Very discouraged with e-smoking...

[xxJRockxx]

I was just reading the "How long did it take before you gave up analogs..." thread and I'm completely bummed out. I did a lot of research on this forum before finally ordering my first e-cig about 3 weeks ago. Watched the noob videos, read many threads, etc. Ordered a 901 from one of the major suppliers and got it in 2 days. I felt like like I was 9 years old on Christmas when I opened the package. First few drags were decent then I started having major problems with the device. My supplier provided 2 full e-cigarettes in the package and I had issues with both from day one leaving me thinking I was doing something wrong.
One of the units would think it was vaping when it wasn't. Light would turn on like a damn ghost was smoking it while sitting on the coffee table. This would cause the atomizer to get super hot and then it would just die because the battery was drained. This was obviously some type of sensor issue. The other unit would also work for maybe 5-7 drags then it would flash and die. This was not due to the 5-sec kill switch because it would not work after waiting and I timed my draw multiple times.
Supplier was more than willing to take them back. Not wanting to wait I agreed to pay for another unit and have the new one shipped immediately and get refunded when they receive the old one back. The customer service was great. Got my second set of 901's just a few days later....platinum this time instead of blue. Same inconsistency....you may get good vapor on drag or two and then it tapers off and you get no throat hit and very little vapor. Carts are topped off....I have cleaned the atomizer. I even tried adding a drip or two of VG when topping off. But I keep getting the damn flashing lights and then it just seems to putter out after 10-15 minutes.....of which only the first 2 minutes produced good vapor. One of the second set now stays lit for about 3 seconds after you stop sucking which seems like another sensor problem.
Needless to say I'm still smoking analogs.
After all this I decided to order from a different supplier....this time I decided to try to one of the largest Chinese suppliers. Ordered a week ago and still no confirmation my order has been shipped. And I made a huge order to accomodate family and friends so they are all wondering when their e-cigs will at least be shipped....

 

[cosican]

I was just reading the "How long did it take before you gave up analogs..." thread and I'm completely bummed out. I did a lot of research on this forum before finally ordering my first e-cig about 3 weeks ago. Watched the noob videos, read many threads, etc. Ordered a 901 from one of the major suppliers and got it in 2 days. I felt like like I was 9 years old on Christmas when I opened the package. First few drags were decent then I started having major problems with the device. My supplier provided 2 full e-cigarettes in the package and I had issues with both from day one leaving me thinking I was doing something wrong.
One of the units would think it was vaping when it wasn't. Light would turn on like a damn ghost was smoking it while sitting on the coffee table. This would cause the atomizer to get super hot and then it would just die because the battery was drained. This was obviously some type of sensor issue. The other unit would also work for maybe 5-7 drags then it would flash and die. This was not due to the 5-sec kill switch because it would not work after waiting and I timed my draw multiple times.
Supplier was more than willing to take them back. Not wanting to wait I agreed to pay for another unit and have the new one shipped immediately and get refunded when they receive the old one back. The customer service was great. Got my second set of 901's just a few days later....platinum this time instead of blue. Same inconsistency....you may get good vapor on drag or two and then it tapers off and you get no throat hit and very little vapor. Carts are topped off....I have cleaned the atomizer. I even tried adding a drip or two of VG when topping off. But I keep getting the damn flashing lights and then it just seems to putter out after 10-15 minutes.....of which only the first 2 minutes produced good vapor. One of the second set now stays lit for about 3 seconds after you stop sucking which seems like another sensor problem.
Needless to say I'm still smoking analogs.
After all this I decided to order from a different supplier....this time I decided to try to one of the largest Chinese suppliers. Ordered a week ago and still no confirmation my order has been shipped. And I made a huge order to accomodate family and friends so they are all wondering when their e-cigs will at least be shipped....

