Tag: Videos

Vaping Diaries #56: Janty President on Ego, RY4, and More

Last month, I caught up with Janty president and founder Ludo Timmermans during my trip to the Philippines. Recently, the company has been making waves with the MiD One — a potentially gaming-changing vaping device with the most advanced features I’ve seen. While Janty’s future is definitely exciting, I was more interested in helping vapers learn about its past. Janty is one of the most influential and copied e-cig companies in the world, but I don’t think it gets enough credit for its contributions.

When most vapers hear “eGo,” they think Joyetech. When they hear “RY4,” they think of Dekang as the originator. The original eGo e-cigarette and RY4 e-liquid are Janty creations (though some longtime vapers dispute the latter claim). These are huge contributions to vaping. The eGo is the most-copied e-cig in the world; it was one of the first devices to offer a significantly better experience than cig-alike products. RY4 juice is one of the most popular flavors ever made; the vast majority of e-liquid vendors have their own version and many offer multiple takes of this juice.

If you’ve been reading my videogame and comic-book articles then you know that I favor creators. In gaming, I care far more about developers than publishers. In comics, I care much more about writers and artists than DC or Marvel. With that in mind, it bugs me that many vapers don’t know that Janty created the eGo and RY4. These are extremely significant inventions that have improved and influenced the vaping industry. I hate to sound like a kiss-ass, but Janty should be recognized and lauded for these two notable contributions.

It was fun spending time with Ludo, learning about Janty’s history, and hearing tales of the early day’s of the vaping business. In the interview above, he talks about the origins of Janty, the creation of the eGo, and the creation of Ry4. He’s an interesting guy with a different approach to vaping. I admire and appreciate that he has an artistic view to vaping. It’s one of the reasons his company has become an innovator, but it’s also one of the reasons why the Janty brand isn’t as recognized as it should be. He’s always looking forward, looking for the next exciting thing. Unfortunately, that approach also caused the company to neglect things like copyrights and trademarks. That said, he has acknowledged his early mistakes and isn’t fretting about the past.

Spending time with Ludo off-camera was fantastic as well. He shared a lot of off-the-record story’s about the early days of the vaping industry (totally Wild West) and his career before Janty. I was surprised to learn that we had several things in common — playing music, working in video, and being in IMDB (his page and my page). His artistic background (and slight craziness) is one of the reasons Janty is bold enough to offer a product like the MiD One and the even bolder products the company has planned for the future. It wasn’t a surprise to learn that Ludo is an Apple fan — the products and the company. I believe that the vaping business needs more people like Ludo and more company’s like Janty. As the legendary Steve Jobs once said in a famous Apple commercial:

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo.

Janty has a long, long way to go (especially on the business side) before people view it as the Apple of vaping, but I believe that it’s in a good position to do so. Unlike many of its competitors, I believe it has the attitude, inventiveness, and craziness to do something “insanely great.” I have no idea if Janty will get there, but I’ll be rooting for it on the sidelines.

Vaping Diaries #55: Vapor Zeus Review

For the last few months, I’ve been using Vapor4Life’s latest e-cig, the Vapor Zeus. This is an easy-to-use vaping device that delivers a surprising amount of power. Like most products in the V4L arsenal, the Vapor Zeus is an 808D-threaded product. Unlike most fixed-voltage vaping-devices that put out 3.7 volts of power, the Vapor Zeus delivers 5.0 volts. If you’re looking for a simple e-cig and want strong performance without having to worry about different voltage or wattage settings then this product is definitely worth a look.

What’s in the Kit: The Vapor Zeus is available in a kit that comes with one battery, two Smileomizer cartomizers, a wall charger, a MiniUSB cable, and a 30ml bottle of e-liquid. The automatic kit currently lists for $89.95, while the dual-mode kit runs $99.95. Vapers that are just interested in the battery, which uses an 808D connection, can pick one up for $54.95 (automatic) and $64.95 (dual-mode).

