In for review is the “techy” looking Epuffer Shift Pod Kit!
We have reviewed many of their devices such as the Titan X, Xpod and Xpod Mini.
What I didn’t know is that Epuffer supplies a lot of devices for performing arts, when characters are required to smoke. They offer cigalike, e-pipe and e-cigar devices for props to make it look realistic! They are the brand recommended by the Actors’ Equity Association Union also known as “Equity”.
What To Expect From The Epuffer Shift…
This is a funky looking pod kit with a futuristic technical design.
Inside the device is a 400mAh battery which apparently charges in less than an hour using the USB Type C port provided.
The output is not specified but it is designed with only 1 compatible pod available.
The pod has a 1ohm fixed coil which has “Photo Etching Process Coil” (PEPC) mesh technology – I assume this adds more surface heating area for the coil?
A side fill port is located on the pod to add up to 2ml of your own e-liquid.
You can adjust the airflow to your preference using the slider switch on the side of the device. Epuffer state this is suitable for Mouth To Lung (MTL) or RDL (Restricted Direct Lung) vaping styles.
This has a fire button or you can use the auto draw operation too.
There are 3 colours to choose from: Orange Shift, Shadow Black and Royal Blue.
My opinions are based on my experience with the devices provided. I will report on my findings – your experience may be different.
Kit Includes
- Epuffer Shift device
- Pod
- USB Type C cable
- User manual
Epuffer Shift Pod Kit Specs
- Size: 110x22x15mm
- Output: Not specified
- Battery: 400mAh (internal)
- Display: LED indicator
- Resistance range: Not specified
- USB Type C port
- Pods: Refillable, fixed coils – 1ohm PEPC Mesh coil
- Capacity: 2ml
- Manual fire or Auto Draw
- Anti Dry Hit warning
- Side fill port
- Adjustable airflow – MTL and RDL compatible
Epuffer Shift Design and Build Quality
I received 3 of these kits in all three colours – thank you Epuffer!
They all came well packaged and with the added safety of the pod removed from the device plus an isolating sticker on the pod base. Another great idea is a plastic plug in the mouthpiece to prevent contamination – make sure to remove this before use!
I found the instructions were OK but slightly confusing – especially the details of the LED indicator. It actually doesn’t tell you anything about whether it will display battery charge remaining?
This page is the worst – the “Charging” paragraphs in particular made me scratch my head…
“A) Charging: LED light will flash Red 3 times when it’s successfully charged…
B) Fully charged: LED light will flash Green 20 times when battery is fully charged”
After experimenting the Red LED flashes 3 times when you connect the charge cable and flashes Green 20 times when fully charged. The light then goes off completely.
Also there are some inaccuracies about the LED – it does not light up White when vaping – in fact it changes colour according to battery charge remaining. Can you see any info on that? Nope neither can I. Plus it does not illuminate when you install the pod?
I know it seems a bit like I am nit-picking as a lot of user instructions are terrible, but this is a UK brand with a higher price point – so I am expecting better than this.
Epuffer Shift Mod
The device is covered in a Plastic shell, which extends beyond the pod contacts to encase the pod too. It reminds me of a Glass display case where you can see the contents clearly!
I keep rubbing my fingers on it thinking I might be able to feel some of the components concealed beneath the shell, but to no avail as it is super smooth and just feels lovely in the hand.
The front of the device features the roughly square shaped fire button. This has a great clicky action and only protrudes a few mm above the device surface.
The button sits in a cut out which features what appears to be the circuit board beneath. Also in this area is the coloured LED indicator which fills the cut out section with light.
Further down the front is a faux circuit board pattern panel encased in the coloured shell with the Plastic clear casing on top.
Many screw heads are visible all over the device, but they are covered in the clear shell so you cannot actually feel them.
The rear of the device is similar to the front but more covered over. The faux circuit board panel features the Epuffer logo and required legal logos.
On one side of the device is the airflow adjustment slider, slide fully up to close off the airflow or fully down to open the airflow. This moves underneath the clear shell with only the small knob sticking out above the shell.
The opposite side is plain.
On the base you will find the USB Type C port and 2 real screw heads which must secure the device in the Plastic outer.
