Review: Subtank by Kanger, a heavyweight champion

Sub-Ohm vaping, with coils measuring resistances below 1 Ohm was kind of a buzz-word last year. Still, this has been somewhat reserved for the more advanced vapers who builds their own coils chasing the biggest clouds possible. But late last year this changed. Aspire released their Atlantis tank, with atomizer heads measuring 0.5 Ohms. This meant we could now enjoy sub-ohm vaping without having to build our own coils, just replacing the atomizer head like in any other clearomizer. Not long after Aspire's release, Kanger released the tank I'm reviewing here, the Subtank. This has the option to choose between Kangers own pre-prebuilt atomizer heads and a rebuildable atomizer head, giving you the convenience of the pre-built heads but also the option of experimenting and building your own coils. This sounds like a tank that would appeal to a lot of people, including me. So is it as good as it sounds?

Some specs:

• Coils: Kanger offers their newly designed pre-built "Bottom Plane Dual Coil (BPDC)" heads in 0.5 and 1.2 Ohm versions. They're also called Organic Cotton Coil or OCC heads. In addition the Sub-tank comes with an RBA meaning you could build your own coils with any resistance you wish.
• Adjustable airflow: The ring at the bottom of the tank can be twisted around to open different air-holes around the base, giving you the option to adjust the airflow to your liking.
• Connector: Standard 510, with a spring loaded center pin meaning it would fit almost any mod you can think of.
• Size: A length of 55mm(without drip tip) and a diameter of 25mm makes this a pretty big tank, I think the biggest I've tried at least.
• Juice capacity: With OCC head installed you'll be able to fit in 6 ml juice, with the RBA 4.2 ml. Huge capacity in other words.

In the package:

• 1 x Organic Cotton Coil Head: 0.5 Sub Ohm / Range 15 - 30 W
• 1 x Organic Cotton Coil Head: 1.2 Ohm / Range 12 - 25 W
• 4 x RBA Coil 
• 1 x RBA Tip Connector
• 1 x RBA Base
• 1 x Screw Driver
• 2 X Screws
• 1 x Manual
• Some organic cotton made in Japan
• 1 x Beauty Ring (From Φ25 to Φ22mm)

Design and looks:
This is indeed a big, and pretty heavy tank. It weighs in at 94g with the OCC head, probably around 100 with the RDA. With it's red o-rings it has a pretty distinctive look which I personally think is pretty nice. It can take other drip-tips as well, but I think it looks best with the rather bit driptip, with what looks like fins to get rid of some heat, matches the tank perfectly. Considering it's size I think it looks best on a pretty large tube-mod or a box mod, but I guess you're going to have to use that anyway as you want to run this on 25ish watts meaning you'll need some battery capacity.

Now Kanger has probably realized that the subtank might be a bit too large for some people. So they are releasing 2 new versions of it soon:

• The Subtank Mini, which is just a smaller 22mm diameter version, that comes with all the same features, using the same heads and a smaller RBA.
• The Subtank Nano, even smaller measuring 18.5mm in diameter, using the same pre-built heads, but no RDA on this version.

Set-up:
If you're using the pre-built coils setting up this device is really just screwing the parts together. Easy as hell, and very convenient if you're out and about or just in a hurry. Changing the head takes you less than a minute.

Now if you're changing to the RBA (or back to pre-built) you need to change the top of the tank as well. The reason for this is that the RBA is kind of higher and you'll need a top with a shorter centre tube. There is a couple of screws at the top you need to unscrew to do this, but it's not a very complex operation and done in a couple of minutes. The screws are tiny so make sure you don't loose them on the floor, cause spotting them can prove to be an impossible task. You only get two extra screws (I have one left) in the package, so hopefully you'll only make this mistake once or twice.

Setting up the RBA itself is something that requires a little training and a little patience. It's not any more difficult to set up than any other RBA, so for the experienced vaping geek this is no problem. The RBA also came with 2 of the 4 coils already mounted so if you don't have any experience you'll get to see what it should look like when you're done. Of course you can build this any way you want, single coil, dual coil etc. However I think you're going to have to spend quite some time experimenting if you're going to fit more than 2 coils in there cause you have limited room for that. The dual-coil setup it came with measured 0.4 Ohms. If you're going to use the setup they already put in there for you, make sure you check that the screws are tightened properly... mine were pretty loose so at first the Sigelei I used measured anything from 0.7 to 3 Ohms. Once I tightened the screws it showed .4 and stayed that way. When you've got the coils  in place, all you need to do is put in some cotton (or silica if you prefer). In the manual there are some images suggesting how much cotton you should use, and there is also some cotton in the box. If you follow the steps in the manual, you should be able to get going with the RBA setup in less than 10 minutes (probably 3 if you're experienced).

