Apex Alpha Ultra with RES

[prof beard]

Well now, given that the last e-cig I bought was my Super T Super Six back January 2010 (I've also got a Nuck's Fistpack and an eGo - both of which I won at UK Vapefest 2010 - and a couple of other things I was sent as review samples) I thought it might be time to by something new...

My criteria when spending my own money are a) simple b ) tubular c) mechanical and d) well engineered. Initial reading about the Apex products indicated the Alpha range met my criteria and added an extra in the form of the "RES" (Reservoir Expansion System) which again seemed an one-time/no fuss idea.

So I bit the bullet and, as I have endless batteries, chargers and atomisers, ordered an Apex Alpha Ultra Base Unit and an Ultra RES with Switch. I chose the Ultra as it uses 14500 batteries which are the same as my Super 6 (plus it's about the size I like) and the RES with Switch to allow me to change from RES to no-RES use without having to change the switch over.

After wending its way across the US, a quick trip to the UK, and an unnecessarily long stay in UK customs (including them charging me more money for VAT and some spurious "handling charge") it arrived at my home the same day I got back from a week-long business trip to California (the irony was not wasted on me)

It came in a splendid box:



which contained the most comprehensive manual I ever seen for an e-cig:



and even a card telling me which bits to polish...



...and a polishing cloth!



My Ultra (with standard atomiser connector) was there:



As was my Ultra RES with Switch:



Before I did anything else, I screwed an LR 510 atomiser (with a Super T whistle tip) onto the Ultra to compare its size to "old faithful" - my two year-old Screwdriver Mk1 - shown here with an LR 901 atomiser from Liberty Flights attached. (Deepest apologies to trog - I should have polished old faithful before taking the photo )



I also couldn't resist seeing what a "fully corrugated" Ultra would look like - so here it is with an LR901 fitted via a 510-901 adapter and covered with an Empire Drip Shield - I think it looks good:



A tour of the Apex Ultra Base Unit

The end of the main body has (surprise) an "alpha" on it:



The body looks like this - you can the atomiser connection section and the sliding battery holder inside the main body:



Here is the unscrewed atomiser connection showing the switch. The switch is a push/snap fit into the connection body and the switch is very well made indeed.



...as is the atomiser connection itself:



The battery holder slides out of the main body with the atomiser connection removed:



The closed end has a small hole in it - not sure why, for venting?



The made body is clearly marked (including date) on its inside:



And is beautifully machined:



So, I inserted a protected 14500 battery,



refitted the LR510 and drip tip and gave it whirl...



What's it like:

It's nice to hold and the sliding battery holder (which is the "switch" for the person using the Ultra) falls nicely under ones thumb. The sliding section onlys needs a movement of a millimeter or so to operate, and I found I had no trouble using it. I tried the Ultra - in this form - out with a range of atomisers and can honestly say the the vaping experience is identical (ie excellent) to using my Screwdriver and Super Six - no great surprise there!

The RES - Reservoir Expansion System

This is a device which replaces the Ultra's normal atomiser connection section and allows a reserve of juice to be held and fed to the atomiser:



This shows the end where an atomiser can be inserted and screwed on:



and this the end holding the switch. (To remind you, I bought my RES with a switch - if you buy it without switch you have to pull it out of the standard connector and insert it in the RES - and vice versa - if you want to use your Ultra in both standard and RES forms)



The switch holder can be unscrewed from the barrel contained the RES (NOTE - this is a left-hand thread):



The RES section holding the absorbent ceramic can then be seen inside:



Unscrewing the top of the RES allows the ceramic piece to be withdrawn (be careful - I suspect it would break it knocked):



Here is a close up of the ceramic used:



So I reassembled everything and screwed the RES onto the Ultra's body...

Filling the RES

I adopted the "safe" (ie not taking thing apart) process for filling the RES. Having fitted an atomiser:



I dripped 10 drops of juice down the drip-tip and waited for 2 minutes, then dripped another 10 drops and waited 5 mins. I then tried it out - it worked!

However, I also remembered at this point how much I actually dislike 510 atomisers - mainly for lack of flavour. Then I remembered the RES works with 306 atomisers too! So I fitted a Cisco LR306 atomiser and drip-tip:



This was great! The 306 gave great vapour, hit AND flavour! (Better than when using dripping - it tasted "fresshly dripped" every draw) And... with the RES, I wasn't having to top up the juice-monster Cisco atomiser every 2 minutes...

Result! The RES works - it only holds about 1ml of juice but that is a VAST improvement over dripping an LR 306!! It seems to use all the juice up pretty well too.

So - I like this - it has a filled a valuable hole in my vaping arsenal - I can now use LR306 atties without them being a complete pain.

The Apex Alpha Ultra is a very well made piece of kit indeed (with a HUGE warranty) and the RES seems a good no fuss innovation (provided it doesn't prove overly fragile). I don't regret my purchase one bit...