Vaping 2 weeks, just past 24 hrs completely smoke free, with a few questions

[Pamela Jean]

First I want to thank all the ecig vets out there for sharing the knowledge base. It has made things much easier for me and probably cheaper. I started with an Encore starter kit, which has been pretty good I think. My process has been to replace my normal cigs I use to have throughout the day and saving those psychologically entrenched cigs for later. Slowly I stopped smoking in the car and finally yesterday I got rid of the last three - after each meal. I love being able to smell again (use to be a pack a day 25+ yrs).

OK on to the Encore. So I'm into vapors two weeks and have no experience to say how good or bad the Encore is vs any other product. I do know for me the experience is variable. From what I have been reading I think I should be very happy that one battery and 1 and half cartomizers last me all day. On the other hand about half the time the cartomizers warm up and the drag, draw, whatever we call it is rather harsh. After reading some more I realize this could be because I am a bit sensitive to PG or coming from several other areas, ohms, volts, etc... Over all I have to say anything that helped me stop a 25 year old habit in the matter of two weeks is pretty incredible, and all dependent on a battery, of which I only have one.

Now, I am certain many know how the next few days unfolded between myself and the wonderful wizard of google. My preference, at this point, seems to be auto style. After a lot of reading and coming down to the Volt or the V4L diamond, I picked the V4L battery. A new person almost needs a a barely understandable matrix to make these kinds of choices. I'm curious to see if the V4L will charge on the Encore charger, I think it will, but we all know exactly how clear the companies want to make interchangeability of the parts known to their customers. I then realized that the WOW cartos were almost the perfect ohm to go with the V4L battery and I knew I wanted to try VG instead of PG. So I picked up a few WOW VG cartos. Waiting at home with baited breath for my UPS delivery.

That leads me into my next step and questions. I think my next obvious step is getting the right blank cartos and some good quality e liquid. I assume sticking with the WOW cartos for blanks is probably an ok choice - maybe not the best, but I suspect better than just manageable. It seems not many things in the vaping world are created equal and I also assume that goes for e liquids. Again I could probably go with the WOW VG liquid and it not be a bad choice, but I think the liquid is the place I want top quality. So after my informal essay my question is: what company makes the best VG liquid for the V4L battery and WOW carto combination? Also, same question for PG liquid and mix of PG/VG?

 

[tidegirl]

I can't answer your question about the juice, but I'm sure someone will be along soon that can. You are right though, filling your own will provide you a cheaper option with many more flavor choices and better flavor.

The V4L cartos are not a bad deal, but you may also want to branch out. Boge cartos are very highly recommended. I found them here in 808 connector: Boge 808D Cartomizers (Soft Tip) Black [BOGE808DCST] - $8.99 :

You may also want to try clearomizers. I love them, and will never go back to filler cartos. Gotvapes has 808 fluxomizers here: FLüXomizer™ KR808 Clearomizers : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more If you want to know more about them you can head over to the gotvapes forum once you have 5 posts. GotVapes

Welcome to ECF and to the wonderful world of vaping!

 

[tigerlily]

First of all, let me welcome you to ecf.

I am not familiar with the cartos you've mentioned. I can tell you that my experience has proven that filling your own cartos is not only cheaper, but also provides a better vaping experience. When I first started vaping I ordered some quality juice from a reputable dealer and threw in some prefilled cartos at the same time. Same juice, same company. I figured it would be a way to get a little extra juice for free since the prefilled cartos were the same price as the empty cartos. I was very wrong, lol. The prefilled cartos were horrible! When I used the same juice in an empty carto, it was terrific.

As to what liquid to use, that's a matter of personal preference. I hesitate to recommend any particular brand since there are too many variables involved. You will need to do a bit of experimentation to find what works well with you. I suggest you order several samples from a variety of places.

I also notice you are in San Antonio. There is a good vendor who happens to be located in your city. I haven't tried out their juices, but I've ordered other things from them. You might want to check them out. They may even let you sample some of their juices. Here is a link to their website: https://www.vaporescence.com/

 

[RayN]

You stated your preference for auto batteries. Have you tried a manual battery? I went with all auto batteries when I started. Once I tried a manual I found I preferred them. Also, manuals are sealed. This means that when you accidentally get some juice in the center tube or overfill a carto, you don't risk ruining the battery.
Just something to consider.

Another good juice vendor I would recommend is ECBlend.com. I don't have any experience with the V4L juices or carto's. I do love their batteries though and prefer them over some others I've used.

As for the charger. V4L recommends their slim wall charger for their batteries and so does Morandir835 (A very knowledgeable guy on the V4L forums). He's done alot of testing with their products and could give you the technical details as to why he prefers them.

