Since this is my first post, and I'm quite sure it won't generate much traffic, I'll start off with an attempt at making enemies... (not that I like to be the antagonist, but my opinions rarely coincide with those of others.)
Here we go:
As a seasoned vaper, I have spent much time browsing around ECF, youtube, and many other less traveled roads on the internet trying to find the perfect vape. I'm sure most of us have, especially when we are just entering the world of vaping.
When I became intrigued by the thought of getting my fix via vapour, I immediately turned to reviews to ensure the whole thing wasn't just a fad. That was about two years ago. Before the e-Go, before the mod revolution, but just as the community was taking off. After nights of research and a few weeks of waiting, my first 510 arrived at my doorstep. Within a day, I tossed half a pack of cigarettes in the trash and my lungs declared their freedom from the tyranny of tobacco.
I've kept fairly current on the latest mainstream (Joye) products since. I've even dabbled in mods once or twice. I'm the proud owner of the Ali'i, and I take my vaping very seriously. When I hear about a different device hitting the market, I have to research it. First thing I do is enjoy some video reviews. One is never enough though; I always need that second or eighth opinion before I'll consider dropping some Canadian coin.
Lately, I have discovered that my education and possible OCD are preventing me from enjoying the majority of reviews coming from the vaping community. Or perhaps there are just very few reviewers out there that know how to make an intelligent review... So here's where you're all going to love me or hate me:
1. Poorly Prepared and Impromptu Reviews
Ok, great. You got yourself a new e-cig and you just have to show it off to all these people you have never met, so you flip on the web cam with no regard for lighting, focus, noise, or your own personal appearance and hygiene (Yes, I can smell your breath all the way from Canada) and you stutter, mumble, and ummm your way through 8 minutes of my time, repeating cliches and catch phrases ad nauseam before you've even made up your own mind about whether you actually like it or not, all after saying "here's a quick review for you guys".
Allow me to make a recommendation:
2. This Thing Gives Great Vapour
No. It doesn't. Go have a look at some other reviews out there. Play them alongside your own. Compare. Your vapour production is comparable to that of a drive-thru coffee. Or maybe it's your lighting again. Or maybe that geriatric webcam: call the Antiques Road Show and make a buck or two off it and save yourself some time.
3. The Great Reveal
Some people have no patience. They'll start recording the review as the postman is walking up to the house. The reviewer is in his underthings. He starts talking before he even knows what he's reviewing. We're embarrassed for him as he can't open the box, or unwrap half the contents. And in the end we see that it comes with, yes you guessed it, exactly what the website said.
4. Have a Look Inside Here
When you point the open end of the atty towards the camera and say "I don't know if you can see in there", you might as well cut to an image of Betty White drop kicking Darth Vader. Or better yet, take a picture of the inside of the atty and cut to that.
5. Red Herrings
I like a good story as much as the next guy. That's why I read books and go to movies. Don't label your video as a review if you are going to talk about everything but the device for the first 6 minutes.
Final Thoughts
I'm honestly not trying to offend anybody out there who is posting these reviews. I appreciate the effort that so many people have put in to informing the vaping community. I'm not much of a reviewer myself, mainly because I mix most of my own juices and I'm content with the devices I own. But for those of you who are doing reviews, if you end up reading this, please think about why you are doing the review, before actually doing it.
Thanks so much for putting up with me, I hope you were entertained.
Here we go:
As a seasoned vaper, I have spent much time browsing around ECF, youtube, and many other less traveled roads on the internet trying to find the perfect vape. I'm sure most of us have, especially when we are just entering the world of vaping.
When I became intrigued by the thought of getting my fix via vapour, I immediately turned to reviews to ensure the whole thing wasn't just a fad. That was about two years ago. Before the e-Go, before the mod revolution, but just as the community was taking off. After nights of research and a few weeks of waiting, my first 510 arrived at my doorstep. Within a day, I tossed half a pack of cigarettes in the trash and my lungs declared their freedom from the tyranny of tobacco.
I've kept fairly current on the latest mainstream (Joye) products since. I've even dabbled in mods once or twice. I'm the proud owner of the Ali'i, and I take my vaping very seriously. When I hear about a different device hitting the market, I have to research it. First thing I do is enjoy some video reviews. One is never enough though; I always need that second or eighth opinion before I'll consider dropping some Canadian coin.
Lately, I have discovered that my education and possible OCD are preventing me from enjoying the majority of reviews coming from the vaping community. Or perhaps there are just very few reviewers out there that know how to make an intelligent review... So here's where you're all going to love me or hate me:
1. Poorly Prepared and Impromptu Reviews
Ok, great. You got yourself a new e-cig and you just have to show it off to all these people you have never met, so you flip on the web cam with no regard for lighting, focus, noise, or your own personal appearance and hygiene (Yes, I can smell your breath all the way from Canada) and you stutter, mumble, and ummm your way through 8 minutes of my time, repeating cliches and catch phrases ad nauseam before you've even made up your own mind about whether you actually like it or not, all after saying "here's a quick review for you guys".
Allow me to make a recommendation:
- Try it out for a week or two
- Shower
- Plan and structure your review (write it down if you really need to)
- Dedicate a quiet reviewing area with good lighting and minimal distractions
- If your webcam sucks, do a written review
2. This Thing Gives Great Vapour
No. It doesn't. Go have a look at some other reviews out there. Play them alongside your own. Compare. Your vapour production is comparable to that of a drive-thru coffee. Or maybe it's your lighting again. Or maybe that geriatric webcam: call the Antiques Road Show and make a buck or two off it and save yourself some time.
3. The Great Reveal
Some people have no patience. They'll start recording the review as the postman is walking up to the house. The reviewer is in his underthings. He starts talking before he even knows what he's reviewing. We're embarrassed for him as he can't open the box, or unwrap half the contents. And in the end we see that it comes with, yes you guessed it, exactly what the website said.
4. Have a Look Inside Here
When you point the open end of the atty towards the camera and say "I don't know if you can see in there", you might as well cut to an image of Betty White drop kicking Darth Vader. Or better yet, take a picture of the inside of the atty and cut to that.
5. Red Herrings
I like a good story as much as the next guy. That's why I read books and go to movies. Don't label your video as a review if you are going to talk about everything but the device for the first 6 minutes.
Final Thoughts
I'm honestly not trying to offend anybody out there who is posting these reviews. I appreciate the effort that so many people have put in to informing the vaping community. I'm not much of a reviewer myself, mainly because I mix most of my own juices and I'm content with the devices I own. But for those of you who are doing reviews, if you end up reading this, please think about why you are doing the review, before actually doing it.
Thanks so much for putting up with me, I hope you were entertained.
