CONGRATS JENNIFER!!
Congratulations to Jennifer LeBlanc the winner of the impromptu (not a) contest!. She was the first one to guess the SDNA75 fire button reminded me of the alien eye from the original War Of The Worlds (and correctly send an email to contest@tasteyourjuice.com) 🙂
Jennifer, you know what you have to do. Send an email to me at pbusardo@tasteyourjuice.com using the email you entered the contest in, I’ll get some information from you, and get this out in the mail just as soon as I can.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Another fake VTC4 is floating around!
My thanks to ECR’s /u/icanshitposttoo for getting a pair of these batteries to me for examination and testing. These were bought from a smoke shop in Oregon, USA and are definitely fakes.
Here’s why:
– Genuine VTC4’s have three “legs” coming down from the top contact. These fakes have four.
– These fakes have the printing on the outside of an opaque wrap. Genuine VTC4’s use a translucent wrap and the text is printed on the metal can. The code square is printed on the wrap though.
– The printing on the fakes isn’t even close in appearance to the printing used on genuine VTC4’s.
– Discharging these fakes at 10A causes their voltage to drop to a useless level almost instantly. Genuine VTC4’s can be run for quite a while at 10A.
These fakes don’t match any Samsung, Sony, LG, or Panasonic/Sanyo battery I have. While I don’t have a sample of every battery made by those companies I think these fakes are of Chinese manufacture. They are either only rated a couple of amps or they are very low grade higher amp-rated batteries.
A troubling feature of these fake batteries is the use of a free-floating top insulating ring. Up until now every rewrapped and fake battery I have seen has used a self-adhesive ring. The counterfeiters are learning and we need to keep ahead of them. We can no longer assume that a battery with a free-floating ring is genuine.
One of the two fake VTC4’s I received seems to have either leaked from the top seal or vented before I received it. There is debris around and under the top contact. The 10A discharge test was done using the other fake.
If you have bought any of these fakes do not use them. Contact the vendor you purchased them from to arrange for a refund or exchange.
Please do not send me photos of your batteries asking me to authenticate them! Use the information here and, if needed, the photos in my test report for the VTC4:
https://imgur.com/a/qSshA
LAST MINUTE ADDITION TO THE STOCKING – A CUSTOM ENGRAVED SDNA BY MIKE MORGAN AKA ZEN!
Mike Morgan AKA Zen of the House Of Hybrids watched the last review video and offered to custom engrave the SDNA75 I reviewed as a wonderful addition to the stocking.
I’ve seen some of Mike’s work and it’s just amazing. Here’s a small example:
Thanks so much Mike! I sincerely hope this makes someone very happy!
MY NEXT EVENT – TPE 2017
I’ll be at the TPE 2017 event representing B.!
Hope to see you there! Let’s have a vape and a chat together!
Click the banner for more information…
January 25-26, 2017 • Las Vegas Convention Center • South Halls Level 2
THE SMY SDNA75 – THE FINAL ADDITION TO THE STOCKING – HOW TO WIN IT – THE BUH-IN AWARDS – AND CLOSING THOUGHTS MOVING OUT OF 2016 AND INTO 2017
A PBusardo Review – SMY SDNA75 & MORE!
In this video, we’re going to:
1) Take a look at the SMY SDNA75
2) We do the final addition to the stocking
3) I’ll let you know how to win the stocking
4) We do some “Buh-In” awards
5) And I give you some thoughts moving out of 2016 and into 2017
BTW – you have until December 31st @ 11:59PM EST to get your entries in. Sorry it wasn’t mentioned in the video!
The Links:
SMY
VaporDNA
My DNA-75 board review
My Second look at Escribe following the DNA-75 board review
Tesla’s Software Video Tutorial
Doctor Farsalinos’ Website
The Video:
*NOTE: Any use of these videos in part or in their entirety without Phil Busardo’s expressed written consent is strictly prohibited.
The Photos:
NEW ON REGULATOR WATCH – Hypocrisy of Harm Reduction | Dr. Sally Satel Assesses Public Health War on Vaping
NEW ON REGULATOR WATCH – Hypocrisy of Harm Reduction | Dr. Sally Satel Assesses Public Health War on Vaping
Here’s the latest from Brent Stafford!
