VAPE BLOG

The Aspire brand is known for its quality, and the SkyStar is one of its latest incarnations. The first touch screen mod from the brand, this SkyStar is easy to use, high quality and stylish – what’s not to like?

Design

When compared with other mods, the SkyStar from Aspire has a unique look. Coming a host of shades from white to woodgrain, this is one stylish piece of vaping equipment, and although it’s slightly taller than some of its competitors, it has nicely curved corners that make it feel compact and easy to handle. Overall, it has quite a retro feel which will appeal to many vapers who have a passion for curves!

Operation

With just a single button on this device it couldn’t be more user friendly if it tried. Five clicks will switch the mod on, which is fairly standard, however it can only be switched off by holding down the fire button for two seconds and its stealth mode is switched on when the button is clicked three times – which is completely different from the standard.

Nevertheless, once you’ve got to grips with the different click orders, this is an easy to use device and the swipe menu is much more intuitive that you might expect. You can easily change between TC and Wattage modes and there is also a bypass mode allowing the device to be an unregulated mod.

Performance

Aspire’s vaping devices are known for the impressive quality of their performance, and you won’t be disappointed by the SkyStar. You’ll get some good flavour from this vape as well as some pretty decent clouds, although they may not be big enough for the most dedicated cloud chasers.

Since this mod is a bit bigger than some of its rivals and has a different layout, it can take a while to work out how to get the best performance from this device but once you’ve figured out how to get the experience you’ve been hoping for you’ll get some good value for money.

Negatives

Some users do report that you can end up with a few dry hits from this device, especially if you like to vape at a higher wattage. The manufacturer recommends turning the mod every couple of vapes to re-saturate the coils to avoid this problem, and that’s a bit strange and could put some people off.

While the user menu is actually very good once you get to grips with it, it’s a bit of a steep learning curve when you’re first getting used to swiping down and up to change the settings. It can be quite fiddly to adjust and that could easily put people off, especially newer vapers who are keen to simplify their experience.

Another minor irritation is that not all types of e-juice bottle are compatible with the fill spring on the tank top (if you buy the full kit), meaning the top cap has to be completely removed to refill which can lead to spills and mess.

Conclusion

Although there are some downsides to the Aspire SkyStar, it is an attractive looking device and produces a decent level of performance for the price. The touch screen is an interesting detail and may not be for everyone, but it does improve the operation of the mod and prevents accidental adjustment of the settings.

With its retro appearance and attractive curves, this device is going to suit all kinds of vapers and even better, it comes in at a very affordable price tag, making it a good choice for vapers on a budget who want to be sure that they’re getting a quality device.



BUY THE ASPIRE SKYSTAR HERE…

Thanks to its cutting-edge design and advanced technology, the Smok Alien box mod is a modern masterpiece. Offering great performance in a compact package, it’s a stylish addition to your vaping paraphernalia.

Design – Smok Alien

The Smok Alien has a black case made from strong and durable zinc alloy, and its sophisticated and visually appealing dealing in gun metal grey adds enough style to appeal to anyone. With its pocket-sized dimensions, this device is also perfect for vaping on the go, fitting easily into any bag or even pocket while on the move.

It’s also a wonderful sub-ohm vaping kit and has a comfortable, ergonomic design with nicely contoured edges and controls and buttons which have been placed strategically to fit perfectly into your hand. The integrated side fire bar allows for precise and simple firing and the buttons have a tactile feel for a better user experience.

Operation – Smok Alien

The user can choose between either the stealth or normal vaping mode, so if you’re wanting to just enjoy a satisfying vape in your home or whether you would rather go unnoticed while vaping in public, your needs can be accommodated.

There is a large, easy read OLED screen which displays all the data, settings and functions you could possibly need, and while it may at first glance appear to be too much information, it’s all very useful for customising your device to your own style of vaping.

Two luxury features which appear on this model that are usually only present on higher end devices are the puff counter and the draw timer, which offer users even better value for money. There is also a battery indicator which shows how much charge is remaining on each separate battery.

Performance – Smok Alien

The advanced chipset of the Smok Alien allows the user to choose their own customised power range of between 6 Watts and 220 Watts, and it can also support an atomiser resistance down to as low as 0.06 Ohms. The temperature control mode supports Stainless Steel, Titanium and Nickel coils, giving vapers the flexibility to either enjoy sub ohm vaping and regular vaping to suit how they feel at any given time.

This means that whether you prefer cloud chasing or maximising your e liquid flavours, you can fine tune your experience to suit your tastes. As this mod can also be paired with a seemingly endless combination of tanks and coils, it gives outstanding versatility and great value for money.

