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Vaping Diaries #172: Ahlusion Review VIII

Here’s a review of three very different e-liquids from Ahlusion. Orient Whisper is a complex fruit blend that really stands out. Next is Ahlusion’s excellent take on cherry cola. Wrapping things up is Sahara Blend, one of the best juices I vaped in 2013. As with the other Ahlusion e-liquids I’ve had, the flavors are delicious, natural, and masterfully blended. Read on to see if these three excellent Ahlusion juices are right for you.

Orient Whisper: A lovely fruit mix with lychee as the highlight, Ahlusion Orient Whisper is moderately sweet, creamy, and a little bit tangy. There are many tropical fruit blends on the market, but this one stands out. Orient Whisper is a unique and complex fruit medley that’s full of natural flavors. It has a thickness about it that reminded me a bit of The Vape Tree’s Pinoy Punch, but with a different blend of fruits. As lychee is one of my favorite fruits in the world, I adored this juice.

Orient Whisper blends wonderfully after two weeks of steeping. Early on, the bright and sweet lychee stands out. After two months, it starts to fade, with the creamy and citrus notes becoming more pronounced. For me, it was best after two weeks and before eight.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Cherry Cola: Apparently cherries are a big deal in Michigan, where Ahlusion is based. It shows in the company’s Cherry Cola e-liquid. The cola and cherry flavors are very rich and authentic, with a slightly spicy bite. The blend tastes very much like a gourmet cherry cola, as opposed to generic Cherry Coke. While this is one of the sweetest Ahlusion juices I’ve had, the sweetness isn’t overpowering (a common e-liquid mistake). Objectively, this is one of the best cherry cola juices I’ve had. Subjectively, I prefer Clever Vape’s Brooklyn Pop, which has a much spicier kick. That said, I think that more vapers would prefer this juice.

Steeping this one is a little bit tricky. It’s really good fresh and great after two weeks. Early on, Ahlusion Cherry Cola has a fizzy sensation, similar to the one in the company’s W&A Sasparilla. It’s a very pleasant and unique thing, but it fades with time. My recommendation is to steep this juice for two weeks and finish it all before six. Carto/tank and clearomizer users should keep in mind that the scent and flavor of this juice tends to stick, particularly the scent. A thorough rinse and long alcohol soak will remove traces of the juice. Users of rebuildable atomizers will have an easier time, since they can just torch the flavor and scent remnants away.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Sahara Blend: This was my favorite new juice of 2013. It’s a fantastic blend of Turkish and Virginia tobaccos. While it does have some flavor that’s reminiscent of the numerous artificial Turkish tobacco e-liquids on the market, it has far more complexity than any of those juices. Sahara Blend is spicy, sweet, and dry all at the same time. It’s a truly wonderful mix that I can’t get enough of. I quickly vaped through my 60ml review both and have consumed nearly 200ml of this excellent juice.

Sahara Blend is good when fresh, but six weeks of steeping really beings out the complexity. It’s sweeter early on, while the dry and spicy flavors become more pronounced over time. I highly recommend waiting for the juice to develop a pinkish hue before vaping it. When it becomes pinkish, Sahara Blend is divine.

Steeping and Review Notes (Updated December 29, 2013)
On the advice of Wlad from Ahlusion, I’ve been trying a new steeping method as of 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.

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 a bottom-coil silica atomizer (The Russian and Aqua), various rebuildable dripping atomizers, and a clearomizer.

Vaping Diaries #171: CMII Double Cross 1.5 Atomizer Review

Crescent Moon Innovations International’s Double Cross 1.5 atomizer is one of the more innovative rebuildable drippers I’ve used. It has several novel features and was made with flat ribbon users in mind. There are many things I love about the CMII Double Cross 1.5, but there’s one aspect of the RDA that I was unsatisfied with. Read on for the full details of this unique atomizer.

What’s in the Kit: The CMII Double Cross 1.5 comes with the atomizer, a hex wrench for the posts, and an authenticity card.

Build Quality: The Double Cross 1.5 is made primarily from “food grade” stainless steel. The company notes that the posts are also made with this material; some vendors use cheaper metals for the posts, while CMII does not. The atomizer is available in all-steel or with a gold-plated sleeve. Overall, I was very happy with the materials CMII used to make the Double Cross 1.5

What I wasn’t happy with was the atomizer’s fit and finish. All three atomizers I had were filthy, with lots of gunk inside. Originally I thought it was machine oil, but was told, “there’s a big probability that something happened during the shipping.” While it’s possible that grime accumulated inside the (bubble-wrapped) atomizer during shipping, it’s quite unlikely, so I was unsatisfied with the answer I received.

