Mark

Nice professional video for Noobies

Hi eswigger, I posted a couple of pics in the Gallery showing the difference between the Joye510 and the knock off atty.

Well, I discovered a bug in this this morning but I think it will work for most applications. Clearly though, there's still some development in order. <shrug> So it goes.

This is a zip file of a spreadsheet, so just uncompress it after download and open in Open Office or excel. Green numbers are inputs; output is in drops and milliliters. Naturally I welcome suggestions for improvement, both function and esthetics. Let me know what you think, okay? Thanks!
JuiceCalculator5.xls.zip
JuiceCalculator5.xls.zip

Hello FTJoe,
I have come to respect your opinion over the past few months, Joe, and I have read many of your posts. I was very leary of saying that the e-cig was harmless too. I wrote of few posts about nicotine back in early November and was very concerned about the nicotine content in PVs. I quit analogs at the end of October, and when I did I visited my doctor. We even did chest x-rays and blood tests, along with a complete physical to establish a base-line. This time next year we will be taking more x-rays to see how I'm progressing. I have high blood pressure and take medication for it every day, so I also am concerned about my heart. Let me try to explain my position and answer your question.

I've scoured the internet for studies done on the effects of nicotine. Most all of them (as you mentioned) are in connection with tobacco products.
But I have seen some studies done by makers of NRTs. These products, which contain nicotine, are sold over the counter and are deemed safe by the FDA. It is these same companies that report that nicotine, by it self, is virtually harmless. Thats why I use that word (virtually).

So what does virtually mean? Well, your right, nicotine is a stimulant, and can do all the things that you said it can do. But so does caffeine. The effects of the nicotine patch, or gum, or spray, even at it's highest strength levels are not something that normal people should worry too much about. But when you combine nicotine with the other 400 chemicals found in tobacco, you run the serious risk of a heart attack, stroke, and cancer. 90% of all cancers are linked to tobacco.

Dr. David Baron of the UCLA Medical Center has been interviewed in the past and addresses these issues much better than I can. Here's the link: Dr. Baron

Dr. Baron mentions that an overdose of nicotine could possibly cause symptoms like the ones you mention in your reply. So lets look at what it takes to OD on nicotine......

First off, it needs to be understood that the half-life of nicotine is extremely short, 40 minutes. What that means is that in under 2 hours, all nicotine in your system is gone! If you were blood tested for nicotine 80-120 minutes after ingesting nicotine, the test would be negative. An overdose of nicotine ranges from 60-80mg, depending on the individual. The average e-liquid contains about 24-36mg/ml. So if you were to drink 2-4mls of e-liquid straight, you would feel like you just did a serious line of cocaine. You would in effect be OVERDOSING on nicotine, and like cocaine or other stimulants, would be in serious risk of hurting yourself very badly. Oh, and the average analog smoke delivers about 1-2mg of nicotine per cigarette. It can therefore be concluded that overdosing on cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, is very hard to do....

So my point is this. I personally feel that the e-cigarette is possibly one of the GREATEST health-related products to be invented in the past 10 years. 400,000 people die from tobacco every year, and there are about 50 million tobacco users in the US alone. Imagine what this product can do to save the lives of countless people around the world. Other NRTs, with a success rate of 5%, don't hold a candle to the success rate of the e-cig. I guess your right that the e-cig was invented in China, but here's how I look at that. The guy that invented this thing was driven by the fact that his father was diagnosed with cancer and wouldn't give up the smokes even after being encouraged to do so. He made this thing with the idea in mind that it might save his Pop. It just so happens that he is Chinese. Chinese companies don't have the legislative restrictions that we have over here, which is too bad. We have the FDA, , which tries to protect us from harm, China doesn't. But it's not the bong that hurts you, bud. It's what you put in the bong. And most of the liquid this forum promotes is made in the USA. I don't know, but I think suppliers like VT have gone to great lengths to help protect it's customers from harm.

VT store's disclaimer is spot on. Chris includes the Surgeon's Generals warning, the fact that nicotine should not be used by pregnant and nursing mothers, that liquid should be kept away from children and pets. These are all important things to consider. Child-proof containers are great! But I would just hate myself if someone who is trying to quit analogs was scared off by the idea that the e-cig was harmful enough that they shouldn't try it. I hope you understand my position, Joe.

