Vaping Press issue 008 vol 01 by Bruno Rebelo

ISSUE #008, VOL. 1

COVER STORY

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EYE ON THE INDUSTRY Starbucks Bans Vaping

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ELIQUID REVIEW ECBlends Dragon Line - Super Smooth -

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PRODUCT REVIEW Innokin iTaste MVP

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ISSUE #008, VOL. 1

Vaping Press, LLC 12605 W North Ave #224 Brookfield, WI 53005 EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kyle Danowski editor@vapingpress.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Allie Eastwood design@vapingpress.com Associate EditorS

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If you’ve been playing along at home so far, you’ll know that Vaping Press has put out six great issues, each better than the last… in our humble opinions. More important than each issue, however, is the number of people we’ve been able to touch through this idea of a vape magazine as a whole. Everyone from Matt Koesters, an innocent vaping bystander turned writer for our lovely publication, to one of the faces of vaping himself, Nick “Grimm” Green, has given Vaping Press a read! Far and wide, people have been picking up this rag we churn out each month and time after time we get nothing but great feedback. This idea that we’re connecting everyone has sparked a philosophy among our staff—that Vaping Press can become much more than just a simple magazine. We’ve always billed the publication as “by vapers, for vapers,” but couldn’t it be even more? This idea has followed us through each story we’ve written and gone on to be projected in every page of the finished product. And so now, we’re coming to the vaping community with a humble request: be a part of this with us!

This isn’t a plea to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. It’s not a solicitation for you to sign up for our monthly email or subscribe to our website. What it is, is a call to action: send us your ideas, share your stories and help us to create something that’s truly representative of our rapidly growing PV community. It can be something as simple as a photo or as complex as a story; whatever makes you proud to be a vaper is something we’re proud to illustrate. As you’re reading this issue or even just skimming it for pictures (we all do it), take a second to think about how you can make Vaping Press your own. Will you share it with someone who’s never heard of it before? Will you email us your favorite vaping story? Will you recommend a product or company? Will you show a picture of your MOD? Whatever it may be, the point is that it’s something. We’ll keep writing if you keep reading. It only makes sense to share a little along the way. Vape on, Kyle Danowski

My Vaping Story

Eye on the Industry

What Does Your PV Say About You?

Starbuckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bans Vaping Entirely

CONTENTS JULY 2013 VOL 01 ISSUE 008

Snap, Crackle, Mess Clearomizer Hazards

COVER STORY The World of RBAs

ELiquid Review ECBlends Dragon Line

17 3

Product Review Innokin iTaste MVP

Pros and Cons

DIY Corner Finding Your V/W Sweet Spot

CONTENTS JULY 2013 VOL 01 ISSUE 008

The Local Vape Spotlight Mystix Inc in WY

32 4

My Vaping Story What does your PV say about you? Of all of the vapers I’ve met, it’s only a rare few that tend to take their large devices with them to social settings, tending to prefer cig-a-like 510s and smaller eGo-style batteries. I get it. You’re trying to stay under the radar and avoid unwanted attention. That’s a common attitude among newer vapers, because otherwise, starter systems like the Blu eCig and disposable PVs like the NJoy King wouldn’t be nearly as popular. People don’t want to rock the boat— they’d rather blend in. And, at first, I held a similar attitude. While I’ve never owned a 510 automatic-style battery, I do own a Vision Spinner, and that’s about as low-key as I get when it comes to vaping. It’s not that

big, it’s fairly concealable with a smaller clearomizer like a Kanger eVod and thusly, people tend to not give it a second thought when they see me at the bar with one. But more and more, I tend to go out with a larger device, like my VAMO V2 or my iTaste MVP. Those get looks. Those get me into conversations with people I’ve never met, smokers who are curious. Even non-smokers who lay their eyes on a VAMO for the first time usually want to know more about it. I noticed this one night when I was sitting at the bar of my local watering hole. It was the first time I had opted to use my VAMO there, and I think I have my VAMO

part four at least partially to thank for the fact that I was talking to complete strangers all night. I had gone in alone, and I’d come out with a couple of phone numbers. My VAMO was my wingman that night. OK, it was my charming personality, obviously, that kept the conversation going and closed on those numbers. But, I think people made some assumptions about me before even entering the conversation, just based on the fact that I was using the VAMO. And that got me thinking: What does your PV say about you? Here’s what I came up with: VAMO: You’re obviously a handsome man/beautiful woman with a magnetic personality. OK, I kid. But, it does say that you want the best out of your eLiquid. You might be a bit of a control freak. The same is true for similar APVs, like the iTaste SVD, the Sigelei ZMax and such. Box mods: You’re terrified of running out of battery power. Also, you like sucking on boxes. Sigelei TMax: You want a device that can double as a self-defense weapon. You’re paranoid, and a true believer in form over function. 510 automatic: For some reason, you’d rather have people think you’re smoking instead of vaping. You’re not interested in having to explain yourself. You might be a bit boring. Tesla: You’re either well versed in psychoanalytic theory and you’re trying to subliminally suggest something risqué about yourself, or you’re not at all and are unwittingly advertising your kink. C’mon, it’s not even subtle.

ProVari: You’re willing to spend the cash it takes to buy the best-built APV there is because you’re a klutz who is afraid you’ll break something cheaper. Also, you probably have more money than you know what to do with. Mechanical mods: You prefer a simple approach to things. You’re also cheap.

eVic: You are probably slightly obsessive compulsive. You also have a terrible memory and very little self-control, which is why you bought a device that shuts down your vaping after a certain number of puffs.

eGo Twist/Vision Spinner: You don’t need a bunch of bells and whistles, but you do want something that works. You’re probably low-maintenance, and you probably drive a Honda. Hey, I could be wrong on all of those. But seriously, be proud of your PV! If you’re like me, you started vaping because you wanted to quit smoking. And if you did, your PV is a symbol of that decision. Don’t hide it! ...unless it’s a Sigelei TMax. Then do hide that thing. You may need the element of surprise on your side.

EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

eCigarettes have long existed in somewhat of a legal and societal grey area. If you want to whip out your MOD and start vaping in public, it has always been a good idea to clear it with the people around you first. Anyone who has tried this has likely found that people are—for the most part— good-natured and curious about it. Usually, when somebody tells you that you cannot vape, it’s because that person is not in a position to make an executive decision about such things, which is perfectly understandable. If you walked into a Wal-Mart, pulled out a mystery jug and asked the first cashier you saw if it was okay if you drank it right there, you’d probably get the same type of response. What’s less understandable, however, is

the sudden broad-stroke vaping ban issued across all Starbucks locations in the United States and Canada. Under the new ban, eCigarettes are not allowed within 25 feet of any Starbucks location, including outdoor seating areas. Previously, Starbucks left its vaping policy to the discretion of individual location managers. This has come as a shock to many in the vaping community, who see it as an unreasoned and rather extreme move by the company. Starbucks has come to be known as a fairly progressive and accepting organization, and this ban marks a significant departure from its prior, more forward-thinking administrative policies.

A healthy majority of eCigarette users are former smokers who, for one reason or another, altered their personal habits in a way that is significantly less imposing than cigarette use. eCigarettes have no established effect on indoor air quality, leave no lingering odor and the vapor dissipates within seconds of exhalation. Aside from providing a visible record of how far your breath can carry (which we’ll admit is a little creepy when you really think about it), there’s no clear reason why Starbucks should have instituted the ban.

objections are less about the health risks and more about the perceived attitudes to those engaging in the behavior.

There are those who argue against vaping on the grounds that it supports an addictive culture; however, the hypocrisy of this argument coming from a coffee franchise is pretty clear. Addiction is Starbucks’ bread and butter.

“I’m not touching you!”

The more unsettling conclusion is that the ban was initiated as a matter of public image. While smoking bans were originally put into place as a public health measure, they’ve given rise to the widespread vilification of smokers in general. There’s the common accepted idea that cigarette smokers are inconsiderate, and by smoking where people can see or smell it, they’re imposing their habit on others. These

Unfortunately, this characterization has carried over to the vaping community. Even if you completely remove the public health concern, certain people are always going to view eCigarette users in an unsavory light. To them, eCigarette users are just smokers who, like obnoxious children, are holding a pointed finger just outside the boundary of the law chanting,

From this perspective, Starbucks seems to be catering to the worst impulse in us. The company has decided to take the side of those who would unfairly stereotype a group of people based on nothing other than their own prejudices. We have enough of that kind of ugliness in today’s society, and it’s always a disappointment to see new iterations of blind hate and ignorance cropping up around us. It’s even worse when those in a position of power choose to side with the mean, the cruel and the exclusionary, instead of pushing back and working toward establishing more reasoned policies for the future.

25ft Under the new ban (US and Canada), eCigarettes are not allowed within 25 feet of any Starbucks location, including outdoor seating areas. The more unsettling conclusion is that the ban was initiated as a matter of public image.

Aside from requiring a certain amount of manual dexterity, filling a clearomizer is a pretty straightforward process. Other than spilling a drop here and there, there’s really very little that can go wrong—except that occasionally your eLiquid might eat through your plastic clearomizer like the acid blood of the creature from Alien. As it turns out, a few popular flavors of eLiquid can cause plastic clearomizers to cloud up and spontaneously crack. This unsettling and messy phenomenon has caused quite a stir in the vaping community lately, and has left a lot of eCigarette users uneasy about the contents of their eLiquids. At face value, the prospect of vaping a liquid that can destroy plastic seems

unappealing. After all, hard plastic is generally considered to be more resilient than lung tissue, in most cases. What’s surprising, then, is that the chemicals that cause this to happen are relatively benign to the human body. Flavoring additives like cinnamon and citrus contain esters that can break down the polycarbonate comprising most plastic clearomizers. What looks like a dangerous and corrosive “eating away” is actually a chemical reaction between these esters and the plastic material. The esters bind with the plastic, causing it to become cloudy and brittle. Unless your lungs happen to be made of polycarbonate, there’s no reason to expect similar damage from vaping eLiquids containing these flavoring additives.

As the vaping community identifies more and more eLiquid flavors that cause this type of reaction to occur, many people are left searching for ways to safely vape their favorite flavors without running the risk of their clearomizers suddenly shattering. A simple solution is to switch to using cartomizers, which are made from a different type of nontransparent plastic or metal that won’t react in the presence of these flavoring compounds. The obvious tradeoff, of course, is that you’ll have to be a little more diligent about monitoring your eLiquid levels, as you cannot simply look to see how much you have left. The other solution is to pick up a glass clearomizer, like the Kanger Protank. These types of clearomizers offer the same advantages as plastic versions, with the added benefit of being absolutely nonreactive. While some might be a little squeamish about the potential breakability of a glass clearomizer, models like the Kanger Protank are made

“a few popular flavors of eLiquid can cause plastic clearomizers to cloud up and spontaneously crack. Most clearomizer companies are aware problem, and are adjusting their manufacturing materials accordingly.”

“Flavoring additives like cinnamon and citrus contain esters that can break down the polycarbonate comprising most plastiC clearomizer”

from durable Pyrex, which can withstand abuse. On the other hand, you could just wait. Most clearomizer companies are aware of the clouding and cracking problem, and are adjusting their manufacturing materials accordingly. While it might be a while before the adjusted technology reaches the shelves of your trusted eCigarette supplier, it’s reassuring to know that this problem won’t be an issue for much longer. In the meantime, it’s always important to stay informed about the ingredients contained in your eLiquids. If you plan on purchasing an eLiquid with either cinnamon or citrus flavoring, it’s a good idea to check some of the online forums to see if anyone has had problems with that particular brand. As always, the online community is an indispensable resource for information on a variety of eCigarette issues, and it’s easy to locate comprehensive and up-to-date listings of the eLiquids that have been shown to react to polycarbonate clearomizers. If you happen to discover a problem with any particular brand or flavor of eLiquid that doesn’t show up on any of the forums or lists, don’t be shy about sharing that information with your fellow vapers. What you know could save someone else a lot of trouble down the road.

