New vaper with new Riva. Not sure about this...

[pico]

Ok, got my Riva, charged it and filled a cart with one of the 5ml samples that they sent with it. Cart was very full, and I primed the atty to be sure not to have a dry burn.

- Its taking a while to get the way to draw vape out of these. Too fast and you just get nothing, too slow and its too strong. Not sure what is correct. But, I'm getting the idea that all these videos with giant plumes of vape are mouth hits and not what it looks like if you breath it into your lungs. You are supposed to breath it in like a cigarette, right? When I do, very little vape gets exhaled.

- The two flavors they gave me with the kit are Virginia-PG 24mg and Cubana-VG 24mg. Let me just put this out there, I tried the Virginia first and it was horrible. I mean like wow, nasty type horrible. I then tried the Cubana. I can see that someone might like this flavor. At least it seems to be a flavor rather than a mistake like the Virginia one. But, I don't like it.

- The Riva seems to be doing fine. Holding up during this testing. Charger got each battery to full in less than an hour out of the package. The kit only included empty carts and 2 attys. So, until my other supplies come in, this is my vaping world.

So. The device seems fine. The flavors I got are horrible. I am getting good throat hit, maybe more than I really want. And, 24mg is WAY to strong. I feel funky after about three toots. I'm going to get some VG at Wallyworld once I post this and cut it down to 18mg or so by adding drops. But, then I won't have as much of this terrific flavor

Is this a typical noob experience? When I get my fruit and sweets flavor samples will I feel differently? I also have some tobacco flavors coming that people reviewed. Maybe tobacco flavor is just not for me? I smoked for over 20 years and this stuff tastes nothing like any cigarette, cigar or pipe I've ever smoked. Well, maybe when you light the wrong end of the cigarette or something.

 

[ScotTex]

I can tell you with about two months vaping a Riva, the more VG the more vapor. The attys seem to have a sweet spot when they get broke in and the 'burned' flavor is gone. Now days I mostly bring the vapor into my mouth and blow out my nose, but I get good clouds. You might be flooding your attys or not giving them enough time to get broke-in.

Lesson number one about e-liquid:
None of them will taste like burning tobacco and paper.

 

[SonHomme]

I also read somewhere on here that it takes a bit of time to find your sweet spot. Also, 24mg might be too strong for you.

 

[dee5]

I bet by now you've got the Riva producing more vapor BUT in case you haven't:
filled a cart with one of the 5ml samples that they sent with it. Cart was very full, and I primed the atty to be sure not to have a dry burn.
This sounds like it's too full. A flooded atty produces poor vapor just like one that's too dry. Remove the atty and blow out the excess juice, replace and try vaping again.
I'm getting the idea that all these videos with giant plumes of vape are mouth hits and not what it looks like if you breath it into your lungs. You are supposed to breath it in like a cigarette, right? When I do, very little vape gets exhaled.
I don't know about the vaping styles of the people in the video's you've seen. Some people take the vapor into their mouths first and then inhale and exhale, some people "direct inhale" into the lungs. I get the most vapor when I take it into my mouth first, then inhale and exhale. If you hold the vapor in your lungs there won't be as much vapor exhaled.
I'm going to get some VG at Wallyworld once I post this and cut it down to 18mg or so by adding drops.
This sounds like a fine idea, let us know how it worked out for you. As for flavors, it is impossible to duplicate the taste of a burning cigarette so many of us migrate to the fruity or dessert flavors. I'm sure you will find something you like, it's trial and error. You can always sell what you don't like in the classified section.
Welcome to vaping, and hang in there, it's worth it!

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

Situation normal, pico.

Pre-filled carts are notoriously awful; think about it: if you were sub-par juice to begin with, were injected into a cart along with mattress stuffing, spent months inside a non-air conditioned warehouse then was cooked inside a metallic container aboard a slow-boat-from-China, how good would you taste?

The proper way to inhale is, of course, whatever works for you. But cliches aside, try low-and-slow, like barbecuing pork ribs. That way you get a warning when you've taken in just about enough.

 

[oldsoldier]

Also you should always blow out a new atty before you use it to get rid of that nasty primer taste. After blowing it out reprime it with a couple drops and cigar puff it a few times (don't inhale). Reprime with a couple drops pop on a filled cart and vape away.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

The inhalation technique for vaping is different from smoking.

Newbies Guide to Proper Inhalation

You should also blow out your new atomizers before you use them! This clears out the primer that coats the atomizer for shipment. This stuff tastes NASTY! Blow them out by holding the open end to your mouth and literally blowing the primer out through the threaded end. Hold a tissue to the threaded end what you blow out doesn't spray everywhere. Do this several times until no more primer comes out. The first time you use the atomizer, put 2-3 of your juice on the bridge and then attach your cartridge. It might take a couple of puffs to get things going, but it will work. It can also take some time for the atomizer to be broken-in, but it isn't very long.

