Co-Op Tracker Tweaked

Just a quick update for this Easter Sunday.  Based on input from you guys, we’ve made a few changes to the Co-Op Tracker to make it a little easier to get to what you’re looking for.  The ones you’ll probably notice include these:

• Pop-Up Photos: We’re still adding these for existing co-op entries, but all new entries will include a small photo that will pop up when you hover your mouse over the name of the item.  This should make it a little easier to identify what a particular item is if the name isn’t ringing any bells with you.


• Improved Links: We’ve improved the links a couple of ways.  First, we’ve put in more of them.  Instead of just the co-op group’s name being a link to the co-op, the co-op name will get you there as well. In addition, for many of the co-ops we list, the link will now do a much better job of taking you right where you want to go, and save you from digging through a giant list of co-ops to find the one you want.

As always, please let us know if there’s anything else you’d like to see added or improved, and thanks for checking us out!

 

Co-Op Tracker Tweaked

NC Lawmakers Worry Kids Could Buy Electronic Cigarettes

In this video from Charlotte, North Carolina’s WSOC TV, Senator Ellie Kinnaird (D) explains why she has proposed a bill specifically barring the sale of electronic cigarettes to those under 18.

“I was concerned that they might find a away around [the current] law to allow minors to buy these products, saying they’re not really tobacco.”

While every vendor we know of already restricts this type of sale, I think very few people would argue that point that kids shouldn’t be buying e-cigarettes, and we frankly don’t have a problem with clarifying the laws on the books to make it explicit. Where it starts to get concerning is where bills like this one are used to also pass other restrictions on e-cigarettes, such as taxes and license requirements, that aren’t necessary.  In this case, we’ve read Kinnaird’s bill and it is limited only to those sections of current law prohibiting cigarette sales to minors, and for that we are grateful.

Lawmakers worry kids could buy electronic cigarettes | www.wsoctv.com

NC Lawmakers Worry Kids Could Buy Electronic Cigarettes

Jet Creations Bullet

Vaping is very popular in the Philippines, and as a result, there’s some really interesting hardware coming out of the island country recently.  While some of it is really good, some of it is not.

Drama From the Get-Go

We were relatively sure when getting in on a Facebook-based group buy for it that the Bullet rebuildable dripping atomizer from Jet Creations was going to fall more toward the good side of that spectrum. Photos showed a nice little atomizer with a novel adjustable airflow feature, available in a top-fed model, and a bottom-fed version suitable for use on box mods like the Reo.  We ordered the top-fed version and began the waiting period familiar to those of you who’ve been involved in co-ops and group buys.

It didn’t take long for the dram to begin. Apparently the manager of the group buy was being given different stories about how many had been made, and when they would be shipped. Dates slipped. Refunds were demanded, promised, then not given. Eventually, 25 of the 50 units ordered were shipped.  The ordeal is ongoing, but this morning a Bullet arrived here at Vape Squad HQ.

Hands-On with our Jet Creations Bullet

Was it worth the complications? We’d answer that with a resounding “no.”  While it’s a nice-enough looking little atomizer, we’ve had a hell of a time evaluating it. On our Bullet the 510 connector is so long, and the threading so bad, that we can’t get it to screw all the way down on any of the at least six different PV’s we’ve tried it on.  We’ve even managed to break a Provari trying to get it screwed down far enough to fire, and it’s not easy to break a Provari.

Others who have received a Bullet have complained about rust in the stainless steel (a small amount of which is visible on ours), and a smell of smoke and an ash coating, as if they’d been in a fire.

The Bullet shows signs that it could have been a good atomizer. However, with all the hassles in getting it ordered and delivered, and some showstopping quality control issues, we’re going to have to recommend you stay far away from this one.

The Scores

Build Quality: 2/10

We had major problems with the 510 connector on our Jet Creations Bullet, to the point that it took pliers to get it screwed onto a PV far enough to fire it.  There are small rust spots on ours as well, typically a sign of low-quality stainless steel. The implementation of the center post is such that a little too much juice in the atomizer will cause it to leak.  We would have scored this a 1 (our lowest score), but we were eventually able to get it to work, although it meant sacrificing a Provari to do it.

Looks: 8/10

Looks are really the only thing the Jet Creations Bullet has going for it. It is nice-looking little dripper, once you clean the rust off it.

Flexibility: 7/10

We’re giving the Bullet points here for effort.  The adjustable airflow is a good idea wasted on a bad atomizer.

Performance: 1/10

When we finally did get the Jet Creations Bullet to a point where we could fire it, it did not work well.  Presumably due to the difficulty of getting the center post seated, we got very inconsistent results from the atomizer.  Sometimes it worked great, and other times it wouldn’t work at all.  While these are probably the result of the build quality which we already scored very poorly above, in this case that poor quality has a direct, measurable effect on performance, so we don’t feel any guilt in scoring it poorly here, too.

Price: 1/10

Our Jet Creations Bullet was purchased in a group buy for the now somewhat embarrassing cost of $65.60.  Yes, that’s right, that was the co-op price, not retail, though the price from vendors like myvape is similar before shipping is added. Considering that our Bullet is most likely never going to be used again now that we’re done reviewing it, we’ve been taken to the cleaners on this one.

Overall Score: 3.8

 

Jet Creations Bullet

Weekend Co-Op Update

There’s been a lot of activity on the back end of co-ops this last week, with a lot of shipments finally going out following the delays caused by Chinese New Year celebrations. Some of the toys people have been waiting months for is finally starting to arrive on people’s doorsteps, and there’s a lot of mailman stalking going on this Easter weekend.

Higher-end Philippine-made mods are among the new items up for grabs this weekend, with offerings like the copper or brass Sentinel V3 and Chronos drip tips by Grand Vapor, or the 14500-based Pisces Mini, available from group buys on Facebook.  The Telescoping Sigelei ZMax V3 also makes an appearance in a couple of co-ops, including one on Facebook, and another running on the other side of the Atlantic at All About E-Cigarettes.

Weekend Co-Op Update

Editorial: E-cigarettes Should Not Be Stubbed Out

A voice of reason on the topic of proposed restrictions on e-cigarettes in the European Union, this short but sweet editorial lays out rather eloquently and succinctly the case for why e-cigarettes should be welcomed rather than suppressed.

“…To write new rules curtailing the spread of e-cigarettes is to give an undeserved fillip to the cancer-causing alternative and the big companies that make and market them. The judgement to be made by EU policymakers must focus on the balance of harm. And on that basis, there is no contest.”

Here’s hoping the people making the decisions see things this clearly.

Editorial: E-cigarettes should not be stubbed out – The Independent

Editorial: E-cigarettes Should Not Be Stubbed Out

Sigelei Telescope, Style 8

Sigelei has gone a little nuts with the Telescope mod in recent days.  After the success of the original version, they made a few revisions.  Then they started offering alternative tubes for the mod.  Now, at last count, the mechanical Telescope mod was available in no less than 29 different versions.

A Telescope in Name Only

Strategically Placed to Hide the Tooth Marks

Granted, many of those 29 versions bear very little resemblance to the original Telescope.  Our new #8, for example, isn’t even a telescoping mod: it is composed of sectional tubes which can be swapped in and out to accept a range of battery sizes, from an 18350 up to an 18650.  It also doesn’t have the bottom-mounted button typical of the Telescope. instead using a GG-style side-mounted button.

It’s a nice-enough looking mod, with a brushed stainless finish and chromed top and bottom caps.  It would have been better-looking if we hadn’t received it from the factory with several scratches and gouges in it, as if they’d let a dog gnaw on it before packing it away in the padded box.  We don’t know how typical that sort of thing is with this version of the Telescope, but if we’d purchased ours from a vendor we would have traded it back in for one that looked less like a chew toy.

Voltage loss across our mod was not bad, but not the best we’ve seen, and certainly not the most consistent: generally .1 to .4 volts. It probably would have been better had the mod actually contained the brass contacts the factory had claimed it would have, but when we looked inside we found otherwise: the contacts appear to be either chromed or stainless.  We also at one point noticed some significant heating of the button when used, but that was just before it flew off the mod while we were trying to use it; it seems to have improved now that we’ve put it back in and tightened it like they should have at the factory after their games of fetch.

The Scores

Build Quality: 4/10

At first glance this appeared to be a fairly well-made mod.  The threading is decently smooth and the seams between tube sections are barely visible.  However, the Sigelei QA department apparently doesn’t check for little things like deep, obvious gouges in the metal, or switches that are on the verge of launching into orbit.

