Raymond Padilla

Vaping Diaries #84: Janty Ludo’s, RY4-X, SE555 Review

Here’s a review of three e-liquids from Janty, best known as the creators of the original eGo e-cigarette and the RY4. Ludo’s, RY4-X, and SE555 are covered in this article. The first two juices are based on two of the excellent RY4s I covered in Vaping Diaries #82, while the other is Janty’s take on a popular artificial tobacco flavor. Here are the flavor breakdowns and steeping notes.

Ludo’s: This juice is named after Janty’s president and founder Ludo Timmermans. It’s based on the company’s DK RY4, which is my favorite artificial RY4 on the market. The first thing that hits you is mint, followed by the excellent DK RY4 flavor (neutral tobacco + caramel + vanilla), and topped off by a coffee after taste. It’s a very interesting and complex juice, but it’s definitely not for everyone. Personally, I loved the striking blend and found this juice to be the most enjoyable of the three covered. Some of my friends found the mint overpowering and didn’t care for the coffee note…but I (respectfully) think they’re nuts. This is a great juice.

RY4-X: If you took Janty’s Classic RY4 and cranked the tobacco up to 11 then you’d have RY4-X. To me, the unique tobacco flavor and great balance is what makes Classic RY4 so excellent. While this is certainly a very good juice, turning up the tobacco actually made RY4-X less enjoyable to me than Classic RY4. My personal preference is for naturally-extracted tobacco, so if I want a tobacco-heavy RY4 then I’ll go for something like Goodejuice’s GJ4. Again, this is a very good juice, but the balance of Classic RY4 is what makes it great and that’s out the window with this juice. If you’re a fan of lab tobacco flavors and want a bit of sweetness to round things out then you’ll probably like this one.

SE555: Many vendors have e-liquids based on State Express 555 cigarettes. They’re almost always sweet tobaccos with a touch of nuttiness (the fruit variety, not the mentally unstable variety). Janty’s RY4 is a good 555 e-liquid, but it’s not as distinct as the two RY4 variants above and it’s comparable to many 555s that are available. At $15.95 for a 20ml bottle, the online price is expensive. You can find 555 e-liquids that are just as good or better for a lower price.

Steeping Notes
On the advice of Wlad from Ahlusion, I’ve been trying a new steeping method starting December 27, 2012. When the e-liquids arrive, I leave them uncapped for five minutes. Previously, I left them uncapped for about two days. After the liquids are given a few minutes to oxidize, the caps are put back on. The bottles are shaken every day for at least two weeks before vaping.

DK Ludo’s
House PG/VG ratio, 11mg nicotine
Uncapped: April 24, 2013 7:12PM
Vaped: May 14-June 15, 2013

Classic RY4X
House PG/VG ratio, 11mg nicotine
Uncapped: April 24, 2013 7:12PM
Vaped: May 14-June 15, 2013

DK SE555
House PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: April 24, 2013 7:12PM
Vaped: May 14-June 15, 2013

Review Process (Updated February 17, 2013)
RPad.TV e-liquid reviews focus on the flavor of the e-liquids, since throat hit and vapor production can be altered by the PG/VG ratio and nicotine level selected. Each juice is vaped over a period of days in an atomizer, a cartomizer/tank setup, and a clearomizer. The exception is naturally-extracted tobacco (NET) juice; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Help Me Find a New Note-Taking App/Service

I’ve been using Catch Notes for several years, going back to when the app/service was called 3Banana. Sadly, the service is going bye-bye at the end of the month. Do any of you have recommendations for a note-taking app and service? I would prefer something minimalistic and need something that works across multiple platforms (Android, iOS, OS X). I’ve used Evernote before, but find it too bloated for my note-taking needs. Plus, I’ve read that the latest version of the OS X app is a resource hog and a spam machine. I looked at Google Keep, but that’s at the other end of the spectrum — too barebones in its current state. Catch Notes has an ideal combination of being very lightweight and having just enough features. You guys and gals would rule if you could help me find a replacement (note: you rule anyway).

Kindly leave your note-taking app recommendations in the comments section!

Vaping Diaries #83: Vapour Art GP Spheroid v2 Review

The Vapour Art GP Spheroid (version 2) is a fantastic atomizer that’s great for vapers that love the full flavor of dripping, but are unsatisfied with the airy draws that many Genesis-style atomizers have. It’s a bottom-coil atomizer that uses Sera Wool, which is similar to the material that’s inside a cartomizer. Unlike a cartomizer, the heating element is separate from the filler, so the latter doesn’t diminish the flavor. The Spheroid is a well-made device that has the firmest draw of any rebuildable atomizer I’ve tried.