The V4L Smileomizers are pretty unique. The vast majority of cartomizers on the market hold 1.0 to 1.5ml of e-liquid. The Smileomizers hold 3.5ml, which is as much or more than what many clearomizers and tanks hold. Next to dripping, standalone cartomizers offer the simplest vaping experience. A lot of people don’t mind the extra work that comes with carto/tanks or the inconsistency of many clearomizers, but those looking for absolute ease-of-use will appreciate what the Vapor Zeus and Smilomizers offer.

Construction and Build Quality: The construction of the Vapor Zeus is totally straightforward. It’s a simple battery that resembles a long and thin cigar. The coating has a slightly rubberized feel that adds some grip. The device is available in black and brown. I liked both colors, but preferred the black version.

Ergonomics and Design: The Vapor Zeus is thin enough to be pocketable, but its length — particularly with the included Smileomizer cartomizer — might be a bit much for some vapers. Personally, I was happy with its dimensions, but understand that some people might think that it’s a tad too long.

Performance and Battery Life: For a simple vaping device, the Vapor Zeus delivers a lot of power. The five-volt performance gives it a kick that most devices of this style lack. I was initially surprised and quickly delighted by the big-time flavor and vapor production this baby put out. As for battery life, the 900 mAh got me through roughly half a day of heavy vaping. While passthrough charging will enable some people to use this as a sole vaping device, heavy vapers — especially those that aren’t always near a PC or wall outlet — should consider picking up two batteries.

As for the difference between the automatic and dual-mode models, I greatly preferred the dual-model version. The automatic mode has an expectedly tighter draw and I prefer an airier one. While I generally used the dual-mode model in manual mode, I really appreciated the option of having the automatic mode available. This e-cig is too heavy for most people to use hands-free all the time, but it’s totally doable for short sessions. I enjoyed being able to type while enjoying a satisfying vape.

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Verdict: As far as performance goes, the Vapor Zeus is a winner. I haven’t used a fixed-voltage device of this style that offers this much performance. The kit is complete and comes with everything a vaper needs to get started. It’s a fantastic choice for those just starting out with vaping and good choice for advanced vapers that want a simple backup. Like most V4L products, it’s back by great service that includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 90-day warranty.

All that said, I think that the kit is a bit overpriced. The good news is that Vapor4Life often sends out newsletter coupons. So while I think that the Vapor Zeus is definitely a great product, my personal recommendation is to wait for a good newsletter coupon before picking one up.

Vaping Diaries #54: Highbrow Vapor Review

While I rarely come across three e-liquids that I don’t like in a single review (though it does happen), it’s also rare for me to love all three e-liquids from a single review. Yet that’s the case with the three Highbrow Vapor juices I recently vaped. It was a pleasure puffing away at the company’s Limoncello, Tabac de Perique, and Buttered Rum and Then Some e-liquids. These are definitely three juices that I’d recommend to fellow vapers and want to vape again in the future. Here are the breakdowns and steeping notes.

Limoncello: A few Highbrow Vapor fans have said that this juice tastes like lemon Italian ice and I think that description is right on the money. Specifically, it reminded me of the Marino’s Italian ice that I enjoyed as a kid. You get a pleasant and sweet lemon flavor, with a touch of tanginess. Out of the three flavors in this review, this is the most straightforward and probably the one with the broadest appeal. While Italian ice is a treat for a hot summer day, this is a delicious juice any time of the year.

Tabac de Perique: Juices made with perique flavor are some the most divisive out there. Perique has a very distinct taste, which some people describe as “musty” or “funky.” Personally, I enjoy perique, but understand why some people don’t. This juice isn’t as “funky” as some of the other perique juices I’ve had because burley tobacco is in the mix. The burley does a great job at complementing the perique and toning down the qualities that some people find overwhelming. It comes together for a very rich and flavorful tobacco blend that’s nutty and sweet. It was tough picking a favorite out of these three juices, but this was the one I always reached for first.

