Description
Vype (Vuse) ePen 3 Dry Kit
While closed pod systems are still somewhat new to the vaping market, many brands have already developed their own closed pod devices to varying results. There are of course those that have failed to meet expectations, but the Vuse ePen 3 is in no way one of those devices. Developed by British American Tobacco (BAT), the Vuse ePen 3 is a unique closed pod e-cigarette that was carefully constructed and built with BAT’s 100+ year history as a tobacco giant. While some may question the motivations of a tobacco company making a vaping product, the Vuse ePen 3 is first and foremost an e-cigarette, designed to help people transition to vaping.
At first glance, the Vuse ePen 3 may not look like the most technically impressive device, and to some extent, it really isn’t. There’s no variable wattage control, no display, and no controllable airflow. That being said, the appeal of the Vuse ePen 3 doesn’t lie in its feature, but instead in its simplicity and overall ease of use. This design ethos isn’t uncommon in closed pod systems, and the Vuse ePen 3 perfectly exemplifies this ethos in its overall construction and the way it functions.
Ultimately, the Vuse ePen 3 presents vapers with a portable, easy-to-use, and flavourful option for both new and experienced vapers. The various pod flavours ensure that all vapers should find something they enjoy, while the single button operation ensures that simplicity is the main focus of the device and vaping it is as easy as pressing a single button.
Design and Features
Measuring in at 123 x 27 x 18mm, the Vuse ePen 3 is a truly compact e-cigarette that should fit comfortably in a user's pockets, while still being comfortable in the hand. Speaking of comfort, the unique curves and shape of the device make it incredibly ergonomic and extremely comfortable to hold and use. The exterior of the device is a high-quality polycarbonate, keeping both weight and costs down, while still providing a sense of ruggedness and that ability to take some abuse. The Vuse ePen 3 Dry Kit is available in a variety of limited edition colors including Aqua and Purple. Pods are sold separately, available in a variety of flavours with freebase nicotine, or salts.
Looking next at the internals of the device, the ePen 3 may not seem like the most technologically impressive device, but what it does feature is everything necessary for an enjoyable vaping experience. The 650mAh battery is housed in the body of the device, and should give vapers more than enough power to make it through a day of vaping. As a closed pod system, the device doesn’t have any sort of variable wattage control, nor does it need this feature at all. Instead, the Vuse ePen 3 outputs a set amount of power, based on the charge remaining on the battery, which is carefully set to properly power the coils and produce rich vapor without causing burnt hits. The battery itself can be charged via a micro USB charging port, allowing users to give power to their device wherever they are.
While battery consumption will depend on how much a user vapes, the 650mAh cell should provide enough power to finish a single pod. The charger for the ePen 3 offers a 0.5-amp rate, allowing the device to refill its battery in approximately 75 minutes. The device also allows for passthrough use, meaning you can still vape it while it’s charging.
Finally, the Vuse ePen 3 does come with an LED indicator, located on the fire button on the device, which helps indicate the remaining charge on the battery. This basic design feature fits quite well with the overall design of the device, and is easily visible even when a user is vaping on the device. The colour of the LED will help indicate the remaining charge on the ePen 3:
- Green: 40-100%
- Amber: 10-40%
- Red: 10-0%
The LED will also indicate battery levels while the device is charging:
- Green continuous: 100%
- Green pulsing: 85-100%
- Red continuous: 10-85%
- Red pulsing: 0-10%
Getting Started with your Vuse ePod 3
In the Vuse ePen 3 starter kit, users will find the ePen 3 battery, two pods, a USB charging cable, and a user manual. As mentioned before, depending on what kit you choose, you’ll either find two regular nicotine pods, or the vPro salt nicotine pods.
Once you’ve take the device out of the box, remove a pod from the plastic packaging, take the silicone cover off, and place it snuggly in the opening of the battery. The pod should provide a satisfying click when inserted, and should be quite secure -- there should be no way for the pod to fall out and should only come out if pulled by the user.
Turn the device on by clicking the power button three times. This should power up the device, and the LED should pulse green if the ePen 3 is on. From this point, you can start vaping by pressing down the button and inhaling through the mouthpiece. If you are new to vaping, take short inhales at first and take some time in between sessions to ensure you are not consuming too much nicotine.
Clicking the fire button three times will turn the device off, and we recommend doing this when the device is not in use. If you forget to turn off your ePen 3, you risk the chance of the button being pressed by accident and damaging your pods or device. The ePen 3 will also shut down if the button is pressed for longer than eight seconds.
How’s the Hit?
Designed to be fairly similar to a traditional cigarette, the Vuse ePen 3 offers up a tight draw that is meant to be held in the mouth before being fully inhaled. This type of draw is often used in pod systems, as it offers a satisfying hit without users having to take in large amounts of vapor.
Looking next at the throat hit, this will depend heavily on what sort of pod you choose. Freebase nicotine will generally offer a more pronounced throat hit, where as salt nicotine will be more smooth. The amount of throat hit will also depend on the dosage of nicotine the user ends up choosing.
Finally, the vapor production on the Vuse ePen 3 is actually quite impressive, considering its restrictive draw and lack of airflow control. While the majority of closed pod systems offer a small and discrete amount of vapor, the e Pen 3 can actually push out a decent amount of vapor that offers users a more entertaining experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Warm vapor production
- Plentiful vapor production
- Satisfying hit
- Flavour variety and nicotine variety
- Good battery life
- Ergonomic design
- Large internal cell
- Large e-liquid capacity for a pod system
Cons
- Plastic body
- Somewhat uncomfortable in the pocket
- Dark tinted pods make it difficult to check e-liquid levels
- Fairly long charging time