Per day?

[Teibidh]

So, I keep reading trying to get a good idea on this, and everything seems to be measured in things I can't relate, so I'll just ask my questions

I'm strongly considering picking up a VK kit in an attempt to replace my pack a day habit (Newport Lights, Winston Lights or Winston Ultra Lights, depending on the day) with something slightly less deadly. A coworker recently picked up a VK and handed me Steve's card, saying this is the stuff... so I've been reading. My friend was a light smoker, and really just went with the VK as a style piece and something to talk about with his customers, as we're in sales... I'm using it for habit replacement, so he can't really answer my question, now that that's all said:

Approximately how long, in terms of replacing habit and nicfit smoking, will a single cartolizer full of juice last? Will I make it through the day if I just take a couple of puffs every hour or so? Do I need to carry two extra carts with me to work?

I hear a lot of people talk about battery life and cart life in terms of hours, is this hours of actual inhaling (or having the manual button depressed) or is it in hours of vaping including standby time?

My friend commented that he didn't purchase any of the tobacco flavored carts and he wishes he did because every once in a while he still craves something that tastes like a cigarette... Is this true for most people for a short time after they switch?

When you purchase cartolizers initially you're asked for a strength; based on my reading I'm planning on starting with the 36 and working my way down over the course of a couple of month. Has anyone had real trouble doing this?

Finally, when you pick a cartolizer strength I had initially assumed that this was the nicotine concentration in the liquid inside the carto, but if that's true, how do the refill liquids work? Are they all the same strength, or is the nicotine rating for each carto based on something like filter density?

 

[emi_oasis]

I am a newbie myself, got my VK kit 6 hours ago.. but I will answer some of your questions.

1. I have Hilton cartomizers and believe me its a very good replacement for tobacco flavor. But on the other hand I received some bonus mix-flavours cartomizers and I LOVE pinacolada.. its very nice and sweet and refreshing. Havent tasted the rest yet.

2. I am .. oops.. I was a Marlbro Red 100's analogue smoker . Even then I selected 18mg as my initial strength and I think its a good strength. If you were a lights smoker I dont think you should go for 36mg. Other people may advise better here, but I got a good throat hit with 18mg. and I havent had an analogue since 6 hours.

3. The liquids also come in the same range of nicotine concentration so you could order 18mg or 36mg there too for refill.

I have no idea about cartimizers life and battery life right now, but if you order a Ultimate Ultimatum KIT it comes with 2 pencil batteries (Steve put in a third XL pencil battery as bonus) so if they are charged when you are leaving for work in the morning I think you are good. Moreover the KIT comes with the Personal Charging Case which contains a battery in there to charge your pencil batteries with. And in the end you also get a USB pass through which you could plug into the USB port of your laptop and enjoy vaping without worrying about your batteries.

 

[Teibidh]

Definitely getting the USB pass through, most of my craving time is when I'm in front of the computer at night, so ... yeah.

I'm really not interested in carrying around a PCC and spare batteries and all that pizazz, to be completely blunt. I don't mind keeping a spare carto in the car, but if I can't make it through an average workday on a single charge/carto then I'm afraid this might not be the solution for me. I move quickly when leaving the house for work, and having to check to make sure I get a 'complete kit' ready to go when I leave will probably wind up with me making a trip to the 7-11 next door to work for 'analogs', which is rather purpose defeating.

 

[Propaganda]

Coming from someone who has smoked a pack of Marlboro Reds for 10 years, my understanding and experience is that 1.5 24mg cartomizers should last you through the day. As for battery life, you should get 5-8 hours depending on how many puffs you take per hour. With higher nicotine content, say 24mg, you should be vaping/smoking less than with lower strength flavors. In terms of flavor, I preferred vaping the so-called flavored carts, starting with classic or traditional flavors, such as apple or cherry. In fact, in the onset, I had no desire to smoke tobacco-flavored carts, but your preference may, and possibly will vary. For strength, I definitely recommend 24mg carts to start for you, as I feel 36mg will give you too much of a buzz. In regards to nicotine density, the carts are not as concentrated as regular cigarettes, and do not contain tobacco, so more is need per ml to provide you with an experience of smoking and subside cravings.

 

[flying low]

Welcome!

I was a 1.5 pack a day of full strength menthols. Admittedly, I haven't completely put the analogs down (down to 5 or 6 per day now) but the VK will do the trick for me.