Buttered Rum and Then Some: Closing things out is a moderately sweet e-liquid with lots of complexity. Highbrow describes it as having “buttered rum, vanilla bean, hazelnut, hints of cinnamon, and nutmeg” flavors. The lovely thing about this juice was that different flavors become more pronounced depending on the wattage. For dessert vapes, I prefer juices that have complexity and aren’t overly sweet. With that in mind, this one was an absolute homerun (it’s baseball season!). Vapers that prefer really sweet juices might not like this one as much as I did, but for what I enjoy, it was truly outstanding.

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.

Limoncello
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: February 14, 2013
Uncapped: February 16, 2013 5:31PM
Vaped: March 24 – April 2, 2013

Tabac de Perique
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: February 14, 2013
Uncapped: February 16, 2013 5:31PM
Vaped: March 24 – April 2, 2013

Buttered Rum and Then Some
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: February 14, 2013
Uncapped: February 16, 2013 5:31PM
Vaped: March 24 – April 2, 2013

Review Process (Updated February 17, 2013)
RPad.TV e-liquid reviews focus on the flavor of the e-liquids, since throat hit and vapor production can be altered by the PG/VG ratio and nicotine level selected. Each juice is vaped over a period of days in an atomizer, a cartomizer/tank setup, and a clearomizer. The exception is naturally-extracted tobacco (NET) juice; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Vaping Diaries #54: Highbrow Vapor Review

While I rarely come across three e-liquids that I don’t like in a single review (though it does happen), it’s also rare for me to love all three e-liquids from a single review. Yet that’s the case with the three Highbrow Vapor juices I recently vaped. It was a pleasure puffing away at the company’s Limoncello, Tabac de Perique, and Buttered Rum and Then Some e-liquids. These are definitely three juices that I’d recommend to fellow vapers and want to vape again in the future. Here are the breakdowns and steeping notes.

Limoncello: A few Highbrow Vapor fans have said that this juice tastes like lemon Italian ice and I think that description is right on the money. Specifically, it reminded me of the Marino’s Italian ice that I enjoyed as a kid. You get a pleasant and sweet lemon flavor, with a touch of tanginess. Out of the three flavors in this review, this is the most straightforward and probably the one with the broadest appeal. While Italian ice is a treat for a hot summer day, this is a delicious juice any time of the year.

Tabac de Perique: Juices made with perique flavor are some the most divisive out there. Perique has a very distinct taste, which some people describe as “musty” or “funky.” Personally, I enjoy perique, but understand why some people don’t. This juice isn’t as “funky” as some of the other perique juices I’ve had because burley tobacco is in the mix. The burley does a great job at complementing the perique and toning down the qualities that some people find overwhelming. It comes together for a very rich and flavorful tobacco blend that’s nutty and sweet. It was tough picking a favorite out of these three juices, but this was the one I always reached for first.

Buttered Rum and Then Some: Closing things out is a moderately sweet e-liquid with lots of complexity. Highbrow describes it as having “buttered rum, vanilla bean, hazelnut, hints of cinnamon, and nutmeg” flavors. The lovely thing about this juice was that different flavors become more pronounced depending on the wattage. For dessert vapes, I prefer juices that have complexity and aren’t overly sweet. With that in mind, this one was an absolute homerun (it’s baseball season!). Vapers that prefer really sweet juices might not like this one as much as I did, but for what I enjoy, it was truly outstanding.

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.

