At a time of significant change in the vape world, we ask if Riot's Connex 1200 Pod Kit is the perfect device to replace disposables...
About Riot
My love affair with Riot goes back many years. I can remember when they were known as Riot Squad. That's when I realised this UK-based manufacturer meant business within the vaping industry. Not only were they producing top-notch E-Liquid flavours, but they also possessed a very strong sense of character. Their presence was being felt everywhere, predominantly through their own choice. You only have to witness the Riot bus recently parked outside the Houses of Parliament! Take their bullet-shaped E-liquid bottle nozzles as another example—as distinctive and characteristic of Riot as it gets—or flavour combinations such as Apple, Cucumber, Mint, and Aniseed from their PUNX range.
One of my personal favourites was Christmas Pudding, a limited edition seasonal release produced a few years back. Yeah, I know. It's not to everyone's taste palette, but I really appreciated the care and attention to making the taste as authentic as possible. Another limited edition was John Lemon from a range that celebrated well-known UK public figures. That was up there with Dinner Lady Lemon Tart. High praise indeed! These extra treats keep popping up alongside regular ranges such as the BLCK, S:ALT, Menthol, and Riot Originals. Of course, most of these flavours also appear in their short-fill line-up. So you could say I'm old school when it comes to Riot. I respect them for releasing quality E-liquid flavours for any type of vaper. Then, they decided to join in on the popularity and accessibility of disposable vapes. Who could blame them? Another way of getting those quality flavours out there.
Yet the Riot Bar represented so much more than just your traditional throwaway vape device. These disposables were made from fully recyclable material to combat the ever-growing impact of environmental waste. The Riot Recycle scheme was the first in the UK to tackle these concerns head-on. It teamed up with major retail outlets, waste management companies, and other recyclers to provide specified recycle drop-off points up and down the country. As with their products in general, they can only be commended for going the extra mile.
Now, the UK Government's ban on disposable vapes has forced them into a radical U-turn. It has to be said that Riot entered the disposable vape scene late, having predominantly focused on issues of recycling first and foremost. But now the time had come for Riot to riot - break free of the burden of disposable vapes.
How have they done this by producing a disposable unlike any disposable?
The thinking behind the Connex
Innovation has always been at the heart of everything Riot does. Their idea of vaping as a smoke cessation tool comes from learning, testing and interacting with the consumer. Again, the impact on the environment plays a significant role. Riot firmly believes the noise around disposables has negatively impacted the vaping industry and, just as importantly, its reputation. So, their mission is now to eradicate disposable vapes ahead of Government legislation. I did mention a radical U-turn!
With the Connex pod kit, Riot are gently steering vapers towards a more sustainable choice. It has a retainable battery pack and replaceable capsules, which makes it a disposable, unlike any other disposable. Because only half of the device is disposable, landfill waste is significantly reduced. Therefore, it's also a more cost-effective way of retaining the intense flavour of a disposable vape without having to pay for a new device every time. Simply replace the capsules.
It does have to be said that this technique has been used before. Look at the Vozol Switch Pro or SKE Crystal Plus rechargeable device. These products rely on a rechargeable battery section and replaceable sealed pods. They, too, are less impactful on the environment and represent better value for money. But typical of Riot, they've done things a bit differently, as we're about to discover.
The Riot Connex Kit
Your initial purchase will be a kit. By this, I mean you'll receive the Connex battery pack and two flavour capsules, ready to vape straight out of the box. So, there's no need to wait around for E-liquid to soak into cotton with the Riot Connex pod kit.
You do get the same two flavours in the kit. However, Riot have already produced 13 independent flavour capsules for use with the Connex ranging from Fruit, Tobacco, Drink and Mint based profiles. Hopefully, there will be many more to follow.
Also, although the Connex is rechargeable, the kit doesn't include a Type C USB charging cable.
Packaging
I'm quite impressed with the packaging. The Connex kit comes in a matchbox-sized carton that's (for once!) easy enough to open. It's also pretty cool that Riot has clearly displayed the strength of salt nicotine on the front.
An embossed, glossy image depicts the shape, design, and colour of the chosen flavour. E-CID numbers and use-by dates are also clearly presented alongside various safety warnings. It's quite clear Riot's usual high standards have once again been employed.
Attention to detail extends to the inner packaging, too. Everything is contained within a sealed plastic bag, which, like the carton, can be easily broken into. I like the included print: "Break free from the disposable norm…" "Detach, Recharge, Connex" The message is loud and the message is clear!
Inside the Box
- 2 x 2 ml Connex flavour capsules
- Connex Battery
- Safety leaflet
Inside the bag are two flavour capsules with the respective mouthpieces protected by a silicone plug alongside the Connex rechargeable battery section. The battery section deserves a special mention because it's carefully isolated from the flavour capsules inside a cardboard sleeve. Information on the sleeve states that a USB charging cable is required, the child lock switch needs to be switched on before use, plus there's a message about flavour degradation and when to replace the capsule. All good stuff and the attention to detail I've come to know and love about this manufacturer.
There's also an information leaflet that generally covers all potential side effects of vaping. A black-and-white image shows the basic features of the Connex. As for instructions? Well. There's really no need for those. The Connex kit is as easy to use as a disposable vape.
