Tips from a new vaper for other new vapers

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blinny1983

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Hey guys, been lurking around here for a month or so. And I must say that without this forum, I would have never had the success with vaping that I have. So first and foremost, thank you to all the posters who have made this such an enjoyable experience!

OK, this is my PV upgrade path. (Similar to many that I've read on here)

First I bought the Blu on a whim. It was attractively packaged and slickly marketed. But the prefilled cart taste, battery life, and vapor production were definitely sub par, even in comparison to an analog. BUT, the Blu did show me the promise of the e-cig.

Then a friend of mine told me about the JOYE 510. He sells them, (orders bulk from China) HUGE DIFFERENCE. Without this device, I may have dismissed the entire vaping thing as a scam. The Dekang that came with the kit was OK, and if I hadn't discovered this forum, I would have continued happily vaping it everyday. One thing I didn't care for was the weak battery life of the 510 battery. I got a PCC and a pass thru, still not quite good enough for mobility.

I am currently using the EastMall Riva batteries and I think I've found my perfect solution. I routinely go all day with just my two batteries and still have power on the last one when I get home.

For all those brand new to vaping, or thinking of getting into it, these are my suggestions:

1. Skip the normal upgrade path and go straight for a Riva. Get over the fact that it doesn't look like an analog. Trust me, that desire will go away almost immediately. The battery life will alleviate one of your biggest frustrations right off the bat. Plus the cone makes leakage pretty much a non issue in my experience. And at only $50, it's a steal.

2. Alternate analogs and vaping when first starting. I think this takes the pressure out of quitting. Believe me when I tell you that you will VERY quickly come to PREFER the Vape to the Smoke. It took me 2 days.

3. If you're looking for a TRUE menthol flavor, I suggest Alien Visions menthol drops. Just a few drops will give any juice that strong authentic menthol hit. (Too strong sometimes, a little goes a LONG way)

Hope these tips help you guys.

Anyways, happy vaping!

2.



As far as juices, I'm a fan of Tasty Vapor and Alien Visions.
 

Automaton

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Hey man, don't knock the mini's.

I'm almost 2 months in, still using a standard Kr8 (with both cartos and 901 atties) with no desire to "upgrade."

I like to smoke when I write. Something I can hold between my fingers as I type (as I'm doing right now) is really something I want. The Kr8 is about the biggest PV you can do that with.

The battery life is 5 or 6 hours, which is just fine, and with a PCC that will charge 4 to 5 batts on a charge, more than fine.

I've tried an eGo. It was nice. Couldn't hold it while I write, though. I also don't happen to like 510's as much as my Kr8 cartos. I actually don't like atties in general as much as cartos. And 3.2v is too low for me.

I've tried LR's, which is a close approximation to 5v. Didn't care for that, either. It has its uses, and I keep it around for days when, for whatever reason, nothing else is doing it for me. But it doesn't get used much.

I don't like higher voltages, and I don't feel lacking for power or battery life. 3.7v is good for me. 5-6 hours is just dandy. No need to upgrade.

I also quit the first day, without really trying. I agree with the premise of what you said - don't pressure yourself into quitting RIGHT AWAY. But a lot of people do quit right away, without pressuring themselves. And that's awesome.

Also, taste is subjective. I love juices some people hate, and hate juices some people love. I know someone who's favorite tobacco, which he says tastes almost like the real thing to him, tastes like burnt atty to me (and yes, I'm quite sure it WASN'T burnt atty).

I think everyone has to navigate their own path with this, based on their wants and need, and subjective tastes.
 
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Stlphilo

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I also started with a Blu type e cig and really liked it for a few days till my friend loaned me a flashlight mod and I vaped at 7 volts all I can say is wow what a difference. So I'm now anxiously waiting for the day to end so I can go to Vapefest tonight and buy my own mod.

Sent from my HERO200 using Tapatalk
 

Automaton

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Must completely agree with the original post -- go straight for Riva or eGo -- no leaks because of the cone, long battery life -- it was my first e-cig, and I didn't have any of the frustration which so many people seem to have when they first start!