As far as the strength of the carts, I would not advise the 36 - I tried it and it knocked me for a loop! Too strong. You may want to try the 24's at the highest, I would recommend going with a mix of 18's and 24's and see what works best for you.

The Ult Ult kit will give you everything you need to get going but you may want to add extra carts and some 5ml juice in corresponding flavors. You will be glad that you've got the PCC since you can carry your backup battery in there and a few carts. Typically, an XL battery should get you through most of your day along with one cart but that depends on how you vape. I vape fairly heavily and I can usually make it through a shift with one auto batt/cart set-up but it's always nice to have the backup. I usually have my auto and my XL on me and swap off through the shift. Again, it depends on how you vape.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any questions - someone will always have an answer for you if not two or three!

Sylvia

 

[Rhaevyn]

Props to Prop for a well rounded and concise answer.

I will throw in my 2 cents and observations.

I've been cig free for a month now. I never picked up another analog after opening my kit and getting familiar with it. But it has a LOT to do with mindset and attitude. If you are already stating up front that this system has to completely conform to you, then it is already defeated and you should pocket your credit card and keep smoking your assorted "lights."

On the other hand, if you really want an alternative to tobacco and have the desire to make the change for your health, then you will be open to try new things and make adjustments to your schedule. You may even surprise yourself and, like most of us, find some fun in the "hobby" of vaping.

Flavor is so purely subjective that it's not even a question anyone can answer for you. I was convinced I would only want and purchase tobacco flavors because I truly could not wrap my head around sucking in fruits and "smoking" them. But you know what? I personally didn't care for the tobacco flavors and now enjoy my Peach Cobbler and Black Raspberry and Cream.

Another thing that can't be described without trying it yourself is how you will transition to vaping from smoking. I guarantee you will be choking on the carts at first no matter what strength you order. They take getting used to and some breaking in before you get the flavor and become accustomed to the feel of vapor vs. hot smoke.

Don't forget that if you do decide to make the switch your poor taste buds and lungs are going to be going through a healing process. You'll be coughing up the crap you've gathered in your lungs and your taste will change. Thus, the taste of the carts will also begin to change.

I agree with the fact that you should not start with 36. Unless you were smoking two packs of filterless Camels or somesuch for 20 years, trust me...

I do not mean any offense with my response, but I see what I see in your statements. Honestly, if you are just looking for a toy or a gadget to be trendy then again, you may want to reconsider. But I highly recommend looking into e-cigarettes as a way to wean yourself off the tobacco.

In either case I wish you luck.

 

[randpost]

Approximately how long, in terms of replacing habit and nicfit smoking, will a single cartolizer full of juice last? Will I make it through the day if I just take a couple of puffs every hour or so? Do I need to carry two extra carts with me to work?

couple of puffs every hour or so = 1 or two cartomizers all day. Depending on how long your day is. For me, I carry 1 cart on whatever battery I have and one cart in my pocket. I usually just use the first one, but sometimes I use 2.

I hear a lot of people talk about battery life and cart life in terms of hours, is this hours of actual inhaling (or having the manual button depressed) or is it in hours of vaping including standby time?

I believe people include standby time. I do when I talk about battery life.

My friend commented that he didn't purchase any of the tobacco flavored carts and he wishes he did because every once in a while he still craves something that tastes like a cigarette... Is this true for most people for a short time after they switch?

Yes, it is true. At least for me it is. Between my juices and my carts I have over 60 flavors to choose from. Sometimes I like to have a analog flavor, and I believe flavors like that helped me through the initial process of switching to ecigs.

When you purchase cartolizers initially you're asked for a strength; based on my reading I'm planning on starting with the 36 and working my way down over the course of a couple of month. Has anyone had real trouble doing this?

I have 36mg all the way to 8mg. I don't really notice a drop in nicotine between the various nic contents except for maybe flavor of the liquid. I found after quitting analogs that I was more addicted to the physical aspect of smoking more then the chemical aspect. I still use nicotine and haven't stopped, I really can't tell you why though. Maybe because I stock piled too much NICQUID. I don't think you will have much trouble cutting nicotine. As for cutting it to 0mg, I couldn't really say because we all have different body's and dependencies.

Finally, when you pick a cartolizer strength I had initially assumed that this was the nicotine concentration in the liquid inside the carto, but if that's true, how do the refill liquids work? Are they all the same strength, or is the nicotine rating for each carto based on something like filter density?

