Tag: Vaping Diaries

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.

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

Vaping Diaries #33: Innokin iTaste SVD Enroute

Here’s the new Innokin iTaste SVD. This is a variable-voltage and variable-wattage tube mod made from stainless steel. The company’s iTaste MVP was a big hit in 2012, thanks to its combination of great battery life and accurate performance at a relatively low price. I believe that it’s still one of the best values in vaping today. With that in mind, I’m looking forward to Innokin’s entry into the highly competitive VV/VW tube-mod scene.

Here are some specs from the manufacturer.

Basic Parameter
Dimension: (109.7-139.7) *23.5
Material: Stainless Steel
Maximum Current Output: 5.0 Amperage
Operating Voltage: 3.3V-6.0V
Operating Wattage: 3.0W-15.0W

Brief Features
Variable Voltage: voltage can be adjusted from 3.3 – 6.0 volts in .1 volt increments.
Variable Wattage: Wattage can be adjusted from 3.0 – 15.0 W in .5 watts increments.
Short Circuit Protection.
Reverse Battery Protection Circuit
Battery Voltage Detection
Resistive Load Detection ( Ohms meter )
ON/OFF battery switch
LED Battery Power Display
Low Voltage Warning
Overtime Vaping Warning
Telescopic Tube supports 18350, 18500 or 18650 batteries
Battery safety protection
Myriad compatible ( Thread fit iClear10 ,iClear16, iClear30,CE4,CE5 ,eGo, T2,T3 , VIVI NOVA and 510 etc )
Change battery and switch VV or VW have parameter memory function
Built-in 3 digit display ( Ohms meter , Volts /Watts , Atomizer voltage output )

I should be getting the SVD next week. Stay tuned for the review!