Category: Videos

Vaping Diaries #49: Volcano Review

Volcano is one of the most visible e-cig brands in America. The company has several mall kiosks throughout the country and a pair of excellent vapor cafes. The company’s Lavatube line is one of the most popular mods out there. So how are Volcano’s e-liquids? I vaped Bonzai Banana, Lahaina Lychee, and Pipeline Peach to find out. The short version is that I can’t recommend any of these juices. One of them was passable, while the other two didn’t appeal to me at all. Here are the breakdowns and steeping notes.

Bonzai Banana: This juice has a very artificial and candy-like taste. My brother likes this one because it reminds him of banana taffy, but I couldn’t stand it. You know how a banana scratch-and-sniff sticker smells? That’s how this e-liquid tastes. Even though I prefer natural fruit flavors, I understand that some people enjoy candy-like e-liquids. That said, I honestly don’t see the appeal of this particular take on banana and think that my brother is a bit nuts for liking it (though to be fair, he’s only been vaping since December and hasn’t tried many “good” juices).

Lahaina Lychee: I was really looking forward to this one because lychee is an uncommon e-liquid and most popular vendors don’t offer this flavor. I absolutely love the fruit — both fresh and canned. This juice has a mild lychee taste, but it’s also accompanied by some bitterness and a pungent aroma. Additionally, it doesn’t have the sweetness I expect from lychee. While it wasn’t as bad as its banana brother, I thought that this juice was mediocre at best — the lychee flavor wasn’t strong enough and too many other characteristics spoil the overall taste. I have a bottle of Ahlusion’s Boba Tea with Lychee that I’ll be reviewing in the future; the lychee flavor in Ahlusion’s juice is exponentially better than the one in Volcano’s.

Pipeline Peach: This is a pretty average peach juice with a candy flavor. It reminded me of Haribo Gummi Peaches. Again, I prefer natural fruit flavors — especially when it comes to peach — but I can see how some people would like this juice. That said, it’s pretty average. If you’re looking for a candied peach taste then I recommend Backwoods Brew’s Peach; it’s much better and a little bit cheaper than Volcano’s juice. While this juice was “pretty average,” as I mentioned earlier, that also makes it the best of the three.

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.

Bonzai Banana
80/20 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine (PG/VG ratio not listed on the bottle, this is what I was told by a store clerk)
Uncapped: December 28, 2012 3:40PM
Vaped: March 5, 2013 – March 9, 2013

Lahaina Lychee
80/20 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine (PG/VG ratio not listed on the bottle, this is what I was told by a store clerk)
Uncapped: December 28, 2012 3:40PM
Vaped: March 5, 2013 – March 9, 2013

Pipeline Peach
80/20 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine (PG/VG ratio not listed on the bottle, this is what I was told by a store clerk)
Uncapped: December 28, 2012 3:40PM
Vaped: March 5, 2013 – March 9, 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) juices; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Vaping Diaries #48: Innokin iTaste SVD Review

A few months ago, I reviewed the Innokin iTaste MVP and walked away impressed. While the device lacked some features that some vapers want in a mod, it still offered great performance and value for the money. I’ve been using Innokin’s latest mod — the iTaste SVD (Superior Vaping Device) — for the last month and find it even more impressive than its predecessor. This is a well-made mod that features quality construction and great performance in a complete kit that’s available for a relatively low price.

What’s in the Kit: The iTaste SVD comes with the mod, two telescoping tubes to accommodate different battery sizes, two iClear 30 clearomizers, three replacement coils for the clearos, an instruction manual for the mod, and an instruction manual for the clearos. This is an especially great kit for new vapers; all you need are some batteries, a charger, and e-liquid to start vaping.

Construction and Build Quality: The iTaste SVD is made primarily from stainless steel. The body is very sturdy, which is to be expected from a stainless steel mod. The lines are clean and the mod is generally attractive. Star Wars nerds will love that it looks like lightsaber. Overall I was impressed by the design and construction of the iTaste SVD. It feels like a high-quality product that should cost a bit more than it does.

It’s easy to assemble the mod and change batteries after putting a bit of Noalox on the threads. I highly recommend using Noalox or another anti-oxidant lubricant with the SVD. It makes the tubes easier to handle and helps extend the life of the threads.