After washing the atomizers with dish soap and water, a dark layer of tarnish developed. This hasn’t happened with any of the dozens of atomizers I’ve owned. I was told, “the topcap is really dark since it’s antique finish, that’s the original topcap color of DoubleCross V1.5.” However, after polishing the atomizers with Mother’s Mag and Aluminum Polish, the tarnish was gone. So again, I wasn’t happy with the answer I received. Antique and tarnish are two very different things.

All told, build quality of the Double Cross 1.5 — at least the three that I received — was mixed. I was happy with the materials and construction, but was unsatisfied with the fit and finish. I’ve never owned an atomizer that arrived so dirty and tarnished so badly after one washing.

Design: Using flat ribbon on the Double Cross 1.5 is a breeze. It uses post slits instead of common post holes. Threading flat ribbon through atomizer post holes can be tricky. Threading it through the Double Cross 1.5’s post slits couldn’t be easier. For people that use flat ribbon exclusively or occasionally use it, this atomizer is a joy to work with.

The air-flow control of the Double Cross 1.5 is also novel. It has two slits on each side, instead of common air holes. A sleeve on the main body can be adjusted to cover the slit. For dual-coil use, you have a wide range of air-flow options that will satisfy most flavor fiends and cloud chasers. Single-coil use is a bit trickier for vapers looking for a firm draw; it was tough to get a satisfyingly tight draw on this atomizer when only using one coil.

The features of the CMII Double Cross 1.5 are unique and different from the majority of atomizers on the market. As someone that prefers flat ribbon over wire, I loved how easy it is to set up this atomizer. I was also impressed by the broad range of air flow options with the “cyclops” slits.

Verdict: Aside from my disappointment with the fit and finish, I really enjoyed using the CMII Double Cross 1.5. There are many vaping products on the market that have unique features that are gimmicky. That’s not the case with the Double Cross 1.5. CMII implemented unique features that are practical for certain vapers. Ribbon users and vapers that frequently change air flow according to juice or mood will love using this atomizer.

I’ve seen the Double Cross 1.5 available for $80 to $90. The price is on the high end for rebuildable drippers, but it can be worth it for ribbon users looking for convenience and versatility. If you don’t use ribbon then there are better choice that offer similar versatility and better build quality for the same price or less.

Vaping Diaries #170: Goodejuice Review II

Goodejuice’s House Brewed line of e-liquids is a must-try for vapers looking for an authentic tobacco experience. All of these juices are made with naturally-extracted tobaccos. The company’s extraction style results in a quality that some describe as deliciously musty or funky. Goodejuice’s Patriot Tobacco, Natural Perique, and Vita Bella all have that distinct funk, to varying degrees — a taste that I find rather delicious. While I always recommend Goodejuice’s House Brewed line to vapers looking for a true tobacco experience, the juices are different enough from each other that some may be right for you and others might not fit into your wheelhouse. Read on for a review of these three great naturally-extracted tobacco e-liquids.

Patriot Tobacco: Goodejuice blends the rich earthiness of burley and perique tobaccos, adding some cavendish tobacco for sweetness in Patriot. The result is a great blend that many tobacco fans will enjoy. For me, cavendish tobacco in an e-liquid is like cooking with ginger or oyster sauce — use too much and the dish is spoiled. Some tobacco e-liquids I’ve had use too much cavendish and its bright sweetness drowned out the other tobacco flavors. That’s not the case with Patriot Tobacco; it has just enough cavendish to add some sweetness, but not so much that the other tobaccos are overshadowed. Some tobacco e-liquid fans I know equate this juice to the taste of a tobacco cigarette. That’s not what I get. My tastebuds get pipe tobacco all the way and a lovely blend of pipe tobacco at that.

While I enjoyed this juice fresh, I’d let it steep for at least two weeks. After a month, the flavors blends together nicely.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Natural Perique: This is the funkiest of the three juices in this review. That wasn’t a surprise considering Goodejuice’s extraction style and the inherent funk of perique tobacco. In my experience, perique is a love or hate thing. If you enjoy its distinct mustiness then you’ll love this juice. If it’s too much for you then you’ll think that this juice taste like a sweaty sock that has been left outside for days. I enjoy perique and Goodejuice did a great job of bringing out its unique flavor with this juice. That said, I don’t think it has the broad appeal of the other two juices in this review.

