Hello everyone, Pizza Dave here, delivering you a review of the new Pulse X kit by Vandy vape. This device was sent to me by Vandy Vape for review. The Pulse X is the latest device in the Pulse family of mods from Vandy Vape. It offers a few slight improvements over the Pulse 80W and the kit includes the new Pulse X rda. There are a ton of similarities between this and the 80, so a lot of this review is copied over from my review of the 80. Let’s dive in, check out the differences, and I will give you my final thoughts down at the bottom.
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WHAT YOU GET
Available in several color options including translucent green, blue, smoke, red, and amber. Also available in a black and a red G10 material. As a bonus, is all Pulse 80w panels fit on this as well with zero issues.
PACKAGING
OUT OF BOX
STOCK SHOT
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FEATURES
The Pulse X is essentially the Pulse 80w with minimal changes. The 80w, featured the Vandy Chip, and this one does as well. There are a few slight improvements in this chip and it bumps the wattage up to 90w. Other than that, a blindfold test would reveal these to be nearly identical. This device has one big improvement, and that is the ability to be powered by a 21700 battery in addition to the 18650, and 20700 batteries which powered the 80w device.
This is a basic chipset, yet if offers several different modes of operations and is easy to navigate. As far as form factor is concerned, this is just a few millimeters wider and deeper than the 80w and comes in at 82mm H x 56mm D x 28mm W. The 8ml squonk bottle that comes with this device is the same as the 80w. As I stated before, I really like this bottle. It is soft, has a nice capacity, and fitted with a great top cap which offers extra grip for refills. My device did not come with the refill bottle, but that is an optional accessory if you prefer that refill method.
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OPERATION
Operating this device is simple to navigate and becomes second nature after a short period of use. It looks very similar to the Gene chip (which it replaced) and has a lot of the same features of that as well. It is one of those devices where I just started clicking button combination and it all comes together and starts to make sense. Anyways…. here are the basic operations of this device.
- 5 clicks of the fire button will power on and power off the devices.
- 3 clicks of the fire button will cycle through all the modes.
- Wattage
- Temp control (ni, Ti, SS) 4 clicks of the fire button in these modes highlights the preheat wattage and can be adjusted from this point.
- Variable Voltage
- Bypass (applies all battery power to the coil)
- Pressing fire and the down button simultaneously will flip the orientation of the screen.
- Pressing fire and the up button simultaneously will lock out the entire device.
- Pressing the up and down buttons simultaneously will enter the menu system.
The menu system is a bit different than the Pulse 80W. It adds a few options within and allows you to select what options you want to see as well.
- DIY 1-5. This is a curves mode with 5 options. Once a setting is selected and the menu is exited, 3 clicks of the fire button will change the mode, and 4 clicks of the fire button will enter a bar graph style curves menu. It features 10 curve points, each point = 1 second.
- Normal or high preheat
- ID – Vandy chip #
- VER – firmware version #
- Tools – This allows you to set which modes you want to be able to see and adjust. Mine did not come with an instruction manual, and I sure wish it did as some of these descriptions are vague and hard to figure out. Many are basic and are selections for modes that you can select to have on or off. The others are I am unsure of.
A manual would have been a huge help here. I did some googling and didn’t find what all the abbreviations meant.
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MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS
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HOW IT VAPES
Basically, if you vaped the Pulse 80w, then you vaped this. Yes, the temp control is a bit more stable, but I don’t think it is that great. I never got dry hits, but it just doesn’t feel like it controls it as well as other devices I have run with temp control. Without proper equipment, this is purely based on me vaping it and see how it “feels”. The added 10w doesn’t do much for me, as I primarily vape in the 55-65w range, but it is a nice option for those who need an extra bump in power. The squonk bottle has a nice feel to it and the 8ml of e liquid lasts a fair amount of time. I used mine primarily with an Amp King 20700 battery, as I don’t have any high quality 21700s yet. I am sure that it will add some nice battery life to this device, but I can’t confirm that. The battery area is a bit roomier than the Pulse 80w. Even with a 21700, the battery is not crammed in overly tight, so I don’t for see many people having battery wrap damage on this one at all. As part of the how it vapes segment, let’s take a quick look at the Pulse X rda
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PULSE X RDA REVIEW
The Pulse X kit comes complete with the newly designed Pulse X RDA. This rda is like the Vandy Vape Capstone, in the fact that the liquid comes up the center post when squonked and flows right over the coils. This is a huge improvement over that rda, because the post doesn’t take up a ton of space and uses more traditional screws for coil installation. It has adequate space for fused Claptons, or other large coils with ease. I primarily used 7 wrap, 3mm fused Claptons during my testing phase, and installation and fitment is simple. It builds like a velocity style deck, but with all 4 screws at an angle. It seems weird at first but is easy enough for a beginner to build without too much of a problem. The squonking action of the middle post is neat, as it always ensures the liquid is right on the coils. It also sucks back the liquid when released, so it doesn’t sit there loaded up in the well.
HOW IT VAPES
It matches good. It is not too difficult to build and wick, but none of that matters if it doesn’t vape that great. I honestly was let down by this one. I don’t think the flavor is all that good. It has a cool angled side air flow which appears to be better than the OG Pulse 24, yet it falls flat in the flavor department. It isn’t horrible, but compared to some recent rdas I have tried, it is just meh. The air flow adjusts to close off both the top holes or bottom holes one at a time, but I get the same flavor with top or bottom open. I preferred it with all 6 open for the most part. The clear top cap offers a draw very similar to the metal cap with all 6 open, but it gives a slight improvement on flavor. I don’t like clear caps, because they look dirty right away, but it doesn’t provide a clear view of your cotton, so you know when the time is right to squonk. I was shocked that the flavor wasn’t better on this. I thought the middle post would take up some room in the chamber to bump the flavor, but it just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe with a few more builds, I will find just the right installation height, but with the three builds I tried I was left unsatisfied. If I find some magical coil that brings it to life, I will update this review!
RDA PROS
Matches the mod well
Innovative squonking center post
Easy to build on
Squonks awesomely
RDA CONS
Flavor is subpar
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FINAL THOUGHTS
This mod had a lot of hype around it, because it addresses some of the flaws that the Pulse 80W possesses. I love the fact that it houses a 21700 battery, and that is a vast improvement that many will enjoy. I also love the fact that Vandy Vape kept the side panels the same, so those with other Pulse 80w panels can still enjoy them. The clear doors aren’t really my thing, but they are constructed solid, and hold firmly in place with magnets. Overall, this is the regulated Pulse that should have been released but isn’t a huge improvement over the 80w. If you own a Pulse 80w and are on the fence about this one, you must ask a series of questions. First one is, do you really need that extra battery life of a 21700? Secondly, do you need that extra 10w? Lastly, do you like the new panels better than what you have? The first two, you will only get with a new mod, but the panels can be bought and installed on your 80w if you choose to do so. Let’s face it, those G10 ones look sick.
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PROS
Compact design
Nice design
Buttons have a great clicky feel
Lots of color options
Squonk bottle has a great top cap for little to no mess during refills
18650, 20700, and 21700 batteries
Affordable
Chip is easy to navigate and can be improved thanks to firmware upgrades in the future
Removable back door helps with battery removal
No rattles and doors fit firmly in place
Compatible with Pulse 80w doors
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CONS
Clear plastic panels cheapen the mod (G10 would be nice though as I handled them in a store)
I don’t like the 3 clicks of fire to cycle menus as it is firing the entire time you click through (maybe this will get changed in a future firmware upgrade)
Pulse X rda is a let down
Thank you all for reading this review and thank you to Vandy Vape for sending it my way for review! This is currently on pre-order at most places and is listed for about $70.
https://myvpro.com/pre-order-pulse-x-kit-by-tony-b-vandy-vape-eta-september-16-20th/
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Pizza Dave – Delivering real reviews, with no extra toppings
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REVIEW CRITERIA: I use each item for about two weeks to ensure I have collected enough data to adequately write a review. I use the same e liquid in tanks or rdas throughout all my reviews to ensure that I am comparing apples to apples between all modern equipment. I do not post reviews until I feel confident that I have used it enough to give an educated review. The reason I started doing reviews was due to poor purchasing decisions in my vaping infancy about two years ago. Back then, I purchased several different pieces of hardware without really enjoying it and I hope my reviews can guide people into spending their hard-earned money more wisely than I did! ****Keep in mind that some items I receive may be pre-release and not in retail packaging. Quality may be less than the finished product and what is in the package may differ from the retail package as well.