One of my criticisms of the original iTaste MVP is that it didn’t work with all eGo-threaded products. That issue has been addressed with the iTaste SVD. It works well with standard 510 products, as well as eGo-threaded products.

Ergonomics and Design: The mod is slightly thin for a device that uses 18xxx batteries. Depending on the battery configuration used, it can be too long for some users. For single-battery use, it can use 18350 to 18650 batteries. For vapers that want the maximum voltage and wattage range, stacked 18350 batteries are recommended. With a single 18490 battery, the iTaste SVD is longer than many 18650 mods. Using an 18650 or two 18350 batteries gives it borderline comical length.

I’ve been using the iTaste SVD mostly with 18490 and 18650 batteries. While I wasn’t getting the battery life I needed with the former, the size was acceptable. With an 18650 the device was longer than what I like, but not something that bothered me. However, I can see the length being an issue for some vapers that want to use this mod with larger or stacked batteries.

As for the weight, I loved it, even with the 18650. I like heavy mods with a substantial heft, so SVD felt great to me. People that prefer lighter mods might not enjoy how this mod feels. The weight of the stainless steel body combined with the weight of a large battery or two stacked batteries can make this mod too heavy for some people.

Operation: The iTaste SVD can be adjusted from 3.3 to 6.0 volts in increments of 0.1 volts. For variable wattage, it has a range of 3.0 to 15.0 watts that can be adjusted in increments of 0.5 watts. For such a powerful and diverse mod, it’s really easy to use. There’s a firing button, a plus button, and a minus button. The various functions are activated using a combination of buttons presses (which I listed in my preview).

The iTaste SVD has a bright and clear LED display that displays voltage, wattage, battery life, atomizer resistance, and more. The firing button displays green, yellow, and red to give you a rough idea of battery life. Between the simple controls and bright screen, most vapers will find this mod a breeze to use.

Performance and Battery Life: Like the other Innokin products I’ve used, the iTaste SVD delivered consistent output for some great vaping. It worked well with the various atomizers, cartomizers, and clearomizers I put on it. Output remained consistent for the entire life of the battery. For those concerned with safety, the mod has a battery protection circuit and overtime vaping warnings.

Battery life, of course, depends on what you have in the mod. With an 18490, I was getting about half a day of vaping. My preferred 18650 battery gave me a little more than a full day. I appreciate that the iTaste SVD doesn’t come with batteries. It gives vapers the choice to buy the battery size that best suits their needs. Many vendors also package their mods with crap batteries and chargers; hopefully this mod will help vapers avoid garbage products and buy quality products like Panasonic’s excellent 18650s and the Nitecore Intellicharge i4 charger.

Verdict: Innokin continues to impress with its excellent vaping devices. The iTaste SVD is well made, provides satisfying and consistent vapes, and is easy to use. The only major drawback is subjective — some people will find it too heavy and long. Personally, I loved its heft and didn’t mind the length, but understand that some vapers will feel otherwise.

I’ve seen the iTaste SVD listed for $70 to $100. At $70, the kit is an outstanding value. Even at $100, it’s a very good value. Considering that I was very pleased with the iTaste MVP, my expectations for this mod were pretty high. I’m happy to say that Innokin has exceeded my expectations. As long as you can deal with the length and weight, I highly recommend the iTaste SVD.

Vaping Diaries #47: Alice in Vapeland Review

Alice in Vapeland offers a combination of utterly charming presentation and inventive e-liquid flavors. Let’s start with the packaging. The 30ml glass bottles are covered in bubble wrap and placed in a box with multicolored shredded paper. You just feel happy when you open the box. Each bottle has a cute charm that corresponds to its flavor. Aesthetics aside, the juices are high-quality mixes that feature creative flavors. The three covered in this review are Sweet Tease, Mystic Mandalime, and B/W Cookie. While I wouldn’t recommend them for people that prefer in-your-face sweetness, I really enjoyed these e-liquids. The subtle flavors blend together wonderfully for some really unique juices. Here are the breakdowns and steeping notes.