COVER STORY

BUILDING UP TO THE PERFECT VAPE Curious about rebuildable atomizers? If you’re looking for a good vape at the right price, it may be for you. Do you use clearomizers? Carto tanks? Are you happy with the vape you’re getting from your variable-voltage device? If you are, then you might not ever want to change your setup. You’re set up. But, if you’re in search of the perfect vape and you’re a tinkerer at heart, maybe exploring the world of rebuildable atomizers, or RBAs, is worth a go. Or maybe you’re just cheap. That’s a good reason to get into RBAs, too. “They are what you make them, which is the good and the bad thing,” says David Cox, owner of Slumberland Industries and RBA enthusiast. “It’s very, very cheap to maintain them. To redo the wick and coil in one of my atomizers is 25 to 35 cents using ceramic wick. A brand new dripper would cost me at least $5, and I get

between two weeks and eight weeks per setup.” RBAs can be intimidating. There’s some basic science you need to understand before you get started. They take skill, which means that there’s a bit of a learning curve. And the most basic kind of RBA, the dripping atomizer configuration, isn’t convenient for taking your vape on the road. But if you’re willing to practice and work to improve, then that perfect vape might just be yours. GETTING STARTED When you get started, you’re probably going to have a much different experience than Lance Wallen, the owner of SteamMonkey.com. A self-admitted tinkerer, Wallen was working on devising a foam-cutting knife for a friend when he noticed that what he was doing wasn’t too far from creating a new coil for a PV topper.

at getting your skills to the point where rebuilding a Genesis is a breeze, you have to learn to crawl before you walk. “I rebuilt five to two dozens coils a day until I got what I wanted,” Cox says. “And every time I got a new atomizer, I went through that process—build, tear down, rebuild. “The IGO-L is one of my personal favorites. It’s got a big deck, so you’ve got a lot of room to work in there” “I was sitting there looking at one of my favorite prototypes of it and I thought, ‘That’s pretty much an electronic cigarette in a different format,’” Wallen says. “So I took it, ripped it apart, twisted the nichrome up and stuck some wick out of a cartomizer I had gutted in there, and was trying to make a rebuildable atomizer out of it. I thought, ‘This will never catch on. It’s too much hassle.’ I basically threw it in my parts bin and didn’t touch anything like that again for about a year.” But as he prepared to open shop, Wallen knew that his customers would be interested in RBAs. He decided to go ahead and purchase several varieties to figure out which ones he would carry in his store. Wallen’s official policy is that he won’t sell anything on his website that he wouldn’t use himself, and he apologizes in advance for sounding like a commercial. But, if you’re new to RBAs and you’re looking to get started, Wallen says a dripper-style RBA is the way to go. “The IGO-L is one of my personal favorites. It’s got a big deck, so you’ve got a lot of room to work in there,” says Wallen. “It’s got pretty easy-to-use posts, they’ve got little screw points. It’s just simple.” Of course, a dripper isn’t going to be very practical if you’re on the move a lot, and the Genesis-style RBAs—which boast much larger eLiquid reservoirs—are a bit more challenging to build. But if you’re looking

Eventually, I started learning what the variables meant and was able to translate it more immediately, but for a long time, it was just sort of waving a stick in the dark until I hit the right thing.” WHAT YOU’LL NEED Of course, buying an RBA isn’t the only thing you’re going to need before you’re enjoying a vape on the new device. You’re going to want to make sure you’re stocked up with wire, wicking material, some sharp scissors or metal snippers, and a multimeter or APV that can detect resistance. You’ll want to test every coil you build before you put a current through it, especially if you’re using an unprotected device like a mechanical mod or an all-in-one battery that lacks short protection.

“ you have to learn to crawl before you walk. I rebuilt five to two dozens coils a day until I got what I wanted,” Cox says. “And every time I got a new atomizer, I went through that process—build, tear down, rebuild.”

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COVER STORY When it comes to wicking material, there are several options. Wallen is a fan of Ekowool, an amorphous silica rope that’s braided and hollow in the middle, like a shoelace. “It’s a really high-quality silica wick,” Wallen says. “I picked it up, started using it in all of my rebuildables, and it took all of the headache away for me. It made them a lot more approachable. It basically turns your rebuildable atomizer into a clearomizer that you can rebuild. It’s so much nicer.” Of course, there are other things that can be easily used as wicking material. Natural wicks like cotton, cotton-hemp blends and bamboo work for Cox, though he says they lack the durability of braided ceramic or silica. And then there’s stainless steel, which is a popular wicking material for Genesis-style RBAs. But neither Cox nor Wallen favor working with stainless steel. Cox’s first stainless steel build left him underwhelmed. “It frustrated me so much, I wanted to put it through the wall,” he recalls, adding that it’s “sort of miserable to work with because you’re trying to run electricity around a conductive tube.” But if you do decide to try stainless steel, add a torch to the list of things you’ll want to buy, as you’ll need it to oxidize the mesh before use. When it comes to wire, kanthal is the material of choice for Wallen. The alloy is stable, which means that manufacturing quality isn’t much of an issue, Wallen says. When purchasing kanthal wire, keep in mind that the higher the gauge of the wire, the higher the resistance of your coil will be, and conversely, the thinner the wire will be. “Think of it like a water hose,” Wallen says. “The bigger the hose, the easier for the water to flow through it.”

EKOWOOL High-quality silica wick. “It basically turns your rebuildable atomizer.” into a clearomizer that you can rebuild.”

