Blu Cig Reviews
April 15, 2012 by kevin · 44 Comments
| Arrival | 72 Hours |
| Flavor | 5 |
| Nicotine Levels | 4 |
| price | $79.95 |
Presentation/Packaging 5/5
The new kit from Blu Cigs comes in with a whole slew of changes (for the better) including an updated, very modern box. Blu hasn’t lost any of their marketing wizardry, employing subtle but attractive graphics here. They’ve swapped out the tired magnet-flap box for a top-sliding box with everything neatly stacked. The packaging inside is a little reminiscent of Apple’s packaging and it’s a fair use of the concept as this product is all about innovation.
Towards innovation, there’s much to say about the new personal charging case (PCC). Right away I noticed the no-screw charging port for the battery. The battery can be simply dropped in and when the pack is closed, it charges. This is really great, especially for people like me with hot-dog fingers and the dexterity of a lobster. Gone are the frustrating days of trying to screw the battery into the pack and the feeling of performing surgery on an insect. The pack also lights up on opening, so you can see what you’re doing. The PCC has two triple-light indicators on the side, one for PCC charge and battery charge each. The “social” feature on the pack has caused the most buzz about this new kit: the pack will vibrate and flash whenever another Blu user or retail location is within fifty feet. For some, this might seem a bit much, for others, useful and innovative, depending on your lifestyle. Regardless, bringing e-cig users together is a big step in changing attitudes and educating about electronic cigarettes. Even more impressive is that the pack uses a micro USB connection, which upon the release of software from blu, will allow the user to store and share social media (Facebook/Twitter) information in the pack. And if you don’t want to use it, you can easily turn the function on and off.
Battery/Responsiveness 4.5/5
Blu’s battery seems to have a better life than previous versions and it’s kept the cigarette sized length, making it one of the best transition products around. It’s incredibly light and easy to manipulate in your fingers. Of course like all super-mini or micro batteries, the life here is substantially shorter than many of the longer or bulkier batteries out there. However, Blu has listened to their customers and added the option to purchase a “100” length battery instead, giving the same product have that extended battery life that some customers will value over size. In terms of responsiveness, the blu battery is extremely responsive and sometimes too responsive. Though if you keep the battery in the pack for storage (as the manual advises) it’s not really a problem.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 4/5
This is another category where Blu has done some work to legitimize e-cigs, through their exclusive use of Johnson Creek for their e-liquid used. This is kind of old news, as Johnson Creek has been known for some time now as being the cleanest, most transparent and quality controlled e-juice vendor around. With Blu sticking with them for their product, they’ve certainly made a lot of ground to allay general fears (often irrational ones) about electronic cigarettes. Beyond public opinion though, Blu’s new cartomizers produce an incredible amount of vapor with a very easy draw. This is of course in part to their use of 100% vegetable glycerin (VG), as they always have, but their new cartomizers seem to last longer and crank out more vapor than previous versions. When I’d reviewed the ProSmoke earlier this year, another super-mini unit using 100% VG, I’d said that you won’t find another mini e-cig with that kind of vapor production. I may have to take that statement back, as these cartomizers produce as much, if not more than the three-piece from ProSmoke. The same flavors are still offered here and while they’re not as strong-tasting as many flavors you’ll find out there (an inherent quality of VG) they’re much improved- likely some of the best you’ll find among 100% VG liquids.
Overall (Not An Average) 5/5
I’ve given this kit an overall perfect score for a couple of broad reasons, among all the little things that I like about this kit. I’ve mentioned one throughout this review, in that Blu has put in work here to further the electronic cigarette cause. The continued use of Johnson Creek and their high quality juice, the PCC with technology to bring vapers together and the sheer presence of their brand- these all go a long way to further the knowledge that electronic cigarettes are legitimate, safe and have the potential to save lives. The other broad reason is simply this kit’s value as a transition product for the beginner (from cigarettes to e-cigarettes). While this kit might not work for some of the more experienced vapers out there who aren’t willing to give up the performance of mods or bigger units, for the smoker who’s ready to throw out the cigarettes and replace it with something satisfying, this will hit the mark every time. The easy-to-use, advanced PCC and the small size of the battery, combined with the huge vapor production make this kit remarkably convenient, well-performing and familiar. Even with those veteran e-cig users, the convenience, discreetness and performance of this product make it a great buy for something to leave the house with.
Stog Classic Bundle Review
April 13, 2012 by kevin · Leave a Comment
| Arrival | 3-5 Days |
| Flavor | 3 |
| Nicotine Levels | 3 |
| price | $64.50 |
Presentation/Packaging 5/5
The Stog Classic Kit comes in a small, white top-slide box with with a logo that’s more American than a 99MPH fastball of apple pie to the face. The contents inside are neatly organized in their own faux felt compartments, adding the benefit of not having to dig through a bunch of cheap plastic or cardboard dividers to get at what you need- it’s all right there. The packaging and graphics here are small and simplistic, but refreshing and appealing against the backdrop of so many kits with over-sized boxes filled with smaller boxes and ridiculously intense graphics all over the place. The user manual inside is equally refreshing, employing some entertainingly informal and useful instructions.
Battery/Responsiveness 5/5
The Stog 510 battery doesn’t try to overpower you with details either, employing the simple “Stog” at the base and a nice white finish. Its size is a good compromise between the ultra-small that will die right when you start to enjoy it and the long lasting but too often heavy and awkward cigarette-look batteries. It’s very light and comfortable to hold just like a cigarette, making it a great place for the smoker to start their transition. Towards its life, I used it fairly heavily and I got at least three hours of charge and sometimes more, which is more than impressive for this size of electronic cigarettes. The responsiveness is solid and I never had a moment where it wouldn’t activate or would deactivate mid-draw. The draw itself is a little tighter than some e-cigs but it works in the favor of the product here, allowing the cartomizers to reach an optimal temperature for some serious vaping power.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 5/5
Continuing that thought- it became apparently pretty quickly that with a nice, consistent draw, the cartomizers here can really get going and create big clouds. The best that I can tell from the flavorful taste and consistency of the vapor, the cartomizers used here are 100% PG or propylene glycol. You wouldn’t know it though because the sheer amount of vapor here is almost never seen from 100% PG cartomizers, let alone one this size. As toward the flavor, it seems like Stog has really struck gold in this category by bringing the distinct flavors and nice throat hit produced by using PG while still having massive vapor production. The Stog comes in three straightforward flavors: a bold, mellow and menthol. Without sounding too hyperbolic, I used to be a pack-a-day full flavored smoker and I can say the bold is flat out the best tobacco variety I’ve tried, among e-liquids, cartomizers or otherwise. It’s not just a boring sweet “this is supposed to be tobacco taste” it actually has that spice and very subtle sweetness that you know from full-flavored tobacco. The mellow had the same effect, with the more sweet undertones of a light or turkish cigarette and the menthol is pulled off really well too. It might be a little different than your normal e-cig experience, but the combination of vapor production and flavor in a cigarette sized e-cig won me over almost instantaneously.
