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Vaping Diaries #105: Black Cloud Vapor Review

Black Cloud Vapor is an up-and-coming e-liquid company that serves up some interesting e-liquids available for low prices. I recently vaped Black Cloud Vapor’s RY4, Cell Block 6, and Gluttony. While some of the flavors weren’t quite what I was looking for, the combinations were definitely different. At $10.99 for a 30ml bottle — and only $0.25 more for extra flavoring — Black Cloud Vapor is certainly worth a look. The juices are mixed well, the company has some atypical flavors, the customer service is strong, and the price is inexpensive.

Here are the flavor breakdowns and steeping notes of the Black Cloud Vapor e-liquids I tried.

RY4: Black Cloud Vapor doesn’t follow the traditional RY4 formula of a neutral tobacco, caramel, and vanilla. Instead, it mixes a somewhat bolder tobacco with caramel and cocoa. This juice wasn’t what I expect and enjoy in an RY4. I’m not saying it’s bad, but I wouldn’t call it an RY4. It’s more like tobacco accompanied by candy bar flavors — chocolate and nuts, with a bittersweet taste that reminded me a bit of licorice. If that combination sounds good to you then this juice is worth trying, but if you’re looking for a traditional RY4 then you’ll be in for a shock.

Despite its dark color, this juice vapes relatively cleanly. It’s suitable for any type of juice delivery system, but will gunk up coils over time It’s good out of the mail, but two weeks of steeping or more will help the overall mix.

Cell Block 6: This juice is described as, “RY4 to the next level.” It’s definitely “to the next level,” but like its sister juice, I wouldn’t call it an RY4. That said, I enjoyed Cell Block 6 more than Black Cloud Vapor RY4. In addition to having stronger flavors, the balance is different. The sweet notes are stronger and counteract the bittersweet taste that was a bit funky in the company’s RY4. It’s still there, but much less pronounced. Again, I wouldn’t call this juice an RY4, but it’s a nice dessert vape that blends caramel, cocoa, and tobacco.

Like its sister juice, despite its dark color, Cell Block 6 vapes relatively cleanly. It’s suitable for any type of juice delivery system, but will gunk up coils over time. It’s good out of the mail, but two weeks of steeping or more will help the overall mix.

Gluttony: My favorite Black Cloud Vapor juice of the bunch was this interesting mix of vanilla bean, coconut, peach, and pineapple. I enjoyed the melange of creaminess, sweetness, and tartness. The fruit flavors aren’t quite natural, but they’re not disturbingly artificial either. It would have been easy for this juice to end up a sickeningly sweet and artificial mess, but Black Cloud Vapor did a good job at balancing the different flavors. The end result is something similar to a virgin pina colada, but with an additional fruit flavor. The juice didn’t dazzle me, but I enjoyed the unique blend and complexity.

This juice vapes very cleanly and is suitable for all types of juice delivery systems. It’s ready to vape straight out of the mail, with only slight changes happening with steeping.

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.

RY4
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: July 26, 2013 3:40PM
Vaped: September 7-18, 2013

Cell Block 6
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: July 26, 2013 3:40PM
Vaped: September 7-18, 2013

Gluttony
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: July 26, 2013 3:40PM
Vaped: September 7-18, 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.

Random Thoughts on The Newsroom Season 2, Episode 9

The Newsroom finale (seasons 2) wrapped up one season’s worth of intrigue and two seasons of romance in a single, neatly wrapped episode. Couples were joined, bold executive decisions were made, bad haircuts were explained, and more. In some ways, The Newsroom finale felt like it could wrap up the show for good. While HBO has publicly stated that it would like to have a third season, it hasn’t confirmed that it’s in the works and writer Aaron Sorkin’s schedule is packed. While I expect and hope the show will return, it’s possible that the season 2 Newsroom finale will be it for the Atlantis Cable News crew. *sniff*

Juggling Jim: The biggest problem I had with The Newsroom finale (and this season) was Jim Harper. The thoughtful and sensitive senior producer sports a bad haircut…and get all the ladies. He patched things up with Maggie (his object of desire in s1), reconciled with Lisa (his s1 consolation prize), managed to get Maggie and Lisa to make up with each other, and solidified his relationship with his current girlfriend (Meryl Streep’s daughter). Jim’s successful social maneuverings in The Newsroom finale send a poor message to impressionable young males. It’s as dangerous as the “Disney Princess” syndrome. PSA: You can’t be successful at work, sensitive, thoughtful, and have a bad haircut AND get the girl. The real world doesn’t work that way kids. Also, why didn’t anyone drop sarin gas on Jim?!? That would have ruled.

Will Scores: ACN star anchor Will McAvoy came to the slow (six-year) realization that he was being a dick to his lifelong love McKenzie Morgan McHale. It seemed totally contrived that he finally figured it out now. It would have been more realistic if he tried to forgive and forget years ago or if he never let go of his anger for the rest of his life. Still, his awkward proposal was very sweet and it was nice to see Mc and Mac finally together in The Newsroom finale. At least it wasn’t as excruciating as Ross and Rachel on Friends. Also, the name McKenzie Morgan McHale MacAvoy is awesome. Quadruple M vs. Triple H at WrestleMania XXX?!?

