Alpha Ultra First Look

[Sewknitty]

Technically, it hasn't happened without a pic but I suck at photography and the lighting is particularly bad today so I won't torment you with a blurry one. Trust me. I have one.

Got this today - about an hour ago - and have already started using it and packed a to-go kit for it. That's how simple and straightforward is this very brilliant design. There isn't much I have to add to what's been said already but I'm gonna anyway

Packaging
I hear one of the most expensive fan-boy loved PVs comes in a plastic bag and one is expected to accept it in less than pristine condition with no instructions or warranty. Guess you're wondering what this has to do with packaging, huh? Well, the Ultra comes in a presentation box. When you crack open the shipping container you're faced with its gorgeousness set in a dark foam cut-out. The parts that come with it, including a real, honest to goodness, bound and illustrated owner's manual are discreetly packed below this insert. This is hands down the best presented mod I've ever purchased and I've done my share of PV buying.

Initial Set-up
Hell, I did it without checking the directions so anybody can. It just makes sense so fitting this to that is pretty instinctive. I didn't notice any grinding at all and the whatevers (threads?) are well machined and screw together smoothly.

I'd watched a video while waiting for the UPS site to update so I just painted the RES, blew out the standard atty and primed it with 5 drops. I let that soak in for a few and was vaping in no time.

Observations
It can be a little slippery. N8T has addressed this and is right this minute probably sweating over some elegant fix. Not sure I'm going to need it because I got An Idea. Yep. I'm using the merest sliver of surgical tape on the outer tube and imagine I can get all kinds of tape - athletic tape, that clear textured tape for bandages, nail decals - to use decoratively. Color me happy!

Am I satisfied? Yes
Do I have buyers remorse? Nope
Would I recommend this device? Duh...yeah!

 

[Slo Ryd]

Technically, it hasn't happened without a pic but I suck at photography and the lighting is particularly bad today so I won't torment you with a blurry one. Trust me. I have one.

Got this today - about an hour ago - and have already started using it and packed a to-go kit for it. That's how simple and straightforward is this very brilliant design. There isn't much I have to add to what's been said already but I'm gonna anyway

Packaging
I hear one of the most expensive fan-boy loved PVs comes in a plastic bag and one is expected to accept it in less than pristine condition with no instructions or warranty. Guess you're wondering what this has to do with packaging, huh? Well, the Ultra comes in a presentation box. When you crack open the shipping container you're faced with its gorgeousness set in a dark foam cut-out. The parts that come with it, including a real, honest to goodness, bound and illustrated owner's manual are discreetly packed below this insert. This is hands down the best presented mod I've ever purchased and I've done my share of PV buying.

Initial Set-up
Hell, I did it without checking the directions so anybody can. It just makes sense so fitting this to that is pretty instinctive. I didn't notice any grinding at all and the whatevers (threads?) are well machined and screw together smoothly.

I'd watched a video while waiting for the UPS site to update so I just painted the RES, blew out the standard atty and primed it with 5 drops. I let that soak in for a few and was vaping in no time.

Observations
It can be a little slippery. N8T has addressed this and is right this minute probably sweating over some elegant fix. Not sure I'm going to need it because I got An Idea. Yep. I'm using the merest sliver of surgical tape on the outer tube and imagine I can get all kinds of tape - athletic tape, that clear textured tape for bandages, nail decals - to use decoratively. Color me happy!

Am I satisfied? Yes
Do I have buyers remorse? Nope
Would I recommend this device? Duh...yeah!

Thanks for the awesome review. I particularly like the comment about shipping. I personally put all the orders together and ship them out. I have bought a lot of stuff online and there is nothing worse than impatiently waiting for something to come in the mail and then have it show up all beat up and broken. I take extra time to ensure that its packaged properly so that it arrives in the exact same condition as when it left. Good to hear you are liking it. Keep us posted as time goes on.

Cheers,
Tony

 

[Sewknitty]

Well, Tony, I sure thank you for the care you took.

