VapeAtron

My e-cig journey, 1+ year in.

So I started vaping around Christmas 08. Got my first unit from a kiosk guy in the local mall. I had seen it several times and passed it over as another seasonal gimmick. But my girl was shopping so I started watching the promo video at the booth. Between the pitch and the video, I was interested, was thinking of trying to quit again anyway, plus had just almost bought something really expensive. Getting this full package was a fraction of what I almost bought, so I couldn't use the "ahh it's too expensive" excuse.

Got home, used it, was ok. Looked it up online, and found this whole world, tons of info (if you dug around). Guys at Puresmoker.com helped me out, suggested dripping, and not using the carts. Got some liquid, and a pass through, and I was on my way.

I struggled with equipment issues, from blown batteries, to over dripping and ruining bats and attys, to faulty attys, to faulty passthroughs. Mixed with general issues like running out of power in the batteries and all that. I am a techy guy, so I semi-understood what was going on once I researched and read about it, people helped via forums and tech support. But I feel for anyone just getting into the game using this cheap ass China stuff. Things blowing out and not working with no notice is not fun for someone trying to quit.

Up until June or so of last year my weapons of choice was a RN-4081 with a USB passthrough and an APC-10 power pack. When that's working, it is the best IMO for basic Chinese style units. The atomizer has a short cylinder and cap, so the vapor travels quickly to your eventual mouth, stays hot. The pass through pushes the voltage up to 5 or so, so it gets the atty as hot as it can. You really feel the throat hit. 901s and 801s have a longer space between the actual atty coil and your mouth, so it tends to cool off before it gets there, and I didn't like that. Was a heavy smoker prior to this.

Then in around June I took the plunge and got a "GG" Grant. I got the first version of the Grant, which had a different button and no brass. The GG is a hand made unit from a guy in Greece. It was one of the first non-Chinese made units to be semi-mass produced. It's half way in-between a fancy mod and a manufactured unit. Anyway, that thing allowed you to use larger, regular style, rechargeable batteries. Pump out at 6 volts. That thing changed the game for me. The vapor was hot, more reliable in general. Over time, I started having issues with the button not connecting, and it wouldn't fire. So, I got a Prodigy from someone here on the forums.

Got a Prodigy V1 from Puresmoker. Overall I liked it, but it was an 801 atomizer model, and it had a limiter built in which kept the vapor at 5 volts, even if you put 6 volt batteries in it. So between the long 801 atomizers cooling vapor down, and going backwards to a max of 5 volts, that wasn't doing it. But it was still the best I had up to that point, because it was solid and reliable. That is really important I found out, knowing that when you pick it up, and press that button, that you knew it would work. Then in some freak accident, I blew out all 3 atomizers I had for it, and thought the unit was hosed. I sent it back, and they said it wasn't the unit, they sent it back to me. They were right. BUT, somehow, 3 atomizers blew on the first press in a row. So, I started looking for a new unit, one that could handle 6 volts again. And I found it, the one I am using until now, the Silver Bullet from AltSmoke.

So, from about September 09 through now, the only unit I have been using is the Silver Bullet from AltSmoke. 1 unit, 3 sets of batteries in a charging rotation, a couple atomizers. I really don't see anything else I will ever need. This thing pumps out at 6 volts, has a nice weight to it, uses 510 atomizers, and I used it about 8-10 hours a day non-stop from September - Jan with no issues. In late Jan the button starting giving me a little problem, it wouldn't fire unless I pressed it a couple times in a row. But it still worked. However, that "not knowing" started to get annoying, so I emailed them and they offered to fix it for free. Ive just sent in in last week. BUT, I couldn't live without this thing, so, I just bought another brand new unit to hold me over until they fix that one. That's how good this thing is IMO.

So that's where I'm at with units. Bottom line, as a former 2 pack a day smoker, I need heavy equipment. I need to feel like you are blasting my throat with asbestos, and filling my lungs with hot dirty steam. I know that's not good, but I need at least the illusion of that happening. And using these high powered units with my custom liquid mixes, I get what I need. And I really have no desire for smoking real deals anymore at all.

In relation to eliquid, Ive moved to more control over my stuff. I dont like doing it 100% from scratch, but I've found a good mix. Bottom line, whatever most of the China stuff had in it, and whatever most of the American made stuff had in it, gave me a horrid aftertaste. I still dont know what it is, but there is definitely some common denominator for flavoring or thickening that caused me to go "BLEH" almost every time. Only way to describe it was like a stingy old-lady perfume aftertaste. YUK.

