Thoughts, and some questions

[tresrottn]

I am new to this whole movement. I have zero desire to quit nicotine, but now, smoking is becoming a chore. I am not liking the feeling I get after that initial nicotine rush, but I love to smoke.
Some pals of mine at the place I used to work at got into the E-Cigs, and I have been doing light research till the new place I work at allowed us to smoke the e-ciggies on the floor. I have been doing some insane researching, I am amazed at how much there is to learn, but I am so intrigued by the plethora of flavors being created out there (velvet vapors, decadent vapors/totally wicked, perfumers apprentice, V4L) and the world of possibility of mixing my own is just too enticing. I mean, get my nicotine fix *and* it tastes good too??? whoa.

My questions are these.
1. I am not an inhaler. Never have been. I will usually take a draw, and it doesn't get to my throat before I am letting it out. I do it for the menthol-y taste I get from my brand. Will this make a difference in the way or the time it takes for the nicotine to get into my system? It's kinda scary, watching the youtube vids, and the sustained sucking, the eyes closing (or popping open), and red faces after a 5+ second draw. I admit, I want to do this for taste not for the what looks like a "drug induced euphoria". I don't care about how huge the cloud of vapor coming out is (I liken that to literally "blowing" your money away) I care about the delivery and the taste.

2. I smoke Virginia Slims SuperSlims menthol. These little powerhouses pack more menthol than any other ciggie in the US. I have had die hard newport smokers (big guys) have to sit down after foolishly taking a huge draw off these tiny things. I like my menthol flavor. I am not digging the idea of sweet menthol, but a clean menthol. Recommendations? I know I want to get the menthol drops for added taste to other things, but I want something easy to work with at first.

3. I have narrowed down to a couple of models. With the KR808, is there a particular manufacturer that makes a better one? I notice there is a lot of experienced people who say the Joye 510 is the best 510 and be careful of knock offs. Same rule with the Kr8? I am looking at that $25 Kr808-dKanger kit (vapor junction), but if there is a better functioning device, I want it.

4. Is the Janty Mini Fogger known by another name? It's the only one so far that mimics the tiny size of my thin ciggies.

5. I am really, really, grateful I found this forum. Thanks to whoever put it together, and thanks for making this hobby (cause I can see where I am heading with this) more accessible and easier to get into and not be taken advantage of. I am looking forward to more reading (my eyes are still thinking about it)

 

[shellknob]

It's kinda scary, watching the youtube vids, and the sustained sucking, the eyes closing (or popping open), and red faces after a 5+ second draw.

An accurate description of some of these videos. I don't think I am getting the full effect.... but I love vaping anyway!

 

[Automaton]

Hey, wecome to ECF!

1. As I understand it, much of the nicotine in e-cigs is absorbed in the mouth and throat.

2. Sorry, can't tell you about this one. The only menthol I've tried tasted like Wrigley's gum (it was a pre-filled cartomizer, so probably some kind of Dekang juice).

3. I have a Kr808D-1 and love it. Kanger is the original manufacturer. But there are companies that take the base model and alter it. Two that have a great reputations are Vapor4Life and LeCig. VApor4Life sells it as "Vapor King" and lets you go longer before the cut-off and offers high-capacity cartomizers. I think there's something else two, but it's slipped my mind. Someone will know I'm sure. LeCig sells it as the D1, and I'm unsure what the alterations are.

4. Tiny e-cigs tend to have less power and performance. Some are ok, but they're more fiddly. It's a trade-off between form factor and function.

5. Me too! Love it here.

 

[TWolf]

Welcome to the forum! To answer a few of your questions...

Inhaling: You'll need to take slow, long draws in order to produce vapor. Keep in mind it's a different process then burning a cig. But you don't have to inhale either for the nicotine to be absorbed into your system.

Menthol: I haven't really tried any of the menthol flavors, but Tasty Vapor, Ms. T's and DIY Flavorshack are all quality suppliers that I'd recommend. I've heard good things about TV's menthol. Someone will give other opinions soon I'm sure.

Mini-Fogger: Believe it's of the 400 series (401 maybe?) Keep in mind that the smaller the battery the less battery life you'll have. You'll need extra batteries or a PCC.

 

[mick11]

Hello tresrottn and welcome to the forum from another Texan!

