Newbie needs mentor (can't find the right PV)

[Smoking In Seattle]

I'm a 40 year smoker. 30 of those years spent smoking Benson & Hedges Deluxe Ultra Lights Menthol (so about 5-6mg nic), at a pack to 25 cigs a day. I tend to 'double drag' (first short puff inhaled, then second, longer puff inhaled before exhale).

I've tried various methods to quit: Hypnosis (I'm the 1 in 10 that can't be hypnotized), aversion therapy twice (I wound up with an aversion to the therapist instead of the cigs), cold turkey, gradual decrease, and all the gizmos on the market.

I heard about e-cigs and surfed the web. TMI! TMI! So let I it go.

A few months later, one of my students was outside the classroom vaping. She told me all about it and even loaned me one of her old e-cigs to try. Tho it didn't work (it was broken), it intrigued me enough to go back and do more web research.

I decided on two kits based on web reviews: Apollo and Green Smoke. I didn't like any of the 3 flavors I tried from the Apollo, so sent it back. I liked the Green Smoke. Flavor, TH, and vapor were all great. I was amazed that from the very first day, I went from 25 to 13 cigs without even trying! I knew this was going to work for me.

BUT... Green Smoke's 'Flavor Max' cartos are 'supposed' to last 360 puffs. I was lucky to get 30 decent ones and the rest tasted like I was smoking cardboard. Bleh.

I tried refilling the cartos (push/condom method which is easy, but a bit messy) and tho I was able to get a few more pulls out of them, it just didn't last and they didn't taste all that great (probably not using a good juice). I was tired of topping the cartos off after the equivalent of only 2 cigarettes, as well as the paper towels, q-tips, sticky condoms and all the rest of the mess.

At the rate I was going thru Green Smoke cartos, vaping would wind up costing me more than smoking (altho I'd be healthier for it). However, there's got to be a better solution. Cartos and I are just not playing well together.

So back to more surfing. I've read for hours on end, the comments on ECF, and have gone to the recommended sites and perused the various brands and models. I'm now on brain overload (sometimes too much information is NOT a 'good thing').

I *think* I want the Joye 510, or maybe the Joye 510-T. Or maybe the Joye 510 with an extra 510-T atty and tank on the side to see if I like it? I *think* the tank system might be the way to go?

I don't care about battery life. I'm near electrical outlets all day long and can use a pass through while at my desk (I've used Green Smoke's pass through and it works great).

I DO want a decent TH. Not harsh or heavy, just decent, but I *think* that has more to do with the strength and e-juice?

I DO want a decent amount of vapor.

And I DO want a reasonable amount of time vaping before I have to top off. (What's reasonable? The equivalent of 3-5 cigs, so maybe the tank system would be best for me? Not sure.)

As an aside, I thought I'd like the fruity e-juices, but they don't seem to satisfy so I'll probably stick to menthols (providing I can find a good one... Help here would also be appreciated. VG, USA made).

I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions. I don't know enough about vaping and don't want to spend hundreds experimenting. I hope I've provided enough information on my smoking habits and what I've tried, to give those of you who care to comment, a sense of what might work best for me.

I'm new to vaping and new to forums as well. So if I've made any faux pas, please excuse.

I'm out of GS cartos so I'm still 'Smoking In Seattle' (when I'd rather be vaping!) Please help!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Boodle]

Is it important to you that it look like a cigarette or are you ok with a Sharpie-sized ecig?

 

[madjack]

HIGHLY suggest you goto SmokelessImage, BloogPlanet or Vapor4Life and pick up one of their kits...they basically are all the same make, rebranded under diff names and I believe they will be what you are looking for.........
madjack

p.s. if you would like something with more performance with in a Sharpie sized unit, look at Liberty-Flights for the Riva510Lite bundle at 30bux(fantastic deal) or Hoosierecigsupply for the KGO(42bux), it has a truly awesome batt...add a cartomizer bundle(2drip tips, syringe, free shipping) from Crystal Clear Vaping and you will be set for everything but juice...mj

 

[Benman08]

I'm also new but I choose the 510-T starter kit and I am very happy with it. It does not take a ton of youtube and forum research to learn how to clean and refill. It is very straight forward with this system because the tanks are see through so you can see how much liquid is there or how long until you need to refill.

The only thing I may consider would be battery life. I was a light smoker (around 5 analogs per day) so I knew that the smaller 510 battery would fit my style. If you want to avoid carrying around extra batteries or worrying about need to charge, it may be worth it to look into something with a larger battery like an ego-T

 

[Smoking In Seattle]

Hmmmmm... I'm not sure if I would mind a larger PV or not. How big/heavy are we talking? And how much benefit difference over the 510?

 

[Smoking In Seattle]

Uh oh Mad Jack, now you've given me even MORE choices LOL! Can you see my brain explode? LOL! Thanks for the info, I'll go check it out!

 

[Sedateme]

The difference is battery life. If you get a cigarette-sized pv, you will be recharging batteries every 3 hours or so. If you get an eGo, or eGo clone, they can last much longer between charges. 6-9 hours depending on what you get.

