Kaji Ali'i bottom feed box mod - Initial impressions and experieces.

[T^2]

I got the Ali'i yesterday and I've hardly put it down since I unpacked it an put it into service.

What's my initial impression? I'm very pleased with it - to say the least.

First off let me say that it is a handsome device. It's nicely constructed and finished. Mine has the Padauk spine/top and maple covers which I find to be a nice looking combination. Other wood combinations that Kaji offers look very nice as well, which makes it hard to pick one.

In the function and performance category - I'd give it an A+. The user/vaping experience is a huge improvement over using a standard 501 device with carts or dripping. This thing is so easy to use and provides a nice, consistent, trouble free vaping experience.

I've noted much more detail about my initial impressions, details about the device, and some of my initial trials a tribulations here starting at post #680: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...anufacturing-custom-ordering-now-open-68.html. Also see post 682, 685. 693, 698 and 699.

Let me just say to Kaji - well done. I'm very pleased with this purchase. A box mod like this comes at a bit of a premium, but in my view it's worth every penny.

Hopefully the information that I've provided in this thread and in the other is found to be useful to those that might consider this mod. I'll will continue to post further observations - if and when needed - as time goes by.

 

[ACM]

I'd love to hear about your impressions over time, like a couple of weeks or a month from now. I put myself in the queue for one, and from what I hear, it's the best mod out there. But I am curious about how well the atomizers hold up with it. I have had such bad luck with cartomizers and my Wetbox, so I am hoping the Ali'i doesn't burn through attys so fast.

 

[T^2]

I'd love to hear about your impressions over time, like a couple of weeks or a month from now. I put myself in the queue for one, and from what I hear, it's the best mod out there. But I am curious about how well the atomizers hold up with it. I have had such bad luck with cartomizers and my Wetbox, so I am hoping the Ali'i doesn't burn through attys so fast.

I can't see why atomizers would perform any differently on the Ali'i than anything else. So far I've used LR 306's, LR 510's, and regular 510's. I prefer the regular 510. I get good long reliable service/performance from my regular Joy 510's.

So far I've used the Ali'i for about a week now. It's working great. Battery and bottle swaps are a snap because of the access that the removable covers give. There is no need to put tape or ribbon around the battery so that you can pull it out. Juice feeding also works great. I like the open bottle access because it works well and you can see what you have left with just a glance. I also like the button position at the trigger finger.

I can't see anything so far that would suggest that this mod will not provide long reliable service and performance.

I'll post more if there's anything to add to my initial observations.

 

[ACM]

Thanks. I'll look forward to more as you spend time with it.

I was only thinking attys might last longer with something like the Ali'i because of the way the juice feeds into it; more like a spray than drips. Less flooding. Also, with the pumping of the bottle, I'd think I'd be less likely to vape a dry atty, which is also what causes premature failure.

But for the most part, I have had much better luck with atomizers than cartomizers, the latter never lasting me more than 2-3 days on my Wetbox. Attys usually last me upwards of a month before they die, but that's with my RN4081. Can't use attys on a Wetbox.

 

[T^2]

Some snap shots to go with this review/post...

 

[dk2]

That's a nice looking device, love the colors and the wood you picked.

 

[T^2]

Some snap shots to go with this review/post...

A note on those pictures: I took those picture without the flash because it more accurately reflects the real color of the maple. In other pictures that I've seen of the maple, the wood looks a bit lighter (more white) than it really is. These pictures pretty accurately reflect the color of the maple and the contrast of the padauk - at least on my Ali'i. The color of the padauk is rendered fairly accurately as well.

Of course ambient lighting is a factor and how it looks in different light varies slightly. But the maple on my Ali'i never looks as white as I've seen in other photos or as white as it looks in photos taken with a flash. The flash really makes the wood look more light/white.

 

[WarsawNan]

Just learned today that such a thing as an AFS existed, so please excuse my stupidity. Does the juice feed in through the bottom end of the 510 atty as opposed to the bridge/wick side as with standard cart systems?

I'm chomping at the bit for them to start taking orders for the Ali'i again because I'm definitely buying. Do wish their website was more informative, i.e. where do you get the proper size replacement juice bottles and additional tubing?

 

[Shel]

Just learned today that such a thing as an AFS existed, so please excuse my stupidity. Does the juice feed in through the bottom end of the 510 atty as opposed to the bridge/wick side as with standard cart systems?

I'm chomping at the bit for them to start taking orders for the Ali'i again because I'm definitely buying. Do wish their website was more informative, i.e. where do you get the proper size replacement juice bottles and additional tubing?

WarsawNan
Juice does feed from the bottom on the Ali'i.

Also, not sure if you're aware (and if you are, sorry for wasting space), but RNR Manufacturing opens up orders on their website at 8PM, eastern time, on Fridays. They leave the ordering open for as long as it takes to fill the number of orders they can produce in a week, then close the ordering.

Yesterday, for example, they opened up ordering of either the Ali'i or Journeyman at precisely 5pm PST (where I'm located). At 5:13, orders for the Ali'i were closed, as they had filled thier quota! You gotta be fast!

I believe the ordering for the Journeyman lasted a few minutes longer, but not sure about that. I wasn't really watching the Journeyman, as I wanted to (and did) order an Ali'i.

Good luck! It's worth the effort to get one of these, from all of the reviews I've read! (Also, Ryan/Kaji is very helpful)

 

[WarsawNan]

Also, not sure if you're aware (and if you are, sorry for wasting space), but RNR Manufacturing opens up orders on their website at 8PM, eastern time, on Fridays. They leave the ordering open for as long as it takes to fill the number of orders they can produce in a week, then close the ordering.

Yesterday, for example, they opened up ordering of either the Ali'i or Journeyman at precisely 5pm PST (where I'm located). At 5:13, orders for the Ali'i were closed, as they had filled thier quota! You gotta be fast!

Ahh ha!! No, I didn't know that, so TY for the info. Setting up a reminder for next Friday right now. Ingenious way for him to handle orders IMO.

Thanks again.

 

[T^2]

Quick update... I noted in the other linked post that the bottle cover was a bit snug when I first got this thing. Now it's coming off just fine. It could be that humidity has changed and the wood is contracting or it could be that the juice that got sucked up into the bottom edge has dried out. Whatever the cause, the cover now uninstalls/reinstalls perfectly. Maybe it just improves with time.

I've had one other magnet come unglued. Not a big deal. I reglued it with Loctite Super Glue and don't expect them to come unglued again any time soon.

So far, my experience with the Ali'l has been great. It's a worthy device....