Notes for a Review from 2 Years Ago

Http://www.electronic-cigz.com M601/602 Review Notes:

Cart: Pyramid Teabag Mod

Juices: Totally Wicked w/ LorAnn flavors (Chocolate, Cinnamon Bun, Bavarian crème, Orange crème, Coffee) of various concentrations 12 mg/mL – 35 mg/mL.  Johnson Creek Smoke Juice (Original, Original Low PG, Tennessee Cured, more to come) 18 mg/mL (Tennessee Cured, Original and others from sampler), 24 mg/mL (Original and Original Low PG)

Function:

·        Push Button – slightly tighter than on 510, extends farther out so it's easier to get to it with gloves on.

◦     Time – 8 second cutoff.  I can't draw continuously for longer than six seconds, anyhow.  This allows a good amount of time to prime and fully draw.  Average draw for me is three-ish seconds.

◦     Batt Life – approximately 2 or 2.5 hours.  I vape quite heavily. Charge time 1 to 1.5 hours.  Charge time is good for using one batt and then swapping when ready.

◦     I seem to get slightly less vapor from this battery than from the autobattery.  Although, I may draw shorter on push button than on Auto (especially with primer draw on auto)

·        Auto Battery – responsive to first draw.  Slightly slower responding (on draw and release) when cold.  Mechanism must be microphone, because loud noises, talking while cig is in mouth and even setting it down (sometimes)will activate the unit.  It has an autocleaning cycle which seems to happen when battery is fresh charged a couple of draws in.  This process does burn off quite a lot of juice if cart is attached.  I will often disconnect when I notice (by sound, because no LED activates during this process) the process kicking in.  I clean atomizers using hydrogen peroxide and then a water bath, weekly.

Device Observations:

·        Aesthetics: The aesthetics are fantastic. I own stainless/chrome look auto batts with blue LEDs and the black manual with green LED.  The green LED has a great glow.  The blue LED now looks standard by virtue of all devices, which don't look like cigarettes, use a blue LED.  But it still looks great.

·        Constructon: Solid construction, though slightly plastic-feeling (may be a result of the lighter weight compared to other devices such as Luci or 510).  I like robust over-engineered devices, and this is a personal bias.  Though the device seems to have good wear and tear.  I do not notice a lot of scratching or deterioration of finishes after two months of ownership. To be updated later in the year for follow-up.

·        When refilling (remove juice cup from mouth piece), quite a lot of condensation of juice builds up inside the mouthpiece and outside of juice cup.  This could be a slight flaw in design due to reduced airflow within the mouthpiece.  Possibly kind of mouthpiece mod might fix this (larger hole for draw, more aerodynamic inner cart design, etc.). 

·        There seems to be slightly more force required to draw than regular cigarette or even on Luci, 103 or 510.  This appears to be a function of the atomizer (larger openings required or more openings?).  Though, pyramid teabag mod improves this some.  It is possible that if the atomizer bridge were taller, and cup rested lower in cart this might improve the situation as well.  Worthy of exploration.

·        Upon draw after cart is freshly filled (or atomizer is freshly dripped), some sound of fluid can be heard.  Though there is no whistling sound.  This reduces as fluid levels regulate in device. Though I've found when the sound goes away, there is not much more time before cart refill is required.

Vaping:

·        Device vapes really well.  Good vapor production.

·        Flavor is released very nicely.  No noticeable ill-taste (except when running low on juice – time for refill).  The flavor profile seems to rest farther back on the tongue than on 510.  It gives a more hearty character to the flavors.

·        Throat hit: Solid throat hit.  It can be harsh on higher concentration nic-juice.  Quite smooth overall.

·        Excellent “reference” device, to compare others' performance.

Other observations:

·        Portable design.  It fits nicely in change pocket of jeans with extra battery (though not recommended, because of the microphone function, and the manual battery button can be depressed while sitting, activating the device with or without atty).

·        Elegant design, though refinements in the Cart/atomizer design, making refill easier might improve device.