 

[Sewknitty]

Day 2!

I'm using a 901-510 adapter - standard, not Stealth - and a 901 with some 60/40 (PG/VG) juice today again. As usual, I made sure the adapter was clean and to crank it open before fixing it securely to the atty. Because the 910 is, pretty much, a long 510 it fits through the opening of the RES and there's been no issue with its silly hole. In fact, I'm thoroughly enjoying the airflow the hole (presumably) provides. I love the way the Drip Shield looks and works but they don't fit in and are surely not needed with a RES.

Last night I rinsed out the RES cover, soaked the RES in hot water for 5 minutes, blew out my atty and wiped down the threads and outside of it with an alcohol wipe and put my battery on the charger. Even then there was no residual smell of Dragon Fruit, the juice I added to the RES and vaped in the evening. Same was true this morning so I painted the RES with Green Apple and that's what I've been pluming today. Over the next couple of days I'm going to be sniffing for flavor residue every night, especially with menthol, but so far, so rinses completely clean.

And, speaking of juice...the juice from InnoVapor is 100% VG so its thicker and the nicotine is purer and provides a great hit. I did worry a lower quality juice with PG wouldn't work as well but it does. I am having to refill more, either because of the juice quality or the atty ohms (1.8) fired by these awesome high drains, but not nearly as much as I would if I was direct dripping. By more I mean...every couple hours I keep the RES wet by dripping through the atty. How flippin' cool is that? No needle, no outside device...I really appreciate this.

Good times!

 

[atavanhalen]

Nice job on your review, you summed things up nicely.

 

[Wylie]

I meant to post on the cleaning, too. I went to a vape meet and tried some great juices, but also some Skunk flavor (no, it wasn't marketed that way) toward the end of the evening. It effectively ruined my Ultra for the last hour. I worried about it a bit until I got home. I rinsed it out like you did and left it out to dry all night. I couldn't smell the skunk smell, but I've learned those tastes can linger even if the odor doesn't...

Next morning, I primed it with my ever-so-gentle ULTRApure and tentatively took a puff. Perfection!

 

[Slo Ryd]

Day 2!

I'm using a 901-510 adapter - standard, not Stealth - and a 901 with some 60/40 (PG/VG) juice today again. As usual, I made sure the adapter was clean and to crank it open before fixing it securely to the atty. Because the 910 is, pretty much, a long 510 it fits through the opening of the RES and there's been no issue with its silly hole. In fact, I'm thoroughly enjoying the airflow the hole (presumably) provides. I love the way the Drip Shield looks and works but they don't fit in and are surely not needed with a RES.

Last night I rinsed out the RES cover, soaked the RES in hot water for 5 minutes, blew out my atty and wiped down the threads and outside of it with an alcohol wipe and put my battery on the charger. Even then there was no residual smell of Dragon Fruit, the juice I added to the RES and vaped in the evening. Same was true this morning so I painted the RES with Green Apple and that's what I've been pluming today. Over the next couple of days I'm going to be sniffing for flavor residue every night, especially with menthol, but so far, so rinses completely clean.

And, speaking of juice...the juice from InnoVapor is 100% VG so its thicker and the nicotine is purer and provides a great hit. I did worry a lower quality juice with PG wouldn't work as well but it does. I am having to refill more, either because of the juice quality or the atty ohms (1.8) fired by these awesome high drains, but not nearly as much as I would if I was direct dripping. By more I mean...every couple hours I keep the RES wet by dripping through the atty. How flippin' cool is that? No needle, no outside device...I really appreciate this.

Good times!

Glad that you found out how easy it is to switch flavors with the RES. That's the beauty of the RES ceramic. It lets the liquid soak into the small holes without actually soaking into the ceramic itself, which means it rinses right out without any lingering smells/tastes. Happy vaping!

 

[Sewknitty]

Good to know, Wylie. We've all run into a Skunk juice before and they make the best attys unusable. Glad they don't do the same to the RES.