Overall 5/5 (Not An Average)
I used to be a full-bore supporter of the “find new flavors for vaping” argument- the idea that trying to imitate your flavors from your smoking experience will likely lead to disappointment. My lack thereof in using the Stog flavors has torn a giant hole in that argument for me, as I’ve found their bold flavor to be my choice over the myriad of tobacco and non-tobacco flavors I’ve had a chance to try here at Ecig Advanced. All of our reviewers here had a chance to try this product and the sentiment was the same across the board. Our resident menthol aficionado, Cody, told us the menthol was the best he’s ever tried. Overall, the reliable and comfortably sized battery, the big time vapor production and insanely convincing flavors make this the best transition product I’ve ever tried. Our applause goes out to Stog for finding such a great balance between all the things we want in an e-cig and keeping it simple.
Stog E-Cig Reviews
April 12, 2012 by kevin · 3 Comments
| Arrival | 3-5 Days |
| Flavor | 3 |
| Nicotine Levels | 3 |
| price | $94.50 |
Stog has managed to improve on an already stellar product with the addition of a highly unique PCC (portable charging case) in the Classic Stasher Bundle. Be sure to check out our Stog Classic Bundle Review as well to get our take on their original kit.
Presentation 5/5
The Stog Classic Stasher Bundle takes a similar approach to presentation as their original Classic Bundle. It comes in a clean white, top-slide box that features their logo in the center that is as American as anything I’ve ever seen. Try imagining George Washington crossing the Delaware River on a jetski- and then you’re close (or maybe too far).
In any case, the new kit from Stog gets my vote for presentation because the packaging is clean, simple and fuss-free. You open it up and you find everything neatly where it belongs, without use of a bunch of cardboard pieces and so on. The Classic Stasher Bundle comes with the Stasher PCC, two batteries, ten cartomizers, wall charging adapter and USB Cable to charge the Stasher. This kit also comes with a unique user manual featuring some hilarious and informal, friendly language much like you’ll find on their website.
The Stasher
I usually don’t set aside a whole section of a review for a PCC but I found it utterly necessary in this review. The PCC or portable charging case employed here makes this product an improvement over the previous and already-great Stog kit. At just slightly wider and slightly shorter than an iPhone, it’s a charging case that has the features of the bulky, “boxy” cigarette-pack PCCs with a size that will actually feel comfortable in your pocket and elsewhere. The Stasher has one slot for charging, one slot for a fully assembled e-cigarette and four slots for extra cartomizers. I know I might sound a little too excited about a “portable charging case” but this is truly the first slim design PCC we’ve seen that actually allows you to keep all the stuff you need for a day or more of vaping in one package. Even with the smaller size, the Stasher still allows for 3-4 charges of a Stog battery. Needless to say, it looks pretty sharp too.
Battery/Responsiveness 5/5
The Stog 510 Battery offered here is the same that came with the Classic Bundle, but still one of my absolute favorite mini batteries I’ve reviewed. In my mind, it’s the perfect compromise between the actual cigarette-size batteries that often suffer from poor battery life and the much larger than cigarette-size batteries that can be bulky and uncomfortable, especially for the beginner coming straight from smoking. Like the packaging, it employs a clean white design with the simple Stog logo and a red-lit LED tip. It resembles an actual cigarette pretty well, which makes for a very discreet vaping experience in public. And while the size is small enough to be comfortable and familiar to a former smoker, the battery life is still substantial, running for about 3 hours per battery with consistent use.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 5/5
Stog’s cartomizers come in three flavors- a Bold, Mellow and Menthol. It’s worth mentioning here again that these are flat-out some of the best tobacco varieties we’ve ever tried at Ecig Advanced. The Bold is my personal favorite, with a rich, Virginia tobacco taste that’s incredibly convincing. The Mellow pulls it off nicely as well and the Menthol is one of the favorites here of our reviewers that were former menthol smokers. In my previous Stog review, I mentioned that these flavors changed my mind about the once-thought folly of replacing your cigarette flavor of choice with an e-cigarette flavor and it’s worth mentioning here.
That’s due in part to Stog’s use of 100% propylene glycol or PG, the base in e-liquid that gives distinctive flavor and “throat hit”. All too often with 100% PG e-liquid, the vapor production is lacking because it just doesn’t appear as thick as VG (vegetable glycerin) vapor. The brilliant thing here is that the Stog’s design actually compensates for this. The Stog battery and cartomizer design together lends itself to a smooth and even inhale that causes the cartomizer to “come alive” and produce huge clouds of vapor.
Overall 5/5 (Not An Average)
Stog deserves credit here for taking a product that was an awesome transition product and improving upon it with the addition of the Stasher. It’s difficult to find anything negative to say about the Classic Stasher Bundle and moreover difficult to find any problem a smoker might have in using it to switch to electronic cigarettes. Any issue of battery life with a smaller battery is made null by the use of a good PCC like this one, and it’s done in such a way that won’t interfere with the comfort and portability a smoker is used to. Overall, this kit is a big step forward in making the transition from smoking to vaping as smooth as possible. And for the experienced vaper, it makes for an incredibly portable, discreet and convenient way to vape.
WetFlame Electronic Cigarette Reviews
| Arrival | 3-5 Days |
| Flavor | 5 |
| Nicotine Levels | 4 |
| price | $69.99 |
Presentation/Packaging 4/5
The Wet Flame Hydro ECig Kit speaks directly to its name. The graphics on the outer portion of the box look like rushing water. The various grades of blue and waterfall effect make the box an eye-catcher. Though what’s on the inside is what counts, it’s nice to see that Wetflame put forth the extra effort to give the outside this nice touch.
