The Terminator. 12/14/2012. MSRP $59. Similar to the GG Ithaca, the Terminator was a not really a clone although some would consider it so as it functioned similarly to it as far as having to set up a NR to R wire to silica rope wrapped into a ceramic cup. It was much less expensive and probably made in Asia. It was only offered by one shop; Stormi’s Vapor Cellar I believe she had it commissioned and it also had a full compliment of accessories you could purchase for it as well. It was actually easier to set up than the Ithaca was.
The Nimbus 2/11/2013. This little banger was hard to get at first. Made in the Philippines by Jeyps Vaper and Saint Quii Vaper. You had to get on a batch list in FB to get one. It was a simple 3 post deck, If I remember correctly, the center post would spin after a while making it difficult to clamp/position wire mainly because there was no place to off set the pin with a screwdriver. A fatal design mistake. I paid $50 + shipping to the USA. They were all the rage for a while and later got cloned with a channel on the bottom of the pin for a screwdriver. I added a ppt file converted to pdf on how to build it with flat wire which was becoming a thing and silica rope.
The Altsmoke SB or Silver Bullet 9/18/2009. The second mod I ever purchased for $99 which was and is still considered a bargain. The first mod I purchased was a $99 510 Kit by Joyetech which was a “cigalike” stick that used a 510 atty. Thick solid aircraft aluminum, this was a trusty mod that almost never failed. After time the switch would wear out and Chad would replace it after you sent it in. After mid production time and the invention of the evolv Kick in 2012, which regulated tube mod voltage, Altsmoke offered an extension so you could use the Kick with it which of course I purchased for it. The second pic here details the rare dual atty top cap to be used with two 510 atty’s or cartos. Originally this was intended for a 510/501 atty and later cartomizers and carto tanks. Identified by the raised 510 rim above the surface for air flow. With RDA’s on the rise, you certainly could use them but you would still have a non flat connection to the top cap which would leave a space between the top cap and the base of the RDA deck which bothered a lot of people. Later, a second version of the SB was produced and ultimately failed because of the re design of the switch. One hack which was NOT recommended by altsmoke was you could fit two RCR123A or 16340 batteries in the tube to achieve 6 Volts output.
The BB by Altsmoke 12/31/2009. The third mod I ever purchased after the purchase of the SB or Silver Bullet on 9.19.2009. Later in 2010, Rob at Altsmoke offered a passthrough kit / adapter which allowed it to be plugged into an 120V AC receptacle to operate off of AC power at around 6V without batteries, hence the name passthrough. Yes it still works. Mr. Chad Dzierwa was the original creator of the both the SB and BB in Ohio USA. The kit with batteries and 501 atomizers cost $189 MSRP. The passthrough adapter cost $55 MSRP.
Even though this mod was introduced in 2023, it’s new to me. I must have missed its introduction back then. What caught my eye was one of the finishes available called Antique Brass and Paduak making this look like a antique collectors item. Padauk is an beautiful African hardwood. I would guess that its not really hardwood on the surrounds of the mod but the actual engraving on the faux wood with its name looks and feels authentic. For the price of $45 for the 21700 mod and the big sub-ohm tank + two coils, you just cant beat it. The fit and finish of the mod is good and it feels nice in the hand as well. The large screen is a plus as its easy to read and configure. The locking switch is a great addition to it as well. So far so good.
Batteries as a whole are a growing concern, but there’s a reason Fire Rover’s report has an image of an exploding electronic vape pen on its cover, with the superimposed message “We are at war 2024.” Fogelman sees a notable shift in publicly reported fire data—not from Fire Rover’s own detection, but from news and other reports and sources—from the 2016–2021 period to 2022–2024. Something is causing this shift, and Fogelman’s most likely culprit is e-cigarettes, vapes, and other battery-powered nicotine devices.
Vapes are perhaps the most effective single thing the e-waste and recycling industries could target. If everybody knew how to dispose of vapes properly, at sites that can safely handle them, there could be a reduction in risk.
But that safe, evenly distributed vape disposal network does not exist. As previously noted, you can make a rather powerful e-bike from the vapes left behind at a festival in the UK. In the US, the EPA directs people to bring their e-cigarettes to household hazardous waste (HHW) sites or pick-up events, which are “typically” free.
“Not only are their batteries being improperly discarded in waste and recycling bins, but the vape industry has done the bare minimum to invest in the technology needed to address the 1.2 billion vapes entering our waste and recycling streams annually,” the report states.
Amazing that out of 100 thousand plus vaping products out there in the world that have been on the market since 2008, here is what is legal to sell in the USA. So all the rest are illegal? Then why can adults purchase thousands of new products on line and in vape shops just fine right now? Makes no sense to me.
Re visiting the OG 22mm GeekVape Avocado in single coil mode. Still great flavor and excellent air flow options for dialing in a perfect draw. Interestingly you wont find many youtube video’s on this model. Most of them were removed at the time when youtube was striking reviewers I suppose. You will find several reviews however on the revised 24mm unit which came out shortly after this one. This one sports a half sized velocity deck originally created by AvidVapor with a ceramic (or delrin) insert in the other two cotton holes on the opposite side with a small hole that allows airflow to the center of the back side of the coil which gave it even more flavor. No wonder its still in demand for those who know how good it is. The cap provides a combination of either a full open mode, two or just one hole on either side of the deck making it very versatile as far as air flow options. Very tight, loose or a combination of both draws. As usual, the key was wicking the cotton to keep it from dry hitting. Get that right and its just about perfect.
Vaping Noir 
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