So now I get the Totally Wicked Platinum Ice 54mg Mixing Juice. That's 54mg of nicotine, much higher than the normal "Super High" versions of liquid out there. It has no flavor, and is designed to be mixed with your own flavorings. AND CUT, to drop the nicotine levels. I started cutting with Propylene Glycol I got from them. I found that the liquid drips and runs out the atomizer like water when you do that, regardless of the amount. So I switched over to VG, Vegetable Glycerin. TW sells Aqueous VG, and it's good, but still a little runny. Its partially water to thin it out. So I've been using Glycerin found at CVS, USP (food grade). Its thick like hair gel, and when mixed with the PG version of the Totally Wicked liquid above, the consistency is perfect. You could drip 12 drops into your atomizer and nothing will run out the bottom. The bonus, TONS of vapor. VG is what produces the "smoke" that you exhale. The more VG, the more smoke. And I like/need that to feel satisfied. So all in all, that has been a win for me. I do about 60% 54 MG nicotine juice, around 39.5% Glycerin from CVS, and then around 7 drops of flavoring for a 10ml bottle of juice.

Another benefit of all this, the American made units and VG thicker juice, no blown atomizers. I have swapped them out because they are dirty and therefore a bit less powerful, but I have not blown an atomizer in about 5 months. I only switch because I want to, not because I have to. I really think the manual control of the unit with the button, the "closed design" of the unit, keeping the atomizer away from internal mechanics of unit, and the thicker juice not running all over the place, makes this possible.

Flavoring is another thing Ive had to experiment with. I used LorAnn's flavorings for most of the summer. The only one that I really liked was Cherry. The rest were ok, but they had a murky "just woke up" after-effect, if you vape it for a while your mouth gets gunked up and thick. And I tried a WHOLE LOT of flavors from them. Everyone is different, so you gotta try them out for yourself.

I recently found out about another flavoring company, Flavour Art. These things are FANTASTIC. Flavour Art is based in Italy, but there is a North American retailer in Canada that has a nice supply (Happy Vaper). They have the only Vanilla flavoring that works in e-smoking (Madagascar Vanilla). They also have flavoring of tobacco blends. They don't taste exactly like Tobacco, but they are closer than most I've tried.

What I am currently using, with no plans on stopping, is Madagascar Vanilla (4 drops), mixed with Hazlenut (2 drops), and Cuban Supreme Tobacco (1 drop). That mix is a nice nutty flavor that has similarities to a tobacco experience, without any of the fruity candy flavors.

So, bottom line 1 year in - An American made 6 volt plus unit with standard rechargeable batteries, 54mg nicotine juice, non-flavored, custom mixed with Pure USP Glycerin and Flavor Art flavorings (final nicotine strength 36-39mg).

Cost to get there, around 3000 dollars. Buying, breaking, trying, ditching units and juice along the way. You say - wow, thats frakking expensive. Well, I totaled up what I would have spent on cigs last year. 2 packs a day x 7 bucks x 365 days = $5110.00. So I saved around 2 grand doing this. And potentially, maybe if we are all lucky, these things actually won't harm us as bad as Cigarettes. No matter what anyone says, no one knows for sure.



And that's my story. Hope it helps anyone reading.

Later!

Rocketman

Wow, nice trip.
and all in one post.
Thanks for providing us with this medium to communicate.
(and thanks for not kicking me out on my ear )

Rocket

Hachiroku

Excellent story, to be read by n00bs and old-timers alike.

I'm left with a couple questions, though:
Could you post your 'recipies' somewhere for us less chemically minded, and also, where are you getting US made atomizers? I for one would REALLY like to know!!! Genuine Joyes, genuine DSEs, NOTHING is a match for me!

Your friend, the Atty Killer...

VapeAtron

Sorry, the attys are standard 510s, from China, etc. I buy in bulk, 10-20 at a time, from either Puresmoker.com or Altsmoke.com. Both of them have discounts for volume purchasing. If you can afford it, and you know you will be vaping long-term, it makes financial sense to just do that.

I still have about 15 extra floating around here, because they dont blow out that much anymore in the set up I described above.

Recipes - I don't go nuts with measuring each thing.

I take a standard 10 ML bottle, like the ones you get your 10ml juice in from companies that make juice. Empty one out and rinse it, use it over. Or buy some like these: 6ml Clear Dropper Bottles I use the 6 ml bottles from them too.

I can refill that bottle in under 2 minutes, and it lasts me 2 or 3 days.

If you do a 10ml bottle, just up the flavoring drops a bit, maybe 6, 4, 2, until it tastes right for you.

And, you need to cut the nicotine to your desired level, what I mapped out here is strong and not suggested for new vapers out of the box. Start low, then move up as you see fit.

Rocketman

Ha
even the boss double posts.

Darn,
admins can fix their own mistakes.

Rocket



and this is the e-juice calculator I use:

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VapeAtron

For those looking for a guide when mixing your own juice, here is an excel spreadsheet e-juice calculator. I can't remember when I found it, probably ECF somewhere.

