Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO Review – History Repeats Itself

The Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO review and it’s hard to believe that six years have passed since the creation of their proprietary BVC coils.

Incorporated into the earliest Atlantis tanks they boasted of being the very first to utilize adjustable airflow, and to this day they are still classed as among the best stock coils for mouth to lung vaping.

Update: We have recently reviewed the updated device, the Aspire Nautilus Prime X. Highly recommended you check that out if you are considering one of these devices.

Today, they are being used again in the Nautilus Prime AIO kit…

What Can We Expect From the Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO Pod kit?

First and foremost we can expect the same reliable MTL vaping experience that Aspire gave us all those years ago, thanks to the inclusion of the 1.8ohm BVC coil.

We are now also able to take advantage of more recent coil technology in the form of their 2S mesh coil, allowing us the option of a restrictive direct lung hit.

For this reason a fully adjustable and independent external airflow control system has been included as part of the kit. Combining this with variable wattage, expect other Nautilus sub ohm coils such as the 2S 0.4ohm (capable of hitting 28W) to be compatible.

So we can expect a blast from the past as well as a taste of the present.

How does this coil combo stack up when used inside a modern day pod device?

Now seems like a prime time for me to answer those questions.

Inside The Box

Aspire provide the usual welcoming thumb cut outs on the side of the box and it’s a simple matter of sliding the outer sleeve away to reveal the contents.

• Nautilus Prime device (2000mah)
• Pod (3.4ml) – Pod adaptor included
• Nautilus 2S Mesh coil 0.7ohm
• Nautilus BVC coil 1.8ohm
• Type C USB charging cable
• User manual

I received the standard version of the Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO pod kit which is the same as the US version. There is of course a TPD compliant issue that contains a 2ml pod, everything else in the kits is the same.

Curiously, the official Aspire website indicates the US edition only allows adjustable power levels of up to 40W.

Specifications

• Pod capacity 3.4ml / 2ml (TPD compliant)
• Built in battery capacity 2000mah
• Output modes VW/VV/Bypass
• Wattage range 1-60W
• Voltage range 0.5-8.0V
• Resistance range 0.1-3.5ohm
• Continuous fire time 10S
• 0.69 OLED screen
• Type C charging port
• Dimensions (including drip tip) 45x90x23mm

The device is engineered from anodized aluminium alloy with chrome plating and the pod is comprised of toughened PCTG material.

The net weight is 118g.

Features

The Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO Pod kit comes in a host of colour schemes.

Peacock Blue, Hunter Green, Space Grey, Black, Silver and the one under review, Garnet Red.

• Powered by the renowned Nautilus coil
• Features side airflow control to enhance flavour and cloud production
• Built in 2000mah battery delivers extended life
• Variable wattage control from 1-60W
• Rapid Type C charging (2 amp)
• Bright 0.69in OLED screen
• Refillable, replaceable pods

There will also be an RBA section available for any budding builders. It would be interesting to see how that stacks up against the Aspire Mulus RBA!

Design and Build Quality

Being comprised of aluminium alloy, the Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO feels quite light in the hand. Its design has been inspired by the shape and contours of a streamlined sports car.

Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO the Battery Section

I’m personally reminded of a few oversized Lego bricks because the contours are somewhat exaggerated, defining front, rear and centre areas of the battery.

The top of the battery includes some chrome plating and a pair of star drive screws immediately above the battery housing. Attempt to remove them and you may very well invalidate any warranty you have.

It’s also not a great idea to mess with internals of a device unless you’re absolutely certain of what you’re doing.

The tactile and raised fire button is side mounted on the Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO which should allow you to locate it under the poorest of lighting conditions.

The screen display area is also incorporated on this side. I found it to measure 18.4mm x 4.2mm, and although very narrow it still provides all the information needed in a bright and clear manner.

There are also two 10 x 20mm viewing windows on the battery housing allowing remaining juice levels in the pod to be seen.

Below another juice viewing slot lies the adjustable airflow dial. The amount supplied is dictated by the three circle markers. With all three circles visible the maximum airflow is obtainable, whilst one circle alone will minimize airflow.

Putting it simply: Slide the airflow control to the left for minimum airflow and all the way to the right for maximum.

Beneath the airflow control dial are the plus and minus buttons, so now seems like a prime time to go through the settings.

How To Operate The Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO Pod Kit

• Five clicks of the fire button will either unlock or turn the device on
• A further five clicks will put the device into locked mode
• While in locked mode, press and hold the fire button for two seconds to switch the device off
• Three clicks of the fire button will switch the display on/off. It is still possible to vape while in stealth mode
• Press the plus or minus buttons to alter the wattage output
• Holding the plus or minus buttons together will allow entry into wattage, voltage or bypass modes. Press the fire button to make a selection

The underside of the battery is home to more chrome plating alongside a series of battery venting slots – always pleasing to see – as in safety first.

The Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO pod Kit also includes a number of other safety features and protections:

• Vaping over time protection after ten seconds of continuous vaping
• Open circuit (no atomizer)
• Short circuit
• Low resistance
• Low voltage

If any of the above faults occur the screen will provide the relevant information.

Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO the Pod Section

Made from a toughened PCTG plastic, there’s very little tinting which allows the visibility of remaining juice levels, at all times.

The pod has some nice serrations on either side so gripping is never an issue. There’s also a built in clip at the front which helps locking into place within the battery section.

