Vaping Diaries #13: Heather’s Heavenly Vapes Review

My excellent friend Raina Lee and I checked out three e-liquids from Heather’s Heavenly Vapes. We vaped a trio of juices named after The Lord of the Rings characters: Gandalf, Gollum, and Shadowfax. While we were impressed by the quality of all three, we each had a favorite. Watch the video review to hear details on the flavor of all three products. They’re even tastier than Hobbit leaf!

Steeping Notes

Shadowfax
60/40 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: October 20, 2012 5:20PM
Recapped: October 22, 2012 5:34PM
Opened: November 6, 2012 1:35PM

Gollum
60/40 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: October 20, 2012 5:20PM
Recapped: October 22, 2012 5:34PM
Opened: November 6, 2012 1:35PM

Gandalf
60/40 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: October 20, 2012 5:20PM
Recapped: October 22, 2012 5:34PM
Opened: November 6, 2012 1:35PM

Vaping Diaries #12: Ovale USA Emini Review

Here’s a stylish and unique e-cigarette that’s geared towards casual and social smokers: the Emini from Ovale USA. This vaping device comes with two batteries and a cool charging case that strongly resembles an Apple iPhone 4/4S. While it’s not powerful enough for hardcore vapors, it’s a compelling choice for social smokers that don’t want to fuss with charging cables and want a product that looks good. Here’s the rundown.

What’s in the Kit: The Emini comes with two batteries, a charging case, three e-liquid cartridges, two atomizers, two atomizer heads, a USB charger, and a wall adapter. The kit currently lists for $69.99 on the Ovale USA site.

Form Factor: The e-cigs are a little bit shorter than the standard ones offered by competing companies like Safe Cig and V2. They look like “real” cigarettes, which is good for people that want to blend in with smokers and want to vape without drawing attention to themselves. The charging case, which holds one battery at a time, is smaller than an iPhone 4. The setup is very much pocketable.

Performance: As far as the batteries go, the Emini performs inline with other automatic batteries for competing vendors. The draw is decent, while the vapor is good for this type of device. Each 90 mAh battery lasts around 20 to 30 minutes. The case is rated at 1,090 mAh, which is more than enough for the type of vaper this product targets. The charging case should provide enough power to get casual smokers through a day. If that’s not enough, the case can be recharged with a standard micro-USB cable.

Consumables: The batteries use standard Ego-C atomizer heads, which are common and easy to find. The e-juice cartridges are proprietary and costs $5.99 for a five-pack at Ovale USA.

Verdict: This is a really cool e-cig that’s stylish and practical. The charging case is super convenient. Personally, I prefer the Elips-C as far as smaller e-cigs go, but this is good choice for casual vapers that want something that resembles a tobacco cigarette. Remember, this product is not meant for heavy vapers; the battery life, vapor production, and draw won’t satisfy them. If you’re the kind of person that occasionally takes smoke breaks at work or wants to vape over drinks, the Emini’s looks and convenience will keep you happy.

Vaping Diaries #11: E-Cigs and Big Tobacco

I’ve been surprised that big tobacco companies have been slow to adopt e-cigarettes. There are a few exceptions, but the majors are moving at a glacial pace, failing to take advantage of a booming market. It seems like such an obvious thing — sell tobacco cigarettes to get people hooked and sell a healthier alternative when people want to quit. Have these companies learned nothing from Monsanto?!? Then again, American tobacco companies are so old and slow that perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised by their failure to adapt. For now, let’s look at two companies that are cashing in on the e-cig craze: Lorillard and Swisher.

Lorillard might sound like an unfamiliar brand, but you’ve surely seen the company’s products. Newport, Kent, True, Satin, and Maverick are the most famous Lorillard tobacco cigarettes. In April 2012, Lorillard bought Blu Cigs. While they’re far from the best in terms of performance and taste, Blu has some of the best marketing of any e-cig company. Lorillard has turned the marketing dial to 11, with an aggressive advertising campaign featuring Stephen Dorff.