Don Scores: “What I have can’t be taught,” said Don Keefer, cementing his status as the coolest cat in the ACN newsroom. It seemed likely that Don was behind the Sloan Sabbith mystery bid. The Newsroom finale revealed his scheme. The sly fellow keenly knew that he’d have to be crafty and sweet in order to compete with the financial geniuses and NY Giants that woo Sloan. His gambit paid off, with Sloan (played by the dreadful Olivia Munn) signing her book, grabbing him for a kiss, and slapping the book in his chest. Score.

Don also showed that he has evolved from the skillful-but-shallow ratings-first producer he was in s1 and is fully invested in ACN’s mission to be MSNBC’s sardonic cousin. It was cool seeing ACN president Charlie Skinner smile at Don in the opening scene, like a proud father happy with what his son has become…or Emperor Palpatine looking satisfied with his machinations. Passionate Don made a brief cameo, telling ACN lawyer Rebecca Halliday about his desire to do the news with his ACN family. Dick Don showed up in the same scene, detailing his plan to countersue the vile ~~Brian Fantana~~ Jerry Dantana.

Leona’s So High, High Above Me: I adore Atlantis World Media CEO Leona Lansing. Jane Fonda plays her with delightful aggression as a powerful and commanding executive. I don’t enjoy high-as-a-kite Leona Lansing as much, but it’s close; high Leona is hilarious and I’d love to hang out with her. While Charlie was talking to her about a serious matter, Leona’s cannabis-fueled aside of, “Do you want to split a pizza?” killed me.

Honorable Reese: Leona’s son, AWM president Reese Lansing, finally got on the same page as the rest of the gang in The Newsroom finale…and his honorable intentions were brushed aside. I felt bad for him. He should have been commended for coming around and doing the “honorable thing” that was bad for business. Instead, Charlie continued to treat him like a bitch. I’m not sure what the writers intended, but The Newsroom finale made the show’s villain sympathetic. Oh well, at least he gets to date a third-generation Rockette.

Maggie Clicks Her Mouse: Maggie finally explained her bad haircut to Jim, something that the audience understood for weeks. She also opened up about what was fueling her snooty behavior. She has a tender moment with Jim about how he got her attention by clicking his mouse (not a euphemism for masturbation). While I loved most of how The Newsroom finale ended, having it close with Maggie clicking her mouse (still not a euphemism for masturbation) was too cheesy for me. While I normally love saccharine and cheesy moments on television, my disdain for this character slightly tarnished the show’s ending.

Sabbith Seeds: I’m hoping that The Newsroom finale will lead to Sloan Sabbith’s heel turn. When Will gave his chair to Elliot for a segment, Sloan looked perturbed. Perhaps she felt snubbed that Will picked Elliot over her (never mind that Elliot is a far more experienced host). Throughout the newscast, Sloan was cut off by election calls. I’m hoping that this will lead to Sloan feeling like she deserves a bigger role at ACN and getting upset that she’s not a bigger star. Olivia Munn would be awesome in this role — talent that thinks she’s way more important than she actually is. If this comes to pass, Munn will surely win several Golden Globe and CableACE Awards for her accurate portrayal of a self-absorbed television host.

Vaping Diaries #103: Vapor Stands Trek-E v2 Review

The Vapor Stands Trek-E v2 is a beautiful and versatile holder that accommodates up to four vaping devices. This handcrafted stand is made in America and very affordable. If you’re looking for a mod holder that looks classy on your desk and is also functional enough to use in your car’s cup holder then the Trek-E v2 is a fantastic choice.

The Trek-E v2 has four holes — two 1.0-inch holes for larger devices and two 0.75-inch holes for eGo-style devices. In the video above, I show the stand holding a Phantom v2, Precise Simplicity 18650, Innokin iTaste VV 3.0, and a Vapor4Life Vapor Zeus. The holes are 2.25-inches deep to hold your vaping devices securely, while the bottom of the holes are covered with felt to prevent scratches. The bottom of the holder itself is also covered with felt. The Trek-E v2 fits into a car’s cup holder, but its handsome looks make it suitable for home or office settings.

The workmanship behind the Trek-E v2 is fantastic. The wood is cut perfectly and is sanded to a smooth finish. For protection and aesthetics, the wood is coated with three layers of polyurethane. The Trek-E v2 is available in three types of woods: cherrywood, oak, and walnut. The model used for this review and featured in the video is the cherrywood version. Vapor Stands’ Etsy store has photos of all three for your perusal.

Beautiful, functional, versatile, and inexpensive — that’s the Vapor Stands Trek-E v2 in a nutshell. While I like the way this holder works in a car, I love the way it looks on my desk. It’s a simple and straightforward product that does what it’s supposed to do, but looks elegant while doing so. The Vapor Stands Trek-E v2 is reasonably priced at $25. Not only do you get a great product, but you also support an American small business.

Vaping Diaries #102: Super-T Manufacturing Precise Simplicity 18650 Review

Super-T Manufacturing’s Precise Simplicity 18650 features impeccable craftsmanship, like many of the company’s other products. Unlike other products in the Super-T lineup, the Precise Simplicity 18650 is relatively inexpensive and easy to acquire. In my opinion, Super-T is the best manufacturer of mechanical mods in America. The Precise Simplicity 18650 is finely crafted, performs well, and priced low, making it one of the best deals in mechanical mods today.