Battery/Responsiveness 5/5
The WetFlame Hydro Kit employs a “long” KR808D-1 battery that holds to what has made this model a standard in the e-cig industry: long battery life and regulated voltage. Where some other mini batteries will slowly lose voltage on an incline from the start, this model runs at 4.2v from the time it is charged until it is fully emptied, giving the user maximum vapor production and flavor. The battery life is very good for this type of e-cig, giving roughly 3-4 hours of battery life with fairly consistent use. Overall, it’s comfortable enough to be very welcoming to smokers and has the performance to satisfy experienced vapers too.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 4/5
The vapor production here is better than many other KR808D-1 e-cigs available. WetFlame’s e-liquid produces a ton of vapor once the cartomizers get “rocking” and they last enough puffs to make the price of refills a good value. Some of the flavors could use some improvement: the tobacco and coffee weren’t the most convincing I’ve ever tried. That being said, the vanilla and tutti fruitti both made for a seriously delicious and pleasant vape. I was a little shocked at how well the vanilla was pulled off, balancing the flavor between the sweet and the creamy consistency and distinct vanilla taste you’d expect from a good bottle of extract. The tobacco also makes for a good vape, though it doesn’t have that “bite” I expect as a former smoker of dark, rich tobaccos. If you’re a smoker of light cigarettes or turkish flavors like Camel, this one could be right up your alley. For more information on WetFlame’s flavors, be sure to check out our WetFlame E-liquid reviews.
Overall (Not An Average) 4.5/5
310Vapers T-Rex Reviews
January 11, 2012 by kevin · Leave a Comment
| Arrival | 1-3 Days |
| price | $37.95 |
This is a review of the T-Rex Standard Starter Kit ($37.95) and T-Rex SmokeTech Cartomizer Starter Kit ($43.95), be sure to also check out our review of the higher-end T-Rex iKenVape Starter Kit in our E-Cig Mod Reviews.
Presentation/Packaging 4/5
The packaging of the T-Rex from 310Vapers is straightforward as the price implies. There’s no fancy boxes or glossy covers here and no need for them. The T-Rex does come in a nice zip-up carrying case branded with a silver plate that has mesh compartments for all that’s needed.
Battery/Responsiveness 4.5/5
When it comes to battery, the T-Rex packs a T-Rex sized smash of battery power, vaping options and overall value. The T-Rex ships with two 650mAH eGo batteries that can be upgraded to 1000mAH for just $5 more (YEAH, FIVE DOLLARS). The batteries I reviewed had a great silver finish, but they also come in beige and black. They ship with matching atomizer cones that give the assembled unit a nice sleek look. The LED on the T-Rex batteries was unusual but equally stylish, lighting up the ring where the button sits between the battery and the atomizer cone. My only small gripe with the batteries is they don’t have a safety lock-out feature (normally three or five clicks to lock) but this isn’t an issue so long as you keep it in the case or disconnect the atomizer before storage.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 5/5
The T-Rex doesn’t ship with any liquid or filled cartomizers, so there’s not a lot to say specifically about the T-Rex in terms of flavor. What you do get, much like the batteries, is a lot of power in a kit that’s bargain-priced at right around $40. You have the atomizer option ($38) which comes with 2.4ohm atomizers and five catridges to fill. These atomizers are certainly good to be dripped straight onto and vaped with a drip tip as well. I say that because I’ve never been a big fan of cartridges, but if they’re what you like it’ll work as good as any other three-piece cartridge/atomizer system. In terms of resistance, 2.4 is by all means on the low-end, which means you’ll get great vapor production and clean flavor with little effort, whether you drip into the cartridge or onto the atomizer.
The cartomizer option ($44) with this kit was my personal favorite, shipping with five SmokeTech 1.5ohm cartomizers that absolutely crank the vapor out. Plenty of veteran vapers will tell you that you need dual coil cartomizers to have the best vaping experience. Not so- these single coil cartomizers are very low-resistance and high intensity, giving much more vapor and flavor over the standard resistance cartomizers you may be used to. 310 also has these same cartomizers in dual coil and XL if you choose to go that route at a later time.
Overall (Not An Average) 5/5
The T-Rex from 310Vapers is a hands-down great value when it comes to eGo battery kits. At right around $40, the lack of gift box packaging and fancy rebranding seems a moot point when compared to the value in terms of battery and cartomizers/atomizers available. Kits like this won’t be for everyone coming out of smoking as there’s a slight learning curve with using e-liquid, dripping, filling cartomizers and that sort of thing. But with a little research the completely uninitiated can have an expert-level vaping experience right out of the box. Overall, a great buy to be had from 310Vapers and with top quality customer service and shipping times, it’s sure to be a hit.
For those who want even more vaping power at a great price, be sure to check out the T-Rex iKenVape Starter Kit Review here in our E-Cig Mods section.
Volcano Inferno Review
December 7, 2011 by kevin · 2 Comments
| Arrival | 1-3 Days |
| Flavor | 29 |
| Nicotine Levels | 3 |
| price | $74.99 |
Presentation/Packaging 4/5
By looking at any of Volcano’s products, it’s not hard to tell they have the art of presentation figured out. They keep it simple here, with a short square box brandishing a straightforward, appealing logo. The assembled unit (battery, atty, heat shield) is one of the most polished (literally and figuratively) eGo unit designs you’re going to come across. If you look at other eGo kits out right now, it’s not hard to tell that other vendors are following Volcano’s lead here.
Battery/Responsiveness 5/5
The Inferno’s purchase value is remarkable and it’s because of the batteries. The kit comes with two eGo batteries, but few other kits pack this much power into their kit at this low of a price. With the kit you receive two different batteries, one being an impressive 1000mAH battery (roughly 1.5 times the battery life of a standard eGo battery) that will last for days. While it’s quite a monstrosity, minimizing size and weight really isn’t the point of this type of product. And it will honestly keep up with some mod-market products that are the size of a medieval weapon. The other battery is a standard 650mAH eGo battery with the kicker in an added USB passthrough. So if you’re really up against it for battery life, you can just plug right in and go with no need to wait on a charge. With these two batteries it’s essentially impossible to run out of power and for the price- it’s a steal. Being manual batteries, the responsiveness is always there. The button itself has a good feel and LED and it never stuck as some eGo batteries can from time to time. The kit also comes with a battery button cover to keep it from activating when you don’t want it to.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 5/5
It’s hard to do justice to the vapor/flavor category here in the confines of this review, so be sure to check out Volcano on our Vapor Reviews as they’re posted. Volcano offers an insane 29 different flavors of liquid or “V-Liquid”. Almost all of them taste exactly like the flavor their name suggests- “Mauna Dew”, “Kona Coffee” “Vanilla Bean”. Some certainly weren’t for me and others shot right to the top of my favorite flavors. Of course with so many different liquids, you are bound to find those you like and don’t like. They all have satisfactory throat hit and big vapor though, as their liquid is a mix of propylene glycol (flavor & throat hit) and vegetable glycerin (big, viscous vapor). Towards the Inferno specifically, they give you plenty of options as far as enjoying their liquid. The kit comes with either a drip-tip, (liquid is dripped directly onto the low-resistance atomizer, giving stronger throat hit and flavor) or refillable tanks (liquid reservoir is pierced by atomizer, allows for extended vaping without dripping). And if you can’t decide or simply don’t want to, you can order both types for a little more. In the past, I’ve rarely been a fan of tanks, but these ones are at least very user-friendly and no-mess (no needle-tip nozzle required). I’d still personally recommend the drip-tip as I’m willing to sacrifice the inconvenience of dripping for the increase in flavor and throat hit. Volcano also has all sorts of cartomizers and clearomizers you can buy separately to go with this kit, so the options for vaping experiences with one kit are numerous here. The Inferno also comes with a 15ml bottle of liquid, which is more liquid than you’ll get at no extra cost from most vendors.