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WHAT YOU GET
- 1 Pulse X 90w Mod
- 1 Pulse X RDA
- 1 Spare clear, non-adjustable top cap
- 1 8ml squonk bottle
- 1 USB cable
- 1 18650 Battery Adapter
- 1 30ml Refill bottle (when purchased as the complete kit)
- 1 Bag of spare parts
- 2 Premade Clapton coils
- 1 Screw driver
- 1 Coil wrapping tool
- 1 Instruction Manual
Available in several color options including translucent green, blue, smoke, red, and amber. Also available in a black and a red G10 material. As a bonus, is all Pulse 80w panels fit on this as well with zero issues.
PACKAGING
OUT OF BOX
STOCK SHOT
______________________________________________________________________________
FEATURES
The Pulse X is essentially the Pulse 80w with minimal changes. The 80w, featured the Vandy Chip, and this one does as well. There are a few slight improvements in this chip and it bumps the wattage up to 90w. Other than that, a blindfold test would reveal these to be nearly identical. This device has one big improvement, and that is the ability to be powered by a 21700 battery in addition to the 18650, and 20700 batteries which powered the 80w device.
This is a basic chipset, yet if offers several different modes of operations and is easy to navigate. As far as form factor is concerned, this is just a few millimeters wider and deeper than the 80w and comes in at 82mm H x 56mm D x 28mm W. The 8ml squonk bottle that comes with this device is the same as the 80w. As I stated before, I really like this bottle. It is soft, has a nice capacity, and fitted with a great top cap which offers extra grip for refills. My device did not come with the refill bottle, but that is an optional accessory if you prefer that refill method.
______________________________________________________________________________
OPERATION
Operating this device is simple to navigate and becomes second nature after a short period of use. It looks very similar to the Gene chip (which it replaced) and has a lot of the same features of that as well. It is one of those devices where I just started clicking button combination and it all comes together and starts to make sense. Anyways…. here are the basic operations of this device.
- 5 clicks of the fire button will power on and power off the devices.
- 3 clicks of the fire button will cycle through all the modes.
- Wattage
- Temp control (ni, Ti, SS) 4 clicks of the fire button in these modes highlights the preheat wattage and can be adjusted from this point.
- Variable Voltage
- Bypass (applies all battery power to the coil)
- Pressing fire and the down button simultaneously will flip the orientation of the screen.
- Pressing fire and the up button simultaneously will lock out the entire device.
- Pressing the up and down buttons simultaneously will enter the menu system.
The menu system is a bit different than the Pulse 80W. It adds a few options within and allows you to select what options you want to see as well.
- DIY 1-5. This is a curves mode with 5 options. Once a setting is selected and the menu is exited, 3 clicks of the fire button will change the mode, and 4 clicks of the fire button will enter a bar graph style curves menu. It features 10 curve points, each point = 1 second.
- Normal or high preheat
- ID – Vandy chip #
- VER – firmware version #
- Tools – This allows you to set which modes you want to be able to see and adjust. Mine did not come with an instruction manual, and I sure wish it did as some of these descriptions are vague and hard to figure out. Many are basic and are selections for modes that you can select to have on or off. The others are I am unsure of.
- TC – Temp control visible or not
- BP – Bypass visible or not
- V – Variable Voltage visible or not
- H – High preheat on or off
- NLS – no clue?
- ST – assuming standby timer, but didn’t change that when I adjustment
- BRI – Adjust screen brightness
- FIR – No clue what this does either!
- RST – Factory reset
A manual would have been a huge help here. I did some googling and didn’t find what all the abbreviations meant.
______________________________________________________________________________
MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS
______________________________________________________________________________
HOW IT VAPES
Basically, if you vaped the Pulse 80w, then you vaped this. Yes, the temp control is a bit more stable, but I don’t think it is that great. I never got dry hits, but it just doesn’t feel like it controls it as well as other devices I have run with temp control. Without proper equipment, this is purely based on me vaping it and see how it “feels”. The added 10w doesn’t do much for me, as I primarily vape in the 55-65w range, but it is a nice option for those who need an extra bump in power. The squonk bottle has a nice feel to it and the 8ml of e liquid lasts a fair amount of time. I used mine primarily with an Amp King 20700 battery, as I don’t have any high quality 21700s yet. I am sure that it will add some nice battery life to this device, but I can’t confirm that. The battery area is a bit roomier than the Pulse 80w. Even with a 21700, the battery is not crammed in overly tight, so I don’t for see many people having battery wrap damage on this one at all. As part of the how it vapes segment, let’s take a quick look at the Pulse X rda
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PULSE X RDA REVIEW
The Pulse X kit comes complete with the newly designed Pulse X RDA. This rda is like the Vandy Vape Capstone, in the fact that the liquid comes up the center post when squonked and flows right over the coils. This is a huge improvement over that rda, because the post doesn’t take up a ton of space and uses more traditional screws for coil installation. It has adequate space for fused Claptons, or other large coils with ease. I primarily used 7 wrap, 3mm fused Claptons during my testing phase, and installation and fitment is simple. It builds like a velocity style deck, but with all 4 screws at an angle. It seems weird at first but is easy enough for a beginner to build without too much of a problem. The squonking action of the middle post is neat, as it always ensures the liquid is right on the coils. It also sucks back the liquid when released, so it doesn’t sit there loaded up in the well.