This one didn’t require as much steeping as the others. For me, it was good to go after two weeks.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Vita Bella: This is a fantastic blend of several pipe tobaccos and vanilla. On the tobacco side, the burley stands out (probably because burley is one of my favorite tobaccos for e-liquids). While it’s a simple formula — tobacco + vanilla — the result is wonderfully complex. The tobacco blend, creamy vanilla flavor, and Goodejuice’s distinct extraction style come together for a wonderful juice. At the forefront is a rich and hearty tobacco blend that’s wonderfully complemented by sweet and creamy vanilla. Out of the three, this was my favorite — just delicious, delicious stuff.

If you want more sweetness and vanilla flavor then you should vape this juice fresh. If you want more tobacco richness then give it around a month of steeping. I very much enjoyed the juice both ways.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Vaping Diaries #168: Bay City Vapor SurfRider Review

Bay City Vapor is a relatively new mod maker out of Seal Beach, CA. The company started getting attention in Fall 2013 for its then upcoming SurfRider and XXIX mods. Both are relatively inexpensive and have innovative features. The SurfRider is available in C464 naval brass and 316 stainless steel. It costs $140 for the single-tube version, $190 for all three stainless steel tubes (18350, 18490, 18650), and $200 for all three brass tubes. For the last few weeks, I’ve been vaping on a SurfRider and been quite pleased with its quality and performance — especially for the price.

Build Quality and Construction: The Bay City Vapor SurfRider I have for review is the naval brass (C464) 18650 model. The metal is high quality and more resistant to corrosion than other types of brass alloys. The main tube is simple, with smooth threading. The tube threads use the common 20×1 threading, allowing for compatibility many popular top caps, bottom caps, and hybrid kits on the market.

The top cap, which I’ll focus more on in the next section, is a simple piece of brass with a cross cut. The bottom cap has a delrin insulator and a zinc-plated spring. The threads on both caps are smooth.

Overall, the Bay City Vapor SurfRider is a very well-made mechanical mod that uses quality materials. The craftsmanship is as good as or surpasses that of many mods that cost more.

Design and Ergonomics: The Bay City Vapor SurfRider uses subtle design language. There’s nothing obnoxiously flashy about this mod. The bottom cap has the “BCV” logo and the main tube has a set of waves. In 18650 mode, the mod is shorter than most other 18650 mods, which is nice for people that want maximum battery life in a relatively small package.

The most outstanding feature of the Bay City Vapor SurfRider is its top cap. It uses a hybrid-style design. You screw the cap onto your atomizer and then screw it onto the mod. Aesthetically, this allows for a flush appearance and clean lines. It also allows for outstanding performance, which I’ll touch on in the next section.

The Bay City Vapor SurfRider’s button was a mixed bag for me. I loved the 1mm throw, but wasn’t happy with the heavy feel. Naturally, button feel is completely subjective; my preference is for a short throw and light feel. Initially, the spring was way too stiff for my liking. It loosened up after a few weeks of use, but was still stiffer than what I prefer. With the firing mechanisms flush design and meaty spring, you can place the mod down without having to worry about it firing.

The downside to the Bay City Vapor SurfRider’s unique top cap is that it can be tricky with certain atomizer and battery combinations. Using Samsung INR 18650 20-R and Sony VTC3 batteries, I had no issues with the Aqua, Russian, and numerous dripping atomizers. However, I have read reports of other battery and atomizer combos being difficult (i.e. not firing all the time). The good news is that Bay City Vapor is updating the firing mechanism to allow for broader compatibility. The really good news is that the company’s customer service is outstanding; current SurfRider owners will be sent the updated parts free of charge. That level or customer service is fantastic.

Performance: Since the novel top cap allows the atomizer to make direct contact to the battery, the Bay City Vapor SurfRider’s performance is stellar. The brass model has no voltage loss and hits amazingly hard. So in addition to hybrid-like looks, you also get hybrid-like performance.

On paper, the hybrid-style top cap seems like an obvious and simple thing to do. Why not remove a junction to achieve excellent performance? Yet Bay City Vapor is the first mod maker that I know of to offer this type of top cap as a standard feature, and the performance results are phenomenal.

Verdict: For the money, the Bay City Vapor SurfRider is an outstanding value. You get a mechanical mod with excellent workmanship, a beautifully understated appearance, and some of the best performance on the market for a relatively low price. I especially love that the SurfRider is available in a single-tube configuration. Many (but not all) vapers I know only use one type of battery, making additional tubes a waste of money and materials. As a somewhat frugal and somewhat environmentally concerned vaper, I applaud Bay City Vapor offering the SurfRider in single-tube form.

Even though I’m not a fan of its stiff spring (looking for magnets to replace it), I highly recommend the Bay City Vapor SurfRider. It’s beautiful and well made, with extraordinary performance.

Vaping Diaries #167: Aqua Atomizer Review (UVO System)

The Aqua by Footoon from UVO System has been one of the hottest atomizers for the last few months. This bottom-coil silica atomizer is often touted as a “Kayfun killer.” I completely disagree with that label, but have become extremely fond of the Aqua atomizer. The Kayfun 3.1 is indisputably one of the finest atomizers on the market today. After using the Aqua atomizer for several months (special thanks to The Vape Source for the hookup), I believe that it’s just as excellent, but offers a very different vape. It’s more of a Kayfun alternative than a Kayfun killer. Will you like the Aqua more than the Kayfun? It depends on what kind of vape you’re looking for.

What’s in the Kit: The Aqua atomizer comes in a black box adorned with the UVO System logo. Inside the box are the atomizer, two drip tips, spare O-rings, and a hybrid pin for the Origin by Footoon mod. The included accessories are useful; extra O-rings are always a good idea and the hybrid pin is a nice treat for Origin owners, allowing for greater performance with a direct connection to the battery. The drip tips look great and match the Aqua atomizer perfectly, but they heat up quickly on sub-ohm builds. They’re fine for anything above 1.0 ohms, but as you hit the 0.7 ohm range and lower, the metal drip tips become too hot for chain vaping.

Build Quality: The Aqua atomizer is made primarily from 316 stainless steel, which is considered surgical grade. The metal is luxurious and the quality is easily apparent. The machining is also top notch, with clean lines and smooth threads. The build quality of the Aqua atomizer is excellent and comparable to that of other high-end atomizers on the market.

Design: In many ways, the Aqua atomizer works similarly to the Kayfun 3.1. It uses a small flavor chamber and air pressure to deliver an outstanding vape. There are some major differences though. It’s a relatively small device and its juice capacity (effectively less than 2ml) is somewhat modest. Some vapers will appreciate the compact form factor, while others will yearn for more capacity.

Where the Aqua atomizer gets really interesting is with its dual-coil capabilities. This baby was made with dual-coil builds in mind. The air-flow control gives vapers a decently wide range of draws — certainly a broader range of air flow than what the Kayfun 3.1 offers. Lastly, juice flow can be manipulated by turning the center tube. Vaping mostly 50/50 and 60/40 PG/VG juices, I didn’t need to use the juice-flow control, but it will definitely come in handy for vapers that prefer thicker juices with a higher VG percentage.

Since the Aqua atomizer was made to match Footoon’s Origin mod, its diameter is 21mm. It looks perfect on the Origin, but leaves a gap when used with the numerous 22mm and 23mm mods on the market. Personally, I didn’t care about the aesthetics since I was extremely satisfied with the device’s vape, but vapers that are anal about flush appearances will be bugged by the Aqua’s atypical diameter.

Performance: This device offers everything I love about the best bottom-coil silica atomizers on the market — the full flavor of dripping with some juice capacity. It’s also an extremely versatile atomizer. While the Kayfun rightfully has legions of fans, there are some vapers that want an airier draw, a warmer vape, and easy dual-coil setups. This is what the Aqua atomizer brings to the table. You get outstanding flavor and versatility with this atomizer.

Like other bottom-coil silica atomizers, the Aqua is pocket-friendly. You can close off the air flow completely and put it in your pocket or bag without having to worry about leaks.

Ease of Use: Building coils for the Aqua atomizer is more complicated than building coils for a dripper or a Kayfun, but relatively straightforward. The deck is small and there’s not a lot of space to work with. For wick, I found it easiest to use material that’s 2mm wide or less; anything bigger and it’s difficult to stuff the wick into the Aqua’s channels. Using flat ribbon is possible, but using wire is exponentially easier (I’ve seen ribbon builds, but it’s not something I could easily do myself). If you have experience with rebuildables then you should be fine with the Aqua. If you’re a newcomer then I’d suggest going for a Kayfun-style device first, since those are easier to work with.

With my average building skills, I was able to set up good dual-coil builds using Ekowool, ceramic wick, and cotton. Since juice levels can’t be seen, I recommend going with Ekowool, silica, or ceramic wick on this atomizer.