If you fill out the fields, it will tell you what percentage of each thing you need to add. Dont take it exact, sometimes the flavoring is too high or low. Just to give you a general sense, especially for nicotine levels.

Attached Files

ejuce_calculatorv3.xls (26.0 KB, 94 views)

VapeAtron

Yeah, sorry about that. This server the site is on is pretty busy.

MichaelMurder

I've been using this one.

E-Liquid Recipe Calculator

Hachiroku

Oooh...he hasn't been keeping up!

Vt Vapor, 35mG right out of the bottle!

Say, why are my ears ringing all the time...?

VapeAtron

Yeah, but they have 36mg flavorless at Totally Wicked and other places too. Ive used that before.

What this does is allow me to add 40% pure glycerin, and have minimal ingredients other than nicotine and glycerin in my mix. And still keep it at 36-39mg nicotine. Thicker result, more thick than even the thickest "VG" mix from a juice retailer. More vapor, more cloud, less running. That I've come across, personally that is.

If I had balls, I would find/buy 100% pure nicotine, cut that with 90/95% glycerin, add 7 drops of flavor, done. But I don't, so I just do what's above.

VapeAtron

That looks good too, nice find.

Rocketman

I FOUND IT

Thanks VapeAtron,
HappyVapordotCom has REDBULL flavor, and a lot of others.
Almost missed the link when I read your post.
I'll still get my Loranns from Loranns, but Flavor Art has flavors they don't.
I don't think I will try the meat flavors, not yet anyway.
Went to the site on a lark, and there it was.
Red Bull Flavor.
Order placed.

Rocket

Rocketman

After digging through every line of Vapeatron's post, I made the order from HappyVappy (in Canada) for some flavors. The RedBull was the primary draw here, but the Anise flavor is Fab.

I had a little bottle with me that had a Grape/Cherry flavor, about 2 ml in it, getting a little boring, and put 10 drops of the anise in the bottle.

Reminds me of the old time Necco licorice wafers. Leaves a pleasant after taste/flavor. Pepped up the Grape/cherry.

Rocket


Remember these?

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Hachiroku

REMEMBER?!?!?!

NECCO® - Our Products: Non Chocolate Packaged

LeCig

Neccos lol I haven't munched them in years

Hachiroku

They're in Revere Mass so they're all over the place around here.

Hey, empty your mailbox!

JohnnyJames

Interesting post.

I would like a decent vanilla.
Looking at your link I see no 'Madagascar Vanilla' except for the 'Bourbon Madagascar'. Which one of the 3 they list are you actually recommending?

TW's prices tend to be a bit high. If you want to try some very clean USA nic juice this place has good reviews and you'll save a few $. Also note they have 75mg if you so desire.

Blip Labs


@ Rocketman
Some better prices than buying direct.

LorAnn Oils Gourmet Flavoring .125oz.

Rocketman

The Loranns prices are better than direct, strange, guess I'll have to try them.

As far as Nic "bargains", have you considered the mg/$ metric?

R

MichaelMurder

I've been using Flavour art as well man. I've been ordering from liberty flights thoug for like a dollar and some change you get 5ml instead of 3ml. I'm still not sure on my "choice of flavorings though. Mts vape wizard mixed with turkish american tobacco has been nice. I just recently tried some of the premixed flavors and not sure how i feel about them.

Dwellsouth

Awesome! Thanks for the site!

Dwellsouth

LorAnn's Bavarian Creme is the best vanilla on the planet!

Dwellsouth

OMG RC Cola and a Moon Pie! I fought to catch a Moon Pie at Mardi Gras...lost it to some kid!

Rocketman

Mike,
the metric I was referring to was mg/$.
If you are considering mixing then this might make more sense.

For example: The 15ml bottle of 38mg/ml gives you 570mg of nicotine to play with. at $11 that would be 52mg of Nic per dollar.
52mg/$. The 30ml bottle of 38mg/ml for $20 zooms up to 57mg/$
Actually less economical with shipping. (a little less than 50mg/$ for 2 30ml bottles with shipping)
How much is their 7.5% stuff?
If you are going to mix this stuff down to some lower concentration then this is one way to standardize your shopping.

Rocket

MichaelMurder

I actually posted that in a panic edited it to fix some mathamatical mistakes i made. Been a while since chemistry. lol I forgot that %=M/V was off of a standard 100ml not bottle size. and the 7.5 is 29.99.

Rocketman

I know, I watched .
all gone now, hehe.

The 7.5 is $30 for 15ml or 30ml?

If it's the 15ml then 2 bottles @ $30 ea. plus $6 shipping works out to about 34mg/$.
That sounds a little high to me.
An counter example would be a 30ml bottle of 24mg/ml Pre-flavored for about $21 shipped.
(about the same mg/$), see sounds high doesn't it.
Rocket