Day...4 (?)

Using a carto today just for grins - a 1.5 ohm dual coil and I gotta tell ya...I was wondering how the RES would keep the top wet enough but vaping was good even when only half the top was wet. When I added the juice I blew it down into the carto. I'm about to change batteries because these dual coils are just greedy that way.

 

[Sewknitty]

It's the 23rd, which means I've had my Alpha for x number of days (I don't do math). Still haven't found a flavor that hangs around in the RES and that's after I left it unwashed with a menthol in it overnight. I rinsed it under hot water, soaked it a couple minutes, rinsed it again and not a hint of menthol remains.

I use it with dual coil cartos because they're mega and the RES keeps them wet. I can drive a long distance without worrying about anything - not dripping, leaking, flooding, tilting or squeezing.

 

[Wylie]

I was wondering how the menthol would be. When I used menthol in atomizers, I could never get it out. Good to know!

 

[atavanhalen]

I dont use menthol but I have some chai tea in the res right now and I was worried as well but if you can get menthol out then I am sure I will be fine. thanks

 

[Sewknitty]

I take horrible photos. I know this already so...sorry. But, here's how I packed my Alpha today for a quick jaunt. I pack as though I'm going to be stuck in the worlds longest traffic jam because sometimes I actually am. The Alpha is inside a little drawstring bag with an extra high drain battery and on the other side are dual coils and juice (for my Darwin - my other always-with-me mod). I just wanted to illustrate how diminutive this unit is - perfect for packing. I could've easily added a few more batteries or another tiny device instead of juice.

[/IMG]

 

[Slo Ryd]

I take horrible photos. I know this already so...sorry. But, here's how I packed my Alpha today for a quick jaunt. I pack as though I'm going to be stuck in the worlds longest traffic jam because sometimes I actually am. The Alpha is inside a little drawstring bag with an extra high drain battery and on the other side are dual coils and juice (for my Darwin - my other always-with-me mod). I just wanted to illustrate how diminutive this unit is - perfect for packing. I could've easily added a few more batteries or another tiny device instead of juice.

[/IMG]

Nice setup. Looks like you are always prepared. I am the same way. No matter where I go I always make sure I have enough supplies to get me through the whole day.

 

[atavanhalen]

Nice setup. Looks like you are always prepared. I am the same way. No matter where I go I always make sure I have enough supplies to get me through the whole day.

A whole day? I usually have enough stuff to get through ten days when I head out for the daylol. Its actually pretty ridiculous but I like having options. I actually got a really nice leather pen rollup case that has little pockets for pens that I use for my mods, works pretty well.

 

[Sewknitty]

This was for a store run - about 10 minutes from my house. It just makes sense to over-pack as a vaper since we can't stop at a local deli for a charged 14500 or bottle of ejuice. Do you have a picture of that pen roll-up case?

 

[Sewknitty]

This is what happens when a mod is problem-free - nothin' to gab about! :smile:

I've had my 'training tape' off for a few days and pulled apart the switch assembly and given everything a good wipe down. Still no unsightly tarnish but it is 'grippier' for some reason.

My latest carry case for the Ultra is an old hard shell eyeglass case that holds the device, a 6ml bottle of juice and a spare 14500. It fits neatly in my jacket pocket without weighing it down unnecessarily or creating unsightly bulges. Love it.

 

[N8T]

Excellent! Stoked that it's performing solidly for you. I know I don't leave home without it..

 

[ChuckBell]

I'm still waiting for the Advanced Alpha kit to be in stock

 

[Slo Ryd]

I'm still waiting for the Advanced Alpha kit to be in stock

Sorry for the delay. FedEx messed up the account number and never shipped the RES. I talked with them just now and we got it all squared away. They will definitely be here tomorrow.

 

[ChuckBell]

Sorry for the delay. FedEx messed up the account number and never shipped the RES. I talked with them just now and we got it all squared away. They will definitely be here tomorrow.

Curse you FedEx!