Refilling the Aqua is a snap. You take the top cap off, fill the tank with juice, put the cap back on, twist it until it’s nearly closed, turn it upside down, and finish screwing the cap back on. While you can do the same with a Kayfun while covering the air hole with your finger, refilling the Aqua is much easier than they way you’re supposed to refill a Kayfun 3.1 or Kayfun Lite. The former requires a syringe or needle-tipped bottle, while the latter requires taking off the atomizer and using a screwdriver. Refilling the Aqua atomizer is a breeze and it passes the all-important “drunk” test. I was able to refill the atomizer multiple times while intoxicated and it never leaked on me. Win.

Verdict: For certain types of juices, the Aqua atomizer is amazing. Its potential for high-temperature vaping makes it a great choice for bakery, tobacco, and some dessert e-liquids. The device is made from top-notch materials, features great craftsmanship, is quite versatile, and is relatively easy to rebuild. While I disagree with the assessment that it’s a Kayfun killer, I think it’s a fantastic complement to the Kayfun 3.1. I love having the Kayfun 3.1 for certain fruit juices and other e-liquids that work better at cooler temperatures. For those that taste better at higher temperatures, dual-coiling the Aqua atomizer makes for an outstanding vape. If you’re the type of vaper that enjoys juices that work at high temperatures, prefers dual-coil setups, and wants airflow versatility then the Aqua atomizer is a brilliant choice.

Vaping Diaries #164: Ahlusion Review VII

Here’s a review of three juices from my favorite e-liquid company, Ahlusion. This time around, I cover a trio of juices that will appeal to vapers with a sweet tooth and to tobacco lovers. Gold Member is a relatively new addition to Ahlusion’s lineup, giving the company a salted-caramel offering. Vecchio Blend is a delicious vanilla tobacco. Last, it Gold Rising, which is a curious juice with an unusual quality that some vapers will love and some vapers will hate.

Gold Member: Out of the mailbox, this salted caramel e-liquid was just okay for me. When fresh, it has a “toasty” quality that I didn’t care for. It spoiled the overall balance of the juice, but with some steeping…man oh man, this became another Ahlusion juice that I love. The toasty quality fell into the background after about a month of steeping, allowing me to enjoy a rich caramel that’s wonderfully complemented by saltiness. Salted caramel desserts were the rage in Los Angeles in 2011-2012 and this juice allows me to enjoy that flavor without the calories. I especially enjoyed this juice using a sub-ohm setup in an Aqua atomizer; the dual coils made Gold Member a delicious hot dessert treat.

On a side note, while I became a big fan of this juice after a month of steeping, I’m still weirded out by having the salted caramel taste in my mouth without the salty sensation on my tongue. It confuses my simple brain.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Vecchio Blend: This non-aromatic tobacco e-liquid takes a light tobacco (and I mean light by Ahlusion’s standards) and mixes it with a lovely vanilla bean flavor. I enjoyed this juice fresh, but absolutely adored it after a month of steeping. When fresh, the vanilla is a bit more pronounced. After some steeping, the blend was perfect for me. The fantastic and authentic vanilla bean flavor is pleasantly sweet without dominating the light and authentic tobacco. One of my favorite qualities of several Ahlusion juices is how the flavors blend together perfectly. Vecchio Blend (after steeping) is another great example of this.

Out of the three juices in this review, Vecchio Blend was my favorite. I quickly went through my 30ml review bottle and have ordered a 60ml bottle since then. This is a fantastic vanilla tobacco e-liquid and I highly recommend it.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Gold Rising: Curious is the word that best describes this honey-tobacco juice. The description lists it as Ahlusion’s take on the original RY4. I’ve had some of the original RY4 out of the creator’s freezer and this juice doesn’t taste anything like that. Some have speculated that this is, perhaps, a take on the original Ruyan 4, since it has some qualities similar to Chinese tobacco e-liquids. Just be warned that this doesn’t taste like a typical Asian or Western RY4 juice.

What it does taste like is a solid honey tobacco. The sweetness of the honey and bite of the tobacco come together nicely. Also in the mix is a pungent quality that’s very much a love or hate thing. People that enjoy this juice will dig the funkiness of the flavor, while people that hate it will be thinking about urine. (Actually, I know a guy that enjoys this juice and still equates it with urine. Hi Jerms!)