Build Quality and Construction: The Precise Simplicity 18650’s body and caps are made from stainless steel. The mod is lightweight and sturdy. It has adjustable brass contacts that are coated with palladium. According to Super-T, the coating, “Will never oxidize or corrode making for reliable consistent firing without the need for constant sanding and cleaning!” For vapers, that means high performance and low maintenance. One reason the Precise Simplicity line is cheaper than other Super-T products is that it uses palladium instead of rhodium. Although the palladium coating is cheaper than rhodium, very few manufacturers offer either as a coating option.

Like Super-T’s other mods, the Precise Simplicity 18650’s construction is exceptional. The lines are clean and the threads are silky smooth. When taking the mod apart, it’s hard not to admire its machining. The workmanship is extremely impressive — some of the best you’ll ever see in vaping.

One possible downside of the mod’s exactness and precision construction is that it can be annoying to vapers that use different brands and types of batteries. To get an exact fit that’s free of battery rattle, the Precise Simplicity 18650 uses different O-rings and washers. Out of the box, it’s fitted for AM IMR protected batteries. I currently have mine set up for Sony 18650 VTC3 batteries, which are relatively small flat-tops. If I want to use a slightly larger AM IMR 18650 button-top, there’s an aesthetically unpleasing gap. The performance is fine, but the gap takes away from the mod’s look. Again, this is a minor problem that’s only an issue for vapers that use different types and brands of batteries.

Aside from that minor issue, the Precise Simplicity 18650’s build quality and construction are tremendous.

Ergonomics and Design: The main body of the mod is grooved, which gives it a unique appearance and enhances grip. The top and bottom caps have a polished finish for contrast. The bottom cap has the “P” logo, which stands for my last name (and also Precise). While some people don’t like the grooved finish, I love it. It’s different and it doesn’t pick up fingerprints. Mod looks are a very subjective thing, but I feel that the Precise Simplicity 18650 is a beautiful mod that looks different from most of what’s out there.

Using the Precise Simplicity 18650 is a breeze. The default spring has a very light touch. The throw can be adjusted by using the included washers. I have it set up with four washers, for a feathery feel. The downside is that the mod has to be locked when not in use; it will fire if placed down while unlocked. Vapers that prefer a tighter feel and/or that want to be able to place their mod down while unlocked can purchase a heavier spring from Super-T.

One feature I particularly love about this mod is its locking mechanism. The bottom cap attaches to the main body with a screw, making it completely secure. With many mods that use a locking ring, it’s easy to unscrew the entire cap if you’re not being mindful. With the Precise Simplicity 18650’s design, that will never happen (unless you’re the Incredible Hulk).

Adjusting the Precise Simplicity 18650’s top pin can be done with a flathead screwdriver. While it’s not as mindless as using floating pins or self-adjusting pins, it’s relatively easy and the design helps cut down on voltage loss.

Performance: As expected, the Precise Simplicity 18650 is a great performer. It’s not the hardest-hitting mod I have or have used, but it’s up there. It’s the same deal with voltage loss, it’s very low, but I’ve used a few mods with lower voltage loss. The great news is that output and voltage loss are strong and will remain that way for a long, long time thanks to the mod’s palladium-coated contacts. Silver, copper, and gold are more conductive (in that order) than brass and palladium, but contacts using those materials require more maintenance.

Overall, I expect many vapers to be very happy with the Precise Simplicity 18650’s performance, while everyone will appreciate its low maintenance.

Verdict: The Precise Simplicity 18650 offers incredible craftsmanship, unique looks, and strong performance. It’s also backed by a lifetime warranty. It’s available for $134.99 (plus shipping), which is crazy low for a top-quality mod that’s made in the U.S.A. As I said in the intro, Super-T Manufacturing is the best mod maker in America and I think it’s up there with the best in the world. The Precise Simplicity 18650 is an excellent mod that’s comparable to or better than those in the $180-$250 price range. For $134.99, it’s a brilliant deal and I highly, highly recommend it.

Vaping Diaries #101: Innokin iTaste MVP 2 Review

The Innokin iTaste MVP 2 takes everything that vapers loved about the original and adds several new features that make it an excellent all-around package. Like the original, the iTaste MVP 2 has accurate performance and outstanding battery life. The added features include variable-wattage performance, the ability to check resistance (ohms), more precise battery readout, and enhancements to the physical design. When I reviewed the MVP in 2012, I called it, “one of the best deals on the market today.” The same holds true for the iTaste MVP 2.

What’s in the Kit: The Innokin iTaste MVP 2 comes with the unit, a charging cable (wall adapter required), and iClear clearomizers. One package comes with a single iClear 30 clearomizer, while the other comes with two iClear 16 clearomizers. Personally, I’d opt for the iClear 30 version, as I like that clearo better than its smaller sister product.

Ergonomics and Design: Like other box mods, the iTaste MVP 2 is small and compact. It fits easily into a pocket, bag, or purse. For the most part, it retains the style and design language of its predecessor. Some people like its understated looks, while others don’t. I enjoy its looks, since it reminds me of the iRiver MP3 players I used 11 years ago.