COTTON, WOOL, HEMP, BAMBOO All natural wicking material. “Easily used, but they lack the durability of braided ceramic or silica.”

BRAIDED CERAMIC High-durability wick. “Higher temp tolerance and no silica particles or fraying apart.” A NOTE ON SAFETY The amount of control that comes with rebuildable atomizers also has a price, and that is that they can be potentially unsafe on the wrong device. Batteries housed in mechanical mods without short protection and all-in-one batteries could “rapidly disassemble,” says Wallen, quoting information he received from Panasonic. “That’s a nice way of saying it blows up,” he says. Wallen also cautions against “cloud chasing,” the practice of building sub-ohm coils that produce massive amounts of vapor. “It’s really not safe,” he says. “Unless you are very knowledgeable about batteries and knowledgeable about the mechanics of your device, you’re pushing [your luck]. Anything under about 0.8 ohms really is not recommended.” “We don’t need to see you on the news,” Wallen says. “We’re a new industry.”

CHECK OUT STEAM MONKEY! Shop Lance Wallen’s RBA’s & more at www.steammonkey.com. Social Media:

eLiquid Reviews

The one thing that people love to read The one thing that people love to read about more than anything else in the about more than anything else in the vaping vaping world areof reviews ofadventurous new and world are reviews new and adventurous eJuices. No one has time to eJuices. No one has time to try them all and try them surely not on thethe cash to surely notall theand cash to spend infinite spend on the infinite number of number of variations out there, so people variations out there, so vicariously people often often choose their vapes choose their vapes vicariously through the different reviews thatthrough they read. the different reviews that they read. Reviews are crucial to getting the word out aboutare great juices, is why Reviews crucial towhich getting theVapword ing Press dedicating a portion ofwhy our out aboutis great juices, which is magazine to the anda analysis Vaping Press is sampling dedicating portionof of as many juices as we can get our hands on. our magazine to the sampling and We’ll try them report theas results to curianalysis of as and many juices we can ous customers as a way of opening up the get our hands on. We’ll try them and market to all of the great vendors and varia-

report the results to curious customers as a way of opening up the market to all of theStipulations great vendors and variations out Our

there. Ok, here’s the scoop on our reviews. First and foremost, we’re objective reviewers Our Stipulations and don’t profit from the of these Ok, here’s the scoop onreviews our reviews. juicesand in any way. We we’re reportobjective strictly on what First foremost, we experience and the different aspects reviewers and don’t profit from the of the juice worth noting. We tend to shy reviews of these juices in any way. We on the positive side of things, as it’s not report strictly on what we experience cool to punish companies on something as and the different aspects of the juice objective as taste. We do judge primarily worth noting. We tend to shy on the on this aspect, but when we don’t like positive side of things, as it’s not cool to something, we’ll try to find the silver lining punish companies onenjoy something as note, for people who might it. On that objective as taste. We do judge we know that taste is different for everyprimarily this we’re aspect, but when our we one, whichon is why only offering don’t like something, we’ll try to find opinions. Just because we like a juice,

the silver lining people whowe might doesn’t mean youfor will. Likewise, might enjoy On that note, wetoknow that hate a it. flavor that you find be delicious— taste is adifferent everyone, which is it’s just differencefor in opinion. why we’re only offering our opinions. One thing thatwe we like are picky on,doesn’t however, is Just because a juice, the quality of our eLiquids. You can mean you will. Likewise, we mightbe hate a assured thatyou ourfind samples only come from flavor that to be delicious—it’s companies that have proven themselves as just a difference in opinion. honest, responsible industry players. We won’tthing be trying One that or wepromoting are pickyany on, “garage-style” eLiquids because it’s simply however, is the quality of our eLiquids. not sanitary or safe. We’re all about finding You can be assured that our samples the undiscovered company and will never only come from companies that have rule out a vendor based on size: we’re proven themselves responjust trying to protectas thehonest, integrity of sible industry players. We won’t be the vaping lifestyle.

trying or promoting any “garage-style” eLiquids because it’s simply not sanitary The Rating or safe. We’reScale all about finding Here’s how it works.company We’ll be judging the undiscovered and will our eLiquid samples on six different never rule out a vendor based on size: characteristics: flavor, smell, vapor we’re just trying to protect the integrity production, throat hit, the look of the of the vaping lifestyle. liquid itself and the packaging representing

The Rating Each Scale the company. of these variables will be Here’s how it works. be 1judging rated on a scale out ofWe’ll 10, with being the our eLiquid onbest. fiveAfter different lowest and 10samples being the each of these individual features is ranked on characteristics: flavor, smell, vapor the 1-10 scale, we’ll give hit theand juicethe a cumulative production, throat look of total out of 5, with 1 being the worst and 5 the liquid itself. being the best.

So, without any further delay, here So, some without furtherthat delay, are of any the juices we here tried are some of the juices that we tried this month! this month!

This Month

COMPANY OVERVIEW Located in Medford, Oregon and employing upwards of 50 people to mix its huge variety of flavors, EC Blends has made a name for itself in the industry by offering just about any flavor and flavor variation that you can imagine in the way of eJuice. Touting USAmade eLiquid and the ability to customize all of its flavors, EC Blend cuts no corners when it comes to producing the highest quality liquid possible. In a recent expansion, which took place during March of 2013, the company moved its operations to a new site, which boasts some of the best amenities available to an eLiquid maker in this day and age. Some of the highlights if its expansion include: • Dual walk-in refrigerators • Automated bottling equipment for premaking base mix/nicotine combinations

In keeping with current industry trends and news, EC Blends also sources and uses the purest ingredients available. All of the company’s juices are produced without Diacytel or Diethylene Glycol and are checked for quality throughout the production process. Among its many candy, fruit, drink, tobacco and menthol blends, the company also offers a variety of novelty flavors and signature lines, including its renowned Dragon Line of creamy blends.