Personally, I liked this juice but didn’t love it. Most of the time I enjoyed it enough, but there were times when it made me think, “This is…strange.” For a honey tobacco, I greatly preferred Ahlusion’s Honey Cured over Gold Member. Since Honey Cured is an aromatic, the tobacco is much stronger and for me the honey-tobacco blend is tastier.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Vaping Diaries #163: Vape Syndicate Guardian Review

If you’re looking for a luxury vaping device that’s made in America then the Vape Syndicate Guardian should be on your short list. Constructed primarily from titanium — an expensive metal that’s crazy strong and ridiculously light — the Vape Syndicate Guardian is a hybrid mod that comes with several accessories. While many titanium mods cost $400 for the mod alone, the Guardian comes with a Genesis-style atomizer, two tubes (18650 and 18500), and a 510 cap for when you don’t want to go hybrid. While the $475 price is high compared to most mechanical mods, compared to other titanium mods the Vape Syndicate Guardian is something of a bargain.

Build Quality and Construction: The Vape Syndicate Guardian is made from a thick cut of titanium. The company starts with a 99.9-percent block of type-two titanium, as opposed to prefabricated tubes other companies use. The mod has a luxurious feel, while also being simple to maintain.

The mod’s contact points are made from brass. While it’s a tried-and-true metal for contacts, I would have liked to have seen something more conductive to match this mod’s premium feel. Silver-plated copper/brass or rhodium-plated copper/brass would have been excellent, as well as more conductive.

The caps and switch are totally straightforward. Vape Syndicate chose to go with a simple magnet system for the firing mechanism, as opposed to a complicated spring-switch. One minor gripe I have with the Guardian is its 510 cap — the contact isn’t easily adjustable.

The Genesis-style atomizer has a few nifty tricks up its sleeve. First up is the ceramic-covered center post. This is a great feature for novices and veterans alike; the ceramic isolator increases your margin for error when building and helps prevent shorts. The atomizer also has a vented negative terminal screw, allowing you to refill quickly.

The aforementioned quibbles aside, the Vape Syndicate Guardian is a well-constructed device. The quality of the titanium is easily noticeable, the craftsmanship is strong, and the mod has a high-end feel.

Design and Ergonomics: Vapers that have never used a titanium mod will be in for a surprise with the Vape Syndicate Guardian. Titanium is noticeably lighter than stainless steel or brass. The Guardian will feel surprisingly light to many vapers. With a full tank of juice, the mod has a top-heavy balance, which feels different from similarly sized hybrids.

Once you get used to the lightness of the body and the atypical balance, the Vape Syndicate Guardian feels lovely in your hand. The mod’s firing button is smooth, with a medium-light touch and a medium throw. The button is recessed, allowing the mod to stand without firing. Button feel is, of course, subjective. For my tastes, I liked the touch, but would have preferred a shorter throw.

As for looks, the Guardian reminds me of a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica. It has bold rings on the main tube and a red tank on the atomizer. Most vapers will find its style futuristic, masculine, and rugged.

Performance: There are two factors that help give the Vape Syndicate Guardian strong performance. Obviously, it’s a hybrid so there’s direct contact to the battery. Secondly, the magnet system is “lossless.” Those features help compensate for the relatively modest conductivity of brass and titanium. While the mod delivers a solid vape, I have used hybrids that offer stronger performance.

As for the Genesis-style atomizer, I was really happy with its performance. It’s easy to work with and delivers a hearty vape. The relatively small chamber helps deliver great flavor, while the staggered air holes (0.7 mm and 1.2 mm) offered a satisfying draw. Keep in mind that my personal preference for air flow is tight to medium. Vapers that prefer an airier draw will likely want bigger air holes.

Verdict: Whenever I talk about the Vape Syndicate Guardian, I always describe it as star-spangled awesome. I love that such a great high-end mod is made in the USA. When I open up the Guardian’s box at vape shops, I picture eagles flying by and Hulk Hogan’s “Real American” theme song playing. Seriously though, the Guardian is a really well-made hybrid that offers strong performance. While the $475 price is more than what most vapers are willing to spend, it is a better value than many competing titanium mods. I’ve seen a few titanium mods that cost $400 for the mod alone. With the Vape Syndicate Guardian, you get two tubes, a Genesis-style atomizer with some innovative features, a 510 top cap, and a case. Yes, it’s expensive and certainly not for everyone, but compared to other mods in this price range, the Vape Syndicate Guardian offers a lot for your money.

If you want even more information on the Guardian and the company in general then please check out my ECC 2013 interview with Vape Syndicate CEO Adam Tout.