Limoncello
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: February 14, 2013
Uncapped: February 16, 2013 5:31PM
Vaped: March 24 – April 2, 2013

Tabac de Perique
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: February 14, 2013
Uncapped: February 16, 2013 5:31PM
Vaped: March 24 – April 2, 2013

Buttered Rum and Then Some
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: February 14, 2013
Uncapped: February 16, 2013 5:31PM
Vaped: March 24 – April 2, 2013

Review Process (Updated February 17, 2013)
RPad.TV e-liquid reviews focus on the flavor of the e-liquids, since throat hit and vapor production can be altered by the PG/VG ratio and nicotine level selected. Each juice is vaped over a period of days in an atomizer, a cartomizer/tank setup, and a clearomizer. The exception is naturally-extracted tobacco (NET) juice; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Vaping Diaries #52: Goody Vapes Review

While I was in the Philippines last month, I vaped three e-liquids from Goody Vapes — Caramel Apple, Horchata, and S’More Goody Juice. These liquids are made-to-order using “100% USP grade” ingredients. One pleasant surprise about these juices is how carefully they’re packaged; unlike most vendors that use plastic bottles, Goody Vapes wraps the bottles in bubble wrap, tapes them securely, and places them in a padded envelope with foam peanuts. This is common for vendors that ship e-liquids in glass, but I’ve never seen it with plastic bottles before. I love the extra care the company provides. As for the juices themselves, I liked one of them and really enjoyed the other two. Here are the breakdowns and steeping notes.

[Special thanks to RPadholic Big Blak for serving me up some fresh, new music!]

Caramel Apple: Caramel is the dominant flavor of this juice, which was totally fine with me. I really enjoyed the rich and creamy caramel flavor that’s accompanied by a touch of apple. Vapers that are looking for a stronger apple flavor won’t enjoy this one as much as I did. I don’t know about you, but when I buy a caramel apple, it’s for the caramel first and the apple second. So with that perspective in mind, I was very pleased with this juice.

Horchata: As a 13-year resident of California, I’ve had lots of delicious horchata, so I was really looking forward to this juice. It’s a lovely blend of a milky base, a strong cinnamon flavor, and a touch of vanilla. The interesting thing about this juice was that when I cranked up the wattage to 8.5, a pastry-like taste was added to the mix — almost like I was dipping a churro into some horchata. Bonus! This was definitely my favorite of the three.

S’More Goody Vapes: This juice is the classic campfire blend of chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. The chocolate dominates the flavor and the graham cracker is definitely noticeable, but I didn’t got much of marshmallow taste no matter what wattage or juice delivery system I tried. The marshmallow was too subtle for me and I wanted more of it. One surprise with juice was the throat hit; I usually don’t discuss this factor because it can be manipulated by nicotine content and PG percentage, but for a 0mg 50/50 juice, this had a surprisingly satisfying amount of throat hit, especially considering its flavor. While it’s definitely a good juice, I enjoyed the other two more.

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.

Caramel Apple
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: February 7, 2013
Uncapped: February 11, 2013 7:22PM
Vaped: March 11-18, 2013

Horchata
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: February 7, 2013
Uncapped: February 11, 2013 7:22PM
Vaped: March 11-18, 2013

S’More Goody Juice
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Mix Date: February 7, 2013
Uncapped: February 11, 2013 7:22PM
Vaped: March 11-18, 2013

Review Process (Updated February 17, 2013)
RPad.TV e-liquid reviews focus on the flavor of the e-liquids, since throat hit and vapor production can be altered by the PG/VG ratio and nicotine level selected. Each juice is vaped over a period of days in an atomizer, a cartomizer/tank setup, and a clearomizer. The exception is naturally-extracted tobacco (NET) juice; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Vaping Diaries #50: Vapecon Manila 2013

Here’s a video tour of Vapecon Manila 2013. It was awesome seeing so many cool mods, rebuildable atomizers, and e-liquids that are native to the Philippines. As a Filipino-American, I was very proud of all the awesome gear. As a vaper, it was sweet seeing how big vaping is in Manila. As a verbal entertainer, I’m looking forward to reviewing the different Filipino e-liquids and gear I picked. Stay tuned for column and pictorial on vaping in the Philippines. Continue reading “Vaping Diaries #50: Vapecon Manila 2013”

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!