Category: Videos

Vaping Diaries #38: Orb Vapor Review II

Here’s a review of three organic e-liquids from Orb Vapor: Vanilla Orange Cream, Honeydew Melon, and RY4. RPadholic N8R and I reviewed three of Orb’s juices last November and were impressed. These three were even better — one was very good, one was great, and the last was a fantastic surprise. Here are the breakdowns and steeping notes:

Vanilla Orange Cream: This one was kind of like a grown-up creamsicle. The orange flavor has a natural taste and a light sweetness. It definitely takes a background to the vanilla and French vanilla flavors. Orb’s vanillas are rich and savory, rather than the candy-like flavors used by many vendors. This juice definitely has more complexity than most creamsicle flavors out there. I really enjoyed the subtle sweetness and interesting blend of flavors.

Honeydew Melon: For people that prefer natural fruit flavors over candy ones, this juice is a brilliant choice. The honeydew taste is perfect — crisp and refreshing, with just the right amount of sweetness.

RY4: The definition and expectations of RY4 have changed over the years. The original hit was a tobacco e-liquid that was complemented by caramel and vanilla. In recent years, numerous vendors have put the tobacco in the background, emphasizing the sweeter flavors. So what’s Orb’s RY4 like? For me, it wasn’t like any classic or modern RY4. It reminded of Heather’s Heavenly Vapes’ Sludge (formerly Gollum), but not as sweet. In addition to the three usual RY4 flavors, Orb added two more that give this juice a really distinct taste. Initially, I thought it was like a pipe tobacco with a raisin-like sweetness. After learning what the two “secret ingredients” were, the flavor made more sense to me. The flavors blend together marvelously for a unique, rich, and enjoyable vape. While I enjoyed all three of these juices, this one was my favorite.

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.

Organic Vanilla Orange Cream
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Born On: December 8, 2012
Uncapped: December 13, 2012 6:25PM
Vaped: February 4-9, 2013

Organic Honeydew Melon
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Born On: December 8, 2012
Uncapped: December 13, 2012 6:25PM
Vaped: February 4-9, 2013

Organic RY4
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Born On: December 8, 2012
Uncapped: December 13, 2012 6:25PM
Vaped: February 4-9, 2013

Vaping Diaries #37: Innokin iClear 30 Clearomizer Preview

Along with the iTaste SVD, Innokin sent me a few iClear 30 clearomizers. These are dual-coil clearos with two unique features. First, the top and bottom of the unit are made from stainless steel; the majority of clearomizers available are mostly plastic and/or use inexpensive metal. Second, the tip swivels, like the popular knucklehead drip tip. This allows vaping devices to be held in a more comfortable position.

The video preview above goes over the iClear 30’s features and includes a breakdown of its parts. While I need to spend more time with the iClear 30 — especially seeing how it handles problematic juices like naturally-extracted tobbacco e-liquids — my first tank of juice with this clearo has been great. I’ll probably produce a comparison video of the iClear 30 and the Kanger T3, my current clearomizer of choice. Stay tuned!

Vaping Diaries #36: Innokin iTaste SVD Preview

The iTaste SVD arrived at RPad.TV headquarters today and I was psyched to check out Innokin’s latest mod. The SVD is a variable-voltage and variable-wattage tube mod made from stainless steel. Here’s a first impressions preview of the mod.

Like the iTaste MVP, the SVD kit is fairly complete; it comes with the mod, an extra tube for larger batteries, two iClear 30 clearomizers, three clearomizer replacement coils, and the instruction manuals (one for the mod and one for the clearos).

What the SVD doesn’t come with, is batteries. It can accept batteries ranging from 18350 to 18650. For my initial testing, I used an 18490 battery. To get the full range of voltage and wattage, Innokin recommends stacking two 18350 batteries. Speaking of which, the 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.

Since it’s made from stainless steel, the SVD has a nice heft to it. Even though I was using a relatively small 18490 battery (most of my mods are 18650), the SVD had a substantial feel. Of course personal preference plays into this. Generally speaking, I like tube mods that have a nice weight to them. If you like lighter mods, then perhaps something like the Ovale eVic is a better choice.

Using the SVD is fairly easy. There are three button: the firing button, a plus button, and a minus button. Using different button combinations activates the device’s features. Here’s a rundown:

  • Firing Button x 3: Power on or power off the device
  • Plus Button: Increase voltage or wattage
  • Minus Button: Decrease voltage or wattage
  • Firing Button + Minus Button: Hold for three seconds to activate variable-voltage mode
  • Firing Button + Plus Button: Hold for three seconds to activate variable-wattage mode
  • Plus Button + Minus Button: Hold for two seconds to check resistance (ohms)
  • Plus Button or Minus Button: Hold for three seconds to check battery capacity

I’ve only spent a few hours using the iTaste and SVD, but my first impression is pretty positive. It has a nice feel, it produces a satisfying vape, it’s easy to use, and the kit is relatively complete. I’ll be putting it through its paces, so stay tuned for a full review.