Connex Battery Section
Although only half of this particular vape review, the battery section is the driving force for the custom mesh coil of the flavour capsule. So it's fully rechargeable. Riot tells us anything up to 500 times! This maybe a stretch of the imagination, or it maybe the whole truth. I certainly won't have time to test that bold statement today!
The battery section also houses the Type C USB charging port, which is conveniently built into the side. Hooray! Vertical charging for a change. Nice one, Riot.
A Blue LED lights up on the base while auto-inhaling. It's not particularly bright, but it still gets the job done.
A lanyard can also be fixed into the top corner if that's your thing.
The inner workings play host to four vital functions: two very strong magnetic contacts, gold-plated positive and negative coil contacts, a battery guide notch, and the one you need to be most aware of if you want to use the Connex. The on/off switch, also known these days as the child lock switch, is very easy to use and pretty self-explanatory.
Connex Capsule Section
The ‘other half of the Connex’. It contains 2 ml of E-liquid, making it fully TPD compliant. The salt nicotine strength is 20mg, reflecting the strength of most disposable vapes currently on the market. Each capsule is designed to work for anything up to 600 puffs. Unfortunately, I don't know the resistance value of the custom mesh coil, but since the Connex is clearly designed for an MTL vape, it's likely to be around 1.0 ohm.
The colour of the capsule reflects the choice of flavour. For example, Blue Cherry Burst has a pale blue coating with text set against a Red background. Naturally the capsule section incorporates the mouthpiece and fixed airflow slot. You only get a tiny pinhole on the base but that's all you need for a decent MTL vape.
The inner workings include two strong magnets that coincide with those of the battery section and two gold-plated contacts that connect the mesh coil with its power source. Please remember to pay attention to the arrow marking on the side of the capsule. It connects to the battery section one way. To simplify things further, make sure the Riot Logo on both sections aligns, a bit like matching strips of wallpaper.
In keeping with Riot's belief in sustainability, both sections are made from carbon-negative recycled plastic.
I'm not usually one for duffing up my vape gear, but I put the Riot Connex through the 'accidental' drop test, and the two halves refused to separate. This is a worthwhile demonstration of the powerful magnetisation between both sections.
Testing the Riot Connex Kit
I tested a few flavour profiles for taste, intensity, vapour production and longevity across a single charge cycle of the Connex battery. You can read my flavour reviews below.
Vapour Production
There's really nothing to fault with the vapour production. As with flavour, the mesh coil delivers the goods. As you might expect for a MTL vape, it's thin and wispy on the exhale but satisfying enough on the draw. All the while, nicotine salt staves off the cravings for a cigarette while ensuring a pleasantly smooth all-round vaping experience.
MTL vape experience
The restriction to airflow has been perfectly pitched, and you really are getting the same experience as the draw from a cigarette. In fact, it feels exactly the same.
It's very comfortable with the auto draw feature (which is flawless) and extended inhales pose no problems for the Connex kit. Coupled with the same kind of vapour output as expected from cigarette smoke, you're getting an ideal substitute.
Battery Life, Charging and Number of Puffs
I'm particularly impressed by the staying power of this tiny little device. A solid twelve hours of continuous use is highly uncommon for a 500mAh rated battery.
Yes, there's flavour degradation as it depletes, but it's only really noticeable around the end of the charge cycle. When you consider that most standard disposables last for eight hours at most, that's quite a feat.
Think one charge, one flavour capsule, keeping things nice and simple again. Factor in that it takes a mere hour to charge (you can still vape while charging), and the convenience/performance levels improve further.
The Blue LED will flash ten times when the battery has had enough.
When charging, the LED remains a solid red and switches to green once it is complete.
I have absolutely no hesitation in writing that a single capsule will easily last for 600 puffs, it's not very often I can be as confident as that!
Everyday Use
You don't even notice you have it in a trousers or shirt pocket - the device is that light.
Even though it's made of recycled material, the Connex has a classy, rubberised texture. It feels great in the hand, and the texture provides a certain degree of grip.
I know some vape devices feature fidget spinners for the inclined, but I've never known a device garner as much attention as these magnetic contacts! I've demonstrated how the parts connect, and colleagues can't resist trying for themselves—again and again and again!
There have also been suggestions of the parts separating in a pocket, but this never happened during the test period. The drop test previously mentioned proves that particular point.
Who's the Riot Connex Kit For?
With such incredible ease of use I have to suggest the new vaper - those making the transition across.
The flavour and vapour production are identical to those of a disposable, and it even trumps many of those for its effective MTL vape.
The Connex has been designed for that audience, but established casual vapers will also find it a much cheaper alternative to disposable vapes.
Pros
- Lightweight and pocket-friendly
- Great flavour and decent vapour production
- Excellent MTL airflow restriction
- Incredibly easy to use
- Strong and reliable magnets
- Incorporated child lock switch
- Charge in vertical position
- Great battery life
Cons
- Can't see how much E-liquid is left
- No charging cable was supplied
- Limited battery strength indicator
- LED indicator stays on once fully charged
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