In use:
First of all... this tank produces a whole lot of thick, warm, delicious vapor. Changing heads and juices, as I mentioned above, is fast and easy. It has a spring-loaded 510 connector, meaning it will fit most devices no problem. On my Sigelei 100 W I did no adjustments, just screwed it on and stared vaping. So in other words... the Subtank works very well and is easy to use.

With the 0.5 head and the RBA at 0.4 Ohm's I think that 25W is the sweet spot for this tank. This is also not far from what you'll get if you put it on a mech-mod. For the 1.2 Ohm head I turned it down to around 20W. Pretty similar vape to the others there as well and no wicking issues even at 25W on that coil. On a mech-mod you will of course get cooler and probably a bit less vapor from the 1.2, so this comes down to personal preference. One of each is included so you get to try them both if you want.

I did encountered a couple of small issues though. First, I had a small leaking issue, with juice coming out of the air-control holes. I took the tank apart and when I put it back together I noticed that the glass tube was not cut perfectly straight at both ends. One end was better than the other, so I tried putting the tube back on the other way around. This fixed the leaking issue. I think the reason for this is that on top you have one (kind of weird, angled) o-ring where you can get away with the tube not being perfectly straight. On the bottom there are 2 separate o-rings and you need the tube to make contact with both of them to avoid leaking.

I also have a small issue with the 510 connector, where the spring-loaded centerpin is stuck, so it's not really spring loaded any more. For me this is not a problem as the mod I'm using has an adjustable 501 connection as well. It is pretty easy to take the whole center of the 510 connection on the Subtank out, so it would be very easy to replace. Hopefully Kanger will supply spares soon. In fact they I think they should consider putting a spare in the box. I also see they now supply spare o-rings, which I also think they should consider including. Actually I don't know if they already do by now, as they we're not even available at all when I got the tank.

Refilling the tank is done by unscrewing the whole base and just filling up to the top of the center tube. Quick and easy. Of course they could have made a filling hole on top, but personally I really don't see the need for one. I'd screw of the base anyway so I can fill directly from bigger bottles. Since the tank has a capacity of 6 or 4.2 ml it will last you more than a day anyway so you don't really need to fill on the go. That said, having the option to fill from the top would be something to consider for the next version, it could make it possible to squeeze even more juice in there.

Conclusion:
Despite a couple of minor issues that I mentioned above, this is easily one of the best tanks I've tried. Kind of a heavy weight champion. Once I fixed the leaking issue, there is no leaking at all from it, and it just works. Changing coils or heads, refilling and using it is easy as hell, and the vapor and flavor it produces is just awesome.

Now I do suspect that I'd use this mostly with the 0.5 Ohm heads. I haven't had the time to experiment a lot with the RDA, but the 0.5 head and the RBA at 0.4 Ohms gives me pretty much the same vape. Now wicking issues at 25W on either. I hope I get to try out the Atlantis from Aspire as well to compare that one. I do think the RDA option gives the Subtank a slight advantage on paper over the Atlantis, but as I said, I haven't tried the Atlantis yet, so I can't really say for sure... yet. 

Price-wise it's not bad either at £32.99. Replacement coils are £13.99 for a pack of 5. And if you decide to try this one out, using discount code vapingiraffe will knock 5% off at UKEcigStore. Thanks to UKEcigStore for sending me the Subtank for this review. 
 


Disclosure:

• All my reviews are my honest opinion even if I am affiliated with the company manufacturing or selling the product. 
• The atomizer was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review.
• This review contains affiliate links.

Help spreading the truth to doctors, health care professionals and scientists

Professor Gerry Stimson, Jacques Le Houezec PhD, Professor Riccardo Polosa, Konstantinos Farsalinos PhD and Carmen Escrig PhD are asking doctors, health care professional and scientists around the world to educate themselves on e-cigarettes and vaping and to support their M.O.V.E  manifesto.

We call on our colleagues to sign this declaration in support of the merits of electronic cigarettes based on scientific evidence and ethical debate.

