In for review is the trendy looking Aspire RIIL X pod kit.
Call me out of touch with trends (most folks do!) but whenever I think of Aspire the Nautilus, PockeX and Breeze all spring to mind. They’re older products by today’s standards admittedly but still highly representative of Aspire’s evolution inside the vaping industry.
From sub ohm tank, vape pen and pod kit respectively, Aspire clearly aren’t afraid to experiment and innovative.
In fact while they encourage us to innovate the way we think, they continue to experiment with alternative designs – designs no other manufacturers are able to lay claim to.
The Aspire Cloud Flask is one such example. The Aspire RIIL X is another so let’s take a closer look.
What Can We Expect From the Aspire RIIL X Pod Kit?
As a pod vape it doesn’t get any simpler. That makes the Aspire RIIL X perfectly suited to a new or transitioning vaper. Auto draw activation perfectly mimics the tug from a cigarette, something else a newbie will fully appreciate.
It’s being described as ‘exquisite, stylish and powerful’. I can pretty much attest to the first two but we’ll find out just how powerful the pod kit is in due course.
The Aspire RIIL X comes equipped with two AF (Aspire Flexus) mesh coils. One’s designed for a classic MTL (Mouth To Lung) vape and the other caters for a (RDL) Restrictive Direct Lung hit.
We tell you what these terms mean in our Guide To Vape Styles.
Being plug and play the coils are easily installed in the 2ml TPD compliant RIIL X pod.
The Aspire chipset uses smart constant wattage output (regulated) and the optimal setting for the coil is automatically selected. It remains constant throughout the life span of the 700mAh integrated battery.
Battery health is monitored by a series of coloured LED’s that react during auto draw. The LED’s also blink while protecting the device against potential safety issues.
An airflow slider has been included although adjustability appears very limited. We’ll see how effective it is when using the more powerful AF mesh coil.
Extra fast type C USB charging is included and Aspire state a tired battery can be rejuvenated within the space of 20 minutes.
The luggage shaped Aspire RIIL X comes in two colours. There’s a 99.9% 24 Karat Gold plated version and another simply described as Silver (under review).
Aspire RIIL X Pod Kit – What’s In the Box?
Given the size of the device the box is considerably larger than expected. However, alongside the accessories box, it looks extremely well presented. The foam bed certainly protects everything against damage during transport or shipping.
- Aspire RIIL X device
- Aspire RIIL X pod (2ml)
- AF mesh coil 0.6ohm
- AF mesh coil 1.0ohm
- Chain
- Type C USB charging cable
- User Manual
A quick note on the user manual. It’s one of the best I’ve read. The text is large and clear. Everything is explained in layman terms and the artwork is stylish and bold. A total of 7 languages are included.
Great work, Aspire!
Aspire RIIL X Pod Kit – Specifications
- Dimensions: 73.8 x 42.8 x 21mm
- Pod Capacity: 2ml
- Coil parameters: AF mesh coil 0.6ohm (15-18W) / AF mesh coil 1.0ohm (12-15W)
- Resistance range: Not specified
- Adjustable airflow
- Pods: Refillable, Replaceable coils
- ASP chipset
- E-liquid filling: Easy side fill
- Activation mode: Auto draw
- Battery capacity: 700mAh
- Output mode: Smart constant wattage output 0.6ohm (16W) / 1.0ohm (10W)
- Vaping cut off: 6 seconds
- Charging: Type C 5V/2A
Aspire RIIL X Pod Kit – Design and Build Quality
The device is made from Zinc Alloy and that really helps to keep the weight down. With the chain and coil installed it weighs a mere 86g.
The four panel recesses on either side make all the difference to the grip. It feels dinky but very comfortable in the hand. However, I didn’t take long in removing the Aspire dog tag. I just found it a constant and unnecessary distraction.
Is it really needed since the Aspire logo features on either side of the main body. Not to mention the coloured LED..
The Silver version is also prone to finger prints. That may bother some but it’s no biggie in my opinion.
The Aspire RIIL X will stand freely but probably won’t take much to knock over. Again, type C USB charging is handled via the underside of the device.
Therefore I personally recommend removing the pod (and standing vertically) to ensure all areas of the cotton remain saturated.
There’s micro knurling on the rather small adjustable airflow slider and the tolerance is good here. It needs to be for what appear to be quite limited airflow options.
I love the pod. It’s crystal clear and looks a treat sitting inside the battery section. Just be aware that you’ll be removing it frequently to check e-juice levels. The pod recesses quite deeply inside that battery.
The upside is it passes the drop test. Two strong connecting magnets do their job well.
The pod is reversible so you can slip it in either way round. Always useful for when in a hurry.
Finally, the silicone fill tab is an absolute joy to use. Even for someone that frequently bites their nails!
Quick Start Guide
For any newbie reading, let’s get you up and running.
- Remove the pod from the battery section by pulling up on the mouthpiece
- Turn the pod upside down and push one of the coils into the opening of the chamber. Make sure it’s firmly seated.