Overall (Not An Average) 5/5
While it may seem like I’m trying to impress upon our readers that the Inferno is literally the best e-cig ever made, that’s not my purpose. The number of options here are both great and potentially intimidating. So while it’s definitely an awesome buy for the hardcore vaper, at the same time somebody who has never used an e-cig can pick it up and with a read of the manual, be ready to go. Overall, what you’re getting here is maximum performance at the sacrifice of size and a little simplicity. Volcano certainly understands what some customers want and is giving more of it to them than anybody else. In terms of performance, this value is very, very tough to beat. So if you don’t mind a larger and more complex e-cig, read a little beforehand (hopefully I’ve helped in that capacity) and you’ll be in vaping heaven.
South Beach Smoke Reviews
December 7, 2011 by kevin · 22 Comments
| Arrival | 4-7 Days |
| Flavor | 3.5 |
| Nicotine Levels | 4 |
| price | $59.99 |
Presentation/Packaging 3/5
The South Beach Smoke Deluxe kit features has received an update, though the packaging remains the same, employing a glossy black background with some luminescent graphics on the standard magnet flap box. The logo and graphics have the feel of South Beach, bringing to mind busy nightlife and leisure. I’ve never been a big fan of the SBS graphic design though I’m certain some will find it appealing right away. The box features a “New & Improved” sticker and on the inside, where it counts, it has received some real improvement.
Battery/Responsiveness 4.5/5
The improvement to the battery here is big in terms of both performance and presentation. Their new battery is still a KR808D-2 like all previous SBS kits, responsive and long-lasting. And now it’s been modified to run at 4.2 volts, rather than the standard 3.7 or less of most e-cig batteries outside of mods. I didn’t run it through a volt meter to verify this but I didn’t feel the need to- the difference is extremely noticeable. It runs much hotter than previous SBS batteries and probably all other mini e-cig batteries, giving better vapor production and changing, sometimes improving the taste of the SBS cartomizers which I’ll elaborate on next. My only small gripe with the battery used here is that it’s a little wider and heavier than it needs to be but this comes with the benefit of longer battery life, roughly 3-4 hours here with heavy use. In terms of presentation, the new battery features a crystal red-lit LED which just looks really cool compared to the standard plastic cap LED cover of most e-cigs. They’ve also employed added their full logo on the side of the battery (it was previously just the “O” of “Smoke”) and it looks surprisingly good.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 3/5
The cartomizers seem to be the same as they have been in the last couple versions of the kit but they are certainly improved by the increase in power with the SBS battery. The vapor production with South Beach Smoke has always been pretty good and now it’s moved into great. In terms of flavor, I found the SBS flavors to be certainly different and sometimes better using their new battery. Their tobacco flavor tastes much better at this higher voltage as does the menthol. The coffee and the vanilla were certainly changed by the higher voltage but I couldn’t say for sure that they were “better”. Most of the time, an increase in voltage running through the battery will bring the flavor of e-liquid “out” a little more and distinguish it. But the SBS flavors have always seemed a little bland to me, so I felt that the battery improvement here is still held back by the unimproved e-liquid, resulting in less than impressive flavor. Though if you haven’t liked SBS flavors before, this new battery really does change the flavor and may be an improvement, depending on your own tastes. For me, the tobacco is certainly a standout from the bunch.
Overall (Not An Average) 4/5
The South Beach Smoke Deluxe Kit has received some serious improvement to the battery. And a 4.2v battery in this class of product isn’t just unique- it’s unheard of. I have plenty of admiration for SBS in making strides to improve their product, especially in ways that other companies can’t or won’t. With some improvement to their flavors, this kit could be one of the best available and for right around $60, it’s still a good value as it is.
Volt E-Cig Sealed Automatic Battery Review
November 3, 2011 by kevin · Leave a Comment
| Arrival | 1-3 Days |
| Flavor | 15 |
| Nicotine Levels | 4 |
| price | $12.95 |
Overall (Not An Average) 5/5
This is something a little different form what we’d normally do, but we felt that this product from Smokeless Image (part of their Volt line) warranted its own review. It may seem a little silly- it’s just an automatic battery, right? Well, it’s a sealed automatic battery which is something that we haven’t really seen before in the e-cig world, especially in this class of products- mini or micro batteries. Smokeless Image has essentially taken their KR808D battery used in the Volt and modified it to be impervious to damage from e-liquid. Automatic batteries traditionally have a hole right in the center of where they contact the carto/atomizer which allows airflow to activate the sensor and turn the battery on. Unfortunately, this makes them very susceptible to destruction by e-juice leaking through and into this hole. With this battery, that hole is gone and likewise gone is the danger that liquid can enter the battery- just like a manual battery, while preserving the automatic function.
If you’ve been dripping e-liquid in a unit with an automatic battery, there’s no need start panicking that your battery may be dead. However, dripping with an automatic can be risky as it’s not that difficult to suddenly kill your battery, especially if you get a little crazy with your e-liquid. If you already drip into an automatic KR808D unit like the Volt, Bloog, Halo, Vapor 4 Life and so on I would highly recommend picking this battery up for that purpose alone. You’ll be able to use all your same cartomizers or atomizers in an automatic function and do it worry-free. While doing the demonstration in the video, I used this battery with a cartomizer that was absolutely flooded, and the unit wasn’t damaged in the least. I wouldn’t recommend trying that at home just for fun though either.
Overall, this is a nice addition to the Volt kit or any KR808D unit/system, especially if you currently are or want to start using e-liquid. And it’s only $12.95, which is a fantastic price for a battery of any type. Our applause goes to Smokeless Image for providing this simple but thoughtful innovation.
