I used this as my only pv for over a week before reviewing it, just wrang it out every which way because if I was going to say a little cigarette-sized e-cig was good, I wanted to make sure. And yes, I even tortured it with a chainsaw!!
SmokelessImage Volt Review - The Chainsaw Test??
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As always, Jan, a wonderful and unique review! Thank you! [It was a bit long.;-)]
You mentioned the Bloog MaxX Fusion PCC in passing. Have you used the Bloog MaxX Fusion e-cig (cartos and/or batts)?
I was super-impressed by the Bloog MaxX Fusion when I reviewed it back in February saying pretty much the same things about it that you have said about the Smokeless Image VOLT. It is pricey, however ... unlike the VOLT.
I have since used the VOLT batts and cartos. The batts seem identical, therefore great. I am less impressed by the cartomizers. They are hard cap, as you mentioned, but (more important to me) the taste just doesn't seem to be as good as the MaxX Fusion. Imagine has told me that their VOLT cartomizers (at least the juice in them) are being revamped. I'm hoping that the new VOLT cartos will be equal to the MaxX Fusion, so that I can save some money.
Your thoughts?
You mentioned the Bloog MaxX Fusion PCC in passing. Have you used the Bloog MaxX Fusion e-cig (cartos and/or batts)?
I was super-impressed by the Bloog MaxX Fusion when I reviewed it back in February saying pretty much the same things about it that you have said about the Smokeless Image VOLT. It is pricey, however ... unlike the VOLT.
I have since used the VOLT batts and cartos. The batts seem identical, therefore great. I am less impressed by the cartomizers. They are hard cap, as you mentioned, but (more important to me) the taste just doesn't seem to be as good as the MaxX Fusion. Imagine has told me that their VOLT cartomizers (at least the juice in them) are being revamped. I'm hoping that the new VOLT cartos will be equal to the MaxX Fusion, so that I can save some money.
Your thoughts?
No, I have not tried the maxxfusion, was going to order a pack of their cartos to compare, but at $10.99 + $8.00 shipping, which is nearly $5/cartomizer, nope, that was way too pricey for me. But I did read and watch a lot of reviews, yours included, which took me about as much time as watching my video ;-) and caught Basilray's VapeTV video where he dremeled apart both a Volt and a Maxxfusion cartomizer in real time on-camera and proved that they were identical. I tore open a Volt carto myself and saw the same as what he showed. Not saying it's the same e-liquid, but sure looks like the idential carto guts and resistance.
As far as the hard cap goes, I've heard that SmokelessImage is in the process of changing their cartos to the soft cap. For me, I have no problem with the hard cap and in my mind, having a soft cap with a dripping feature is not wise to put in front of a beginner vaper. As we all know, if these cartos are dripped into while still screwed onto the battery, the juice can flow into the automatic battery and kill it. Now, I've also heard that SmokelessImage is coming out with manual batteries, longer ones (more mAh) and of course if those are sealed then they will be fine for drippers.
As for Volt carto taste, I'm vaping the grape and the watermelon and adore both of them, re-ordered 5 packs of both of them matter of fact and bought one of their chrome batteries. Since I'd already read/seen reviewers poo-poo the SmokelessImage tobacco flavors and I see that SI is in the process of changing their pre-filled e-liquids, I'll wait until that happens to try those.
But I definitely will be scrambling to get every new thing SI does with the Volt, I'm really that happy with this thing. My big mods and other pv's are now collecting dust, will probably sell-off most of it.
The Volt is what I wished had been available when I first started vaping. The countertop in my den and the end-table next to my easy chair used to be sticky from juices, littered with bottles, syringes, tweezers, tanks, cartos, atties, batteries, chargers, crumpled paper towels, tissues, etc. No more, just my easy-peasy Volt stuff and my little carto refilling station, lol.