...My questions are these.
1. I am not an inhaler. Never have been. I will usually take a draw, and it doesn't get to my throat before I am letting it out. I do it for the menthol-y taste I get from my brand. Will this make a difference in the way or the time it takes for the nicotine to get into my system?

If anything, this should work in your favor with an ecig. You have apparently already been getting a fair portion of your nicotine through absorption through your mouth and not your lungs....much like vaping.

2. I smoke Virginia Slims SuperSlims menthol. ...I am not digging the idea of sweet menthol, but a clean menthol. Recommendations?

Sorry not a menthol smoker or vaper....suffice to say there are many many options out there for menthol lovers, as with most things ecig, you will probably have to try a variety to find what you really love. With that said, I'm sure many will gladly point you in the direction of their favorites.

3. I have narrowed down to a couple of models. With the KR808, is there a particular manufacturer that makes a better one? I notice there is a lot of experienced people who say the Joye 510 is the best 510 and be careful of knock offs. Same rule with the Kr8? I am looking at that $25 Kr808-dKanger kit (vapor junction), but if there is a better functioning device, I want it.

Kanger is the original 808. The one you are considering sounds like a very good choice, and although I haven't used that supplier myself, I have read mostly good and nothing terrible about them. Remember that all parts of any ecig are going to be replaced in time anyway. Don't stress over the first one being perfect, just get yourself started....many things you will desire will only become clear after you have actually tried something.

4. Is the Janty Mini Fogger known by another name? It's the only one so far that mimics the tiny size of my thin ciggies.

You'll just have to choose to trust me or not on this one.....the smaller the ecig, the worse the performance. Go with the 808 to start with....if you are still vaping in 6 weeks, then consider whether you really want something smaller and more "cig-like" knowing that it won't perform as well....my bet is you will pass on the trade-off.

5. I am really, really, grateful I found this forum. Thanks to whoever put it together, and thanks for making this hobby (cause I can see where I am heading with this) more accessible and easier to get into and not be taken advantage of. I am looking forward to more reading (my eyes are still thinking about it)

Oh yes, hobby is putting it mildly.....welcome to your new obsession! But there are some really amazing people here in the same boat, and for the most part we make pretty good company.

Best of luck to ya........and never hesitate to ask away, someone here has been in your shoes and has the answer you need.

 

[jj2]

Many expel the vapor through the nose---it's said that nicotine is better absorbed that way.
Not sure of it's accuracy since I inhale and exhale with the lungs and I no longer use nicotine.
I too was a menthol lover but not any longer, you'll be surprised that your taste will change once you get your taster back.
Anyway, good luck, and welcome.

 

[quasimod]

Yep, you're in the right place. Most of the nicotine (from what I've read) is absorbed in the mouth, anyway. Those guys on the vids are probably doing a "direct inhale", because throat-hit and/or big clouds of vapor are very important to a lot of people. Learning to do it is the difference between success and failure for some. One less thing for you to learn, apparently.

There are so many menthol flavors, I'm sure you can find or make whatever you like. You'll probably find more than one. I was also a menthol smoker (3 packs of Kool Filter Kings per day). I vaped only menthol at first, then started putting a little vanilla in it (I know that sounds weird, but it's pretty good).

There are plenty of great suppliers around here, and V4L is one of the best. They sell all the KR8 stuff you can stand. There are new cartomizer designs out, but I don't know anything about them. Don't go overboard, until you make sure you like that type best. You may find you prefer a 510 or something else, who knows? There is as much variance of opinion on what model "performs" the best as there is on what flavor tastes the best, or what is the best color.

Take a look at the social groups, there is a Texas group that almost certainly has members from Austin. There is also a V4L sub-forum, where you can get good advice for finding the right flavor.

Good luck!

Off Topic:
Hey shellknob, another Joplin vaper! Check out the "Show Me Vapers" social group. You just missed the monthly meet-up in Springfield (apparently so did everyone else, due to the weather). I usually miss it because I'm never in town.

EDIT: Wow, I should have hit the "Save" button before getting that snack! A page full of posts since I started writing this one.

 

[LedGecko]

It looks like most of your other questions have been answered, so as for #5 ... ECF was founded by SmokeyJoe. You can thank him HERE.