Smoke Revolution VGO
November 3, 2011 by kevin · Leave a Comment
| Arrival | 48-72 hours |
| Flavor | 18 |
| Nicotine Levels | 4 |
| price | $64.90 |
Presentation/Packaging 4/5
The Smoke Revolution VGO Kit comes in a small black box with a weaved matte finish and the simple “Vgo” logo bearing the tagline: “For high quality and life enjoyment”. They’re definitely keeping it simple here but the box comes with everything you need to get started with an eGo, including a leather pouch to carry the assembled unit. It would’ve been nice if they got a little more creative with the box but it’s really a non-issue, it’s simple but appealing enough.
Battery/Responsiveness 4.5/5
I’m a big fan of the eGo, it’s a reliable, long lasting manual battery that works well with a variety of vaping methods. Smoke Revolution’s rendition here is as inexpensive as these eGo kits come. For $54.90 ($64.90 Tank Kit) you get a 650mAH standard eGo battery and a 900 mAH “SUPER” battery. Needless to say, with these two batteries you’re going to have plenty of power that lasts. Even if you’re trying to vape yourself into oblivion, these batteries combined will last you for more than a couple of days. The skin of the battery has a similar weaved matte design, coming in black or red. The cones snap on over the atomizer, which is nice a touch and much easier than having yet another piece to screw onto your unit. It does feature a very fancy diamond button, which adds a touch of class or “bling”. The button has no locking feature but the kit does ship with a cover piece, so it shouldn’t be an issue if you keep that handy. My only other gripe here is that their batteries don’t feature a USB passthrough, which is becoming more commonplace or expected out of these kits. Not that you’d necessarily need it (two eGo batteries are hard to kill) but it’s nice to know it’s there, just in case.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 3.5/5
Smoke Revolution gives you a few of options here to vape up their liquid- tanks, drip tips and cartridges. Some people love cartridges, I’m not a big fan of them, they look and feel cheap and usually cost more than using liquid. For me, it just makes more sense to either refill a cartomizer or just use the drip tip (dripping onto the atomizer). I didn’t get a chance to use the tank but I’d assume it’s pretty similar to many of the other eGo-T type models available, so that’s definitely your best option for most vaping without having to refill. They also offer refillable cartomizers that you can get in addition.
Smoke Revolution’s e-liquid provides plenty of vapor and decently strong throat hit in either cartridge, cartomizer or drip tip form. The Vgo ships with a low-resistance atomizer which gives you improved performance over standard resistance as well. Smoke Revolution’s flavors were a little hit-or-miss for me. The tobacco, chocolate and menthol were pretty bland. On the other hand, the vanilla, strawberry and were easily recognizable and good, though they have something of a candy-like artificial flavor to them. They also have their Hovana, a cigar flavor that made up for the lack of flavor in the other tobacco varieties. If Smoke Revolution were to improve these flavors that fall short and work on that candy-flavored taste in others, they’d have a pretty great set of liquids here.
Overall (Not An Average) 4/5
The Vgo is definitely worth the money in terms of batteries and atomizers employed here. Their e-liquids could use some improvement but if you buy the kit and don’t love the liquids, since it’s an eGo you have the option to easily go to other liquids a little more to your liking. Although you could be impressed with their liquids, as taste is so subjective. They also have some of the most readily identifiable liquids I’ve tried, when you try the banana- you really know it’s banana. So with some improvements to their e-liquid and the way the product is presented, this one could top the charts of eGo kits available. Overall, the low price here is what makes this kit stand out already.
Nicotek Metro Starter Kit Review
| Arrival | 1-3 Days |
| Flavor | 2 |
| Nicotine Levels | 2 |
| price | $19.99 |
Packaging & Presentation 2/5
The Nicotek Electronic Cigarette did not impress me very much in the area of Presentation and Packaging. Despite its metallic, “mint box”-like package with shiny labeling and raised images on the outside, the Nicotek needs lots of improvements. I thought I was going to have to call the fire department to get the Jaws of Life to come open the package for me originally. The attached lid is very hard to open on the Nicotek and definitely needs improved in future productions. On the positive side, the inside contents are packaged very simply which makes finding the cartomizers, battery, and charger very easy to locate for start-up. Do to my less-than-impressed opinion of the packaging, I give the Nicotek a 2 out of 5 rating in this particular area.
Battery/Responsiveness 4/5
Although I wasn’t impressed with the packaging, I found that the Nicotek’s battery was very reliable and efficient. The USB charger fully charged the battery in no time, and the battery was functional for on average, 4 hours. The responsiveness of the battery and cartomizer was also very good. After the first puff, the vapor began to release in average amounts, with a normal “puff” of the device. It wasn’t too sensitive like many products can be, nor did the Nicotek take extensive drawls or puffs to achieve an enjoyable amount of vapor. I am happy to give the Nicotek a satisfactory 4 out of 5 rating in the category of Battery and Responsiveness.
Vapor/Flavors 2.5/5
To be specific, I tested the Nicotek “Metro Menthol”, as a menthol smoker myself. Although the cartomizer produced a satisfactory amount of vapor, as I mentioned before, I was not a huge fan of the Menthol flavor produced by the Nicotek. Unlike other menthol products that I have tried, the Nicotek produced a lingering after taste when I smoked it. The menthol, itself, had an underlying taste comparable to peroxide. (I don’t drink peroxide on the regular; I’m just going from the taste I’ve gotten in the past from products such as teeth whitening mouthwash and toothpastes that contain peroxide). Because of the unfavorable flavor of the Menthol, I give the Nicotek Metro Menthol product a 2.5 out of 5 on flavor.
Overall 3/5 (Not An Average)
Do to the struggle involved of even opening the package I wasn’t impressed from the start with the Nicotek. Although the battery was outstanding, and the sensitivity involved with producing vapor was very satisfactory, the flavor just didn’t cut it for me. I think with a few changes, the Nicotek would be an excellent product. For now, however, I have to give the product a 3 out of 5 rating for the overall satisfaction that I personally found with-in the Nicotek.
Firebrand Firebolt Review
September 30, 2011 by kevin · Leave a Comment
| Arrival | 3 days |
| Nicotine Levels | 2 |
| price | $19.99 |
Packaging and Presentation 3/5
The Firebolt by Firebrand comes in a black or white (depending on flavor) box, the same dimensions as your standard cigarette pack. Unfortunately, the flip-top isn’t actually there, it’s just a normal flap that comes open. You can also modify foam inserts in the box to hold your one battery, three cartomizers and charger at easy access. The box benefits from Firebrand’s sense of graphic design, which pulls it off better than other similar cigarette-pack boxes. More importantly, it has all the necessary information right on the front and the back so you know exactly what you’re purchasing.