The transparent pod compartment houses 2 magnets and two spring loaded electrical connections. It is very easy to access for cleaning etc. This holds the pod in place firmly without any wobble whilst allowing easy pod removal.
Epuffer Shift Pod
The pod is lightly tinted but you can see the contents easily – even when installed on the device.
This has a slightly rectangular “Duck Bill” style mouthpiece which is not uncomfortable in use at all.
A side fill port is held closed by quite a flimsy silicone port cover, I can’t see this lasting a long time, but these are disposable pods anyway so shouldn’t be a huge issue.
Beneath the fill port cover is the port which is approximately 5x3mm and poses no issues with my 10ml and 30ml e-liquid bottles. I have not had any airlock problems either as the rectangular shape means there is a space for surplus air to exit when filling.
On the pod base are the 2 magnets which mate with those in the mod and 2 contacts for the electrical side of things.
The airflow inlet holes are opposite each other so you can install the pod either way around.
Epuffer Shift Quick Start Guide
This arrives with the pod disconnected from the mod. To prevent damage an isolator sticker is applied to the base of the pod.
Make sure to fill the pod with e-liquid before removing this sticker. If you don’t and you vape – this will burn the coil out and the pod will be scrap.
You can then remove the mouthpiece protector plug and charge the battery.
It is recommended to use 50% to 70% VG e-liquid in this kit, which is similar to other starter kits on the market.
Basic Operation
- Power On/Off = press the fire button 5 times – the LED will flash to confirm.
- Vaping = either press the fire button or inhale on the mouthpiece to trigger the auto draw firing.
- Battery indicator = the instructions say the LED will light up White when vaping. Which is not true. It does light up but it will be Green (high charge remaining), Blue (medium charge) or Red (low charge).
- Battery indicator when charging = the Red LED flashes 3 times when connected to a charger. It will cycle through the colours Red, then Blue and then Green. When fully charged the LED will flash Green 20 times and the light will go out.
- Adjust airflow = move the airflow adjustment slider up to reduce the incoming airflow and down to open up the airflow.
Protections
- Low Power – the LED will flash Red twice when the device needs charging.
- Short circuit – device will turn off and Red LED will flash 3 times. Clean pod and device contacts, if this does not rectify try a new pod. Otherwise the device may be faulty.
- Over time – if you vape for longer than 8 seconds the fire will cut out. You can inhale or press the button again to continue vaping.
- Anti Dry Hit – when the device detects insufficient e-liquid in the pod the LED will flash White 3 times.
- Temp High – Red LED will flash for 5 seconds and device will turn off. Allow device to cool down before turning on again.
How To Charge The Battery
The charging rate is not specified.
- Using a USB type C cable, connect the small end into the USB port on the mod.
- Connect the large end of the cable into a suitable USB outlet.
- The LED indicator will flash Red 3 times to show charging has started. It will then illuminate Red, Blue and Green as it charges.
- When fully charged the LED will flash Green 20 times and then the light will go out.
The charging time for me using a 2A charge outlet was around 55 minutes each time.
How To Fill the Pod
- Remove the pod from the mod.
- Tip the pod on its side with the fill port at the top.
- Lift up and swing the fill port cover out of the way.
- Add e-liquid whilst observing the level through the pod.
- Close the fill port firmly.
- If this is the first fill leave the pod to stand for 5-10 minutes. Take a few dummy inhales on the mouthpiece before inserting the pod into the mod to help with the e-liquid flow.
- Replace the pod in the mod.
How Does the Epuffer Shift Perform?
I mainly used my own e-liquid mix which is 50/50 PG/VG made from IVG Bubblegum Concentrate at 20% ratio. This is quite high a flavour ratio as I prefer plenty of flavour, but sadly this means it can be a coil killer sometimes.
I add nic salt to approx 6mg strength.
If any of these terms are over your head – have a read of our handy guides below!
- MTL V DTL V RDL – A Guide To Vape Styles
- VG and PG in E-liquid – all you need to know
- Beginners guide to E-liquid
- Nic Salt E-liquid
1ohm Pod
I have to say this really surprised me.
Despite it being a high resistance the flavour is quite lovely!