I do believe that the statements and opinions of Doctors and health care professionals in the vaping debate will affect the opinion of the general public, and the politicians, strongly, either directly or indirectly through the media. I expect my doctor to know what he's talking about and trust his advice, and I don't think I'm the only one here. So I really appreciate these guys efforts to reach out and educate those of their colleagues who still needs it, and gathering the signatures of those already educated to create a strong voice that will help educating the general public.

We, as vapers, can help them do this by spreading the word to health care professionals around the world. Give this link to your own doctor, your friends that are doctors or any health care professional you come across:

https://sciencecig.wordpress.com/move/

If you "don't know enough yet", SHUT UP!

Norwegian politicians love their precautionary principle. Whenever they feel they don't know enough about something, they jump to this principle proclaiming that "we don't know enough yet". I came across an article in a small local newspaper today reporting that the Working Environment Committee for Namsos (a small town a bit further north from where I live) has suggested that e-cigarettes should be included in the smoking ban that prohibits smoking during work hours for all municipal employees. They say that "it is not known whether these substances are harmful" and because of that they want to ban e-cigs as well, using their precious precautionary principle.

The precautionary principle itself is not necessarily a bad thing, if used correctly. It is often reasonable to use it when a new product comes along, that for some reason (use common sense) might have some harmful effect, to be a bit cautious until research is available. The problem with Norwegian politicians, as the article clearly shows, is that they use it whenever THEY don't know enough, even if they haven't even dragged their asses over to the computer and googled the subject. When the politicians in Namsos talk about the substances in e-cigarettes I bet they don't even know what substances they are talking about. Clearly not actually. They are using the principle even if a lot of research is available, and has been for quite a while now, and that is just WRONG!

With all the research available on the subject today, if you "don't know enough yet" that has to mean you either don't want to know, you're to lazy to find the information or you're to incompetent to do it. In either case, if you're a politician responsible for creating reasonable regulations, you are not doing your job! IT IS YOUR JOB TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE THINGS YOU ARE GOING TO REGULATE! In fact, anyone claiming that "we don't know enough yet" in the case of e-cigarettes in 2015 is clearly not qualified to join the discussion in the first place. I mean, it's totally ok to not know enough about whatever you don't want to know enough about, but then you need to stay out of the discussion as well.

Norway has a lot of oil and from time to time we have discussions about how much we should pump up. Lots of factors to consider, like how it affects the price, the environment and so on. I don't know much about this, so what I do is to keep my mouth shut. If I want to join that discussion, I see it as my duty to read up on the subject and make sure I know as much as possible. Oil is a huge part of the Norwegian economy and the decisions made in the area affects a lot of people. Joining this discussion without even taking time to read up a bit and educate my self would do nothing but making the discussion less productive. If I did what a lot of e-cig opponents, that know pretty much as little about e-cigarettes as I know about oil, do, and claim to be an expert in the area as well, I would also run the risk of affecting the final decision in a way that makes it far from the best. If I want to join the discussion on oil, it is my duty to at least read up on the subject, cause there is a lot of information easily available if I can be bothered to lean forward and grab the iPad on my living room table. If I can't be bothered to do so... I should continue to keep my mouth shut. The same thing goes for the e-cigarette debate, the information is there, just a google search away. If you "don't know enough about e-cigarettes yet", SHUT UP UNTIL YOU DO!


photo credit: jonnwilliams via photopin cc

Juice review: Absinthe by Decadent Vapours

It's time for my first e-juice review of 2015. Last time I reviewed a juice from Decadent Vapours I reviewed the Sarsaperilla, a quite new taste for my tongue. This time, the taste is a lot more familiar, but not totally unrelated to the Sarsaparilla.

Absinthe
Tested on: Hellfire Dripper (Cotton wick, around 0.4 ohms @ 15-25W)

Aniseed has become quite a popular taste in e-liquids and there's a bunch of different options to choose from out there. Quite a few juice makers have them in their lineup nowadays, but I think Decadent Vapours take on the taste has been around for as long as I have been vaping at least. It's named after the famous alcoholic beverage and probably aims to recreate the taste of the drink. I do believe I've tasted it, the drink that is, a couple of times, but for obvious reasons it might be difficult to remember exactly how that tasted. When it comes to aniseed e-liquid, I've tasted several... the legendary Mad Murdoc's Radiator Pluid, Mido's Scorpion Blood just to name a couple of my favourites.