Battery/Responsiveness 4/5
Being a disposable kit, the Firebolt battery is impressive in that it gives you multiple charges, which is part of where the “semi-disposable” comes from, I’m assuming. It also looks and feels like a normal 510 battery, which is pretty awesome considering how large and awkward other disposables have to be, as they aren’t rechargeable. This also helps avoid any bad experiences, as any one-charge disposable can lose its charge under the right conditions, resulting in a fully displeased customer. It’s highly responsive and is vented enough to allow for an exceptionally easy draw, too.
For the range of disposables out there, this is probably as useful and easy to hold as you’re going to find at this price. Especially considering disposables as mostly going to be for those who aren’t really familiar with e-cigs, nothing will turn those off more than a big, awkward unit, especially one that’s potentially drained.
Vapor/Flavor 3/5
This is the area where I had to remind myself that this unit was a disposable and for less than 20 bucks, because I was fairly disappointed. It could’ve been that I was just simply to used to the amazing vapor production that you’ll get with every single other Firebrand product. The vapor production is just simply less than spectacular here. This may be due in part to the extra venting on the battery allowing too much air to pass through the unit before it picks up vapor, but it felt like the cartos were largely responsible. The cartomizers have the same look and feel of the Hellfire or Cyclone cartomizers but they fall very short of their vapor production. It’s by all means useable and you get a decent amount of vapor, but it’s night and day compared to other Firebrand products. The flavors were actually quite good, the tobacco was shockingly so. But they probably would’ve been even better if the cartos could’ve produced enough vapor to let them shine, so it’s overall just an issue of vapor production. With all that being said, I may be guilty of nitpicking here by comparing these cartomizers to the quality ones that Firebrand has become known for. However, it’s fair to say that if this unit shipped with two or three Hellfire or Cyclone cartomizers instead, it would be the best disposable/semi-disposable on the market by far.
Overall 3.5/5
The Firebolt semi-disposable from Firebrand is sensible in its price and convenience. It’s certainly not trying to sell itself as, or be a higher end product. If you’re new to electronic cigarettes and want to get an idea without taking the plunge, this will give you an adequate introduction for less than twenty bucks. It’s a great, affordable gift for someone who you’d like to see try out vaping, too. In terms of the vaping you’ll get from it, it’s certainly worth that compared to the price of cigarettes, depending on where you are. The kit could see some improvement in its cartomizers but aside from that has everything else going for it where other disposables don’t. Overall, probably won’t satisfy the experienced user but a good buy for the beginner, it really doesn’t get much cheaper to try e-cigarettes than this.
The Safe Cig Micro Review
September 16, 2011 by kevin · 3 Comments
| Arrival | 24-72 Hours |
| Flavor | 13 |
| Nicotine Levels | 1 |
| price | $59.95 |
Packaging & Presentation 5/5
The Safe Cig Micro comes in a cardboard flip-top box that closely resembles a traditional pack of cigarettes. This packaging certainly serves the purpose of allowing The Safe Cig Micro to sit side-by-side with tobacco products in a retail setting. The size and shape of the box are familiar enough to be comfortable to a smoker, making the transition that much easier.
And while the packaging is useful and good for the transition from traditional cigarettes, it seems to be just as much about sending a message that electronic cigarettes are an effective alternative to tobacco products. While it may seem like a risky move, speaking as one who has made the switch from tobacco cigarettes to e-cigs, I can definitely respect The Safe Cig for presenting their product this way.
Battery/Responsiveness 4/5
Aside from the e-cig conversation, The Safe Cig Micro goes a long way in terms of practical improvements. The battery is substantially lighter, smaller and has a much easier draw than The Safe Cig. It’s just as responsive as The Safe Cig- the first draw gives a great hit. The Micro battery also features extra vents at the base of the battery that allow for much more vapor with less effort. The battery life seemed to be considerably shortened compared to The Safe Cig. Then again, battery life is sometimes the trade off when you go with a mini ecig to begin with.
The best thing about the Micro is definitely its size, shape and feel. It’s much shorter than the majority of e-cigs and only a couple other brands can match this size. It definitely matches the size of an actual cigarette. It could be the lightest battery I’ve held but I wasn’t concerned enough about the weight to get out a postage scale- it’s really like nothing between your fingers.
Vapor/Flavors 5/5
The vapor production on the Micro is better with less effort, which could be due to the extra vents allowed by the battery combined with an improved cartomizer design. The Micro is available in a surprising thirteen flavors, three of which are the The Safe Cig original flavors- Classic, Traditional and Menthol. The other ten that have been introduced with the Micro are regionally named with flavors representative of each. For example, the Turkish cartridges have a taste of aromatic Turkish tobacco and the Columbian, of coffee. This is a vast improvement over the limited flavor options The Safe Cig has offered in the past. I’m glad to see The Safe Cig finally delving into flavor variety, while keeping true to their policy that electronic cigarettes are for adults only and should be marketed as such.
Overall 5/5 (Not An Average)
The Safe Cig Micro is the next step for electronic cigarettes in terms of becoming widely used and accepted over tobacco products. It’s a small improvement over the trusted quality The Safe Cig is known for. It’s hard to overlook the flavor additions as well, which were overdue for such a quality product. If the size and flavor varieties aren’t as important to you and you’d like to have that extra battery, The Safe Cig is every bit as worth the money as the Micro. On the whole The Safe Cig Micro’s look and feel make it the best transition product I’ve tried- so if you’re looking to make the switch look no further. Its performance is all around top-notch as well, so it’s a great value for the experienced e-cig user, especially when you’re on the go.
Firebrand Diablo Falcon Review
September 8, 2011 by kevin · 2 Comments
| Arrival | 3 days |
| Nicotine Levels | 4 |
| price | $74.99 |
Firebrand Diablo Falcon
Packaging and Presentation 4/5
The Diablo Falcon Kit comes in a clever slide-out box with plenty of room for all the components to be laid out individually. And for being named the Diablo Falcon, I was surprised at the subtlety of the graphics used on the box- not so much the “hardcore” imagery Blake noted on the Phoenix Millennium. So the presentation was certainly an effective one and a little different from the common magnet-flap box with everything stacked on top of everything inside.
Battery/Responsiveness 4/5
While I normally tend towards the micro and mini batteries, the Diablo Falcon battery is one of the better eGo style batteries available. Each battery comes with a heat shield, which feels necessary as the Firebrand Hellfire atomizers are heavy duty and put off intense heat after extended use. It’s a little shorter and wider than some eGo batteries, which I found less awkward and it has a nice finish with the cool Firebrand logo stamped on it. Combined with the heat shield, the Diablo Falcon unit has a look that will garner envy from even the most experienced vapers.