You know how the Go-Go fans have their "Go-Go Nation" slogan? Well, the more time passes that I'm so pleased with my Volt, the more I want to think up a similar thing, like the Volties, Volters, or maybe we can be the V's without a bad connotation since the TV show was cancelled, etc. Open to suggestions.
As far as the hard cap goes, I've heard that SmokelessImage is in the process of changing their cartos to the soft cap. For me, I have no problem with the hard cap and in my mind, having a soft cap with a dripping feature is not wise to put in front of a beginner vaper. As we all know, if these cartos are dripped into while still screwed onto the battery, the juice can flow into the automatic battery and kill it. Now, I've also heard that SmokelessImage is coming out with manual batteries, longer ones (more mAh) and of course if those are sealed then they will be fine for drippers.
As for Volt carto taste, I'm vaping the grape and the watermelon and adore both of them, re-ordered 5 packs of both of them matter of fact and bought one of their chrome batteries. Since I'd already read/seen reviewers poo-poo the SmokelessImage tobacco flavors and I see that SI is in the process of changing their pre-filled e-liquids, I'll wait until that happens to try those.
But I definitely will be scrambling to get every new thing SI does with the Volt, I'm really that happy with this thing. My big mods and other pv's are now collecting dust, will probably sell-off most of it.
The Volt is what I wished had been available when I first started vaping. The countertop in my den and the end-table next to my easy chair used to be sticky from juices, littered with bottles, syringes, tweezers, tanks, cartos, atties, batteries, chargers, crumpled paper towels, tissues, etc. No more, just my easy-peasy Volt stuff and my little carto refilling station, lol.
You know how the Go-Go fans have their "Go-Go Nation" slogan? Well, the more time passes that I'm so pleased with my Volt, the more I want to think up a similar thing, like the Volties, Volters, or maybe we can be the V's without a bad connotation since the TV show was cancelled, etc. Open to suggestions.
SJ, I want to start by telling you that I really enjoy your vid reviews. There are a lot of videos that have streamed through my screens in the past month and I've already compiled a list of VVM's (Vaping Video Memes) that annoy the crap out of me. Your vids are refreshingly free of 98% of them, so.. thanks for that. And it was one of your vids that convinced me that DFW Bacon would be worth it, and it was, so I now hold you to your word at all times.
I jumped on the Bloog bandwagon last weekend during their particularly good sale, and literally minutes after placing my order found info on the Volt. Wasn't sure whether to hit myself on the head or not. Shortly I decided that with the sale price it wasn't worth going through a wringer over it since by every account it's really the same hardware.
BMF appears to have once had the lead in getting that hardware (and perhaps some innovations) to the masses first, and the SIV is currently playing a well-executed, fast game of catch up. Once hardware is identical and supply chains are even one can probably count on getting good product either way. What will (and is perhaps already starting to) turn the tide in favor of one or the other will be price, customer service and speed of delivery.
It will be very interesting to see what happens when SIV's catch up is complete. I already plan on placing my next order for cartos or batteries from SI, as at least their cartos are less expensive and it will be worth it just to get an A-B comparison.
All that said, I really hope Bloog (and not just leaford) is paying attention to all the Volt love going on at ECF. There's competition afoot fellas, and the game's already on... and honestly, we will all benefit if they're both in the game for keeps. When the competition's good, we all win!
Exhalesior!
I jumped on the Bloog bandwagon last weekend during their particularly good sale, and literally minutes after placing my order found info on the Volt. Wasn't sure whether to hit myself on the head or not. Shortly I decided that with the sale price it wasn't worth going through a wringer over it since by every account it's really the same hardware.
BMF appears to have once had the lead in getting that hardware (and perhaps some innovations) to the masses first, and the SIV is currently playing a well-executed, fast game of catch up. Once hardware is identical and supply chains are even one can probably count on getting good product either way. What will (and is perhaps already starting to) turn the tide in favor of one or the other will be price, customer service and speed of delivery.
