Boge Revolution Juice Box V2.1: Impressions

Bogetech recently released an update to a radical update to what may be the world’s first mass-produced juice feeder box mod, the Revolution Juice Box V2. Bear with me if that sounds a little confusing because it is.  The company announced the version 2 of their original revolution.  Shortly thereafter, the company made some significant improvements in production including doubling the battery capacity and removing an unnecessary bit of functionality.

Inside the Revolution 2.1, dual batteries

The factory couldn’t retool in the middle of a production run, so the update, dubbed the Revolution V2.1 by some, looks exactly like the earlier version 2 Revolution. The battery capacity has been boosted to 1400 mAh by adding a second battery.  The unusual negative ion generator feature has been removed, but the switch position labeled “ANION” and the light display remain.  In the V2.1 the ANION position on the switch simply displays a little light show featuring a rotating color-changing set of LED lights.  Keeping the same shell design also helps the company keep the price point low for this device.

I asked a Bogetech representative about the ANION feature.  He explained to me that the idea behind it was to emit negatively charged ions to combat the trace radiation that emits from computers.  Since that seems like a completely gimmicky feature I’m glad they opted to pull it out and add another battery instead.

With the mysterious ANION explained, let’s take a look at the specs for the current 2.1 Revolution.

• 1400 mAh battery capacity
• 3.7v output
• 510 threading
• 10ml juice bottle
• 3 position on/off switch
• battery indicator light
• built in USB charging port with pass through
• quick disconnect wrist lanyard
• storage compartment for spare atomizer/cartomizer
• rubberized finish

What’s in the box
The box itself is actually a really nice design.  It uses a thick stock cardboard with a folding hinge that is secured shut with magnets.  Inside little compartments lives the Revolution and its accessories:

• Revolution V2 body
• 510 connector thread protector (installed on connector, remove before flight)
• Juice bottle with needle (installed in the body)
• 5 Boge Cartomizers
• AC adapter
• USB cable
• Instruction sheet

Design
While essentially a box mod, the Revolution is a very stylish personal vaporizor (I hesitate to call it an electronic cigarette as this model resembles a cigarette in no fashion).  The design features a gentle curve around the front and back along with a nicely modled and integrated button.  There are no real corners on this device to speak of. This is not a box in the traditional sense of the word.

The Revolution is a large device.  At first I thought the size might make it awkward to handle, but holding the device it has a very natural hand feel and is quite comfortable to use.  When gripping the unit, the large fire button falls perfectly in line with the thumb.  The button is smooth and responds with a definitive but subtle click when it is fully engaged.

It is apparent a great deal of thought went into the ergonomics of the Revolution.  I can’t help but feel this device looks a little bit like a two way radio.  When I have it fitted with a black cartomizer and black drip tip, it looks as if I am vaping on the antenna of a walkie-talkie.

Despite my preference for more petite electronic cigarettes, I haven’t been able to put the revolution down.  I find myself vaping on this device far more than is probably required to write this review.  This has given me the opportunity to go through a few charge/discharge cycles.  During those cycles, I noticed the battery indicator lights do not function quite as well as I would like.

On the front of the unit above the button is 3 small LED lights that light up green when the unit is charged.  Two strange things are happening here with the treo of lights.  First the three lights go out from left to right (the last light active with a low battery is the one on the right), opposite of what I expected. Second, ambient light from the first LED shines through the casing of the other two lights making them appear to also be illuminated.

Several times I thought the lights were indicating plenty of power when the Revolution suddenly shut off with a drained battery.  Strangely, when using the unit and looking down on the buttons from above, the lights actually do indicate from right to left and it is obvious which lights are active.  That may have been the design intention, but it took me a while to get used to the lights.  Maybe a retooling of the disco lights from the ANION would provide for a better battery charge indicator.  When charging, a single indicator light illuminates red and then turns off when fully charged.

Juice Feeder system
The Revolution uses a basic needle-fed juice delivery system.  This system works by attaching a needle to a 10ml juice bottle the tip of which protrudes through a hole at the top of the battery connector and into the hole in the atomizer/cartomizer.  A collar around the battery connector prevents juice from escaping out the cartomizer’s vent holes, forcing the juice up and into the cartomizer.