Sweet Tease: This a lemon iced with a wonderful sweet tea flavor that’s complemented by the perfect touch of lemon. I really loved this flavors blend of sweetness and tanginess. It comes together so nicely, but I just wanted more flavor all around. While I definitely enjoyed this e-liquid a lot, I’m certain that I would have been over the moon about it with extra flavoring. This one was just a bit too subtle for me, but still fun to vape.

As far as heat goes, I liked this one best in the 7.0 to 7.5 watt range, which is slightly lower than what I normally use. While the flavor was good at higher wattages, the warmer vape made it slightly strange. I’m pretty sure it was a mental thing. The warmer vape turned iced tea into…tea tea?

Mystic Mandalime:  A wonderful blend of mandarin orange and lime, this juice serves up a lovely sweet-and-sour flavor. The mandarin orange and lime complement each other perfectly. This was definitely the sweetest of the three, but still subtle compared to many juices I’ve tried. I was impressed by how this e-liquids bursts with flavor without drowning you with sweetness. This was my favorite of the three by a hair.

B/W Cookie: I had high hopes for this one as a transplanted New Yorker that has been searching for a good black-and-white cookie in California for 13 years. This juice is definitely more chocolate than vanilla. The vanilla flavor is there, but it’s more complementary. This is a mildly sweet juice that’s very flavorful. At lower wattages (7.0 to 7.5), I was getting a chocolate liquor taste. At higher wattages (8.5 and above), I was getting a toasty chocolate taste. Either way, the flavors were fantastic. Along with Mystic Mandalime, I loved this juice.

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.

Sweet Tease
House PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 4, 2013 12:22PM
Vaped: February 28, 2013 – March 5, 2013

Mystic Mandalime
House PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 4, 2013 12:22PM
Vaped: February 28, 2013 – March 5, 2013

B/W Cookie
House PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 4, 2013 12:22PM
Vaped: February 28, 2013 – March 5, 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) juices; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Vaping Diaries #46: Vapor4Life Vapor Zeus Preview

I haven’t used a cig-alike (vaping devices that look like tobacco cigarettes) in a long time. As some of you know, I started out with V2 e-cigs (still RPadholic N8R’s favorites) but have moved onto bigger and more complicated devices. One of the reasons that I found the upcoming Vapor4Life Vapor Zeus so intriguing is that it blends elements of both device styles. The Vapor Zeus is shaped like a long and thin cigar, so the form factor is pocketable and familiar. Plus, it won’t look like you’re vaping with something that commonly gets confused for a Sonicare toothbrush. Unlike most easy-to-use e-cigs, this one has a lot of powerful features. After vaping a few days with the Vapor Zeus, I’m pleased to say that my expectations have been exceeded. So far, it has produced very satisfying vapes.

Here are a few reasons why I’m digging the Vapor Zeus:

  • Power: The device has an output of 5.0 volts for single-coil cartomizers and 4.4 volts for dual-coil cartos. Most “standard” e-cigs have an output of 3.7 volts. This is the main reason why the Vapor Zeus produces a lot of flavor and vapor.
  • Cartomizer Capacity: The Zeus Cartomizers are pretty unique. They have a rubber tip that feels very comfortable. More importantly, they hold 3.5ml of e-liquid. We’re talking tank-like capacity and two to three times more than what most standalone cartos hold.
  • Battery Life: I still need more time to be sure, but the 900 mAh battery seems to get me through a little more than half a day. If the performance I’ve had so far keeps up, then two of these bad boys should be enough for my daily vaping — totally acceptable for a device this size. It also has passthrough charging, allowing for simultaneous vaping and charging via Mini USB.

The Vapor Zeus comes in automatic and dual-mode models. The automatic model is like smoking a tobacco cigarette — you just puff and vape. The dual-mode model works that way too, but also has the option to work manually, meaning you press a button to activate the device. I have one of each model and right now I prefer the dual-mode device. My initial feeling is that manual mode has a looser and airier draw that I prefer. Again, I’m still forming my opinion on that and will say for certain in the full review.

For vapers that want something more powerful and with more battery life than cig-alikes, but don’t want something too big or complicated, the Vapor Zeus could be a great choice. I was very surprised by the satisfying vapes it served up and I really liked having a large-capacity cartomizer. I still need to spend more time with it before the full review, which should post in the near future. For now, it’s time for a tangent.

