Introduction
As a famous general once said, my mind is not cluttered by a lot of facts. I pride myself on being a "non-expert." Since I know less than I thought I did, perhaps this makes me an acceptable candidate to review this product.
When after 40 years of smoking I quit cold turkey, I knew nothing about personal vaporizers. I had heard of electronic cigarettes, but it sounded like a peculiar idea. I was skeptical, but subsequently (and reluctantly) tried a few disposables. I saw the possibilities, but the cost was out of reach.
So, I did what most people in this situation do: I started ordering things and trying them. Some worked very well. Others (mostly from China) did not. Nevertheless, I felt that I was not alone in my compulsion to find "the right equipment." I started asking questions.
While there are many helpful and friendly people out there, much of the "common knowledge" about PV's comes from what is in effect a sub-culture. A recent visit to the only vaping shop in the area taught me this when, upon asking a simple question, the incredulous response was: "You mean -- you don't know???" Unfortunately I have an aversion to doing anything because someone else thinks it's "cool." I'm far more concerned with substance than perception. In other words, I'm a contrary old SOB with a low tolerance for "trendy" products and unsubstantiated hype.
Based on encouragement from others, I wrote a couple of reviews of equipment that performed well. I wrote the reviews for myself. Like this one, they plainly underscore my lack of knowledge and experience. However, they also help to clarify what matters most to me: (1) Quality, (2) Reliability, (3) Ease of Use, and (4) Value.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive positive responses from people. A few have turned into friends (real ones, not the Facebook kind). Turns out others like to know these things too.
The Nhaler Beretta
Upon receiving the 900mAh Beretta from Nhaler.com and removing it from the silk drawstring bag in which it was supplied, my initial reaction was "Oh my!" Unlike many of the "soulless" items I had acquired, the Beretta conveyed a "personality." Like a Cadillac, it had a certain "heft" to it that was appealing. It was about 5 inches in length, longer than many PV's, but despite this potential drawback it "felt right." That's a hard point to quantify, but style has no fixed criteria. Just like sitting in a Cadillac, you'd have to experience it to understand what I mean.
The unit appeared to be well-constructed with a stainless control knob at the bottom, an inset button with a built-in light, and a universal 510/Ego-style connection. I could find no flaws of any kind.
Very simple. Very elegant. Very large!
Advantages
I was told this was a "new technology" design. Having acquired numerous high-capacity batteries prior to the Beretta, I was prepared for a lengthy charge time. Thus, imagine my surprise when the green light came on after only 2-1/2 hours! Hmmmm... maybe it had been pre-charged? After experimenting with numerous charging cycles, the unit still takes less than 3 hours to reach full charge. That's a THIRD of the time of other units of similar capacity!
At first, the idea that one can immediately switch between automatic (air activated) or manual operation (button activated) seems like marketing hype. Why would anyone want to do that? The answer is: Having the capability allows that freedom. Sounds trite, but it's true. There are going to be times when you'll want to do it one way or the other. Personally, I use it 90% of the time in air-activated mode. I like to be able to just pick it up anytime, have a puff, and set it down.
The Beretta must have a sophisticated voltage/current control circuit, because increasing the voltage does not appreciably decrease the time between charges. At 4.8 volts, the vapor output is excellent using a standard clearomizer. Vapor output is spectacular using a dual-coil clearomizer. I generally keep it at about 4.0 volts, which is just right for me.
The battery lasts a long time after charging. It's impossible to measure the exact duration since there are so many variables, but for most people it should be an all-day affair. What I find interesting is that if it runs out and I have to go back to using my other equipment (which is generally smaller and more portable), I look forward to the Beretta recharging so I can start using it again. Thus, I am sacrificing convenience in favor of satisfaction. Admit it -- don't most of us do that when we find something we really like?
Disadvantages
The only potential disadvantage is size. You cannot keep this in your shirt pocket, but it does fit nicely in a pants pocket, purse or other tote. It will stand upright on end, but may fall over on a shaky surface. However, I like it so much that I made provisions to accommodate it in my office. The Beretta fits the socket in my antique pen holder perfectly.
Summary
The Beretta is now my "go-to" vaporizer. In a way, I'm sorry. I was so confident in my recently-acquired knowledge and experience. I was so pleased with all of the equipment I had purchased. Now, much of it just sits there looking lonely while "Me and My Beretta" vape our way through the day.
