Vape-heads? Do You Vape?

[Kobi]

Just started looking into vaping and my head is spinning with all the info.

Is there a site that explains all the lingo/terminology that is eluding my comprehension?

Just noticed there is a vaping store in town and will check them out.

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by Kobi

Just started looking into vaping and my head is spinning with all the info.

Is there a site that explains all the lingo/terminology that is eluding my comprehension?

Just noticed there is a vaping store in town and will check them out.

Hi Kobi,

I am new to vaping also and likely only know a little more than you do. There are various sites that explain the whole vaping experience. A good place to start is http://nu-vapor.com/forum/nu-beginni...rence-library/. This site has a good library of topics including terminology, starter kit recommendations, and comparisons of different setup types. Going to a vaping store is likely also a good place to start as they will be able to explain to you better than a posted thread can. The factors that will determine what e-cig you get will be how much energy/time you want to put into vaping (some just want vape and go and not delve too deeply into the mechanics of it) and if you are using this to quit smoking cigarettes. You can start with the usual pen-style kits that look like a cigarette, are about the same size (length and circumference) as a 120 cigarette and are more discrete than some of the other battery models that are larger, but also produce more power and render a stronger vape. If you could let the board know what you are looking for exactly, it may be easier to answer your questions.

There are numerous sites out there to choose for your starter kit. I would recommend a starter kit that will come with a battery and charger, and cartomizers (the apparatus that holds and vaporizes the liquid) or atomizers. These kits often come with a case to carry them in, which is helpful. I would order with the starter kit at least one set of pre-filled cartomizers that you just screw on to the battery and start vaping. This will give you optimal ease in starting and give you an idea of how much you like it. In case you do not like it, for whatever reason, you may not want to order too much at the beginning or opt for the best models (the most expensive ones) until you get a feel for it. Although, I can't say I've heard of anyone that didn't love it. The deciding factor will be the flavor of juices you vape (and the quality). The favorites for flavors on this board seem to be from Alice in Vapeland at https://aliceinvapeland.com/ and EC blends at http://www.ecblendflavors.com/ . As another poster mentioned, taste is highly subjective, but in general, you can go by reviews on the sites for a particular flavor as to whether it is more liked or disliked by users. Some liquids will have to be steeped and do not arrive at your door ready to vape. This is true of both the Alice in Vapeland liquids and the EC Blends liquids. This is one reason I recommend at least 1 package (of usually 5) pre-filled/flavored cartomizers of your choice to begin. If you go ahead and order blank cartomizers, (usually also a package of 5), then you can use them for the steeping liquids when they are ready. Steeping time varies from days to weeks. It involves soaking the bottles in a hot water bath, mechanical shaking of the liquids in the bottle at least once daily, and allowing them to set in a cool, dark place until the taste is good and what you want. This is a long thread, but if you read most/all of it, it will give you some good starting advice once you get the terminology and basics.

Daisy and Loren Q both know a lot and participate on the board regularly and may come along and reply also. They both know a lot more than I do.

Check out youtube videos. Some of them are great in breaking down the mechanics of the e-cig, if you are interested in that. Some also explain models and compare the different ones on the market now.

If you are using this to quit smoking, vaping works very well for that. I am down to about 1 cigarette a day on average. This is from a 1-2 pack a day smoker. The nicotine strength you want for the liquids to be will depend on what you normally smoke (lights, regular) and how much a day. I have liquids that are 36mg, 24mg, and 18mg strength that I vape most of the day. Some are lower at 12mg and I vape these intermittently. I smoked ultra lights, so this gives you an idea of what I needed.

Good luck!

[Loren_Q]

Originally Posted by Kobi

Just started looking into vaping and my head is spinning with all the info.

Is there a site that explains all the lingo/terminology that is eluding my comprehension?

Just noticed there is a vaping store in town and will check them out.

I would definitely check out your local vaping store, a lot of them have test gear you can try. If you don't want to make a big $ investment, maybe try a disposable first. That could give you an idea of how well vaping will work for you.