Looks: 8/10

We can’t really complain about the looks of the mod (other than the finish flaws we’ve already mentioned).  It’s got clean lines and the two-toned look contrasting the polish of the caps with the brushed finish of the tubes is a very attractive look.

Flexibility: 6/10

While the Sigelei Telescope #8 can handle a range of battery sizes by swapping tubes in and out, we do think it’s possibly a bit disingenuous of Sigelei to use the “Telescope” name on a made that doesn’t have a telescoping feature.  The mod accepted a Kick with no issues.

Performance: 6/10

Performance of the mod was good, if not great. Our Sigelei Telescope did not contain the brass contacts the supplier claimed it would, which may have improved this score.

Price: 4/10

We’ve found the Sigelei Telescope at retailers like Stormy’s Vapor Cellar for $59.99.  If that price were to drop $10 or $20 we’d certainly rate this much higher, but considering the quality control issues we’ve encountered with this mod, we think there are far better mods out there for less.

Overall Score: 5.6

Sigelei Telescope, Style 8

E-Cigarettes Threatened in EU

A storm is brewing in the EU.  Proposed changes in European Union Law could effectively ban e-cigarettes through much of Europe.

A review of the EU Tobacco Products Directive is underway which could classify e-cigarettes as a tobacco product. Anything containing more than 4mg of nicotine would be classified as a medicinal product, and would require government approval following what would likely be prohibitively costly testing.

“To gain authorisation under the new regime, e-cigarettes would have to undergo expensive clinical trials – rendering them commercially non-viable and effectively banning them.”

This all comes on the heels of what appeared to be a rather positive outlook on e-cigarettes on the part of EU government and medical authorities, including the Royal College of Physicians and the Cabinet Office’s Behavioral Insight Team, in recent years.

While there may be provisions in the law that would allow e-cigarettes to still be sold without all of the expensive testing, expect a long and loud battle before we see how this will turn out.

Up in a puff of smoke? EU plan threatens e-cigarettes – The Independent

E-Cigarettes Threatened in EU

Video: Quitting on the Cheap with E-Cigarettes

Someone at the FDA is probably having a fit right now.

In a story aired on ABC station WZVN in southern Florida, a story from “Smart Shopper” Nina Moini proclaims e-cigarettes “a less expensive alternative to smoking that can help smokers quit the deadly habit.”

The story doesn’t seem afraid to work the “e-cigarettes as smoking cessation” angle. That’s always a risky thing to do, since even though we all know they really are a very effective aid for getting off cigarettes, the Feds always seem to get their panties in a bunch if someone comes right out and says it.

ABC-7.com WZVN News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral

Moini does seem to miss the mark a bit on the point of e-cigarettes, however, making the common mistake of thinking that nicotine is the problem with cigarettes, rather than the carcinogens and other disease-causing ingredients found in traditional cigarettes:

“The goal is to eventually quit the harmful substance altogether.”

An additional point made in the story is how much less expensive e-cigarettes are than traditional cigarettes. It’s good to hear that’s actually possible for some people. Unfortunately, for us here we used an advanced form of tobacco replacement therapy that involved giving up Marlboros and instead buying every new mod and atomizer we can get our hands on.

E-cigarette: a cheaper alternative to quit smoking – abc-7.com

Video: Quitting on the Cheap with E-Cigarettes

Study: Metals in E-Cigarette Vapor

A study recently conducted by Prue Talbot, Professor of Cell Biology at the University of California, Riverside, and published at Plos One, is claiming to have found that e-cigarette vapor produced from cartomizers contains a higher amount of metallic particles than conventional cigarettes.

While not surprising, considering the amount of metal used in the construction of cartomizers and coils, it should probably be noted that while the study finds that e-cigarettes which produce tin particles could present a degree of health risk, it does not specify the degree of that risk, nor does it conclude that all e-cigarettes produce such particles (though it is almost a sure thing it will be presented that way by e-cigarette opponents).  The abstract also does not specify the brands of cartomizers tested.

“While the outer fibers filtered out many of the tin particles, significant amounts of tin, other metals, and silicate beads escaped into the aerosol and would result in human exposure, in some cases probably greater than a conventional cigarette user would experience.”

A rather interesting chart is included which shows levels of metallic particles found, and a comparison to the amounts of those metals found in normal cigarettes, along with known health effects of those metals. However, it does not indicate the levels at which such health effects would manifest, making it unclear whether the levels of many metals found present any real health risk.

The conclusion of the study is that the study’s findings may be helpful in guiding manufacturers in selecting materials from which to build their products, as well as to improve quality control procedures.

Metal and Silicate Particles Including Nanoparticles Are Present in Electronic Cigarette Cartomizer Fluid and Aerosol – Plos One

Study: Metals in E-Cigarette Vapor

Turkey to Ban E-Cigarettes

In a baffling move that shows a complete disconnect with reality (or, much more likely, a high degree of political corruption), the Turkish Health Ministry has announced plans for a total nationwide ban on e-cigarettes.

Their justification appears to be that they believe e-cigarettes to be essentially the same as conventional cigarettes, which is obviously and ridiculously false.  It seems more likely that this is a move being made spitefully and punitively — although Turkey started requiring a complicated and difficult licensing process to sell e-cigarettes in 2008, apparently nobody to date has applied for such a license.

It would seem that the Health Ministry of Turkey is far more concerned with propping up the country’s massive tobacco industry: Turkey provides approximately 4% of the world’s tobacco, only trailing a the much larger countries of China, India, the United States, and Brazil (the last of which has also, not surprisingly, pushed for e-cigarette bans).

It seems small comfort to find that the health authorities of countries other than the U.S. are also in the pockets of the global tobacco industry.

Turkish Health Ministry plans e-cigarette ban – World Bulletin

Turkey to Ban E-Cigarettes

Indoor E-Cigarette Bans Misguided

As a sort of contrast piece to the high school paper-like Stupid Article of the Day we posted a couple days back on the “uncoolness” of e-cigarettes, we’d like to present an editorial from the University of Connecticut’s Daily Campus.

Logic, Not Fear

In this article, columnist Sam Tracy presents a compelling case for why bans on e-cigarette use indoors are likely to cause far more health problems than they hope to prevent.  It also takes the position that, rather than banning e-cigarettes on the suspicion that they may present a currently unknown health problem, the burden of proof should lie on those looking to curtail other people’s freedom, and that evidence of a real danger should be presented before bans are enacted.

“There is no doubt that further research needs to be done on the health effects of e-cigarettes. But rather than follow their knee-jerk reaction to ban these devices in public buildings, legislators should wait until the scientific community has a better understanding of their impact on non-using bystanders.”

Not only does this point of view jibe very closely with how we here at the Squad feel about this issue, but it is a well-written article that looks at the issue from a viewpoint of logic rather than baseless fear and prejudice.

Articles presented as well as this one deserve as much attention as we can draw to them.

Indoor e-cigarette ban a misguided proposal – The UConn Daily Campus

Indoor E-Cigarette Bans Misguided

The Kanger EVOD BCC

For quite some time, Kanger was the choice in clearomizers. The T2 was quite popular, but then the T3 hit and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive: people loved it.  But then, something happened.  The design of the T3 quietly and suddenly changed, and with the change came complaints of leaking and dry hits.  Seemingly overnight, the Kanger T3 went from being the best thing out there to being the one to avoid.  Since then, other manufacturers seem to have stepped up their games to fill the void left by unhappy users of the T3 looking for better alternatives. The EVOD seems to be Kanger’s response, but is it enough for them to retain their title as clearo king?

Getting Started with the EVOD

United Colors of the EVOD BCC

The EVOD very much resembles a small MT3 (the MT3 being the metal-encased version of the T3 clearo).  Like the MT3, the EVOD is available in a variety of colors (eight by our counting), including a stainless steel version, all with a clear, unreplaceable plastic mouthpiece.  Also like the MT3, the EVOD is a bottom coil clearomizer, or BCC for short.  This coil can be replaced to inexpensively renew the clearomizer when performance degrades.

Filling the EVOD was simple.  You simply screw off the bottom coil and pour juice in, with no tools required other than a standard juice bottle dripper spout.  We recommend doing this in good lighting, as it can be difficult to see just how full the tank is when filling, and it’s fairly easy to overfill and end up with juice in the mouthpiece.  Overall, though, it’s very easy to do, which is fortunate, because the EVOD’s small size — it has a capacity of approximately 1.5ml — does mean it will need to be refilled relatively often.

Fire it Up!

Our initial impression upon vaping with the BCC was that flavor was slightly muted, as is the case for most, if not all, clearomizers, but not to any great degree.  Dry hits did not appear to be a problem, either, though that may partly be because we have learned from other bottom-coil clearomizers to make sure, when putting down our PV, to leave it in a position that will leave the EVOD’s coil wet.  Still, we did not experience dry hits even when chain-vaping, which we have certainly not found to be the case with many other clearos we’ve tried.

As good as our first impressions were, we’ve learned that the things that can make you hate a clearo generally don’t rear their ugly, leaky heads until you’ve used them a while. In the case of the EVOD, however, we’ve so far been very pleased.  We haven’t experienced the leaking or sweating so common with other clearos (including other Kangers). What we have learned, however, is that airflow is important. On some of the PV’s we tested with, airflow was restricted if the EVOD was tightened down too far, and if it was, it would tend to leak down through the eGo connector.  The EVOD did not seem to leak at all, though, if airflow was kept unrestricted.  In some cases this meant simply not screwing the clearo down all the way onto the PV.  It should probably be noted, though, that in nearly all cases we didn’t need to do anything special at all to keep the airflow open.

The EVOD: The Scores

Build Quality: 9/10

We have been very impressed with the build of the EVOD.  It seems quite durable, and in some versions, such as the black version we tested, it features a rubberized finish with a good, high-quality feel.  We have had no problems with leaking as long as airflow is kept open, and the EVOD is easy to open up for refilling and coil changes.

Looks: 8/10

The EVOD is a very nice-looking clearo.  The eight available color options make it easy to put together the kind of look you want with your PV, and the stainless steel accents compliment the colored sections well.  Our only complaint, and this is a very small one, would be that the clear mouthpiece does seem prone to collecting condensation under use, which detracts slightly from the look of the clearomizer.

Flexibility: 8/10

A wide range of coil resistances is available for the EVOD. Our units shipped with a 1.8 ohm coil, and inexpensive replacements are also available in 1.5, 2.2 and 2.5 ohms.  The EVOD uses eGo coils, so you’re going to need to have either an eGo-threaded PV, or a 510-to-eGo adapter to use the EVOD. Also be aware that the EVOD is quite small, and its 1.5ml juice capacity is significantly less than many other clearos.

Performance: 8/10

We were very impressed with the performance of the EVOD. Vapor production was exceptional, and flavor was not significantly muted.  We did not experience dry hits with the EVOD, even under heavy vaping.

Price: 7/10

Falling within a $6 to $7 price range at most retailers, the pricing of the EVOD is comparable to the Kanger T3 we often use as a reference point for clearomizer pricing, though it is just slightly higher than the T3 at most vendors.

Overall Score: 8.0

The Kanger EVOD BCC

Video: Contra Costa E-Cigarette Ban

Earlier today, the Huffington Post hosted an online discussion to talk about the proposed Contra Costa County e-cigarette ban that we covered last week.

It’s definitely worth watching. The host, Josh Zepps, was obviously very sympathetic to the idea that banning anything over the fears that it might somehow be dangerous in some unknown way isn’t something that should be acceptable in a  free society. Representatives of both sides of the argument were on hand, including Dr. Michael Siegel of Boston University and Dan Henry of puffweb.com, and they did an excellent job of rebutting the fear-mongering of guests like Cynthia Hallett of Americans for Non-Smokers’ Rights.

We’d actually been invited to attend, and regret that scheduling conflicts kept us from being a part of this lively, informative discussion.  We also apologize for not getting word out about this before the fact, but as you may have noticed, we’ve had some frustrating issues with our hosting provider over the last 24 hours or so.

Huffington Post Live: No E-Cigarettes Allowed

Video: Contra Costa E-Cigarette Ban

The Tobeco Blade

We’re going to take a break from reviewing the latest crop of GGTS clones to take a look at something different: The Tobeco Blade, a clone of an American-made mod, the Apex Vapor Alpha.

Tobeco Blade with AGR Tank

This one’s really all about the switch. The distinguishing characteristic of the Apex Alpha, and this mod, are the large, ribbed switch in the middle of the tube. Rather than press a button to fire the mod the center tube is slid upward, pushing the battery into the center post at the top of the mod.

This inside tube is a sort of removable battery sleeve that slides freely within the outer tube that forms the main body of the mod.  The long center post is mounted with a spring to allow it to move along with the battery tube, pushing it up to make contact with the atomizer.  While this sounds a bit like it might make the Blade prone to misfires, we’ve found that not to be the case. While quite an amount of throw is required to make contact — maybe a half-inch or so — our Blade has fired quite reliably.

We do have some concerns about the potential wear of this setup. We don’t imagine the chrome plating of the inner tube will last long if we’re constantly sliding it against the outer tube to fire the mod. We’re not seeing signs of wear after a day or two with the Blade, but we fully expect it to look like hell fast. Raw stainless steel would probably have made a better choice of materials — it’s still get scratched up, but few things look worse than a mod with the plating rubbed off it in random spots.

We were pleased to find brass contacts at both battery connections and the center post, and a very minimal amount of voltage drop (less than .01 volts) across the mod.

Build Quality: 7/10

The parts of this mod fit together quite well for an inexpensive Chinese clone, with very smooth threading and seemingly tight tolerances all around. The battery sleeve, for example, holds our Panasonic 18650s so snugly that we have to shake it a bit to get the battery out, as a vacuum is formed behind it when removing it.  This may mean that some thicker batteries won’t quite fit, but so far we’ve had no issues with the Panasonics and AWs we usually use around here.

Looks: 7/10

The Blade is certainly eye-grabbing, but many will recognize it as a direct knock-off of the Apex mod it emulates. We have doubts, however, that it will stay pretty for long, with a design practically guaranteed to wear away much of the chrome plating in short order.

Flexibility: 5/10

There’s not much flexibility here. This is a strictly 18650-only mechanical mod, though we had no problems using an 18500 with a Kick.  The diameter of the top cap may be troublesome for some. It’s not as wide as most flat-top mods, and narrower than a slant-top, putting it into a middle ground that may be difficult to match with an atomizer. Our AGR tanks and GG iAtty were both very good fits, but most of our other atomizers were either too big or too small.

Performance: 8/10

With brass contacts and very low voltage loss, the Blade performed very well in our tests. The switch, however, may make it a bit difficult for some to use this mod effectively.

Price: 8/10

This is another of those mods that hasn’t really started hitting retailers yet.  We grabbed ours through a Facebook co-op for $36, shipped, so it seems likely we’ll be seeing at at retailers for somewhere near the $50-$70 range.   Considering the performance and relative uniqueness of the mod, we suppose many will find the price quite attractive, though we will certainly revise our score here if it turns out we’re way off the mark.

Overall Score: 7.0

 

The Tobeco Blade

Draw Tube Smart by Beautiful

If it seems we’re reviewing a lot of very GG-like mechanicals lately… well, that’s because we are. They’re a hot commodity lately, and it seems everyone wants a mechanical. The GG-style telescoping body with side-mounted button also happens to be a rather popular and comfortable configuration for many, and China is cranking out quite a few mods aimed at people who want something that looks and works like a GGTS, without the GGTS price.  The Draw Tube Smart is another in this seemingly endless stream of GG clones — so what makes it different?

The Build

Draw Tube Smart

The first thing apparent to us was the build quality.  Placed side-by-side with a Kamry KTS, for example, it’s clear which is better-built.  The Draw Tube Smart is built with thicker, stronger materials and doesn’t have the flimsy, paper-thin feel of the KTS.  It is built of solid stainless steel, unlike the chrome-plated brass of the KTS. The threading, button quality, and materials are all just head and shoulders above the Kamry mod.

While the brushed stainless finish is somewhat uneven, it’s probably on par with, or slightly better then, the finish on our SmokTech Natural, and the two mods do look quite a bit alike. The dimpling on the flat-headed top cap of the Draw Tube is less pronounced than on the Natural, and also appears on the bottom cap.  The button is somewhat smaller on the Draw Tube, but wide enough to be comfortable. As far as look and feel go, the button is nearly identical to a GGTS buttons, with an octagonal head and two adjustment rings (one to lock the button, and another to adjust the throw of the switch).

Internal contacts are stainless steel, which will probably disappoint those who place a lot of importance in brass contacts. We tend to think that importance tends to be wildly overestimated, particularly in the case of inexpensive mods, but it might be worth mentioning.  The center pin is somewhat adjustable, though not widely so.  Much like with many SmokTech mods, the back of the center pin has a screwdriver socket that will allow small adjustments up and down.

Frankly, we’ve got to say that out of all the inexpensive Chinese GGTS clones we’ve played with so far, the Draw Tube Smart may just be the best of them so far.

The Scores

Build Quality: 8/10

The Draw Tube Smart really is a well-built little clone.  The materials seem strong, and the parts are well-crafted.  There is a minimum of grinding on the threads, and the mod, overall, just feels solid.

Looks: 7/10

It’s obvious that the Draw Tube Smart borrow a lot of design details from the GGTS, particularly its telescoping design and octagonal button. However, it manages to clone the GGTS style  in a way that doesn’t look as cheap as some other attempts, resulting is a nice-looking mod.

The finish is somewhat uneven, however.  Under some lighting, a waviness of the brushed finish is rather noticeable.

Flexibility: 7/10

With its adjustable center post and telescoping body, you’ve got a lot of options as far as batteries and atomizers go, and with its solid stainless tubes, a Kick would be easily accommodated.

Performance: 8/10

The build of the Draw Tube seems to lend itself well to conducting electricity, with voltage drop of less than .01 volts detected in our tests.

Price: 8/10

Priced at around $50 retail (when it can be found), the Draw Tube Smart compares rather favorably to other similar mods, particularly when its sturdy construction is factored in.

Overall Score: 7.6

Draw Tube Smart by Beautiful

SAotD: E-Cigarettes Have A Coolness Problem

Way Cooler than Gus Lubin.

Another for the Stupid Article of the Day file, this time an essay on coolness from Gus Lubin for Business Insider, which we almost ignored because nobody named “Gus,” as far as we know, has ever been cool.

Granted, it makes a few valid points, like how the public sentiment toward cigarettes having soured over the years could be a hurdle for the e-cigarette business.  But then, it goes a little too far trying to back up its own points, with “facts” like this:

“E-cigarettes still don’t taste as good as cigarettes.”

There are, literally, thousands of flavor choices out there, and this reporter has concluded that e-cigarettes taste worse than cigarettes based on an exhaustive study…  oh, who am I kidding? It’s based on second-hand opinions of a single flavor: specifically, the relatively unknown Logic Platinum cig-alike. Lubin’s reporter buddy wasn’t a fan, so his conclusion is that all e-cigarettes taste bad.  I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that not only does our intrepid reporter have no clue that there are some really good flavors out there, but also that real cigarettes, for the most part, taste like ass. Burnt, ashy ass. I vape juices that taste better than cigarettes when I run out of the stuff I like.

As further evidence to back up his point that e-cigarettes aren’t cool, Lubin cites — wait for it — another clueless pseudo-journalist, Hamilton Nolan from Gawker, who says:

“Cigarettes were never cool just because of their phallic connotations, and the fact that they gave you something to do with your hands. They were cool because they are dangerous.”

It’s really hard to take an article seriously when the writer seems completely unaware that for many, many, many years, not only were cigarettes not considered dangerous, they were actually hawked by touting their supposed health benefits.  It’s only when it started becoming well-known just how deadly they were that their popularity began to decline. Once again Lubin shows he’s just got no clue what he’s talking about on this one. Of all the quotes from all the people he could have used, he picked the boneheaded one from someone who I have to assume isn’t old enough to have ever seen any cigarette marketing material from before 1985 or so.

I suppose it shouldn’t come as a big surprise to me that an article based completely on whether e-cigarettes are “cool enough” would be written with all the skill of  a reporter for a high school paper, but come on.  You’re not in high school any more, Gus, and out in the real world we usually expect people to have a clue before they get a by-line.

SAotD: E-Cigarettes Have A Coolness Problem

Fluid Flask by Fluid Vaper

Though there are many cartomizer tanks on the market, most of them seem to be built using one of a couple of standard designs; there has seemingly been very little innovation. With the Fluid Flask, Fluid Vaper has shown that those old designs still have room for improvement.

Fluid Flask

Crafted from aluminum with a PETG plastic tank, the first way in which the Fluid Flask stands out is it looks. A lattice-like aluminum sleeve twists down over the tank, giving it a sort of industrial look.  According to Fluid Vaper’s web site, different sleeves will be available, allowing the user to choose from a variety of looks.

Another interesting feature is the top cap. Unlike most tanks, where the top cap slides down over the cartomizer and has a socket for a drip tip, the Fluid Flask utilizes something Fluid Vaper  calls a “Speed-Fill Drip Dip,” which serves as a top cap and mouthpiece built from a single piece of aluminum.  While this does preclude the use of a custom drip tip, it also makes the Fluid Flask easier to fill than other tanks.  Since the entire “lid” pops off the top of the flask, it is possible to pour juice straight into the tank, and we’ve had little trouble filling it with the dripper caps standard on most juice bottles.  Like with the sleeve, Fluid Vaper has indicated that other tips may be available in the future.

One of the benefits of the design of this tank is that it’s nearly impossible for the cartomizer to slip once it is in place.  This combination of securing the cartomizer in place, along with the ease of filling through the top, eliminates a lot of the accidents, and resulting mess, familiar to people who use carto tanks regularly.  As someone who’s had a wet spot on the front of his pants several times, I can say that this is something I really appreciate.

I was just checking to see if you’re actually reading any of this.

One last feature that particularly caught our interest: Fluid Vaper has said that they are working on a rebuildable atomizer kit that would drop into the standard-sized Fluid Flask.  No details are available about that at this time, but we’re very curious to see what they come up with for this.

Build Quality: 8/10

The Fluid Flask is well-built, though considering the price, we’re not sure we’re particularly fond of the aluminum and PETG plastic.

Looks: 8/10

The Fluid Flask certainly stands out.  Some may be a bit turned off by the intricate design of the tank sleeve, but in general it seems to be quite well-received, and the availability of other sleeves in the future may provide other looks.

This is another area, though, where the choice of aluminum lowers our score a bit. Stainless would have made it a much better match for most of our mods.

Flexibility: 7/10

Available in standard and XL lengths, the Fluid Flask can accommodate the same range of cartomizers as other tanks. If and when Fluid Vapor releases their rebuildable atomizer insert and other customizations, this score will probably be adjusted higher.

Performance: 8/10

While the Fluid Flask’s performance will, for the most part, be determined by the cartomizer used inside it, it certainly hasn’t caused any issues here.  Our only gripe might be that the completely flat base can cause problems with airflow on some flat-top mods.

Price: 6/10

The Fluid Flask is selling on Fluid Vaper’s website for $69.99. While this is somewhat expensive for cartomizer tanks in general, it does not compare too unfavorably with “premium” tanks from other vendors like Phiniac and Vaperfexion.

Overall Score: 7.4

Fluid Flask by Fluid Vaper

Former Surgeon Genera joins NJOY

Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General under George W. Bush, has joined the board of NJOY.

Carmona is a large part of the reason smoking is banned nearly everywhere these days. A report on the effects of second-hand smoke while Surgeon General was a huge factor in turning public and legislative opinion against smoking.

“I’m probably going to be [the company’s] biggest critic. … I still look at my job as being a doctor of the people, and I’m going to look at the science. … If we can find a viable alternative that gave us harm reduction as people are withdrawing from nicotine, I’m happy to engage in that science and see if we can do that.”

As a former crusader against any form of tobacco use, we can only hope that the addition of Carmona to NJOY’s board may make a few anti-tobacco zealots stop and realize that reduced-harm alternatives to tobacco, such as electronic cigarettes, are a good thing, and will save lives.  Fighting them tooth and nail is not going to result in healthier people, and will, in fact, only increase the body count.

Richard Carmona joining e-cigarette board – Politico

Former Surgeon Genera joins NJOY

The Moneypenny Mod by fsors

Some mods are marvels of modern engineering, made by massive machines capable of constructing objects to exacting specifications, with tolerances down to the thousandth of an inch. They can crank out parts by the hundreds, everyone perfectly, exactly according to design, and then these parts are passed to other machines to be polished to a mirror-like shine. These parts assembled to create awesome machines, breathtaking in their perfection and utterly predictable in their fit and finish.

The Moneypenny Mod is not one of those.

If machines are involved in the construction of the Moneypenny, they’re of the sort no more complicated than a pipe cutter or power drill.  This is a mod that is built by one guy with his bare hands, most likely in his garage.  It’s not made from parts that have been engineered to price specs — in fact, the stamp of the manufacturer of the tubing used to build it is visible on several of the parts.

The Moneypenny is assembled from sections of copper tubing, with brass pieces used for the contacts and oversized switch. A quick glance at the parts is enough to discern that most, and possible all of them could be obtained at your local hardware store.  It is a big, heavy beast: a mechanical mod that uses an 18650 battery, and towers over our other mods.

It’s something of a Frankenstein’s monster of pieces that were never intended to be used for a PV, but were repurposed into this giant copper behemoth.  The finish of the tubing varies from section to section, the edges of the tubes aren’t cut completely straight, and the huge bolt-like switch with the exposed spring  looks like something out of a silent monster movie, and makes a little raspy noise when you hit it, from the threads on the screw it was made from scraping against the hole in the body.

And we love this mod.

This is just not the kind of thing that rolls off an assembly line.  It’s a makeshift machine built from off-the-shelf parts with relatively common tools, and it’s charming as hell. In a room full of people carrying Juggernauts and Caravelas, the Moneypenny is going to get the attention. What it lacks in refinement and polish it more than makes up for with uniqueness and personality.

Did we mention it vapes like nobody’s business?  Because of the all copper body and brass contacts, the Moneypenny conducts electricity beautifully.  This quirky home-made mod can get power from the battery to a 510 connector very efficiently, and that comes through in the vape.

So, yes, the Moneypenny is simple, and almost primitive in its construction, but that’s part of what we love about it. It looks like something that could have come out of the Edwardian era, if there had been vapers then.

If you’re looking for a mod that requires multi-million-dollar machines to construct, with parts that all work together smoothly and seamlessly… well, this isn’t your mod.  But if you’re looking for something with a personality of its own, created with the sweat of one guy working alone in his garage, and that just happens to vape like a monster… well, you may want to check out nu-vapor or Facebook to see if fsors is still taking orders.

The Moneypenny Mod by fsors

The Innokin iTaste MVP

While the iTaste MVP isn’t a new product, as something that gets used on a pretty regular basis around here, and a bit of an oddity in the vaping world, we figured it deserved a few paragraphs.

iTaste MVP with Mini-DID Clone

The MVP is a box mod, very roughly the size of a classic iPod, though somewhat thicker and not quite as wide.  It is available in a wide variety of colors, but there’s nothing particular fancy about any of them. The iTaste is, for the most part, a plain little metal box with a 510/eGo connector on the top, and all kinds of weirdness at the bottom.

That weirdness comes in the form of two USB connectors: one micro-USB port marked “Input,” a standard USB port marked “Output,” and a small switch labelled “On/Off (Output).”  The input port is used for charging the MVP.  It is a sealed unit and you don’t take the battery out to charge it; you plug it into any USB port.  Inside the box is a permanent 2600mAh battery, giving the MVP approximately the same charge times as a standard nod with a high-quality 18650 battery.

The larger port, and the switch, provide the MVP’s secondary functionality: In addition to being a variable-voltage PV, it can be used as an external battery for nearly any device that can be powered through a USB port. The MVP is packaged with a USB cable designed to be used for this purpose, with a standard USB interface on one side, and three different connectors (one micro USB, one mini-USB, and one iPod-style connector) on the other.

While our first impression was that combining a PV with a battery charger seemed a bit strange, we have to admit it’s been useful. While it’s not always possible to stay near a USB port for long, any dedicated vaper will never be far from his PV, and if your phone just happens to go dead, the MVP just happens to make a really good backup battery.  We haven’t found a USB-powered device yet that we haven’t been able to use it with, though some with really strange connector types will obviously be an issue.

But we didn’t buy an MVP to make phone calls: we got it to vape with. Thankfully, it does a pretty good job of that, too.  Near the bottom on one side of the MVP is a three-digit LED display with two small buttons for increasing and decreasing voltage from 3.3 to 5.0 volts.  Accuracy in our tests was fairly good, with voltage output varying from the set value by about 5 to 10% across the range of settings.

An addition to the charging cable, the MVP is also packaged with a ring to cover the eGo threading when using 510-based atomizers, and two iClear 16 clearomizers.

 

Build Quality: 8/10

The MVP seems to be a tough little box. Our tends to get thrown into pockets with keys, dropped and the floor, and subjected to all kinds of things we’d never dream of inflicting on a less durable PV, and while it may be getting a bit banged up, it still vapes as good as it ever did.  Although, since the day we got it, something has been rattling around inside it. We’ll be damned if we know what it is, though.

Looks: 7/10

This is definitely going to be a judgment call on the part of the owner, but the MVP is, more than anything else, a very no-frills box.  It’s got some shiny parts and some not-so-shiny parts, but it’s not the kind of thing people are going to look at and think “wow, that’s cool.”

Flexibility: 9/10

If there was a PV that was made for selling on late-night infomercials, the MVP is it.  Not only is it a variable voltage mod (with a dual 510/eGo connector), but if you’re stranded in the desert without a USB port in sight, you can still power your MP3 player with it.  But don’t, because when you’re stranded in the desert your nicotine fix is obviously more important.

Performance: 8/10

Battery life of our MVP has rivaled or exceeded that of 18650 tube mods, and power output seems relatively well-regulated, only varying from the set value by a small percentage throughout the life of the battery.

Price: 6/10

The MVP price is set by the manufacturer at $65 to $69.99, who will refuse to sell to vendors who price it lower.  While we really have no major complaints about that price, we’re scoring this one a bit lower than we would otherwise due to Innokin’ market meddling.

Overall Score: 7.6

The Innokin iTaste MVP

Weekend Co-Op Update

As we roll into the weekend, the options for where to spend your money are a bit slim, but there’s still some good stuff out there to be had.

Over at Facebook, a second round is in progress on the Sigelei Telescoping VMax V3, which we reviewed earlier this week.  While we’ve had problems with ours, we haven’t heard reports of similar issues with others received from the same shipment, so we feel pretty comfortable recommending this one.

The SmokTech RSST also seems to be a hot commodity recently, with several co-ops run for it. One is currently open at nu-vapor, where a Youde co-op for items like the AGA-T2 RBA and AGR Tank continue to push toward minimum order quantity.

Another co-op of interest, though currently no accepting members, is another at Facebook for version 3 of the Vamo, the extremely popular variable wattage mod. This is am update that’s getting a lot of attention, and may give some of the first looks at the latest iteration of this PV.

More details on these co-ops, and others going on right now, is over at the Co-Op Tracker.

Weekend Co-Op Update

The Economist: "No smoke. Why the fire?"

The second article about e-cigarettes from The Economist in the last couple days, this editorial from the print edition asks the same question we all do: If e-cigarettes are, at worst,  far less harmful than cigarettes, why are so many people fighting so hard against them?

E-cigarettes do not just save the lives of smokers: they bring other benefits too. Unlike cigarettes, they do not damage the health of bystanders. They do not even smell that bad, so there is no public nuisance, let alone hazard, and thus no reason to ban their use in public places. Pubs and restaurants should welcome them with open arms.

It would seem to be common sense that an effective, safer replacement for cigarettes, which kill millions every year, should be embraced, not shunned. The article makes a very good case against the misguided puritanism that seems to fuel much of the attacks.

 

The Economist: "No smoke. Why the fire?"

More Takeovers Looming?

An article from The Economist looks into what a big business e-cigarettes have become, putting sales for 2012 somewhere between $300,000,000 and $500,000,000 dollars (which I, frankly, find hard to believe, since I’m pretty sure I personally paid more than that just on carto tanks).

There’s a brief moment of “ugh” near the middle of the article where it trots out that “study” that shows decreased lung capacity in vapers, and like most articles, neglects to mention the effect, if it even happens, lasts a few minutes. Instead they choose to portray it as evidence that e-cigarettes are harmful — which it certainly is not, but it’s just as certain that the people who published it intended it to be interpreted that way.  Otherwise, though, it stays away from making judgements.

Of particular interest is the part near the end where they suggest that NJOY might be a takeover target, possibly for Atria, the makers of Marlboro.  It’s not the first time we’ve heard this recently, and it makes as wonder if there may be some truth to the rumors.

Vape ’em if you got ’em – The Economist

More Takeovers Looming?

E-Cigarettes Spark Interest Among Millennials

In a rather interesting and refreshingly non-boneheaded article, Forbes presents some statistics on who we are, showing that a very large percentage of e-cigarette users are “millennials” who fall into the 19-36 range.

They don’t draw any real conclusions from this statistic, but point out the e-cigarettes are not the second-most-common method used to try to quit smoking, second only to quitting cold turkey, and ahead of patches, gum, and pills.

There are also some interesting insights at the end of the article into why it may not be in the government’s best interest to let e-cigarettes get too popular and start cutting into their tobacco cashflow.

“Like lotteries, which can be viewed as harmful but also help to fund state budgets, cigarettes are not a golden goose that one stubs out randomly or quickly.”

It’s a sentiment you hear echoed often among vapers, but it’s somewhat satisfying to hear it repeated through a mainstream outlet like Forbes.

E-Cigarettes Spark Interest Among Millennials – Forbes

E-Cigarettes Spark Interest Among Millennials

Ceramic Wicks: How Justified Is the Hype?

Over the last couple days, we’ve been been trying a batch of ceramics wicks we obtained through an ECF co-op. We’d heard a lot about these things, and have been anxious to put them through their paces to see how they compare to the stainless steel we’ve come to know and love.

Our First Ceramic Wick

We discovered one huge advantage to these wicks right out of the mailbox: they are incredibly easy to work with.  With ceramic wicks there’s no oxidizing and no rolling: they come ready-to-use.  The only thing you need to do is break off enough that the wick is the right length, put a coil on it, and vape.

That part about the coil is a lot easier, too. Unlike with stainless steel, there’s no need to worry that wrapping the coil too tight will cause a short. Since ceramic is non-conductive, there’s just no need to worry about that.  There’s also no need for complicated coil-wrapping techniques or drill bits. You can just wrap the wire directly around the wick (being careful, of course, not to break the fragile wick in the process).

In our tests we found that a tight wrap works best. We assume different wicks from different makers will vary in how much juice they bring to the coil, but we found ours to do this slightly less well than the 500 stainless mesh we typically use, and slower to move  juice up from the tank.  We assume this is due to the ceramic’s somewhat lower ability than stainless steel to transfer heat.  While they did a decent enough job, we found we had to tilt a bit more than we would with a well-rolled stainless wick to avoid dry hits.  Wrapping the coil tightly allowed more contact with the juice that did get transferred, giving better vapor and being less prone to burn than a loose coil.

So, what’s the trade-off? What do you need to give up to use a wick that doesn’t require any of the usual hassles of stainless steel?  A few things.

First, they’re not cheap. One online vendor sells these wicks at $20 for 3 wicks; much costlier than the equivalent amount of stainless steel. If such wicks become more common, we imagine the price will go down, but as of now ceramic wicks are difficult to find and quite expensive.

Second, you lose some of the customization options of stainless. Rolling your own wick allows you to choose the material, the tightness, and whether you want a solid or “straw” wick, all of which will affect the vape. With ceramic, you won’t get choices like these. Your choices, if you have any, will most likely be limited to the diameter of the wick.

Another potential concern is the composition of the ceramic. While questions have been raised recently about possible carcinogens in oxidized stainless steel, few seem to be talking about the potential health implications of ceramic.  Lead, for example, is a common component in ceramic, and none of the vendors we saw selling these wicks gave much detail about what they were made of. Possibly even more troubling is the recent trend to use any ceramic available for crafting wicks, such as aquarium air stones. Such stones will be of completely unknown composition, and possibly treated with chemicals such as algaecides with potential serious health risks.

All in all, we found our ceramic wick samples to vape acceptably well, if not quite as well as stainless steel, but they ease of setting them up was leaps and bounds beyond that of traditional stainless.

Does that ease of use justify the much higher cost, or the hype surrounding these wicks? So far, based on our limited testing, we’d have to say that we don’t see them replacing stainless any time soon. It’s certain many will love the ease of use that ceramic wicks provide and be willing to pay the high prices, and live with the limitations.  For now, though, we suspect mesh is going to remain king.

Ceramic Wicks: How Justified Is the Hype?

PayPal Denies Another Co-Op

As news broke today of another co-op shut down by PayPal, people are starting to ask again about alternatives. PayPal’s inconsistent U.S.-only policy of not allowing sales of e-cigarette-related items has decimated more than one group buy, and their notoriously uncaring customer service has angered buyers and sellers alike.  So, what viable alternatives do we have?

The obvious replacements would be similar services like Popmoney and Dwolla. Those options aren’t without their own drawbacks, however.

Popmoney’s policies do not addressing e-cigarettes specifically, but they do prohibit the sales of tobacco and other items, and those policies could potentially be invoked to wreak a lot of the same havoc PayPal has caused in the past.  Other than the potential for policy problems in the future, many co-op managers have turned to Popmoney as their primary payment provider, because of their relatively easy-to-use interface and lack of interference. The system can be a bit quirky, though, and “features” such as a limit that kicks in when receiving money from a certain number of email addresses, and a low daily limit on the amount of invoices that can be sent, have slowed more than one co-op to a crawl.

Dwolla, on the other hand, does not have any policies on what can be bought or sold, as they present themselves strictly as a currency exchange. The problem with Dwolla isn’t their policies; it’s the interface.  Many find Dwolla to be difficult to use, time-consuming to set up, and slow to transfer funds, often taking up to a week to complete a transaction.  In Dwolla’s defense, a lot of this is just perception, as Dwolla handles the exchange from end-to-end.  While a PayPal transaction may look instant, it will most often take days to transfer a balance to the user’s bank account. This transaction will happen automatically with Dwolla, so the lag is visible to everyone involved, and not just the person receiving the money. As a result, Dwolla looks like it’s a slow way to transfer funds, even if the overall transaction takes about the same amount of time as other services.

Of course, there are always the old-school options, such as money orders and wire transfers, but those tend to add additional levels of delay and uncertainty that make them frustrating for users, and they typically lack any kind of buyer protection.

For now, the push to move away from PayPal seems to be strengthening, and having had our own disputes with PayPal (who, in the spirit of full disclosure, we should mention we’re currently battling with — they’re refusing to release the amount refunded by the manager of the co-op mentioned at the beginning of the article), we tend to agree that discontinuing the use of PayPal for co-ops is probably a very good idea at this point.  It seems quite likely that PayPal’s days as the go-to payment provider for e-cigarette co-ops may have finally come to an end.

 

PayPal Denies Another Co-Op

Contra Costa County May Ban E-Cigs in Public

In another of the seemingly endless series of laws aimed at curtailing the rights of vapers, Contra Costa County in California is considering a ban on the use of e-cigarettes wherever traditional cigarettes are banned.

Contra Costa County

This probably comes as no surprise, given similar legislation being enacted all over the country, but this one hits particularly close to home for us, as Contra Costa is right here in our back yard, on the other side of the San Francisco Bay.

Contra Costa County Public Health Director Wendel Brunner explains the reasoning:

“E-cigarette vapor may pose a secondhand health hazard and permitting its use in nonsmoking areas is an enforcement problem and models poor behavior to young people.”

Apparently, all you need now to take rights away from people is a completely unfounded guess that maybe, possibly, they might be doing something that you’re not completely sure isn’t 100% safe. Oh, and we’ve got to save those children.  God forbid they ever see someone doing something, you know, adult.

As a minor footnote to the article, it is also mentioned that the legislation would require sellers of e-cigarettes, some of the most vehemently anywhere, to obtain a tobacco seller’s license, ignoring the fact that they don’t sell tobacco.

Where does the government’s ability to dictate people’s behavior stop?

Douse the e-smokes: Contra Costa may ban e-cigarettes in public places – Mercury News

Contra Costa County May Ban E-Cigs in Public

The RSST from SmokTech

It’s finally starting to appear on the tops of PV’s everywhere: The RBA that started more drama in more places than any other piece of hardware in recent memory.  We are, of course, talking about the SmokTech RSST, otherwise known as the AC9 clone.

AC9 (left) and RSST (right)

Many who were involved in co-ops at the time, or just keeping up on gossip, will remember the shockwaves that SmokTech’s announcement of this atomizer sent through the vaping community. Riptrippers, an employee of Vapinaze, the makers of the AC9, went ballistic. Powerless to do anything directly against the offshore makers of the RSST, he lashed out at those preparing to buy it: the co-ops, and the managers of co-ops.  In a move that would later prompt profuse apologies from others at Vapinaze, Riptrippers threatened to sue the managers of these co-ops.  Unfortunately for him, the people he threatened knew his threats were empty, and in the end he ended up looking like a bit of a fool.

It was a move that may have cost Vapinaze some, if not all, of the sympathy they may have garnered from vapers over what truly is a blatant rip-off of their design. The RSST features a removable cup almost identical to that of the AC9, as well as a very similar profile and finish.  It even, for a brief time prior to release, borrowed the AC9 name, though the name in marketing material was changed to RSST before units were shipped.