The Absinthe tastes like a mix of aniseed and liquorice, well balanced and with a sweetness in the aftertaste that I find myself liking more and more. A bit strange as I usually complain about juices being to sweet. However lately I've found myself liking more and more sweet juices... so maybe not that strange anyway. The 50/50 PG/VG that DV sent me produces huge clouds of thick vapor on my setup, that I think look slightly green even though I know they are not. I've heard that the looks of food affects how we perceive the flavour. Hopefully what I'm experiencing is the opposite effect of this, and not something weird they've put in the juice. Nothing wrong with the vapor production in other words.

Throat hit is not bad either. Aniseed juices usually give quite a strong throathit in my experience. However I do find the Absinthe a little less strong tasting than other aniseed juices I've tried, and a bit sweeter as I said above. From time to time, but not in every draw I think I get a tiny bit of citrus as well. I like that... makes the juice more interesting.

Aniseed is one of these love/hate tastes. Some people can't stand the taste, others love it but not many are in between. If you are on the love side I'd say the Absinthe should be on your list to try out. If you haven't tried this taste in an e-liquid yet, it's a good one to start out with, not being the strongest of them all.




Disclosure:

• All my reviews are my honest opinion even if I am affiliated with the company manufacturing or selling the product. 
• The juice was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review.
• This review does not contains affiliate links.

Make 2015 the year vapers when won the media war!

Before I took a short break from blogging during Christmas I kind of concluded that 2014 had been a year with a lot of ups and downs for vapers. The media published horror stories, claiming that vaping is more harmful than smoking cigarettes or that vaping would cause a new generation of nicotine addicts, and then the next week they published hallelujah-stories claiming that vaping could save millions of lives. Yesterday the Ashtray blog published a pretty amusing post on this topic: E-Cigs Cause (Media) Schizophrenia: A Case Study. As James points at the end of his post the media is of course not really as schizophrenic as they appear at times, they are just doing what they can to get as many readers as possible:

The Daily Mail isn’t really schizophrenic, it simply takes stories from both sides, and twists and manipulates them to ensure they sell the most papers.

I think this is one of the most important facts we, as vapers who want to continue fighting for our case, have to remember this year. Hopefully, we will be able to make some changes in 2015, but I believe some things will be the same... and will never change:

• The media will write their stories to get readers and in this way earn more money. 
• Big Tobacco and Big Pharma will continue their lobbying in 2015 for the same reason, to earn money, or maybe in their case, to avoid loosing money. 
• Then there is Glantz and his fellow prohibitionists. These guys did not care much about facts and truth in 2014 and I have no hopes that this will change in 2015. As Steve K pointed out recently, New year, same prohibitionists. 

Working to stop Big Pharma or Big Tobacco or to trying to turn the prohibitionists around will pretty much be a waste of time and energy. Luckily, these are not the guys that will decide what regulations e-cigarettes will be subject to in the end. The politicians will. And politicians need support from the public to be able to stay in charge. I don't believe that e-cigarette regulations are the most important case for most politicians. Most of them probably knows very little about it, and do not care too much either. There are other, more important cases on their minds. So if the general public has a positive attitude towards vaping, chances are these politicians will have that too, just because it will give them some goodwill.

We have to remember that most people are not smokers or vapers. Most people's knowledge of the subject and their attitude towards vaping is based on what the media writes about it. Actually, from my experience, most people's attitude is based on the headlines alone. I don't have the exact percentage of non-smokers in the world today, but I don't think I'm wrong if I say it's somewhere around 70% and 80%, most of them with little knowledge of vaping other than what they read in the papers or see on their TV-screens.

For these reasons I think vapers and vaping advocates need to focus on getting the truth out in the media this year. This will affect the general public's, and the politician's, attitude towards vaping in a positive way. If we can "win" the media war in 2015, chances are that vaping will be allowed to continue saving millions of lives.

So my advice for 2015 is, if you want to help out and make a difference in this case, don't just educate yourself on vaping, but try to educate the media as well. Write a couple of emails to the local newspaper, give them some tips on the research I'm sure you've read about. Who knows... if they get enough emails, maybe they will write a story about it. And maybe some bigger newspapers or news agencies will pick up on it and the snowball will start rolling, hopefully knocking down some prohibitionists on it's way. Make 2015 they year when vapers won the media war!