Vaping Diaries #162: Envision Vapor Glass Drip Tip Review

Envision Vapor offers handblown glass drip tips that are made in the USA. The tips are beautiful, unique, and well made. They’re made from borosilicate glass, which many vapers know from Corning’s Pyrex brand. While some vapers are wary of glass drip tips, there are some very good reasons to consider them over plastic and metal ones. Before I get into those reasons, I want to make it clear that Envision Vapor’s glass drip tips are my favorite. I’ve been using several of these tips for the last few months and I couldn’t be happier with them.

The first reason I recommend Envision Vapor glass drip tips is mouthfeel. Glass simply feels better on your mouth than plastic or metal. Think about beverages you drink at a nice restaurant. They’re not served in plastic or metal cups. They’re served in glass. Unless you’re the type of vaper that likes to chew on drips tips, you’ll likely prefer the mouthfeel of glass over other drip tip materials.

Heat dissipation is another reason why glass drip tips are great. Out of the dozens of drips I have, glass does a superior job at dissipating heat. This is hugely important for sub-ohm vapers and chain vapers. When using a 0.5-ohm dual-coil setup, my metal drip tips get too hot and I have to stop vaping for a bit. Even my insulated metal drip tips get very warm. Although my Envision Vapor drip tips heat up during sub-ohm chain-vaping, they never get uncomfortably warm.

Some vapers shy away from glass drip tips because of perceived durability issues. The two standard Envision Vapor drip tips I have are made from fairly thick glass. I’ve seen the owner of the company bounce them off hard floors and they were fine. I’ve dropped my mod on carpeted floors (several times) and my tips were fine. The one time I broke an Envision Vapor drip tip was when I accidentally flung my mod across the room (yes, alcohol was involved) and the tip cracked. Keep in mind that this was a thinner Maria Tube. The standard Envision Vapor drip tips are durable — probably more than most vapers think.

For the last several months, I’ve been using Envision Vapor drip tips that are great for flavor fiends. The three shapes I’ve been using — the Maria Tube, Disc, and Teardrop models — feature thin air holes for concentrated flavor. In many ways, the Maria Tube reminds me of the draw of the standard Kayfun tip (which I love) — it shoots your mouth with a lovely, concentrated blast of flavor. If you’re a cloud chaser that’s looking for an airier draw or you want to drip directly into your drip tip then you should consider the Pooh Pot model that Envision Vapor offers. As a flavor guy, I was really happy with the three drip tip shapes I selected.

As for pricing, the standard Envision Vapor drip tips cost $29.99, while the Maria Tubes cost $15.99. While those prices are certainly higher than cheap metal or plastic drip tips that are made-in-China, the prices are inline with other high-end drip tips. Personally, I think that the prices are fair. These are made-in-the-USA products that are very well made. I like them more than enough to buy more at the $29.99 price.

Like I said in the intro, these are my favorite drip tips on the market. They look great, handle heat nicely, and feel good in your mouth. I highly recommend Envision Vapor glass drip tips. Check out the company web site to see the different models and colors available. If you’d like more information on the company then check out this interview I did with Envision Vapor owners Rob DeRieux and Jason Laret.

Vaping Diaries #157: Vapour Art GP Paps X Review

It’s hard to write a review of the Vapour Art GP Paps X without sounding like a bootlicker. There are just so many extraordinary aspects of the mod that it’s easy to spend hundreds of words lavishing it with praise. While I’m a fan of Vapour Art products, I can also objectively say that the GP Paps X easily one of the best mods on the market today.

Build Quality and Construction: The GP Paps X is made from 316 stainless steel. This type of steel is heavier and more expensive than the 303 and 304 varieties most mechanical mods are made from. To put in perspective, 303 and 304 stainless steel are used for pots and pans, while 316 stainless steel is used for jewelry and watches. This grade of steel gives the GP Paps X a nice heft and a luxurious feel.

The contact points on the GP Paps X are silver-plated brass. Silver is tops when it comes to conductivity and it’s lower maintenance than copper. While you do need to clean the contacts periodically, you don’t have to do so as often as you would with bare brass or copper contacts.

The threads on the GP Paps X are extraordinary. After a thorough wash, they’re still considerably smoother than lubricated threads on any of the mods in my collection. So yeah, there’s buttery and then there’s the threads on the GP Paps X. Even when they’re completely dry, the action on the threads is so silky that they feel lubed. It’s impossible to adequately illustrate in words or in video how remarkable the machining on the GP Paps X is; when you feel it yourself, you’ll have a “Wow!” moment.

In terms of materials and craftsmanship, the GP Paps X is one of the best mods you can buy today.

Design and Ergonomics: The GP Paps X can be used with 18350 to 18650 batteries. It can also be used with an 18650 battery with an Evolv Kick, which is atypical for high-end mods.