Did you see the episode of The Simpsons when the family went to a Planet of the Apes musical that featured a song called “Help Me Dr. Zaius” set to Falco’s “Rock Me Amadeus“? I’ve been thinking about it ever since I’ve started using the Vapor Zeus…because I’ve been calling it the Vapor Zaius. So instead of “Amadeus, Amadeus” or “Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zaius,” the song in my head goes, “Vapor Zaius, Vapor Zaius.”

That’s funny, right? *sigh* No one gets me.

Anyway, stay tuned for a full review of the Vapor Zeus!

Vaping Diaries #45: Heather’s Heavenly Vapes Review II

Last year, Raina and I checked out three tobacco e-liquids from Heather’s Heavenly Vapes and walked away impressed. I’ve had a few HHV juices since then and really enjoyed them. Here’s a review of three HHV flavors: Cinful Apple, Heavenly Waffles, and Georgia Peach Tobacco. One of these juices was brilliant, one was very good, and one was my first HHV disappointment. Here’s the breakdown and steeping notes.

Cinful Apple: A lovely, natural apple flavor dominates the taste of this juice, complemented by a bit of cinnamon. A few vendors make apple-cinnamon e-liquids, but many of them taste the way an apple air freshener smells. This isn’t one of those juices. This is a delicious mix that reminded me of baked apples and spiced apple cider. I liked this one a lot.

Heavenly Waffles: This e-liquid is available with a variety of options, including whipped cream, extra syrup, extra butter, and various fruit/nut toppings. I chose extra maple syrup and whipped cream. While it was a very sweet vape, it also had a surprising amount of complexity. You can taste the individual flavors in this mix — waffle, maple syrup, butter, etc. It comes together brilliantly. I would order this juice again in a heartbeat, but probably get the standard maple syrup level and extra butter. While it was excellent the way I ordered it, it’s too sweet for an all-day vape and more suitable for dessert.

Georgia Peach Tobacco: On paper, this e-liquid should have kicked all kinds of ass. HHV makes great tobacco e-liquids and those cats are from Georgia, so they’re certified peach experts (I believe the documentation is posted on its web site). While you can definitely taste a great peach flavor and a nice tobacco, the flavors clashed and left me with an unenjoyable vape. Individually, the flavors would have been great, but together it didn’t work for me. It’s like they were fighting in my mouth. Considering everything else I’ve had from HHV has been very good to outstanding, I was really disappointed in this juice. That said, it was somewhat comforting to know that HHV is mortal and not everything it makes is wonderful for me.

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.

Cinful Apple
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 1, 2013 2:12PM
Vaped February 23-27, 2013

Heavenly Waffles
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 1, 2013 2:12PM
Extra Maple Syrup
Whipped Cream
Vaped February 23-27, 2013

Georgia Peach Tobacco
60/40 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: October 20, 2012 5:20PM
Recapped: October 22, 2012 5:34PM
Vaped February 23-27, 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) juices; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Vaping Diaries #44: Janty MiD One Preview

The Janty MiD One is a really powerful and versatile vaping device that’s easily the most advanced I’ve ever used. As far as power goes, it offers variable-voltage performance up to eight volts and variable-wattage performance up to 25 watts. In terms of versatility, the mod holds four profiles that can house different settings. What makes it different from other top-of-the-line VV/VW mods is that it uses a joystick controller and eschews an alphanumeric screen in favor of an LED display that shows colors. It also pairs with a PC app that gives it capabilities that no other vaping device has, as well as a community aspect.

Like I mentioned in Vaping Diaries #30, the MiD One is similar to buying a videogame. When you purchase a game, you get a complete experience that can be enhanced by buying additional downloadable content. The MiD One offers a number of features out of the box, but can be enhanced by purchasing “modules” that give it additional capabilities.

While it’s clearly a unique, powerful, and versatile device, I have no doubt that it will be one of the most polarizing mods of 2013. It’s just so different from anything else and will elicit strong reactions. The atypical controls and the need to use a PC to get the most out of the device will definitely split people. I’m still forming my opinion on the MiD One. For now, here are some impressions of my ten days with the mod. Please keep in mind that this is a prototype, so the aesthetics will definitely improve, while the functionality has a chance to get better.