This system works through its simplicity and also helps to keep the Revolution as a low cost options  There are a few things about this design to be aware of.  I don’t know if I’d necessarily consider them problems, more like limitations within the system that require a little additional consideration.

First, the existence of the collar on the atomizer connection means that not every atomizer or cartomizer will fit and work properly.  Oversized attachments such as the IkenVape Cannon, or the 3.5ML dual coils aren’t going to connect properly at all.  Basically, for optimal performance cartomizers and atomizers should be of the standard 510 diameter.  Even then, with variances in threading of different models, some make a better connection than others which may impact the draw. It’s also worth noting that top coil cartomizers won’t work on this or any bottom feeder due to the way the cartomizer is built.

Do not break!

Next, the needle attachment is for the juice bottle is obviously critical.  I managed to break the needle that shipped with my Revolution (through improper use on my part).  This rendered my Revolution useless leading me to frantically emailing every vendor I could find who carries these models to see if they stocked replacement parts.  Nobody has parts, several vendors were very helpful and two vendors, White Stag Vapors and Elite Vaporworks were kind enough to offer to part out existing stock to sell me a replacement. I am eternally grateful to them as well as J-Tek Imports who has been on a quest to find replacements.  I spoke to Bogetech about this issue as well and I am told that they are going to ship a second needle with new releases in addition to making replacement stock available to their retail partners.

Finally, a couple of juice feeding notes.  As compared to some bottom feeders, the Revolution operates slightly differently.  There are no tubes in these bottles, so for juice to flow from the bottle to the cartomizer, the Revolution must be tipped down to allow gravity to feed juice into the needle while squeezing.  Also unlike some bottom feeders, if you squeeze too much juice into the atomizer, the juice will not bubble up around the battery connector collar.  Rather the juice will seep into the inside of the Revolution, which could cause issues if juice collects inside.

Performance
The juice system has some caveats but it works remarkably well with very little practice.  Once you find the sweet spot of how much pressure to apply to the bottle and how frequently, adding more juice becomes second nature.

Beside the juice system, the Revolution is a fairly straight forward 3.7 volt personal vaporizer.  Actual vapor performance will be more dependent on the cartomizer in use than the battery in most cases.  This model put out a solid 3.7 volts on the voltmeter.  As for battery life, I have been using primarily 1.7 ohm single coil cartomizers from SmokTech and I am able to go a full day (about 14 hours) at moderate to heavy levels of vaping before the unit shut off on me, very respectable results.  A more typical user and standard resistance cartomizers can expect even longer battery life, I have heard some reports of 2 days.

Random photo, hey this thing is long, I need lots of pictures!

I am unsure of the buttons actual amperage capacity, but I ran into no issues using low resistance and dual coil cartomizers.  Actual use of the button is excellent.  The button provides feedback and enough resistance to let you know when is engaged without applying too much force, yet it is not so loose as to easily misfire.

The only other eccentricity I noticed with the device goes back to the sleeve around the battery connector.  Some cartomizers would not make proper battery contact despite screwing into and fitting correctly in the threads.  I found this post on the Electronic Cigarette Forum which suggested pushing the pin up from the inside to improve contact for those cartomizers.

The Boge Revolution Juice Box is a compelling entry in the rapidly evolving electronic cigarette industry.  While the concept of a bottom feeder mod is not new, this is the first time one of the major players in the industry has opted to depart so radically from traditional style electronic cigarettes.  The Revolution has a few eccentricities, and may not be compatible with every cartomizer in your stash.  The attractive design, large capacity and price outweigh many of the minor oddities this model contends with.

For more on the Revolution V2.1 check out the Revolution vs. V-MOD showdown!

Pros:

• Attractive design
• Comfortable feel in hand
• Large juice capacity
• Price
• Battery life
• Excellent activation button design
• Actual 3.7 volt output
• USB passthrough charging

Disclosure: I received this product as a review sample from Bogetech (at my request).