Build Quality: Vapour Art is known for its top-notch build quality and the Spheroid adds to its reputation. It’s made from surgical-grade stainless steel and has a thermoplastic insulator. The machining is extremely impressive, with silky smooth threads and clean lines.

Design: The Spheroid is a tall and thin atomizer. It has a minimalistic and classy design that’s built around how it works. It’s currently available in a polished finish, with a matte finish slated to arrive later in 2013. It looks fantastic on top of polished steel or polished brass mods. I love the way it looks, but am anxious for the matte version.

Performance: Like I said in the intro, the Spheroid has the firmest draw of any rebuildable atomizer that I’ve tried. If you like tight draws and want a rebuildable then you should pick one of these babies up as soon as Vapour Art releases more. While I love the taste that Genesis-style atomizers produce, I loathe the airy draws that they have. The Spheroid offers the full flavor of dripping coupled with a very satisfying draw.

The Spheroid is a versatile atomizer too. You can adjust the position of the coil relative to the air hole for different results. If you want more vapor then you position the coil lower. If you want more throat hit then you position the coil higher. I was surprised by how a slight adjustment made a very noticeable difference.

The filler material gives you some juice capacity. Vapour Art lists the capacity range as 2.2 to 3.2ml, depending on how much filler you use. I never got that much, since I preferred to use the filler conservatively. Using a thin layer of Sera Wool wrapped twice, I usually got around 1.5 to 2.0ml of juice.

Ease of Use: Setting up the Spheroid is like setting up a rebuildable dripping atomizer (RDA) with one extra step. You set up your wick and coil to the desired resistance. There are several ways to set up your wick; a friend suggested a “lasso” shape and that has worked brilliantly for me.

The next step is wrapping some Sera Wool around the post. This is the easiest part to mess up. When I first got the device, I used too much Sera Wool, which lead to flooding. I quickly learned that a little Sera Wool goes a long way and settled on a thin layer wrapped twice. I know a few people that use a Spheroid and most of them got used to working with Sera Wool quickly. Only one of my vaping buddies hates working with it. Personally, I find it easy to work with once you figure out how much filler works best for you. That said, it is an extra and finicky step that some vapers will not like.

My only issue with the Spheroid is that its posts use thumb screws. This is a thin atomizer and you don’t have a lot of room to work with. The thumb screws can make things difficult for clumsy vapers or those with large fingers. My rebuilding skills are pretty average and there were times that the thumb screws annoyed me. They’re also really easy to lose. I know a guy that has accidentally sent a few down the drain (Hi Tez!).

While it’s not quite as simple as just building a coil for an RDA, setting up a Spheroid is a process that most vapers should be able to handle.

Verdict: There’s a lot to love about the Vapour Art GP Spheroid. The build quality is excellent, it’s a handsome device, the flavor is top notch, the vapor production is solid, and the throat hit is superb. Yes, it requires a little more effort than an RDA, but the effort is totally worth it. Not only do you get a bit of juice capacity, but you get an extremely satisfying draw. Vapour Art releases these atomizers in small batches and I highly recommend picking one up during the next release.

[Edit: August 3] Please note that the b-roll used in the video was just to show the basics of what’s needed for the Spheroid. It was not meant as an instructional or “How To” video. It was filmed quickly so the coil was sloppy and a thicker piece of Sera Wool should be used. While it’s relatively easy to work with, you should be mindful of your coil and the amount of Sera Wool you use to get the most out of this fantastic atomizer.

BioShock Infinite Coming to OS X on August 29

As wonderful as Apple’s Mac OS X is, it kinda blows as a gaming platform. Thankfully, the folks at Aspyr are here to help OS X fans use their computers for something other than productivity. The company recently announced that BioShock Infinite will be available for OS X through the Mac App Store and Steam. A grand adventure can be experienced on iMacs and MacBook Pros for $59.99.

If you’re sure you want the game then you should consider pre-ordering. Aspyr is giving away the “Columbia’s Finest” DLC pack as a pre-order bonus. It includes, “500 Silver Eagles (in-game currency), 5 Lock Picks to help you navigate through Columbia, six unique Gear items, and two weapon upgrades: Comstock’s China Broom Shotgun and Comstock’s Eagle Eye Sniper Rifle.”