It is a very smooth vape and not harsh in any way, ideal for the higher nicotine strengths!
Even with my weeny 6mg nic I got a decent throat hit.
There is a small amount of warmth and the flavour feels almost creamy, it is that smooth.
I am not even using a creamy e-liquid – mine is Bubblegum! But that mellow flavour is delicious!
It is not the rawest or purest flavour I have had from a pod, but it brings a new twist on e-liquid I have been using for a long time.
The vapour is impressive for this high resistance coil too!
I am taking quite long draws on this as it feels like it takes quite a while to fill my mouth with vapour – so this might impact coil life, battery life and how often I refill it.
So far after 8 refills the flavour is still the same and hasn’t dropped off.
Airflow
This is not the tightest MTL airflow I have used.
On a scale of 0-10 (0 being fully closed and 10 being breathing fresh air) this ranges from around 3.5 to 5. So not a huge adjustment range really.
In fully open this is suitable for RDL (Restricted Direct Lung vaping) and when fully closed this is a decent MTL vape.
Mod Performance
The auto draw action is as quick as pressing the fire button – you really cannot tell the difference!
Some devices struggle with auto draw when the airflow is wide open or fully closed but there were no issues at all here!
The Anti-Dry hit protection didn’t seem to work for me. I vaped until the pod was empty, I was getting horrible dry hits but there was no warning lights and the fire did not cut out. I had got to the point where the burnt flavour made vaping impossible.
What I will say is that after this point I refilled the pod and the flavour was great again which was a surprise.
The power output is pretty stable until the LED turns Red, at this point the vape is weak – but you do only get a few vapes before the device conks out and needs recharging.
Leaks
No leaks at all I am pleased to report.
There is some condensation – which is to be expected and this is visible through the clear pod compartment area. Nothing troublesome though and it cleared by itself.
Battery Life
This will always vary depending on your own vaping habits.
I am a heavy vaper and have been taking quite long draws on this device.
So with that in mind – as a guide I got 3.5 hours on average. If for instance I was using stronger nicotine e-liquid I would be taking shorter puffs and less often – so the battery would last longer.
Pros
- Interesting looking device
- Airflow adjustment always gets brownie points from me
- Beautiful smooth flavour vape with a lot more vapour than I was expecting!
- Have vaped 16ml so far and the flavour is still great
- Works as a RDL or MTL device
- Simple to use
Cons
- No fire button lock – I have accidentally fired it many times when carrying
- Only one pod resistance available
- You only get 1 pod in the kit, which is a shame if you accidentally damage the pod
- Instructions are not the best I have seen – wording is a bit confusing and there are inaccuracies
- Flimsy fill port cover
- Not the tightest MTL vape even when fully closed.
- Anti Dry Hit protection didn’t seem to work for me?
- 55 minutes to charge – the battery is only 400mAh so the charge rate must be low.
Final Review Verdict
A few marks dropped for the flimsy pod cover and confusing instructions. Otherwise the build quality is excellent. I would really like to be able to lock the fire button though as I have triggered it by accident even just carrying it in my hands – let alone in a bag or pocket.
The instructions need overhauling, missing information and in some cases incorrect information. Considering this is a UK brand – surely the instructions should be better, this has impacted the “Ease of use” score. The device itself is easy to use, but for the newbie the instructions could make it confusing.
I tested the anti dry hit protection which did not work, I stopped vaping as the flavour was too burnt. But the pod when refilled did recover – to its credit.
I do actually like the design, but with the abundance of clear plastic, some may feel it is a bit cheap looking. Especially the faux circuit board area.
That vaping experience though is great. A smooth creamy flavour with a cloud that made me think I was using a lot lower resistance coil!
However the battery capacity is too low for me to be taking this out and about with me, hence dropping points in the “Replace if lost or damaged” category. Also the fact the small battery still takes 55 minutes to charge is another deal breaker.
As a starter kit this is great, will give people a brilliant impression of vaping, the quality and flavour is an excellent place to start, but for less tech savvy users it may take a bit of fathoming out.
Epuffer – improve the instructions, add a fire button locking function and this would get a lot higher marks!
Let me know your thoughts on the Epuffer Shift in the comments below!
