Back on the Grind- ProVari V2 Review

Sorry I haven't been posting lately, I'm in the process of moving out as well as working on various projects so I've been very busy. That being said, let's get on with the review!

I had always dreamed of owning a ProVari from the moment I first saw them. After getting my first variable voltage mod, I was a little disappointed in the craftsmanship that was put into it so I sought after any means to get a better PV. It wasn't long after that I saw one of my instagram followers (@lito714) had got the chrome version that they sold as a "blemished" model. I asked him about it and he said other than the fact that there was no ProVari logo on it, it was fine and for 20% off! So nevertheless I purchased one a few days later. When it came in there were no distinguishable marks, scratches or defects although it was sold as a blemished model; it even had the logo on it. I was very excited and couldn't wait to use it.

After putting it through its paces I've noticed some things I absolutely love and some things I don't particularly like. First being the single button set up; after using a lava tube knock off for some time, the single button is tough to get used to especially since they don't give you a written instruction manual. Some of the commands are pretty obvious like Pu and Pd (power up and power down) but I had to search the internet to understand the rest. The only bad thing about the single button is that sometimes I skip the menu item by accident having to cycle all the way through the other commands but it's definitely not a "deal breaker" for me. One really cool thing about the ProVari is that is has in a built in battery voltage and atomizer ohm checking function which comes in handy when you have multiple atty/carto setups. This device is tough as nails, I've dropped it, spilled e-liquid on it, left it in a cold car overnight, etc and it keeps on kicking. In fact, it's so heavy and solid, if I was ever mugged, I could fend off an attacker with it. The batteries last a long time, I go days without charging a single battery. The lighted button blinks when your battery is lower than 3.5v which can get a little annoying since it will last until you get down to 3.2v but very helpful since I hate being without a fresh battery.

Only a few drawbacks to mention, first being the fact that it isn't eGo threaded and doesn't accept Vision clearomizers without an adapter. I was a little bummed because I thought it was based on the pictures I've seen. It's a bit heavy, and this is coming from someone who owns an AltSmoke Silver Bullet! The chrome version is a scratch magnet, I would strongly recommend a case or at least some sort of sleeve if you're planning on carrying it in your pocket. The simplistic menu system is a bit hard to understand/read but after a while you get used to it. My only other note about the ProVari is that the button isn't recessed like on the Silver Bullet so it could potentially go off in your pocket but the likelihood of that is slim to none since the resistance of the button is fairly high.

On the next ProVari model, I hope it will have eGo threads as well as a 3 digit screen. The button issue I had mentioned could also be something to consider for the V3. Other than that, everything else is great!

If you haven't noticed, I'm more of a subjective reviewer. If you prefer numbers and techy stuff, there are plenty of reviews on YouTube that will go into much more detail. If you have any questions about vaping, mods or anything else, feel free to comment below!

Value: ★★★★★
Aesthetics: ★★★★★

Functionality: ★★★★☆

DISCLAIMER: I bought this device for my own use and for testing purposes. All opinions are my own and are for educational purposes.

Follow me on twitter and instagram: @photoagogo

Atomizer vs. Clearomizer vs. Cartomizer

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the ultimate vaping showdown! This topic has been cause for arguments for a while now; what is the best way to vape? There's really no simple answer to that question because everyone has very specific needs and different preferences but I can give you insight on several different ways I have used these devices and my experiences with them.

Atomizers

I started off using a small standard 510 battery with an atomizer and a drip tip, dripping 3-5 drops at a time which lasted about 10 puffs. The good thing about using an atomizer is you can change the flavor the second it runs out without having a lot of residual flavor being left over. So if you have flavor ADD like I do, this is a great thing to have to at least change things up from time to time. Since I also purchase a lot of different flavors and I love getting new juice, I like to try them all the second I get vapemail. I usually keep a few of these around for trying new juices, changing things up a bit and experimenting with mixing flavors. The bad thing about atomizers is that if you don't calculate how much liquid is left you can get a lot of dry hits that taste awful and can damage your atomizer. It's always good practice to keep them wet but it can be a hassle when you're constantly getting dry hits or overfilling them. Atomizers last a long time and they're easy to clean which is good considering some can be $5-7. So if you prefer to change flavors and mix them frequently, an atomizer is a good choice for you.

Clearomizers

When I use the term clearomizer, I mean wick tanks because that's essentially what a clearomizer is but the category is slightly larger than that. In my experience I haven't had the best luck using any wick device. I'm not saying they're bad, just saying that I have my own preference however, I know a lot of people that love them and use them all the time and my opinion about them remains unbiased. From using these for a while I can say with confidence that they're a good option for someone who's trying to get a little more out of their PV. They work great on eGo devices and Vivi Nova tanks work and look great on lavatube PV's. I do own several clearos and a Nova tank so I gave them a fair and thorough testing as I do all my devices. Some pros are they're inexpensive (about $6), they last for a while, are easy to clean/use and they look nice on a lot of devices. Cons are they are prone to cracking, flavor seems slightly muted and have unpredictable variable resistance. If you're purchasing an eGo system and don't want to get a tank, consider a clearomizer as a slightly cheaper alternative and it will look damn good too.

Cartomizers

Finally, we have cartomizers; one of my favorite ways to vape with or without a tank. A cartomizer is essentially an atomizing coil wrapped in fiber fill to absorb liquid and keep the coil wet with your flavor of choice. They have several varieties including XL-5XL, shorty, mega, low resistance, dual coil, etc. Personally, I use them in my tanks and I usually cut my own holes via a dremel tool or a carto punch. You can use them with anything from a small standard 510 battery to a mod like the Silver Bullet or the ProVari (although it will look a little silly on the bigger mods.) They're relatively cheap ($1.50+) and they last for about 8 fills. Cleaning them can be a bit tricky because the fiber fill absorbs so much of the liquid but if you run some water through it and blow it out, it will work just fine. One drawback of using a carto is the fact that you can't change flavors on the fly. You really have to be set with one flavor for about 80-100 puffs, otherwise you're stuck cleaning it out and wasting juice. These are good for anyone using a tank, that wants to vape for a while without stopping to fill or just want to try something new. These are good for anyone, and seeing as they're so cheap, I recommend you order a couple just to try them.

That about wraps it up, if you have any questions, please feel free to comment below and I will answer them. I need your feedback to keep me motivated to post more often!

DISCLAIMER: I bought this device for my own use and for testing purposes. All opinions are my own and are for educational purposes.

Follow me on twitter and instagram: @photoagogo

Accessory Review- Vision CE4 Clearomizer

I was very reluctant to try these at first because I've always been a carto tank fan but after seeing my instagram feed fill up with pictures of them, I thought I'd give them a try so I picked up a couple from Madvapes. Now if you didn't know, a cartomizer has a heating coil surrounded by fiber fill inside a metal cylinder, when you hit the button on your PV, it heats up the coil and vaporizes the e-liquid that is contained in the fiber fill. With a clearomizer, the liquid goes from the outer tank which is then absorbed through a wick into the atomizer and vaporizes the liquid. Now that the science lesson is over with, let's get to my take on these little devices.

I try to keep an open mind about everything before I try it, to be honest, I'm just trying to find the best kit to make my vaping experience more enjoyable, this blog is just a way to share my experiences with all of you. That being said, I was still a bit skeptical when I first tried them. I filled up my first one and took a drag, I instantly got a burnt taste, I was very disappointed. After doing further reading, I learned you should wait at least 5 minutes after filling before you should vape in order for the liquid to saturate the wick. A quick solution to the burnt taste if you've done this is emptying the clearo and cleaning it thoroughly. That kind of put me off to clearomizers for a while but I recently picked them up again on a whim. These worked out slightly better for me but there's still some issues with them that I don't have with carto tanks.

• Leaking- A few drops out of the top or bottom is pretty common with the ones I've used. I've heard that you need to seal them within 30 seconds of filling in order to prevent this but it seems to be very sporadic.
• Breaking- Considering you can pick these up for about $6, they're very rugged, however, if you have it in your pocket and bend over the wrong way, they will shatter on you. I've had one crack and one break off at the bottom thread skirt which was probably my fault for over tightening.
• Burnt taste/lack of flavor- I'm not sure exactly what I'm doing wrong but I always seem to get a tiny bit of burnt taste even after letting it sit for hours before vaping. Also, I've noticed the flavor which tasted great in a carto, seems to be slightly diluted when used in a clearo, not quite sure why on this one but I know a few other people feel the same way.
• Resistance/voltage restriction- Others have told me I'm crazy but for some reason, on my eGo twist, I can't vape any higher than 4.0-4.2v. Personally, I love the amount of vapor that I get from a higher voltage but over 4.2v I seem to get a little burnt plastic taste. These are hard to get a good reading of resistance on too, the advertise 2.4-2.9ohm which actually makes quite the difference on a VV device.
• Capacity- This is more of an observation than an actual flaw with them but I feel it should be noted. These are not meant to be an all day vaping accessory if you are a heavy vaper. They will hold about 1.8ml of juice which will last a lot longer than an atomizer and some cartos but wouldn't get me through a full day of vaping.

