Vaping Diaries Archives - Page 22 of 39

Vaping Diaries #174: Biowick Cotton Wick Review

In 2013, cotton became the wick material of choice for many vapers. Some people made the switch for its clean and neutral flavor, while others claim that cotton generates more vapor. Whatever the case, to get the best results out of cotton, it needs to be boiled and dried in a clean environment. Sterile cotton is available from pharmacies, but some find the loose gauze or cotton balls tricky to work with. Biowick (available from Vapor Hub) is pretreated and pre-threaded organic cotton that offers the benefits of the en vogue material in a convenient package.

Biowick is 100-percent organic cotton that’s unbleached and uncoated. Since it’s pretreated, you don’t need to boil and dry it before using it. This is great for people that are new to cotton wicks, as well as vapers that want a quick-and-easy solution. Unlike cotton balls and cotton gauze, Biowick comes in a convenient 3mm thread. There are some concerns with nonorganic cotton that’s use with sterile cotton materials, since various chemicals are used to grow the raw product and treat the final product. With BioWick, you don’t have to worry about any of that.

I set up two dripping atomizers and The Russian with Biowick. The material is really easy to work with and the flavor is very clean. For comparison, I set up a dripper with CVS sterile cotton that’s used by several local vape shops. Biowick’s flavor was a little bit cleaner, according to my tastebuds, while the CVS cotton had a slight aftertaste. Of course everyone has different tastebuds, so your mileage may vary.

Like other forms of cotton wick, Biowick can’t be dry burned (it’ll just…uh burn-burn). For vapers that constantly change flavors, it’s not the best choice since you can’t completely get rid of the previous flavor before switching to a new one. That’s not a knock on Biowick at all — all cotton wicking materials is like that.

The one downside to Biowick is its price — currently $9.95 for 10ft at Vapor Hub. Compare that to the popular Spinrite Sugar’n Cream Yarn, which costs $14 for 14oz. Again, what you’re getting with Biowick is convenience. Sugar’n Cream Yarn should be boiled with distilled water and dried in a clean environment. Biowick is ready to go out of the bag. Sterile cotton gauze and sterile cotton balls are also very cheap, but Biowick is already threaded, making it easier for some vapers to work with. There’s also the chemical concern I mentioned earlier.

For vapers that are already on the cotton train and have no problem taking the time to properly treat it, Biowick doesn’t make much sense. The same goes for vapers that are comfortable making wicks from sterile cotton gauze or cotton balls. For people that want to experiment with cotton wicks, Biowick is a convenient way to give it a go. It can also be a good choice for vapers that enjoy cotton wicks, but don’t want to fuss around with boiling it. While quality untreated cotton is available for a much lower price, the premium cost of Biowick can be worth it to some vapers.

Vaping Diaries #173: Five Pawns Mixology Review (Castle Long, Lucena, Sixty-Four)

Five Pawns Mixology line is comprised of a quintet of e-liquids inspired by alcoholic beverages. Similar to many of the Five Pawns juices I tried last year, several of the Mixology e-liquids are complex and unique. One of them is among the most distinct e-liquids I’ve ever tried. Five Pawns has a fervent fan base and the Mixology line broadens the company’s reach by introducing new flavors. Mixology also takes Five Panws to the next level by serving up some wonderfully complex juice. While these Five Pawns Mixology juices aren’t for everyone (and really, no juice is for everyone), they’re so unique that they’re worth trying, at the very least.

To kick off my review of Five Pawns Mixology, I’ve been vaping Castle Long, Lucena, and Sixty-Four for the last 15 days. There have been early reviews of these e-liquids that were based on store samplings. Personally, I don’t think that reviews based off of five minutes of vaping are particularly useful. I’ve vaped several milliliters of these juices using a variety of equipment. That annoyance aside, let’s get to the tasting notes on these three Five Pawns Mixology juices.