In terms of performance, it’s a manual battery so the responsiveness is solid. The 650mAh battery lasts for ages and since you get two with the kit, the overall value of the kit goes way, way up. Having this much vaping time in one kit is pretty rare, so it’s a great place for starters who might run out for a pack of smokes when their battery dies. I only knocked the battery down a point because the button lacks a safety feature, which can be pretty important to those worried about the thing heating up in their pocket.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 4/5
Firebrand has some unique cartos and liquid for a kit producer. And I’m not a big fan of any three piece kit but since Firebrand also offers refillable cartomizers, I won’t bang on that. Plus, their atomizer definitely deserves the name Hellfire- it gives the vapor an intense throat hit for being just 30% PG, so if that’s what you’re looking for, by all means go with the three-piece (atomizer) kit. But with both the cartomizers and “Liquitine” filled cartridges, Firebrand’s 70%VG liquid produces gargantuan vapor. With enough use, your home will be a dead ringer for backstage at a Willy Nelson show. And while their flavors are lacking, they’re good enough to be enjoyable, despite their silly names. The Vestratto (vanilla) and Fuzz (peach) were particularly good.
Also of note, the same cartomizers and atomizers that fit their 510 also fit the Falcon, so make sure to take a look at Blake’s review of the Phoenix Millennium to get his take on Firebrand’s vapor and flavor. In any case, making their products compatible is a good and fair thing from any ecig company.
Overall 4.5/5 (Not An Average)
Firebrand is a newcomer to the already vast e-cig market and they know what the customers want. As Blake noted, they provide so many options that you’re sure to find something you like. If they keep it up and maybe throw in a few more e-liquids, they’re sure to rise to the top of the field in short order. The Diablo Falcon is overall a great value for the starter and the old hand alike. Short of a battery safety feature and a few more liquid options, it’s one of the best kits available.
Halo E-Cig Reviews
August 25, 2011 by kevin · 6 Comments
| Arrival | 3-7 Days |
| Flavor | 14 |
| Nicotine Levels | 4 |
| price | $54.99 (G6) |
Packaging/Presentation 4/5
Halo’s new G6 product upholds their reputation as an innovator in the electronic cigarette world. The kit comes in a tin about the size you might find a scented candle in. This might strike some as odd but it’s interesting to see something differing from the standard magnet flap box. The packaging has a rather re-useable feel to it too- no cheap plastic dividers or unnecessary size. While it comes with a convenient case for your filled cartomizers, it unfortunately doesn’t feature one for the whole unit, which could be a big drawback to some.
Battery/Responsiveness 4/5
G6’s battery certainly has the look of the “next generation of vaping” it touts itself to be. The battery comes in five sleek colors and features an impressive slow-dimming LED. It also has a really great finish on the metal which is almost soft to the touch. It’s so stylish it will give you an air of opulence as you blow huge clouds of vapor all willy-nilly around your cohorts.
It comes in both a 65mm length, comparable to King cigarettes and a 78mm length, comparable to 100s. In terms of responsiveness, it could be one of the best batteries I’ve tried. The kit comes with two manual, automatic or one of each batteries which is a nice touch in terms of options. Both perform extremely well and produce a serious amount of vapor with very little effort. A minor drawback is that its battery life could be longer. It’s not bad by any means and will go at least the better part of two well-filled cartridges. It may have seemed shorter than it was because it was just that enjoyable.
Vapor/Flavors 4/5
Like many drip style products, G6 produces an enormous amount of vapor compared to pre-filled cartomizers. Of course, this comes at the cost of having to fill your own cartomizers and trying not to mix flavors in doing so. G6’s liquid is high quality to say the least and more affordable than cartomizers, especially if you’re a heavy smoker. The vapor it produces is ridiculously smooth and rich in flavor, which is probably combination of the battery at work and the quality of the vapor. Some of the liquid is so smooth your throat will barely notice that you’ve been puffing away for an hour like Churchill, where others have a substantial throat hit. As to the flavors, some could use improvement and some were fantastic. “Tribeca”, “Prime 15” and “Torque 56” tasted great, whereas the “Tiki Juice” and “Freedom Juice” were more on the odd side of flavor. Although Halo features a whopping 14 different flavors on their site, so you’re likely to find something you like. If you purchase a starter kit and don’t like the flavors you chose, I’d recommend picking up one of their variety tins to find out which ones you enjoy most.
Overall (Not An Overall Average) 4/5
Halo’s G6 is without a doubt one of the best quality products I’ve come across- and at a very reasonable price. The vapor production and look and feel of the product are top-notch. For their liquid, while some flavors were not so great, others were delicious and all produced maximum vapor with a very smooth feel. I’d recommend upgrading to Halo G6 if you’ve been using a normal 510 model or otherwise with “throw away” cartomizers and are looking for something a little better. You’ll save money on refills and more than likely, find a much better experience overall. It’s also a great kit for starters as well- it’s more than satisfying enough to ensure you keep vaping and stop smoking.
Prosmoke Reviews
August 23, 2011 by kevin · 19 Comments
| Arrival | 2-6 Days |
| Flavor | 6 |
| Nicotine Levels | 6 |
| price | $59.99 |
Packaging Presentation 4/5
ProSmoke’s Starter Kit comes in a quality magnet flap box that has become the standard among many electronic cigarette brands. The graphics are simplistic yet highly appealing and with a name like ProSmoke, they’re likely to have some success with any product they release. The assembled e-cig unit looks good and has a sleek feel with a blue LED to match. Their unit, which is a three piece (battery, atomizer, cartridge) unfortunately ships with just one atomizer. While flavor residue can build up on any atomizer quickly, the kit comes with one flavor so that shouldn’t be a problem right away. As with most three piece designs, their atomizers are high quality and built to last, too.
Battery/Responsiveness 3/5
The best thing about the ProSmoke battery is its size and shape. As an ex-smoker, I’ve always been drawn to mini-ecigs and ProSmoke is right there with the smallest & lightest of them. Its responsiveness is there and the cartridges (specifically the liquid mixture) add a lot to the response in terms of vapor production. The battery life was on par with what you’ll get from a lot of mini size models- fairly low. When it had a charge it provided constant vapor and power to the atomizer but I certainly had to change the battery out more than I had expected. So if you’re going to be on the go with ProSmoke, make sure to have a mobile charging source like their charging pack or car charger.