General Questions:
How long have electronic cigarettes been around? They've been gaining popularity over the last few years, not sure when they actually hit the market.
How safe is the vapor? (How easy is it to overdose on nicotine?) Vapor is pretty safe, using an e-juice 24mg strength or less makes it fairly difficult to really over do it and make yourself sick. That's not to say you couldn't do it, but you'd have to really be chain vaping and then you have no one to blame but yourself.
Why does Firefox think vapor is not spelled correctly?! (well that one is a little off topic :/) My Firefox is cool with it
How long have you been vaping? Been analog free for over 70 days now, but I had tried the e-cig before that, I just didn't by any spare atomizers, when my only one burned out I went back to analogs for a little bit, now I'm back on track, and I have plenty of spare atomizers at all times.
Did you start vaping to quit smoking, or for just a "safer" switch? I started vaping because I did want to quit smoking, and it worked well. now that I have made the initial investment I'm not in a hurry to quit. It's much less expensive, less damaging to my health, and I enjoy it immensely.
Did it work? Hells yes.
How long did it take you to quit? Took me maybe 24 hours, but took my wife a couple weeks to totally quit. A buddy of mine just quit after 2 days with his first e-cig ever.
Can you give a good reason too start using an electronic cigarette other than health reasons? You'll save money, smell better, and you can use them indoors (most places).


Choice and Price:
In your experience, have you actually saved money by switching? Definitely, and the savings continue to get better after you make the initial investment.
Compared to cartons of cigarettes, what was your start-up cost? You can get a good 510 starter kit for around $50, plus some extra juice, you're lookin' at about $80-$100
What is the difference between a 510 and a pen-style? (Man I hope that's not the same thing) They are just 2 different models of atomizers, 510 is more compact.
Is there a comparison chart for all the brands and/or models? ??? You'll find 510s and 801 penstyles are favorites here.


Usage:
On average, how long does a bottle of juice last you? When I'm at home using my 5V passthrough all day I can go through 3ml in a day. At 3.7V maybe 1.5ml-2ml
On average, how long does a battery last before you have to buy a new one? The manual batteries tend to hold up longer, but I'd recommend buying a mod unit that uses cheaper batteries.
On average, how long does a vaporizer last before you have to buy a new one? Most atomizers should last around 1 month, anything after that is a bonus in my mind. But with good care they can last much longer than 1 month.
Compared to smoking a normal cigarette, do you have to reload (rejuice) your e-cig? If so, how many times? When direct dripping I'd say it's pretty close to about 1/2-1 cig every time I add 3 drops, with a cartridge you get more time between fills.
Compared to smoking a normal cigarette, is smoking an e-cig as satisfying? For me it's more satisfying in many ways, but there is an adjustment phase.
Once the juice is loaded into the cartridges how long does it take to evaporate before it's unusable? Left open to the air I wouldn't leave it more than 24 hrs, but I really don't know, i prefer to direct drip myself and fill cartridges (if I'm using one) right before I use it.

Those are just my opinions and experiences, so keep asking around and you'll find all the answers you need. Welcome to the forum.

Hello all,

When i was looking into these, i found alot of videos and reviews that seemed more like paid advertisements. I wanted jump in and give some first impressions for people who are reading posts and considering trying this out as i was a week ago. I don't have any questions, and if you have been vaping for more than a day you probably wont find any great insights either. This post is really for smokers who are thinking about vaping as an alternative and are on the fence.



Quick backround...

I am a 29 year old computer tech with two kids and a mortgage, not a whole lot of money to spend on frivolous things, so i did alot of post reading and web research before jumping in. i have been a pack a day smoker for almost 15 years. Marlboro Lights or Camel lights, (which ever i had a coupon for). I have wanted to quit smoking for a long time. My previous attempts have been pretty lame. I tried patches, Gum, and cold turkey, no luck though. I think 6 days without smoking is not enough time to call myself a nonsmoker, but it is better than i have done before. I still have cravings, sometimes fairly intense cravings, but they are manageable. I don't feel like I'm immediate danger of smoking at this point, I'm not pulling out my hair, or eating buckets of ice cream, but again i am only 6 days in.



The First Vape..

After maybe 6 hours over a couple of days of reading posts, news, watching vids, and in general gathering info I placed an order. I think my expectations where set a little to high, i was doing that check the mail 2 times a day thing. It was a little anti-climactic in the end. I kind of imaged a moisturizing mist of cool vapor soothing my throat and filling my lungs. The truth falls short of this but the sensation is not at all unpleasant, in fact on day 6 i would call my self a major fan. But I feel like its import to say Vaping is not like Smoking. I have been trying to think of an analogy to compare the two, this falls short but image you smoke unfiltered camel wides and someone gives you an ultra light. Regardless of how big of a drag you take or how big of a cloud of smoke you exhale, it doesn't feel like its filling your lungs as much as your old brand. I am smoking a manual 510, if i use the higher dose liquid i will cough i get so much sensation on my throat, but again it is not a cigarette and feels different. Please don't let this discourage you from buying, I'm quite satisfied now, but did not get exactly what i was expecting.




