pre-vaper, VERY well informed thanks to ECF, ordered one last night.

[dragonfyre13]

I'm a new member here, "Hi all!", and wanted to make my obligatory intro thread.

First, I tried my first ecig about 6 months ago. HORRIBLE stuff. It was a "NicStick" they've got here at my tobacco shop in town, and the guy had a demo unit. Auto batt, best as I can tell it was a 401? 'Bout 100mm long, size of a camel wide. As I said, the taste was not good. Sickly sweet, hurt my head and chest even off one puff. Prior to this, I hadn't even heard of them. I didn't pay much attention after that to them, since I wrote them off as a "crazy person device" for people that couldn't smoke anymore. But I didn't have that issue, my analogs did me just fine.

Well every few months lately I've been getting the urge to quit. Problem is it only lasts about a day since my beautiful wife smokes also, and when I smell a good menthol it kills me not to smoke something. So that doesn't last long. Last time she was out of town, I quit for about a month, (her uncle died of cancer, and she took care of him during his last months) but started back up when she returned.

I got the urge to research more on ecigs about a week ago, and decided I was going to take the plunge after reading the health advantages. I've got bronchitis (again!) which I've had about once every few months for the last 2 years. My doc says my analogs don't help the situation, and I've been coughing, and coughing. I'm fed up, and looking for a change. I just finished deciding I need to pickup one of these nicsticks (they are $25) since I wasn't going to pay $100 for something I'm going to be miserable doing anyway. Then I ran across this site.

Well, this site was an eye opener. Best as I can figure, the juice was horrible in this stuff, since obviously those on this site don't have the same opinion I have! I read over most of the posts from the last 4 days in the newbie forum, as well as a handful of other forums, in addition to reading the stickies in the library, and following all of the links in the stickies in this forum. I also went out and did some research into the different types of pvs, as well as maintainance work to be done on them, the way juice is made, ingredients (not to hard) and how to mix your own.

I settled on an Ego after all my research. No, it's not the size of a cigarette, and it's not an auto, but based on my research that's not what I want. I want something that's going to last the day at work with minimal recharge. I want something I can drip without killing the atty, and won't have the inherent issues of an auto (I can control the flow with a manual). Also, I've read the throat hit, vapor produced, and overall experience is superior in the ego as compared to a 510, which was my other choice (I could deal with recharging constantly at work).

I ordered from freedomsmokeusa, based on three factors. First was the reviews they've got on this forum. Second, they had the ego for a pretty decent price (just under $70). Third, they had juice that got great reviews, and I'm all about the juice . So I ordered the starter pack (2 of everything, 5 cheap carts), and about $20 worth of juice. With the 10% discount, it came in a bit over $80. So all in all, if it works, I like it, etc. I'm ecstatic. I'm currently paying $3.50 per pack for analogs, so hopefully it will be cheaper. But in the end, it's about feeling better, coughing less, and actually being able to breath, as well as reducing risk of cancer.

Right now, everything I think I know is theoretical. So help me out if you see me straying down the wrong path, but quite honestly I'm about jumping out of my skin waiting for it to get here. I anticipate it will be at least halfway through next week, since labor day is here.

 

[hiram13pm]

You're going to love it, not just like it. Remember to blow out the atomizers before you start And the pre-filled carts usually come with a deKang juice... cheap, vapable, but just barely. The "Yugo" of juice.

Congrats, and welcome!

 

[Denrock316]

Sounds like you have made an excellent decision. I don't have an eGo myself but I hear ALOT of good stuff about it. I have a standard 510 so yes I change batteries every couple hours but it takes like 30 sec to take one off the charger and put one on. Also I have to say I really hope I like freedomsmokeusa's juices as much as everyone else seems too. I ordered 10 30ml bottles of various flavors this morning. (Wyat Earp, thin mint, orange, cherry cola, and some others)

 

[CaptJay]

Good choice - autos suck (and not in a good way) but the manual eGo is a great PV. There might be a small learning curve especially remember to not smoke it, but make slower longer shallower draws. And dont forget to blow out the atty when you get it or the taste will be a bit funky.
FYI I have had ONE (yes ONE) cold in the last 8 months where normally I would have had at least 5 (kids bring em home from school as presents lol) - also ZERO chest infections or sinus infections oh and no cough any more (possibly even better than the lack of colds is no coughing at night.morning).

 

[dragonfyre13]

You know, the main thing I'm having an issue with is an estimate of how much juice and time it takes.

so, I get that a couple drops (2-3) is equal to about an analog when dripping. However, how many times in (for example) a 5ml bottle can I do 2-3 drops? Not really sure how to estimate that.