The mod feels good in your hand, though some people dislike the placement of the firing button. I found it comfortable to use. However, I understand vapers that would have preferred a button on top of the unit.

The iTaste MVP 2’s firing button is raised, as opposed to the original’s button, which was flush against the unit. The beauty ring is also flush against the unit, while last year’s hung over the side, which could lead to snags. The silver accents at the top and bottom of the unit are matte, as opposed to the polished finish used in last year’s model. These three changes are responses to complaints people had about the original model and they make the unit a little bit better.

The MVP 2’s atomizer connector is greatly improved. It accepts standard 510 and eGo-threaded atomizers. The original worked with 510 parts and iClear clearomizers. For example (also shown in the video), the Kanger T3 clearomizer would not fit in the MVP, but fits just fine in the iTaste MVP 2.

One change Innokin didn’t make with the iTaste MVP 2 was with on/off button for the output feature. It protrudes and can make the device slightly unstable. I haven’t had this problem, since I don’t use this device with a heavy atomizer, but can see how it can be issue for those that use high-capacity glass or metal tanks.

Overall, the iTaste MVP 2’s design will appeal to a broad range of vapers. It’s compact, relatively light, and comfortable to use.

Construction and Build Quality: The iTaste MVP 2’s build quality is great for the price. It’s made mostly from metal (available in four different finishes) and has a plastic firing button. The lines are clean and it’s mostly a solid device. One (very) minor complaint I had was with the P/U buttons on the side of the unit. They rattle slightly, while the buttons in the original MVP didn’t move at all.

Operation: Variable-wattage is the major addition to the iTaste MVP 2’s feature set. The wattage range is 6.0 to 11.0, adjustable in increments of 0.5 watts. Like the original, the voltage range is 3.3 to 5.0 volts, adjustable in 0.1-volt increments.

For such a versatile device, using the iTaste MVP 2 is a snap. Pressing both side buttons displays resistance and battery charge. A short click on the P- or U-buttons shows the puff count. A long press on P-button displays the wattage, while additional clicks let you adjust the wattage. A long press on the U-button displays the voltage, while additional clicks let you adjust that voltage. The information is displayed on a very bright and easy-to-read screen. Innokin did a marvelous job at making the iTaste MVP 2 easy to use.

Like the original model, the iTaste MVP 2 allows you to vape and charge at the same time. It can also charge external devices. This is strictly a backup feature and shouldn’t be relied on for daily charging. The unit can charge Micro USB, Mini USB, and Apple devices using a 32-pin connection. It would have been nice if the Mini USB (not used much these days) or the 32-pin connection were dropped in favor of an Apple Lighting connection (used in newer iOS devices). However, Lightning licenses are expensive and would have added to the cost of the iTaste MVP 2. For a feature not everyone would use, I completely understand why the cost wasn’t worth it.

Performance and Battery Life: The iTaste MVP 2’s outstanding feature is its battery life. Using it as my sole device, I was able to get more than a day and half of use — that’s with heavy vaping. People that vape less frequently will be able to get two days or more out of a full charge. It’s an extraordinary device as far as battery life goes.

The unit also has consistent output. It delivered solidly at the various voltage and wattage settings I used, with atomizers ranging from 1.2 to 3.0 ohms. The output remained steady for the majority of the charge.

The thing to keep in mind is that the battery isn’t easily user-replaceable. Ultimately, that makes the iTaste MVP 2 a disposal device. Generally speaking, lithium-ion batteries can handle around 500 charging cycles before battery life degrades. When the iTaste MVP 2’s battery life starts to run too short, it’s time to recycle it or perform a complex replacement that most vapers won’t want to deal with.

Verdict: The Innokin iTaste MVP 2 has an MSRP of $69, but I’ve seen a few online retailers list it for $60. In that price range, it’s a great deal. You get a fairly complete kit, consistent performance, and stellar battery life in a compact package. Last year’s model hit the sweet spot of price, performance, and features. While vaping has advanced rapidly since then, the iTaste MVP 2 also hits that sweet spot by adding features vapers want and making some physical upgrades. It’s a fantastic choice as a primary vaping device and a great choice for a backup with long battery life. Innokin has knocked another one out of the park with the iTaste MVP 2.

Random Thoughts on The Newsroom Season 2, Episode 8

Last night’s episode of The Newsroom was vintage Aaron Sorkin (read that sentence as if WWE Michael Cole said it). The tension at the ACN newsroom was palpable. It was election night, which is like the Super Bowl, the World Series, or the Electronic Entertainment Expo for newsies. The Operation Genoa lawsuits (yes, multiple) added even more tension. Sprinkle in the traditional Sorkin ingredients of ill-timed humor, romantic squabbling, and neurotic obsessions over inconsequential matters then The Newsroom episode 8 delivered what Sorkin fans love and Sorkin detractors hate.