Castle Long: Based on the successful Castle Long Reserve, this juice blends coconut, almond, vanilla, brown sugar, and bourbon flavors. Castle Long Reserve is a marvelous e-liquid that was one of my favorites of 2013. Unlike the “Reserve” edition, this juice is not steeped in an oak barrel. The result is a brighter, sharper, and sweeter flavor.

While I’m a fan of the outstanding mix of flavors, I still prefer Castle Long Reserve over Castle Long — at least in a relatively fresh state. The steeping really helps the flavors come together and the oak adds an additional layer of complexity. After a few months of steeping, I imagine that Castle Long will mellow out and become similar to Castle Long Reserve. On the practical side, Castle Long is $10 cheaper than Castle Long Reserve, which will appeal to many vapers. While it doesn’t have the fanfare of the previous release, Castle Long is a tasty and complex juice that’s a fine addition to the Five Pawns Mixology line.

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

Lucena: This is a flavorful blend of white peach and spiced rum, topped with hazelnut. The peach flavor is delicious and natural, while the spiced rum gives it a kick. For my tastebuds, the hazelnut was slight and hard to pick up when vaping with a clearomizer.

Out of the three Five Pawns Mixology juices in this review, this one was the least impressive to the friends I shared it with. All of them enjoyed it, but found it less distinct than the other two. The general sentiment was that Lucena tastes like a spicy peach cobbler; that was Five Pawns’ intent, but the flavor wasn’t as unique as the others. Personally, I really enjoyed Lucena, but would have preferred a different balance. I’m always down to vape a tasty peach e-liquid and the peach flavor in this juice is great. However, I would have preferred a stronger rum kick…which is probably a result of all the rum I’ve consumed over the years.

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

Sixty-Four: Easily one of the most unique juices I’ve ever tried, Sixty-Four was inspired by the popular mojito beverage. The flavors in this juice include grapefruit liqueur, cognac, cucumber, mint, lemon, and dill. The blend is unique and the complexity is striking. Sixty-Four has a slight citrus sweetness that’s accompanied by a pleasantly bitter tone.

Since the flavor is so unique, some of my friends loved Sixty-Four and some of them couldn’t stand it. The cucumber and dill flavors are really distinct. While I can see how it was inspired by the mojito, it reminded me more of fancy flavored water that’s served in spas. In Southern California, the market is dominated by fruity and candied flavors. Sixty-Four is a breath of fresh air that stands out and is one of the most “adult” juices I’ve ever tried. While it’s probably the most divisive juice in the Five Pawns Mixology line, I found it to be delicious in a way that’s atypical for e-liquids.

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

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 #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.

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 #169: Craft Vapery Unboxing Video

Back in Vaping Diaries #159, I wrote about Craft Vapery. It’s a new subscription-based e-liquid service that offers a curated approach to vaping juices. First, the big news — pricing has gone down from $40 for three 15ml to $33 for three 15ml. While the price is still more expensive that what most online e-liquid vendors offer, it’s a little bit cheaper than what’s found at most brick-and-mortar vape shops. Remember, what you’re getting with Craft Vapery is highly personalized service and curated juice recommendations. For certain vapers, the service can be quite valuable.

To give you a better idea of the Craft Vapery experience, I filmed a video of my first Craft Vapery box. I was really impressed by the packaging and presentation. The selected juices were from top vendors and fit into the flavor profile I created. All three were good to great. I was given DNA Vapor’s The Dough, since I noted that I enjoy bakery-type juices. This is a cookie dough e-liquid that’s a delicious treat. As big tobacco fan, I was given The Force Vapors’ Chewbacco, an RY4-style juice with blueberry notes. This is a good dessert juice, but not really what I enjoy in tobaccos or RY4s; for tobacco juices I greatly prefer naturally-extracted tobacco and for RY4s I prefer classics, like the original Janty formula. Lastly, I was given Blueprint Vapor’s Page Six, which is a complex blend of green tea, fruits, and cream. As a fan of complexity, I really enjoyed this juice and have a feeling that I’ll dig it even more after it steeps.