Vapor/Flavors 4/5
The high rating here for ProSmoke is more vapor than flavor. ProSmoke uses all vegetable glycerin or VG in their cartridges, which as a rule is going to give you big, thick clouds of vapor on the exhale. And ProSmoke’s cartridges give an insane amount of vapor, especially considering it’s a mini size product. Though much less is scientifically known about VG than PG (propylene glycol) in vaping, many liquid producers and otherwise have started to add it to their products because of its big vapor effect. 100% VG liquid also has virtually no throat hit, as do ProSmoke’s cartridges, which wasn’t a problem for me because I prefer a smoother throat hit. It’s also worth mentioning that if you’re one of the few with PG-related allergies, then ProSmoke is likely one of your best buys, as 100% VG products are uncommon. ProSmoke’s flavors are okay considering the use of VG, which is naturally less flavorful/ sweet than PG. Nothing spectacular but definitely enjoyable, the vanilla and coffee were likely the best.
Overall 4/5 (Not An Overall Average)
ProSmoke’s starter kit is overall a good mini e-cig with pros and cons that are essentially design choices. Their choice to use all VG liquid does provide for incredible vapor production but little to no throat hit and weaker flavors compared to PG. With their three piece design, you get the benefits of higher quality atomizers and cheaper cartridges. The downsides are of course flavor crossover on atomizers and a small possibility of leaks. The size, weight, feel and vapor of ProSmoke make it a great transition product. Overall, it’s a decent value for a mini e-cig, though others may perform better in some categories with the exception of vapor production. You simply won’t find another mini-size product with as big and thick vapor as ProSmoke.
Pure XL Review
| Arrival | 48-72 hours |
| Flavor | 4 |
| Nicotine Levels | 3 |
| price | $34.99 |
Packaging/Presentation: 3/5
The Pure XL solo kit is certainly for the barebones, utilitarian e-cig user. This product is all about simplifying and condensing the kit into what’s necessary. The kit comes with one battery, a retractable USB charger cable, one Tobacco cartridge and a manual. So in terms of packaging there’s just not much to be said, other than it comes in a very small box. In terms of presentation, the look and feel of the assembled battery is good. It’s rather enormous and heavy but it’s wrapped in material that makes it comfortable to the touch. Plus, people will be impressed that you’re vaping from something that looks like it could be used to bludgeon a person.
Battery/Responsiveness: 4/5
The battery is a manual one, which makes sense considering it doesn’t fit in a case and preserves power. The button to operate it is fairly advanced- it has a nice locking feature so it won’t go off in your pocket and it glows to signal intake and battery life. Towards battery life, it 650mAH battery lasts eons, living up to its name. When it finally does run out, you can charge it while smoking it through the mini-USB charging port that also functions as an intake passthrough. The battery is as responsive as any manual I’ve tried and never gets too hot. So whether you’re trying to marathon vape through the entire Star Wars film series or maybe something less nerdy, the XL will keep up with you every step of the way.
Vapor/Flavors: 3/5
The cartridges match the product as well with a whopping 1.6 ml average capacity, roughly triple the average cartomizer capacity. They seem to last about triple, too. With that said, the vapor production on the XL isn’t as “XL” as everything else. It’s perfectly fine and I didn’t really want for more, but from XL I expected more. Though the extra passthrough really allows a decent hit with little effort. The flavors varied in taste, I was highly impressed with their Tobacco which was a real standout from all the other Tobacco flavors around. The Cherry, alternatively, could use some improvement. Pure’s liquid also typically gives a serious throat hit, so if that’s what you’re looking for definitely give Pure a try. XL will also function properly with normal Pure refills if you’re looking to upgrade your Pure kit.
Overall: 4/5 (Not An Average)
I gave Pure XL a four out of five because it does exactly what its name says, gives a long and hearty vaping experience, much like a good cigar- short of blowing Cumulus clouds of vapor with each puff (but I was probably just getting my hopes up). Like most of Pure’s products, it comes at a very low price ($34.99) for a kit. It takes some courage to release product like this that targets a specific user-those who wish to vape for eternity. Or for those who simply want one reliable unit and don’t need all the gadgets and extras of most kits. I’m a little bit of both and I definitely enjoyed it.
Smoke Frii E-Cigarette Review
July 29, 2011 by kevin · 3 Comments
| Arrival | 24-72 Hours |
| Flavor | 6 |
| Nicotine Levels | 16mg-0mg |
| price | $79.95 |
Packaging/Presentation 4/5
The Frii packaging comes in a high quality, visually appealing magnet flap box. The graphics employed bring out the Frii name in strong form, without the overpowering NASCAR-esque graphics used by some vendors. The kit comes with the necessary amenities- wall charger, car charger that give power to their USB-thumb size chargers. The carrying case is pretty nice too, very sleek, sort of a miniature version of a suitcase that would carry 100 million dollars or a doomsday device.
Battery/Responsiveness 5/5
One of the best things about Frii is the size and shape of the battery in conjunction with the cartomizer. It’s the absolute closest I’ve experience in terms of size, shape and weight of a normal King Size cigarette. While this might not matter to some, for myself (as an former analogue smoker), the weight and feel of an electronic cigarette is pretty important in terms of overall experience. This is not to say you’ll be able to let it rest between your lips like Sam Jackson in Jurassic Park, while you talk rapidly about computer systems, but it’s pretty close. Much more importantly, though, is that the battery life is not diminished by the battery’s size. The battery keeps up with competition in terms of life and excels at responsiveness. You’ll get a full hit on the first draw and they keep coming consistently.
Vapor/Flavor(s) 3/5
Frii’s cartomizers come in a decent variety of flavors: tobacco, menthol, vanilla, coffee, cherry and strawberry. Most of these flavors are fairly standard, enjoyable but nothing that will have your taste buds dancing on your tongue. The tobacco flavor impressed me by being one of the few I’ve tried that wasn’t oversweet and a little closer to the actual taste of tobacco smoke. Likely the best thing about Frii’s vapor is that you get a lot of it throughout the smoke, which could have more to due with the quality of the battery than the cartomizer, but you’re sure to get a hookah-sized hit with every drag.
Overall (Not An Average) 3.5/5
Frii is one of the better quality electronic cigarettes to pop up in the recent wave of new 510 models being produced. A small drawback is that the maximum nicotine strength available is 16mg, which might not be enough for some serious smokers. It’s definitely a great place for those trying to convert from regular cigarettes as its size and weight will make the transition feel much normal. Overall, the vapor production and the weight and feel set it apart from similar products and make it a good buy. (The case is really cool too).