If a cartomizer has 36mg nic, that means 36mg per ml. Now if you want to stick with that nicotine content, then buy 36mg refill liquid. I don't look at the strength of refill liquid anymore, just the flavor. Sometimes I refill my 36mg carts with 8mg. I'm not very sensitive to nicotine at these low doses like some people are, so it doesn't really matter to me. Filter density doesn't play a part in the nicotine strength labeled on the cartomizer.

 

[keyzygirl]

2 xtra longs and 2 carts should get anyone through the whole day.Its less to carry than smokes and a lighter.

 

[JenJen]

Actually the PCC which would hold a charging battery and 2 cartos is about the same size as a pack of cigs. You would always have a battery charged and ready to go...

Or, you could get 2 extra longs. Those would certainly take you through your day. I smoked a pack plus a day for more then half my life and I haven't had a smoke in 2 months, so yeah, it works! I find the 18's are just right for me and don't care for the tobacco flavors (although if you like menthols, I would give those a try because they are closest to the true smoking experience from what I have heard) I prefer the coffee flavors and chocolate myself. Good luck and welcome!

 

[Teibidh]

Great responses, folks, thank you for filling in the blanks. I am interested in going this route, though I was really hoping for the convenience factor... this many people saying have a backup ready tells me that it's been necessary. I still don't see any alternatives, the only products on the market that 'claim' longer life also have miserable reviews and service reviews, so I won't even waste time. VK products, and support, have been raved about everywhere I've looked so I suppose the right thing to do is suck it up and adapt, as Rhaevyn suggested (though more gently.) And no, no offense was taken, I wanted blunt anyway.

Now to pick a kit, I don't think the Ult Ult is doable on my budget right now, I will probably have to start with the PCC kit and pick up the other accessories in a couple weeks... Gotta start somewhere though. Thanks again for all the feedback!

 

[Teibidh]

Okay, another question...

Economically I'm going to have to refill, that's just a given for me right now. Money is one of the reasons I need to make a change in the first place. How far does a 20ml bottle of Nobacco juice go in terms of refills? What is the filled capacity of a cartomizer, I guess is my question?

I also noticed that most people have a wide variety of flavors; do most of you find yourselves regularly using two or three and having the others for when you want something different or is that totally varied too?

 

[Panda04]

Okay, another question...

Economically I'm going to have to refill, that's just a given for me right now. Money is one of the reasons I need to make a change in the first place. How far does a 20ml bottle of Nobacco juice go in terms of refills? What is the filled capacity of a cartomizer, I guess is my question?

I also noticed that most people have a wide variety of flavors; do most of you find yourselves regularly using two or three and having the others for when you want something different or is that totally varied too?

Carts hold around 1 ml some a little less, some a little more, but around 1 ml. So a 20ml bottle is around 20 refills.

Andy

 

[raddiver]

Drop the cheap idea for now.
It will not be for the first month or so.
Maybe im not typical, but i suspect i am on par with the average e-cig user.
I have spent 500+ in the first month on e-cig equipment. Now mind you half that cost is off-set with analog cigarette money. But it's a process to find what works best for you.
I suspect you will not find the perfect e-cig for you on your first purchase.
But dont let that keep you from purchasing. You will feel much better once your off analogs.

-=RAD=-

 

[impostor71]

I also noticed that most people have a wide variety of flavors; do most of you find yourselves regularly using two or three and having the others for when you want something different or is that totally varied too?

For me, I use 3 flavors daily. Since I rotate thru them during the day, they all tend to go dry on the third day. Then, I swap in 3 new flavors. But out of the 30-odd flavors I've tried from various suppliers, I've found about a dozen that I liked. Those will be my keepers where I'll buy a bunch of cartos for and refill juices for.

If you're starting out, just buy the sampler refill bottles of various flavors and strengths. Then you can try out a bunch for the same amount that you'd spend on a 20-30mL bottle. Steve/Mark is pretty cool in that when you order a bunch of cartomizers from them, they'll *usually* throw in some refill juices with the same flavors. I really appreciate them for that!

 

[Brewster 59]

Props to Prop for a well rounded and concise answer.

I will throw in my 2 cents and observations.

I've been cig free for a month now. I never picked up another analog after opening my kit and getting familiar with it. But it has a LOT to do with mindset and attitude. If you are already stating up front that this system has to completely conform to you, then it is already defeated and you should pocket your credit card and keep smoking your assorted "lights."