Source

Android Device Manager is Google’s Find My iPhone

Google Android finally has an official equivalent to Apple’s “Find My iPhone” feature. It’s called Android Device Manager. It allows you to locate your errant Android device through Google Maps/GPS and force your device to ring at the maximum volume. If neither of those options help you find your Android phone or tablet then a remote data wipe can be performed.

While a number of third-party apps have offered this type of functionality for Android, I’ve always been puzzled that there was never a first-party solution. It’s too important a feature to leave in the hands of third-party developers. Don’t get me wrong, some of those apps are very good, but this type of security should be a simple and straightforward first-party solution.

People that search for an app like this on Google Play are met with an overwhelming amount of choices; it’s confusing and many people give up their data to a company they don’t know. An official solution was long overdue and it appears, on paper, to be a good one. As for data concerns, Google already knows everything about you anyway. :p

Android Device Manager will be available in August for devices running Android 2.2 or higher.

Out of curiosity, do any of you use a third-party Android app with “Find My iPhone” functionality? If so, are you going to drop it for Android Device Manager? If not, are you going to use Google’s official solution?

Source

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

I’m giving Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons another whirl before I post my review. There’s a lot that I love about the game, but it also has elements that aren’t for everyone. I’m under embargo, so I can’t really say more. On a videogame-related note, I plan on reading Nobuo Uematsu’s interactive book Blik-0 1946. It’s available for the Apple iPad and Amazon Kindle. Many of you know Uematsu for his unforgettable Final Fantasy music. In Blik-0 1946, you’ll get to enjoy some new tracks from the maestro, as well as some cool art and a touching story. If you happen to pick up Blik-O 1946, please share your thoughts on it in the comments section. I’d love to hear them!

Now here’s the part where I go, “How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?”

Today’s Poll: The Motorola X and You

Motorola officially unveiled the Motorola X Android phone in New York today. The company is taking a unique approach with this phone, offering several customization options and adding some clever software tricks on top of Google Android. However, many of its internal components are middle-of-the-road and the Motorola X is priced like a high-end phone. Will the Motorola X dazzle consumers with its color choices? Or will it be snubbed in favor of more powerful Android devices? Kindly vote in the poll below and let me know what you think of the phone in the comments section. In the meantime, here’s a brief rundown on the Motorola X, binary style.

Good: The most novel thing about the Motorola X is that its physical appearance can be customized. Using the Motomaker (video below), consumers can mix and match different components. The front, back, volume-rocker, and camera-lens plastics can be mixed and match, for hundreds of different color combinations. For mainstream consumers, this is a fun and fantastic option.

Bad: Unfortunately, AT&T has a timed exclusive on Motomaker customization. People that want a Motorola X at launch for Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular will have to settle for black or white.

Bad: While customizing the look of the phone is pretty sweet, the choices for internal components are limited. You can have 16GB or 32GB of storage.

Bad: This is definitely not a phone for tech geeks. The processor is considered mid-range now and will seem like a fossil a year from now. Motorola opted for a 720p screen, rather than a 1080p screen, which is the trend for high-end phones.

Good: Motorola wants to get away from the spec wars and focus on the experience. The company is positioning the device as something that just works and is cool, rather than something that beats out HTC or Samsung phones on paper. Obviously Apple has been hugely successful at pushing the “experience” of the iPhone instead of focusing on what’s inside it.

Bad: Unfortunately for Motorola, that’s not how the Android world works. Apple can successfully push the experience because it controls everything — hardware, operating system, and services. It can offer something unique because it’s the only company that has iPhone, iOS, and iTunes. I don’t think you can get away with a mid-range Android phone — at least to tech nerds — by pushing an experience. Aside from customizable plastics, there are too many Android phones that offer experiences similar or superior to what the Motorola X brings to the table.

Good: Some of Motorola’s Android customizations are pretty clever. The Motorola X can pull off some neat tricks with its always-on voice recognition and sensor detection. I really like that you can see notifications by just tapping the screen instead of turning the whole screen on; the “active” notifications take advantage of AMOLED’s ability to only power a certain amount of pixels. It’s fast and efficient.

Bad: Some of the Android enhancements are gimmicky. Some tech pundits are also concerned about always-on voice recognition and sensor detection running down the battery.

Bad: My biggest issue with the phone is the price. AT&T has listed the 16GB model for $199 and the 32GB model for $249 (contract pricing). Considering the mid-range internals of the phone, that’s too much. I’m sure that some people will be happy to pay those prices just to mix and match plastics, but tech savvy consumers will surely opt for more powerful phones.

Your Turn: Anyway, those are my initial thoughts on the Motorola X. I’d love to hear yours! Fire away in the comments section and vote in today’s poll (please).