Flavor...

I read alot of people describing or reviewing the flavor of specific juice, what i had not read and will attempted to describe is the taste common to all the Vapor i have tried. Again i will mention i have only done this for 6 days, I am no expert, and have only tried about 8 flavors and two brands thus far, my hope is to set others expectations a little closer to the mark.

Black Cherry Vapor is as much like Black Cherry as Black Cherry tobacco is. The Vapor itself has a kind of Base Flavor. A Flavorless vapor came with my starter kit and is kind of like the essence of all the other vapors. The un-flavored vapor tastes sort of like watered down syrup. Faintly sweet, and perhaps a bit oily flavored. I can taste this same familiar flavor in all the different juices i have tried. If you are hoping like i was on trying to duplicate the experience of smoking a cigarette with flavor, don't get your expectations to high. The tobacco flavors i have tried are good, and taste like tobacco, but also taste a bit like bread to me, with that same slightly oily, watery syrup base. It is more pleasant that it sounds, but not exactly like tobacco, or peaches, or whatever flavor you have decided to try out.

While the taste was not what i was expecting, it is actually quite good. I never liked menthol cigarettes, but really enjoy menthol vapor for some reason, I suppose it is the same as not liking cherry flavored chewing gum, but liking cherry pie.



Nicotine...

This may be a mental thing, but i think i can feel a more direct link with nicotine while vaping. This may sound over dramatic, but its sort of a sharpening of my vision, and a focusing of my thoughts. Perhaps the smoke of a cigarette cancels this interesting effect of nicotine when smoking analogs, or maybe its all mental, but i swear i feel a direct effect where i did not notice one before. As for the dose thats best, this part i feel like i am having the hardest time figuring out. I have tried 11mg, and 18mg juice. My starter kit also came with a 24mg cart. I think I am ok with either the 11mg or the 18mg, but do still have cravings. I Tend to Sip on this thing all day, so i hesitate to get a higher dose. During my Cold Turkey attempted at quiting, I learned that there is a major difference between a craving and a withdrawal. I have had no withdrawal since i started using this, but cravings have been somewhat sharp at times. When i have a strong craving i follow the Vapor Talk adage "Drip, Vape, Repeat" and it DOES go away.



E-Cig in practice...

I have found E-Cigs to be INFINITELY more convenient to use than analogs. I never have to run to the store because i am out, If someone bums a cig from you, you get it BACK (how cool is that). I don't have a lighter to lose, have stolen, or drop under the seat of my car. Biggest advantage of all i don't smell like a cigarette any more, This cannot be understated. In just 6 days, i can smell smoke on my jacket as soon as i open my closet. I would have never guessed, despite how many people told me, but if you smoke a pack a day or more, you smell like cigarettes from across a room. If you have heard this before, and didnt believe it, take my word they are telling you the truth, and not just being snooty non-smokers like we all assume.

I have read a few people who find it annoying to refill their cartridges, i have not found this to be the case. vape for a while, 2-3 drops in the cart, 2 on the atty and keep going. easy as can be. small 3ml plastic bottles have been very helpful because i drive around alot for work. 2 batteries get me through about 6 hours maybe more. Car charger fixes that problem, its actually quite convenient.



Other Thoughts...

I did some math and figured that by the time i had vaped for three weeks without buying any cigarettes i would break even. I have found that it is saving me more than i expected, The reason for this is when i run to the store or gas station to buy a couple of packs, I almost always buy a Coke, or a Coffee, maybe a Snikers, or any other of 1000 things that i don't need. I now stop at the gas station and do all my business at the pump, saving not only the 7 dollars on the pack of smokes, but another 3 or 4 bucks on crap.



Anyway, I just thought i would share my first impressions, the good and the bad. Hope you try it out. it is alot of fun, very different and has helped me alot more than patches or gum ever did.

~Wompa

Okay. Let me clear it up some.So mabye, just mabye, I can
get the answer that im looking for. The spade,brandnew.Opened
yesterday.The first hit of mentha was smoothe and hard.Just how I like it.

Opened up the dulcis, used the brandnew atomizer.I use one for the mentha
and one for the dulcis.The first hit was harsh,but it has a sweet taste to it.
I like the taste, but I did not like the harsh hit to it.

The harshness has been there from the first throat hit to the last.I only wanted to know
if the higher mg spoiled the smoothness of the dulcis, or did I just get a bad sample
of the dulcis.

Either I got a bad sample of the dulcis or the dulcis becomes more harsh
with higher nic levels.

I'f my post was read clearly. I only wanted to hear from users that used
the dulcis juice.Not everyone elses opinion of what they belive.