Build Quality: The MiD One looks like an eGo-style vaping device, but bigger. The body is made from metal that’s coated with a rubberized plastic that has a nice feel. It’s thinner than most 18650 tube mods, which isn’t surprising since it uses 16340 batteries. The device comes with a 4ml cartomizers with a plastic tip, but it can use any standard 510 atomizers, cartomizers, or clearomizers.

For the most part, the unit’s construction is quality. It feels good in the hand and I really liked the plastic-coated metal body. The one thing I didn’t like was the battery cap. It has a stylish Janty logo on it, but the branding makes the mod slightly unstable while it’s standing vertically. It can stand upright just fine, but a slight shake will cause it to fall. Of course the final model will look prettier, but I hope Janty is able to make logo flatter or make the balance more bottom heavy to add stability.

Controls: Vapers online have been blasting the MiD One’s atypical controls (even though they’ve never used them). As far as the prototype goes, it’s not as bad as some people think, but it’s also not as good as it could be. As you can see from the diagram above, the joystick-and-LED combo allows you to do a lot, but it also requires some studying. Some people will pick things up quickly and get used to the system. Others will never get used to it. Memorizing different numbers of button clicks, button presses, and colors will definitely be a deal-breaker for some people. While I understand some of the technical reasons Janty didn’t go with an alphanumeric display, the company would be having an easier time attracting potential customers with a more traditional system.

In the video above, I used the example of checking atomizer resistance. To do so, it’s three clicks to the left to bring up monitoring, followed by one click to the left for the atomizer. The Janty cartomizer is rated at 2.5 ohms, so the display showed two long flashes followed by five short flashes. While it’s certainly not as convenient as having a full alphanumeric display, it was easy enough for me to remember how to check resistance. That said, I totally understand why some people won’t like checking resistance this way.

As for me, I’m still learning the system and there are definitely times when I need to use the chart for reference. Having said that, I’m confident that it’s something I’d get used to with time. As a gamer, I disagree with the use of analog-stick style controller. Controlling the MiD One would definitely be easier with a D-pad style controller. Again, this is a prototype model. Janty still has time to improve the tactility and accuracy of the joystick.

App: As a tech nerd, I love what Janty is doing with this app. It blends powerful features and community. The interesting feature here is creating different variable-voltage or variable-wattage profiles. You can set a timeline as long as 12 seconds and have the voltage/wattage fluctuate as you wish. This makes for some really novel and never-seen-before vaping possibilities. You can do things like increase power with a drag, start at a high power and decrease with time, create a bell-curve like vape, or spike things all over the place. If you’re not the imaginative sort, you can check out profiles made by other vapers and try them out on your device. As a longtime Internet writer that’s a huge believer in online community, I love this feature.

The “monitoring” page is really cool too. This lets you see — in real time — the amps, voltage, wattage, and battery life of the MiD One, as well as the resistance of the equipment attached to it. I confess to wasting a lot of time vaping while staring at the monitoring screen, for no other reason except to see what’s going on with the equipment while I’m vaping. It’s good, nerdy fun.

The app is only available for Windows PC. If you’re a Mac user then you’ll need to use Bootcamp or Parallels. Janty has an Android app in the works too, which should be exciting. Since my primary work machine is a Mac, I’m disappointed that there isn’t a native app for OS X. To be fair, when Ovale and Joyetech first released the eVic, the app for that mod was initially Windows only.

Modules: As a gamer, I’m totally used to buying this way. I’m not sure older vapers and/or non-gaming vapers will be as receptive. I like that MiD One owners only need to pay for the features they use. This is a good thing.

My favorite module is “Realtime Vaping Enabler.” This lets you adjust the voltage/wattage on the fly by pushing up or down on the joystick. Janty equates this with taking a longer drag or a shorter puff from a tobacco cigarette. The company totally nailed this one.

Initial Impression: I really love how bold Janty is being with the MiD One. It’s a very different approach to vaping that has more in common with modern consumer electronics than other vaping devices. Electronics have become as much about software and services as they are about hardware. That’s what Janty is trying to serve up here.

The thing with being different is that it draws strong reactions. The MiD One hasn’t even been released yet and people are already drawing conclusions. I’ve used a prototype for 10 days and I still think it’s too soon to conclude anything. Janty still has time to improve the MiD One experience. Right now I think the software and services are there, but the hardware needs some smoothing out. There’s enormous potential with the MiD One, but there’s also a chance that it won’t get realized. I’m excited to see if Janty can bring it all together.