WHERE TO BUY IT See ECBlend’s the full line of flavors and DIY supplies at -

www.ecblendflavors.com

• In-house testing lab, complete with necessary testing equipment • Quality control (QC) stations • Equipment sterilization (under QC control) with more automated equipment • Retail and wholesale mixing rooms • Stainless steel mixing stations.

This Month ECBLEND

Base Liquid: 50%VG / 50%PG Nicotine Level: 12mg/mL “Clouds of vapor just keep coming and, with them, comes the great smell of fruit cream” those in favor of a quick punch to the throat will sorely miss the hit.

When the Vaping Press staff decided to take a run at the Dragon Line from EC Blend, we started with the head honcho of the series: Dragon’s Blood. This eJuice has quite a reputation, around the forums and with other vapers that we’ve talked to, as being a flavor that’s hard to put down once you’ve started, so we were anxious to get our taste buds wrapped around it. Advertised as a “beyond creamy dragon fruit taste,” we definitely got the scent of fruit when we popped the top off of our bottle. In accordance with the instructions on ECBlend’s website, we set this flavor aside for about a week before we couldn’t help but dig in and by that time, the creaminess of the flavor had intensified so much that fruit became secondary to cream: very reminiscent of the smell that a fruity yogurt would present. When we got ourselves set up with a tank full of Dragon’s Blood, it was time to see if the famed juice lived up to the hype that we had been hearing about from so many people… The initial inhale of vapor is extremely smooth and very flavorful, right from the getgo—the cream really strikes a bold balance in vapor production, allowing for an even inhale that’s equivalent to inhaling a big, fluffy cumulus cloud (science!). What this juice appears to be lacking, however, is a strong throat hit to back up its full bodied vapor production—the hit is minimal at best, but still registers enough to be noticed if you’re looking for it. Fans of an easygoing vape will love this aspect, however

As the flavor begins to fully register on our taste buds, the fruitiness of its components finally begins to shine through. Cutting the cream and rushing to the surface of the vape, dragon fruit makes itself apparent with a delightful tickle of flavor that’s not overpowering and most importantly, not flowery in taste. This is a true fruit essence that’s well balanced and plays well with its cream component. We also have to acknowledge the decent vapor production of this vape, which we attribute to the heavy cream flavoring used. Clouds of vapor just keep coming and, with them, comes the great smell of fruit cream that we had previously tasted. Facing the head dragon, we have to give diligence where it is due: this flavor is very well put together. Aside from the dismal throat hit that we couldn’t seem to remedy with a wattage adjustment, this flavor does well to create an experience that could easily become an all-day vape.

Scores FLAVOR: 8 VAPOR: 7 SMELL: 8 LOOK: 6 THROAT HIT: 3

CUMULATIVE: 3.2 out of 5

ecblendflavors.com/dragons-blood-eliquid-flavor/

Base Liquid: 50%VG / 50%PG Nicotine Level: 12mg/mL “ this is really an eJuice that makes us say, “wow!”

Fruit flavors are one of the most abundant categories of eJuice on the market, simply because there are so many types of fruit and so many combinations of fruit that can be mixed together to achieve deliciousness. Long story short, these days, it takes a lot of effort from a fruity flavor to make people say, “wow!” When the Vaping Press staff got to the heart of the Dragon Line at EC Blend, we found among the popular flavors, Dragon’s Tear, which has had enough people say “wow!” to grab our attention. Billed as a creamy strawberry that will melt in your mouth, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on this seemingly magical flavor that has the forums abuzz. When we got our bottle and gave it a whiff, we weren’t met with a traditional strawberries and cream flavor, however— instead, it was almost a fruit medley scent, rooted in something more exotic, like a pear or kiwi. Misleading scent aside, the flavor still smelled great and we were anxious to give it a go, so without hesitation, we filled up and sat down for a run at Dragon’s Tear. As with the other Dragon Line flavors that we tried, this flavor was immediately smooth and creamy when we took a deep draw, however unlike others in the line, this one provided a solid throat hit that was admirable in and of itself!

Powering on through the comparable throat hit, we gave this flavor a steady hit and prepared our bodies for the strawberry taste that we expect to follow the amazing, creamy texture of this vape. Strawberry, however, didn’t find its way to our taste buds—instead, we were met with something lighter, richer and more exotic, just like the smell of this juice indicated. Pear? Perhaps. Whatever the fruit was, however, it was delicious! The follow through and finish that Dragon’s Tear gives us is a perfect end to a great vape. This flavor rolls off the tongue with incredible clouds of vapor and provides a fruity scent that’s almost as delicious as the taste itself. Hands down, this was our favorite flavor out of the Dragon Line and even if its not quite what we thought it would be from the description, it’s a flavor that we’ll be vaping until our bottle is empty! With a decent throat hit, superb flavor and excellent vapor production, this is really an eJuice that makes us say, “wow!”

Scores FLAVOR: 9 VAPOR: 8 SMELL: 9 LOOK: 7 THROAT HIT: 7

CUMULATIVE: 4 out of 5

ecblendflavors.com/dragons-tear-eliquid-flavor/

Base Liquid: 50%VG / 50%PG Nicotine Level: 12mg/mL “ in our minds, anything that tastes like the leftover milk from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch is certainly a treat worthy of dessert status!” from what you might expect it to be. Cinnamon tingles on your tongue while the cream floods your senses with a truly remarkable flavor that’s full-bodied and pleasant.