Negatives

Although there are many positives to choosing the Smok Alien, as always there are a couple of downsides to consider before making your purchase. Although this device has been well designed and is strong and durable, it does have a weak point in the battery door, which could snap off relatively easily if any undue pressure was exerted on it. Also, although it has a stylish zinc alloy finish, over time, it will begin to chip away spoiling its flawless and attractive appearance.

Smok Alien Conclusion

For most vapers, new and experienced alike, the Smok Alien is a great choice. It accommodates the preferences of both cloud chasers and those who want better flavour, and it offers the flexibility of adjustable settings so you can tailor your experience to perfectly suit your needs every time you vape. Its stylish design is also appealing, and thanks to its compact dimensions it makes one of the best devices for use on the go. With its attractive price tag, it’s easy to see why this device has proved to be so popular.

BUY THE SMOK ALIEN 220WATT FULL KIT HERE…

Smok is one of the better-known manufacturers on the vaping market today, and is well known for its great box mods which have proven to be popular for a long time thanks to the excellent design and innovation which they incorporate. However, to date, the Smok Mag is their most ergonomically designed mod which fits perfectly into your hand. Colourful and visually appealing, this device has a lot of positives in its favour.

Smok Mag Design

The design of the Smok Mag is compact and neat, fitting perfectly into the user’s hand for a more comfortable feel and ease of use. It also comes in a choice of colours, so you can go with a plain black model for greater discretion while vaping on the go, or a bright red if you feel like being noticed. The moulding for the palm and thumb on its sides makes this a particular user-friendly device with a great hand-feel.

Smok Mag Operation

With its dual 18650 rechargeable batteries, this mod has a 225 W output and three different modes to choose from. You can adjust the temperature to improve and customise your vape to suit your unique preferences, or choose the wattage mode for manual control of power to the coil.

Alternatively, the memory mode gives even greater customisation potential although it is harder and more time consuming to programme. Simple to use, you simply click the fire button of this device five times to lock the mod and three to access the menu.

Smok Mag Tank

The Smok Mag kit comes complete with a TFV12 Prince tank, a T12 coil and a Q4 coil. The top filling tank is easy to refill without creating any mess or spills and it has an adjustable airflow to allow you to find just the right draw to suit your preferences.

Smok Mag Performance

Even the most demanding experienced sub-ohm kit vaper won’t be disappointed with the performance produced by the Smok Mag. Its cutting-edge chipset is very responsive and although the memory mode is a little fiddly to control it allows for the accuracy of customisation that will guarantee you the perfect vaping experience.

If you want to use a high wattage, you might struggle a little with this vape, but for those who are relatively new to vaping and who prefer an experience that feels more like regular smoking, the upgrade this device offers from a basic cig-a-like is impressive.

Overall, it’s a great enhancement for anyone who has been used to a basic vaping experience.

Negatives

While there is a lot to like about the Smok Mag, there are few negatives to consider before deciding whether this is the right mod for you. For a start, its battery release button is pretty sensitive and that can mean that you accidentally end up releasing the battery while the device is being carried around in your pocket, which can be a pain.

Also, although the design will appeal to many people, some people feel that the gun handle style does not suit the shape of their hands and they find it uncomfortable to use.

Conclusion Of The Smok Mag Kit

​Overall, the Smok Mag is a great value mod, and will especially appeal to those who are looking for a compact and stylish vape device that will fit nicely in their hand and which doesn’t require a very steep learning curve.

A great choice for beginners, this device has an advanced chipset which offers a high level of performance all at a price that anyone can afford. Suited to the needs of both novice and experience vapers, the Smok Mag kit gives users enough flexibility to really customise their vaping experience to suit their own preferences.

BUY THE SMOK MAG FULL KIT HERE…

With its neat and compact size and stylish design, the Vaporesso Swag is aimed primarily at those who are making the switch from smoking, but may also appeal to experienced vapers who are looking for a handy palm sized vape to take out and about. With its excellent construction and its surprisingly impressive performance, the Vaporesso Swag is proving to be a popular choice with all kinds of vapers who have different preferences and different vaping styles.

Design

The Swag mod has been designed to high standards with a sturdy and solid body that is robust enough to withstand anything you throw at it. Despite its diminutive size it doesn’t compromise on performance and power so you can get a great quality vape on the go.

Equipped with a versatile and advanced OMNI Board 2.0 chipset, this tiny, portable device offers a great range of modes to choose from, including Temperature Control, wattage and bypass modes. It also has a stylish exterior with a durable finish that won’t easily be damaged by being popped into a bag or pocket to take out and about.

Operation

Despite its small size, the Vaporesso Swag offers plenty of power flexibility and can operate up to 80 W. It can be used with any titanium, nickel or stainless steel coils and it can handle resistances down to just 0.05 Ohm, making it suitable for all kinds of vapers. With a simple to navigate menu, it couldn’t be simpler to customise your vaping experience to suit your personal preferences.