Charlie Rules: Sam Waterston owned this episode as ACN News president Charlie Skinner. His gruff humor (often fueled by whiskey) was outstanding. Prior to the election newscast, he gave a pep talk that was straight out of a football movie. He had a wonderful confrontation with ACN anchor Will Will McAvoy and company lawyer Rebecca Halliday; it ended with Charlie chiding Will for smoking, taking Will’s cigarette, and puffing on it as he walked out the door. (He also spoke in plot summaries, which is awfully convenient for people that have missed a few episodes of The Newsroom). His confrontation with Atlantis World Media president Reese Lansing was another great moment. This was Charlie’s best episode of the season and his scenes rocked.

Shiny Happy Will: With the biggest broadcast of the year happening and scandalous lawsuits landing the next day, Will appointed himself in charge of the ACN newsroom’s moral. Charlie thought it was sad that “the most miserable man in the building” took the task. Sloan and Elliot were unnerved by Will’s cheerful cry of, “Are you ready to have some fun?!?” Still, not all was bright in Will’s world. His lifelong love/object of hate MacKenzie McHale desperately wants him to fire her. She even went so far as accusing Will of not firing her to protect his image, which led to the awesome line of, “How big of a dick do you think I am and how long have you thought it?!?” The episode ended with Will firing Mac and asking a panelist to skewer him on air. Dum dum dum!!! (Just a guess, but perhaps Mac is pushing Will’s buttons so that she can be the Genoa martyr.)

Reese is Not Gay: My favorite scene of this episode was Atlantis World Media president Reese Lansing’s tangental monologue about his conversation with his mother. It started with Reese recounting his request for his mom to reconsider not accepting the resignations of Charlie, Will, Mac, and the rest of the newsroom. It segued into Leona Lansing (as told by Reese) asking her son for grandchildren, questioning if he’s gay, and arguing Reese’s claim that he hasn’t found the right woman. While Charlie’s scenes dominated and made this episode, this little gem of a scene was delightful.

The Seinfeld Newsroom: When things get tough, people often try to distract themselves from dire situations by focusing on trivial pursuits. Sloan Sabbith — played by the trivial Olivia Munn — was obsessed with solving the mystery of an auctioned book that contained her forged signature. Mac was frustrated by her attempt to change an error on her Wikipedia page; she was hung up that Wikipedia listed her college as Oxford instead of Cambridge. In both cases, the ladies relied on the only man in the newsroom that could solve their problems….

Slumdog Tech Savior: Of course Neal Sampat was enlisted to fix the problems. The ACN newsroom would fall apart without Slumdog Millionaire! He diligently and dutifully worked on the cases. He even got Mac to apologize for England’s colonization of India. I’ve long suspected that Mac’s sometimes unfair treatment of Neal stemmed from said colonization. It’s probably coded into her DNA…and reminds me of how I always suspect any white person from South Africa of supporting apartheid. Anyway, Slumdog Millionaire is still awesome and adds a much-needed dose of “Brown Power!!!” to The Newsroom.

Don’s Doldrums: The coolest cat in the newsroom (and The Newsroom) had some funny one-liners. I love his rapport with host Elliot Hirsch. They’re like a pair of brothers that love and hate each other. Sadly, Don found out that ~~Brian Fantana~~ Jerry Dantana is filing a separate suit for $20-million. In a Machiavellian move, Dantana used Don as a reference for a job at Kickstarter. He counted on Don blasting him and, of course, that’s exactly what happened. In addition to telling the Kickstarter hiring manager about Dantana’s colossal failure, Don also called Jerry a sociopath, which apparently counts as tortious interference in New York.

Snarky Maggie: I’m not sure what’s going on with Maggie. Losing the men in her life, losing her best friend, and having a young African child die on her back has…caused her to become a snarky bitch with a bad haircut. In the teasers for season two, it was revealed that Maggie would lose everything and suffer a complete breakdown. That hasn’t happened yet. Instead, the adorably hapless Maggie has been replaced by an unlikable wench.

Liquid Sex: Marcia Gay Harden’s character, the aforementioned lawyer Rebecca Halliday, declared herself liquid sex. It made my cougar meter redline.

Vaping Diaries #100: Indigo Vapor Review

Indigo Vapor gets a lot of hype for its tobacco juices, from fans of naturally-extracted tobaccos as well as fans of synthetic tobaccos. I recently vaped Indigo Vapor’s Indigo Classic, Indigo RY, and Captain Oohrah juices and was very, very impressed. The company serves up complex concoctions with tobacco bases that are cut above most lab-made tobacco e-liquids.

Indigo Vapor juices come in clear glass bottles with dripper caps. The bottles are secured with rubber bands and placed in bubble wrap. As an added bonus, you get lollipops with your Indigo Vapor e-liquids. As you know, lollipops are awesome.

The solid packaging job is a nice touch, but what’s most important are the juices themselves. These Indigo Vapor e-liquids are high-quality blends that exceeded my expectations. Read on for the flavor breakdowns and steeping notes.

Indigo Classic: A “classic” RY4 from an American e-liquid company is unusual; most offer “modern” RY4s that emphasize the sweet flavors. This is a classic RY4 that’s done well — very, very well in fact. It has a great tobacco taste that blends together nicely with the caramel and vanilla flavors. Unlike most American RY4s, this juice isn’t dominated by one particularly flavor. Instead, it blends together nicely for an enjoyably balanced vape. Those accustomed to modern RY4s might find the balance almost too good since the flavor isn’t in your face like with many Western RY4s. Those that enjoy classic RY4s will be very surprised that an American company pulled of an Asian-style RY4 so well.