 

[tresrottn]

Awesome, and thanks for the great welcome! I really dig the overwhelming support you folks give people

The more I think about it, the better I feel about the decision. No more polluting my lungs, no more nasty guilt feelings about all those chemicals...what better reason, right?

I did think of one other thing last night at work, what about battery disposal? I am real active with recycling and then environment, (another reason to get rid of ciggies, no more littering!) and in some areas of the country, you can't throw batteries in the regular trash, but you can take them to recycling places to be disposed of properly. Are E-Cig batteries the same kind as needing special disposal?

Thanks again!

 

[markfm]

They're lithium ion rechargeables, like a little version of the batteries in modern laptop PCs.

 

[Michelle M]

Welcome. I agree you couldn't go wrong with a KR808. V4L does have some tasty flavors. Try their WOW peppermint. Get both an auto battery and a manual till you see which one you prefer.

The mini fogger is another name for the 306. It's a very small ecig but has an exposed atomizer, thus making it ideal for "dripping" - the practice of putting drops of eliquid directly on the atomizer (rather than using a cartridge or stuffing). Taste is exceptionally clean and pure but it doesn't last long till you need to do it again. Not always optimal. You can read more about it in the model-specific forums, here: Joye 306 - E-Cigarette Forum

Good luck - you're doing yourself a big favor switching to e-cigs!

 

[Hoosier]

Looks like your hardware choice is good.

I'm not going to recommend any one menthol, but suggest you get into mixing after you've sampled some different juices.

The reason I really hate to recommend any one juice is that taste is horribly subjective. I had a tough time finding a satisfying flavor because I kept trying the same types of flavors. Discovered what I thought I would like was bad. What I thought I would hate was good.

My advice has always been to try as wide a selection of flavors and strengths as your budget will allow. The first time you vape is eye-opening. When you find a juice that is right for you it is mind boggling.

It really is about the juice man. The juice.

 

[quasimod]

[...] Discovered what I thought I would like was bad. What I thought I would hate was good. [...]

You talking about juice, or my first wife?!

Seriously, this is absolutely true, and very common. I was a menthol smoker, and although menthol was very important to me at first, I don't really like it at all now. The opposite is also very common: people who hate menthol cigarettes find they like to vape it occasionally. I was certain that I would like fruit flavors, but I can't stand 'em; they all taste like perfume to me. I thought I would hate the tobacco and candy flavors. Wrong again.

My point is, try not to order the same flavor over-and-over again from different vendors in your search for your favorites, just because you think you will like it. I've given away 3 or 4 bottles of Cinnamon Roll. How could I not like Cinnamon Roll? Better yet, how can I dislike it, but love Atomic Cinnacide?!

 

[The Fool]

Hi tres, Welcome. I think you are one of the lucky people who live in a state (Texas) that has a walk-in store. This might allow you to sample several flavor and combinations. I forget where the store is located exactly, maybe someone else here can help you.

Best of luck, post often.

 

[LowThudd]

Welcome, I have not tried the K88, so can not comment. I do have some experience w/ super-minis and it is not favorable. My first was an ehaleo2 bought at 7-11. battery life is dismal, and it takes longer to recharge than it does to use. Much less vapor and enjoyment than my 510 as well. You could try a disposable 510 made by bogefor $10 here Disposable 510 Kit. I have heard of people getting as many as 30 charges out of the battery, plus you can always later change to a Joye mega or ego batt at another time.

 

[LowThudd]

Oh, and also, your local DWP should be able to take the old batts of your hand and despose of them properly. They do here anyway.

 

[quasimod]

................huh? Oh, sorry. I was distracted by your avatar. Did you say something?

 

[mick11]

Hi tres, Welcome. I think you are one of the lucky people who live in a state (Texas) that has a walk-in store. This might allow you to sample several flavor and combinations. I forget where the store is located exactly, maybe someone else here can help you.

Best of luck, post often.

If you are interested Tres, the store is in Denton and called Vaporescence.....they also have a website. Owner, Greg, is a fantastic guy and his prices are very reasonable. He will gladly let you try out a variety of things before you buy. I recommend (and should have in the beginning).

 

[LedGecko]

................huh? Oh, sorry. I was distracted by your avatar. Did you say something?

No kidding! That wood grain has wonderful texture, doesn't it?!

 

[LowThudd]

No kidding! That wood grain has wonderful texture, doesn't it?!

What do you mean by "wood" exactly? lol