Hardware Review: Viggo POD Kit from Vaper Empire
So, we’ve all heard of Vaper Empire right? No? If you haven’t, Vaper Empire are not quite like all of the other Vaping and E-cigarette businesses out there.
Vaper Empire focus on new vapers. Plain and simple. Not that all vape stores don’t, it’s just that these guys have a more specialised product range.
They’re kind of like a subscription service, but without the subscription. They are totally customer focused first and foremost, and add that personal touch to help you get started, just as all vape suppliers should.
We all know how difficult it is to get off of the cigarettes and onto vaping, and the large gap of knowledge that needs to be overcome. Vaper Empire make it easy, with their “Smoker” oriented newbie friendly gear.
Their customer profile, are those who don’t want to mess around with learning something new, those that just want to pick something up and get moving on their quit smoking journey. If you’re a cloud chaser, you’d probably scoff at their offerings, but for those who genuinely simply want to quit and could use a helping hand and advice along the way, Vaper Empire are a good choice.
There’s no research required, Vaper Empire provide you with all you need, you can even purchase 6 week and 3 month supply packs of pods!
Specifications and Features
- Size: 79 x 25 x 12.5mm
- Battery Capacity: 400mAh
- Battery Lasts: Approximately 250 puffs
- Charge Voltage: 4.8-5.2V
- Charging Time: Approx 1 hour
- Expected Life: Approx 300 charges
- Micro USB Charging
- Mouth to lung style airflow
- Refillable: No
Product Includes:
- 1 x Rechargeable Viggo Device
- 3 x Viggo Pods (1 x 3-Pack) – Choice of 1 Flavour
- 1 x Micro USB Power Cable
- 1 x Australian USB Wall Adapter [0.5 Amp]
- 1 x User Manual (English language)
- Includes 90-Day Limited Device Warranty
Photos
The Review
So Vaper Empire have always stocked ‘new vaper’ hardware, first it was ‘cigalikes’ then came the small box mod with sub ohm tanks and everything in between. Now that PODs have become popular, and are pretty much go to devices for new vapers, it only makes sense that Vaper Empire would bring a POD device out for their customers.
Introducing the ‘Viggo’. This is a POD device designed specifically for the Mouth to Lung vaper, who likes a really tight draw, which makes it a perfect fit for people just giving up smoking.
It’s a compact little pocket device, with a 400mAh battery, and puff-activation. The PODs have a 1.8ml capacity, but due to it being a lower powered device focusing on a nice tight Mouth to Lung draw, that 1.8ml will last you a few days, even if you’ve got it permanently hanging out of your mouth!
It has adjustable voltage too, which can be set by using the small mode button at the bottom, so you can get a light, moderate or power vape, depending on your mood.
The Main Body
The main part of this POD device, is quite sleek with curved corners, and a very ergonomic form factor. There are zero flat edges on this thing, so you’re going to have to lay it down when you’re not using it (which is totally not a problem by the way).
It has a really nice feel in the hand, and is small enough that you wont even notice it in your pocket. I’ve been carrying it around for a few weeks now, and have to put my hand in all of my pockets to remember which pocket it is in.
It’s coated with a black rubberised finish, which feels really great, and helps you keep hold of it, you definitely won’t be dropping this too often.
On the front, as mentioned before, you have a small ‘Mode’ button so that you can alter the power delivered, and on the bottom, a Micro USB port, for charging it.
The POD
The PODS are super simple to use. They come pre-filled with a 1.8ml capacity in your choice of flavour, (I’ll go through them shortly). And because this is a low power device, that 1.8ml should last you a couple of days no problem. With an almost duckbill design, the mouthpiece is really comfortable, and just the right size, to pop in your mouth and have a toot.
The coil that is in these PODs is a ceramic 1.2ohm, giving you great bang for your buck, a high resistance like this is going to see your battery last a long while.
Made from a translucent plastic, with a colour coded bottom, it’s easy to see how much juice you have left in a POD, and as an added bonus, you really can vape these PODS right down to the last drop, due to the wicking holes being really low in the POD.
