I would have liked to do this review on Video, but unfortunately I have some puter problems, that are taking longer to sort out than anticipated. For that reason, I will include some photographs.
Just to clarify, I do not own a multi meter, so all my observation and purely based on the experiencing the device and not any scientific testing.
In the box:
In the very nice gold and black box, I got two 750 mah batteries, a cone (the portion that covers the atty) two 510 atty’s, a USB charger, a wall socket adapter for the USB charger and 10 cartridges. Inside the box, I also got a very nice little manual. I know some guys on the forum did say that they did not receive the manual. In that case, the manual can be downloaded from the East Mall Web site in PDF format. I hardly ever read manuals, since I normally see manuals, just as a way for the manufacturer to cover him self. This one I did read, and I was amazed by the amount of really useful information contained in it. The manual contains useful information from conditioning the batteries the correct way, to maintaining your atty’s.
First Impressions:
I received my white EM-Riva, 17 days ago. My first impressions on the white were: white and me do not go together well. I thought within days, the device would most probably be brown. Not true. The colour is very sturdy, and after 17 days of continues use it still looks like new. The colour seem to be sprayed on, and I also though that it would chip and scratch easily. This was also not the case. Over the last 17 days mine was either in my pocket, or standing on my desk, or my cars ashtray (where it does bounce around), without a scratch or mark on it. The colour is not a gloss white, but a silky kind of a white.
The Cone:
The cone I also quite like. There are guys on the forum saying, that the cone does make the draw a bit more difficult on the device. This is not my experience at all. What I did find though, is that without the cone, the 510 atty does have a rather load whistling sound, where if I put the cone on, there is absolutely no whistling. In the case if you do drip, and you might miss the atty a bit, the messy portion stays within the cone, and is not all over the device. The time when I find the cone does stiffen the draw is when using a 510 cartomiser. I have not tested this yet, but I thing if you remove the sticker from the cartomiser, this could solve it though. I am so in love with the Riva 510 atomiser that I have not really got around to fiddling with the cartomiser.
The Battery:
Wow. I was totally flabbergasted with the battery life on this device. I am a really heavy vapour, and I had to do one maybe two-battery changes on a day. That would be in an average 17-hour day. I do not even use my pass trough at the moment. The switch is located in a gold band on the battery. It is a tactile silicone switch that glows blue on activation. The switch is superb. There is absolutely no problem it pressing it, the touch is soft, and it fires every time on both batteries that I have. The switch is also of such a nature, that I put the device in my pants or shirt pocket without any concern that it might go off accidentally. Pressing the switch is a precise, yet not difficult operation. The other part of the battery, that really impresses me, is the fact that the battery does not seem to lessen the vapour as it wears down. The vapour is constant, until the time that the blue light flashes continuously, telling you that the battery needs recharging.
The Atty:
The atty is a 510, with a gold band at the bottom. As far as my information goes, it is a normal atty, but somehow it just feels better than a normal 510 atty. I have not played around with the atty on other devices either, but it just seems to hit the sweet spot each and every time. Whether that is the atty, the battery, or just the combination, I do not know. I have been using the device with EM peanut butter 24mg diluted 50/50 with PG and VG. I also did use the EM LR atty’s, and it works perfectly on the Riva, with a TH to die for.
Overall view:
I think this device would be equally suited for newbies and experienced vapours. I quickly moved from the normal Minnie kind of devices to mods, since, the normal Minnie e-sig devices was just not doing it for me. Whether this device is to be classified as a mod, I do not know. In my classification, it is between a normal
e-cigarette (Minnie) and a Mod. After 17 days of continual use, there is nothing negative that I can say about this device. I was totally amazed by its vapour production and reliability.
I can not wait for the Riva PT.
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Gerry
very nice review,
with the photos it is perfectly presented, thankyou.
you covered all aspects clearly and concisely
you explained your findings and reasoning very well,
I agree this is a superb device.
RiVa Rocks --![]()
Last edited by Di; 06-20-2010 at 03:14 AM.
** fallen∞**
OK OK OK, enuff already! You got me! I ordered one!![]()
EM801, M401, KR8/DPV9/VK, Indulgence 3.7v & 6v, 510/LR510/510 cartomizers, RiVa, Leo.
Smoke-free since 9/21/2009!
geeeeeesh, where is my brain ????????????????
sorry guys, I am not with it at all here -----
Last edited by Davidyang; 07-05-2010 at 01:13 AM.
** fallen∞**
heres my take on it. awesome!
YouTube - EM RiVa review 4 days in
Ok - let me talk about the Riva after using it for two months.
1) Charging: Always charges quickly. I don't check how long, but when I pass by the charger it's green and fully charged. Not a fake green (needs more time) but fully charged. I bought a Multimeter and checked it a few times so I know this for a fact.
2) Carrying around: I bought a nice neck lanyard which fits well and looks good. But most times I just stick it in my pocket with the change, bills and loose credit cards. It never goes off, never burns a hole, gets hot, leaks or abuses me in any way. I can put it in the pocket of my white pants with no fear. Does not discharge at all.
3) Vaping: I used to carry several batteries, models, atomizers and juices. I was afraid that one or more would die on me. The Riva lasts a long time. How long? I can't tell you, because I change the battery 2-3 times a day. Never 4. It rarely dies on me. When it dies (fatal blinking) it's dead. No burning, no foul taste. My backup is always ready. I can go with confidence. 1 extra battery, 1 extra Atomizer and juice. No fear.
4) Durability: Yes, I abuse my Riva. I drop it. I put it down and sometimes it will roll off the table. Rarely fall off because the button stops the rolling. The finish is excellent. No chipping, just a few small scratches. The threads still look original.
5) How do I vape thee, Riva: Atomizer, LR Atomizer, Cartomizer. All good, strike that, all excellent. In every way. I DO NOT CLEAN MY RIVA MIZERS. They last so long, I don't care. My belief: they don't die because the battery fully vapes, then quits suddenly. I think vaping on a semi-charged battery is what kills mizers. Of course I try to keep them wet. They also don't drip out, due to the cone construction. All I know is, I bought bunches of all three mizers and I still have bunches. My pile of questionable mizers has not grown.
6) Cleaning the Riva: when I change batteries, I clean the cone and battery indentation with a dry cue tip. I leave a half wet (one half is wet) rag to wipe the outside of the pieces, and dry with the dry side of the rag.
7) Vape quality: BIG, even after two months.
8) Recommendation: For a veteran user, a must have. Especially while walking. For a newbie heavy (pack or more a day) smoker it is perfect with little fuss or muss. If a newbie is a 3 pack a day, once they get used to the Riva, the Indulgence is perfect.
9) Miscellanea: I did the charge instruction. Couldn't hurt. I use my Indulgences when I'm stationary. I have more mods to compare them to. This is not a comparison but a straightforward review. Button works everytime, everytime. For its' size it has great power. Brings out the taste of whatever liquid you use. For the Riva I like USA MIX, DK-TAB, CHOCOLATE CREAM, and RY4, in that order. No drawbacks.
10) Anything I left out. Oh, the box is nice.
Tsirugi, this is what you have to forward to. Great vaping with no disillusionment later. Oh, I only drip. I use a hair dryer and a dental pick (99 cent store) to take the white top and inside glue off the cartomizers. I only use delrin drip tips.
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