In addition to big marketing dollars, Lorillard is using its retail relationships to get Blu on store shelves. For most (quality) vaping products, Internet stores or specialty shops are the only options. Blu Cigs, on the other hand, can be found at drugstores and groceries. In fact, I could go down the street and pick up Blu Cigs at my local Walgreens if I wanted to. That kind of reach is extremely powerful.

I’m sure that many of you are familiar with Swisher Sweets cigars. A lot of young people like to blend them with…other types of herbal remedies. The company has an e-cig line call e-Swisher, consisting of products that look like cigarettes, as well as those that look like Swisher cigars. Like Lorillard, Swisher has extensive retail relationships and is able to reach a lot of eyeballs.

These two traditional tobacco companies are just the beginning. There’s a great chance that the market will boom, with other traditional tobacco companies releasing e-cig products in the near future. Like Blu, I also expect more celebrity endorsers. Katherine Heigl (pictured at the top of this post) has been vaping for years and even busted out an e-cig on The Late Show with David Letterman (clip below). More recently, Robert Pattinson was spotted using an e-cig. Imagine all the Twilight smokers he could convert?!? The future of vaping would be insured if the world’s most desirable vampire endorsed an e-cig. Hmmmm, I’m going to try to get in touch with his agent.

Vaping Diaries #10: Variable Wattage E-Cigs — The Next Big Thing

Last month, I wrote about the benefits of using variable-voltage e-cigs. Being able to change the voltage of a vaping device allows for more versatility. Vapers can achieve different tastes, throat hits, and vapor levels from different e-juices and equipment through these devices. The latest trend is variable-wattage e-cigs. They allow for the same kind of versatility, but make things easier for vapers. Today I’m going to talk about how variable-wattage vaporizers differ from their variable-voltage cousins.

Let’s use an oven as an analogy. The important things to remember are input and output. Setting the temperature of an oven is like setting the voltage on a variable-voltage e-cig. In both cases, the input is controlled. In the case of the oven, the actual temperature can vary between models and technology (gas, electric, convection, etc.). In the case of the e-cig, the actual wattage can vary depending on the resistance of cartomizer used.

Variable-wattage e-cigs allow you to control the output. Say your ideal vape is seven watts. A variable-wattage e-cig will give you seven watts, whether you’re using a low-resistance cartomizer at 1.7 ohms or a high-resistance clearomizer at 3.0 ohms. There are people that argue that the output is the most important thing for vapers and variable-wattage devices allow for truer output than variable-voltage devices. They’re especially useful given that resistance ratings can be inconsistant and can change over the life of a product. You won’t have to worry about any of that with a variable-wattage e-cig because the device will adjust the voltage as needed in order to give you the desired output.

The Evolv Darwin (pictured above) has been viewed as the best variable-wattage device on the market, but it lacked competition and cost more than some vapers cared to spend. Recently, newer devices that cost a fraction of the Darwin have been released. While early reports indicate that they don’t perform as consistently as the Darwin, these devices can be had for 1/5 or 1/4 of the price.

A lot of hardcore vapers are clamoring for more variable-wattage devices and many are keen on ProVape releasing a variable-wattage version of its venerable ProVari e-cig. I expect the trend to really kick off in 2013, with more models from more vendors. For vaping enthusiasts, variable-wattage devices will be the next big thing.

Vaping Diaries #9: Apollo E-Cigs eGo VV Review

One of the vaping devices in my current rotation is the eGo VV from Apollo E-Cigs. This is a straightforward variable-voltage battery that’s backed by an unusually high level of service. For those new to variable-voltage vaping, this is a great device to start out with. It’s also a compelling choice for vaping veterans. I’ll explain it all as I break it down (cue the Degeneration-X music).

What’s in the Kit: This is a barebones kit that includes a battery, a UC-E6 to USB cable, instructions, and a certificate of inspection. As of this writing, it lists for $26.95 on Apollo’s web site.

Form Factor: Like the packaging, the form factor and looks are totally straightforward. This is a grey eGo-style e-cig that’s given a bit of flash with the Apollo logo. The threaded tube is topped with a connection that accepts 510 and eGo-threaded parts. I used it with a CE2 clearomizer, a Kanger T3 clearomizer, and a Cirrus Vapes tank — all of them worked just fine.