·        Available PowerPal PCC.  Will hopefully review soon.

·        Balance is good (for two finger operation) though it is still a little forward heavy.  This device is better than some, which use heavier brass cylinder construction on the battery case.  Still, I would prefer the device to be more balanced toward the back of the device to help it feel more like a regular cigarette.

·        Weight is good, actually.  It's light and easy to hold between two fingers (except push button is too heavy to press while attempting two finger operation).

·        The instructions included indicate the charge light will change from red to green when device is fully charged.  However, my device came with a blue LED, which blinks when the battery is fully charged.  I would prefer multi-colored LED option, but the device functions fine, so this is a nit pick and nothing more.

Company:

·        SonHing Sean runs an excellent company.  Pricing is reasonable, especially when devices go on sale.

·        Customer service response is outstanding.  Each time I needed information or had a customer service issue I received a response same day (initial response usually happened within a couple of hours).  It is possible that as order volumes grow, this may change.  However, it is clear to me the owner is very devoted to keeping his customers happy.  I had some bad luck with atomizers, initially.  My first atomizer died within a couple of days of vaping (I do not know if it was user error, or just bad luck).  He immediately sent out a new one and I received the replacement 10 days later.  The replacement atomizer died a week later.  He responded immediately, and shipped the atomizer.  However, rather than including one replacement, he included two.  I am guessing he did so, because I had purchased a second atomizer and decided to hedge his bets.  Still, I now have two fully functioning atomizers, and a spare in case one dies.  He ships from Canada, and US customs seems to be the major delay. 

·        Orders were processed same-day.

·        Shipping options: Standard offering does not come with tracking numbers and are shipped US mail.  If you feel the need to follow orders, upgrade to the priority mail option.  He does not currently offer in-US distribution, so expect slightly delayed shipping, and gauge accordingly. So far 12 days is the longest I have had to wait for items from this company.

Conclusion:

I highly recommend ordering a M601/602 from electronic-cigz.com.  The device is a delight to use, producing excellent vapor, flavor and performance.  I recommend purchasing the pyramid teabag mod because the regular Ultra cartridges hold on to a little too much juice, and do not wick quite as well as they could.  If for no other reason than excellent customer service, you will not regret your purchase.

My First Review - Johnson Creek 24 mg/ml Original, Low PG

Ordering and Packaging

After enjoying the sample bottle of Jonson Creek Original that came with my M601/602, I decided to reorder some Johnson Creek. Rather than spend 20 bucks per bottle on something I was not certain I would enjoy, I ordered their sampler of 18 mg regular mixture (high PG) juices. And because I really enjoyed the JC Original, I ordered a 30 ml bottle of Original in the low PG formula (because I wanted to see if it produced more vapor than the PG formula.

Johnson Creek is a high quality vendor. Even though I ordered near the Christmas season, I received a quick response that my order had been processed and then it shipped the next day. Delivery time within the midwest is fast. My order arrived within three business days. Upon opening the package, I discovered my sampler tin (to be reviewed at a later date) and the 30 mL bottle of Original Smoke Juice in a brown glass bottle (which I assume prevents light from corrupting the contents), a high quality eye dropper and a clear plastic 5 mL dropper bottle (for portability). The glass bottle had a child safety cap, but did not include the rubber stopper that comes with the Totally Wicked juices, which I assume is the CHIP compliant component, which I believe should be included with all nicotine fluid (because most children can remove a child safety cap from a medicine bottle, but probably lack the dexterity or strength to remove the rubber stopper).

The bottle did not come packaged in a box or anything fancy, it was just wrapped in bubble wrap, which is all it really needs, though for pride of purchase, some kind of box would be nice. Though, the products that come with nice packaging are often $10 more. Interestingly, while it came in a nice box, my bottle of 54 mg/mL Platinum Ice (at $20 more) mixing juice did not come with a dropper bottle for portability, a trade-off I would have readily made. Honestly, though, after experiencing the rich flavor of the JC Original, I was just excited to have received the package at all.

