A little background info-
I found this forum when I found out Blu had a new cartridge design. I didn't really find an answer to my question, but I did find a thread where someone else asked about the new cartridges. I joined this forum solely to reply to that message, but evidently I'm not allowed to post anywhere but here as a new user. This is not an especially user-friendly policy; I understand why it exists, but I still don't agree with it. Nevertheless, here's what I have to say:
I've been using Blu for more than a year, probably closer to 2 years; it's the only brand I've ever used. My cartridges ran out about a month ago (I haven't been smoking at all since then), and I was loath to order more since I've had very mixed (and often disappointing) results with Blu cartridges. In the past, they have leaked, some cartridges seemed to produce barely any vapor, and I'm pretty sure I've burnt out a handful of atomizers. The many batteries I've owned have been a mixed bag; more or less as expected, they gradually lost maximum power over time, and I've probably thrown 3 or 4 of them out.
However, when I saw that Blu changed their cartridge design, I thought to give them another chance, and ordered 4 packs of full-flavored carts (20 carts in all) plus a new battery for around $50 total.
I received them in the mail 3 days ago, and so far, I'm pleased.
The cartridges are metal with a rubbery coating (no more flimsy plastic); the tip where the smoke comes out is also rubberized and is detachable using my teeth or a sharp fingernail. I have a tendency to hold the cigarette in my teeth, so the rubbery coating on the metal chips off at the end in this way over time, but it's not a problem; the rubbery cap at the tip stays in place if I don't fiddle with it, and easily reattaches if I do.
The atomizer is embedded in the cartridge; the end that screws into the battery comes covered with a removable rubber cap. The hole at the other end of the cartridge comes covered with a small, easily removable sticker tab. The overall impression is that the cartridge and attached atomizer are well preserved.
So far, one cartridge has lasted me almost 3 full days (and going), whereas in the past I would use approximately one cartridge per day. The new battery lasts about 3 hours at a time, drawing on the cigarette at fairly regular intervals the entire time.
The vapor production is definitely superior to the old plastic carts; the vapor is consistent and full on a well charged battery. All of my cartridges are the same flavor, "Classic tobacco." The flavor seems to be different than it used to be; stronger, and more artificial tasting; but over time it either weakens or I grow so accustomed to it that I don't notice. Flavor is not a particularly important aspect for me, providing that it doesn't taste horrible, which it doesn't. With the old carts, I would occasional get a metallic or burnt taste in my mouth; this has not happened so far with the new cartridge. The old cartridges would oftentimes leak into my mouth; so far, the new cartridge has not.
Overall, I'm satisfied with Blu again, for now at least. Of course, I wish my battery lasted longer, but ~3 hours of what some might consider intermittent "chain smoking" isn't bad at all. I can't really say anything about "throat hit" since I do not inhale the vapor into my lungs, but it has a good mouth feel the same as it always has; drawing the vapor into my mouth only is a habit I've developed since switching from analogs.
So, I hope this review helps someone else out there who was wondering about the new Blu cartridges as I was.
I found this forum when I found out Blu had a new cartridge design. I didn't really find an answer to my question, but I did find a thread where someone else asked about the new cartridges. I joined this forum solely to reply to that message, but evidently I'm not allowed to post anywhere but here as a new user. This is not an especially user-friendly policy; I understand why it exists, but I still don't agree with it. Nevertheless, here's what I have to say:
I've been using Blu for more than a year, probably closer to 2 years; it's the only brand I've ever used. My cartridges ran out about a month ago (I haven't been smoking at all since then), and I was loath to order more since I've had very mixed (and often disappointing) results with Blu cartridges. In the past, they have leaked, some cartridges seemed to produce barely any vapor, and I'm pretty sure I've burnt out a handful of atomizers. The many batteries I've owned have been a mixed bag; more or less as expected, they gradually lost maximum power over time, and I've probably thrown 3 or 4 of them out.
However, when I saw that Blu changed their cartridge design, I thought to give them another chance, and ordered 4 packs of full-flavored carts (20 carts in all) plus a new battery for around $50 total.
I received them in the mail 3 days ago, and so far, I'm pleased.
The cartridges are metal with a rubbery coating (no more flimsy plastic); the tip where the smoke comes out is also rubberized and is detachable using my teeth or a sharp fingernail. I have a tendency to hold the cigarette in my teeth, so the rubbery coating on the metal chips off at the end in this way over time, but it's not a problem; the rubbery cap at the tip stays in place if I don't fiddle with it, and easily reattaches if I do.
The atomizer is embedded in the cartridge; the end that screws into the battery comes covered with a removable rubber cap. The hole at the other end of the cartridge comes covered with a small, easily removable sticker tab. The overall impression is that the cartridge and attached atomizer are well preserved.
So far, one cartridge has lasted me almost 3 full days (and going), whereas in the past I would use approximately one cartridge per day. The new battery lasts about 3 hours at a time, drawing on the cigarette at fairly regular intervals the entire time.
The vapor production is definitely superior to the old plastic carts; the vapor is consistent and full on a well charged battery. All of my cartridges are the same flavor, "Classic tobacco." The flavor seems to be different than it used to be; stronger, and more artificial tasting; but over time it either weakens or I grow so accustomed to it that I don't notice. Flavor is not a particularly important aspect for me, providing that it doesn't taste horrible, which it doesn't. With the old carts, I would occasional get a metallic or burnt taste in my mouth; this has not happened so far with the new cartridge. The old cartridges would oftentimes leak into my mouth; so far, the new cartridge has not.
Overall, I'm satisfied with Blu again, for now at least. Of course, I wish my battery lasted longer, but ~3 hours of what some might consider intermittent "chain smoking" isn't bad at all. I can't really say anything about "throat hit" since I do not inhale the vapor into my lungs, but it has a good mouth feel the same as it always has; drawing the vapor into my mouth only is a habit I've developed since switching from analogs.
So, I hope this review helps someone else out there who was wondering about the new Blu cartridges as I was.