This is so true, ecigs are effortless in fact at times they can be a straight up pain. They are worth the effort IMO if you go with 36 mg I would also get some 26 or lower as well. I was a two pack a day Pall Mall full flavor guy and 26 mg was tough for me at first.

 

[JLeigh]

Drop the cheap idea for now.
It will not be for the first month or so.
Maybe im not typical, but i suspect i am on par with the average e-cig user.
I have spent 500+ in the first month on e-cig equipment. Now mind you half that cost is off-set with analog cigarette money. But it's a process to find what works best for you.
I suspect you will not find the perfect e-cig for you on your first purchase.
But dont let that keep you from purchasing. You will feel much better once your off analogs.

-=RAD=-

For me, doing this as inexpensively as possible isn't a preference. It's mandatory. I would no more have $500 to spend on e-cig stuff in a month than I would have gold bricks buried in my back yard.

Doing a lot of refilling, being careful with my cartos, and Steve's generosity (extras with my orders, for which I am very grateful) have allowed me to use the VK relatively cheaply. I can't tell you how happy that makes me! lol.

 

[lilly1185]

For me, I wanted to make sure the VK was something I would want to keep using and not have to dump a bunch of money into if I didn't like it. I went with the PCC kit; pcc, battery and 5 of the same cart.

I'm wishing now I would have had the cash for the Ult Ult, but I can always re-accessorize later. I went back and got a pass thru and couldn't be happier. Eventually, additional batteries will come.

It's a great switch, and I wish you luck on your journey!

 

[scott58]

I've been using a VK (KR 808) since Aug 22 and i'm finding there really isn't any straight answer to the question as to how long a cart will last. Depends on the cart, if it's new or been refilled, how old it is, how much voltage goes through it. And if refilled, the type of juice.

For me using a new mboro 11mg cart with batteries. I'd say it's equal to 1/2 pack of the marlboro lights I use to smoke at almost 3 packs a day. If I use a pass-thru it's equal to about a 1/4 pack. This changes a bit as the cart gets older and I refill them. Using USA mix at 11 mg, 1 drop of juice is equal to about 1 cigarette with my pass-thru. I don't count hits or anything, but if my G/F is having a cigarette and I put a drop of juice in a cart we're done about the same time.

I figure I go through about 3ml of juice per day during the week and maybe 5ml on the weekends (I use a pass-thru about 95% of the time now). At about 50 cents an ml that's not bad considering I was paying $5.37 for a pack of marlboro lights.

Edit: probably the cheapest way to find out if your going to like vaping is to get a pass-thru and a pack of carts rather then batteries and charger and all that. If I knew then what I know now it would have saved me probably $125, but on the plus side there isn't anywhere i can't vap. Car, wall outlet, PC, batteries. You name it I'm ready and I did spend $500 in the first month, but you don't have to. If you locked me in a room for a year as long as it had power i'd still come out vaping.

 

[Taryn]

You do not have to order every type of piece of equipment out there to be able to use and enjoy the product. I started small and cheap and I'm sure many others have as well. I have saved money by using Vapor4Life from my first week. More importantly I have also saved my health.

My plan is to keep myself in cartos and juices, I refill of course and do everything I can to preserve the carto as long as possible. I would like to get to where I am ordering once a month to save on shipping costs also, yes it will be killer hard not to have all the new treats and bells and whistles. I'll buy extra batteries and necessary equipment one at a time.

The big kits are definitely more cost effective than purchasing the items one by one BUT depending on your life, do you really NEED to have a pcc AND a carry case? Or a usb AND a plug charger? I want them yes, but as unfashionable as it sounds, I have to be careful with my money so I will be just buying what I need to keep me off analogs.

I consider myself very lucky to have chosen the V4L crew to be my first ecig experience. I take that back, it was not luck! It was all your fantastic reviews and recommendations that brought me here.

PS. If I every win the lotto or come into an inheritance you can be sure I'll be buying every flavor and every toy!!!!

 

[JohnnyVapor]

Echoing some of the earlier statements, you will spend more in the first month or so, but after that you're in the gravy zone. I am stocked to the gills with cartos and juice. I know I could stick with my goods and not have to order again for 6 months or so, but I'll end up ordering even more. I have to try the new flavors, you know.