Vaping Diaries #35: Sancia Smoke / Nashville Vapor Review

The e-liquid reviews continue with three Sancia Smoke juices. Available from Nashville Vapor, these e-liquids are “made in the USA from premium USA ingredients.” This review covers Watermelon Man, Varilla, and Old Time Root Beer. One of the juices was very good, one had a good taste that was somewhat ruined by an overpowering smell, and one was kind of flat. Here’s the breakdown.

Watermelon Man: First off, it was impossible for me to vape this juice without thinking of the Herbie Hancock song. That aside, this one surprised me. I usually prefer really natural-tasting fruit e-liquids. Watermelon Man isn’t quite natural, but isn’t obnoxiously sweet like most “candy” watermelon juices. It tastes similar to Arizona Watermelon and beverages like that. It’s a nice, smooth blend with the right amount of sweetness for an all-day vape. This was easily my favorite of the three.

Varilla: This is a nice mix of banana, vanilla, and cream, with a flaw that almost ruins the overall experience. The taste reminded me of Now & Later and Laffy Taffy candies. I’m usually not big on candy-flavored juices, but I enjoyed the taste of this e-liquid. Unfortunately, the good taste was accompanied by a strong, perfumey smell. There were times I wanted to vape more Varilla, but the smell was bothering me. I haven’t encountered a juice like that — very strange.

Old Time Root Beer: This tasted more like a root beer candy rather than a gourmet root beer. I definitely prefer the latter. I enjoy root beer e-liquids that combine sweetness with spiciness and complexity. Backwoods Brew’s Root Beer does this superbly. This juice tasted flat to me. People that dig those root beer barrel candies will probably like this juice. Those that like root beer with a bite probably won’t.

Vaping Diaries #34: Vape Dudes Review

Here’s a review of three of the most popular flavors from Vape Dudes: Buttery Nipple, Mocha Java Drizzle, and Orange Cream. Vape Dudes’ e-liquids are made-to-order and come in plastic drip-tip bottles. This is a great company for new vapers or people looking to experiment with flavors, since the company offers a 40-percent discount to new customers. As for these particular flavors, I totally see why two of them are popular, but was disappointed in one. Here’s the breakdown.

Buttery Nipple: This is a great e-liquid for vapers with a sweet tooth. The butterscotch flavor is very strong and is complemented with a touch of cream. Although the web site shows a picture of the popular buttery nipple shot, I didn’t get any alcohol from this juice at all. If that’s the kind of thing you’re looking for, I suggest Pink Spot Vapor’s Butter Rum Lifesaver. Out of the three juices covered in this review, this was easily my favorite — very sweet and very delicious.

Mocha Java Drizzle: This is a great choice for fans of sweet coffee drinks, like those popular Frappuccino and Macchiato drinks at Starbucks. If you’re a fan of “real” coffee then this might be too sweet for you. The coffee taste is definitely there, but the chocolate and caramel flavors are more pronounced. As some of you know, I’m a total coffee nerd, but I understand why those Starbucks drinks are so popular. This juice is a nice approximation of those popular beverages.

Orange Cream: Here’s Vape Dudes’ take on the popular creamsicle flavor. I’ve had quite a few creamsicle e-liquids from other vendors and this wasn’t one of the better ones. The cream flavor is good, but the orange was a bit artificial and the flavors didn’t quite blend together. Some people describe this juice as having a “tinny” taste and I see what that mean. To me, it has an aftertaste reminiscent of children’s aspirin. It’s not a horrible juice, but there are much better creamsicle choices out there.

Steeping Notes

Buttery Nipple
50/50 PG/VG Ratio, 6mg nictone
Uncapped: December 3, 2012 6:08PM
Recapped: December 5, 2012 6:56PM
Vaped: January 15-31, 2013

Mocha Java Drizzle
50/50 PG/VG Ratio, 6mg nictone
Uncapped: December 3, 2012 6:08PM
Recapped: December 5, 2012 6:56PM
Vaped: January 15-31, 2013

Orange Cream
50/50 PG/VG Ratio, 6mg nictone
Uncapped: December 3, 2012 6:08PM
Recapped: December 5, 2012 6:56PM
Vaped: January 15-31, 2013

NAMM 2013: Bad Seed Titanium and Steel Guitars

Continuing my NAMM 2013 quest for traditional musical instruments made out of unusual materials, I interviewed Bad Seed Ltd. owner Sheldon Currington about his company’s titanium and aircraft-grade steel guitars. Bad Seed guitars use wooden necks and metal bodies, with a neck-through process that allows for killer sustain. I’ve tried a few metal electrics in the past and they had an artificial tonal quality. Bad Seed’s guitars have a more vibrant sound that’s also unique. In addition to a more natural sound, titanium is just a cool material.