With the CE2, I’d say the device is pocketable. With the T3, it’s borderline pocketable. As for the tank…well, I don’t really recommend walking around with a large glass e-juice tank in your pocket (but perhaps that’s just me).

Performance: The eGo VV can be adjusted from three volts to six volts in increments of 0.10v. Considering how much this vaping device costs, I was impressed by its accurate and consistent performance. Using the clearos and tanks mentioned above, I vaped anywhere from 3.5v to 4.4v. The voltage was on the money and stayed that way for the majority of the battery’s life. It tuckered out towards the end, but that was totally expected.

Battery Life: I was getting about five hours of battery life per charge with the eGo VV. I’m a fairly regular vaper, so your mileage may vary. With my habits, I was going through a little less than three full batteries per day. Obviously I was getting more battery life at lower voltages and less at higher voltages. If you’re a heavy vaper that’s considering picking up the eGo VV, I’d suggest getting a few.

Two Issues: I had two problems with the eGo VV — one minor and one somewhat major. The minor problem was the USB passthrough charging. While it’s true that you can vape while the battery is charging, you can only do so if there’s sufficient power in the battery. If the battery is low or totally depleted, the unit will not draw enough power from a USB connection to charge the battery and allow you to vape at the same time. To be fair, a lot of USB devices — not just e-cigs — are like this.

The bigger issue I had was with the unit’s firing button. The slightly raised rubber button is too subtle. In conditions with bright lighting, you either have to feel up the battery for a few seconds or briefly look at it to locate the firing button. Low-light situations are more problematic. When I brought it with me to that PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale party last week, I was constantly holding it up to my face for several seconds so that I could find the firing button. While I wouldn’t say the firing button is a deal-breaker, it can be very annoying.

Service and Warranty: The eGo VV is available for a bit less through other vendors, but I highly recommend going with Apollo for this device. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is fantastic for those that are just starting out with variable-voltage vaping. It’s also backed by a one-year warranty, which makes this device attractive to novices and veterans alike.

Apollo’s support is also noteworthy. The company offers customer support Monday through Friday, with phone agents available from 8AM to 5PM PST and online-chat agents available from 8AM to 11PM PST. I had a few issues with another Apollo product I’m using and the online support solved my problems (two occurrences) in a snap.

For a relatively small company, I was very impressed with Apollo’s support service, guarantee policy, and warranty policy.

Verdict: If you’ve been thinking about dipping your toe into the world of variable-voltage vaping then the eGo VV from Apollo is a great way to go. It’s a good device, but if it’s not your cup of tea then you can take advantage of the company’s 30-day guarantee. If you’re an experienced vaper looking for a solid but low-cost variable-voltage solution, then picking a couple of these units is a compelling option. The eGo VV is a good vaping device backed by a generous warranty and great service.

If you have any question about my experience with the Apollo E-Cigs eGo VV then please fire away in the comments section.

Vaping Diaries #8: Vaping Side Effects

Ever since I made the switch from tobacco cigarettes to vaping, there are a number of changes I’ve noticed with my body. Most of them were positive and some of them were surprising. Keep in mind that my medical knowledge is pretty basic, so some of the things that I found surprising might have you going, “Well duh!” Now click on the video below of the Brady Bunch singing “Time to Change” as I discuss some of the side effects of switching from smoking to vaping. Continue reading “Vaping Diaries #8: Vaping Side Effects”

Vaping Diaries #7: Cartomizers vs. Clearomizers vs. Tanks

If you have a vaping device with a 510 connection then you have a number of ways to experience delicious e-cigarette juices. Three of the most common delivery mechanisms are cartomizers, clearomizers, and tanks. They deliver and handle juices in different ways. One of these isn’t necessarily better than the others, but there’s probably one that’s best for you. It all depends on your personal preference.