It will be very interesting to see what happens when SIV's catch up is complete. I already plan on placing my next order for cartos or batteries from SI, as at least their cartos are less expensive and it will be worth it just to get an A-B comparison.
All that said, I really hope Bloog (and not just leaford) is paying attention to all the Volt love going on at ECF. There's competition afoot fellas, and the game's already on... and honestly, we will all benefit if they're both in the game for keeps. When the competition's good, we all win!
Exhalesior!
You are AWESOME!
Great review. One of the few times I watched a review and didn't just wish they'd get to the points already.
Oh, yeah, I'm getting the Volt.
Thanks
Great review. One of the few times I watched a review and didn't just wish they'd get to the points already.
Oh, yeah, I'm getting the Volt.
Thanks
Touché!
Yes, you and BasilRay have proved that the guts are the same and I know that the VOLTs will be getting soft caps. I also understand that the juice will be same as Bloog's. When it is, I'll switch. I also hate the Bloog pricing and, especially, those shipping charges. I feel bad for Leaford, however. I admire him so much for what he has accomplished.
Ehvam, I just bought the silver battery and it's really nice. Shiny, seems slimmer than the others (really isn't) because it doesn't have the tactile rubbery coating. However, the tactile coating on the white and black batteries feels really nice. My black battery has the purple light, really like the way it looks. Oh anyway, thanks!
Vapian, thanks to you too. Yes, if Bloog and SmokelessImage were apples to apples in pricing AND shipping cost, it would have been a toss-up for me. But I think even at that SI is bending over backwards to ensure that the customer's buying experience is .... what is that marketing term?... oh yeah, "exceeds expectations." I've ordered from them twice now and it's just boom, two days and it's here.
Samariijill - Thanks, Bolt to Volt!
Vapian, thanks to you too. Yes, if Bloog and SmokelessImage were apples to apples in pricing AND shipping cost, it would have been a toss-up for me. But I think even at that SI is bending over backwards to ensure that the customer's buying experience is .... what is that marketing term?... oh yeah, "exceeds expectations." I've ordered from them twice now and it's just boom, two days and it's here.
Samariijill - Thanks, Bolt to Volt!
Great review!
Please forgive if this seems like a noob question... heh... but I'm curious how the cartos are different from the regular Kanger horizontal 808s? Mine look pretty much exactly like that when I take 'em apart. Is there some sort of improvement in the Volt carto?
The battery is very nice looking. Performance you've described is same as generic Kanger 808s in my experience (I have 808s from V2, V4L, VH, and VK, the latter being original Kangers). I may try one of these for my next 808, though! Looks like a very well put together kit. Thanks for the review!
Please forgive if this seems like a noob question... heh... but I'm curious how the cartos are different from the regular Kanger horizontal 808s? Mine look pretty much exactly like that when I take 'em apart. Is there some sort of improvement in the Volt carto?
The battery is very nice looking. Performance you've described is same as generic Kanger 808s in my experience (I have 808s from V2, V4L, VH, and VK, the latter being original Kangers). I may try one of these for my next 808, though! Looks like a very well put together kit. Thanks for the review!
Hum.... I do not know, I did not know that these cartos were available in a straight Kanger version. Tell me where you got them and I'll go buy some and have a look if they are not too expensive. SI is selling their prefilled Volt cartos for $8.95 for a 5-pack and $2 shipping, or blank cartos, ten 5-packs for $7.49 and free shipping.
Cheers
Touché!
Yes, you and BasilRay have proved that the guts are the same and I know that the VOLTs will be getting soft caps. I also understand that the juice will be same as Bloog's. When it is, I'll switch. I also hate the Bloog pricing and, especially, those shipping charges. I feel bad for Leaford, however. I admire him so much for what he has accomplished.
If it would make you feel better, you could always send Leaford $20 everytime you order something from SmokelessImage, lol. Nah, I hear ya.