We’re pretty big on dessert flavors here at Vaping Press, so when Dragon’s Milk skated by as an option on our order screens, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. While some people may not say that a Horchata-flavored eJuice is necessarily a dessert flavor, in our minds, anything that tastes like the leftover milk from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch is certainly a treat worthy of dessert status! Cinnamon vapes are generally a hit among the crowd that orders them, however what we’re presented with in Dragon’s Milk is a bit more than just your standard cinnamon flavor. This eLiquid is a creamy creation that’s a staple in the Dragon Line and is accented with a cinnamon that’s almost kissed by rum. Whatever goes into Dragon’s Milk smells great and makes us eager to ready up a vape. As we would expect from any cinnamon juice, the throat hit on this vape is clear and powerful—you’re going to get a thunderous hit that will make you do a double take before inhaling the rest of your draw! Needless to say, if you’re wary of the throat hit, it’s a good idea to step down in strength before enjoying this flavor. When you muscle your way past the throat hit, what you’ll be met with is a truly delicious cinnamon flavor that’s complemented perfectly by its creamy cocoon. This flavor comes on strong, but delivers a taste that’s a smooth relief

On the exhale, you’re bound to experience the flavor of Horchata that we spoke about earlier—at least the Vaping Press staff did anyway. Lovers of Irish Cream vapes will find this flavor a great break from the usual flavor profile of an alcohol-inspired taste. As clouds of vapor come rolling off your tongue, it’s easy to see why the Dragon Line from EC Blend has such a dedicated following: it’s really all-encompassing when you’re talking about start to finish goodness. In summation, this is really a great flavor to try if you’re looking to experiment outside the normal realm of cinnamon vapes. Fans of dessert vapes and other alcohol-inspired vapes will find this eJuice a pleasant addition to their rotation and the overall great composition of this flavor makes it one that’s easy to pick up and run with.

Scores FLAVOR: 7 VAPOR: 8 SMELL: 7 LOOK: 7 THROAT HIT: 9

CUMULATIVE: 3.8 out of 5

ecblendflavors.com/dragons-milk-eliquid-flavor/

This Month -

ECBLEND

Base Liquid: 50%VG / 50%PG Nicotine Level: 12mg/mL

“fruit and dessert can exist as one in a chocolaty blend!

Chocolate vapes tend to be hit or miss when they’re mixed with other flavors, particularly fruity tastes. In our experience, it takes some very careful craftsmanship to create a chocolate flavor that doesn’t overwhelm its counterparts, so when we decided to get ourselves a bottle of Dragon’s Kiss, we did so with some hesitation. Would the creamy Dragon’s Kiss live up to the stereotype that chocolate doesn’t play well with others, or would this chocolate-cherry combo outshine our predisposition to become a fan favorite? One thing is for sure, Dragon’s Kiss comes wafting out of the bottle with an equally enticing aroma of cherries and chocolate—a first step in the right direction! There’s a clear distinction between sweet and fruit going on in the scent that we get form our bottle, which leads up to believe that for once, fruit and dessert can exist as one in a chocolaty blend! Not wasting any time, we loaded up on Dragon’s Kiss and got to testing! With a powerful inhale, we braced ourselves for impact… but nothing ever collided with our throats to register any sort of breathtaking throat hit. While there was a small tinge from the eLiquid, there was little to be desired in the way of a satisfying get-go from this vape. Sad, but not damning. Putting the dismal throat hit behind us, we set our eyes on the real prize of this eJuice: it’s ability to fluidly mix chocolate and cherry without becoming muddled. In this aspect, the juice

performs… admirably! Each of the Vaping Press testers registered both chocolate and cherry during the vape, with the two components remaining separate, while still coming together in a single taste. It’s really a refreshing flavor that’s reminiscent of a holiday favorite: chocolate covered cherries. Our testers suspect that the cream does its part to balance out the blend, but whatever the cause may be, this flavor accentuates the positives of both! As is becoming a staple from our EC Blend flavors, Dragon’s Kiss rolls off the tongue smoothly and presents us with a stellar cloud of vapor that’s easily as alluring as the flavor itself. These clouds are phenomenal: thick, aromatic and dense enough to hang around while you’re busy enjoying the next puff. The verdict on Dragon’s Kiss is that it’s a truly wonderful blend of two powerful flavors. If you’ve been searching for a unique dessert flavor that’s got something more to offer than just chocolate, this is definitely a flavor worth trying!

Scores FLAVOR: 8 VAPOR: 9 SMELL: 8 LOOK: 7 THROAT HIT: 4

CUMULATIVE: 3.6 out of 5

ecblendflavors.com/dragons-kiss-eliquid-flavor/

Base Liquid: 50%VG / 50%PG Nicotine Level: 12mg/mL “unique flavor that’s definitely worthy of some heavy vaping time—especially if you’re the type of person who enjoys complexity”

One of the stranger blends we’ve come across in the world of tobacco blends, Dragon’s Leaf is a combination of tobacco and blueberry, melded together amongst EC Blend’s signature cream base. We had no idea what to expect of this flavor, but our hopes were high thanks to all of the great things we’d heard and experienced for ourselves regarding the company’s ability to blend exotic tastes over a subtly smooth base. At first smell, all we can get out of our bottle of Dragon’s Leaf is blueberry, which leads us to believe that this eJuice is going to be a primarily fruity vape, with tones of tobacco to liven it up underneath. This isn’t good or bad in our opinion, but it could be a sign of things to come when we finally get around to filling up and trying it. When we get down to business, we’re pleasantly surprised at what we’re met with: Dragon’s Leaf hits like a tobacco blend right off the bat, providing a very nice throat hit. The hit is smooth, as you might think due to the creamy base that defines the Dragon Line, however it’s a long lasting hit that’s carried over into the flavor itself. When it finally comes on, this flavor comes on strong! Blueberries at first, in a wave of fruity goodness; but after the initial wave of flavor, the tobacco undertones set in to round out the flavor, bringing with them a rich taste that’s very complementary to the overall

desirability of the eJuice. We wouldn’t necessarily call this a tobacco blend, if we had to label it, but rather a fruit blend that’s accented by its tobacco components. Because it’s so fruity at first draw, Dragon’s Leaf will fill your nose with the scent of fresh blueberries, while the touch of tobacco leaves its trace on your taste buds. The two come together beautifully to create a unique flavor that’s definitely worthy of some heavy vaping time—especially if you’re the type of person who enjoys complexity and sporadic hits that produce variations of the base flavor. As its voluminous clouds of vapor fill the space around you, you’ll be left with a very nice aftertaste from Dragon’s Leaf. This vape does a great job, working start to finish, and is clearly the product of some careful testing. Where a blueberry and tobacco blend could have gone horribly wrong, this flavor mixes them perfectly to present vapers with a very nice pairing of two essential tastes.

