Tests and review: ePod 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: 14.99 €
Product category according to its selling price: Entry level (from 1 to 40 euros)
Mod Type: Prefilled Pod Pod
Is the mod telescopic? No
Maximum power: 6.5 W
Maximum voltage: 3.1 V
Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: Not applicable

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

If Vype has conquered the hearts of primovapoteurs with an elegant and efficient ePen 3, the brand did not stop there. Aware that, like mobile telephony, vaping is in perpetual motion and requires frequent product renewal, Vype offers new references in order to attract new customers and make them aware of the necessary new vaping experiences that will accompany them during their journey.

Thus, the ePod reinforces a range entirely devoted to beginners by offering an even smaller pod, even more discreet and benefiting from a lot of new features capable of making the most reluctant smokers bend.

Beyond its size, the automatic triggering by suction, recharging on a magnetic support, greater power, optimized resistances and a slightly more airy rendering are the new data likely to conquer new market shares with prices, again, very contained.

Indeed, you will have three possibilities during your purchase. Opt for a discovery kit at € 19.99 containing the pod, its charger and two capsules for immediate initiation. Choosing a simple kit will provide you with a pod and its charger for 14.99 € and you can choose for yourself your flavor (s) among the ten available.

Limited editions flourish in the range. The current one, still available in small quantities, is called Motor Edition and, for 19.99 €, you will differentiate yourself with a devilishly sexy pod whose very neat design will be a great factor of seduction. But there won't be something for everyone! Fortunately, a new set of limited editions with yet-to-be-discovered aesthetics will be available in November.

Consumables, or capsules in this case, cost € 8.49 for two pieces. Each capsule carries 1.9ml of liquid, which should get you through the day. 4.24 € per capsule, it may seem expensive but it should be noted that with each new capsule comes a resistance and a new tank. So it's not just e-liquid that goes into the pricing equation. Enough to vape healthily and efficiently on a daily basis, without worrying about cleaning or changing resistance, that seems to me to be a good omen for a beginner not necessarily aware of the technical knowledge necessary for the operation of more complex equipment.

The e-liquids available in the ePod capsules are made on a PG / VG basis of 55/45 and the nicotine is present in the form of salts, which will prevent you from major hits that may, at the start of the vape journey, cause a throat irritation. The nicotine levels are 4: 0, 6, 12 and 18mg / ml, enough to interest all categories of smokers and allow them to gradually lower their starting rate.

Let's test this pod together, small in size but big in ambition.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 21
Product Length or Height in mm: 106
Product weight in grams: 22.75
Material composing the product: Plastics
Form Factor Type: Flat Pen
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
Fire button position: Not applicable
Fire button type: No button, suction trigger
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 making up 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

The first thing that strikes the eye is the size of the object, the height of which is more or less equivalent to that of an analog cigarette. This is an excellent point if we consider that the smoker's body language will not be disturbed in any way by the form-factor of the object. The width of about two centimeters is not a problem and facilitates a direct grip, either in closed fist or between the fingers. The thickness is negligible and will in no way hinder the grip of the pod.

The second remarkable thing is the harmless weight of the ePod which, with 27gr on the counter, is easily forgotten, both in hand and in a pocket. As there is no button, there is no risk of self-ignition, safety is paramount.

The last remarkable aspect is the particularly sensual touch of the product, with a velvet-like plastic treatment, modeled on its elder ePen 3, which evokes a great softness that we will find later in the rendering of vape.

In the limited editions, the aesthetics will be different but so will the touch. In the case of the Motor Edition currently available, we benefit from a metallic finish, the ePod keeps the ergonomics of the normal version and adds a very attractive muscle-car effect. The touch becomes colder but remains very pleasant in the handling of the pod. We also note, in this version, a research in terms of design quite effective, which gives us in the end a very beautiful object to make steam. No doubt the next limited editions will be up to the task!

The finishes are, as usual with the manufacturer, flawless. The approach of attaching the capsules to the pod magnetically with internal magnets is effective. At the beginning, you really wonder if the capsule holds, but in the daily test, there is no untimely detachment. You can even hold your kit by the mouthpiece without fear of seeing the battery drop.

The colors available for the standard version are four in number and a totally unknown number for the limited editions which will undoubtedly depend on the imagination of the manufacturer. I feel that a wave of collection could well be born with the ePod!

The results are therefore very flattering, in all the available versions, I remind you that we are talking about an item of less than 20 €! It seems obvious that the manufacturer's primary concern was to design a product made to last and to face the vicissitudes of everyday life.

