Noob lovin' it + some noob thoughts

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arkangel

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Sep 30, 2009
233
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Chicago Suburbs
First of all, bless whoever started (and maintains) this site. Gotta say, if it wasn't for all you fine folks out there, the whole e-cig would have been a non-starter for me. With the explosion of vendors, model names and options it was quite daunting to figure which way to go.

After 2 weeks of combing through the site, went with a kr808d-1 starter kit from electronic-ash because the price was right to test the concept. I went with this one because:
- cartomizers: pre-filled cart + atomizer seemed the simplest way to start
- auto batteries: inhale and vape; again seemed the simplest

Had it for 2 days now and been happily vaping away, although it seems like one battery is DOA. Can't charge it (charger light stays green) and the LED doesn't light at all (except when first plugging it into the charger...weird). Got a buddy with a voltmeter, so may have him try the "troubleshooting tips" mentioned elsewhere on the forum. Shot an email to e-ash to see if there's something they can do about it.

Experience:
Not a ton of vapor, although I notice it's getting better the more I use the cartomizer (still on the first one), and after a fresh recharge of the (working) battery. The flavor in the Marlboro 16mg is a little sweeter than I had anticipated, but otherwise OK. I'm getting some coffee and chocolate cartomizers from mist-stix and going to give Red Cow from Vapor4Life a try (along with a manual battery). I loved smoking but now that I'm not limited to burning tobacco, I figure why not get some more flavor sensations going here.

Throat hit is lighter than the Marlb Light 100 analogs I've been smoking, but it's definitely there.

I just read how another 'first-timer' was concerned about overdosing on the nicotine. I had the same thoughts, as I was only a 5 analog/day user before (love that I can say "was"!), and the novelty of vaping had me huffing away at first. Definitely got a head rush, a little light headed feeling but no other adverse effects. Been drinking a lot of fluids per the suggestions on the forum.

There's no way I could vape as long or with as many drags as I used to on an analog: only need 2 - 4 good inhales on the e-cig and any craving is gone. I suppose I could go lower on the mg strength and vape longer--have to check that out in the future (and then get a USB passthrough...I live on the computer at work).

Because I'm not constantly vaping, just taking a few inhales here and there, the battery life has been fine for me, although I definitely like having a second/backup battery and cartomizer along just in case.

One thing I'd change (and probably will soon) is that I shouldn't have gone with an analog "look-alike": this KR has the white battery, cartomizers are brown (like filters) and the LED is orange. Makes vaping anywhere look like I'm smoking; definitely keeping the public indoor vaping on the QT, when I do it at all. Looking at a black Joye510 as my possible second, so I can get into some dripping and cart filling/flavor mixing (hey, everyone needs a hobby...).

Haven't touched an analog since getting this and actually don't miss them at all: had to go outside both at work & at home (and it's getting a little chilly here in Chicago), didn't want to smoke in my car (it's new and I'm trying to keep it that way), so smoking was actually becoming as much a hassle as it was enjoyable. Don't miss the cold, the smell, the ash or the ashtray breath after smoking. Another thing I don't miss: the indoor smokers' lounge at the few airports that still have them (Manchester, NH is one)--I love to smoke, but going in there was a bit much, even for the 20+ year smoker that I am.

Again thanks to this community for a chance to post and for all the great info and support--it's been my main go-to resource and I've already sent three people here to "learn up" on e-cigs before dropping the analogs.
 

JohnK

Senior Member
Sep 24, 2009
72
2
Roanoke, Va
After 2 weeks of combing through the site, went with a kr808d-1 starter kit from electronic-ash because the price was right to test the concept. I went with this one because:
- cartomizers: pre-filled cart + atomizer seemed the simplest way to start
- auto batteries: inhale and vape; again seemed the simplest

Ditto. I figured I needed to start out simple and learn as I go. Buying a 4 piece and dripping right of the gate, just didn't seem like a good plan :p
 

arkangel

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Sep 30, 2009
233
0
Chicago Suburbs
Update on the electronic-ash battery issue: got an email back from Taras saying "deaders" sometimes happen and that they were sending me a replacement immediately, along with a pre-paid return envelope to send the old one back...great customer service and a real tribute to their operation!
Thanks and definitely will be shopping with you in the future!
 

arkangel

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Sep 30, 2009
233
0
Chicago Suburbs
7 day update: been totally analog free since getting my KR808D-1 last week. I'm a little surprised at how easy it was to leave them behind.

Get a craving? Pull the 808 out from my pocket and enjoy, no matter when the craving strikes: sitting at my desk, in my car, even in the coffee shop (although I'm not broadcasting that I'm vaping, just enjoying a hit every now and then).

Got some Red Cow carts from V4L that I'm really enjoying: they're the 11mg and I can vape longer with them than with the 16mg ones I got with my kit without getting a nicotine overdose feeling (for me, that's been just feeling slightly little light-headed, and a little dizzy if I vape too long on the 16's). Don't get that at all with these lower mg carts.

I also got a manual battery to play with and while I appreciate the control and the extra vapor, I'm not off the auto batteries: can't beat them for ease of use, just screw on the cart and inhale.

As I wasn't a heavy smoker before (a pack every couple of days or so), battery and cartomizer life has not been a problem: I charge one overnight to use in case the current one runs out in the middle of the day (although haven't had one do that yet). I found an old hinged box from a fancy butane lighter I used to have and carry the 2 batteries and throw in a couple of cartridges (with their plastic caps on) as my supply. I'm actually on the 3rd day of my first V4L Red Cow cartomizer and it's still going strong, so carrying the carts are more for variety and backup than necessity.

Still cruising around the forum, looking at tips and tricks and considering other e-cigs/carts/juices to try. Right now, just enjoying not smelling of cigarettes after every break and happy I'm not buying analogs anymore. I need to post a few more times so SJ will allow a signature on these things so I can add my analog-free banner :)
 
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