This juice vapes very cleanly and is suitable for any type of juice delivery system. It tastes good fresh and starts to blossom after 10 days of steeping.

Indigo RY: While this juice has more in common with other Western RY4s, it still stands out for its quality and balance. It’s definitely sweeter than its sister juice, but not nearly as sweet as many American RY4s. The stronger caramel and vanilla flavors are complemented by a touch of cocoa, giving the juice a unique twist. The tobacco is very, very good. While I generally prefer Janty DK RY4 and RY4s made with naturally-extracted tobacco over Western RY4s, I very much enjoyed this Indigo Vapor juice. It’s easily one of the best modern RY4s I’ve had. It has elements that will appeal to fans of both classic and modern RY4s. Indigo Vapor did a great job at making Indigo RY a standout juice in a crowded market.

This juice vapes very cleanly and is suitable for any type of juice delivery system. It tastes good fresh and starts to blossom after 10 days of steeping.

Captain Oohrah: This tobacco e-liquid surprised me. I love juices made with naturally-extracted tobacco and have middling or low expectations for “lab-bacco” juices. Captain Oohrah is a wonderfully complex mix of Indigo Vapor’s Captain Ron and Oohrah juices. You get multiple tobaccos, banana, coconut, graham, cocoa, and more that mix together beautifully. The tobacco in this is so good that I could see some vapers mistaking it for a naturally-extracted tobacco blend. For me, the tobaccos were that stars of the show, but numerous complementary notes fused together for a very unique vape. While I greatly enjoyed all three of these Indigo Vapor juices, Captain Oohrah was my favorite and made me want to explore Indigo Vapor’s other tobacco offerings.

This juice vapes very cleanly and is suitable for any type of juice delivery system. It tastes good fresh and starts to blossom after 14 days of steeping.

Indigo Classic
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Born On: May 22, 2013
Uncapped: May 24, 2013 5:11PM
Vaped: July 30 – August 7, 2013

Indigo RY
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Born On: May 22, 2013
Uncapped: May 24, 2013 5:11PM
Vaped: July 30 – August 7, 2013

Captain Oohrah
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Born On: May 22, 2013
Uncapped: May 24, 2013 5:11PM
Vaped: July 30 – August 7, 2013

Vaping Diaries #99: Phantom Mod v2 Review

The Phantom Mod v2 by AD Vaping has what many vapers have come to expect from Filipino mechanical mods — unique looks and strong performance. What it doesn’t have is a high price tag. In America, many Filipino mods costs between $180-$250 at retail. In the Philippines, the Phantom Mod v2 retails for 2,500 pesos, which is around $57. If you’ve always wanted a hard-hitting Pinoy mod but were put off by the prices then the Phantom Mod v2 could be just what you’re looking for. Here’s my rundown of the Phantom Mod v2 after using it for several weeks.

Build Quality and Construction: The Phantom Mod v2 is primarily made from stainless steel. The main tubes have a brushed finish, while the top and bottom caps have a polished finish. The upper tube has two vent holes to help heat dissipation. The main tubes have fine grooves, which give them a shiny appearance while warding off fingerprints.

The pins are made from copper, which is one of the best metals for conductivity. The upper-pin floats, allowing a wide variety of atomizers to sit flush on the mod. I used the Phantom Mod v2 with a Jeyps Nimbus, a Grand Vapor Trident, and a Kebo “The Russian” atomizers; all of them sit flush on the mod. Silver pins are available as a premium option for even higher performance. Unfortunately, I was not able to test the silver pins at this time.

The mod’s threads were mostly good. The top cap and the main body screwed in smoothly. The bottom cap was slightly rough, but totally acceptable considering the price.

The materials used to make this mod are great and the overall build quality is very good. The Phantom Mod v2 doesn’t have the cleanest lines and smoothest threads, but for the price you’re getting a lot of mod for your money.

Ergonomics and Design: The Phantom Mod v2 uses a telescoping design that accommodates batteries as small as 18350 and as large as 18650. It works with an Evolv Kick using 18350 or 18490 batteries. I used the mod with a relatively thin Sony 18650 VTC3 and a thicker Panasonic NCR18650B. The Panasonic battery can be too thick for some mechanical mods, but it worked in this one just fine.

The lower tube of the Phantom Mod v2 has an interesting design. Some people call it a “palm tree” shape, but I like to say that it’s ribbed…for your pleasure. The grooves make holding the mod easier for people that like to hit the firing button with their pinky finger. Personally, I think it looks cool and distinct. Practically, I don’t see the ribbing as a big help with ergonomics because…

…the mod’s firing button is tight. It uses a heavy spring, which makes for some firm action. Button action is subjective, so some people will like it and some people won’t. Although the spring loosened up a tiny bit after several weeks of use, the action was still on the heavy side. If you’re the kind of vaper that likes a firing button that requires a light touch then you probably won’t like using the Phantom Mod v2.