The silicone stopper is held permanently one side by a sturdy rivet and the plugging section can easily be removed. I wonder how many folk have been put off using pod systems because of the level of frustration often created when trying to fill them?

Aspire has nailed the filling system for quite some time now and the Nautilus Prime is no exception.

Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO – How To Fit the Coil

• Screw the coil into the supplied coil/pod adaptor ensuring a snug fit.
• Push the coil up and into the base of the pod

Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO – How To Fill the Pod

• Pull the pod out of the battery section (if installed)
• Remove the silicone bung from the pod section
• Hold the pod horizontally and gently administer e liquid through the fill opening
• Replace the silicone bung ensuring a snug fit inside the pod
• Push the pod back into the battery section

After filling, leave the juice to sit in the pod for a good five minutes before vaping, this is known as priming the coil.

Also remember to make sure the variable wattage has been set to within the parameters of the coil being used prior to having your first vape.

How Does The Aspire Nautilus Prime AIO Perform?

I started with the 1.8ohm Nautilus BVC coil to see how well the kit responded with a typical mouth to lung vape aimed at the beginners end of the market.

I used Dinner Lady Cola Ice, a 50VG/50PG liquid ratio and a freebase nicotine content.

This coil has a usage rating of between 10-14W and my tests were carried out at 12W.

With the airflow wide open I really struggled to achieve a MTL vape and although possible was far too airy. There was more of an icy cold blast and very little in the way of a refreshing cola beverage.

Not much changed when the airflow was set mid way and again the MTL experience felt unnatural and uncomfortable. There was maybe just a hint more of cooling agent but little cola, everything tasted quite diluted.

The interesting thing is, with the airflow dial fully closed I was able to achieve a very satisfactory mouth to lung vape – a quirky oversight or part of the airflow design?

Either way it certainly worked and the flavour popped from the cola and the cooling agent provided a satisfactory cold blast.

I was even able to note the slightest of throat hits from the 6mg freebase nicotine.

The Nautilus 2S 0.7ohm mesh coil (rated 20-25w)

I opted to use Wick Liquor Boulevard Shattered nic salt range with a 50VG/50PG juice ratio with the 0.7ohm rated mesh coil.

Vaping at 23.5W I set the airflow slider to wide open – and got the shock of my life!

Not only was the flavour instantly popping but I received an abundance of cooling ice on the back of the throat during inhale. Cloud production was incredibly good for a relatively low powered coil.

All the fruit qualities of the profile were crystal clear during the exhale being crisp, bright and incredibly tasty. The well balanced icy cold blast took nothing away from the exceptional flavour quality the mesh coil was producing.

This was still a restrictive lung hit but very much in keeping with my style of vaping so I instantly felt comfortable and at home with the vaping experience.

Closing down the slider to mid way did little to alter things and both flavour and cloud output remained extremely satisfying.

Unlike the 1.8ohm coil, there’s little to no chance of vaping with the airflow fully closed so don’t go hoping to achieve a mouth to lung experience.

In fact it’s not really possible with any airflow setting. This is strictly for the direct to lung vaper in my opinion.

Pros

• No leaking
• Outstanding battery life, especially with the 1.8ohm MTL coil installed
• Fantastic flavour and cloud production – even more so from the mesh coil
• Easy to read OLED screen in all lighting conditions

Cons

• Tricky to get a decent MTL vape unless closing the airflow dial completely (1.8ohm coil)
• Chrome plating is prone to scratching up early doors
• Side firing can be annoying to some (subjective)

Final Review Verdict

Aspire prove the old adage, “If it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it“.

The well traveled Nautilus BVC MTL coil works just as good with the Nautilus Prime AIO pod kit as it ever has.

The more recent 2S mesh coil is also a welcome addition simply because of its outstanding flavour performance.

Neither create any turbulence and the vape is quiet too, so plenty of opportunity for a crafty stealth vape then.

Both of them were lasting beyond a week before flavour and cloud production began diminishing. There’s every likelihood the MTL coil will last up to two weeks.

Although the design mimics that of a box mod, the fact it’s lightweight means slipping into a shirt or trouser pocket is no problem, in fact I forgot I was carrying it around with me on a few occasions.

Thanks to the 2000mah battery I got an incredible 24 hours continuous use from the 1.8ohm MTL coil. It took around 75 minutes to fully charge from a depleted state using the Type C USB port.

Overall, I found the Aspire Nautilus Prime pod kit to be a solid and reliable device that delivers the goods for both MTL and (semi restrictive) DTL vaping.

Who Would I Recommend The Aspire Nautilus Prime Pod Kit To?

Not really someone starting out on their vaping journey – Why?

It’s likely to be a little bit too cumbersome and possibly intimidating despite the plug and play coils.

The side firing button may feel a little unnatural and take some getting used to as opposed to the myriad of auto draw devices on the market.

Also, the airflow slider needs to be closed off entirely when using the MTL coil, and a new vaper is undoubtedly going to want to use that coil.

Any other setting will fail to deliver the same effect experienced from a cigarette. There’s too much airflow.

So in closing I would imagine the kit to appeal to someone that wants to move onto a device with more cloud production and intense flavour output, such as someone entering into the realms of intermediate vaping.

If that’s something they are considering? Now is a prime time to check out this one from Aspire.