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You guys have forced me into pushing the buy button at fastech on a new Ares. I actually don't need another rta but I had to see for myself what all the talk is about. Worst case it will join my collection on the shelf. Best case it will sneek into my rotation. This is all your fault (and a discounted price offer from fastech today only).
I have tried and tried and tried to like the Ares... seriously I wanted to like it .. but nup its a big no not for me... I will say that the original Siren beats this for flavor, the Siren V2 beats this for flavor and I have recoiled this about 900 times .. it just always seems to be a muted flavor for me.. I love the air flow.. I love the top fill .. it just tastes lacking to me.. I have tried 2.5 and 3.0mm coils.. 2.5 seems better I have tried many versions of coil height.. still seems muted to me.. and its a hot tank .. soo giving it the benefit of the doubt and blaming myself .. I took it off temperature control and used the supplied kanthal coil.. and same underwhelming taste - tried wicking thick and thin with Cotton Bacon and with rayon.. still seems just blah .. the Sirens old and new with same coils and wicking beat it hands down everytime...so after 2 months I think I am just about to give up . unlesss you can point me to the big mistake I am making - I am serious - what do I have to do ???
Having just finally ordering one Ares today you give me little encouragement. I own 2 of the Siren V2 and find them acceptable though not amazing in the flavor department. I have several single coil rta's I would consider better for flavor. There seems to be a reported inconsistency in the manufacture of the Areas. Perhaps that might explain your dislike. Since I was enticed by a one day sale at Fastech and got a low price I shall not grieve too much if it is a disappointment. I reserve a special shelf crowded with my disappointments. It is all part of this hobby for me. I must admit I am surprised that Phil would risk his reputation on a product that may be vastly over hyped. I have great respect for his work in reviews. That may not translate into the realm of product designer. We shall see.
I kind of agree - I love using the tank, but it is a little weak in the flavor TH dept. More weak in the TH for me. But I still really like a lot about it. It's been relegated to my morning tank. Doggy is for afternoons, then in evenings I usually go back to the old reliable (and more powerful) KM3.
I'd love to see them come out with a version that has a narrower deck/chimney, that might help increase the vape intensity. I'd definitely buy one.
I don't know- I think any tank Phil came out with would be over-hyped, just because of who he is. So I don't think it's like he cut corners or anything to take a big risk. Sad for him that Innokin dropped the ball on some QC issues. But he did do a nice job with the tank, and some of the innovations. I wish he'd have adopted more of the Hastur approach, with customizability, though - then it might deliver a better vape for me and others. I think he struggled with keeping it simple for beginning vapors vs. offering options, though.
But I think his biggest risk was putting out a product at all. I mean, how is it even possible to be an unbiased tank reviewer now, when every MTL product released is a competitor? It'll be interesting to see how he's perceived as a reviewer moving forward. This isn't to say that I fault him for it. How much money can there be in reviewing? Seems only logical he'd make a move to capitalize on his fame. And I'm sure he felt he was doing a service to the vaping community as well.
i think a very select number of reviewers are making good money. Both Phil and Daniel both admit its a business and a living for them.
Not every tank is for everyone. I love the Ares. It just works for me in the flavor and build department. I seem to get the build and wicking right each time... with a lot of practice.
I've been trying to like the Berserker but after trying for quite some time, I realize that tank is not for me. Lots of people like each of these tanks but also there are folks who just don't like them. I'll put this away since I have other tanks that satisfy me.
For me, the Ares is my #1 favorite... so far... but I will try others just to see how I like them. I'm the only one who matters when it comes to my personal favorites.
Oh, I don't doubt the to reviewers make money. And some may make enough to earn a living. But if Phil makes even just a buck a tank, it will be a lot of $. And that's just on the Ares V1. I imagine there's a lot more money in selling product than reviewing. I believe that's why you see guys like Phil, Vic, Grimm, and others having a hand in product development. I don't think they're doing it just to lend their knowledge to the vaping community. And I'm not disparaging any of them, or saying there's anything wrong or negative about it - I'm sure I'd do the same thing. Phil's devoted a great deal of his life to becoming an expert, and there's nothing crooked, underhanded, or "sellout" about what he's doing. I'm a devout capitalist.
My real point was that having his product in the market kind of changes the game for him as a reviewer - something I'm sure he considered.
I remember when Roxy and Augvape got together for the Merlin, she gave them her Idea's and they executed them, but, they used a press fit on the base that was done poorly, and it leaked, and Roxy got blamed for the whole shebang. No matter what the design that Phil came up with, if it was not done to spec by Innokin's manufacturing process, then Phil will get the blame (they already had to re-do one of Innokin's screw-ups in manufacturing for being Out Of Spec). Phil probably gave Innokin a spec sheet with over/under spec's, but Innokin didn't, or couldn't, stay within those guidelines, and has a hard time doing that to this day.
You are right he took a huge risk setting his name to a product but he is vain from the publicity. I am certain he tested prototypes. He did not allow for the poor QC in most China products. I think you may be underrating his share of the profits. He would not have done all those instructional videos and allowed for this much personal hype for $1 per unit. You have only to look at the price of clones versus the real deal in order to get an idea of the profits floating in these products.
Are we gonna throw Phil under the bus just because he might make a profit ?? I for one, could care less how much he is making on the Ares. My concern is if he can do something to get the manufacturing end of it to make the Ares within spec, and get rid of the sloppiness that is causing all the problems for some folks. $30 to $40 dollars for the Ares is not a problem for me, but $150 to $$$$$$$ is a rip off (as far as I'm concerned) for any Atomizer that is not made out of Gold, Platinum, or Sterling Silver. Maybe I came in on the back end of this conversation (and if so I apologize), but I thought it was about attention to Detail, not attention to Profit.