Good luck!

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by Loren_Q

I would definitely check out your local vaping store, a lot of them have test gear you can try. If you don't want to make a big $ investment, maybe try a disposable first. That could give you an idea of how well vaping will work for you.

Good luck!

The vape store is a great idea, if you have one. To me, the disposable does not compare to what I am doing now. One is nothing like the other. I left my gear at work a few days ago, and tried using my Blu, and it was not enough for me, I drove back to work to get my kit.

[Loren_Q]

Originally Posted by Hollylane

The vape store is a great idea, if you have one. To me, the disposable does not compare to what I am doing now. One is nothing like the other. I left my gear at work a few days ago, and tried using my Blu, and it was not enough for me, I drove back to work to get my kit.

I agree about the disposable not being anywhere near as good, but if you don't know vaping's going to work for you, it's a good barometer.

For me, it was easier to drop the $6 on a disposable rather that $30+ for a starter kit. My thinking was "what if I don't like this e-cig thing".

The disposable was enough to convince me I should invest, and here I am.

[LaDivina]

Hi folks, it's been a while since I posted anything in here, so I thought I'd review some of the juices I've tried lately. They're all from ECBlends.

• Dragon's Blood: The jury is still out on this. When I can taste the way it's supposed to taste, it's nice. Fruity and creamy. Most of the time, though, I get a floral taste that I'm not crazy about.
  
• Lime margarita - Yum! Mostly lime, not much tequila taste, but it's good. Refreshing.
  
• Buttered keoke rum coffee - This was a freebie they sent with an order, and it's REALLY nice. Good in the morning when I'm drinking coffee. Sweet but not sickly sweet.
  
• My own creation, "Bananas Foster" - A combination of banana, brown sugar, rum, and cinnamon. It still tastes/smells medicine-y, or kind of like bug spray (blech!) I've had it for a few weeks, though, so I thought it would be steeped by now. I'll keep trying.
  
• Strawberry daiquiri - still my favorite, though I sometimes get a floral taste from that, too. Also, of all the juices, this one tends to get a burnt taste. Maybe because I like it so much I'm puffing faster than the liquid can get into the atomizer? I'm still experimenting with PG/VG combinations, but I have a lot of this 60/40 before I'll order any more.

I did get some low-res attys, and I notice some difference in resistance and taste but not a lot. I tend to suck hard (she said, har har,) so I'd really like something that won't burn when I do that. I appreciate all the good advice in this thread.

I'm looking forward to the day when the FDA does testing on this stuff, so I can be sure that it's safe. Until then I'll always be a teensy bit anxious about it.

[meridiantoo]

I have only had my vapor4life pen-style batteries for a little over a month and they are already dying I don't know what to expect. I did suck on them like a crack pipe for a couple of weeks, but then I only vaped a couple of times a day for 3 weeks. I know they have a limited life, but I expected at least 2 solid months of vaping from them. Plus, the passthrough unit that came with the same start-up kit is seemingly malfunctioning at this point - it is making an audible pulsing sound through the carto and the carto is running really hot, like too hot to touch. I have tried the passthrough with 5 different cartos; it's the same with all of them.

So, I put an order in for another start-up kit with HHV. I'm getting 2 eGo 900 mAh regular batteries (manual) with USB charger and wall unit. I didn't get the VV because I've ordered $80 in juices today! I also bought a lot of different tanks, cartos, and some bottles with the needle top for easier filling. I'll review the juices when they come in.

Happy vapping!

[Loren_Q]

Sucks about your pen-style batteries dying out so early. How long and when were you charging them?

My starter kit (Apollo Extreme) came with 2 batteries. For the way I vape, a battery will last me 4 to 5 hours. I've been using them since the end of December. I would vape until I got the signal the battery was going then switch; I would charge the depleted battery overnight.

About a month ago, I noticed one started dying sooner (about 1/2 the time of the other). I went to Apollo's customer support and they sent me a replacement battery.