Also, the harshness you're tasting could be the result of the filler in the carto drying as you vape. Most of us find that after vaping it for a little while, you top off the carto by adding more liquid. Vape a carto too long and it starts to burn the polyfill and gives off a terrible taste.

Hope this helps!

Ray

 

[nansc]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Smoker'schoice]

I have tried many different juice companies. I found that www.liquidexpress.com has #1 100% PG & 100% VG or a mix of both. #2 the flavor and juice produces amazing flavor #3 they have many different choices. I like Caramel Macchiato

 

[spacekitty]

Actually, the new Volt auto batts ARE sealed... and their cartos are very good as well. I started out with one auto and one manual (510's) in my first kit when there really was a difference... but they both have their places.

I like the Boge cartos, too, but it all comes down to a matter of preference. I have tried the V4L and was not impressed... the only thing to do is to try a few brands out for yourself. Here is a good price on some 808's that are this vendor's own label:
NEW Soft Tip GP808 Cartomizers for 808
They are a great supplier, and have good prices on their juice, as well as low shipping charges!!

Another brand is Kanger, and this place (also one of my fave vendors!!) has a good deal on those, too:
KR808D1- Blank Cartomizer
(Plus, use the coupon code xyz10 for 10% off your purchase for April)

I started out with VG because of the fact that I heard that some people have an allergic reaction to the PG, although I sometimes get juice that is a blend from Contests, and have found out that too much PG gives me a sore throat.
Plus I just LOVE the vapor that the VG produces...

There are a LOT of good juice vendors out there... my suggestion to you would be to keep your eye on this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/pay-forward-pif/85781-deals-steals-780.html to find out when there is a sale going on at one that you would like to try!!

Congrats... and keep up the good work!! We are always here to help...

 

[T-Mac]

Hello and welcome to ECF!!! avejuice is the only site of the 3 I listed that makes a 100% VG, the other 2 do 80/20 vg/pg at the least.

ECBlend E-Liquids - Something Better
VaporBomb.com
Alien Visions E-Juice

 

[spacekitty]

ANY juice you get, even if it says 100% VG, is going to have about 20% PG because the flavorings contain PG and they are usually referring to the base being 100% VG.... PG, as well as distilled water, is also used to thin the VG out sometimes, which tends to be very thick on it's own.

Unless they use all VG flavors and/or say 'PG-free'... such as:
myPVshop Electronic Cigarettes - The Joye510 Electronic Cigarette
(which I didn't really care for...)

Or this vendor, who uses all natural flavorings:
Organically Flavored E-liquid | Virgin Vapor | Electronic Cigarette Organic e-Liquid | Electronic Cigarettes

"Recognizing that many people have allergic reactions or experience irritation for propylene glycol, we offer you a choice. Our vegetable gylcerin based e-liquids are 100% propylene glycol free. Some companies sell vegetable glycerin based e-liquids, but use flavorings that contain propylene glycol. At Virgin Vapor it is important to us to bring you a truly propylene glycol free e-liquid. We also offer VG/PG mixes for customers who prefer a propylene glycol base."

I prefer to mix my own juices most of the time now so I know exactly what goes in it... LOL!!

 

[~Sue~Feb2012]

You stated your preference for auto batteries. Have you tried a manual battery? I went with all auto batteries when I started. Once I tried a manual I found I preferred .........

Also, the harshness you're tasting could be the result of the filler in the carto drying as you vape. Most of us find that after vaping it for a little while, you top off the carto by adding more liquid. Vape a carto too long and it starts to burn the polyfill and gives off a terrible taste.

Hope this helps!

Ray

Exactly! I'm a new vapor (about 2 months now) and (as I quoted partially from Ray above), I started with the automatics with cartomizers and now have ordered a manual 5 volt 510 passthrough for vaping at my pc (and an ego manual passthrough as an experiment). Both can be disconnected and carried with me while holding their charges so I vape on the run. I love the sealed batteries for the reasons stated (no leaking down into the battery) in case the cartomizer was overfilled as I sometimes do. The cartomizers are handy for carrying around prefilled and pop on to go take a smoke break at work. However, I'm going to figure a way to carry atomizers and cartridges without leaking, because they do give better flavor and throat hit than the cartomizers IMO. (All this to carry stuff in my pants pocket while I'm on the retail sales floor and quick run to the bathroom for my vape break LOL.) I've found some great VG flavors at juicyvapor.com and just ordered (not received yet) from EC blends. I've invested a small fortune in all this experimenting till I find my perfect vape, but I'm doing it for my health (giving up analogs). After smoking analogs for over 40 years at a pack to 2 packs a day, I developed a cough last year, but now my morning cough is almost completely gone and I haven't been spending tons of money on the Nat Sherman's I was buying which are way more $$ than other brands of cigs.
Good luck with your chocies!