Hello, Let me be one of the first to share in your disappointment
It does sound as if the suppliers are being terrific to work with, so that is great
I, too had some start up issues, with the SE, it, was for me , total garbage. However, there are several members that have had good luck w/ theirs (SE)
I am not a therapist, nor any type of doctor, but I would suggest, that you do everything possible, NOT TO GIVE UP ON THE ECIG OR US, FOR THAT MATTER
It has literally saved my life..... I smoked 3/4 packs a day and I stopped totally, when I picked up my ecig, that was over 6 months back

I love it, as most of these members do and I no longer have any desire to go to analogs, You gotta want it real bad and I know you do, cos you would not have tried it

I can't tell you to be patient and ask you to remain positive, considering your experience. I can say, if you stay on this path of vaping and really get a handle on it and you will, IT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING A LIFE SAVER
wish you all the luck in your next go around

god speed

 

[xxJRockxx]

Hello, Let me be one of the first to share in your disappointment
It does sound as if the suppliers are being terrific to work with, so that is great
I, too had some start up issues, with the SE, it, was for me , total garbage. However, there are several members that have had good luck w/ theirs (SE)
I am not a therapist, nor any type of doctor, but I would suggest, that you do everything possible, NOT TO GIVE UP ON THE ECIG OR US, FOR THAT MATTER
It has literally saved my life..... I smoked 3/4 packs a day and I stopped totally, when I picked up my ecig, that was over 6 months back

I love it, as most of these members do and I no longer have any desire to go to analogs, You gotta want it real bad and I know you do, cos you would not have tried it

I can't tell you to be patient and ask you to remain positive, considering your experience. I can say, if you stay on this path of vaping and really get a handle on it and you will, IT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING A LIFE SAVER
wish you all the luck in your next go around

god speed

Thanks Cosican....guess I just needed to vent. It just seems odd to me that the 901 is probably in the top 3 out of the devices I see people raving about on here and I can't seem to get even marginal success from it. Thought about getting a Screwdriver, but I need to see how my Chinese order turns out before I can spend any more money. I have a lot of $$ tied up in that order (which is definitely adding to the stress as I can't track the order and they will not repsond to any of my emails.) UPS called today and said a package will be dropped off tomorrow, but I am told that orders from China come via EMS which will be delivered regular mail (USPS.)

 

[scooty]

I got the 901 a while back and ordered some accessories $66. Only to realize that I needed extra juice another $66. So far I have been hitting the analogs pretty hard. Hopefully when the juice gets here I can stay on the e-cig and get off the tobacco.

 

[Klimpt]

This sounds like massively bad luck. I got my first 901 last week and it has been working like a dream. I've not had a real cig in almost week, which is a miracle I could never have dreamed of just last week. I'd say you just got 2 faulty ones from a bad batch and would recommend you stick it out till at least you've had the chance to try it working properly.

 

[ingenieur]

Man, sounds like your 1st 901 was the total sh1tpiece that I sent back last month. Same problems, sensor & batteries. I'm discouraged as well, but I'm waiting on my 3rd-time's-the-charm vaporizer, which is on all sorts of delays. I broke down & smoked a few American Spirits the other day, boooo.

 

[Avid]

Same inconsistency....you may get good vapor on drag or two and then it tapers off and you get no throat hit and very little vapor. Carts are topped off....I have cleaned the atomizer. I even tried adding a drip or two of VG when topping off. But I keep getting the damn flashing lights and then it just seems to putter out after 10-15 minutes.....of which only the first 2 minutes produced good vapor.

I am having the same problem, did all the same things you did thinking my 901 was defective and wondering why everyone thought pretty highly of this model.

What the distributor and I have figured out is that, although I am leaving the batteries on the charger long enough to charge them to full, they are *not* charging to full. That explains a lot I get that same flashing, 'my batteries are dying!' blinking light (or NO light), and like you, first few minutes it's fine, and then vapor dies out after having charged the batteries for 8 hours. I'm getting a new charger for mine, which will probably come in in a day or two. If that's the problem, I'll post back.

Hope this helps. If you keep switching the batteries, atomizers, etc. and still have the same problem (like I do) start giving your charger dirty looks...