The main body is brushed steel, while the accents are polished. By default, the top ring lets you adjust airflow. If you’re using an atomizer that has its own airflow control, like the Aqua or Kayfun, then you can pick up the optional replacement top ring for a flush appearance. Keep in mind that the GP Paps X has a 23mm diameter, which is slightly larger than most popular atomizers.

The firing button on the GP Paps X is another outstanding feature. The throw is incredibly short and the mod require a soft touch to fire, yet it can stand unlocked without firing. Outside of Vapour Art products, I’ve never felt a firing button like this. Again, describing with words or in a video doesn’t do it justice. It’s really quite amazing.

The aesthetics of the GP Paps X are blessedly subtle. The bottom of the tube has the GP logo on one side and the serial number on the other — that’s it. I love the understated and classy appearance of the GP Paps X, but looks are, of course, subjective.

Performance: The GP Paps X hits hard and has very low voltage drop. Compared with other stainless steel mods, the GP Paps X is among the best performers. The silver-plated contacts and tight engineering factor into its performance. Of course there are brass and copper mods with lower voltage drop, but as far as stainless steel mechs go, this mod is one of the best.

Verdict: With a price of $240, the GP Paps X is slightly more expensive than many high-end mods. Considering its superior materials and phenomenal workmanship, I think the price is absolutely worth it. It’s easily the best mod in my collection and certainly one of the best mods you can buy today. Now bring on the aluminum bronze GP Paps X Lux Vapour Art!

Vaping Diaries #155: E-Kustoms Atomizer Caps Review (Nimbus, Patriot, Igo-W)

If you’re looking for a way to change up the look of your rebuildable dripping atomizer then you should consider E-Kustoms atomizer caps. Available in clear acrylic, acrylic with metal accents (brass or copper), and lead-free brass, E-Kustoms atomizer caps are a great way to spruce up the looks of your Nimbus, Igo-W, or Patriot atomizer. These products are made by a gentleman in Southern California and are geared towards enthusiast vapers. While they’re on the pricey side, many vapers will enjoy what these caps bring to the table.

Acrylic caps are currently the hotness in the SoCal vaping scene. It’s just very cool to be able to see the deck of your atomizer and watch the vapor in your chamber. On the practical side, you can see when your coil is getting dry and seeing the coil(s) makes it easier to lineup your air holes perfectly. I was particularly high on the E-Kustoms atomizer caps with copper accents. They look brilliant on copper mods like the El Kapitan v2. They’re also well made; they slip onto atomizers easily and stay on securely.

Vapers that are concerned about safety needn’t worry about these caps melting. I tested two acrylic caps with dual-coil builds in the 0.4 to 0.5 range and they were just fine. To my surprise, they were also resistant to juices that crack polycarbonate tanks. Somewhat foolishly, I vaped 2ml of Ahlusion Cherry Cola, which I’ve cracked polycarbonate tanks with. The E-Kustoms atomizer caps stood up to the juice just fine. That said, I wouldn’t recommend making a habit of vaping citrus or cinnamon juices with these acrylic caps.

The only downside to the acrylic caps is that watching your atomizer can be mesmerizing. While you might enjoy watching the vapor float in your atty and eventually condensate, you pretty much look like a tool. It’s all in good fun though. Even though I’ve been using these caps for a couple of weeks, the novelty hasn’t worn off. I still watch the atomizer after every four or five drags…and I look like a fool every time. Ha!

The lead-free brass cap is very classy looking. Naturally, it looks great on brass mods, but also changes up the looks of stainless steel and copper mods. Like the acrylic caps I tested, the lead-free brass model fit my Patriot perfectly. While it doesn’t have the novelty factor of the acrylic caps, the lead-free brass cap has a nice, understated appearance.

E-Kustoms atomizer caps are not cheap, but keep in mind that these are custom made to your preferences. The all-acrylic models are $30, while the acrylic caps with metal accents are $40. E-Kustoms Chris will drill out any size holes you wish, making them suitable for flavor fiends and cloud chasers alike. Like I mentioned in the intro, these products are geared towards enthusiasts vapers that don’t mind paying $30 to $40 for an after-market cap. I totally understand vapers that have a problem paying more for one of these caps than they did for an Igo-W. Having said that, I really like these products and recommend them if you can swing the price. They’re well-made products that are cool and fun. If you want a custom-made E-Kustoms atomizer cap then hit up E-Kustoms Chris on Facbeook.