Here’s a basic guide to cartomizers, clearomizers, and tanks. Please note that the vendors linked to in this article are places where I’ve purchased gear in the past. This site is not part of an affiliate program with companies that sell vaping goods.

Cartomizers: These are the most common products on the market. They’re simple screw-on cartridges that go on top of your battery. Cartomizers are cylindrical metal housings that contain polyfill to hold your liquids and an atomizer to turn those liquids into vapor. Companies like Safe Cig and V2 sell them prefilled, while V2 also sells blank cartridges that you can fill with juice of your choice.

The advantage of cartomizers is that they’re super-simple to use. You screw one on top of your battery and vape away. Some people dispose of them after they’re empty, but they’re pretty easy to refill, allowing you to get more for your money and enjoy a variety of juices.

There are a few disadvantages to using cartomizers, but not all of them will matter to you. Firstly, they don’t hold much juice — typically 1ml or less. Heavy vapers will go through several cartidges a day and would be better served using clearomizers or tanks. Some people feel that the filling in cartomizers mutes the taste of juices. Others are sensitive to the polyfill material used in most cartomizers and find that it ruins the whole vaping experience.

Personally, I’m over these types of products because of capacity issues, but there are some days when I miss the ease of use.

Clearomizers: This category is a fairly broad one, encompassing products that look like cartomizers and those that look like tanks. Clearos consist of a clear tube, the atomizing devices, and wicks that deliver the juice to the atomizers. Some of them have atomizer coils and wicks housed at the top (warmer vapor), while others have them on the bottom (better wicking).

One reason people love clearomizers is that they’re clear (duh), making it easy to monitor juice levels. If you know you’re going to be away from home for a while then you can add more juice or swap out a half-empty clearo for a full one. The juice capacity is superior to what a cartomizer holds, with different models holding anywhere from 1.5ml to 3ml. Many of these products are reusable and last much longer than a typical cartomizer. Some of them are rebuildable, allowing you to keep the tank and replace the atomizer/wick housing; these types of clearos are especially cost effective. Lastly, some vapers feel that clearos offer a purer taste than polyfill cartos.

Many people have experienced juice leaking and inconsistent quality with clearomizers. Remember, we’re talking about small, mass-produced parts made by the thousands; quality control can be an issue. I’ve had clearos from the same manufacturer perform well, some perform poorly, and some perform very differently from each other. The plastic tank enclosures are problematic for some vapers. They can retain flavor that can stick around when changing juices. Some flavors, like cinnamon and citrus varieties, can cause the plastic to crack.

My current clearomizer of choice is the Kanger T3. It offers great taste and good vapor, while being easy to refill and maintain. I have two in rotation at the moment and one pulls tighter than the other.

Tanks: These products are relatively big enclosures with a cartomizer slotted through the middle. They come in a variety of sizes and materials (plastic, glass, metal). Tanks pair the performance of a cartomizer with large capacity, making them the preferred choice of many heavy vapers.

The obvious advantage to tanks is that they hold a lot of juice. I’ve seen capacities range from 3ml to 10ml. Many vapers choose a tank that will last them a whole day or more. Tanks made from certain materials are also impervious to the erosive properties of cinnamon and citrus juices. Many vapers proudly show off their beautiful glass tanks and slick stainless-steel models. Once you learn how to handle them properly, tanks are simple to maintain — wash, slot in a new cartomizer, and replace the grommets as needed.

Due to their large size, tanks look funny on slimmer vaping devices and often make them un-pocketable. Maintaining a tank can be tricky for newcomers; slotting in a new carto and refilling can be messy. If proper seals aren’t maintained, tanks will leak. Since tanks house a cartomizer, those sensitive to polyfill will want to avoid them.

I currently have two tanks in rotation: a glass one from Cirrus Vapes and a polypropylene model from Valley View Vapes. The former is a gorgeous product made from Pyrex glass and aircraft aluminum, while the latter features a clever design that makes refills a snap.

What’s Best For You: All three designs have their strong points and weak points. Those looking for no fuss and no muss will dig cartomizers. Those that want capacity that’s a little higher in a relatively low-maintenance package will like clearomizers. Those that want higher capacities and some sweet-looking products will opt for tanks. Remember, there isn’t a “best” solution here. It’s all about what best fits your vaping needs.