Functional features

Type of chipset used: Owner
Connection type: Owner
Adjustable positive stud? Yes, through an adjustment by thread.
Lock system ? No
Quality of the locking system: None
Features offered by the mod: Protection against short circuits from the atomizer, Fixed protection against overheating of atomizer resistors, Protection against overvoltage and overcurrent.
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? No
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. Use of dedicated 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: 4 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

If we had to make a brief comparison between the ePod and its big brother the ePen 3, we could conclude by saying that the ePen 3 is more typified for mobile use and the ePod for sedentary use.

Indeed, where the ePen 3 offers an energy autonomy of 650mAh, the ePod has 350mAh. Such autonomy will not allow you to vape all day and it will be necessary to recharge the object to start afresh. Which will be a part of the fun since the magnetic charger is very easy to use. All you have to do is plug the ePod into its charging base and, 60 minutes later, you are back on the road.

Yet it is here, in my opinion, that the only functional flaw of the ePod lies: it is not usable when it is charging. It is perfectly clear that the main reason must be safety. It is important that the load is well regulated and a magnetic system, although infinitely more practical, is arguably less reliable than a USB / micro USB connection in transferring current. The manufacturer therefore opted to guarantee safety rather than convenience when recharging. This is fine, but it is nonetheless a constraint for people who want to vape when loading.

Everything else, on the other hand, marks a clear progression compared to the eldest of the family. First of all, the perfectly tuned suction trigger works in all cases. In a week of testing, I haven't had a single problem with this feature.

Notable progress too: the resistances of the capsules use ceramic according to a patented process. The vape rendering is more precise, rounder. Likewise, liquids contain a higher proportion of vegetable glycerin, which makes the vapor more textured and more abundant. The comparison between the two systems is edifying. The vape is tastier, fuller and also softer, ceramic requires.

Likewise, the overall power goes from 6W to 6.5W. The difference does not seem very important but it does exist and, again, plays a major role in the quality of the rendering.

This chapter therefore ends on a very positive note. My advice: consider buying two ePods so as not to have a “hole” in your vape when recharging.

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

The packaging is rigorous and perfectly adapted. You will find in the simple kit the pod accompanied by its magnetic charging base. The box welcoming the whole is solid and well presented. A complete set that perfects a very detailed user manual that will quickly teach you how to use and charge your battery but also all the necessary knowledge about the light signals of operation or the need for recharging. Five minutes read and you will know everything: a must!

Appreciations in use

Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for an inside jacket pocket (no deformations)
Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Super simple, even blind in the dark!
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
Description of situations in which the product has experienced erratic behavior

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

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

If you are looking for a pod that leaks, or the condensation throws liquid in your mouth and breaks down on the first drop, choose another brand because there, it is even surprising at this point, the ePod behaves in use in a perfect way, no more and no less.

We have already discussed the rendering of vape but it is necessary to repeat it because it is the big strong point of this pod. As a general rule, in the same category of course, we have a vaguely recognizable flavor and a small dash of vapor. Here, the flavors are sweet but precise and the volume of vapor larger. The draw also seems less tight, less constrained, than the competition, which is for a lot in the development of a very pleasant vapor. It is even superior on this precise point to the ePen 3 which is however not stingy in sensations!

During obligatory the small size of the object, the autonomy is relatively reduced. Count two or three hours of vape at your own pace. After, it will go through the recharge box. Even if the recharge is fast, the fact of not being able to vape “plugged in” could represent an obstacle, which can be avoided by alternating with another ePod or, why not, an ePen 3.

On the other hand, the autonomy in liquid is excellent and your capsule will last throughout the day without problem. The icing on the cake, the transparency of the capsules makes the liquid level clearly visible by unhooking the capsule from the battery.

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 ePod capsules
With which model of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? Dedicated ePod 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: 4.8 / 5

The mood ticket of the reviewer

It's hard not to fall for the offspring of the Vype family, even for an old vaper like me. The ideal size, negligible weight, the feeling of having in hand an object much more expensive than it is, a powerful vape rendering, here are all the factors that will shake up preconceived ideas and which could well propel the ePod on the first place of the category podium.

Perfectly suited to beginners, it can even seduce beyond. A little effort to allow the next generation to vape when recharging and we will be totally on a game-changer. A very well-deserved Top Pod honors a high-level service for a very reduced price. As for me, I keep vaping on it as soon as I go out… I think that's a sign.

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