But what about those of us who didn't like the eGo/Riva (I've tried an eGo)?

Well, let me rephrase that. I liked the eGo. It's a good PV. But it's not for me.

I need something I can hold while I type. The eGo is too big for that.

I don't like 510's. The eGo is 510.

I don't like atties in general.

But even you use a 510 carto, 3.2v is TOO LOW for me. It tastes cold.

I don't have any problem with the 5-6 hour batt life on my Kr8. I don't need more.

So, as you can see, something like the eGo or Riva is completely wrong for me. It doesn't fit any of my needs - it doesn't fit my lifestyle, it uses equipment at voltages that I don't enjoy, and I don't need extra batt life.

How can you recommend something as a general blanket statement when people are all individual? That's like saying that because you like apple pie, everyone in the world must only eat apple pie for dessert.

No doubt the eGo and Riva are quality PV's, but they are not for me. Nor are they for lots of vapers.

A carto at 3.7v in a small form factor with decent batt life is perfect for me. Just perfect.

Why would I "upgrade?"
 

DeannaG

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Jul 22, 2010
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I started with a Blu as well...before I found this forum. I just couldn't handle the inconsistent vapor production and short battery life. I ended up with an eGo too, and I love it.

I'm picking up an M601/602 kit from the post office today...I ordered it over a month ago. I'm not sure I'll even try to use it, since I love the eGo so much. I guess I'll figure that out when I open the box.
 

Ridvan

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Aug 18, 2010
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I've been vaping for almost a week now. I'm just using a stock 510 with an addy and it's working great for me. I'm sure when I come up to speed on all this I'll try some others but for now I'm a happy camper.

I didn't pressure myself to give up analogs but it only took 3 days till I dropped them after smoking more than 30 years. Vaping is so much better!
 

Andant

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Jul 25, 2010
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How can you recommend something as a general blanket statement when people are all individual? That's like saying that because you like apple pie, everyone in the world must only eat apple pie for dessert.

Hi MistressNomad,

I'm sorry, I didn't really plan to make a big blanket statement -- just wanted to say what worked for me. Sorry if I didn't express myself well enough! To pick up on your analogy, I was recommending an apple pie to somebody who has never had any desert in their life and would ask me which desert I like the most :)

Of course, there are many different models, and I must admit, I didn't try most of them!
 

Automaton

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Hi MistressNomad,

I'm sorry, I didn't really plan to make a big blanket statement -- just wanted to say what worked for me. Sorry if I didn't express myself well enough! To pick up on your analogy, I was recommending an apple pie to somebody who has never had any desert in their life and would ask me which desert I like the most :)

Of course, there are many different models, and I must admit, I didn't try most of them!

It works for lots of people, which is awesome.

If someone digs the 510 and wants better batt life, then yeah, the eGo/Riva is a no-brainer.

I'm just making a point that there really is no definitive guide to e-cigs. The best thing a newbie can do it tell us what they like about the smoking experience, and what kind of effort they want to put into a PV. Because based on that, it's easier to tell them what model best suits their needs, both in its personality and its functionality.

That's what I did in my very first post, and I got steered towards the Kr8, which is still my favorite PV, having also tried an M401 (EVO), L88B (Blu), 510, eGo Mega, and 901 (regular and LR).

510's are good, eGo/Rivas/etc are good, Kr8's are good, 901's are good, M401's are good, plenty of mods are good... none of these are a question of quality. It's a question of a person's needs.
 

blinny1983

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Completely agree with your last post, Mistress. Whatever works for ya is great. Wasn't trying to knock the minis. I actually still use the Blu batteries in a pinch. ;) In fact, my main problem with it was the prefilled carts. Just couldn't find one that i liked. And more than that, the consistency was well, inconsistent. :)

I can see the size of the ego/rival being a Tad obnoxious for some too. But for me, it's perfect.

I was just letting the other new folks know what's worked for me. But as always, to each his own.

Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk
 
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