I have in my hand the newest Caliburn kit – the Uwell Caliburn A3S!
It is worth noting that this is not the full kit version, it is a sample I was kindly given at Vaper Expo UK.
There are 3 main ranges of Caliburn and this fits into the “A” range of lower power, higher resistance kits.
What To Expect From The Uwell Caliburn A3S…
This is based on the Caliburn A3 with some updates.
I have reviewed most of the Caliburn A range and always found them to be excellent kits with epic flavour.
This time the Caliburn is even simpler!
For a start there is no fire button so this is auto draw activated – meaning just inhale on the mouthpiece and it will fire!
Inside the slim body is a 520mAh battery – which is the same size as the A3. A USB Type C port allows fast charging up to a 2A charge rate. The charging time is not specified.
A new Laser Etched pattern makes the bodywork more fancy this time.
Also new is the fact that the “Caliburn” logo on the front is now the LED indicator with the logo lighting up to display battery charge remaining and device status.
This is compatible with the previous Caliburn A3 pods and the new A3S pods. There are 2 of the A3S pods included in the kit – the 0.8ohm and 1ohm Mesh.
Plus the A3S range have thankfully done away with the horrible snap off mouthpiece filling method. Instead you have a simple side fill port.
There is an e-liquid viewing window to check the liquid level.
Here is a brief introduction video from the Uwell Website.
There are 6 colours to choose from: Moonlight Silver, Space Grey, Midnight Black, Lake Green, Iris Purple and Ocean Flame.
Kit Includes
Note: I was just given the device with the 0.8ohm pod. I did not receive the full kit.
- Uwell Caliburn A3S device
- 0.8ohm A3S pod
- 1ohm A3S pod
- User manual
Uwell Caliburn A3S Specs
- Size: 109.8×21.3×11.7mm
- Output: 16W Max
- Battery: 520mAh (internal)
- Display: LED indicator
- Resistance range: Not specified
- USB Type C port – 2A charge rate
- Pods: Refillable, fixed coils
- Compatibility – compatible with A3 and A3S pods
- Capacity: 2ml
- Side fill
- Auto draw firing
Uwell Caliburn A3S Design and Build Quality
I received this in the Space Grey version.
I am unable to comment on the packaging as I didn’t get any.
But I have viewed the user manual online here and it seems to be one of the better ones with plenty of explanations and every area covered.
Uwell Caliburn A3S Mod
This is designed for simplicity and performance – so no “bells or whistles” anywhere in sight!
Although quite plain to look at there are some design features such as the laser etched patterns to make it look more attractive yet still classy.
The indicator LED is in the form of the Caliburn Logo on the front of the mod and this lights up in different colours to display the battery charge and any fault conditions. Again this is a classy touch.
The lights have a moving effect (not as in emotionally moving) – a kind of dynamic animation – hard to explain! See the video below for what I mean!
When not lit up the Caliburn logo looks like this…
The rear is plain apart from the “Uwell” logo in Black unobtrusively located at the bottom.
Also the Black clear plastic ridge effect is present on the mod base – which is where the LED lived on the A3 model.
Each side is plain apart from a small pinhole which I assume is the air intake.
An e-liquid viewing window is provided which is cut out from one side of the device. As this is not cut out from both sides the view is pretty dark. Also the inside colour of the mod is the same as the outside – a Dark Grey – so that makes things darker too.
The base features the USB Type C port and the familiar ridge effect found in the A3.
This has a super deep pod compartment which might be a pain for cleaning if you have an issue or if there is condensation on the contacts. You will need an Cotton bud / Swab or similar.
Inside the pod compartment are 2 spring loaded contacts and two magnets. The pod can be inserted either way around. Plus the ugly Legal logos are hidden quietly out of the way in here!
It is easy to remove the pod but it is held in securely enough to not drop out when it feels like it. However when dropped onto a hard floor the pod did escape the mod! No damage done to either thankfully!
Uwell Caliburn A3S Pod
This is similar to the A3 pod but with one major improvement.
The A3 pods (which are also compatible with the A3S) have the horrible snap off mouthpiece design to access the fill port. I found these difficult to remove and over time they would become too loose or break.
Thankfully the A3S versions have a nice side fill affair covered with a Silicone port cover.
The cover is lifted from the top using a fingernail and then provides access to a 3mmx3mm square fill port.
You can also swing the port cover out of the way to make things easier.
But I have found issues with “air locks” where parts of the pod are not able to be filled due to trapped air. There doesn’t appear to be any air vent on the pods and the fill port isn’t quite big enough to allow trapped air out. Hence why on some of the images the e-liquid level is not equal in both sides of the pod.
The pod is slightly more opaque than the A3 version but still gives a clear view of the e-liquid level. You can even see through the mouthpiece area clearly which was obscured on the A3 pod by the Black mouthpiece.
Legal logos and the Minimum fill mark are very faintly etched into the pod sides which does make it a bit difficult to see them.
On the Black pod base, the pod resistance and recommended power level are etched in clearly.
There are 2 electrical contacts and 2 magnetic contacts to connect with the Mod.
Uwell Caliburn A3S Quick Start Guide
This comes with an isolator sticker on the base of the pod to prevent operation before the pod has been filled. Therefore I would only recommend removing this sticker when the pod has been filled with e-liquid.
I will help you get started in the section below!
Basic Operation
- Power On/Off = This does not have an on/off switch.
- Vaping = Just inhale on the mouthpiece to trigger the auto fire system.
- Battery indicator = this pulses when vaping and changes colour according to the battery charge remaining whilst vaping. Green LED = over 60% charge, Blue LED = 30-60% and Red LED = less than 30%.
- Battery indicator when charging = same as above and the light will stay on solid Green when fully charged.
