Tests and review: ePen 3 (Upgrade) by Vype ~ Le Vapelier

Commercial characteristics

Sponsor having lent material for the review: None
Link to the manufacturer's website: VYPE
Price of the tested product: 9.99 €
Product category according to its selling price: Entry level (from 1 to 40 euros)
Mod Type: Classic Battery
Is the mod telescopic? No
Maximum power: 6 W
Maximum voltage: 3.4 V
Minimum value in Ohm resistance for a start: Not applicable

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

Vype is undoubtedly the flagship brand for materials and e-liquids suitable for first-time buyers. Benefiting from an international reputation and a major player in the sector in the category, it can boast of having developed effective tools for risk reduction by opting for an armada of experts for the design and control of their products. Toxicologists for liquids, chromatographic tests of inhaled vapor, vaping simulators… the manufacturer has not skimped on safety to offer very safe products to beginners in vaping.

The brand returns to the forefront with an upgraded ePen 3, benefiting from some useful modifications such as faster recharging, very clear charging light codes, a whole range of colors as well as special editions to illustrate you from other users. and a lower price.

Indeed, the discovery kit, including the device, two capsules with two flavors (tobacco and mint), a USB / Micro USB cord as well as a packaging worthy of the name will cost you € 9.99 on purchase. A massive argument when switching without having to spend a fortune “to see”. Likewise, with the ePen 3 using pre-filled capsules only, Vype offers packs of two capsules among 27 flavors available for 7.49 €. Each capsule can cover the daily needs of a smoker, we get a unit price of 3.74 € for 2ml of liquid, a new tank every morning as well as a new resistance. Hard to beat.

For the same price (9.99 €), you can opt for a special edition, the Motor Edition, very successful aesthetically, but it will lack the capsules of the discovery kit that you will have to buy separately. However, to have one in hand as I speak to you, I can tell you that the look is very rewarding and the additional cost is quite consistent. Inspired by muscle cars, the design is scorching, in black or orange and the glossy finish quite sleek and sporty.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 26
Product Length or Height in mm: 124
Product weight in gr: 38.85
Material composing the product: Plastics
Form Factor Type: Elongated unibody widened at its center
Decorative style: Classic
Quality of decoration: Excellent, it is a work of art
Is the coating of the mod sensitive to fingerprints? No
All components of this mod seem well assembled? Yes
Position of the fire button: Lateral 1/3 of the body from the top cap
Fire button type: Mechanical plastic on contact rubber
Number of buttons making up the interface, including touch zones if they are present: 0
User interface button type: No other button
Quality of the interface button (s): Not applicable no interface button
Number of parts in the product: 2
Number of threads: 0
Quality of the threads: Not applicable on this mod - No thread
Overall, do you appreciate the quality of manufacture of this product with regard to its price? Yes

Rating of the vapelier as to feelings quality: 5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

We do not change a formula that wins. Also, it is not surprising to find that the ePen 3 Upgraded is the exact copy of the previous version in terms of aesthetics and ergonomics. We happily find a perfect grip, dimensions neither too small nor too large, which means that you will not lose your device but that you can use it discreetly if you wish.

We happily rediscover the very sensual peach-skin feel in the hand, the soft and fluid shapes that make the ePen sexy while not altering its functionality. The object is therefore childishly simple to take in hand, in every sense of the word. The Motor Edition versions are given a painted coating that accentuates the Muscle Car aspect of the product by giving a shine worthy of the most beautiful ceramic paintings of four-wheeled racing cars.

The switch is always present, located almost in the center of the device when it is rigged from the capsule. It is always the guardian of the charging signal functions with a precise LED whose color varies according to the remaining energy in your battery.

The battery carries a capacity of 650mAh, which seems more than enough to manage a day of vape with 2Ω capsules and 2ml of liquid. Either way, you'll be able to charge your device with the supplied cord on the fly while still using it if you need to. The cord can of course be plugged into a computer's USB port, an AC adapter and even a Power Bank if necessary. The micro USB port of the ePen 3 is located under the pod. What could constitute a limited choice on an open vape equipment is perfectly appropriate here, the position of the wire not impeding the movements of the hand and the natural resting position of the device being horizontal on a table.

The quality of finish of the whole does not call for any reproach. It's clean, beautiful and pleasant to grip. The capsules are easy to plug in both directions, they hold very well in place. The switch is easy to handle and has no noticeable resistance. The pressure of the finger generates a small welcome click which reassures as for the firing of the device.

In short, we have here a product perfectly studied and adapted to its function. Point.

Functional features

Type of chipset used: Owner
Connection type: Owner
Adjustable positive plot? Not applicable
Lock system ? Electronic
Quality of the locking system: Excellent, the chosen approach is very practical
Features offered by the mod: Battery charge display, Protection against short circuits from the atomizer, Fixed protection against overheating of the atomizer resistances, Clear diagnostic messages
Battery compatibility: Proprietary batteries
Does the mod support stacking? No
Number of batteries supported: The batteries are proprietary / Not applicable
Does the mod retain its configuration without batteries? Not applicable
Does the mod offer a recharge feature? Charging function possible via Micro-USB
Is the recharge function pass-through? Yes
Does the mode offer a Power Bank function? No power bank function offered by the mod
Does the mode offer other functions? No other function offered by the mod
Presence of air flow regulation? Yes
Maximum diameter in mm of compatibility with an atomizer: Not applicable. To be used with dedicated Vype capsules.
Accuracy of the output power at full charge of the battery: Excellent, there is no difference between the requested power and the real power
Accuracy of the output voltage at full charge of the battery: Excellent, there is no difference between the requested voltage and the actual voltage

Vapelier's note regarding functional characteristics: 5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

It is easy to understand that a pod devoted to access to the vape does not have the same range of features as equipment for geeks. It would probably even be counterproductive as simplicity is a major asset to switch between analog cigarettes and vape. However, everything you need is there to vape with peace of mind.