Scores FLAVOR: 8 VAPOR: 9 SMELL: 8 LOOK: 7 THROAT HIT: 8

CUMULATIVE: 3.9 out of 5

ecblendflavors.com/dragons-leaf-eliquid-flavor/

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THIS MONTH: INNOKIN iTASTE MVP Have backups for your backups. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a credo that many new vapers adopt early on, usually after learning the hard way that carrying just one battery around usually leads to an uncomfortable predicament. It usually means a trip to the gas station, hopefully to buy a disposable PV and not a pack of analogs. Not so with the Innokin iTaste MVP, which boasts a 2600mAH battery, variable-voltage functionality, shortage protection and some other surprising features not found on any other PV on the market. Unlike the Smoktek Groove, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not known for spontaneous combustion. Suffice to say, if you start the day with a full charge, your MVP will have enough power to get you through the day and well into the next. WHAT IT IS The iTaste MVP is basically a lot of battery in a relatively small package. At just over 4 inches tall and less than 2 inches wide, the MVP fits comfortably in the hands of most vapers. The MVP features both 510 and eGo threading, which means it can accommodate most common clearomizers, cartomizers and even rebuildable atomizers (though the current iteration of the device does not check for ohms, it does have short

protection). The button, which is almost flush to the device, is still raised just enough that it can be found by touch. The MVP comes with plenty of goodies. Included in the clear plastic box is a beauty ring that adds stability for toppers that use the 510 connection, like carto tanks, Kanger Protanks and Innokin iClear 30s. The beauty ring does sit flush to the top of the device to create a nice drip well, and includes a hole in the side that provides plenty of airflow. Also included are two iClear 16 clearomizers

PRODUCT REVIEW (which fit just fine inside the beauty ring) and a USB power cable. But not just any power cable! This cable features three male outputs on the other end — a mini-USB, a micro-USB and an iPod/iPhone output that works with any iPhone version 4 or less. The MVP isn’t just a PV: it’s a battery pack, and it can be used to charge your phone. The USB output on the bottom of the device is operated with an on/off switch, and a fully charged MVP can get an iPhone back to full power with plenty to spare. THE PROS • Battery life: Easily the MVP’s biggest selling point. We’re a heavy vapers, and we still get around 24 hours of vape time with this device before it needs to be recharged. • Build quality: The MVP is solidly built with premium metal parts. You don’t see a lot of images of busted MVPs online.

• Versatility: The 510/eGo connection is becoming ubiquitous among PVs, but the MVP’s beauty ring takes that execution a step further with the accompanying beauty ring. It’s a very low-hassle device, and the variable-voltage feature allows you plenty of control over the quality of your vape. • Price: With a suggested retail price of $65, the MVP is a great value, especially given everything included. • Battery pack: It’s not a feature you’ll likely use often, but it’s nice to know you can. • Passthrough ability: Even when it’s close to dead, if you have a mini-USB cable, you can still use it. • Long cutoff time: Vision Spinners and eGo Twists tend to have a 10-second cutoff. The MVP’s is closer to 15 seconds, which is great for those of us who use circular breathing while vaping. THE CONS

“The cable features three male outputs on the other end — a mini-USB, a micro-USB and an iPod/iPhone output that works with any iPhone version 4 or less.”

• Quirky operation: Because it uses three consecutive button clicks to turn on and off, we’ve accidentally turned off the device several times while using it. Make sure to take it easy. Also, the variable-voltage feature is operated by the use of a plus button and a minus button, and it takes a moment for the setting to lock in before the device is again operable. • Misfires: It does occasionally misfire, the

INNOKIN ITASTE MVP • Voltage drop: The MVP says it can run up to 5.0 volts, but that’s a pretty fuzzy 5.0. It probably maxes out at closer to 4.8 under load. But we’re nitpicking here. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

“With a suggested retail price of $65, the MVP is a great value, especially given everything included.” cause of which is difficult to determine. It doesn’t happen enough to be a deal breaker, but it does happen. • No resistance check: It would have been fairly simple to integrate the ability to check resistance, but Innokin opted not to do so in the current version of the MVP. “ included, a beauty ring that adds stability for toppers that use the 510 connection and 2 innokin clearomizers.”

Recently, Innokin released the iTaste VV Version 3, which does include resistance checks, along with a variable-wattage feature that runs from 6.0 to 11.0 watts in 0.5 watt increments. Given the iTaste VV’s nearly identical button configuration (albeit much smaller battery), it’s only a matter of time before a new MVP hits the shelves everywhere. Phil Busardo recently reviewed the iTaste VV V3, and when asked on his YouTube page about the possibility of a new MVP coming out, Busardo confirmed that Innokin planned to release a new MVP version soon THE VERDICT The iTaste MVP is a strong buy, and just further proof that Innokin is on a roll. But it may be best to wait a bit for the MVP V2 to arrive, as the V1’s price — already reasonable — will likely go down. Variable wattage isn’t an essential feature, but resistance check is important for anyone interested in running an RBA on the device. Either way, perhaps patience will get you a better deal, if not a better device.

THIS MONTH -

THE SWEET SPOT Finding the Perfect Wattage or Voltage Reward yourself with the perfectly satisfying, mathematically derived puff from your perfectly calibrated MOD.