For the most part, I was pleased with what Craft Vapery chose for me. All the flavors fit into my vaping wheelhouse. Page Six was a lovely surprise that I might not have discovered on my own. My tobacco preferences are really particular, so it wasn’t surprising that I wasn’t given a tobacco e-liquid that floored me.

For vapers that are already set in their ways, buying the same juices from the same juice companies, Craft Vapery doesn’t make much sense. For vapers that haven’t found the right juice or for vapers that are always looking for something new, Craft Vapery can be a great service. If you fall into one of those two categories then I recommend giving Craft Vapery a shot. Based on the box I received, there’s a good chance that the company will help you find a juice that you love.

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 #166: Top 10 Vaping Devices of 2013 (Mods, Atomizers)

Now that I’ve gone over my top 10 e-liquids of the year, it’s time to talk about my top 10 vaping devices of 2013. Like the juice list, my hardware list is completely subjective. In most situations, I almost always prefer mechanical mods and rebuildable atomizers. This list reflects my tastes, so to borrow a line from the Diff’rent Strokes theme song, “What might be right for you, may not be right for some.” (What? Was that joke too dated?) Anyway, here are my favorite mods and atomizers of 2013. After you’ve checked out the list, I’d love to hear about your top 10 vaping devices of 2013. Kindly share your favorite hardware in the comments section.

GP Paps X (Vapour Art) — This one was easy. I had no doubt that the GP Paps X would lead my top 10 vaping devices of 2013 list. It’s easily the best mod in my collection. The craftsmanship is among the finest I’ve seen in vaping, the materials are top notch (316 stainless steel!), and the performance is great. I dream about a GP Paps X made from aluminum bronze, like that GP Paps Lux; that would be the equivalent of Scarlett Johansson being utterly smitten by Asian-American men that are nerds about coffee, comics, vaping, and videogames. While Vapour Art Perseas has explained why a GP Paps X Lux isn’t possible at this time, it’s still good to have dreams. Anyway, this mod is phenomenal. Full review here.
GP Paps Lux 2.5 (Vapour Art) — There are times when I prefer the Paps Lux over the Paps X. Its aluminum bronze looks stunning and helps the mod deliver great performance. While there are numerous naval brass and tiger brass mods that look lovely, aluminum bronze is just sexier to me. If the GP Paps X is Natalie Portman (beautiful, elegant, and educated) then the GP Paps Lux is Scarlett Johansson (sexy and immensely alluring). While the GP Paps X is the “best” mod I have, the GP Paps Lux is the most beautiful. Review coming soon!
The Russian (Kebo) — I’ve always been a huge fan of the Kayfun 3.1, but it’s an expensive atomizer that’s difficult to obtain. The Russian is pretty much an exact copy and there are some tales floating around that a former SvoeMesto (the Kayfun creators) partner was involved in its creation. Whether that tale is true or not, The Russian gives you the full flavor of dripping combined with 4.5ml of capacity. Best of all, it’s relatively inexpensive and much easier to get than the Kayfun 3.1. While full respect should be given to SvoeMesto for creating one of the best atomizers on the market in the Kayfun 3.1, The Russian is simply more accessible to more vapers. Full review here.