If you have any questions about cartomizers, clearomizers, and tanks (oh my!) then drop me a question in the comments section.

Vaping Diaries #6: Ovale USA Elips-C Review

For the last week, I’ve been vaping with the Elips-C from Ovale USA. This is a simple e-cigarette with a really svelte and stylish form factor. While it doesn’t have the versatility of Ovale’s eGo-C, I was very happy with the device. It offers very good performance for its size. This is a good kit for beginning vapers that want something that’s easy to use, but aren’t ready or don’t care to experiment with the myriad of parts available for vaping devices with a 510 connection. It’s also good for advanced vapers that want a complementary device — something small and pocketable for when they leave their big gear at home. Here’s a breakdown of my thoughts on the Elips-C.

What’s in the Kit: Currently available for $89.99, the Elips-C kit comes with two batteries, five atomizer heads, two atmozer locks, two mouthpieces, five tank cartridges, three mouthpiece covers, replacement O-rings, a USB charging cable, a USB wall adapter, and a user manual.

Form Factor: In terms of length, the Elips-C is actually shorter than most “standard” e-cigs that mimic the look of tobacco cigarettes. However, it’s wider and flatter. It reminded me of a kazoo…which reminded me of WWE Edge and Christian. And as E&C taught us, kazoos totally rule! When I sent a photo of the device to you guys in the RPad.TV Google+ group, RPadholic N8R mentioned that it looked like a stick of lipstick. Whatever the case, this is a very small device that feels great in the hand is very pocketable. I was very happy with the Elips-C’s form factor and build quality.

Performance: The Elips-C kit comes with two 350 mAh batteries. For comparison’s sake, the V2 standard battery is 250 mAh. I was getting a little under three hours of run time off of a single charge. When I used the Elips-C as an all-day device, I usually went through four full batteries a day. The kit comes with a USB passthrough cable, but performance is only “pseudo” passthrough. You can vape and charge at the same as long as there’s life in the battery. If the battery is completely dead, you won’t be able to vape while it’s plugged in. That’s not too big of a deal though since you get two batteries.

Given its size, I had middling expectations of the device’s flavor and vapor production. Those expectations were exceeded. Both the flavor and the vapor were good. While you’re not going to get the same kind of performance as you would from a large tube mod (nor should you expect to), this little baby does well for such a small vaping device. When you compare this $89.99 kit to what you get from Safe Cig or V2, you’re getting more for your money. The one minor quibble I had was that the Elips-C’s draw is a little tight. That’s a personal preference though.

Consumables: One of the biggest advantages the Elips-C has over the original Elips is that it uses standard eGo-C atomizers. The latter used an all-in-one cartridge that was expensive (currently $15.99). Regular eGo-C atomizers are cheaper (five for $25.99 at Ovale USA) and can be found from numerous vendors. The device also uses a proprietary e-liquid cartridge (five for $6.99), which was expected given its atypical form factor. Ovale USA sells juices with fine tips that fit directly into the cartridge. If you’re using juice from another vendor then you’ll probably need a syringe for refills.

Verdict: I was very happy with the Ovale USA Elips-C. The form factor is just cool and stylish, while the performance is better than most devices this size. For novice vapers, this is a great kit that’s super-easy to use and maintain. For experienced vapers, this is a nice complementary device for when you’re out and about. It’s very pocketable and fantastic for stealth vaping (at parties, dentist offices, restaurants, etc.). The downside is that you’re tied to proprietary consumables and won’t enjoy the versatility of something like the eGo-C. However, I don’t think this product is really in the same category as the eGo-C. In my mind, it competes with starter kits from companies like Safe Cig and V2. In that context, this is a better kit that appeals to more types of vapers. And really, it just looks cool!