 

[cherewine]

First of all..did you blow the primer stuff out of the atty BEFORE using it for the first time? I blow out as much as I can then do dry burns until I don't smell any of the gunk they ship it with. I dry burn 5 or 6 times. Then I put some juice drops in (3-4) and vape it, adding a couple of drops after about 10 puffs or so, in order to not get a burned taste. With some attys you have to just vape some stronger juices to break-in the atty. Now....everyone has their own way of vaping, but the way *I* vape is, I take a few short puffs then a longer draw, holding it in my mouth, then inhale that as I take my finger off the button. There are posts on the forum that explain different ways to vape, you can type in the search for "vaping techniques". Good luck

Edit: okay....WomanofHeart and others beat me to the punch...lol

 

[pico]

OMG yes it was flooded. Blew out the attys, got a big 'ol plume in and out! Flavor was less in-my-face horrible. Just normal horrible LOL

Can't wait to get some non-bacco flavors, they really shouldn't even try if this is what they taste like.

PS: these weren't pre-filled, its a couple of 5ml bottles from liberty flights. Just wanted to say, I may not like the juice flavor, but they were a good vendor. Fast shipping.

 

[Zod]

I struggled with the draw at first too. I wanted to pull too hard like a smoke and got very little vapor. Tried the slow patient draw and it became inconsistent. Finally got comfortable with 2 draws. I do one regular cigarette drag, inhale it and immediately drag again without releasing the button. The little bit that comes out of your mouth goes in your nose and strengthens the flavor. I find I have to do this with weaker flavors like cheesecake. No matter what you're going to have to train yourself to drag differently.

 

[DivaB]

Yep, I love LF; glad you got the hang of it. Takes some trial and error to figure out what works best for yourself; but it all gets easier as you move forward in your new learning experience. By the way...Congrats! Stick with it and don't give up too soon. It'll take you a while to find an e liquid to your liking too. I was a 3 pack a day heavy menthol smoker...but discovered that menthol wasn't my kick in e-liquid...and then I found Honey and it was my "ah" moment. Be open to trying different flavors till you succeed...and also play around with your atomizers, cartridges, and cartomizers to see what works best for you too. The first couple of months may be your most expensive, but it'll all be great in the end.

 

[JD1]

Tip: Experiment with using your button as a heat control, but don't shorten your drag. In other words, pull the vape unto your mouth slowly using about four seconds to fill your mouth, but let go of the button after,say, two seconds. You're still picking up molecules of juice but they're not as hot. Then open your mouth slightly and inhale, mixing a little fresh air. My theory is that a lot of the tobacco flavors were engineered to deliver quite a bit of tobacco taste and TH at relatively low temperatures. My first kit was from my local tobacco shop. It was a two piece design that used 801 type cartomizers. My first puff from it did not have a lot of vapor, but it felt like an unfiltered camel on my throat. lol. I knew right then that I could make it work if I could find a way to control it. On that model, I went to about a two second draw, with very little visible exhaled vapor, but still had plenty of TH and that properly nasty bitter aftertaste. lol. (yes, I'm one of the few who actually likes that - I just licked my ashtray - flavor. I now use 510 equipment (Ego) and love it. Hang tough with your Riva. It's a great kit. Unfortunately it does require some fiddlin' and learning. Things will perk up considerably when you get some of the newer mixes that get away from the bitter taste, and have a smoother TH. Later JD.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

You'll be blowing vapor rings before long and then I'll be jealous...

 

[pico]

Thanks for all the help! The flavors are starting to really come out now. I still hate the Virginia PG mix, but the Cubana VG mix is ok and kinda tastes like carmel that isn't sweet enough.

Getting a good amount of vape now with some practice under my belt. Still a bit too much TH and the nic level is too high (did I read that TH and nic level are connected?). I'll definitely be sticking this out until my flavor sample packs arrive. This is very cool

 

[cherewine]

Thanks for all the help! The flavors are starting to really come out now. I still hate the Virginia PG mix, but the Cubana VG mix is ok and kinda tastes like carmel that isn't sweet enough.

Getting a good amount of vape now with some practice under my belt. Still a bit too much TH and the nic level is too high (did I read that TH and nic level are connected?). I'll definitely be sticking this out until my flavor sample packs arrive. This is very cool

*does the happy dance for pico now* Good luck and Happy Vaping!!!!!

 

[WomanOfHeart]

Thanks for all the help! The flavors are starting to really come out now. I still hate the Virginia PG mix, but the Cubana VG mix is ok and kinda tastes like carmel that isn't sweet enough.

Getting a good amount of vape now with some practice under my belt. Still a bit too much TH and the nic level is too high (did I read that TH and nic level are connected?). I'll definitely be sticking this out until my flavor sample packs arrive. This is very cool

You might want to consider a mix of PG/VG for your juice. PG is part of what gives you TH. VG is what produces the vapor and it also smooths out the juice and adds just a little sweetness. I usually get a 50/50 mix and don't do more than 60%PG/40%VG. This is just a personal preference because I'm not a big fan of TH and higher levels of PG make me sneeze. Sneezing and vaping is funny for a few minutes and that's about it.

 

[mlinky]

Congratulations, you're vaping now! It takes a little trial and error to find the right hardware/juice combo.

 

[hedge]

just placed my order for a steel Riva 510. I've had a Joye 510 for a couple months and loved everything but the battery life. a buddy of mine at work got an EGo not too long ago, and I was really impressed by it. The Riva turned out to be quite a bit cheaper, so hopefully it's pretty similar.