Newbie needs help please

[Chrissie]

Lol, yes it does sometimes look like we are druggies

I'm also about to get to bed.

Nite nite Hanow & all

[knawes]

Hmmm...back from my week away.....the Riva kits and the juice from Paradise Vape arrived just as we were leaving so we investigated what we had once we got there. So, top marks to them for speed of delivery!
Initial observations - (I'll probably think of more to say tomorrow, this is in brief for now.) I maybe didn't read enough about it before we went. There were not really any instructions with any of it, other than how to charge the batteries. I was a bit disappointed with that aspect.

So, I dripped a bit of juice in a cartridge, screwed the whole thing together and pressed the button, then sucked. Nothing! Doh! Press the button and suck at the same time - success! My initial reaction to the first proper "drag" was - WOW!! It gave me such a hit in my throat, so much that I coughed for a while. I really, really liked it.

One of the cartridges didn't have any "filler" in, and as all the others did have, I thought this is how they should be, I didn't even know this before.

I am not convinced still that I am doing everything correctly. I don't know how often to top up and how much. I am sure I am doing some things wrong, but realise some might be personal preference.

I found that for me, I don't get such a good "hit" when the atomiser gets warm. I need to top up quite often. I love the first, cold, refilled hit and wish every draw was like that. Any tips so it can be?

Now I am home, I am reading a bit more. And discovered, because some other juice I ordered had arrived, that I should pull the filler out and drip the juice in until 2/3 full, and push the filler back in. This seems to work better for me than trying to get it to soak in from the top. A couple of cartidges are not a tight fit in the atomiser either. Is this normal?

I've swapped batteries, atomisers, cartridges so often, to try and get it just right, but not sure I am there yet.

On the negative side, I haven't given up smoking. (But haven't completely convinced myself I want to.)

On the positive side, I've only smoked one sleeve and not two this week. So the kit has already paid for itself. It was lovely to stay indoors and vape, and not be continually nipping out and standing on the doorstep every time I wanted a smoke. At home I'd reach for a cig first thing, but instead reached for my e-cig until I was compus mentis and had a cup of tea ready!

Even though I am now back home and can smoke where and when I want, I am still using the e-cig a lot. I'm using 36 mg juice, the 26mg arrived while we were away, and I just tried it, but it's not strong enough for me.

All in all, I am amazed with the whole thing. It's the nearest thing to smoking you will ever get and I love it.

A couple of questions - has anybody actually vaped in places where smoking is banned and how did they get on? Any adverse comments? I am especially concerned about vaping on a plane journey. Just a conversation with my son's girlfriend, she said it was banned also? Although on flight in March - Ryanair - I am sure the attendant came round with some sort of smoking substitute - I never asked what it was, but she held up a packet that looked like a cigarette packet. I guess I'll do a Google and see what the consensus is about this. I wouldn't hesitate to vape in a pub, but we did go for a meal while away, and I didn't dare to vape there. I am sure I would if I saw others doing it.

Kath

[Scylla]

Jun 26, 2010 21:58:34 GMT knawes said:

Hmmm...back from my week away...

Lovely to see you back, Kath

There were not really any instructions ... I was a bit disappointed with that aspect.

You're not the only one I've seen criticising the instructions - lack of I haven't used this model - in "my young days" we didn't have these fine and fancy mods to choose from

A couple of cartridges are not a tight fit in the atomiser either. Is this normal?

In my experience it's unusual for cartridges in the same batch to vary in diameter. If carts are too loose, take a hot needle to the outside to melt ridges on the plastic (not tried that one myself); if carts are too tight, take a metal or crystal nail file to the outside and gradually file down the plastic till they fit (that has worked for me).

On the negative side, I haven't given up smoking.

You never claimed to want to, it was just the holiday travelling you wanted help with - so the amount you're cutting down is BRILLIANT

All in all, I am amazed with the whole thing.

See? Join the club

A couple of questions - has anybody actually vaped in places where smoking is banned and how did they get on? Any adverse comments? I am especially concerned about vaping on a plane journey.

I simply don't travel, but second-hand info says that peeps have vaped on planes and that even if it is verboten you can nip into the loo - it doesn't set off the alarm.

Now that you're home you can to-and-fro with vapers of the same model as you are using, get tips and tricks

I'm so pleased you're pleased, Kath!

scylla x

[jimmybat]

Personally I have not had a problem anywhere .pubs,clubs, bingo halls, cinemas, trains, buses, cabs planes, maybe I a just lucky
James

[knawes]

Thanks for the info, James. As newbie, I just wanted confirmation that someone had vaped in all the places where smoking is banned. I also wondered if anyone had been challenged at all? I did do a Google last night, and found that Ryanair don't mind e-cigs - good news as it's them we are flying with in September.