Why is heroin harm reduction ok, but nicotine harm reduction is not? Often it seems public health officials consider nicotine to be far more of a danger to society than heroin. In the rush to clampdown on alternative forms of nicotine use many vapers feel like their health needs are being sacrificed in the name of a greater good.
In this episode of RegWatch hear from Dr. Sally Satel, eminent psychiatrist, author and Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington D.C. Dr. Satel is a world-leading expert on addiction and is an ardent proponent of vaping. Learn why she believes there is a hypocrisy of harm reduction—only on RegWatch by RegulatorWatch.com.
RegulatorWatch.com – December 20, 2016.
THE TESLA TOUCH 150W TC
A PBusardo Review – The Tesla Touch 150W TC
In this video we add to the stocking and take a full look at the Tesla Touch 150W TC.
The Links:
Ruby Roo’s YouTube
VaporShark
Teslacigs
Tesla Touch 150W TC Software Download Page
Tesla’s Software Video Tutorial
The Video:
*NOTE: Any use of these videos in part or in their entirety without Phil Busardo’s expressed written consent is strictly prohibited.
The Photos:
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: There’s another fake LG HG2 variation out there!
This makes for five different types of HG2 fakes and there will be more so be alert. My thanks to ECR’s /u/tarek26007 for posting pictures of his.
Luckily this version is easy to spot. It has a five “leg” top contact and not four like the genuine HG2 does. It also has an invalid date code, “O2O3”.
You can check the date code for a lot of batteries using the BatteryBro tool:
https://batterybro.com/pages/18650-date-code-lookup-tool
A valid date code does NOT mean it’s a genuine battery. They could have easily used a genuine code on their fakes.
Images of the fakes and a real HG2: https://imgur.com/a/Bq8Sk
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: LiPo’s don’t perform like crap
Just because LiPo’s might have preposterously exaggerated ratings doesn’t mean they don’t still perform well against 18650’s.
My recent testing update post mentioned the wildly exaggerated ratings I saw for a couple of 3S 1800mAh LiPo packs. I received quite a few messages from people wondering how I can say that because they get great performance from their LiPo’s. And they should! Not meeting the 100C, 70C, or even the 50C ratings these packs have doesn’t mean they are lousy performers. It just means they don’t perform anywhere near their ratings. They can still be better than the 18650’s we use.
For example, see the graphs linked to below.
I tested two 3S 1800mAh-1850mAh LiPo packs against a 3S setup of Sony VTC5A batteries in a good quality battery sled at 10A, 20A, and 30Ap. Their DC internal resistances are:
Green LiPo = 0.028 ohms
Red LiPo = 0.044 ohms
VTC5A’s = 0.078 ohms
You can clearly see the difference the different internal resistances make. The higher the internal resistance, the greater the voltage sag and the lower the battery voltage is.
The Green LiPo is the clear winner here with the Red LiPo performing next best and the VTC5A’s performing the worst of the three. Interestingly, the Red LiPo is a very expensive pack from a very well respected manufacturer. The Green LiPo is slightly larger but is about half the cost and performs a lot better. I won’t be revealing the manufacturer’s name for either LiPo until I can test a second pack from each company to make sure my results are correct.
Neither LiPo performs anywhere near its ratings but in spite of that they still outperform a pack using one of the best 18650’s available.
There are safety issues when using LiPo’s though. I’ll be addressing these, and other considerations, when I have finished testing the rest of the 1800mAh-1850mAh LiPo packs. I hope to be able to do that within a couple of weeks.
https://imgur.com/a/fch74
NEW IN THE QUEUE – THE ELEAF ASTERS – 12/15/16
Eleaf sent along their new Aster line of mods. In the line you’re going to find the standard Aster, the Aster Total, and the Aster RT.
Before you say it, yes, the standard and the Total do look like 1/2 of a coffin. You weren’t going to say it? Well shit, now you’re not going to be able to stop seeing it.
Regardless of what it reminds you of, this is a new shape we (or at least I) haven’t seen before and it fits damn well in the hand.
The Aster standard is a single 18650 device that features 75W of power and temperature control. It also has Smart (remembers wattage vs. resistance settings), Bypass, and custom TCR settings and is firmware upgradable.