HOW IT VAPES
It matches good. It is not too difficult to build and wick, but none of that matters if it doesn’t vape that great. I honestly was let down by this one. I don’t think the flavor is all that good. It has a cool angled side air flow which appears to be better than the OG Pulse 24, yet it falls flat in the flavor department. It isn’t horrible, but compared to some recent rdas I have tried, it is just meh. The air flow adjusts to close off both the top holes or bottom holes one at a time, but I get the same flavor with top or bottom open. I preferred it with all 6 open for the most part. The clear top cap offers a draw very similar to the metal cap with all 6 open, but it gives a slight improvement on flavor. I don’t like clear caps, because they look dirty right away, but it doesn’t provide a clear view of your cotton, so you know when the time is right to squonk. I was shocked that the flavor wasn’t better on this. I thought the middle post would take up some room in the chamber to bump the flavor, but it just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe with a few more builds, I will find just the right installation height, but with the three builds I tried I was left unsatisfied. If I find some magical coil that brings it to life, I will update this review!
RDA PROS
Matches the mod well
Innovative squonking center post
Easy to build on
Squonks awesomely
RDA CONS
Flavor is subpar
______________________________________________________________________________
FINAL THOUGHTS
This mod had a lot of hype around it, because it addresses some of the flaws that the Pulse 80W possesses. I love the fact that it houses a 21700 battery, and that is a vast improvement that many will enjoy. I also love the fact that Vandy Vape kept the side panels the same, so those with other Pulse 80w panels can still enjoy them. The clear doors aren’t really my thing, but they are constructed solid, and hold firmly in place with magnets. Overall, this is the regulated Pulse that should have been released but isn’t a huge improvement over the 80w. If you own a Pulse 80w and are on the fence about this one, you must ask a series of questions. First one is, do you really need that extra battery life of a 21700? Secondly, do you need that extra 10w? Lastly, do you like the new panels better than what you have? The first two, you will only get with a new mod, but the panels can be bought and installed on your 80w if you choose to do so. Let’s face it, those G10 ones look sick.
______________________________________________________________________________
PROS
Compact design
Nice design
Buttons have a great clicky feel
Lots of color options
Squonk bottle has a great top cap for little to no mess during refills
18650, 20700, and 21700 batteries
Affordable
Chip is easy to navigate and can be improved thanks to firmware upgrades in the future
Removable back door helps with battery removal
No rattles and doors fit firmly in place
Compatible with Pulse 80w doors
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CONS
Clear plastic panels cheapen the mod (G10 would be nice though as I handled them in a store)
I don’t like the 3 clicks of fire to cycle menus as it is firing the entire time you click through (maybe this will get changed in a future firmware upgrade)
Pulse X rda is a let down
Thank you all for reading this review and thank you to Vandy Vape for sending it my way for review! This is currently on pre-order at most places and is listed for about $70.
https://myvpro.com/pre-order-pulse-x-kit-by-tony-b-vandy-vape-eta-september-16-20th/
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______________________________________________________________________________
Pizza Dave – Delivering real reviews, with no extra toppings
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
REVIEW CRITERIA: I use each item for about two weeks to ensure I have collected enough data to adequately write a review. I use the same e liquid in tanks or rdas throughout all my reviews to ensure that I am comparing apples to apples between all modern equipment. I do not post reviews until I feel confident that I have used it enough to give an educated review. The reason I started doing reviews was due to poor purchasing decisions in my vaping infancy about two years ago. Back then, I purchased several different pieces of hardware without really enjoying it and I hope my reviews can guide people into spending their hard-earned money more wisely than I did! ****Keep in mind that some items I receive may be pre-release and not in retail packaging. Quality may be less than the finished product and what is in the package may differ from the retail package as well.
