*NEW HARDWARE REVIEW* Aspire Flexus Blok Kit

 

I simply cannot sit back and let this one fly under the radar…not that it will anyways.

After loving the original Aspire Flexus Q Kit, I happened to come across an Instagram post by Evolution Vaping UK, they were advertising the brand new AIO system by Aspire. As AIOs go, I’ve been lucky enough to own a few, ranging from the more expensive Billet Boxes and DotAIO’s to the old skool Aspire Plato and the Kangertech Nebox. Safe to say the whole idea of an AIO setup has been really appealing to me during my time as a vaper. They look sleek and, in my opinion, they are the most aesthetically pleasing yet hard wearing devices on the market, so as soon as I placed my order, I was near enough counting the hours until its delivery.

Building upon an already outstanding and well loved device, namely the Flexus Q, the Flexus Blok is worlds apart - yet still an incredible kit.

Adopting a completely new look, the Blok (as mentioned previously) resembles the rectangular, palm sized look found in many AIO systems. A plastic ‘pod’ is magnetically held in place on the top corner of the device and holds a maximum capacity of 2ml (making it TPD compliant). It is easily filled up via a sliding latch that reveals a decent sized juice port underneath - the perfect size, accommodating for the majority of e-liquid bottle tips that are currently on the market.

The Flexus Blok also boasts an impressive feature (not found in the Flexus Q) in the form of airflow control, now this is a massive but simple step in terms of increasing the target audience for this kit. Ranging from a ultra tight MTL to a RDTL, this device offers modest to average vapour production.

Paired up with this relatively tight inhale, the Flexus Blok works great with thinner 50/50 e-liquids and especially nicotine salts (currently using Carousel by Innevape). The hit is strong and the flavour even more so, combining ease of use and practicality when you just want something to satisfy those nicotine cravings.

Pocket sized and compact, this kit is small in stature but still has a hefty weight to it, oozing with a sense of high quality and skilled craftsmanship. In line with its expertly executed ergonomics, the Blok is both elegant and stylish and is available in a multitude of attractive colour options, mine of which is a stunning fuchsia. One of the simplest but well appreciated features of this kit is the removable 510 drip tip, adding a layer of personal customisation.

But enough about the outer shell of this gorgeous machine! It’s what is under the hood that really makes this device shine…

Charged up quickly via USB C, the 1200mAh integrated battery lasts far longer than the offered by the Flexus Q (a mere 700mAh) and battery life is indicated via a small light on the side of the device.

To puff on, the Blok gives vapers an option between a draw activation vs. button activation, which is purely down to personal preference (I find myself using the draw activation most of the time). 

With the ability to cycle through 3 different power settings indicated by an LED light and by pressing the fire button 3 times, you can toggle from red (low) to blue (medium) and green (high), this kit can really accommodate for a wide range of vapers and preferences. I found the mid-level to be just right, giving a decent amount of flavour and an intense hit, but I liked the fact that I can change it with a few clicks of a button.

With a current RRP of about £30, this kit is worth every penny, in fact, I hands down prefer it to my Billet/DotAIOs (egad!). Vaping is massively subjective, but for me, the Blok is so much easier to operate and transport. There is no external battery to worry about and the risk of leaking is pretty much non-existent. The pods are far simpler to disconnect and fill in comparison to the Boro tanks used in many AIOs. Some people will strongly disagree with me in that respect as BBs are so highly regarded and sought after, but if you are looking for a cheap, reliable and well made device, you’re gonna want to have a look at the Aspire Flexus Blok.

Pros

It looks sleek and elegant

I love how easy it is to remove the pod/tank

I liked the fact that you can change the drip tip

Coil life was impressive

For me, it is the perfect replacement to a BB or DotAIO

Cons

I know nothing can be done about it, but it would be nice to have the 3ml pod (thanks TPD!)

Aspire Flexus Blok Specs

Size: 41.6×17.5×88.5mm

Battery: 1200mAh

E-liquid capacity: 2ml

USB Type C – 1A charge rate

Adjustable airflow

Draw or button activated

Side fill port

ASP Chipset

*NEW NIC SALT JUICE REVIEW* GRAPE & CHERRY BY FROSTBITE

Today I popped in to one of my favourite vaping haunts, CCR Vape Bar Hereford, and have decided to try a highly recommended nicotine salt eLiquid - Grape & Cherry by Frostbite.

Due to my ever evolving preferences when it comes to vaping, I have grown rather partial to small, simple pod style devices and fruity/icy 20mg nic salts. So when the folks at CCR suggested that I should try this eLiquid, I was excited to see what all the fuss was about.

I soon chucked a new coil in and filled up a pod - and, well, the Lost Vape Orion isn’t exactly known for its flavour production, but the taste was conveyed well and was surprisingly impressive, intense and mouth watering - despite the rather basic MTL capabilities. The grape is both juicy and well rounded and offers a candy-like smoothness that is then combined with a sharp, slightly sour cherry. But hands down the best feature of this particular eLiquid would be the perfectly calculated amount of iciness.

The candy/fruit notes are swept together with a cool inhale and are brought to life even further by an ear tingling, throat freezing exhale.

If you are usually a fan of fruity, candy and/or ice based flavours, then I’d highly recommend this eliquid. It is available in 10ml, and in 10mg and 20mg nic salts.

*NEW E-LIQUID REVIEW* Carousel Salts by Innevape Labs

Over the past year or so, I have found myself gravitating more and more towards MTL/Pod set ups. Due to this, I’ve drastically reduced my juice consumption and now tend to go for 50/50 VG/PG nicotine salt options.

Up until about 2019, nic salts were pretty much uncharted territory for me. I had noticed the rapid growth of this new innovation, and wanted to jump on the bandwagon.

Nicotine salt eliquids offered me an ideal solution that involved discreet cloud production and no need to puff endlessly trying to get that ever important nicotine hit.

So, for my typical, high wattage, high VG eliquids, I am very much a fan of dessert flavours. Following this logic, my first few nic salt choices were also based on desserts, but for some reason in MTL set ups, they just didn’t work for me.

I soon fell in love with anything fruity or candy based, so it was natural that when I discovered Carousel, I had to give it a go.

Described as a ‘Mystery Cotton Candy’ flavour - it is just that! A difficult to discern but incredible elaboration on a typical candy floss flavour. There is a variety of tropical fruit notes, including something I can best describe as a sweet pineapple. These complexities only improve the overall flavour in my opinion, and I never felt it to be dull or tedious. Flavour is carried well when using MTL devices, and the hit is smooth and satisfying. Since finding this eliquid, I have yet to come across such a well rounded and intricate candy based flavour.

In the UK, Carousel is available in short fill form, as well as 10ml bottles that are 10mg/20mg nicotine salt.

Abroad, it can also be found in 30ml 24mg/50mg variations.

Price wise, 10ml is usually sold for £5, however some quick web searching will bring up lower prices as well as multi-buy deals.

Still one of my ‘go tos’ when it comes to nic salts, I only wish it was available in bigger bottles!

Is vaping changing for me?

With my recent acquirement of the Lost Vape Orion Q and various nic salts, I have found myself increasingly partial to the quick, no-nonsense approach that this type of vaping offers.
I'm not supposed to vape inside where I live, however the discreet nature of MTL pod vaping leaves little to no evidence when used stealthily.
So, in the last few months, have got a whole host of different devices.
Currently, my top 3 would have to be:

Lost Vape Orion Q

Aspire AVP

Artery Pal II