You know how a lot of fantasy nerds believe that everyone in New Zealand is tied to The Lord of the Rings in some way? In Bad Seed’s case, that’s actually true. Currington worked on some special effects for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. One of the company’s guitars features control knobs and tuners that look like skulls. The skulls were designed by a person that worked on the miniatures for the films.

Currington also has a background making race cars and hot rods. Bad Seed combines his passion for metal working and music. So yeah, this guy makes cool guitars, worked on The Hobbit, and makes race cars. He’s pretty much the coolest person I’ve met in the last year…and makes me feel bad about making goofy videos and writing goofy articles.

Anyway, check out the video above. It’s a fun talk about some of the coolest electric guitars I saw at NAMM 2013.

NAMM 2013: Vibrato Sax Polycarbonate Saxophones

One of my missions at NAMM 2013 was to find traditional musical instruments made out of non-traditional materials. Vibrato Sax’s polycarbonate alto saxophones certainly fit the bill. I interviewed company president Piyapat Thanyakij to learn more about these instruments. To get an idea of how they sound, my brother — jazz musician Reggie Padilla — put them through their paces.

Vibrato’s altos weigh about 1/3 of what a typical brass saxophone weighs, and they’re waterproof to boot. To attract younger players, Vibrato offers parts in various colors, allowing for bright personalization. These altos are also a compelling choice for older players looking for a travel saxophone. My brother was impressed by the sound, saying that it was very close to the output of a brass saxophone. He’s looking forward to the company’s upcoming tenor model.

This was easily my favorite NAMM 2013 video. It was fun working with my brother on a project and I was genuinely impressed by Vibrato. The company is based in Thailand, so hopefully I’ll get to stop by and see where they’re made the next time I visit my second home. Check out the video above and listen to my brother play a Vibrato Sax polycarbonate saxophone (please!).

NAMM 2013: Audiofly AF120, AF140, AF160 In-Ear Monitors

Audiofly has been getting a lot of attention with its high-quality headphones. The company recently won a CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award for its AF78 model. At NAMM 2013, I met up with Audiofly CEO Dave Thompson to learn more about the company’s new Performance line of in-ear monitors. These models (AF120, AF140, AF160) offer superior sound for use on stage, in the studio, and at home. The difference between the three models is the number of balanced armature drivers. The AF120 has a single armature driver, the AF140 has two, and the AF160 has three. Each model is available with a standard cable, as well as a microphone cable with iOS-compatible controls. Prices start at $249.95 and run to $399.99.

Check out the video interview above to learn more about Audiofly’s in-ear monitors.

NAMM 2013: Blue Microphones Nessie

Tech nerds love Blue Microphones’ mix of quality construction, sleek looks, and great sound. The company’s USB mics are used by thousands of musicians and podcasters. The latest USB mic from Blue is the Nessie. Like the Loch Ness Monster it’s named after, the Nessie has a curved, elongated neck. It uses the same capsule as the renowned Yeti, but features adaptive processing for users that don’t want to mess around with EQ and levels. The Nessie features a built-in pop filter and shock mount, adding to the user friendliness. This mic is a great choice for podcasters that don’t know how to optimize sound and musicians laying down quick scratch tracks.

I’m a huge fan of Blue Mics. I use a Yeti for VO and used an Encore for interviews/karaoke. While the Yeti is still going strong, a friend of mine broke my Encore by accidentally smashing it on concrete (I’m still not over it). Some of you will recall that comedian Jay Mohr was so impressed by my Encore that he grabbed it and busted out some Van Halen. Anyway, back to the Nessie! On paper, it looks like a great USB mic for single users. I expect it to offer the same great sound quality as the Yeti, but in an idiot-proof package.

Check out the video above and let me know what you think of the Blue Microphones Nessie when you have a chance. Also, since Blue already has the Yeti and Nessie, which mythical creature do you think the company will go with next?

NAMM 2013: Journey Instruments OO-verhead Guitar

I’ve seen a lot of travel guitars over the years, but all of them compromised sound quality for portability. The OO-verhead from Journey Instruments is significantly better than its competitors. It offers surprisingly full sound for a travel guitar, yet is small enough to fit in an overhead bin. In terms of sound, the OO-verhead is as big as a dreadnought acoustic at its thickest point, allowing for a full and rich tone. In terms of portability, it comes with a carry-on sized case that has enough room for the guitar, a 14-inch laptop, a tablet, and other travel items.

The OO-verhead is available in wood and carbon fiber. The wood model is geared towards players that want a traditional acoustic sound. Carbon fiber offers a brighter tone, which is a bit polarizing. Unlike wood, it’s not sensitive to humidity changes. The carbon fiber model is a good choice for world travelers that hop around different climate zones…or people that dig the cool, space-age look of carbon fiber.

Personally, I’m lusting for the carbon fiber model. I love its sleek looks and weather resistance. As someone that hops around between California, Hawaii, and Thailand, I appreciate what carbon fiber brings to the table.

Check out the video above and let me know what you think of the Journey Instruments OO-verhead (please!).