The differences between the RSST and the AC9 are few, and mostly minor.  The press-on cap of the RSST is somewhat rounder than that of the AC9, and the draw is tighter, even when the AC9 has been fitted with the optional tight draw cap, as the result of a much smaller-diameter air hole on the RSST.  The internal setup is also quite similar, with both sporting a single large wick hole, a fill hole, and a center post with a spring to hold the positive end of the coil wire in place.

Where they diverge is primasry in the built materials used.  While the AC9 is constructed of thick, high-quality stainless steel, the RSST is built from thinner metal, giving it a somewhat less sold feel. We also notice finish inconsistencies between the tank and the cap in the RSST.

The makers of the RSST also made a couple of design choices that left us baffled.  For example, the fill hole is not only quite large, but it sits at a roughly 100-degree angle from the wick hole, rather than the typical 180 degrees.  This seems to serve no real purpose, other than to cause the RSST to leak into the cap when tilted.  We are also a bit concerned over the way the adjustable center post has a sharp end, as if they used an off-the-shelf wood screw for it.  We’d be a bit reluctant to use the RSST on mods with a brass or plated positive contact, as this point is quite likely to dig into it over time.

Build Quality: 5/10

While mostly well-constructed (though not as well as the AC9), a few glaring flaws stand out. Particularly jarring are the strange placement of the fill hole, and the sharply-pointed center post.

Looks: 8/10

The RSST certainly looks good, with its frosted tank and brushed finish. However, the finish varies somewhat between parts in our test unit.

Flexibility: 6/10

The RSST is a basic single-wick Genesis atomizer with few options. However, the adjustable center post design (stolen directly, if incompletely, from the AC9) will allow it to sit flush with any atomizer, though it does not allow adjustment of coil height in the same way as the AC9.

Performance: 7/10

Performance of the RSST was mostly typical for a Genesis atomizer. While some may appreciate the very tight draw (a stark contrast to the AC9′s default airy draw), others are going to want to take a drill to it immediately.

Price: 5/10

This atomizer is just starting to ship from SmokTech, and we can’t really be sure where prices are going to fall, though somewhere in the $40-$50 range seems likely based on co-op pricing of around $25.  Frankly, for that kind of money, we’d recommend waiting for SmokTech to correct some of the obvious flaws before spending your money on it.

Overall Score: 6.2

The RSST from SmokTech

SAoTD: Moronic in Mississipi

Another Stupid Article of the Day, this time from WLOX in Biloxi, Mississippi.

HD, of course, stands for “Hella Dumb”

I think they mean well, but then they go pulling out quotes like this one:

“But is vapor from an e-cigarette really smoke? There’s no real answer…”

Let me clear up some confusion for you, WLOX. Yes, there is a real answer.  Vapor and smoke are two very different things.  I can see why you’re confused, since one is heated liquid, and the other comes from burning stuff, but trust me, they’re different.  If you really believe there’s not an obvious difference, come back to me  after you’re successful lighting some water on fire.

The idiocy doesn’t stop there, though.

” The selling point for the devices says it all: Smoke them anywhere you want.”

Sure, that’s the selling point for e-cigarettes: if you’re an e-cigarette company owned by one of the world’s largest tobacco companies, i.e., Blu.  You know what the selling point is for the rest of us? That they’re not cigarettes. They don’t make you stink. They won’t cloud other people in second smoke. They don’t carry a few thousand carcinogens.  Hey, wait… I think maybe there’s more than one selling point for e-cigarettes.  I must be some kind of investigative journalist to have figured that out.

“Independent studies have shown the e-cigarettes themselves could possibly contain one or two cancer causing agents.”

I don’t mind the mention of this so much as the fact that it’s not followed up with the explanation that those one or two agents were found in levels so low that they were, in fact, not enough to be considered carcinogenic.   Also not mentioned is that, while there may be one or two cancer-causing agents in some e-juice, that compares pretty damned favorably to the backhoe full of carcinogens in your average cigarette.

I appreciate the reporter’s feeble attempts to remain impartial, but my God, think a little.

Smoking rules likely to evolve for electronic cigarettes – wlox.com

 

SAoTD: Moronic in Mississipi

Sigelei Telescoping ZMax V3

While Sigelei is one of the bigger names in Chinese mod-builders these days, what really put them on the map was the original version of the ZMax: A variable-wattage mod obviously styled to emulate the American-made Provari. It’s been considered by many to be the standard in variable wattage mods ever since, even holding its own against the much lower-priced Vamo released later.

Over time the ZMax has continued to evolve, and as it has, it has started to move away from its Provari-clone roots.  The latest incarnation of the ZMax is the V3, now available in the telescoping version we just got our hands on.

Users of earlier ZMax models will find much familiar here.  It still sports a Provari-like single-button interface, with the familiar eight options. Through the interface, it is possible to turn the unit on and off, adjust voltage or wattage up and down, check battery voltage, configure what is displayed on the OLED when the button is pressed (voltage/wattage, atomizer resistance, or remaining battery power), turn the OLED on and off, switch between variable voltage and variable wattage, and switch between mean and RMS modes. The ZMax V3 in variable voltage mode can be set from 3.0 to 6.0 volts in .1-volts increments, or 3 to 15 watts in .5 watt increments in variable wattage (or “power”) mode.

One significant difference from older ZMax models is the new OLED screen.  Capable of using seven characters across each in two lines of output allows a lot more information to be displayed than the old three-character LED used by the original ZMax models, and takes a lot of the guesswork out of navigating the user interface. It is now much clearer what the different options mean, without having to remember cryptic menu codes.

We found the device to be fairly accurate, only straying up to .2 volts from what it was set for, across its entire range.  The ZMax was easily much more accurate than our eVic or Vamo, among others.  It is quite likely the second most accurate mod we’ve tested, being barely beaten by the Provari.

As a bit of a stress test, we hooked up an AC9 RBA and turned our ZMax up to 15 watts.  We were very impressed by how it performed, cranking out huge clouds of vapor.

Build Quality: 7/10

While we found the Telescoping ZMax V3 to be a great performer, we can’t say we were as impressed with the overall build quality. There is a lot of screech as the unit is telescoped, and the bottom section tends to be slightly loose and wobbly.  The battery fit is good, however, and it does have the feel of a mod you could drop without pieces breaking off of it.

Looks: 7/10

We were more impressed with the look of the device than we were expecting, given the photos we had seen of it online from suppliers. Rather than the polished chrome we were expecting, what we received was a brushed stainless unit that we think looks much better.  We’re not particularly fond of how the grooves in the top cap are broken unevenly by the translucent LED button, though, as it makes it look as if the button was just tossed in as an afterthought, rather than being considered in the overall design.

Flexibility: 8/10

While telescoping features are starting to show up in other variable mods (one example being the GS Sub 2.0 we previously reviewed), it’s still quite rare to find them in variable wattage mods like the ZMax.  This does give an edge in flexibility over other mods that only allow a single battery type, or require a complete change of tubes to accommodate multiple sizes.

While the Telescoping ZMax is quite large as a result of having to store electronics and display in the head of the unit, it is no larger than a standard Provari, and much shorter than a Vamo, when used with the same types of batteries.

Performance: 9/10

We were very impressed with the ZMax’s performance, and its accuracy in particular. We have come across few mods as accurate across their entire range of possible settings.  We have experienced no misfires with the button. The ZMax seems exceptionally willing and able to do exactly what we tell it to do.

Price: 7/10

This mod seems to set to retail in the range of about $80, though it’s new enough that it’s not easy to find yet at online retailers.  Co-op pricing on the device has been ranging from $53 to $61, though this may come down as it is more widely adopted.  While this price is obviously quite a bit higher than the Vamo, another variable wattage device, for many the far better performance of the ZMax will easily justify the price difference.

Overall Score: 7.6

Sigelei Telescoping ZMax V3

Battles Heating Up in Oklahoma

A bill which has passed the Senate in Oklahoma and is now being looked at by the state’s Health Committee is drawing media attention.  SB 802 would ban sales to minors, impose new taxes on e-cigarette products, and would limit who can sell them by requiring the same license needed to sell tobacco products.

The story is beginning to heat up in the media as Oklahoma vendors push for a fight against the legislation.

A story from Oklahoma’s News 9, vaper Brian Hull explains a possible major problem with the legislation, in that it will limit the wholesalers an e-cigarette vendor can use.

They’d have to buy solely from tobacco distributors.

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News9.com – Oklahoma City, OK – News, Weather, Video and Sports |

In another story from Fox channel KOKH, John Durst of OKC/Norman Vapes also expresses concern over government and the tobacco industry meddling in his business.