At first approach, the concept behind balancing the battery voltage output of your MOD to the resistance of your atomizer can be difficult to grasp. Most people just dial in their settings until they’re satisfied that they’re getting a decent hit and that the buzz they’re getting is from nicotine—and not from accidentally freebasing the heating element. But, there are those among us who wish to understand the forces they’re playing around with, and want to know exactly how to hit the perfect sweet spot reliably, safely and through the use of some sort of infallible mathematical equation. For those of you willing to take that journey, you will be rewarded with the perfect vape. For those individuals who will stop reading the second we whip out the word “ohm,” console yourself with the

thought that everybody’s tastes are subjective, and perhaps you just like the taste of burning kanthal wire. At its core, the concept is fairly simple. The ideal power output will vary from one person’s taste to another’s, but the safe vaping zone hovers somewhere between 4W and 8W. Anything less than 4W, and you’ll barely get any vapor, flavor or throat hit. Go much over 8W, and you’ll quickly burn out your heating element. While this represents the safe range for power operation, most people find that the best hit is located between 6W and 8W. The difficulty most people run into in adjusting the power output of their MODs is that they often cannot just adjust the wattage directly. You’re usually limited to just tweaking the voltage output. In

FINDING THE PERFECT WATTAGE OR VOLTAGE

order to understand how your voltage adjustment can help you get the right power output, you just need to understand one basic principle of electronics: Watts=Volts Since you cannot do much to adjust the resistance of your heating element (remember, resistance is the ohms part of that equation), you’re stuck adjusting from the voltage end. Let’s say your heating element has a resistance value of 2.0 ohms, and you want to hit a power output right in the middle of the safe vaping zone at 6W. Using the transitive property (yep, it’s back from high school algebra to haunt your dreams once again), we can figure out the desired voltage by following this equation: Volts= √ (Ohms X Watts). So, if we just plug in the numbers, we get around 3.46V. Easy as pie! Getting just the right vape from your eLiquid may still take some trial and error. There is a huge range of differences in flavor intensity, throat hit and vapor temperature within just the 6-8W range. Lower wattages within that range will give you a smoother vapor that will allow you to focus more on the subtle nuances of your eLiquid flavor, while higher wattages will give you a more powerful throat hit with a bolder, richer flavor. Some people will find the lower wattages too weak and the flavors too vague, while others may find the higher wattages to be choking and cloying at the same time.

VOLTS = FFL (OHMS X WATTS) USE THE ABOVE EQUation to find the sweet spot for wattage and voltage.

LOWER WATTAGES WILL ALLOW YOU TO TASTE SUBTLE NUANCES IN FLAVOR (OFTEN GOOD TO USE WITH COMPLEX FRUITY FLAVORS)

HIGHER WATTAGE WILL GIVE YOU MORE OF A THROAT HIT AND A RICH, BOLDER FLAVOR (GOOD FOR TOBACCO FLAVORS) As with most things, the power that you prefer is totally subjective, and it can be fun to play around and see the vastly different effects that a simple adjustment can make. You might find that you prefer a higher power when vaping one flavor, and a lower power for other flavors. For those of you who stuck it out and went through the equations with us, we salute you. Reward yourself with the perfectly satisfying, mathematically derived puff from your perfectly calibrated MOD.

Local Vape SPOTLIGHT

- This Month -

- Evanston, WY -

- Rock Springs, WY EST - OCTOBER, 2012 LOCATION - EVANSTON, WY AND ROCK SPRING, WY OWNER - LORI MAGEE AT THE SHOPS - JUICE, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES, & MORE If you ever find yourself low on vaping supplies while travelling through Evanston, WY, you won’t have to look hard to find a one-stop vape shop in this town of only 13,000 people. Mystix Inc. has been around since November of 2012 and in that short time, the brick and mortar shop has garnered a good amount of attention from nearby vapers and curious residents alike. Mystix Inc. was conceived after owner Lori Magee took the plunge into vaping for herself, visiting another local shop after friends began using PVs and shared them with Lori and her boyfriend.

“A lot of my friends were using them. I tried them, but wasn’t into the flavors all that much,” says Lori. “My boyfriend went to a local store to get a setup and some Blue Ice eLiquid and I quit smoking that day!” Lori’s enthusiasm for her new hobby was a blossoming one, but was met with some less than admirable service at her local shop when she returned to explore vaping further. Put off by her visit, but more intent than ever on exploring PV culture, Lori decided to take it upon herself to open a shop that was welcoming to all vapers, both new and experienced in nature.

“When I went back to the store for more eLiquid I was extremely disappointed in the service that I received,” says Lori. “So, I took a leap and opened up my own shop! Because of this, we’re very customer oriented. We offer a wide variety of items to all vapers and free repair as a service to them.” Now, Lori is fully immersed in the world of vaping: offering suggestions to new vapers, like the Screwed Tank from Digital Smoke, and general repairs on items to help new vapers through those rough beginner patches. Her goal is for analog converts and new vapers to never feel as though they’re being shunned, as she once was, and to always provide the highest level of service possible. “We pride ourselves in awesome customer service and getting people the products that they’re looking for,” says Lori. “We do lots of research to help people find what’s going to work best for them and always try to provide a wide variety of products.”

“MYSTIX INC OFFERS SEVERAL CUSTOMIZED SETUPS WITH A FOCUS ON VAPING IN STYLE!”

traditional tobacco blends, candied flavors and fruity creations from High Caliber E-Juice, Patriot Range and Digital Juice. Resident vapers and curious newbies near Evanston, WY are welcome at Mystix Inc., which has now expanded to include two locations, the other being in Rock Springs, WY.

Locations: 128 Yellow Creek Road, Evanston WY

Mystix Inc. sports a very decent stock of products, spanning multiple user levels and countless trusted brands. Joyetech, Halo, Vision and Kanger hardware items are all available through the shop, as well as a variety of different liquids, including

307-789-3080 1695 Sunset Drive Suite 104, Rock Springs WY 307-382-3016

- Stay Connected to Mystix Inc! 33

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