Introduction
This kit was sent by the kind team at Sparksecigs for the purpose of this review from their premium mod range.
It is described on the Sparksecigs website as follows:
The iTaste 134 is a microprocessor-controlled VW personal vaporizer that lets you easily adjust the wattage with a rotational wheel.
And is available to purpose off the Sparksecigs website for £87.99
Presentation
The Innokin ITaste 134 kit, comes in one of the best presentation cases I have seen, it it is a tough black mottled case with aluminium edging and chrome on the corners and a secure latch on the front, inside the case is foam padding with the cut out for the 134 and for the iClear 30 that is included in the kit. It also comes with clear instructions and the warranty card.
Features and Specs:
Name : ITASTE 134 (Stainless Steel)Manufacturer: Innokin
Main Material : Stainless Steele
Atomiser Connection: 510 / Ego cone
Key Feature: Variable Wattage 6.5 w to 12.5w
Battery Size: 18650
Battery Contacts : Solid brass connections
Firing Mechanism : Microprocessor / electric Switch
Locking Mechanism: Only on- off
Built in Safety : 10-Seconds Cutoff, Short Circuit Protection, Reverse Battery Protection Circuit,
Mod Width : 34mm
Mod Height (Max) : 220mm
I start this review as I always do by breaking it down into its component parts.
Bottom cap
The removable bottom cap, can be simply unscrewed with a few short terms, to allow you to insert the 18650 battery. The cap itself seems to be machined out of one piece of stainless steel, that then seems to be chrome coated, which you do find does scuff up a little with use. It has a piece of non-removable black insulating plastic that holds the spring in place. Then out of the centre of this, comes a brass battery connector. The threading on the base cap is very well machined, and has a silky smooth threading action, onto the main body tube. When fitting the battery, you do feel the force of the strong spring pushing against the base of the battery. It fits together so well.
Mod Body.
The one piece mod body consists of the battery tube, the wattage control wheel, firing switch and 510/eGo connection.
Battery tube
This mod will only take an 18650 battery, and once fitted with the bottom cap in place has zero battery rattle, due to the high powered spring in the bottom cap. The stainless Steele battery tube has the Innokin 134 word laser etched into the tube, the tube itself is surrounded by stainless steel bars, which does make the whole unit seem very solid, and feels great in the hand. The stainless steel bars around the body are held in place with two solid steel rings.
Wattage adjustment.
The ITaste 134 feature variable wattage which is controlled by the Scale Display wheel, which allows you to select one of the pre-set wattage settings, you can choose from 6.5W, 7W, 8W, 9W, 10W, 11W, 12W, and 12.5W. This done by simply rotating the wheel to the desired setting, and lining it up with the black dot on the top coller. As you turn the wheel you get a very satisfying mechanical click, as you go past each number. The wattage numbers are etched onto the wheel, are are separated by raised bumps, which allow for grip.
Firing Switch
The firing switch is located above the wattage wheel, and is set into a matching body tube again surrounded by stainless steel bars. With one bar missing where the switch is located.It is a stainless steel switch, with four holes cut out of it, to show the LED panel behind. The sitch itself has a very smooth action, with a really nice positive mechanical click to it. And when pressed fires without fail every time.
As mentioned behind the switch is the LED panel, which lights up every time the switch is depressed. When fully charged the bottom LED lights up green, when you have used half of the battery charge, the two LEDs on the side light up yellow, and when the battery requires charge the top LED lights up red. I found this configuration worked perfectly, as when you are vaping you tend the cover the bottom LED with your thumb. Which means you can clearly see the LED at the top when it requires charging.
The fire switch is also used for turning the device on and off, simple press it three times to turn it on, and three times to turn it off.
510 connection
The Itaste 134 features a 510 eGo connection, which allows it to fit all your 510 tanks and cone threaded carto's . It has a brass sprung loaded centre pin, which allows for a great connection every time.
Beauty Ring.
The 134 has a removable beauty ring, to allow you full access to the 510 connection for cleaning and maintence, plus allows you to remove it complety, when using cone threaded attys and Carto.The beauty ring has two small 2mm air holes on either side which allow good airflow to you device if required.
Aesthetics and build Quality
The aesthetics of the Itaste 134 are taken from its name sake, the M134 Minigun, and may not be to everyone's liking, personally I love it, I love the whole look and feel of this device.
Having used this device for the last month, I safely say it is very very well made.it is just so solid, and feels great to hold. But that solidness does come at a price, and that is its weight, it is heavy, it's the heaviest device I have every used. Every part of the 134 is well machined, and you realy can't fault it for build quality, you just know it is built to last.
Performance & Real World Experiences
As I said I have been using it for a couple of months, and haven't been able to fault it, apart from the size and weight of it, when you put it in your pocket you need to make sure you are wearing a belt, as if not you make find your trousers start working their way down. I do feel that it is best suited to home vaping. And is a real talking point.As far as performance go I feel it is very impressive, it just performs so well, and has the power to put out clouds of vapor from your atomiser.
Recommendations
I would defiantly recommend the Innokin ITaste 134, for someone looking for a well built VW device. That is built to last, the Aesthetics, are defiantly a love it or hate it, and I don't think the a device could get much bigger, but I sure I will be proven wrong.MVR Rating
Build: 10/10Finish: 9/10
Threading: 10/10
Switch: 10/10
Aesthetics: 9/10
Overall: 9.5/10
