*Caution, didn't realize it would be so long when I got started!! **
Sorry to hear that you're having so many problems and not finding a solution so far that works with you. There are plenty of people on the forums that can assist you, better than I can. For me, I've been smoke free for just about two months but was lucky enough to have someone point me in the right direction. Here's what I've discovered and it has helped me to be more focused with my purchases:
1. The e-liquid that you choose makes all the difference in the world. Unfortunately, you'll have to play with different ratio's of PG/VG and nicotine levels. I'm also finding that the effect is different for different juices and vendors. An 18mg nicotine level 70vg/30pg of one flavor will give more satisfaction (for me, first it's throat hit, second, flavor and lastly vapor production) than with a different flavor of the same ratio's.
2. Understanding how the wicking works, if you use a tank or clearomizer. 100% VG is thicker than 100% PG and as you mix, towards a higher PG mix, the liquid get's thinner, therefore easier for the wicks to deliver the juice to the atomizer or coil or heating element, whichever you prefer. 100% VG juices make it difficult for some to deliver the juice, especially if you chain vape, causing dry hits or no flavor and no throat hit but lots of vapor (definitely like smoking with a condom).
3. Understanding the resistance of the clearomizer or tank or cartridge vs. the voltage of the battery that you have. Different voltages against different ohms produce totally different experiences. Say (from experience) a 5.1 volt usb passthrough using a 2.4-2.6 ohm clearomizer (the one that holds the juice) is something I DID NOT like. Totally burned and had me hacking. Place said clearo on a 4.2 device, it starts to mellow out. Change to a 3.7 volt and bingo, there it is. Throat hit, flavor and vapor production. Juices are affected by this also, so it's not an easy task to find the "sweet spot"
Where I started and where I'm going based on experiencing this wonderful world of vaping which has freed me from the chains of analog smoking:
Started with the V2 starter kit ordered in December of 2011 (which is for sale, btw but I cannot post it in the sale section cause I don't have 300 friggin posts yet, thank you very much) and USB Powercig passthrough. The batteries from V2 are 4.2 volts and use an 808 connector. The USB passthrough is 5.1 volts. I started with what they provided in the kit (which, BTW, I only used like half of, so those are included if anyone is interested in purchasing, I know..shameful plug) as far as (and I'm assuming these are what are referred to as cartomizers, they have the polyfilling inside and you drip your juice in it). I started to experiment with different e-juices. Vendor I used was americaneliquidstore.com. They have weekly specials on 1/2 off of particular juices they overproduce. So I decided to give it a try. I tried the 100vg 18mg nic butter rum. It was nice (or so I thought as I was just starting to experience) and could taste the flavor, etc. Anyway, it was definitely enough to keep me off of analogs. I was also referred to
GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more (who is a supporting vendor to this site). When it comes to different types of clearomizers and tanks, this, for me, is my go to place. So I started playing:
I started with these:
GotVapes FLüXomizer™ CE2 CLEAR NoTint KR808 REG 1ml 2.4-2.6 ohm [gotvapes-clr808REG2.4-flux] - $8.95 : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more
and tried them. Watched a lot of youtube video's on how to use them, how to take apart, fluff the wick, etc. They were nice. I could see how much liquid I was using and the flavor, vape and hit were a serious step up from the carto's that came with the kit. Hmm, let's see how they work on the passthrough...yuck! Tasted nothing but burnt. Was not nice. Did more research and found and am understanding the voltage to ohms thing. Next, I ordered:
GotVapes FLuXomizer™ DeLuXe CLEAR NoTint 510 XL 1.8ml 2.8-3.0ohm [gotvapes-clr510XL2.8-ce2x] - $11.95 : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more
I also ordered a set of their vortex 2.0 (which is not on the site anymore).
also had to order an adapter as the 510 will not fit on an 808 threaded device. Figured these would work great for the 4.2 and 5.1 higher voltages that I was using. They worked well. But I was still searching.