 

[Smoking In Seattle]

Thanks Benman08! So, how many cig equivalents do you think you get out of one tank?

 

[Smoking In Seattle]

Thank you Sedateme!
For my life/workstyle, I don't think having to recharge that often would be a problem. How many re-charges can these batteries take? How long do they last? If I recharged every 3 hours or so, would I kill a battery in say, a week? A month?

 

[lunabella]

Don't throw away your Green Smoke cig yet, Seattle! You may not need to buy a different model.

We have the same issue, and I'll recommend some possible solutions below. I also ordered the Green Smoke and was really disappointed at how quickly the cartomizers dried up. Definitely not anywhere near a pack of cigs each. I was also disappointed at their flavour selection and wanted to try different flavours. I also refilled them using the condom method, but experienced the same issues as you.

So after some searching around, I found a couple of different remedies:

1. The Green Smoke battery is an E9 model, also known as a KR808D-2. So although your choices in accessories and supplies are limited, they do exist - you're not just stuck purchasing expensive cartomizers/batteries from Green Smoke directly. Any KR808D-2 cartomizer will be compatible with the Green Smoke battery. AZsmokefree carries KR808D-2 supplies. I just ordered a bunch of blank Kr808D-2 cartomizers and an extra battery for next to nothing.

2. AZsmokefree also carries adaptors. I live in Canada, and the most popular model out here is the 510 and eGo products, so those accessories are readily available. So I ordered an adaptor that I can screw onto my Green Smoke battery which will allow me to screw 510 cartomizers onto it.

You can also order an adaptor that allows you to use KR808D-1 cartomizers on your Green Smoke battery. The KR808D-1 looks almost exactly like the Green Smoke, but the threads don't fit the battery.

So, to sum it up - if you're looking for a better selection of flavours at a better price, you may want to either order blank cartos or get an adaptor which will allow you to buy cartomizers that are more readily available.

Good luck, and don't give up on your Green Smoke just yet!!

 

[Sophey]

Welcome! I suggest you pick up a Riva 901 kit and a drip tip from Liberty Flights. I, too, tend to 'double drag'; the 901 is perfect for this (while the 510 gets too hot, imo). Then pick up some e-liquid from Kickbass Vapor or Ms. T's Bakery. (The fruity and sweet flavors carried by each of these vendors are "spot on.") Fill a few cartridges for when you are driving in a car, etc., and use the drip tip at your desk or between classes. Also, the 901 Riva battery is the perfect size to hide in the palm of your hand when running around in Seattle, and since the end doesn't light up, no one will even know you are vaping unless you blow out a huge cloud of vapor. You will be in vaping heaven.

 

[x-smok3]

Hello Seattle,

I was going to use initials but it looked rude LOL.
Riva510 or Kgo would be my recommend for E-cig. Both are available in the 1100Mah and last anywhere from 6-12 hours depending on your use (roughly 1 hr/100Mah is average). Kgo from Hoosier supply is my favorite only because it is regulated a little better than the Riva so you get a more consistent hit IMO. They also put out about 4.2V under a load which you won't get with minis. Batteries last about 3-6 months on the average.

I would also recommend CE2 fluxomizers from Gotvapes. You may want to take a look at the threads as opinions on these vary but I find with a simple 20 second adjustment I get better flavor and vapor than any other method.

Tanks have leak problems and you are still dealing with atties which are a pain to clean. The CE2 cleans easy and lasts for a good 3 weeks for me. They hold 1.8Ml of juice and only need to be refilled a couple of times for a rabid vaper like me.

Hope that helps.

 

[tricci]

Here's my two cents: Go to Crystal Clear Vaping and get an E-Power 14650 kit and a bundle of 1.7 ohm Smoktech Sing Coil Cartomizers (the Resurrector).

With the E-Power kit you'll get a free 30ml bottle of juice (you're choice of flavor and strength), 2 batteries, and a charger. You will also get a couple of atomizers and some cartridges with the kit, you can throw them away they stink.

With the Cartomizer bundle you'll get 15 xl cartomizers, a drip tip, and a syringe for filling the cartomizers. Depending on how heavily you vape one battery will last anywhere from 8 to 16 hours.

You'll get a very satisfying vape out of this set up. Here are reviews of the E-Power and the Resurrector cartomizers:

A PBusardo Review & Comparison - The Es - Smoktech eGo & E-Powers 14650 & 18650 - YouTube

A PBusardo Review The Resurrector & Some Juice From CCV - YouTube

 

[Smoking In Seattle]

Thank you Lunabella!

Yes, I have bought some blank cartos from AZSmokefree! They're great!. But I just can't seem to get more than 1 (equivalent) cig out of them before I have to re-juice them! This is why I think cartos and I don't play well together. I'm topping them off practically every time I want to vape!

I haven't sent the GS back yet and am holding out because there IS a lot to like about them. I just need to be able to get more out of these things than I'm getting, and that's why I thought a tank system might be better for me.

 

[Smoking In Seattle]

Hello Sophey! Nice to chat with another Seattleite!