Aqua by Footoon (UVO Systems) — A lot of people are calling this atomizer a “Kayfun killer,” and I completely disagree with that assessment. It offers a very different type of vape and has a lot less capacity, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t love my Aqua. For vapers that want a warm vape and airier draw, the Aqua is fantastic. It’s super-easy to make dual-coil builds on the Aqua, making it a great choice for bakery, dessert, and tobacco vapes. While I use The Russian most of the time, for certain e-liquids — ones that are better hot — the Aqua is my go-to atty. I liked my review Aqua so much that I’ve already picked up another. Full review here.
SurfRider Brass (Bay City Vapor) — I love that more American companies are making high-end mods. That said, very few of them are doing anything innovative and unique. One of the few is Bay City Vapor out of Seal Beach, California. The SurfRider uses a unique top cap that doesn’t have a typical 510 connection. Instead, your atomizer connects directly to the battery. You get the lossless performance of a hybrid with the flexibility of a 510 top cap. While I wish the button used a softer spring, I’m really, really impressed with Bay City Vapor’s debut mod. Full review here.
Precise Simplicity 18650 (Super-T Manufacturing) — There was a stretch when Super-T Manufacturing was inarguably the best American mod maker. Although it has more domestic competitors in 2013, the company is still pushing out great products. The Precise Simplicity line offers Super-T’s renowned workmanship at a relatively low price. For $135, you get a brilliantly-made mech that’s backed by a lifetime warranty. Full review here.
El Kapitan v2 (Wu Tang House of Mods) — It’s Filipino. It’s copper. It looks frickin’ cool. That’s the El Kapitan v2 in a nutshell. While I’m rooting for American mod makers to step up their games and dominate the world, I’m always happy to see great vaping products from the Philippines. The El Kapitan v2 is stylish and its copper body helps it deliver strong performance. I’ve been on a copper kick for the last couple of months and now have three copper mods. The El Kapitan v2 is still my favorite. Full review here.
GP Spheroid v2 (Vapour Art) — While Vapour Art fans adore this atomizer, I think it’s criminally underrated. It delivers outstanding flavor and throat hit while offering decent capacity. Since it uses filler to hold juice, there’s a horrible misconception that this atomizer’s flavor is comparable to that of a cartomizer. That’s dead wrong. You get dripper-like flavor, around 2.5ml of capacity, and Vapour Art’s stellar workmanship. Full review here.
iTaste VV 3.0 (Innokin) — See, I like digital mods too! While there are many small variable-voltage vaping devices, there aren’t many variable-wattage ones. The first one I used was the iTaste VV 3.0. It is easily pocketable, offers the flexibility of variable-wattage, and has great performance for this type of vaping device. It’s what I grab when I go out for a quick errand. While I generally prefer mechanical mods, I’m happy that the iTaste VV 3.0 is in my arsenal. It’s super-convenient and has been a lifesaver on several occasions. Full review here.
RPadTV Mod — This mechanical mod has my face on it. Do you really need more reasons?!? Just kidding. Seriously, it’s fun having a mod that’s “you” and I sincerely hope you considering picking one up to help keep this site’s vaping content going.