[poll id=”184″]

Behind the Scenes Feature on Jobs (Ashton Kutcher)

The latest behind-the-scenes feature on the upcoming Jobs movie starring Ashton Kutcher has me wary of the film. Be sure to check out the clip — featuring Kutcher (Steve Jobs) and Josh Gad (Steve Wozniak) — embedded below. On the plus side, Kutcher has Jobs’ awkward strut down (it’s almost like the nerd version of WWE Vince McMahon’s silly duck walk). He looks great as young Steve and looks decent as NeXT-era Steve. As for iPod-era Steve…ouchie. To me, he looked less like Steve Jobs and more like Will Ferrell playing James Lipton on Saturday Night Live. That’s not good.

Speaking of not good, I’m not digging Kutcher’s voice. While it’s true that a limited actor can only do so much to change the sound of his or her voice, cadence is something that can be mimicked. After watching several clips of the feature, it sounds like Kutcher wasn’t even trying. Perhaps I’m expecting too much from the guy from That ’70s Show, but considering his heavy involvement in the tech world and his obvious adoration for Jobs, I thought he would have tried harder.

Let’s be real though. There are many people that find Apple so fascinating that they’re going to see Jobs no matter what. (And yes, I’m one of those people.) How about you? How does the short feature on Jobs make you feel about the movie? Excited, scared, or ready to embrace Android/Windows?

Samsung Galaxy S4 Benchmark Cheating Exposed?

Recently, Samsung has gotten some heat over the international versions of its flagship Galaxy S4 phone “cheating” on benchmarks. These phones use the Exynos 5 Octa system-on-chip. Under normal circumstances, the Exynos 5 Octa’s GPU runs at 480MHz. It was discovered in a Beyond3D forum post that the GPU hits 532MHz during certain benchmark tests. The wonderfully technical folks at AnandTech put the chip to the test and it appears that Samsung is guilty as charged.

On one hand, Samsung appears to be gaming the system. The company’s gumption is almost admirable, but this type of gaming can be misleading to a certain type of consumer. For better and worse, benchmark results impact some people’s purchases to varying degrees. They can be a good tool for making informed purchases, but benchmarks — particularly synthetic benchmarks — don’t always reflect the actual experience of using a computer (mobile phone or otherwise). For those that rely heavily on benchmark results, Samsung’s manipulations could lead to people buying phones that aren’t as powerful as the buyers think they are.

On the other hand, the performance gains from the artificial GPU boost are largely meaningless in real-world use. People that live and die by benchmarks (and I’m saying this as a former PC Magazine and Computer Shopper reviewer) should get over it and go buy a bicycle or something. If you think you’re going to have a vastly superior experience with your phone because it scored 800 points higher on AnTuTu than its chief competitor then you have larger issues to deal with.

Speaking of PC Magazine, I remember reading AnandTech with my PC Mag Labs cohorts when Anand Lal Shimpi wasn’t old enough to shave, drive, or drink. We’d make fun of him for being this nerdy punk that PC Mag editor-in-chief Michael Miller would kiss up to. More than a decade later, AnandTech is bigger than ever and has become a highly influential tech site…and here I am with a blog that’s like a geeky and (really) budget version of Grantland. FML…and also hug me please.

Source

Are You Ready For the Rise of Elizabeth Olsen?

In the Janty RY4 review I posted yesterday, I made an analogy using Elizabeth Olsen, comparing her to the least of the three e-liquids I covered in the story. As I was writing it, I was thinking, “You know, this probably won’t make sense in a year.” For the longest time, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Chase Olsen lived in the shadow of her famous sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley. It’s easy to understand why. A lot of you watched the Olsen twins in Full House and saw them become child celebrities. In recent years, the twins have been a staple for gossip rags (which are strangely fascinated by the alien-like appearances of these young women). I suspect that in a year’s time, Elizabeth will be the primary Olsen sister — at least in the nerd world.

Elizabeth Olsen is set to star in Oldboy and Godzilla. Those are two hugely important movies to the geek chic. I gotta feeling that these movies will take her fame to new heights. It’s entirely possible that these roles will catapult her to stardom and she’ll eclipse her sisters’ accomplishments. She’s already proven to be the most talented actress in the family (not hard, I know) and she’s arguably the most attractive Olsen sibling. With the help of the nerd elite, I believe that the rise of Elizabeth Olsen is imminent.

What do you guys and dolls think? Is Elizabeth Olsen set to take away the spotlight from Mary-Kate and Ashley?