 

[rwilliams]

I urge you to not give up. my first 4 batts were duds and i was very disappointed. 4 new ones and two are still in the plastic. i alt between the other and havent had any problems 4 weeks in. i smoked 1-1/2 pack a day, havent looked back and probably never will. Ill get to see my daughter grow up. YEAH!!! stick with it, its totally worth it.

 

[xxJRockxx]

Man, sounds like your 1st 901 was the total sh1tpiece that I sent back last month. Same problems, sensor & batteries. I'm discouraged as well, but I'm waiting on my 3rd-time's-the-charm vaporizer, which is on all sorts of delays. I broke down & smoked a few American Spirits the other day, boooo.

Yeah I'm praying the third time is the charm for me too...I'm tired of buying analogs by the pack thinking my package will arrive. At least when I was full-on smkoking I bought by the carton, but I refuse to buy a whole carton so I won't be tempted to finish it....if and when I get my 3rd device.

 

[xxJRockxx]

I am having the same problem, did all the same things you did thinking my 901 was defective and wondering why everyone thought pretty highly of this model.

What the distributor and I have figured out is that, although I am leaving the batteries on the charger long enough to charge them to full, they are *not* charging to full. That explains a lot I get that same flashing, 'my batteries are dying!' blinking light (or NO light), and like you, first few minutes it's fine, and then vapor dies out after having charged the batteries for 8 hours. I'm getting a new charger for mine, which will probably come in in a day or two. If that's the problem, I'll post back.

Hope this helps. If you keep switching the batteries, atomizers, etc. and still have the same problem (like I do) start giving your charger dirty looks...

Initially I came to this same conclusion because I thought "there's no way I could get 2 bunk batteries in a row....it's gotta be a bad charger." So I got an entirely new package, including charger (albeit from the same supplier) and I'm still experiencing similar problems.

Switching suppliers now....hopefully this works (if they ever ship my order or respond to my emails.) At least the first supplier would call me and/or email me quickly, but he's domestic....actually wait it shouldn't matter...email is email.

 

[sherid]

Most of us have been smoking for decades. I believe you have to learn to unsmoke which, despite many member's successes, does not always happen overnight. I honestly do not understand why we beat ourselves up when we do not immediately throw away the cigs and adopt e smoking with glee. It is not like that for everyone. I bought my first e cigarette over a year ago and found it very disappointing. I barely ever picked it up. Then, I got interested again and ordered another one. This time, I really started to get into it, but it did not replace my regular cigarettes (I know I am "supposed" to call them analogs, but that word just seems silly to me) When I got my Dura in Jan., I was hooked on it. Although, as you note, there are often many problems with all e cig models, reputable dealers will stand by their products. I am sticking with Janty (I do want an M401 with the gold swirls) because when their products fail, they replace them promptly no questions asked. For me, spending more money initially for something with a long warranty is way cheaper than buying something with a 2-4 week warranty. Buy the model you like best and make sure the company will stand by its product. The Dura is amazing, IMO, EVEN with the early battery issues. I also enjoy the Ruyan Jazz as a change of pace and because they also will replace faulty units. Don't worry about smoking the cigs as you wait for the order. Don't worry if you still smoke some cigs after you get the e cigarette. You did not become a smoker overnight. You may be like me and require some time to really get into e smoking. Give yourself a break, for you are heading in the right direction.

 

[AGNES PEACOCK]

Sherid: you're great you always give passionate, level headed advise. Keep it up.

xxJRockxx: when you can pick up a usb passthrough and a kensington (or simular) power pack. That way when your batteries go bunk, you won't be waiting around. You can then just hook the usb passthrough to your computer and vape, or hook it to the power pack to go. It's always a good idea to have extra batteries too.