First, for lovers of numbers, the ePen 3 sends 3.4V in the resistance of the capsule which is 2Ω. Which gives us a total power of about 6W. This may not seem like much to confirmed vapers but it is quite sufficient for the purpose of the object. And, in fact, the vape rendering is quite satisfactory. The flavors are well transcribed, the volume of steam is quite correct. The equation with two unknowns is therefore solved.

The luminous signage is very sophisticated. 3 quick clicks energize the ePen. The LED turns green, indicating that the device is ready to vape. The same goes for putting your device to sleep. 3 quick clicks, the green led flashes three times and goes out to indicate that the device is off. You just need to know that the led is green as long as the ePen is at more than 40% charge. It turns orange to indicate that there is between 10 and 40% of the charge. When the led turns red, there is less than 10% autonomy, it is time to unpack your cord.

The capsules in themselves therefore include a closed reservoir of 2ml of liquid, providing approximately 240 puffs per capsule, or approximately one pack of cigarettes. They use a resistance of 2Ω, probably in Kanthal and organic cotton in terms of capillary to drain the liquid to the heating point of the coil. The liquids are in 65/35 ratio PG / VG, which is very correct for first-time vapers and are nicotine at 0, 6, 12 or 18mg / ml depending on your choice. They contain nicotine salts, ensuring a smoother, less aggressive vape while maintaining, as you vape, a constant level of nicotine in your body, which is the desired goal.

Two air intakes are located on the body of the ePen about 1 cm from the capsule, thus ensuring the tight pull that one is entitled to expect in this category of equipment. In addition, and this is a very clear improvement in the upgrade version, the liquid level is clearly visible.

Effective protections are present to ensure a peaceful and problem-free vape: overvoltages, short circuits, the chipset takes care of it all.

Evaluation of the packaging

Presence of a box accompanying the product: Yes
Would you say that the packaging is up to the price of the product? Yes
Presence of a user manual? Yes
Is the manual understandable for a non-English speaker? Yes
Does the manual explain ALL features? Yes

Vapelier's note on packaging: 5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

As we have already seen, the packaging is very complete and allows you to vape directly without asking any questions. Everything is included to ensure you a fast and efficient vaping. However, I advise you to charge your ePen before using it for the first time in order to start off on a good footing and enjoy its full autonomy afterwards.

Mention very well for the very complete user manual which can be read in five minutes and teaches you everything you need to know, in French, to use the ePen.

Appreciations in use

Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for an inside jacket pocket (no deformations)
Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Not applicable for disassembly. Very simple cleaning.
Easy to change batteries: Not applicable, the battery is only rechargeable
Did the mod heat up? No
Has there been any erratic behavior after a day of use? No

Vapelier's rating in terms of ease of use: 4.5/5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

In use, we do not notice, and it is quite rare not to say it, any problem. No leakage, no liquid in the mouth, no condensation effect inside the capsule housing. It's perfect and I beg you to believe that I roughed it enough to get to the bottom of it! A fall from two meters high, a shock with a vise, nothing affects the aesthetic integrity of the product or its operation.

It will just be necessary to pass a dry cloth once a week in the housing of the capsules, at the level of the metal pads transmitting the current, in order to preserve a good longevity to your device of vape by removing the surplus of dust which could be inserted there.

The rendering is very consistent in this price and technological range. Tight airflow to imitate the cigarette as close as possible. Power sufficient to obtain a cloud of vapor corresponding to a cloud of smoke. Respect for tastes. Everything is therefore gathered to satisfy the neo-vapoteur and make him forget his past addiction.

Recommendations for use

Type of batteries used during the tests: The batteries are owners on this mod
Number of batteries used during the tests: The batteries are proprietary / Not applicable
With what type of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? Dedicated capsules
With which model of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? No. Use dedicated Vype capsules
Description of the test configuration used: As is
Description of the ideal configuration with this product: As is

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.9 / 5

The mood ticket of the reviewer

It is very difficult to find a stumbling block in this formidable crew made up of the ePen 3 and its capsules. Everything has been thought out, studied, refined so that the product is safe, secure beyond all expectations and perfectly suited to fulfill its function of making you switch from tobacco to vape. As a bonus gift, the object is very aesthetic, ensures a very correct autonomy and has absolutely no defects in use.

It can therefore be easily recommended to any beginner in the vape but also, by extension, to more confirmed vapers wishing to take with them a discreet and effective object. We can therefore stop smoking with the ePen 3 but we can also continue to vape. Not all pods can say the same!

And for those who would prefer an object even more discreet, even simpler, Vype offers an ePod sexy as hell. But that will be for the next chapter in our exploration of the brand.

Top Pod de rigueur for so much… rigor, that seems amply justified to me!

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