Vaping Diaries #5: Why I Love the World of Vaping

In addition to it being a healthier alternative than smoking tobacco (my opinion, not an endorsement), there are two reasons why I’m really into vaping — the community and the vendors. I touched upon the community aspect a bit in Coffee Talk #527. In general, the vapers that post in forums like ECF are really supportive. They’re all former cigarette smokers that are happy to help others find the best way to avoid tobacco cigs. They welcome newcomers and help people learn about the different gear available. Given the vast number of choices out there, vaping can be daunting, but there are many vapers that are more than happy to help others learn.

One of the biggest differences between the vaping crowd and the tech crowd is that “noobs” aren’t looked down upon. Let’s use mobile phones for example. If someone posts about how much they enjoy Symbian phones, there are thousands of Android and iOS users just waiting to tear him or her down. In the vaping world, if someone enjoys e-cigs like Safe Cig or V2, they’re not looked down upon. Yes, they’re considered “beginner” devices, but it doesn’t matter if these people don’t want to move onto advanced devices like the ProVari or mechanical mods. The important thing is that they found something that helps them avoid tobacco cigarettes.

Then there are the vendors. Many of the companies involved in vaping are small businesses. Yes, they’re trying to make money, but they’re trying to do so by promoting a positive hobby. I love underdogs, so I love that these businesses are competing against huge tobacco companies. As a (really) small business owner myself, I feel good about supporting these kinds of companies. There’s just something about purchasing from mom-and-pop companies that makes me happy.

Buying a game from GameStop is nothing more than a clinical experience for me. Supporting a shop like The Vapor Spot gives me good vibes. As far as publishers go, I feel nothing when buying a game released by Activision, EA, etc. When I buy a tank from Valley View Vapes or e-juice from Orb Vapor, I get warm fuzzies.

So yeah, for me vaping is a much better option than smoking tobacco. As I learned more about the world of vaping, it became way more fun than I ever thought it would be. And that’s largely because of the wonderful community and excellent vendors involved. I love these guys (and dolls)!

Vaping Diaries #4: A Visit to The Vapor Spot (Los Angeles)

After lunch, my friend Paul and I stopped by The Vapor Spot. While there are hundreds of web site where you can purchase vaping goods, there aren’t very many physical stores, so I was curious and excited to see what this place had to offer. Seconds after walking in, I was greeted by the owner, JJ. He’s very friendly and customer-service oriented. You can tell straight away that he wants to make his customers happy. I asked him a bit about the shop, browsed around, and did some scouting for a video interview RPadholic N8R and I will be shooting there in the future. I left the shop thinking, “I want to hang out here!”

The Vapor Spot has a bunch of vaping gear and juices for sale. As you’d expect, there’s a higher markup than Internet stores since JJ has to pay for physical space and utilities. The idea is that personal attention and customer service will keep people coming back. I watched JJ work out gear issues with one of his patrons and he was very accommodating. The shop lets users sample loads of e-liquids. You can walk in with your own gear, buy some cartomizers for $1 a piece, and sample away — very, very cool. Those are two examples of how The Vapor Spot hopes to succeed.

One of the highlights of my browsing was coming across these gorgeous Pyrex tanks by Cirrus Vapes. These are hand made in the USA. At a glance, the quality seems excellent. The beauty was undeniable. I was very much smitten with these tanks. Paul had to smack me on the back of the head because I was just staring at (and possibly drooling over) these gorgeous products for like three minutes. The Vapor Spot is one of the few stores in America where you can pick these babies up.

It will be interesting to see if The Vapor Spot will succeed. From my brief visit, it seemed like a busy store with loyal customers. In many ways, it reminded me of an old-school record store. Remember those mom-and-pop deals that were super friendly and where you could spend hours hanging out? It’s totally like that. While many vapers use the Internet to learn more about products and buy goods, there are many people that would like to get advice and recommendations from an actual person. This is where The Vapor Spot can excel. Vaping is a relatively new phenomenon and new products are coming out all the time. It can be daunting and confusing for newcomers. Shops like this one can be a valuable resource to vapers.

Even though I generally hate the brick-and-mortar retail experience, I really hope The Vapor Spot does well. It’s a cool store that can help people find the right gear and e-liquids — cool stuff!