Tried a couple different e-liquids from americaneliquidstore and it was hit and miss. I must say their customer service was outstanding and they worked with me to find the right juice.
Ended up getting a really good combination with the vortex 2.0 and the eliquid, my first "mixed" batch of blackberry champagne 80vg 20pg at 18mg nic. Really nice and clean liquid and what get's me is the throat hit and flavor. The equipement I'm using produces tons of vapor, even at 100%PG (champagne)!
Where I'm at today and where I'm going:
Gotvapes.com got this usb variable voltage passthrough:
GotVapes Cyclone eGo Vornado 3ml Bottom Coil Cartomizer VV KIT [gv-cyclonevornado-KIT] - $26.95 : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more
AND as a bonus it comes with two Vornado's so all you have to do is put your liquid in it and BAM. Some learnings here, though, it doesn't wick 100%VG very well but the 80VG 20PG bb champagne liquid I'm using, it wicks that awesomely! I am a very happy camper with the vornado. It took some trial and error but I now know that I cannot use my 100% VG juices in it. I need something that wicks with ease for those juices, and I'm okay with that. I'm even MORE okay with it because I now understand that some juices just cannot be used on some devices (not without some modifications and with the vornado's, the center cone can be a bit fragile). But let me tell you about this variable voltage passthrough. It was now my introduction to the lower voltage vaping and let me tell you that without this, I would have NEVER found my sweet spot, nor would I know which direction to go. It goes 3.3 click, click, click, click 3.7
blink blink blink blink blink click click click click 4.0
blink blink blink blink blink click click click click,
blink blink blink blink blink back to 3.3 volts.
My next purchase will be:
GotVapes VISION Grande VM 510 5ML Tankomizer - WHITE Frosted [gv-visionGRANDE5ML-White] - $9.95 : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more
They say it is a wicking MONSTER, so this is what I plan on trying with my 100%VG juices and I am very hopeful. I may even get:
GotVapes VISION Stone II 5ml Tank 2.1-2.3ohms - BLACK Drip Tip [gv-VISIONStoneII-5mlBLACK] - $11.95 : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more
because this one, you can easily take apart and clean and re-use, so for me, I think it's worth the price for something that will last a while.
Lastly, I plan on including a batch of stardusts:
GotVapes VISION eGo Stardust 1.4ml Top Coil Carto 2.5-2.7 ohm [gv-visionstardust-2.5] - $7.95 : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more
I already have the adapters, so using the stardust on my batteries will not be an issue, then it will be dialing in on the juice/flavors, nic levels and ratio's and I'm good. I must say, I've been eyeing the provari but cannot justify the cost, especially for the startup costs of the trial and error that I've done but someday. Maybe I will just get an Ego Mega VV battery so that I can vape on the go at the different settings. This variable voltage thing is definitely the way to go.
I must say that I've been VERY pleased with the customer service and support from gotvapes.com. They are really good also about posting video's of their products, along with what I would assume are avid followers of this site. I'm also pleased with the customer service that I've received from americaneliquidstore.com and v2cigs.com.
So, I've spent a few hundred bucks but now I am more focused on my purchases, which will leave less room for waste.
With regard to juices, there are many vendors on the board that sell samplers and that's what I would suggest. I know it's a pain in the .... to get just a little bit of juice just to try but I found myself saying to myself, DAM!!! I'm glad I didn't buy 30 ml of THAT flavor! I do like americaneliquidstore.com and they do provide a sampler pack where you can pick and choose your samples but I found that vaporbomb.com sells 5ml samples of their juices (not in a sample pack, you just pick and choose) with varying options for mixes of pg/vg and nic levels. Find a few and try. So what if you have to wait for it in mail, at least, when you hit a good one, you haven't spent tons of money finding it! Then order a larger portion of it. I hope this info helps and of course, you're welcome to ask questions and I'll do my best to answer.