I gave my 901 and accessories to a relative as I was having problems with batteries too. I did have a passthrough and power pack for it, but just wanted to move on. I have just been using the Screwdriver now. (Well worth the cost). I have even received the Dura-C and Kissbox and had them for some time. I just today thought I would give the Dura-C a try. Still have't tried the Kissbox yet. I'm just so happy with the Screwdriver I don't feel the need to look further now.

Good luck to you. Stick to it. You will be glad you did. It just takes a bit to acquire all the supplies so you dont have to turn back =)

 

[taz3cat]

Love my usb passthrough and kensington battery pack. when I am out and about I just change att's and keep going. Carts are too messy to change when you out.

 

[usamare]

Heh, my first e-cig was a supposedly crappy NPRO from the local pilot truck stop. A lot of people rag on them, but I'm beginning to think of mine as the ak-47 of vaping. It looks clumsy and primitive, but the thing has worked well and the carts are easy to deal with for refilling and carrying to work. I won't recommend buying such a thing, but it IS possible to get something functional without mail-order.

If you ordered from China, hopefully you got a Loongtotem. The carts are super-expensive, but those things can REALLY deal with the morning cravings

 

[Duckies]

I feel your pain. I have had bad parts too.

A few things stood out to me in your post:

I have cleaned the atomizer. I even tried adding a drip or two of VG when topping off.

If you clean your att -- you MUST reprime it. For a 901, I would recommend 3 drops, wait 5 minutes. 3 more drops, wait another 5 minutes. 1 drop and then add a cart. The wait time is important -- as it needs to soak into the mesh.

But I keep getting the damn flashing lights and then it just seems to putter out after 10-15 minutes.....of which only the first 2 minutes produced good vapor. One of the second set now stays lit for about 3 seconds after you stop sucking which seems like another sensor problem.

Take off the end cap (where it lights) and blow through it into a paper towel. That can clear the sensor. Also, make sure that you are charging your batts for 8 hours before using them. Do not go by the light on the charger. Totally unreliable. Recommendation is to get a new battery, charge it overnight before using it and see if that doesn't make a difference.

 

[AnglVapin]

Love my usb passthrough and kensington battery pack. when I am out and about I just change att's and keep going. Carts are too messy to change when you out.

Where do I find a kensinton battery pack?

Thank you!

 

[BigJim]

Amazon.co.uk - I have one, and am chuffing on it while I type this, it lasts for three days, oh and it charges my iphone too!

 

[xxJRockxx]

Sherid---Awesome advice...very well said. I don't plan on giving up yet. I'm just a bit frustrated as I read post after post of people just loving their PV (especially the 901) and few seem to be having problems to the extent that I am. I mean how many defective devices can you get ina row before you start to question you sanity. heheh But after posting this I have gotten a few messages from users with very similar experiences so I guess I don't feel like it's just me anymore.

Taz3cat-I will have to hunt down one of these Kensington's. I ordered what I thought was a usb passthrough, but it turned out to simply be a usb charger. I definitely want one. Do you have to mod your device to use a passthru or is it ready to go out of the box?

Duckies- I thought from the video I watched you're not supposed to direct drip more than 2-3 drops or you can risk flooding the atty. When I blow the atty to clean it, quite a bit of liquid seems to appear on the paper towel. So I assume it's got enough in there, but maybe I should give this a try. Didn't try blowing through the battery to clear the sensor. Interesting. The tip just pops off? When I originally discussed some of these issues with the supplier he said "never charge the battery for more than 4 hours, you can damage it by overcharging." I tried that with my first set before talking to him, but haven't with the second set I have now.

I have a massive order pending with a Chinese supplier so hopefully these will be more reliable. If they ever ship them to me.....8 days now with no shipping confirmation or tracking number and no response to inquiries....

At least I have some new things to try while I wait.

Thanks all

 

[taz3cat]

The Pass through comes with the USB plug and the Kensington all you have to do is charge it. Then I just plug my PT's ubs in and go.

 

[asidrave]

Where do I find a kensinton battery pack?

Thank you!

here ya go

Kensington - Portable Power Pack for Select Mobile Devices - Black - K38021