Hi everyone! It's been loooong while since I've posted a review - I'm sure not vaping for almost a year has something to do with that. Anyway, on to the review...
Since my first days of vaping, one of the biggest "must haves" has always been a PV unit that looked like a pipe. As years went by and various PV units had been purchased, used, and eventually discarded, the desire for a legitimate PV pipe had still remained an unattainable dream due to the constant inconsistencies of current PV pipe models that were available in the market.
That all changed when a fellow ECF forum user, Romaniac, introduced his own custom Jazz Cartopipe. After seeing the product posted occasionally with rave reviews, I decided that my first purchase to re-introduce myself to vaping would have to be one of these beauties. Those few days of waiting for the product to finally be in my hands were longer than I expected (not because it took too much time to get here, but because the anticipation was bordering on murder).
Well, it's finally here. And folks, it is just as good as I had hoped.
For those unfamiliar with the Jazz Cartopipe, it's a handmade device that looks exactly like a standard tobacco wood pipe that uses 510 cartomizers that is activated with a manual metal button. This more recent model utilizes a variety of cartomizers, but it's a fixed unit. Once a buyer decides what type of cartomizer they would prefer to use for their device, that's it. You're pretty much stuck with being able to use that particular cartomizer. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's something to keep in mind if you're thinking about purchasing one of these. I went with the 510 XL cartomizer connector. It uses a lithium rechargeable 18350 battery, though I've been told it can use the smaller CR123 as well (don't quote me on that).
Romaniac has them available to be tailor made according to the buyer's whims. He offers two basic body types, a "European" type curved model and a "American" straight model. They also come in different colors of wood - a light, a medium, and a dark. They can also come in other colors if the buyer wishes. I believe I've seen images of them coming in black and in pink. I went with a dark wood straight pipe as these were the body types I preferred when I did smoke tobacco pipes years ago. Romaniac also offers a special battery cover rather than the normal metal clip (an additional $25), but I went with the basic clip. The standard set up goes for $115 a piece, excluding shipping, and include the wooden pipe body, mouthpiece, a cloth string tie bag (really nice that it's not made out of that stupid cheap velvety crap that falls apart after a week of use) and a plastic seat for the pipe to rest on, which is handy when the device isn't being used rather than just laying on its side. Looks sorta sad that way. It doesn't come with batteries and (normally) doesn't include a cartomizer or juice. The high price point for a PV unit seemed a bit much, but thankfully it was worth every penny.
My initial reactions were pretty much the same when I first saw images of it online. It's solid quality wood, built to last with a certain heft in weight, and is ergonomically sound. It's a no non-sense device, clearly crafted with care and an eye for combining form and function in a neat little package.
After popping in my 18350 and screwing in a new XL LR cartomizer filled with Dark City Vapor's "Mountain 555" 18 mg 40/60 VG/PG juice, I took my first initial puffs. Vapor production is astounding! Since it is a 3.7 volt device, I can't say that the vapor production is "more" than any other PV unit that utilizes the same voltage. That being said, it's still astounding. It should be noted that it does take a few initial puffs to get the vapor going, much like a pipe, but this probably has to do with the cartomizer and less to do with the device itself, as noted by GrimmGreen in his video review of the Cartopipe. The mouthpiece is plastic and fairly nice as it fits my mouth well and fits quite snug into the body of the pipe. It doesn't screw in, but instead merely slides in and doesn't come out unless I want it to because of the tight fit. Not too tight, but it isn't going anywhere. As for the female 510 connection, it's important to make sure the cartomizer is completely screwed in. Not too tight obviously, but definitely screwed in or else your vapor production will drop off. I had this problem and at first thought it was the pipe giving me problems about my business. Nope, just not screwed in well enough. SNUG is the key word here all around.
I've read complaints about the button being too stiff, leaving indentations in users' fingers. I don't really mind to be honest. The button has a nice spring to it and works every single time without fail. I do have to press the button down completely, avoiding only pressing it partially down. Not a problem, but worth mentioning.
It should also be noted that customer service is just as quality as the product itself. Romaniac walked me through the basics and answered all of my questions - in particular, questions regarding the differences in cartomizers and why he personally preferred the XL over other models. After I told him I was primarily a dripper and had multiple problems with cartomizers, Romaniac assured me that these would do the trick and that I would not be disappointed. I took his word for it, and I'm glad I did.
So, did the Jazz Cartopipe live up to the expectations? Perhaps it's too soon to tell. Obviously, I'm extremely happy with it for now. It just plain works as promised. It feels great in my hand, the draw is smooth, and the batteries it uses are perfect for a PV unit. Plus, it won't draw as much attention to myself when out in public like the other PV devices being sold today (THANK GOD). In a few weeks down the road, I'll do a follow-up and continue to do so for as long as I own it just to keep you all posted. I doubt I'll have any problems, but it never hurts to be cautious. Here's to hoping, right?