Also, I have about 10 minutes every few hours at work to go out. It's easy to pop out with an analog when I need to (rarely get warning that I'm going to be able to make it out there, I work in IT, and it depends on who's popping by my office at a given time) and finish that off in about 5-10. But what kind of timeframe does it take to get a "quick vape" in? I plan on sitting down and enjoying it while I'm home, but at the place I work there's NO way I'll be able to vape inside. They do not allow any smoking on the premise, and even patrol the border of my building to see if anyone is smoking within eyesight of the building, and harrass them if they are. (No, it's not right, and it's fought by most everyone on a regular basis, but it happens)

 

[dragonfyre13]

Good choice - autos suck (and not in a good way) but the manual eGo is a great PV. There might be a small learning curve especially remember to not smoke it, but make slower longer shallower draws. And dont forget to blow out the atty when you get it or the taste will be a bit funky.
FYI I have had ONE (yes ONE) cold in the last 8 months where normally I would have had at least 5 (kids bring em home from school as presents lol) - also ZERO chest infections or sinus infections oh and no cough any more (possibly even better than the lack of colds is no coughing at night.morning).

Yeah, got kids myself,. Probably why every few months I've got bronchitis, my oldest is about 7 now, and brings something home from school at least a few times per year. I didn't used to get sick at ALL until I started analogs, so hopefully I'll go back to that using a PV.

 

[Nikhil]

I have to say, with the research you've done without even ordering anything, you're halfway to building your own e-cig and mixing your own e-liquid.

 

[Vini]

Welcome to ECF.
Ego is a great choice.
Happy vaping.

 

[dragonfyre13]

I have to say, with the research you've done without even ordering anything, you're halfway to building your own e-cig and mixing your own e-liquid.

You joke, but I seriously considered making one of the laser pointer mods in the mod forum...

- Sent from my EVO

 

[The Big Chief]

OP..just blow out an atty, load that cart and vape away..dont stress that 8 hour charge thing..its obsolete now. They come with a pretty good charge, at least mine did. 4pm one day until 1pm the next on a battery fresh out of the box...and I TRIED to kill it...speaking of which, time to change my sig...
Dragonfyre13..I'd be in the ol' pooper on the regular enjoying me a vape...actually only takes about 30 seconds to take a few draws, and if you use PG liquid, its gone in 10 seconds...Ive purposely tried to set off alarms, and used it in places where smoking is prohibited...so far so good.

 

[ImYourSalt]

Welcome! Glad to have you. the 510 was my first real PV (after a couple cheap $25 e-cigs from eBay). It served me well. I'm actually vaping a Mega 510 with a cartomizer now. I definitely recommend cartomizers. I got very fed up with atomizers and cartridges. You mentioned dripping, so that may not be a problem, for you. They also have drip tips for the eGo atomizers (Heaven-Gifts). I recon those require you to drip less often. But for me, the least amount of dripping is optimal, so its cartomizers FTW! they're many good brands and vendors. I really enjoy the 510 cartomizers from Trueman ecig. They are also available at VaporsEtc (if they are in stock). then there are the eGo cartomizers. Which will essentially replace the atomizer, cone, and cartridge, making the ego a 2-peice PV. and they hold double the liquid a 510 carto holds.

... food for thought

I also recommend trying 555 e-liquid. Not sure if freedomsmokes sells it, but it is available from most vendors. It is rumored to be a nutty/complex tobacco flavor. all i can tell you is it is very enjoyable, and many of us here would agree with me. but as with anything, it is just a matter of finding what works for you. and hey, that's half the fun!

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

You know, the main thing I'm having an issue with is an estimate of how much juice and time it takes.

so, I get that a couple drops (2-3) is equal to about an analog when dripping. However, how many times in (for example) a 5ml bottle can I do 2-3 drops? Not really sure how to estimate that.

Bear in mind that estimates of that sort (2-3 drops = 1 cigarette) are general guidelines only. There's too many variables involved--the PV you're using, its voltage output, standard atty vs. LR atty, length & breadth of your draws, etc.--to place much dependence on them. What I will say is that based on "...10 minutes every few hours," 5ml will last several days, at least.

They do not allow any smoking on the premise, and even patrol the border of my building to see if anyone is smoking within eyesight of the building

You might ask one of these PC storm troopers exactly how it is that smoking is defined. It's bound to involve tobacco and incineration thereof as basic components.

 

[dragonfyre13]

You might ask one of these PC storm troopers exactly how it is that smoking is defined. It's bound to involve tobacco and incineration thereof as basic components.

The problem they've got is that it's handed down from those on high (I work at the world headquarters for a fortune 1000 company) that smoking is not allowed on the property because it's not professional. They don't want clients going in and out seeing it. They also say that it's an insurance requirement that there's no smoking on the property, which means that any of the guards on property are going to say "insurance company says no smoking, that looks like smoking, and you'll have to get it cleared with them." Now, I'm all for vaping, but trying to justify it with the insurance company...

However, I do have an advantage in that the Ego doesn't look like a cigarette from what I've seen. That means I'll likely try to vape on property, though definitely still outside.

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

Welcome! I definitely recommend cartomizers...You mentioned dripping, so that may not be a problem, for you.

An interesting bit of trivia is the fact that cartomizers are the only commonly used vaping accessory that wasn't invented in China. While perfecting a select line of explode-in-the-hands-of-children skyrockets (to be marketed and sold under his Red Devil trade name), Satan stumbled onto the idea of stuffing genuine liquid flame, tastelessness and pure evil into paper cylinders. Attaching an atomizer specially modified to his own carefully guarded lip-searing specifications, the Desolate One then smuggled the fiendish result past US Customs and into the hands of American-born Satanists, who distributed the devices online alongside their FREE TRIAL! scams, with the aim of sabotaging the fledgling domestic e-cigarette trade. Suddenly without a viable option, vapers would be forced back into the embrace of his analogs. Or so his twisted plan went...

Look into ImYourSalt's eyes...oh, wait, can't see his eyes. Do you think it's mere happenstance that he's wearing sunglasses? I think not. Consider his pseudonym for a moment; do you recall the words "...salt of the Earth" from Sunday School? And now Satan claims to be your salt, and he offers gifts? Cartomizers? Get behind me, cartomizers...

Dripping is the way to go.

 

[CaptJay]

vape in the bathroom, inside the privacy of a stall, and keep the vapor in as long as pos or blow it down your shirt. As long as no-one sees what seems like smoke they will never catch on - it doesnt smell like smoke and outside sounds a bit risky with your prison guards n all. I vaped this way on an airplane and no-one noticed.
Be discreet and dont let anyone see your PV even in your desk and how will they tell?

 

[hiram13pm]

What CaptJay said. With a little practice, you'll be able to stealth vape right in front of someone, and they'll have no idea what's going on. I support register systems for grocery stores, and I'm in the field a lot. I've vaped with people in line, not 5 feet from me... no one had a clue.

Short puff, inhale... hold... inhale a little more... wait... and you exhale NOTHING. Use PG for this, VG tends to "hang" a little longer, IMHO. And don't use tobacco flavors... try something that will smell like gum or a mint or something like that. If they don't SEE it, and don't SMELL it, it DIDN'T HAPPEN

 

[Denrock316]

What CaptJay said. With a little practice, you'll be able to stealth vape right in front of someone, and they'll have no idea what's going on. I support register systems for grocery stores, and I'm in the field a lot. I've vaped with people in line, not 5 feet from me... no one had a clue.

Short puff, inhale... hold... inhale a little more... wait... and you exhale NOTHING. Use PG for this, VG tends to "hang" a little longer, IMHO. And don't use tobacco flavors... try something that will smell like gum or a mint or something like that. If they don't SEE it, and don't SMELL it, it DIDN'T HAPPEN

Yup I vape in my college classes, on the city bus, and in bathrooms and elevators everywhere and nobody has noticed yet.

edit- oops I left out that I have even vaped in church with nobody the wiser.

 

[ImYourSalt]

That is privileged information PI... You shall be sent for.

An interesting bit of trivia is the fact that cartomizers are the only commonly used vaping accessory that wasn't invented in China. While perfecting a select line of explode-in-the-hands-of-children skyrockets (to be marketed and sold under his Red Devil trade name), Satan stumbled onto the idea of stuffing genuine liquid flame, tastelessness and pure evil into paper cylinders. Attaching an atomizer specially modified to his own carefully guarded lip-searing specifications, the Desolate One then smuggled the fiendish result past US Customs and into the hands of American-born Satanists, who distributed the devices online alongside their FREE TRIAL! scams, with the aim of sabotaging the fledgling domestic e-cigarette trade. Suddenly without a viable option, vapers would be forced back into the embrace of his analogs. Or so his twisted plan went...

Look into ImYourSalt's eyes...oh, wait, can't see his eyes. Do you think it's mere happenstance that he's wearing sunglasses? I think not. Consider his pseudonym for a moment; do you recall the words "...salt of the Earth" from Sunday School? And now Satan claims to be your salt, and he offers gifts? Cartomizers? Get behind me, cartomizers...

Dripping is the way to go.

 

[Springbird]

I have short smoke breaks at work also. I like to use mega cartomizers on my Ego at work. I am going to take a bunch of hard, fast draws on it because I have to go back in soon. The atty/cart combo does not keep up with me and I get mostly burnt atty taste. The mega cartomizer does keep up. Also the mega part means that I don't have to reload it. It holds about 2mL of juice. You'll figure out what works for your situation.

 

[lisabsn]

I agree, you are going to love the freedom. No hiding out, no smelly clothes or hair. I go all day without analog but just knowing I can pop into bathroom for a hit or 2 is liberating. I'm also feeling better and have more energy. By the way I'm making the switch during menopause and no one has been injured yet.