Vaping Diaries #42: Vape Dudes Review II

Earlier in the month, I reviewed three e-liquids from Vape Dudes. I thought that two of them were good, but not great, while one was disappointing. This time around I checked out three e-liquids from Vape Dudes’ Naturals line, which uses 100 percent organic flavorings. The juices vaped were Spicy Chai, Bananas Foster, and RB Dude. While I definitely preferred the Naturals line over the standard e-liquids, the results were the same — two good, but not great, and one disappointing. Here are the breakdowns and steeping notes.

Spicy Chai: This is a sweet e-liquid that’s a nice choice for people that like mainstream chai drinks, like the ones served at Starbucks or Coffee Bean. The sweetness is high, but doesn’t drown out the tea flavor. While the chai taste is pretty accurate (again, in the mainstream sense), it doesn’t have the spicy edge that some chai beverages do. Calling it “Spicy Chai” is somewhat misleading because I didn’t find it the least bit spicy. That said, it was still an enjoyable juice, but it really should have a different name.

Bananas Foster: I was wary of this one going into the review, because I’ve had some gnarly banana e-liquids, but this juice ended up being my favorite of the bunch. It has an enjoyable banana flavor topped with caramelized sweetness. However, I’ve had other bananas foster e-liquids where you could taste the bananas, vanilla, caramelized sugar, cinnamon, and rum. This one isn’t that nuanced, but still a very enjoyable e-liquid.

RB Dude: This is Vape Dudes’ root beer float flavor. As a mark for root beer, I was really looking forward to this one, but ended up being disappointed by it. I picked up the root beer flavor, but it was overshadowed by whatever cream or vanilla flavorings the company used. The result was a somewhat nutty taste that I didn’t like. It didn’t taste like a root beer float to me at all. I’ve had better root beer float juices and much better root beer juices from other vendors. Oh well, two out of three ain’t bad, hey?

Steeping Notes

Spicy Chai
50/50 PG/VG Ratio, 6mg nictone
Uncapped: December 3, 2012 6:08PM
Recapped: December 5, 2012 6:56PM
Vaped: February 18-23, 2013

Bananas Foster
50/50 PG/VG Ratio, 6mg nictone
Uncapped: December 3, 2012 6:08PM
Recapped: December 5, 2012 6:56PM
Vaped: February 18-23, 2013

RB Dude
50/50 PG/VG Ratio, 6mg nictone
Uncapped: December 3, 2012 6:08PM
Recapped: December 5, 2012 6:56PM
Vaped: February 18-23, 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) juices; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Vaping Diaries #41: Innokin iClear 30 vs. Kanger T3

Clearomizers are a popular choice for vapers looking for large capacity and ease of use. Two of the best that you can buy today are the Innokin iClear 30 and the Kanger T3. Both hold 3ml of e-liquid and feature plastic tubes, but there are some major differences between these clearos. The iClear 30 is a dual-coil, top-coil product, while the Kanger T3 is a single-coil, bottom-coil device. Here’s a comparison of these great, but very different, clearos so that you can find the one that’s right for you.

Construction: The iClear 30’s metal parts are made from stainless steel. The Kanger T3 uses a cheaper metal. The iClear 30 feels like a sturdier product that’s made better and will last longer.

Throat Hit: Since the iClear 30 uses two coils that are closer to your mouth, it gives you a warmer vape with more throat hit.

Vapor: The iClear 30 takes this one too, also because of its dual-coil nature.

Flavor: This category is subjective, so your experience will vary based on your taste buds and the types of e-liquids you vape. For my comparison, I vaped 6ml of Ahlusion’s Vurley and Orb Vapor’s Orange Vanilla Cream in each clearomizer. It wasn’t a huge difference, but I was definitely getting a wider variety of flavor from the T3. The vanilla in Vurley and the orange in Orange Vanilla Cream were definitely more pronounced in the Kanger clearo. The sweetness was muted in the iClear 30, taking a backseat to the tobacco and vanilla, respectively.