PS. TL;DR? Don't blame you.
Since my first days of vaping, one of the biggest "must haves" has always been a PV unit that looked like a pipe. As years went by and various PV units had been purchased, used, and eventually discarded, the desire for a legitimate PV pipe had still remained an unattainable dream due to the constant inconsistencies of current PV pipe models that were available in the market.
That all changed when a fellow ECF forum user, Romaniac, introduced his own custom Jazz Cartopipe. After seeing the product posted occasionally with rave reviews, I decided that my first purchase to re-introduce myself to vaping would have to be one of these beauties. Those few days of waiting for the product to finally be in my hands were longer than I expected (not because it took too much time to get here, but because the anticipation was bordering on murder).
Well, it's finally here. And folks, it is just as good as I had hoped.
For those unfamiliar with the Jazz Cartopipe, it's a handmade device that looks exactly like a standard tobacco wood pipe that uses 510 cartomizers that is activated with a manual metal button. This more recent model utilizes a variety of cartomizers, but it's a fixed unit. Once a buyer decides what type of cartomizer they would prefer to use for their device, that's it. You're pretty much stuck with being able to use that particular cartomizer. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's something to keep in mind if you're thinking about purchasing one of these. I went with the 510 XL cartomizer connector. It uses a lithium rechargeable 18350 battery, though I've been told it can use the smaller CR123 as well (don't quote me on that).
Romaniac has them available to be tailor made according to the buyer's whims. He offers two basic body types, a "European" type curved model and a "American" straight model. They also come in different colors of wood - a light, a medium, and a dark. They can also come in other colors if the buyer wishes. I believe I've seen images of them coming in black and in pink. I went with a dark wood straight pipe as these were the body types I preferred when I did smoke tobacco pipes years ago. Romaniac also offers a special battery cover rather than the normal metal clip (an additional $25), but I went with the basic clip. The standard set up goes for $115 a piece, excluding shipping, and include the wooden pipe body, mouthpiece, a cloth string tie bag (really nice that it's not made out of that stupid cheap velvety crap that falls apart after a week of use) and a plastic seat for the pipe to rest on, which is handy when the device isn't being used rather than just laying on its side. Looks sorta sad that way. It doesn't come with batteries and (normally) doesn't include a cartomizer or juice. The high price point for a PV unit seemed a bit much, but thankfully it was worth every penny.
My initial reactions were pretty much the same when I first saw images of it online. It's solid quality wood, built to last with a certain heft in weight, and is ergonomically sound. It's a no non-sense device, clearly crafted with care and an eye for combining form and function in a neat little package.
After popping in my 18350 and screwing in a new XL LR cartomizer filled with Dark City Vapor's "Mountain 555" 18 mg 40/60 VG/PG juice, I took my first initial puffs. Vapor production is astounding! Since it is a 3.7 volt device, I can't say that the vapor production is "more" than any other PV unit that utilizes the same voltage. That being said, it's still astounding. It should be noted that it does take a few initial puffs to get the vapor going, much like a pipe, but this probably has to do with the cartomizer and less to do with the device itself, as noted by GrimmGreen in his video review of the Cartopipe. The mouthpiece is plastic and fairly nice as it fits my mouth well and fits quite snug into the body of the pipe. It doesn't screw in, but instead merely slides in and doesn't come out unless I want it to because of the tight fit. Not too tight, but it isn't going anywhere. As for the female 510 connection, it's important to make sure the cartomizer is completely screwed in. Not too tight obviously, but definitely screwed in or else your vapor production will drop off. I had this problem and at first thought it was the pipe giving me problems about my business. Nope, just not screwed in well enough. SNUG is the key word here all around.
I've read complaints about the button being too stiff, leaving indentations in users' fingers. I don't really mind to be honest. The button has a nice spring to it and works every single time without fail. I do have to press the button down completely, avoiding only pressing it partially down. Not a problem, but worth mentioning.
It should also be noted that customer service is just as quality as the product itself. Romaniac walked me through the basics and answered all of my questions - in particular, questions regarding the differences in cartomizers and why he personally preferred the XL over other models. After I told him I was primarily a dripper and had multiple problems with cartomizers, Romaniac assured me that these would do the trick and that I would not be disappointed. I took his word for it, and I'm glad I did.
So, did the Jazz Cartopipe live up to the expectations? Perhaps it's too soon to tell. Obviously, I'm extremely happy with it for now. It just plain works as promised. It feels great in my hand, the draw is smooth, and the batteries it uses are perfect for a PV unit. Plus, it won't draw as much attention to myself when out in public like the other PV devices being sold today (THANK GOD). In a few weeks down the road, I'll do a follow-up and continue to do so for as long as I own it just to keep you all posted. I doubt I'll have any problems, but it never hurts to be cautious. Here's to hoping, right?
PS. TL;DR? Don't blame you.
Attachments
Last edited:
