Experiencing the Kanger Aero-Tank V.2

Experiencing the Kanger Aero-Tank V.2

I’ve become a bit of a fan of the Kanger clearomisers since Exhale started to introduce them some months ago. Like many vapers I’m always pretty keen to try the newest and latest technology available. Although I have to say, I am still filled with trepidation when it comes to the MOD devices and have yet to pluck up the courage to kit myself out and have a go.

But, to be honest I’ve been getting everything I want from 'off the shelf' devices which are so very easy to maintain. I don't have to fuss about with tools and wires of different guages, messing around with ohm readers and different wicking materials, I just pop a new coil out of the blister pack screw it in and that’s it; job done.

I'm seeing a lot of manufacturers are beginning a move toward dual coiled devices which, having two rather than a singular coil should pack a punch, doubling vapour production and impact. I don't know about you, but I’m up for that. So when Exhale added the latest Kanger Aero-Tank V.2 to their range recently, I was all over it.

I love that with every single order I place at Exhale I get a discount. Even so, their already keen pricing knocks the socks off their competitors. And then, my order arrived.

Knowing from experience that Kanger’s products take no prisoners, I felt so confident in it that I also bought a pack of spare coils enabling me to use this long-term with no need to faff around with other things.

Now where was I? Oh, yeah, my order arrived. So I ripped open my jiffy bag and grabbed that recognisable black box right out, and there it was, my new AeroTank V.2 in all its splendour and glory.

It’s hard to describe what happens when I get something new to vape with. I want to rip it all open, fill it with juice and get going right away. But today, I mindfully stop myself for a moment, even if only to admire its packaging. I know, it’s a little bit geeky, right? But, what the hell, I'm gonna tell you about it anyway.

It arrives in a sturdy black box; cellophane wrapped. I had to go to the kitchen for a knife to get into this one. So, had I wanted to rip it right open in my usual way I would've been stopped in my tracks.

Having cut a way in and disposed of the plastic, my tank was there in its little window. It looked mightly, and powerful and great! It a clearomiser could talk, it was saying "Come and get me baby!"

One of the things I really like about the Kanger stuff is its quality and this doesn't let me down. As I expected it to it oozed with it.

I know, you want me to move on, so I will...You slide out the box, a little like your naughty drawer and, as you do, tucked in underneath is a little instruction manual and authentication anti-counterfeit card. There’s a scratch off panel on the side of the drawer of the box which reveals an authentication number that can be used on KangerTech’s website. There's also a water reactive sticker on the front of the box offering a second line of defence and assurance. You can be certain that the product you have is 100% genuine and not a rip-off. Did I do that? Hell yeah! I licked my finger and wet the sticker just to see what it did. Did I go onto their website. No. But, the point is, that you can.

My clearomiser is now getting annoyed because having screamed 'Come and get me baby" at the top of its lungs, it has almost given up hope of me ever finishing telling you about the security measures and spitting on my fingers.

Lifting open the lid now reveals the box contents; the smart stainless steel and pyrex glass Kanger AeroTank ready to go. In the three side compartments are a spare coil, a plinth/beauty ring and, unique to this device, a stainless steel tube. This tube which is interchangeable and can be fitted instead of the glass if you've a desire to.

Don’t be afraid of the glass element. Seriously. I was worried too when I started buying the Kanger stuff. I’m not clumsy exactly, but like everyone else I can drop things. On many occasions, I've dropped my Pyrex glass devices. Nothing has happened. Even if it's been dropped onto tiled surfaces and I’ve done this dozens of times. Oh, OK. You're right, maybe I am clumsy then after all! Anyway, it’s fine. No big deal. And, if you are at all worried, swap out the glass for the steel tube. You get a whole new look, all the benefits of vaping with Kanger and none of the worry. Though without the glass, you'll have no idea of how much juice is in your tank. Maybe in version three????

The coil head looks quite long when compared to the Kanger Mini Pro II I've been using most up until now. What has changed is the way the air flow on the V.2 is controlled differently than it had been on its predecessor. Now, rather than a wheel that is screwed up or down to cover or uncover the drilled air holes, there is a panel with five air holes lined up side by side and over which is a steel ring. This steel ring has an oval shaped slot cut out which you move to cover 1, 2, 3 or 4 holes to regulate the air intake. It looks sleek and dare I say sexy?

What this ability to change the air intake achieves is two things. You can set it to allow the resistance or pull you most like when taking a ‘drag’ in your inhale. So, whether you like it open and easy, or tighter with a bit more effort needed in the pull, your experience can be tailored to your taste. Moreover, additionally the extra oxygen when set wide open mixes with the atomised liquid creating a vapour that is denser. In effect, your cloud is also tailored too.

OK. I’ve held back long enough; my fingers just want to get this sucker out rather than spend time looking so that I can describe it to you. I’m going in.

It feels reassuringly weighty in the hand and of course; the first thing I want to do is feel the action of opening and closing the holes by moving the slot. This is no flimsy device. It feels quite resistant. There are indentations around the ring which allow you to get a good firm grip. I can tell you now as I feel it, this is not going to move of its own accord or accidentally when you are putting the base back on after filling. That’s happened to me a lot using the Aspire Nautilus I can tell you. How many times have I filled that and found that I couldn't take a drag because the ring had moved and closed off the holes completely. This one feels like it is going to stay right where you want it to be. It has definite stop points at both ends of the spectrum. Incidentally these indentations are also on the stainless steel sleeve too but that is more to do with creating a stylised look. They have thought of everything!

Wide open it feels really loose and easy. Great for a lazy and slouchy vaper like me! Close off one hole and you can feel the impact of this right away. At four holes, it is still nicely open and is now offering a little resistance. Turning it again to cover two holes, for me this is getting tough. Not my cup of tea at all. However, in the interests of science and exploration I’ll close another so that now there’s three covered and two open. This feels like a setting for those who want to take a real hard pull. I can imagine coming out of a long meeting and, desperate for a fix, taking a long, hard vape. Finally with just one hole open and it is now an effort to inhale. Close of this last one and, to inhale at all you would need the lungs of a walrus!

As with all other Kanger devices this is solid in its construction. Built to last. I particularly like the fact that there are no glued seals that could easily be breached, causing leakage. Although I have to say, I’m a bit disappointed that there are no spare silicone ‘O’ rings included with this model. Perhaps they feel that they're not ever going to be needed? We’ll see!

The base comes open easily, and there is a good grip which is a big point in its favour over my beloved Aspire Nautilus. At times it's been a devil to open, frustrating me as I struggle to open it to fill the tank! Tools have even been carefully used a couple of times! Maybe that goes to show how well these devices seal.

The Aero-Tank base has a pre-installed stainless steel coil. This, and the spare in the box are 1.8oHms. As one would expect of a new device, it’s slightly loose, so I just tighten that a little so that ither's a secure seal and a proper circuit connection when fired up.

I like a cool vape and, given the choice would generally go for a coil of around 2.5 - 2.8 so, in the back of my mind is a worry that this may lead to disappointment. However, according to the manual 1.8oHms is OK for 3.7v - 5.5volts, so you would be fine with a standard 3.7v battery but could crank it up with a variable voltage one too. Even with these nagging doubts it still calls out to me 'Come On. Baby".

Time for some juice then eh? Holding it upside down, there’s plenty of room to aim the nozzle into the tank. As you look inside there is a ‘bridge’ that marks the level at which it would be at its maximum. You do not want to go over this otherwise you risk juice getting into the centre tube.

It will take 2.5ml, so a reasonable amount to keep you vaping and not require constant topping up. I've got very used to the laziness created by my 5ml Nautilus which I only need to fill every other day or so.

Filling done; you need to wait a minute or two if it's a brand new coil. This allows the liquid to saturate the wicks. By the time I’ve set it down and typed this, I reckon I’m about ready to go.Oh, wait, I will just tell you about my battery as I screw it all together.

I’m using my Innokin MVP V.2, on which I have the wattage constantly set to its lowest of setting of 6w. The voltage output is around 3.3v so I should get a cool enough vape, and the 1.8oHm coil should receive enough power to function and be just fine.

OK, this is it. Time for takeoff! Chocks Away! Tally Ho and all that.

The mouthpiece is kind of bullet shaped and feels comfortable on my lips. The glass and stainless steel cool against the skin of my fingers.

All holes set to wide open; I take my first drag. This is niiiiice. I exhale a plume of vapour straight out toward my computer screen and watch as it dissipates away. As I do that, I pay close attention to the experience so that I can relate it to you.

What I get is an exceptionally clean taste. My liquid, just as it should be. There is no taint like there can be with some new coils which can have a kind of machine oil taste at first. There is none of that. Just vape as it was meant to be.

I take another drag, longer and deeper this time now that I am reassured I'm not going to get any unpleasantness as it beds in. I'm keeping the holes wide open and loose. Deeply, the vapour hits my chest and throat, and I have soothing satisfaction. Yes, that’s exactly it. I feel satiated. As I breathe out slow and easy, controlling the exhale, I feel immense pleasure and contentment

I would say this is a keeper. If anyone asks me, I will tell them that it’s well worth fifteen quid. Moreover, if you're clever and add in the word 'exhale' as a discount code like I did, you get an automatic 10% off too!