The Phantom Mod v2 doesn’t have a locking ring, but I found it wasn’t necessary considering that the button throw is long and the spring action is heavy. This is one of two mechs that I have that doesn’t have a locking ring and it’s nice to be able to mindlessly place a mod on a table without having to worry about it firing. You also don’t have to worry about the Phantom Mod v2 going off in your pocket, bag, or purse. Although it’s possible that it can fire under those conditions, it’s highly unlikely.

While I loved the appearance of the Phantom Mod v2’s brushed steel, the industrial design was merely okay for me. I found it generally attractive, but it didn’t wow me by any means. Design is totally subjective though; check out the images in the review video to see if this mod’s appearance works for you.

Performance: The Phantom Mod v2 hits fairly hard, which is expected from a mod that uses copper pins. Performance was strong using setups from 0.5 ohms to 1.2 ohms. There are many mods that hit harder, but most of those use more expensive pin materials and/or designs that limit voltage loss. For the price (there’s that line again), the Phantom Mod v2 offers quality performance.

Verdict: There’s a lot to love about the Phantom Mod v2. It’s made from quality materials, it has a unique design, and it performs well. With the large amount of Chinese clones flooding the market, it’s refreshing to see an original product that’s sold at an inexpensive price. If you’re looking for a starter mod and want to support an original maker or if you have a bunch of mods and are looking for a “beater” (i.e. drinking mod!) then the Phantom Mod v2 is a great choice. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that American retailers can get…creative with Phantom Mod v2 pricing. While it retails in the Philippines for roughly $57, don’t expect that price here. Of course retail markups and import costs are expected, but some retailers push the envelope a bit too far. $100 or so is a fair price for the Phantom Mod v2 in America. When it gets into the $120 to $140 range, that’s when the Phantom Mod v2’s value isn’t as great; you can get a nicer and better performing Pinoy mod for a little bit more money.

If you can find a Phantom Mod v2 for a $100 or less then I recommend picking one up. It’s a nice mod that offers good performance. While I have a bunch of nicer and more expensive mods in my arsenal, I use my Phantom Mod v2 a lot. It performs well and looks good, but it’s inexpensive enough that I don’t worry about dinging it up. For people that have moral issues with cloning (vaping products, not animals), you can feel good about your money supporting an original product from the original maker.

Vaping Diaries #98: Highbrow Vapor Review II

Earlier in the year, I reviewed three Highbrow Vapor e-liquids and was very impressed. I recently vaped three juices from Highbrow Vapor — Exotic Blend, Menthol, and Peach Thymbra — and the results were mixed. All three are high-quality juices and very distinct, but flavor-wise they were all over the place for me. That said, there’s a chance that all three could be what you’re looking for.

Highbrow Vapor e-liquids come in sturdy PET bottles, which I prefer over LDPE bottles. The bottles are covered in plastic and wrapping paper, tied together with decorative green string for a classy look. The package comes in a bubble-wrap envelope. The company does a good job at protecting the bottles while offering charming presentation. Highbrow Vapor juices are fairly priced at $15.00 for a 30ml bottle.

Here are the flavor breakdowns and steeping notes.

Exotic Blend: This is a cigarette-style tobacco e-liquid that’s very distinct, but also very polarizing. Exotic Blend is very much a love-it-or-hate-it juice. It’s almost like Highbrow Vapor tried to approximate the gruff ashiness of a burning tobacco cigarette. It offers an earthy flavor with a pine-seed taste. Most of the naturally-extracted tobacco e-liquids I enjoy use pipe or cigar tobaccos, so this one was definitely out of my wheelhouse. I thought I’d love Exotic Blends since I love tobacco e-liquids and have been very impressed with Highbrow Vapor. While this e-liquid is certainly unique, it’s not what I enjoy in a tobacco vape. Having said that, there are a lot of vapers that miss the “burning” taste of tobaccos cigarettes and this juice could be a great substitute for them.

This juice is moderately heavy on coils. You can vape it in a carto/tank, but don’t expect long life. A month or more of steeping helps cut down on the pine seed and gruff flavors.

Menthol: While Exotic Blend on its own wasn’t to my liking, I actually liked Menthol. It uses Exotic Blend with crushed menthol crystals. The menthol is strong and very refreshing, but it also counteracts some of the coarse qualities and the pine-seed flavor of Exotic Blend. It’s funny how an extra ingredient can change an entire recipe and that’s exactly what happened with Highbrow Vapor Menthol. It just had a better balance for my tastes. I didn’t love it, but I found it much more enjoyable that its sister juice. Again, this could possibly be a great choice for people that smoked menthol cigarettes and miss the “burning” taste.

Like its sister juice, Menthol is moderately heavy on coils. You can vape it in a carto/tank, but don’t expect long life. A month or more of steeping helps cut down on the pine seed and gruff flavors.

Peach Thymbra: After my first Highbrow Vapor review, my expectations for the company were pretty high. This juice exceeded those expectations. If you’ve read or watched my reviews then you know that I love natural peach flavors and dislike Gummi Rings peach flavors. Peach Thymbra is easily one of the best peach e-liquids I’ve ever had, with a slightly tangy, wonderfully clean, and utterly delicious peach taste. Highbrow Vapor makes this juice using a peach reduction, so it’s no wonder that the flavor is so accurate. This is an outstanding juice that I highly recommend to fan of natural fruit flavors.