As a famous general once said, my mind is not cluttered by a lot of facts. I pride myself on being a "non-expert." Since I know less than I thought I did, perhaps this makes me an acceptable candidate to review this product.
When after 40 years of smoking I quit cold turkey, I knew nothing about personal vaporizers. I had heard of electronic cigarettes, but it sounded like a peculiar idea. I was skeptical, but subsequently (and reluctantly) tried a few disposables. I saw the possibilities, but the cost was out of reach.
So, I did what most people in this situation do: I started ordering things and trying them. Some worked very well. Others (mostly from China) did not. Nevertheless, I felt that I was not alone in my compulsion to find "the right equipment." I started asking questions.
While there are many helpful and friendly people out there, much of the "common knowledge" about PV's comes from what is in effect a sub-culture. A recent visit to the only vaping shop in the area taught me this when, upon asking a simple question, the incredulous response was: "You mean -- you don't know???" Unfortunately I have an aversion to doing anything because someone else thinks it's "cool." I'm far more concerned with substance than perception. In other words, I'm a contrary old SOB with a low tolerance for "trendy" products and unsubstantiated hype.
Based on encouragement from others, I wrote a couple of reviews of equipment that performed well. I wrote the reviews for myself. Like this one, they plainly underscore my lack of knowledge and experience. However, they also help to clarify what matters most to me: (1) Quality, (2) Reliability, (3) Ease of Use, and (4) Value.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive positive responses from people. A few have turned into friends (real ones, not the Facebook kind). Turns out others like to know these things too.
The Nhaler Beretta
Upon receiving the 900mAh Beretta from Nhaler.com and removing it from the silk drawstring bag in which it was supplied, my initial reaction was "Oh my!" Unlike many of the "soulless" items I had acquired, the Beretta conveyed a "personality." Like a Cadillac, it had a certain "heft" to it that was appealing. It was about 5 inches in length, longer than many PV's, but despite this potential drawback it "felt right." That's a hard point to quantify, but style has no fixed criteria. Just like sitting in a Cadillac, you'd have to experience it to understand what I mean.
The unit appeared to be well-constructed with a stainless control knob at the bottom, an inset button with a built-in light, and a universal 510/Ego-style connection. I could find no flaws of any kind.
Very simple. Very elegant. Very large!
Advantages
I was told this was a "new technology" design. Having acquired numerous high-capacity batteries prior to the Beretta, I was prepared for a lengthy charge time. Thus, imagine my surprise when the green light came on after only 2-1/2 hours! Hmmmm... maybe it had been pre-charged? After experimenting with numerous charging cycles, the unit still takes less than 3 hours to reach full charge. That's a THIRD of the time of other units of similar capacity!
At first, the idea that one can immediately switch between automatic (air activated) or manual operation (button activated) seems like marketing hype. Why would anyone want to do that? The answer is: Having the capability allows that freedom. Sounds trite, but it's true. There are going to be times when you'll want to do it one way or the other. Personally, I use it 90% of the time in air-activated mode. I like to be able to just pick it up anytime, have a puff, and set it down.
The Beretta must have a sophisticated voltage/current control circuit, because increasing the voltage does not appreciably decrease the time between charges. At 4.8 volts, the vapor output is excellent using a standard clearomizer. Vapor output is spectacular using a dual-coil clearomizer. I generally keep it at about 4.0 volts, which is just right for me.
The battery lasts a long time after charging. It's impossible to measure the exact duration since there are so many variables, but for most people it should be an all-day affair. What I find interesting is that if it runs out and I have to go back to using my other equipment (which is generally smaller and more portable), I look forward to the Beretta recharging so I can start using it again. Thus, I am sacrificing convenience in favor of satisfaction. Admit it -- don't most of us do that when we find something we really like?
Disadvantages
The only potential disadvantage is size. You cannot keep this in your shirt pocket, but it does fit nicely in a pants pocket, purse or other tote. It will stand upright on end, but may fall over on a shaky surface. However, I like it so much that I made provisions to accommodate it in my office. The Beretta fits the socket in my antique pen holder perfectly.
Summary
The Beretta is now my "go-to" vaporizer. In a way, I'm sorry. I was so confident in my recently-acquired knowledge and experience. I was so pleased with all of the equipment I had purchased. Now, much of it just sits there looking lonely while "Me and My Beretta" vape our way through the day.