The Juice

While it does not taste exactly like any form of tobacco, the flavor resembles the experience of smoking a good, mild cigar. Overall character can be described as Woody. Flavoring is full and rich. The word hearty comes to mind while I puff with JC Original. The balance of nutty notes, sweetness and sour or bitter dance nicely on the taste buds. Long term vaping does not become offensive, and the flavor profile does not seem to change like on some flavors I've mixed, DIY. This may be due to the fact that the flavor is not heavily concentrated or because of higher quality ingredients. Initially, there is a strong flavor, which diminishes in strength over time in a balanced and unoffensive way. However, it is worth noting that when the atomizer dries up, the flavor begins to resemble the scent of skunk. This may be a good thing, since it makes it very noticeable when it is time to drip again or refill the cartridge.

JC Original is very light amber in color, and it does not appear there has been an attempt to add coloring, which is good. The thicker and more darkly colored juices, in my experience, tend to both deteriorate in flavor and quality during a vaping session. According to some at the E-Cigarette forum, darker colored juice may also deteriorate the life of an atomizer, clogging up its inner workings and killing your atomizer more quickly. Frankly, I have not found this to be the case after dripping LorAnn coffee flavored juice directly on my Luci, and the unit is still kicking after 4 months, now in a friend's possession. However, it may depend on the construction of your atomizer in combination with the colorings. In all, it's probably best to seek out the least amount of coloring in e-liquid for many reasons, including equipment deterioration.

When opening the bottle there is a distinct rich smell, similar in character to the flavor of the vaped liquid, quite pleasing. When vaping around people, I have often heard the reaction that it smells like someone is making waffles, so the fluid is not exhaled completely devoid of scent or flavor, but at least nobody is complaining about the stench of cigarette smoke.

The 24 mg/mL low PG blend kicks out just enough vapor to make the user quite pleased, and it mimics smoking nicely. There was a noticeable difference between my 510 and M601, however, the 601 produced clouds of vapor, while the 510 produced good vapor. (Note: it is possible the atomizer on my 510 may be ready to die so that may be the primary cause of the lower vapor production. However, I noticed from the get-go that the throat hit from the 510 is significantly lower than that of the M601, which is probably a result of the lower resistance, and thus lower heat, from the 510 - 2.7 ohms versus 3.5 ohms, respectively). I must note, as a result, that I did most of my reviewing from my M601, because of these factors. It is a very enjoyable nicotine fluid to vape, and I will continue to vape this one regularly.

Quick Conclusions

Vapor: Very High

Flavor: Very Good

Overall: 9 out of possible 10.

Flavor and Fragrance

As mentioned in my original post, I expect to be reviewing flavors from time to time as I try new ones. I have found that my palette is less capable of discerning specific flavors, and better able to characterize a general essence of a flavor profile. As this is the case, I have decided that it might make sense to come up with a language to describe the je-ne-sais-quios aspects of flavors. Since I am dealing with inhaled components, as opposed to food, which rests on the tongue it makes sense to me to use fragrance terminology to describe the character of a given flavor. And rather than creating a whole new categorization system, it makes sense to me to simply use the one that the fragrance industry has used for years to describe perfumes and colognes. Below is an outline of this system as found at Sephora's website:

Fresh: Green leaves, Marine notes, Grass, Light tones
Floral: Jasmine, Rose, White flowers
Oriental: Spices, Vanilla, Patchouli, Pepper
Woody: Warm woods, Moss,Vetiver, Agarwood, Cedar, Nutty or Coffee tones

Aromatic: Citrus, Lavendar, Geranium

With this system in mind, I will be able to more readily characterize flavors and aromas from nicotine juice, and do a better service for those who would like to use my reviews as a guide for their future purchases.

