Another SP2 (SteamPunk SparkPlug) review

[nyabzns]

McDonald-Webb (www.mcdonaldwebb.com) held a contest to allow 5 current PV users to review the SP2 SteamPunk SparkPlug. I was one of the lucky winners. I’ll probably not be as technical as crashtestjeep (read their review here) but I’ll give it a shot.

This is what you get,

The SP2 consist of the SP2, one Brass colored BE112 atomizer, 2 CR123A batteries, travel charger, 5 tobacco flavored filled cartridges, 10ml bottle of tobacco-flavored e-liquid (24mg) & a color user manual.



The actual SP2 Unit itself consists of the Button (Pictured below upper right), the Tube (upper center) & the atomizer connector (upper left) and of course the brass atomizer pictured at the bottom of the image below.



Once the components are assembled you get this



This unit appeared larger than I expected from the images on the www.mcdonaldwebb.com Website so
I took a picture of it with my M401 Dragon for comparison purposes.



Initial observations.

The packaging was adequate, nicely packaged in foam with the MW SP2 logo on the outside of the box. Nothing fancy required here in my opinion.

I like the looks of the SP2; however one thing I don’t like is the appearance of the tube itself.
While the button has the MW SP2 logo on it, the tube is plain as you can see.
I don’t fly often and haven’t since obtaining my Dragon but I do occasionally.I wouldn’t hesitate to take the Dragon with me on a flight.
The SP2, as much as I like how it looks reminds me of a pipe bomb. It certainly might not be an issue if you were flying but I would be concerned it may attract unnecessary attention from a TSA worker.

I’d like to see the SP2 anodized either black or silver with the MW SP2 logo laser engraved on both sides of the tube. A nice additional touch might be to machine about a ¼ -3/8” or so on two sides flat and engrave the logo on each side. This would keep it from rolling off your desk and provide a more professional appearance, with or without an anodized color.

The package doesn’t include a case which if I were ordering this I’d like to see something compact enough to carry the SP2 Assembled with room for a spare battery, atomizer and some spare cartridges. Personally I’ll probably get a Pelican case and some foam and make my own.

The quality of the SP2 seems to be first rate. The threads of the button and atomizer connector smoothly thread into the tube. The atomizer threads initially gave me the impression they were tight and may cross thread easily.
As the user manual explains, the atomizer connector may move. The connector is reset by pushing the large end of the connector forward, then laying the smaller end (atomizer end) on a flat surface and pushing it until it’s flush.

After looking it this further I think the atomizer thread tightness I experienced was actually the atomizer contacting the atomizer connector button after 2-3 threads then the button being pushed back into the connector to it’s proper position while the atomizer is being fully threaded onto the connector until it stops. This may loosen a bit overtime. My example has a fairly snug fit as of right now. I think any concerns the atomizer connector would need reset during use are invalid, as it cannot move once the battery is installed and everything is assembled.


So how does it work?



Lucky for me it works very well, I hate my picture being taken.

As you can see from the photo, vapor output is very good, at least in my opinion it is. I took this photo after carrying the SP2 around shopping all day. After 10 hours of off and on use the 3.7-volt battery never appeared to drop off that much.

The best word I could use to describe the SB2 is simple. The button is on the end of the unit and doesn’t stick out. The actual button location takes some getting used to but it’s very easy. If I had a personal preference I might like the button spring to be slightly heavier to require a little more effort to activate but I have no complaints the way it is either. The button design also pretty much eliminates activating the SP2 accidently.


As a Marlboro smoker since the day I received my M401 Dragon I’ve still had the need to smoke a half or entire cigarette at least first thing in the morning .I used the Dragon pre-filled carts or the 24mg liquid I ordered from Juicy Liquid.
This thing pumps out enough vapor to eliminate my need for an analog cigarette.

The pre-filled cart flavor is also very good. I think it’s similar to my Marlboro flavor only with sweetness to it that I can’t exactly describe. If this is a PG based e-liquid a VG base should fog up a room. I plan on trying some Pina Colada VG with it soon.


I think if anyone is looking for something simple, easy to operate without having to worry about activating if they throw it in a pocket or purse the SP2 does exactly what McDonald Webb designed it to do- work.

Taking into account this is a relatively new unit I’d have to say if I were purchasing this in the future for the retail price listed on the website I’d probably like to see a better finish, a spare atomizer and a simple case that matched the SP2 design.

After using this for a few days now, even without the improvements I’d make to the SP2 I’d still recommend it.

[ApOsTle51]

heck that looks familiar ..now where'de i see that before ...of yea..superTmanufacturing.

[crashtestjeep]

Nice review! I think you did a great job!

[Richie G]

Apostle:

... heck that looks familiar ..now where'de i see that before ...of yea..superTmanufacturing....

>

Sorry, but I disagree. The ST2 from Super T looks like the improved aesthetics that the OP mentioned in the review. Can you say; "cheap knock-off"? I knew you could.

[ApOsTle51]

That's what i was getting at Richie. Super T's certainly looks nicer

[doots]

Yeah the SuperT Looks much nicer by a lot!

[nyabzns]

Unfortunately I didn't have a "Super T" to review. Having seen one however the Super T is a bit to shiny for my taste. I'd hate to be polishing on it all the time to eliminate my fingerprints.

It also has the same issue the SP2 does, lack of prominent identification on the body, so they both look like pipe bombs. One looks like a shiny pipe bomb, one looks like a satin finish pipe bomb.

I did my review based on the unit in hand. Perhaps McDonald-Webb can shed more light on the similarities and differences in the two products

[youtubecommercial]

Great review nyabzns! I like the SP and I am also going to get the ST2 when they are available ...

[gatsby]

Originally Posted by nyabzns

Unfortunately I didn't have a "Super T" to review. Having seen one however the Super T is a bit to shiny for my taste. I'd hate to be polishing on it all the time to eliminate my fingerprints.

I am going to try to avoid going all SuperT fan boy even though it is pretty obvious that the SP is pretty much a mass produced stripped down version of the T without the styling, machining, flexibility, and safety features (venting, protected bats, locking button).

That said, I didn't polish my SuperT and with use it settled into a nice flat patina like look that I really like and compliments the design IMO. The T arrives with a really nice shine but if you like it you need to keep it up but if you prefer the less shiny look just use it.

[sunsetnkc]

Wasn't the ST2 a limited production item? Suppose to sell for around $50 ? As far as a 'copy' , I think alot of great minds think alike and there is only so many ways to design a battery holder/switch with no soldering or wires. I think the object would be to keep price down, anyway you can.