It makes me feel like they’re trying to control the market.

Battles Heating Up in Oklahoma

The Killer 705 by Leo

Very few rebuildable atomizers as small as the Killer 705 by Leo have been put on the market, and perhaps there are good reasons for that. The small size can make them difficult to work with, and the applications they’re useful for are somewhat limited.  While the can be used in a standard cartomizer tank, there’s a little dance that needs to be done to keep them wicked and to avoid flooding that many people just aren’t going to want to deal with. Still, despite the complexity, the Killer 705 has seemingly become a very hot commodity. Some of the demand, we’re sure, is coming from people who are expecting something that works like a cartomizer, but performs better.  In a sense, that describes the Killer, but this is definitely an advanced device capable of very high performance, but it’s not for those looking for s simple, hassle-free vape.

At first glance, the Killer looks a bit like a pregnant cartomizer. It is a bit longer than a standard carto when fully assembled, with a bulge near the bottom in the section containing the coil. The coil itself is contained in a removable ceramic cup, and if you’re familiar with the internals of the GG Odysseus or Penelope, or the Terminator atomizer, the Killer’s rebuildable part looks much like a miniature version of the internals of those atomizers.

Instead of the typical hole punched in a cartomizer before using it in a tank, the Killer has a 510 adapter that attaches to its bottom, which provides variable juice control when turned.  Screwing and unscrewing the Killer from this adapter either lessens or increases the opening into which the juice flows. In a typical cartomizer tank, this is done by turning the tank so it moves up or down on the 510 adapter.

Where things can get a little tricky is in finding the right amount of juice control for the juice in the tank, and the amount of silica wicking material in the Killer — which is very little, compared to a cartomizer.  Too little juice can lead to dry hits, while too much can flood the atomizer. Figuring out the sweet spot can occasionally be difficult, though when dialed in properly we found that the vapor production and flavor of the Killer 705 can far surpass that of a cartomizer.

The Killer 705 uses the same wick and coil inserts as Leo’s dripping atomizers, the eBaron and Spiral. These are available pre-built in low resistance (1.8 to 2.0 ohms) and high resistance (2.3 to 2.5 ohms) versions.  The coils can also be custom-built in the ceramic by the user, to the user’s specifications, with a little silica wick and a combination of resistance and no-resistance wire.

Build Quality: 9/10

The Killer 705 is very well-built. The threading is very smooth, and the parts fit together extremely well.  This is particularly impressive considering the Killer’s very small size, which requires some fairly tight tolerances.

Looks: 9/10

The Killer may be small, but it looks great.  With its stainless steel finish and gold-toned Gothic engraving, it’s bound to be a conversation piece in any tank.

Flexibility: 9/10

The beauty of the Killer 705, other than it’s performance, is that its form factor allows it to be used in virtually any standard-sized cartomizer tank, or any other device capable of using a standard-length 510 cartomizer or atomizer.

The use of resistance and non-resistance wire does somewhat complicate the process of building a coil for this atomizer, as does the small size, but the use of a snap-in positive connection, and a very simple method for grounding the coil, help keep things manageable.

Performance: 8/10

For a small atomizer, the Killer 705 can really pack a punch if used properly. The silica wick is certainly capable of providing ample juice to the coil, and the configurability of the coil itself allows the user to fine-tune performance to fit his or her wattage preferences, and the capabilities of the mod on which the Killer is used.  Vapor production has been very good on both variable mods (where we got the best performance from the high-resistance coil), and on unregulated mods (where low-resistance performed better).

Price: 7/10

We found the Killer 705 selling for $71.99 at 405 Vaperz, €55,00 ($71.80 at today’s exchange rate) at GreekVapes, and £49.95 ($75.31) at House of Mods.  While this is obviously significantly higher than other atomizers, the ability to rebuild the Killer, and the option to use it in a wide variety of tanks, really do set it apart and would seem to justify the price tag.

Overall Score: 8.4

The Killer 705 by Leo

Mini DID Clone

We had a hell of a time trying to figure out what to call this little Genesis atomizer in the title.  In most cases, it’s a relatively simple matter of just naming the manufacturer and model names, but in the case of the mini-DID clone, it’s just not clear what either one of those names is.

A Little Clone-on-Clone Action

Everyone, including the suppliers in China, seems to just refer to this atomizer as the “mini-DID clone,” named after the real mini-DID atomizer, built by Jim Damianidis of Metal Madness Vapors, which it clearly emulates.  Occasionally you’ll see the names given to it by American vendors, such as the “Griffin” name it was given by Discount Vapers.  We’ll just stick with calling it the mini-DID clone for the time being, for lack of a better name.

Our mini-DID clones came in metal display boxes containing the atomizer, a drip tip, a spare poly tank, enough stainless steel mesh of indeterminate grade for two wicks, and a few feet of roughly 32-gauge coil wire.  For the purposes of this review, we used the supplied materials.

The mini-DID clone is, as the name implies, very small.  The diameter of the base is about 18mm, giving it one of the smallest footprints we’ve seen on a Genesis atomizer — for reference, it has a slightly smaller base than the slanted top of a Provari or eVic, and about the same diameter of the top of the Kamry K100, pictured.

Under the cap is a standard single-wick setup, with a wick hole, an air hole, a grounding screw and a center post.  The center post is adjustable with the use of knurled nuts at the top of the post, allowing it to sit flush with any PV.  The grounding screw, and the screw present in the air hole when it arrived, are very small, with a hex socket. No hex wrench is supplied with the atomizer, and rather than go looking for one, we just used a pair of needle-nose pliers.  Hey, it worked. Don’t give us that look like you always know where you last left your hex wrenches.

The clear tank is polycarbonate, so we have to assume that harsher juices like citrus and cinnamon will eat right through it.  Thankfully, they gave us a spare to use after the first time we forget about that and throw something like Pluid in it, triggering a little plastic Chernobyl.

The cap screws on. Normally we’re not fans of that in a Genesis, as it’s not often we find screw-on caps that allow the wick hole to line up with the wick, and it also generally prevents adjusting the air hole’s position if you happen to like a stronger throat hit. While it is the case that, when screwed all the way down, the hole did not line up on our clones, a rubber O-ring that sits under the cap does provide a bit of grip on the cap and allows some adjustment, and we found it to be enough to move the cap roughly a quarter turn before it got too loose or too tight.  We had no problem with lining up the air hole, and the cap stayed in place after the adjustment.

The wick hole, as expected on an atomizer this small, as pretty tight, and required a pretty thin wick. Using the supplied mesh we had to avoid rolling the wick too tight to get it to the right diameter, but it has been wicking fairly effectively — more on that below.  We wrapped the wick with a 4/5 wrap of the mystery wire supplied with the atomizer, which gave us a 1.7 ohm coil.

Performance-wise, the mini-DID clone did fairly well.  The narrow diameter of the wick does seem to somewhat limit the amount of juice supplied to the coil, so we weren’t producing massive clouds of vapor, but vapor production was still pretty good, and flavor was excellent.

The scores:

Build Quality: 5/10

The mini-DID clone is constructed of stainless steel, and seems solid enough. The unthreaded tank could easily have been produced in glass, though we understand that this could drive the price up somewhat.  The air hole wick did not line up with the wick when fully tightened, but there is some degree of adjustability built in, via on O-ring under the cap, to allow some leeway. The use of hex screws under the cap may be a hurdle for people looking to set this device up.

Looks: 6/10

The mini-DID is not a particularly handsome atomizer, but it’s not ugly, either. The use of knurling at the top and bottom of the tank may be viewed by some as an eyesore; the general trend these days seems to be moving away from it.

The supplied drip dip is strikingly similar to a “traditional style” tip we obtained a while back from Super-T Manufacturing that cost us more than this atomizer did.

Flexibility: 6/10

The mini-DID clone is a bare-bones Genesis. There is only the option of a single wick, and a narrow one at that. However, its small size may make it more practical on some PVs than other Genesis-type devices, which are generally quite a bit larger.

Performance: 7/10

Considering the small size of the device, it performed adequately.  Vapor production was fairly average, and flavor was very good.  A larger wick hole would probably increase output, but there is little room for that in such a small device.

Price: 9/10

The mini-DID clone retails under various names for a price of anywhere from about $17.00 to $20.00.  We obtained ours from a co-op on Facebook for just over $13 each, shipped. Honestly, for all its other drawbacks, it’s hard to find a problem with that kind of price.

Overall Score: 6.6

Mini DID Clone