In summary, these have a lot of positive qualities, they're cheap, they fit well with an eGo and they look great. However, if you asked me clearo vs. a carto tank, I'd say go with the tank and learn how to punch and fill a carto than spend $6 every 8 fills or so.

Value: ★★★★☆
Aesthetics: ★★★★★
Functionality: ★★☆☆☆

DISCLAIMER: I bought this device for my own use and for testing purposes. All opinions are my own and are for educational purposes.

Follow me on twitter and instagram: @photoagogo

Accessory Review- Phiniac Tank

When I first started vaping, I was perfectly content using a small 510 battery, atomizer and a drip tip. Dripping 3-4 drops every 8 or so pulls off it of it satisfied my needs…for about a month. After talking to a lot of people and seeing what was out there in the vaping world, I started becoming more and more curious to the mods and accessories that were available. First, I purchased an eGo-T 1000mah battery and 3ml Dual Coil Tank. Being ignorant to the fact that certain juice flavors can crack or damage plastic tanks, I filled it with a cinnamon flavor and the tank became pitted (juice ate away at the plastic.)  After much consideration, I acquired an Altsmoke Silver Bullet and Phiniac Tank and the rest is history.

Phiniac is a great company that is totally dedicated to quality and craftsmanship. They make hand blown glass and wood tanks of all kinds, shapes and colors. I watched the videos they have posted on youtube which are very informative and instilled the confidence I needed to purchase a pyrex glass tank knowing it would be durable. Upon recieving my tank, (plain glass, standard size) it came with heavy duty black metal caps, an extra set of O-rings and a small bag in a well packaged box. After watching the "how to" videos on YouTube of fitting the tank onto your cartomizer and filling it, it was quick and easy to pop it on and off by using a small amount of juice to sort of lube up the O-rings. The seal is very tight and doesn't pop off easily even if grabbed by the tank while attached to a Silver Bullet or ProVari. It is a bit difficult, however, to slide the tank up to fill it so I would recommend purchasing the tank filler tool they offer on their website. It also prevents wear and tear on your O-rings. So far, I've had no problems with my tank and plan on buying another in the future! I would highly recommend this tank to anyone who regularly enjoys the "trouble" flavors that normally crack plastic tanks such as cinnamon or banana  flavors. The tank sits beautifully on a Silver Bullet and gives it a very nice finished look to the PV. I know function over fashion but hey, why not have both if it's out there!

Value: ★★★☆☆
Aesthetics: ★★★★☆
Functionality: ★★★☆☆

DISCLAIMER: I bought this device for my own use and for testing purposes. All opinions are my own and are for educational purposes.

Follow me on twitter and instagram: @photoagogo

All images copyright Phiniac.com

Juice of the Week- Hadouken

Once again, I was captivated simply by the name of this liquid. Luckily I wasn't duped because this has become one of my favorite flavors from FuZion. This has my favorite two things about e-juice; fruit and menthol. I've been told by the owner of FuZion himself that he doesn't particularly fancy this flavor but it was requested so he made and it and it has become very popular. I wasn't even through my first 15ml before I had to have a 30ml of it!

copyright FuZion Vapor

The fair is in town and I decided to be a bit more inconspicuous about my public vaping and brought along my eGo twist and a dual coil tank. I got a few strange looks but I think people are starting to understand what electronic cigarettes are and don't assume they're actually smoking plus I saw a few other people with them there! Anyways, I was vaping Hadouken all night which ended up being a great compliment to all the greasy food I was eating, kind of like drinking a cold soda after every morsel (without paying $4 for a can of soda!) I enjoy this at a slightly lower voltage to really bring out the coolness of the menthol and make it feel more like an ice cold beverage. FuZion's base mix is 65/35 PG/VG and even though I'm vaping it at 6mg of nic, it has a nice smooth throat hit. This juice is very sweet and a bit tart with a heavy dose of flavor and vapor. It has a great viscosity that will work well in a punched carto tank, regular carto/atty, or even a wick tank like the Vivi Nova or Vision Clearomizer.

Enjoy this after dinner for a palette cleanser or all day like I do!

Flavor: ★★★★★
Vapor: ★★★★☆
Throat Hit: ★★★★☆

DISCLAIMER: These are my opinions based on my own testing of the product in various devices and at my own PG/VG ratio and nicotine level. Some people may experience it differently based on their own preferred mix and the PV they use.

Follow me on twitter and instagram: @photoagogo 

Mod Review- AltSmoke Silver Bullet

After a lot of research and annoying all of my vape friends with tons of questions, I ended up purchasing  the Silver Bullet from AltSmoke as my first big battery mod. I wanted a mod because after using regular 510 e-cigs and eGo batteries, I was still left wanting more power and battery life. I wanted something simple but very rugged and when I read some of the reviews on the SB I was convinced that would be a great first mod for me. One of the cool things about AltSmoke is they have a "starter kit" for the SB where you add the accessories you need. I purchased it with 2 batteries and a Trust Fire charger which came to around $136.

After receiving my SB, I was in love with the longevity of the battery life as well as the great build quality. A single 18650 3100mah battery can last me almost 2 days! The entire mod is made of aircraft grade aluminum as well as the button so it is very strong. I take it to work with me and it gets plenty of abuse being tossed around constantly but has yet to malfunction. I purchased a pyrex tank from Phiniac a few weeks after getting the SB to further increase the functionality of it and let me just say, not only does it look fantastic on the SB but it makes it a work horse. Vaping for days on a single tank/battery is wonderful!

So far, I've never had any major problems with it and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. One thing you should be aware of is that it's very heavy, comparable to the ProVari in weight. Not necessarily uncomfortable but it comes as a bit of a shock compared to an eGo or smaller e-cig. I would also highly recommend getting a tube Noalox anti-oxidant compound to use on the threads to prevent corrosion and seizing.

The button on the SB is recessed to prevent accidental firing of the device which is a great feature because I carry my PV's around in my pocket and I've burnt out a few atty's having them go off unexpectedly. The button itself is spring loaded and has a decent resistance. There are many colors to choose from and they're all pretty cool but you need to baby this thing in order to keep your paint looking nice. I bought the black version and after about 6 months of abuse, there are a ton of scratches on it. I'm not saying the paint is bad in any way, just that it can scratch easily.

This device functions great, looks great and is built to last!

Value: ★★★★☆
Aesthetics: ★★★★☆
Functionality: ★★★★☆

DISCLAIMER: I bought this device for my own use and for testing purposes. All opinions are my own and are for educational purposes.

Follow me on twitter and instagram: @photoagogo

All images copyright AltSmoke.com

Double Review- Apollo V-Tube & SmokTek 4XL Cartomizer

Hello all, today I'm bringing you a quick review of the Apollo V-Tube variable voltage mod as well as a first look at the SmokTek 4XL cartomizer. We have a lot of stuff to cover so let's begin!

copyright Apollo E-Cigs

I saw this knock off lavatube for 1/2 the cost of the original and decided to give it a try. I ordered this mod from www.apolloecigs.com for $46 (device only [or so I thought]) When I received it, instead of being just the tube, they sent me the whole kit including a battery, charger, drip tip, 3ohm atomizer and a case which was a happy accident in my favor.

copyright Apollo E-Cigs

The atty was ok at best. It leaked like crazy and didn't last very long but hey, who can argue with free? As for the drip tip, just a cheap clear one you get with a dual coil tank, no big deal. The case is nice as it's simply a rebranded Joytech case, only problem being it doesn't fit the device with anything attached atop it. The battery/charger are decent, the charger is a single charger with a spring to secure it in place and a protected 18650.

Functionality of the device has been superb. It can handle all sorts of atty/carto resistances which is convenient. I've taken it to work with me and it can definitely handle some abuse. It has a drip catcher which helped greatly with the flooding atomizer and seats a J, MAP or Phiniac tank easily. You can ramp the voltage from 3.0-6.0v in .1v increments and check the battery level with 7 clicks of the power button. The 18650 battery last a while, I'm an average vaper and I can get about a day and a half with a full charge. When the battery drops below 3.5v, it starts to lose some power and when it gets to 3.2 the LED blinks and it shuts itself off. It also has an auto shut off feature in case it goes off in your pocket.

That's the good news...read the next paragraph before rushing to order.

Upon arrival, mine had a vertical scratch on the big button of which I was not happy with. After a few weeks of use, the paint is starting to rub off the battery cover and big button. I'm not sure why the entire device isn't entirely aluminum, probably to save money. Also, today I noticed the battery cover doesn't sit perfectly flush to the main part of the tube where you can see the threads which leads to believe this might eventually cause corrosion or other problems down the road. The smaller buttons rattle back and forth freely which is ugly and makes the device seem cheaply built. Last complaint I have is that the threads are very crunchy which can be helped by putting on some aluminum lubricant but I was still slightly disappointed at this fact.

Bottom line: this is a well functioning device that has some aesthetic and design flaws.

Value: ★★★☆☆
Aesthetics: ★★☆☆☆
Functionality: ★★★★☆

Vendor Review- Altsmoke.com

I heard about Altsmoke when I was looking to purchase my first mod. I was shopping around and came across the Silver Bullet which got great reviews which led me to buy it. In a few days I received it with everything I needed to get started and the overall experience was great.

They have a rewards system in place for every purchase or referral you earn points to use on future purchases. This has come in handy since I tell everyone about my e-cig whenever I'm out. I have recently found out they also do quantity discount for bulk cartomizers which is nice because I usually order mine 10 boxes at a time.

Their starter kits are perfect for first time e-cig purchasers or someone looking for a little more power. Prices at Altsmoke are very fair and when you add in the 5% coupon code that never expires (ALTSMOKE05) every little bit helps. Shipping is fast and cheap, I usually get my packages a day before I expect them to arrive which is always nice.

Customer service is excellent, if I have a question about information that's not listed on the site, I email them and I get a very quick response. Product selection is ample with top brands like Boge, Joytech, Trustfire and more.  If you are planning on purchasing from Altsmoke, make sure you tell them I sent you there!

So far, I have yet to have a bad shopping experience with them and I look forward to many more to come.

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Website Navigation: ★★★★★

Product Selection/Quality: ★★★★☆

DISCLAIMER: I may have received some products free of charge for review purposes however all my opinions are completely unbiased and accurate based on my own interactions with said vendors and their products.

follow me on twitter and instagram! @photoagogo

All images copyright Altsmoke.com

Mod Review- 310vapers.com REV3

Hello all, I bring you today a quick overview and first impressions of the REV3 from 310vapers. I purchased this initially because of the price point and chic look (i know thats not a very good reason to purchase something, but hey, the thing looks cool. ok?) So let's dive right in.

First things first, this item cost me $43 after batteries and shipping cost. They also throw in a drip tip and a cartomizer for good measure. So for all that, the price is excellent! There are no instructions included with the device but I figured out quickly that 5 button clicks changes from low (4v), medium (5v), and high (6v) as well as shutting the device off. Overall it feels very solid and the finish is impeccable. Size wise it's about 1/4" larger in diameter and about 1/2" taller than a 1000mah eGo battery. The light show is very impressive and eye catching with it's ring of light just below the button. This unit does not have any protection built in so make sure you buy only the recommended batteries and install them correctly!

510 Connection

I was hoping it had an eGo cone skirt, however it does not, although the air holes in the 510 connection work great while still maintaining a stylish look. Currently, I'm using a 2.5ohm DCT which works flawlessly on each of the settings. After seeing some other reviews, I've learned this device runs a bit on the hot side and the voltage can fluctuate greatly under load but doesn't necessarily take away from performance. It has an automatic shut off if the button is held down too long and if the batteries are depleated, the lights will flash and the device will shut off. I am able to get about 10-12 vaping time out of it which is impressive to say the least.

Air Hole

Something I don't particularly like about this device is that the button is extremely sensitive, sort of a "hair trigger" to quote the great P. Busardo :) I carry my PV's in my pocket or my lunch box at work and they tend to get banged around a lot so the thought of either it burning out a carto by going off by accident or having to shut the device off and turn it on when I want a quick vape isn't appealing to me. I was also a little disappointed that it doesn't have an eGo connection but you can't get everything at this price point I suppose.

So far so good for this little VV, definitely worth the money for something smaller than a ProVari or a Silver Bullet but with more power than an eGo and it looks great too!

4v (red), 5v (purple), 6v (blue)

DISCLAIMER: I bought this device for my own use and for testing purposes. All opinions are my own and are for educational purposes.

Follow me on twitter and instagram: @photoagogo