I bought the Siren 2, Beserker, and the Ares in the same week, coiled and wicked them, and tried them out. They all have their pluses and minuses and all three have good flavor.
I just coiled them like I do any other tank. .6 to .8 ohms with a rayon wick. Flavor is good and vapor is maybe slightly better than my trusty Kayfun.
Bringing a product to market is risky business. You have to have capital outlay to begin and trusted manufacturing partners to mass produce. There's advertising and other costs. It's not like hitting the lottery on a dollar ticket. It's a gamble at best. If you don't hype the product and shine lights on its features people will look at it, yawn, and go on to the next one that has flashy advertising.
Phil is just being himself when he hypes the Ares on his YouTube videos. He's a reviewer and that's what reviewers do.
I just coiled them like I do any other tank. .6 to .8 ohms with a rayon wick. Flavor is good and vapor is maybe slightly better than my trusty Kayfun.
Bringing a product to market is risky business. You have to have capital outlay to begin and trusted manufacturing partners to mass produce. There's advertising and other costs. It's not like hitting the lottery on a dollar ticket. It's a gamble at best. If you don't hype the product and shine lights on its features people will look at it, yawn, and go on to the next one that has flashy advertising.
Phil is just being himself when he hypes the Ares on his YouTube videos. He's a reviewer and that's what reviewers do.
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Ares like other tanks out there can be a hit or miss for some and one never really knows until tried personally.Was skeptical about the ares after reading about QC problems but decided to try one and do not have the problems i have read about Luckily or would not have bought more of them that also work just fine.
Perhaps a later batch came my way or just got lucky from same vendor where purchased.
Personally do not care how much money is made and to whom long as it works for me .
What is great is that there are so many types of tanks out there in different styles and such to fit every ones needs .
Its just finding out which one fits your needs and importantly works for you.
Perhaps a later batch came my way or just got lucky from same vendor where purchased.
Personally do not care how much money is made and to whom long as it works for me .
What is great is that there are so many types of tanks out there in different styles and such to fit every ones needs .
Its just finding out which one fits your needs and importantly works for you.
Say WHAT ?? Oh for sooth, Please still my beating heart, Sacrilege I say, Sacrilege. Blasphemy
even. (was that too much ?, as I'm Huffin' on my V2L+ ??) 
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Say WHAT ?? Oh for sooth, Please still my beating heart, Sacrilege I say, Sacrilege. Blasphemy
On my rack of daily use atomizers there's three Kayfun LPV2's, the Ares, the Beserker, and the Siren 2. All are in my daily rotation, but the Kayfun goes in my pocket when I have to leave the house. The rest of my collection of latest and greatest atomizers live in a shoe box in the closet ... wannabes that didn't make the cut.
Old habits are hard to break, especially for those of us who don't need DTL inhale.
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I have 12 guitars ... 9 electrics, a bass, and 2 acoustics. I rotate my attys like I do my guitars, but I seem to always come back to THE ONE!
I'm hoping to find the ONE that puts my Kayfuns in the drawer one day, but so far that hasn't happened. Still, I buy the latest and greatest here and there and call it FDA insurance.
My biggest gripe with the Ares is the air control ring. Mine's too loose compared to the Berserker and the Siren 2. It moves when you screw the tank on and it will move easily when handled during vaping. I don't find the Beserker and the Siren 2 doing that while I'm vaping.
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Really? My AF ring on the ares isn't loose at all... What is slightly loose is the top cap, which will move (but only slightly) but it does it often. It's a simple matter of clicking it back into place, but it does make me wonder, all these ares with all these different things going on. Oh well, I guess it's a first attempt. The flavor IS great, and I've decided I liked it enough for a backup, it's my second favorite of the ares, berserker and Siren V2.
I'm not the hugest fan of Kayfuns, but I've never vaped an original. I will say (herectically) that I'm not in love with any version of the Kayfun, and most clones I have I've vaped briefly, then retired. It's probably me/my clones/my builds, but I have been more than happy with some of the lower cost options that have showed up recently, and it's nice to have something useful, fun, flavorful and buildable that doesn't cost, you know, a ton. Etc. So I'm not complaining. And I do get that the Kayfuns were revolutionary and all that.... But I'm not complaining that I like what I DO like.
Anna
I'm not the hugest fan of Kayfuns, but I've never vaped an original. I will say (herectically) that I'm not in love with any version of the Kayfun, and most clones I have I've vaped briefly, then retired. It's probably me/my clones/my builds, but I have been more than happy with some of the lower cost options that have showed up recently, and it's nice to have something useful, fun, flavorful and buildable that doesn't cost, you know, a ton. Etc. So I'm not complaining. And I do get that the Kayfuns were revolutionary and all that.... But I'm not complaining that I like what I DO like.
Anna
Two ares in rotation do not leak at all from anywhere using 95% pg in diy e-liquid. the top cap is tight as well as the afc and bought two more from same vendor it produces very nice flavor using 1 ohm kanthal coil and organic cotton for this vapor-er happy to say.
Yes i have read other posts of folks of having problems and believe there must be a QC issue on some batches made and that's a shame or they are not wicking it properly.
With mine all i do is once a week change out the cotton and fill those channels well along with making sure no loose strands hang down on the diffuser and it's ready to vape after a little priming of the cotton.
Yes i have read other posts of folks of having problems and believe there must be a QC issue on some batches made and that's a shame or they are not wicking it properly.
With mine all i do is once a week change out the cotton and fill those channels well along with making sure no loose strands hang down on the diffuser and it's ready to vape after a little priming of the cotton.
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