Peach Thymbra vapes cleanly and is suitable for any kind of juice delivery system. The flavor is subtle out of the mail, but opens up after two weeks of steeping or more. Even then, it’s not an in-your-face juice, but a moderately sweet one (which I prefer). If you want in-your-face sweetness, there are options to up the amount of flavor used.

Exotic Blend
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: April 25, 2013
Uncapped: April 29, 2013 4:34PM
Vaped: July 14-30, 2013

Menthol
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: April 25, 2013
Uncapped: April 29, 2013 4:34PM
Vaped: July 14-30, 2013

Peach Thymbra
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: April 25, 2013
Uncapped: April 29, 2013 4:34PM
Vaped: July 14-30, 2013

Vaping Diaries #95: Twik Ekowool Review

A friend of mine from the Ahlusion forums recently started selling Twik Ekowool. This is a modified version of Ekowool silica cord, which is one of the most popular wick materials for rebuildable atomizers. Many vapers love it for its superior flavor (over standard silica) and durability. Twik Ekowool adds an organic cotton core to the mix. On paper, it offers improved wicking and flavor. I’ve been using Twik Ekowool for the last few weeks and was mostly impressed. Here’s a breakdown of my Twik experience (which is like the Jimi Hendrix Experience, but with organic cotton).

Wicking: Twik Ekowool’s super wicking was easily noticeable. I tried it out on a variety of atomizer setups from 0.5-ohms to 1.5-ohms. I purposely took longer-than-normal drags just to see if Twik could keep up…and it did. In the case of my 0.5-ohm dual-coil setup, Twik Ekowool was able to wick longer and faster than standard Ekowool. Generally speaking, the faster wicking was more beneficial as I lowered resistance, which makes sense since e-liquid is being vaporized faster because of the higher heat. If you’re using a dual-coil low-ohm dripping atomizer or a bottom-coil silica atomizer, then you’ll likely benefit from Twik Ekowool’s superior capillary action. (Hmmm, I think I’ll call my next band Superior Capillary Action.)

Flavor: Many vapers believe that cotton offers the cleanest and truest flavor. Flavor is also subjective, so your results will definitely vary. Personally, I have no problem with the flavor that standard Ekowool produces, but a few of my friends think that it adds an earthiness to e-liquid. While I found that Twik Ekowool offers slightly better flavor than standard Ekowool, I can totally understand someone else saying that the cotton core makes a big difference as far as flavor goes.

Workability: For the most part, Twik Ekowool is as easy to work with as the original. Since it’s softer than standard Ekowool, you’re able to squish it (technical term) into atomizers that have tight spaces. One minor drawback is that you can’t torch it when it’s dry. Torching has two benefits: it helps eliminate frayed ends and it stiffens up the fiber. If you like to use atypical shapes for your wicks, the latter comes in handy. For example, when I use a dual-coil setup in a dripping atomizer, I use one piece of wick shaped in a loop (affectionately called The Jacoji Loop). Torching makes it easier to get the precise size and shape of the loop. While I was able to make a Jacoji Loop with Twik Ekowool, it was a little harder because the soft fiber wouldn’t always stay where I wanted it to. All that said, most vapers use a straight setup and shouldn’t have any problems working with Twik Ekowool.

Maintenance: This is one area where standard Ekowool has a clear advantage; maintaining it is idiot-proof. You can torch and dry burn Ekowool all you want. Since Twik Ekowool has a cotton core, you shouldn’t dry burn it, since the cotton will burn. Torching it dry is out of the question too. You can torch the coil while the wick is still wet, but you have to be careful (I’ve messed this up a few times). This isn’t a big issue for vapers that enjoy clean juices, since rinsing will be enough. It can be an issue for vapers that enjoy heavy e-liquids that gunk up coils, like those made with naturally-extracted tobacco. Since it can’t be dry burned or torched dry, more vapers will get longer life out of standard Ekowool than Twik Ekowool.

Price: Twik Ekowool is very fairly priced at $4.99 for two feet with free shipping. That’s inline with prices for small quantities of unmodified Ekowool; Kidney Puncher sells straight Ekowool for $4.45 for two feet, while Stormy’s Vapor Cellar sells two feet for $3.99 — shipping is an additional charge for both vendors. Considering the extra labor it takes to thread the cotton core through hollow Ekowool, Twik’s price is great. Of course some people are going to say that they can buy dozens of feet (or meters, as Ekowool’s Russian creators measure it in) for less, but we’re talking about small quantities here.

Verdict: At the very least, Twik Ekowool is definitely worth trying. The price is comparable to the going rate for small quantities of standard Ekowool. You get superior wicking and better flavor. Just keep in mind that maintaining it isn’t as idiot-proof as caring for standard Ekowool. Vapers that are unsatisfied with the flavor and wicking of Ekowool should definitely give Twik Ekowool a shot. Even those that are happy with Ekowool should try it. The price is low enough that it’s worth experimenting with to see if the addition of a cotton core will make a significant difference in your vaping.

Personally, I’m going to keep buying both. I’ll use Twik Ekowool for most of my setups and standard Ekowool for when I want to build things like The Jacoji Loop. If you try Twik Ekowool, please leave a comment below and share your experience with it.

Buy Twik Ekowool