Tank

The Vaporesso Swag’s tank may be small but it’s also very well made. Choose your favourite e liquid flavour and then fill up through the convenient top filling design – for easy refilling and it features airflow controls to the bottom so you can adjust the draw to accommodate your vaping style. Although it isn’t the best tank on the market, it’s straightforward and offers decent flavour and vapour, especially for its size and price point.

Performance

The vapour quality and flavour produced by the Vaporesso Swag kit is very good, especially when considering its size and single 18650 battery. It comes equipped with a GT2 coil which is a 0.4 Ohm resistance coil that delivers a decent balance of cloud production and flavour.

Its CCELL coil has a ceramic rather than a cotton wick and this improves the flavour yet again while also being safe for use at higher heats to deliver larger clouds. As an added advantage, the CCELL coil has a longer lifespan than many others, so you can enjoy plenty of impressive performance.

Negatives

There are a few negatives to this device which may need to be considered when trying to decide whether it’s the right vape for you. For a start, the airflow is quite tricky to adjust which could be a pain if you’re trying to experiment with you draw styles. Also, the battery cap is hard to remove if the tank is attached.

Conclusion

Whether you are brand new to vaping and are looking for an affordable and user friendly device to ease the process of transitioning from smoking cigarettes, or whether you are an experienced vaper who is keen to find a tiny, compact model that can easily be taken with you when you travel, the Vaporesso Swag could perfectly fit the bill. It offers sufficient flexibility and versatility to experiment with different heating modes and its adjustable airflow, while being tricky to alter, opens up the possibilities to switch between MTL and DTL vape styles. Stylish, attractive and intuitive, the Vaporesso Swag certainly represents great value for money and is well worth a try.

BUY THE VAPORESSO SWAG HERE…

Innokin is one of the best-known manufacturers in the industry and their iTaste Kroma kit has been designed to be appealing to both brand new and experienced vapers alike. Offering a choice of vaping modes, it supports all types of coils and comes with a Slipstream tank that offers a great level of performance.

Design

The Kroma has an especially eye-catching design and a fashionable appearance. It has a compact body and is ergonomically design which can be held perfectly in the hand thanks to its rounded curves. The knurled section ensures the user can keep a sturdy grip on their device so it won’t accidentally be dropped and as it comes in a choice of colours you’re sure to find one to suit your tastes.

Pocket-friendly in size, this is a super lightweight device to carry about yet despite its light construction it’s solid and robust enough to withstand whatever you throw at it. The viewing window helps you to monitor your e-juice levels and the OLED screen displays all the details you need to know including a puff counter.

Tank

The kit comes with a straightforward Slipstream tank which has a minimalist yet functional design and a Delrin drip tip that can be interchanged with your favourite drip tip thanks to its 510 connector. There are 3 Cyclops-style airflow slots to allow for adjustment to accommodate your preferred draw style and that makes this a good choice for either MTL or DTL vapers.

Its stainless-steel construction is strong and durable while the Pyrex glass sleeve insert resists breakage admirably. The top fill design means ease of refilling and the child-proof cap ensures that even if your device accidentally makes its way into the wrong hands it will remain intact and safe.

Performance

The Kroma produces an impressive level of performance producing very good flavour. As you can vary between MTL and DTL vaping styles, you can easily achieve the experience that you prefer and when it comes to cloud production you can expect a reasonable amount that will please all but the most dedicated cloud chasers.
Its Aethon chip ensures high performance in both the TC and Variable Wattage modes with no dry hits and a good battery life providing that you aren’t a chain vaper. With its fast charging capabilities and pass-through charging you won’t have to manage without your nicotine hit either.

Negatives

While the Innokin Kroma Slipstream kit is a reliable choice, it does experience a couple of issues. The screen can be difficult to read in direct sunlight or in outdoor conditions, and also some spitback is often experienced if the tank is very full which can be unpleasant and off-putting. Its airflow holes are also quite small, so while it is possible to adjust the draw to a certain extent, for those who are looking for a greater degree of flexibility in this respect there may not be enough variation on offer from this device.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a stylish and compact device that offers plenty of flexibility to accommodate both mouth to lung and direct to lung vaping, the iTaste Kroma could be the vape for you. It’s great for new vapers but equally accommodating for those who are experienced and who are keen to have a more portable model to take out and about in public. Although it does have a couple of downsides, it is an attractive and well-designed advice that offers a decent level of cloud and flavour production that will satisfy all but the most hardcore of vapers.

BUY THE INNOKIN KROMA SLIPSTREAM KIT HERE…