- Lift the fill tab on the side of the pod to expose the filling port
- Hold the pod in a 45 degree position then gently squeeze e-liquid down into the pod chamber. Don’t overfill the pod
- Push the fill tab back into position making sure it’s closed and sealed
- Drop the pod back into the battery section
Let the e-juice soak into the cotton wicking ports for around five minutes prior to vaping.
How Does the Aspire RIIL X Pod Kit Perform?
I began tests by using the AF 0.6ohm mesh coil. With its wider wicking ports and lower resistance it should offer a decent restrictive lung hit in the very least.
With this coil installed the device pushes out a constant 16W.
Just Juice Tobacco Club Sweet Cubano was my e-juice of choice. It’s a 50VG/50PG ratio with 11mg of salt nicotine included.
With the airflow slider wide open I gave it a vape. Indeed that restrictive lung pull is possible and a Luke warm vapour builds nicely at the back of the throat.
Vapour production was perfectly fine given the juice ratio and didn’t take long to dissipate.
As for flavour. That was a bit disappointing to be honest. There was enough sweetness to the vape but the cigar content was underwhelming and somewhat distant.
Traces of it did make an appearance around mid point of the exhale but I found the experience patchy at best. I didn’t even pick anything out as an after taste, either.
The vape is certainly smooth and quiet enough with airflow wide open so no complaints there.
Airflow Restriction
That does actually make a difference! I was worried that by being miniscule it would lessen the effect. It gets the job done when closing off to mid position.
It’s the position to pick for a quality MTL vape. Some of the cigar flavour notes were enhanced but not enough to enjoy the full effect Just Juice promise.
Since the slider cuts airflow entirely when fully closed you’re really only left with the two options described above.
Unfortunately neither of those cut it for me when it comes to that all important flavour.
AF 1.0ohm Mesh Coil
I used Just Juice Vanilla Toffee from the Tobacco Club range to test the MTL coil. It’s another 50VG/50PG ratio with 11mg salt nicotine included.
The device pushes out a constant 10W with this installed.
Again, with airflow wide open this was still a loose MTL vape. As a consequence there wasn’t the flavour intensity usually associated from a tighter draw.
Having said that, it’s also not a great restrictive lung vape either because it starts to pull on the neck muscles in an uncomfortable way. I’m stuck between a rock and hard place with the AF 1.0ohm coil.
Under this setting, neither a MTL or RDL vape were to satisfactory standards.
Airflow Restriction
Closing the airflow slider too much results in a spongy, unnatural pull so clearly the coil is being starved of its life blood. When set mid way I finally got the MTL vape I was looking for.
The flavour properties are improved and a decent balance between Toffee and Vanilla is struck. Since the exhale is slightly cooler than the 0.6ohm equivalent I would probably suggest fruit, mint or beverage profiles when using the coil.
The coil doesn’t suffer with the ‘snap, crackle and pop’ syndrome sometimes associated with those freshly installed. As with the AF 0.6ohm coil the vape is extremely quiet and turbulent free.
Vapour production is similar to that of the 0.6ohm coil so suitably stealthy. It’s on par with that of cigarette smoke and dissipates just as fast.
Battery performance and Charging Capabilities
The LED will change colour as the battery percentage drops. Here’s what you can expect:
- Green 100 – 60%
- Blue 60 – 30%
- Red 30% – 0%
Once the battery dropped to around 50% I noticed a radical change in performance. Flavour really did start to suffer, becoming bland and washed out. I expected that to occur much later.
I got a respectable 12 hours use from the 700mAh integrated battery before the Red LED blinked three times. During this time I was mostly restrictive lung vaping and got through around 6ml of e-liquid.
When it came to recharging I was super impressed. It took literally seconds for the Red LED to turn Blue and a total of 15 minutes before it turned Green.
After 30 minutes of charging the LED blinked 15 times and the device switched off. I’m presuming this means the battery was back to 100%.
Pros
- Lightweight and pocket friendly
- Excellent contact between pod and battery
- The coils don’t leak
- Adjustable airflow isn’t a novelty – it works
- Decent vapour production
- Super fast recharging time
Cons
- Average flavour from either coil
- Topples over quite easily
- Aspire dog tag is a pain in the rear (subjective)
- Unsightly star drive screws (subjective)
Final Review Verdict
The Aspire RIIL X pod kit does feel comfortable in the hand. Even more so once the dog tag is removed. It’ll fit comfortably in a trouser or shirt pocket and will certainly be a best friend when it comes to stealth vaping.
Because the battery section has curved edges, getting it to stand in a vertical position can be hit or miss. The slightest nudge of a surface – over it goes.
The LED works a treat even though we’re constantly reminded it’s an Aspire product. It’s visible in direct sunlight and fades slowly enough to be able to view remaining battery status.
That tiny airflow slider proved me wrong. I didn’t think it was going to make much of a difference but the slightest of adjustment will turn a RDL tug into a fully functioning MTL vape.
So the Aspire RIIL X is a fully functioning pod kit but it’s also a bit of a let down when it comes to flavour. With two mesh coils included I was expecting more bite, clarity and saturation.
The results were average at best in my opinion.