Biography and Mission

A smoker since age 19, I decided this year it was time to quit. I still enjoy smoking, but cannot justify the risks of smoking cigarettes to my health and future well-being, and so I began to vape (smoke electronic cigarettes) this past August. I had failed to do any meaningful research prior to purchasing my first device from a Luci kiosk at a local mall. Not thoroughly satisfied with the experience, I began researching ways to get a better vaping experience. First, I ordered fluid from Totally Wicked to refill, and then I began to experiment with mixing my own flavors of fluid to my tastes.

During my search for information, I came across the E-Cigarette Forum and gathered much information from that website. This is where I have gleaned almost all of the technical information regarding this hobby and technology, which I may impart while writing articles and reviews I expect to write on this blog. Please note, I am not a health expert, doctor or professional of any kind who can impart knowledge on the true health effects of vaping; only a consumer who uses these products as an alternative to smoking. I do so, because limited studies have been done on the contents of e-liquid (nicotine fluid developed for the purposes of inhaling a vapor which mimics smoking) and while the FDA has declared vaping unsafe, I believe there is sufficient evidence to indicate it is at least safer than analog smoking. I do not advocate or recommend vaping to nonsmokers or those under the age of 18. It is an enjoyable alternative for those who do smoke and wish to eliminate the risks of inhaled smoke and tar, with endless variation and alternatives, customizable to your preference.

The research I have done indicates that vaping is not without its health risks. Primarily, nicotine is a poison extracted from the tobacco plant. Its health risks include but are not limited to increased risk of heart disease, hardened arteries, reduced appetite and many others. However, the ill-effects of inhaled tar from cigarettes can be mostly, if not completely, eliminated by vaping. Other components of nicotine vapor have not yet been fully tested to reveal positive or negative health effects, though there are some which may indicate a positive net effect of at least one component. Since I am not a repository of health knowledge, I will not refer to any studies, in specific, but a quick Google search should yield information you may find useful. Again, visit the E-Cigarette Forum for a more directed search. Many of the members there have done in depth research on the subject and can direct you to solid information.

I intend for this blog to be a record of my experiences in vaping with regard to the various products available to consumers within the United States. While I do not have vast experience in engineering, my love of stereos and technology allows me to translate some technical information for the lay person, and to apply that knowledge to the vaping experience.

I am committed to transparency and unbiased reporting and should my blog become commonly read, my reviews and comparisons will not be influenced by manufacturers in any way. I will tell you what I experience, regardless of the detriment to the supplier. If readership becomes high enough, I will accept advertising - though I make my readers this promise: an advertisement will not influence my reviews, indicate a recommendation on my part or otherwise yield a more positive outcome to the manufacturer or supplier (other than whatever increased net traffic is derived from that advertisement). Furthermore, it is my intent not to accept compensation for the reviews I will provide here. It may come to pass that companies will provide me with the use of devices or fluid for the reviews. Fluid not fully used will either be returned to the manufacturer, disposed of in the proper manner or donated to readers through a lottery. Devices provided for review will be treated likewise - returned to the manufacturer or given to readers through a lottery. I will not accept cash, devices, fluid or any other compensation for the purposes of providing a favorable review. Attempts to influence my reviews in this way will be clearly communicated within the reviews so that the readers and consumers may know the nature of the business with whom they are doing business. Likewise, I expect to comment on the positive aspects of these companies as much as possible. Equipment failures will be reported and I will provide follow up as much as possible.

If you have any questions or comments, please post them within the comments section on my blog, so that everybody will have access to the information. If you have a question or comment, it is likely somebody else has the same thought, and in the spirit of the information age, it is important that we publish as much as possible. Abusive, coercive, insulting or otherwise offensive (as deemed by me, as subjective as that may seem) comments will be deleted. Continued abuse of this blog may force me to enforce strict standards for comments posted, or removal of the opportunity to comment for all. I will also monitor the comments section for insincere or deceitful comments by manufacturers or their competitors. This behavior will not be tolerated.

My mission is clear: share my vaping experience with the public, provide what information I can, as succinctly as possible and to have fun in the process.

I bid you all happy vaping!