These PODS snap into the main body via magnets, of which they have quite a strong hold, they give a very satisfying click when installed. You can flick this around all over the place without fear of the POD falling out, but you can also remove the POD easily should you need to.
Airflow
The airflow of the Viggo is super tight. Not Caliburn tight, even tighter. Think of how small you can set your airflow up in an expensive MTL tank, like a Kayfun or similar and that’s how tight it is.
This is the part that has impressed me. The Viggo is similar to the draw from a cigarette, more-so than most other vape setups, and that is just perfect in my opinion. If you’re quitting the smokes, it’s obvious that you’d want a tighter draw, just like a cigarette. It really is a no-brainer.
Battery
The Viggo has quite a small battery for it’s size. It’s only 400 mAh but that capacity holds quite well, and you’ll be vaping all day with this no problems. It is after all a low power device, so the 400mAh goes a long way.
If you’re caught short, don’t stress, because this has quite a fast charging time too. About 1 hour charging from completely empty to completely full. I’ve experienced quicker than this personally, but 1 hour is the benchmark from the website. If you’re in a rush, charge it to half and you’ll get another half day from it!
Any Leaks?
None. Absolutely, none. Zero, Zilch, Nada. This does not leak.
Usage
This POD device is super simple to use. It’s extra easy, since we don’t have to worry about changing out coils or refilling, but there is also a ‘Mode’ button that we can use to dial in the power setting.
On the front of the device, click the button 3 times. Each time you do this, it changes the mode that it is in. The Flashing LED next to it tells you which setting you are on.
Red Light = 3 Volts
Blue Light = 3.4 Volts
Green Light = 3.8 Volts
Flavours
The Viggo is a Closed system, meaning, you’ll need to purchase pre-filled PODs with Vaper Empire flavours in them. You cannot fill with your own liquids. This is a little bit of a draw back, but it’s also a blessing for new users, simplifying things for them.
Vaper Empire offer their PODS with a preset range of flavours which include….
- Tobacco
- Whole Leaf Tobacco
- Caramel Tobacco
- Menthol
- Flat White Coffee
- Creamy Custard
- Orange Crush
- Blueberry
- Apple
It’s a decent little range of straight up flavours. Most of them are quite strong which is great for this type of device, and all do taste similar to their real life counterparts. Of particular note, their tobaccos are all quite good, and replicate the real thing quite well.
So far my favourites have been “Orange Crush”, “Menthol”, “Caramel Tobacco”, and “Apple”.
You also have a choice of which nicotine level you’d like. Zero, or 3%. Vaper Empire use their own proprietary nicotine salt e-liquid, which I find interesting, because I normally get a scratchy throat and often cough with normal Nicotine Salts. With these I do not.
I’m glad Vaper Empire stuck with the 3% nicotine and did not go all the way to 5%, I often find 5% too much, and believe 3% is the perfect level, even for those needing a higher nicotine fix.
Pros:
- Great build quality
- Super comfortable
- Good vapour production
- Really nice airflow level for MTL
- Super simple to use
Cons:
- PODs are not re-fillable
Where to Buy:
You can only purchase the Viggo POD directly from Vaper Empire.
There are various choices depending on which accessories you would like, but the perfect kit to you get you going is the $59.99 AUD Starter kit available here.
Conclusion
I’ve been quite impressed by this little POD system. A lot of POD’s claim to have a Mouth to Lung draw, but they often offer far too much airflow than you might be expecting.
This one is perfect. A nice tight restricted draw for those who want something that has a similar airflow to a cigarette.
Being a low powered device, I’ve found that the battery and POD’s have lasted quite a decent amount of time, I’ve really only had to change a POD after a few days, and I’ve been charging the battery every evening, not because it’s empty, but due to habit. Not once have I run out of battery during the day.
Fantastic work on this one guys, and I’ll keep carrying this little champion around with me everyday!
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