvements.

Check out tastyvapor.com for 510 batteries and cartomizers, very inexpensive. And their eliquids are considered some of the best tasting by many on the forum. However, their ecig parts do not come with any warranty. That's why the prices are so low. Still, they are very good to their customers.

If you change type of ecig, you will need a different charger too.

Two piece are usually the easier for most beginners. But many prefer the three piece for flavor and cost. Atomizers are not cheap, but they do last longer than cartomizers. YMMV.
Still, cartomizers are the easiest of the two. So the math - one pack of 5 cartomziers, approx. $10.00.(Enough for probably two days of vaping, for the average user. But some vapers may go through four or so a day.) times 3 refills. Plus eliquid - mmm, say $10.00 or so for three refills. That's eight days of vaping for $20.00 compared to $6.00 per pack for cigarettes for eight days? (How many cigs per day did you smoke?)

The price is still cheaper once you get just a little beyond the initial setup costs.

KR808D-1s and Joye 510s are both good quality gear, and widely used. There are a lot of sellers for both models. A good place to start. (The one drawback to the 510 is poor battery life, leading many to prefer the Joye eGo, but it costs a little more.)

DonDaBoomVape has written a lot of very good articles for beginners. See the ECF Library.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

I want to personally thank everyone who posted in this thread.

Based on the advice I got here, I've purchased a joye510 ego from PureSmoker.com, and if that doesn't work, I've got enough savings to buy another brand.

I also got an ounce of E-Juice, which should be enough to tide me over for a while.

Joye 510 seems to be one of the favorites.

 

[AcePilot]

Don't get bummed out! I too purchased a "Gamucci micro" before finding this forum, and I was VERY bummed. If I hadn't found EFC, I would have tossed out the idea of vaping due to what a crappy experience I had with the gamucci. After reading, I wised up and got a 510, and I am getting an EGO as soon as I can. So... GOOD CHOICE!!