But one thing I do not understand is that nearly every vendor says they are "working closely with the Chinese on a new design" but often I can go to chinese websites and see that new thing for sale in bulk to vendors and the only thing the vendors are changing/adding is their logo. Poof, it's up for sale by several vendors, all claiming ownership of the design.
And we hear about vendors flying over to China "to work on a new design." But I also know how family vacations get written off as business expenses. The only business done is that the person makes sure they do a canned "factory tour" while over there and then use that trip for PR, to blow smoke up the backsides of consumers.
I also know that if a company wants to design something proprietary and have it manufactured elsewhere, e.g. China, they can lock it down so no other vendor can get it. It costs money and time to get through the paperwork and signatures, but if a vendor wants to gamble that they will hit their sales figures while selling at an inflated profit margin, then this is how they must do it. Otherwise, they know ahead of time that their widget will be sold by other companies in direct competition with them in pricing and customer service.
Is this about right the way you see it?
Nice review Jan, I too have gone back to autos. I'm using the new Echo 1300 auto battery with 3 plus ml carto. There just isn't any comparison to the 2nd generation auto's and the old ones. The autos just make vaping more relaxing and enjoyable for me.
I think I will get me a volt for when a small PV is more appropriate.
I think I will get me a volt for when a small PV is more appropriate.
So true, now I'm spoiled by this automatic battery. Right now I'm typing and vaping hands-free, just like I did back in my bad-ole smoking days, lol. Plus, I've been wondering how pushing that little button could lead to RSI, repetative stress injury? 'Cause when you're not a spring chicken anymore, our bodies like to get ouchie from the least little things.
Very nice review!! I love their products.
I switched from the bloog a while ago. Been raving about them for over a month. I'm glad everyone is starting to catch on.
I switched from the bloog a while ago. Been raving about them for over a month. I'm glad everyone is starting to catch on.
Just throwing this out there... The Bloog cartomizers offered now (at least the blanks) are a new spec, V2's. They have repositioned the coil and have a thicker wick (5 strand instead of the 4 strand version on the V1's). Per Leaford they are the only ones offering these revisions. I never had a problem with the V1's, but the new ones are supposed to perform a little better with thicker juices (and possibly higher voltages since the ohm rating was raised slightly on the V2's).
I wasn't able to watch the video (I'm at work) but, I'm guessing the carto comparison here is Volt vs Bloog Maxxfusion V1.
Bloog's shipping is definitely high, but their carto prices for quantities of 25 and 50 are identical to SI's.
I've never tried the volt cartos (mostly because I've had really good luck with the Bloog MF's) but I do have 2 volt batteries that are identical (with the exception of the ashcap) to my Bloog MF's.
I wasn't able to watch the video (I'm at work) but, I'm guessing the carto comparison here is Volt vs Bloog Maxxfusion V1.
Bloog's shipping is definitely high, but their carto prices for quantities of 25 and 50 are identical to SI's.
I've never tried the volt cartos (mostly because I've had really good luck with the Bloog MF's) but I do have 2 volt batteries that are identical (with the exception of the ashcap) to my Bloog MF's.
I'm wondering why they went for higher ohm cartos this time? Was there complaint about them being too warm, or burning? I'm wondering if it was to get slightly longer time out of the battery?
You got me curious, so I went looking and found this from Leaford:
He doesn't mention battery life. I personally use thicker juices all the time and never had a problem with the old ones.
I will say that I've had a much better experience using horizontal coil cartomizers on batteries that run at a steady 3.7v (like the volt and maxxfusion) vs. batteries like the vapor king which come off the charger at 4.2v. Maybe that had something to do with the decision? Not sure, really...
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Thanks for digging amnesiac,
If the coil is less ohms, the battery life should be longer. It would put less draw on there.
I was surprised to see that the wick has been raised. I did not know that there were issues with the silicone cap, etc. causing the rev to change. I'd be interested to see a side by side autopsy and vape-off...
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