Filling and Refilling: Filling the iClear 30 couldn’t be easier; you simply unscrew the tip and pour e-liquid into the clearo. The hole is big enough for most dripper bottles and dripper caps. Filling the T3 is easy too; you hold the tube upside down and pour e-liquid down the side. However, refilling the T3 can be a little bit messy. Even if you’re careful, it’s possible for juice to drip down the T3’s center pole when you refill.

Cleaning: To clean the T3, you really only have to worry about two parts. It’s a snap. Cleaning the iClear 30 is also easy, but you’re also working with more parts and smaller parts. I’ve lost a few of the rubber caps that cover the unit’s coils by clumsily dropping them down the drain while washing (thankfully I have spares from the iClear 16). You just have to be more careful when clearning the iClear 30.

For people that like to dry burn their coils, the iClear 30 is easier to work with since it’s easier to see the unit’s coils.

Performance Issues: The Kanger T3 produces an airier draw, which I prefer over the iClear 30’s tighter draw. Some people prefer tighter draws, so there’s no winner here.

Both products are compatible with 510 vaping devices. The iClear 30 uses a standard 510 connection, while the T3 uses an eGo-threaded connection. You’ll need a 510-to-eGo adapter to use the T3 with certain hardware.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the iClear 30 goes through e-liquid much faster than the T3 due to its dual coils.

The iClear 30 has a unique swivel tip that allows you to hold your vaping device in a more comfortable position and optimize wicking. Some people think the tip is a gimmick and have no use for the swiveling feature, but I like it. I don’t miss it when I use another clearo, but I appreciate it when I’m using the iClear 30.

I’ve been using T3s since October and most of units I’ve used had gurgling issues for the last 1/4 or 1/8 of the tank. I had a similar issue with one of the iClear 30s in my rotation, but it hasn’t been nearly as common. I’ve also had some leaking issues with several T3s. I had one with an iClear 30, but it turned out to be a bad coil. Aside from that particular unit, my iClear 30s haven’t leaked.

For the most part, the iClear 30 has been a more consistent performer than the T3 in my experience.

Bottom Line: Out of all the clearos I’ve tried, these two are the best I’ve used, but I don’t think one is clearly better than the other. They just offer different experiences. People that like a warm vape and throat hit will be happier with the iClear. People that like sweetness and an airier draw will prefer the T3. Personally, I love the performance and construction of the iClear, but I also like the T3’s draw and flavor production. Hopefully this comparison helped you find which clearo is best for you.

Vaping Diaries #40: Ahlusion Review III

Here’s a review of three fantastic e-liquids from Ahlusion: Vurley, Wipeout Honeydew with Breeze, and Maple House Blend. Like the other Ahlusion juices I’ve reviewed, these are three high-quality e-liquids. The review also includes a shot of the stellar packaging job the company does with its products. I thought one of the flavors was very good, while two were outstanding. Here are the breakdowns and steeping notes:

Vurley: This is a relatively new release in Ahlusion’s aromatic line. I was excited to try this flavor because Blue Grass Burley is currently my favorite tobacco-flavored e-liquid. While Vurley is definitely a superior e-liquid, it was a little bit different from what I was expecting. Like BGB, the tobacco flavor is rich and extremely flavorful. I was expecting just a hint of vanilla, but Vurley delivers a really rich and sweet vanilla flavor. The flavors blend together perfectly. I was expecting BGB’s hot sister, but Vurley ended up being BGB’s hot cousin. This is a phenomenal juice, but I like BGB just a tiny bit more.

Wipeout Honeydew with Breeze: Like the other fruit flavors I’ve tried from Ahlusion, Wipeout delivers a natural taste that’s spot-on. The honeydew sweetness is fantastic — as good as the Organic Honeydew from Orb Vapor that I enjoyed, but a little bit different. Perhaps it was because of the “Breeze” menthol I added to the mix. Originally, I was going to order a stronger level of menthol, but Wlad from Ahlusion suggested Breeze (the lowest level). I’m happy that I went with his suggestion. The menthol is definitely noticeable and complements the honeydew nicely, without overpowering it. It was tough picking a favorite in this bunch, but because I like BGB slightly more than Vurley, I’m going with Wipeout Honeydew as my choice.