Hmmmmm... I was looking at the 901s and wondered about the drip tip. How many puffs do you get off that type of system before you need to re-drip?

 

[Smoking In Seattle]

Hi X-Smok3!

Well, if we were related, using initials would have been fine (Smoking In Seattle = SIS) LOL!

Why/how is a Riva 510 different from a Joye 510? (stupid question?)

And I've looked at those CE2s, wondering if I could get one that would fit my Green Smoke batty. They say they have them for the 808, but not sure if that's the KR808D-2 (ie Green Smoke) or something else. But it DOES look like it would fit the Joye 510 (or any other 510) if I decided to go that route.

I didn't realize there were SO many options! I *thought* I at least knew a little about e-cigs, now I know how much I DON'T know!

Thanks for your input, I need to go check out those CE2s again.

 

[Smoking In Seattle]

Thanks Tricci!

I still don't quite get the 'drip tip' thing... Do I have to constantly keep dripping into the tip while I vape? Like a pipe smoker has to keep fiddling with his pipe?

I'll go check out the E-Power 14650.

Sigh... SO many choices! I was hoping to narrow them down. You guys are so experienced, I'm REALLY confused now! I did NOT realize there was so much out there! LOL!

 

[madjack]

I get around 7hrs +- from my Rivas...the KGOs should give another 4hrs over that...this is steady chain vaping...the products from V4l, Bloog and SI will give ya around 1-3hrs+- depending on usage and battery chosen...I use cartomizers on my PV...since I like to top them up when they get down to the 50-75%level...comparisons between funkarettes and e-cigs are hard to quantify in % of cigs = ?ml juice...I was a 3ppd smoker and use around 5ml/day of 16mg juice...batts should last 2-300 FULL charge cycles...probably twice(or more) on the 14650 sized E-power...I personally believe the KGO, with low resistance Boge or Resurrector cartomizers is just about the most foolproof KISS system you can buy...another thing for your consideration of battery choices...auto Vs manual...autos are more delicate and die easily...especially if you refill your own cartos since getting liquid in them is often fatal and the length of your vape is limited...manuals are sealed against leaks and with the switch, you control the batt and length of vape Vs the batt controlling you...manuals are the generally preferred type of batts...there, even more to consider for ya......
madjack

 

[jp6608]

The best thing about ecigs is you can customize just about everything.. from the type of battery, or how the juice is fed, how much nicotine.. all combined to provide the best vaping experience for you.

Don't worry about "how many puffs" you will get. It's all very subjective. The juice/cartomizer lifespan will vary greatly from person to person. Also keep in mind that once you get more experienced with using cartos (or whatever method you decide to go with), expect to see the lifespan grow as well. My first carto lasted maybe 40 minutes before I ruined it. The most recent carto is still going after 1 week. Just remember.. there is a bit of a learning curve but once you get the hang of it, you'll kick yourself for not starting sooner

If you just want to find a ecig that will get you off the stinkies without any fuss or tinkering.. then the kits from Smokeless Image, Bloog or Joye 510 series are all fantastic choices.

I tried refilling the cartos (push/condom method which is easy, but a bit messy) and tho I was able to get a few more pulls out of them, it just didn't last and they didn't taste all that great (probably not using a good juice). I was tired of topping the cartos off after the equivalent of only 2 cigarettes, as well as the paper towels, q-tips, sticky condoms and all the rest of the mess.

You can try using cartos that have higher capacity.. for example
GotVapes FLüXomizer™ DeLuXe CLEAR KR808 XL 1.8ml 2.6-2.8ohm

This is just an example of what's available out there. These come in different threads (the 510 and the 808s). These require a little bit of tinkering but at the end, it may not be as messy as the sticky condom method. I wouldn't recommend these until you find the flavor/juice first.

Regarding the menthol flavor.. I've only tried menthol from the Smokeless Image and Bloog's sample packs so my experience with menthol is very limited so i'm just going to copy and paste what I wrote in another post regarding menthol juices..


There's a great video review from GrimmGreen on youtube.. TUNDRA vs PRO-THOL, BATTLE OF THE MENTHOLS! - YouTube
His review goes over two menthal flavored juices:

Prothol purchased from VaporCast Store
Tundra given to me from Johnson Creek Original Smoke Juice - The Best E-Liquid in the World - Made Right Here in America

 

[Sophey]

Hello Sophey! Nice to chat with another Seattleite!

Hmmmmm... I was looking at the 901s and wondered about the drip tip. How many puffs do you get off that type of system before you need to re-drip?

I get 4-6 full drags before needing to re-drip. Also, I find dripping much easier than re-filling carts. (In fact, the only time I use carts is when I'm driving because dripping and driving = not smart.) Plopping a couple of drips into a tip takes only a second (less time than is required to light a cigarette), and you can get away with it just about anywhere -- especially when you get down the whole stealth-vaping thing.

I really ought to change my location to Mukilteo (since that's where I actually live), but how many people are going to have a clue where Mukilteo is? In any case, it's nice to chat with you too!