It comes in black, gray, pink, white, and silver.
Here’s some additional information from Eleaf on the Aster:
Beautiful and colorful, ASTER is a new skillfully engineered product with a fashionable metallic appearance. Powered by single interchangeable 18650 cell, it is capable of outputting up to 75W of power. It also features the upgradeable firmware and convenient side charging port. With an ergonomically redesigned shape, you can hold it in the palm with ease and comfort.
Parameter:
Size: 35.5mm*23.0mm*91.0mm
Thread type: 510 thread
Output mode: VW/Bypass/Smart/TC(Ni,Ti,SS,TCR-M1,M2,M3) mode
Output wattage: 1-75W
Resistance range: 0.05-1.5ohm (TC modes)
Resistance range: 0.1-3.5ohm (VW/Bypass/Smart mode)
Temperature range: 100－315℃/200－600℉ (TC modes)
Color: deep pink, grey, black, white, brushed SilverStandard configuration:
1× ASTER (without cell)
1× USB Cable
1x User Manual
Now we move to the Aster Total. This is an all-in-one in the shape of the standard Aster above.
This one has no settings (think bypass only). It has an internal 1600 mAh battery and the built in tank can hold around 3.2ml of liquid. It comes in either silver or black, but can be modified utilizing the included “leather” stickers. One will already be installed for you. It uses the same coil heads as the iCare.
Here’s some additional information from Eleaf on the Aster Total:
The ASTER Total is an integration of both a battery and a tank in one unit yet still retains the ergonomically redesigned shape of original ASTER that perfectly fits in the palm of your hand. It is comfortable and easy to use with conveniently placed fire button and direct output voltage system. The e-liquid can easily be refilled by removing the top cap and the airflow can be adjusted to your preference. Also you can change the color of your ASTER Total whenever you like by replacing its leather sticker.
Parameter:
Size: 37mm*23.5mm*116mm
Output mode: Bypass
Output wattage: 25W max
Resistance range: 0.15ohm-3.5ohm
E-liquid capacity: 3.2ml
Battery capacity: 1600mAh
Color: Black, silverStandard configuration:
1× ASTER Total
2× IC 1.1ohm Heads
2× Stickers
1× USB Cable
1× User Manual
Finally we move to the Aster RT. If we want to put this in terms of mod sex, then it looks like a Reuleaux and a Tesla Stealth got busy.
The RT stand for recessed tank and that’s what you get with this one a Melo RT 22 tank (BTW – the “Retractable Top Filling Solution” on the Melo is pretty slick). It has an internal 4400 mAh battery, is firmware upgradeable, does variable wattage up to 100W, temperature control, custom TCR settings, Smart, and Bypass modes. You also have control over your preheat wattage and time.
It’s available in silver, white, black, grey, and green.
Here’s some additional information from Eleaf:
Product Introduction:
The ASTER RT is a skillfully designed “Recessed Tank” (RT) style compact mod that is able to hold and hide tanks up to 22mm diameter. It is pre-installed with the new firmware that has preheat function and custom logo as well as different interfaces for you to check your total puffs and total vaping seconds. Also the firmware is upgradeable to be always the latest. The MELO RT 22 features its innovative “Retractable Top” (RT) solution which makes e-liquid refilling the easiest and most convenient ever. With a diameter of 22mm, the tank pairs perfectly with the ASTER RT.Parameter:
Size: 50.6mm*40.0mm*95.3mm
Thread type: 510 thread
Battery capacity: 4400mAh
E-liquid capacity: 3.8mL
Output wattage: 1-100W
Output mode: VW/Bypass/Smart/TC(Ni,Ti,SS,TCR-M1,M2,M3)
Resistance range: 0.05-1.5ohm (TC modes)
Resistance range: 0.1-3.5ohm (VW/Bypass/Smart mode)
Temperature range: 100－315℃/200－600℉(TC modes)
Maximum charging current: 1A
Maximum output current: 25A
Color: Silver, white, black, grey, greenStandard configuration:
1× ASTER RT
1× MELO RT 22 (with ER 0.3ohm Head)
1× ER 0.3ohm Head
2× Seal Rings
1× USB Cable
2× User Manuals
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