Maple House Blend: This is a good choice for people that find Ahlusion’s aromatic line overwhelming. The tobacco is there, but the flavor is mild compared to the aromatics. The maple flavor adds a nice, natural sweetness. This isn’t Aunt Jemima’s maple syrup, but more like a natural maple candy. I was getting a lot of sweetness on the inhale and more tobacco on the exhale. While I enjoyed vaping this juice and thought it was very good, I didn’t like it as much as the other two.

Steeping Notes
On the advice of Wlad from Ahlusion, I’ve been trying a new steeping method. 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.

Vurley
70/30 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 1, 2013 2:12PM
Vaped: February 10-16, 2013

Maple House Blend
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 1, 2013 2:12PM
Vaped: February 10-16, 2013

Wipeout Honeydew (w/breeze)
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: November 27, 2012 3:13PM
Recapped: November 29, 2012 4:13PM
Vaped: February 10-16, 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) juices; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Vaping Diaries #39: Valley View Vapes Tank Review

For the last few months, I’ve been using two side-fill tanks from Valley View Vapes: the polypropylene 5ml Triple V Jumbo and the pyrex 7ml Triple V Sidewinder. Both tanks are high-quality products sold at relatively low prices ($9.99 and $34.99, respectively). They’re backed by great customer service and there’s a fun community based around these tanks. I’d definitely recommend either of them to any vaper, but there are some distinct differences that could make one a better choice for you. Cue the Degeneration-X music as I break it down.

Why Polypropylene and Pyrex?
A lot of the tanks available on the market are made from polycarbonate. Some e-liquids — cinnamon and citrus flavors, in particular — can cause polycarbonate tanks to crack. Polycarbonate tanks can also retain flavor, making them a poor choice for people that like to try different e-liquids. Both polypropylene and pyrex can stand up to  cinnamon and citrus flavors. While polypropylene doesn’t retain flavor, it can retain smells. Pyrex doesn’t retain either. For most vaping situations, I prefer pyrex — it looks great and is easy to maintain. That said, I usually bring a polypropylene tank with me if there’s a chance I’ll be really drunk (I’m a clumsy drunk). Both of these tanks are durable, but like any glass, the pyrex tank can crack if it’s abused. While I don’t think it looks as nice as its pyrex cousin, the polypro tank can take a beating.

Why Use a Side-fill Hole?
The obvious answer is that it’s easier to fill. The polypropylene tank has a small fill hole. It’s a snap to use with a syringe. The pyrex tank has a bigger refill hole, which I like better. It’s big enough for most dripper caps and dripper bottles. Many longtime vapers find refilling standard tanks a snap, but side-fill holes can be advantageous for them too. When you refill a standard tank, you cause the grommets or caps to wear. The side-fill hole helps grommets and caps last longer.

Silicone Grommets vs. Aluminum caps
Each has advantages and disadvantages. The grommets hold the cartomizer snuggly, making them a good choice for people that pocket their vaping devices. They’re also cheap to replace. The one issue I have with grommets is that they can retain the smell of fragrant e-liquids. It took a long vodka soak and a lot of rinsing to remove the W&A Sasparilla smell from my grommets. Since the grommets are close to your nose when you vape, having a fragrance that’s very different from what you’re tasting can be a disconcerting experience.

Aluminum caps are more expensive, but most people think that they look better and it’s easier to slide cartomizers into them. Unlike the grommets, they don’t retain odor. However, they also don’t hold cartos as snuggly. People that place their vaping devices in their pockets or purses need to be mindful of the cartomizer sliding around. Personally, I prefer the caps, but I appreciate what the grommets offer (especially when I’m being a clumsy drunk).

Bottom Line
Both of these tanks are superior products that are cheaper than the competition. For $9.99, it’s hard to beat the 5ml Triple V Jumbo. It’s a durable tank that can handle any juice you throw at it (though I don’t recommend throwing juice at your tanks). If you can swing it, I recommend spending a little more on the pyrex tank with aluminum caps. It’s also a durable product that can handle all kinds of juices, but has a nicer look and feel. The glass is easy to wash and maintain, while the caps make changing cartomizers a cinch.

If you have questions about either product, head on over to the Valley View Vapes web site and submit a question to Ray. He’s one of the best vendors out there and provides outstanding customer service.