While we were away last week, we went out for a meal with my son and daugheter and their partners. I had told them all about my e-cig and showed them it beforehand. In the restaurant, I bent down to take a sneaky puff, pretending I was looking in my handbag on the floor and my son's comment was - "that is all wrong for so many reasons." I didn't respond, as I didn't want to cause a fuss (having fallen out with him a few weeks ago over something else) and ceased. My other half said to go to the bathroom to have a vape, but this seems to defeat the object of partly why I am vaping?

I suppose the problem is that I haven't ever seen anyone else vaping - outside, inside or indeed anywhere and I don't know whether I have the bottle to do it. Now years ago, it wouldn't have fazed me. Indeed as an avid breastfeeder in the late 70's and 80's I was challenged numerous times for breastfeeding in public and rose to the challenge with choice words every time!

James, thank you SO much for the quickness of delivery and the freebies. One of the freebie juices is now my favourite, so I will be ordering again.

Kath

[knawes]

Second message - more questions!

How long does an atomiser last? I know it all depends on how much you use your e-cig, obviously, but for 40-50 a day smoker?

How long does a cartridge last? I don't mean the juice, but the filler inside, does it wear out? Is it possible to buy filler and put new in old cartridges?

What is the difference betwee, a normal atomiser (that the Riva came with 2 of) and a low resistance one? I bought one of these as well, but apart from the gold end bet not being as long can feel no difference?

I've discovered my favourite juice, from a sample from James. So this is what does it for me - new cartridge with B&H 36mg juice. Freshly charged battery. Atomiser that hasn't been used for a few hours. Absolute bliss and the hit is SO good. I love it! In fact, I will even go so far as to say I prefer that to cigs. Thinking about it - I am sure I am getting more of a hit than I do with cigs, and maybe that's why I was smoking more and more - my addiction to nicotine was getting worse. This way though, I don't feel at all guilty!

I've still got 7 cigs left from my 25 last night. Normally I would be on my 3rd pack by this time! I am sure that pretty soon, I'll have left the cigs behind and be on the juice permanently. I would never have believed it - even though you all said so. I was so hoping this would work, but was being a pessimist. I've changed my mind! Woo hoo!

Kath

[Lilac]

Kath, i have never been challenged, but like you, tend to vape discretely so probably no one actually notices...lol

I always ask if im in a pub, and have been given permission each time, but im not sure about restaurants, as i doubt they would know what an ecig actually is....

however, since looking at the link posted about the Campaign for vaping in pubs, im going to print off some of the leaflets and keep one in my bag for whenever i'm out, as they explain about the vapour, etc

in fact, the next time i'm in a restaurant, i'm going to produce a leaflet and ask if it's okay to vape...will report my findings...lol

[Lilac]

Atomisers should last at least 14 days....in practise tho, this can range from between a few days(or even hours, in some unfortunate cases) to a month, or even longer....

Filler.....most of us have replaced the original white filler with an alternative, Fluval fish filter material being a favourite....i use black filter sponge that i got from Pets at home, if you'd like to try some, i'll happily send you a bit...

i've been using the same bit for months now, lol, i just rinse it out and dry it now and again, i can't say i notice any deterioration in it altho i suppose i should really change it soon...lol

I can't comment on the LR atties as i've yet to try them

[knawes]

Hi Lilac,
Thanks for your responses. I'd better get some more atties ordered, I don't want to run out or have one fail!

I'll look into getting some alternative filler, but thanks for the kind offer of sending me a bit. I've still got 5 cartridges that are new, so some to go a there.

Where is the link for the leaflet? Sounds like a good idea, then you don't have to go through all the rigmarole of explaining and perhaps not getting it worded correctly and being mis-understood?

I've not had a normal cig for a couple of hours, it was like this last night....I must get my kit working just right by the end of the day?

Kath

[Lilac]

here it be...

camvip.webs.com/CAMVIP_A5_v4.pdf

[knawes]

Cheers! Printed!

[Lilac]

Good!!! i'll do some tomorrow

[jaki]

Kath, I have some of the pre-cut blue foam filler from the states if you'd like to try some. I cut it in half and it vapes practically dry, is easily washed and the best filler I have tried. It's also dirt cheap, although takes around 3 weeks to get here!

Send me a PM if you fancy trying a few bits (or anyone else for that matter)

[Hanow]

Jaki, can you please expand upon the blue foam filler? Can you get it here? I assume you chop it to size to fill the cartridges.

[jaki]

It comes pre-cut to fit 901 and 510 carts (possibly others, but they are the ones I use) I used to use a whole piece and cram it in, but now I cut it in half. It costs 75c for a bag of ten (so chops into 20 bits) and postage is free if you spend over $10.

I fill my cart 3/4 full and pop it in the top, then top off with a few drops of liquid. It lasts for ages without needing to be topped up and you can all but vape it dry

strictlyejuice.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67_49&products_id=222&zenid=9o2m0pej6e58109a6c4li76ic1

Have a look and PM me your address if you want to try some. All I have to do is find it.......