Now it’s your turn! I’d love to hear about your favorite hardware of the year. Kindly share your top 10 vaping devices of 2013 (or however many you’d like) in the comments section. For my favorite juices of the year, check out my top 10 e-liquids of 2013 list.

Vaping Diaries #165: Top 10 E-Liquids of 2013

Since the year is wrapping up, I thought it would be a great time to look back and think about the many juices I vaped in 2013. Below is a list of the top 10 e-liquids of 2013, but there are several things I’d like you to keep in mind. While most of the juices on the list are 2013 releases, there are some older releases that are simply new to my tastebuds. Obviously this list is completely subjective. The e-liquids I enjoy the most are made with naturally-extracted tobacco or are complex blends. Just because I’m enamored with these juices doesn’t mean that they’ll be instant hits for you. Lastly, I’d love to hear about your top 10 e-liquids of 2013 (or however many you’d like to post). Kindly take a moment and share your favorite juices of the year in the comments section. Now onto the list!

Sahara Blend (Ahlusion) — This a brilliant mix of Turkish and Virginia tobaccos. What I love about this juice is that there’s so much going on. It’s sweet, spicy, and dry all at the same time. While I’ve had Turkish blends that have similar qualities to this juice, none of them can match Sahara Blend’s complexity. The excellent flavor and complexity have it first on my top 10 e-liquids of 2013 list. After vaping my review bottle (review will be filmed soon!), I’ve ordered a few 60ml refills. That’s how much I enjoy this one.
Honey Cured (Ahlusion) — This juice is a masterful blend of bold tobacco and bright honey sweetness. As with the other Ahlusion aromatics, the tobacco is authentic and stronger than what most companies offer. The honey sweetness is strong and true, and perfectly complemented by the flavorful tobacco. I’m always amazed by the stellar balance Ahlusion achieves with so many of its juices. This is a sterling example of that. Full review here.
Gambit (Five Pawns) — There are a ton of apple pie e-liquids on the market, but this is the most remarkable one that I’ve vaped. The complexity is off the charts. You can taste the apple, vanilla, crust, and cream. I haven’t had an apple pie juice this good and it would take an extraordinary blend to top it — Gambit (the Five Pawns juice, not the pansy Cajun Marvel superhero) is just amazing stuff. Full review here.
Castle Long Reserve (Five Pawns) — A limited-edition release, I was lucky enough to get two bottles of the first batch of this juice. It’s stellar. Like Gambit, the complexity is amazing. You can make out the coconut, toasted almond, and vanilla flavors, as well as a touch of oak. I’ve heard from several friends that the second release of this juice is a tad different and not quite as good. That means that I’ll savor every last drop of the original Castle Long Reserve that I have left. Full review here.
Lychee (Bamskilicious) — This juice was given a shout-out by Ricky from Dr. Mike’s Rad Vapors during our Vapetoberfest 2013 interview. I bought a 10ml at a local shop to try it out…and have probably picked up around 200ml since then. As an Asian-American, I’ve consumed a lot of lychee (both canned and fresh). It’s one of my favorite fruits in the world and this juice replicates the flavor of canned lychee perfectly. In fact, I’m vaping some in my Russian atomizer as I type this.
Gold Member (Ahlusion) — It took a month of steeping for it to become great, but this dessert juice ended up being exactly what I wanted. A few years ago, salted caramel desserts were the rage in Los Angeles. This juice lets me enjoy that outstanding flavor without the calories. That’s a complete win! Full review here.
Banyan Tree (The Vape Tree) — This company was started by a fine gentlemen that I met on ECF. Initially, this was my second-favorite juice of his, but now I like it best. The flavor is unique and complex — a rich bakery-type vape complemented nicely by tobacco. The sweetness of the multiple dessert flavors is wonderfully cut by the earthiness of the tobacco. Full review here.
Americano Ciambella (P.O.E.T.) — Another complex vape, I was intrigued by this juice’s description when I chatted with POET CEO Randy Freer at ECC 2013. Maple is the dominant flavor, and it’s complemented by coffee and subtle tobacco notes. Randy described it as his morning drive — eating a maple bar, drinking a cup of coffee, and smoking a cigarette on the way to work. While I rarely drive, the combination, complexity, and wonderfully subtle background notes made this one a winner for me.
Grant’s Vanilla Custard — To be completely honest, I didn’t want to love this juice. Through no fault of the creator, it’s ridiculously overhyped. Some of the reasons are that it’s difficult to obtain and opportunistic people flip bottles of it for double the cost (or more). While I abhor the “flipper” aspect of this juice (again, not the creator’s fault), I’ve come to really enjoy this excellent custard e-liquid. It’s sweet and rich, with the perfect amount of eggy flavor (for me). While I maintain that it’s overhyped, there’s a reason why this is the vanilla custard juice that all other vanilla custard juices are compared to. And yeah, I’ve gone through 100ml of this stuff and have 200ml steeping.
Pinoy Punch (The Vape Tree) — This one got me attention with its awesome name and kept it with its use of mangosteen. Another one of my favorite fruits, mangosteen is awesome and rarely found in e-liquids. This blend also uses other tropical fruits and has a thick texture that I really enjoyed. But, it’s the mangosteen that made this one of my top 10 e-liquids of 2013. Full review here.

Now it’s your turn! Kindly share your top 10 e-liquids of 2013 in the comments section when you have a chance. I’d love to see your picks. I’m hoping to see some juices I’ve never heard of or haven’t considered. Perhaps I’ll review some of your picks in 2014. Fire away (please)! If you’re interested in my vaping gear picks, then check out my top 10 vaping devices of 2013 list.