Protections
- Low battery – Red light flashes 10 times – recharge the battery to continue use.
- Short circuit – Red LED flashes 3 times – clean contacts, replace pod – if this does not rectify the fault the device could be faulty.
- Over Time Protection – Green LED flashes 5 times – if you vape for longer than 8 seconds the fire operation will cut out to prevent overheating.
- No atomiser (Pod) / open circuit – Blue LED flashes 3 times. Insert a pod. If this does not rectify follow the advice for short circuit.
How To Charge The Battery
The charging rate is specified as 2A.
- 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 will cycle through the colours and will stay on Green (not pulsing) when fully charged.
The charging time for me using a 2A charging plug was 25-30 minutes which is pretty quick.
How To Fill the Pod
- Remove the pod from the mod.
- Open the fill port cover.
- Fill the pod through the fill port.
- Push the fill port cover closed firmly.
- If first time use or a new pod leave this to stand for 10 minutes for the e-liquid to soak into the wicking. Failure to do this will result in the vape from hell (Dry Hit).
- Plus you can take a few dummy vapes on the pod before you insert it into the mod to help the e-liquid flow through.
- Also make sure to refill when the pod level is at the “Minimum” marking to prevent pod damage.
How Does the Uwell Caliburn A3S Perform?
I mix my own e-liquid using the IVG Bubblegum Concentrate to 20%. I add this to 50% VG and 50% PG base liquid.
The flavour ratio I use is quite high, which can sometimes be a coil killer, but I love a lot of flavour!
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 – 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
Caliburn A3S 0.8ohm Coil
Well blimey I wasn’t expecting that!
This feels way more powerful than the 0.8ohm A3 pod on the A3 and AK3 kits?
It actually can get quite warm too when vaping!
I will see how well the coil beds in (sometimes it can take a while for the coil to reach its full potential) but right now it feels almost too powerful for the coil installed.
Like being on the cusp of dry hit territory, but not quite. So it may be a case of getting a few pod fulls of e-liquid through it to kick start things properly. Perhaps the wicking needs more saturation.
I did fill this 24 hours before I began vaping – I like to do that to make sure there are no leaks. So I think not priming the coil correctly can be ruled out.
Even with this intensity right now, I get the lovely fizzy sensation of my e-liquid so if the flavour will develop and improve – it should be epic!
Anyway within the first 2ml the intensity chilled out a bit, it was still a warmer vape than I am used to but the flavour is just excellent.
Plus the vapour output is surprising, it is no cloud chucker by any means but it is pretty spectacular for a MTL low power kit.
So far I have refilled the pod 9 times and the flavour just keeps getting better! I will try to update the review as to how long the coil lasted before it crapped out on me.
Airflow
This is super tight.
Surprisingly tight in fact. As mentioned above the vapour is on the very warm verging on hot (with long inhales) side.
Again I am not sure if this is too restricted airflow wise as slightly more air flowing about would cool the vapour down and reduce the intensity? However the intensity did calm down within the first pod full of e-liquid.
On a scale of 0= fully closed and 10= breathing fresh air, I would rate this around a 2.
Mod Performance
The auto fire system is super quick and doesn’t stutter at all.
Some devices can suffer from a slow or inconsistent auto draw activation, but nope the Caliburn A3S nails it.
Initially I felt the output could be dropped by 1W for the 0.8ohm pod as it felt a little to overpowered.
But after a few vapes this all calmed down and the output seems to be spot on for the pod installed.
I didn’t notice any drop in output as the battery charge decreased, in fact the Red light flashing when the battery was flat took me by surprise!
Leaks
So far so good – not a dribble. I am quite relieved to be honest as the pod compartment is super deep and it isn’t a case of a tissue on the end of your finger to wipe off the contacts. It’s full on Cotton bud territory.
Battery Life
This will always vary according to coil resistance and your own vaping habits. For instance if you use a high nicotine strength you will be taking fewer and shorter puffs than with a lower strength.
Bearing this in mind and the fact that I am a heavy vaper I got around 2 tank fulls and 5 hours of vaping per battery charge with the 0.8ohm coil.
Pros
- Side fill port is far easier than the horrible “snap off” mouthpiece design
- The e-liquid level can be seen through all areas of the pod
- I love the LED indicator – the intricate pattern makes this more modern looking.
- Very tight airflow – a pro for many MTL vapers.
- The LED indicator stays lit for a second or two after vaping so you can check the battery level.
- Excellent flavour and voluminous warm vapour from 0.8ohm pod
- Super simple to use
- Ideal starter kit for any vaper or to upgrade from disposable vapes!
- Quick to charge
- Consistent output all through the battery charge range
Cons
- I have experienced air locks when filling, a simple vent port or larger fill port would make this better.
- First few vapes were a bit dry and intense
- Very tight airflow – a con for those who want adjustability or a less restrictive tug. I do think that adjustable airflow would be a huge benefit for this device.
- E-liquid viewing window is only cut out on one side of the mod, therefore there is little light entering it which makes it a bit dark to view the e-liquid level.
- I would prefer the LED indicator to be a bit brighter as it is hard to see whilst vaping.
Final Review Verdict
Overall another great addition to the excellent Caliburn range.
Since the original Caliburn was released in 2019, I and many others recommend the Caliburns to beginner vapers as the pinnacle of simplicity coupled with great performance.
I love the new fill port as I detested the horrible snap off mouthpiece arrangement. Plus if you have some A3 pods lying around (I actually do – despite giving away the A3 and AK3) then the fact these are compatible makes this kit even better. Also if you struggle to get hold of the A3S pods you should be able to find A3 pods pretty easily.
My only gripes – which are consistent with most of the Caliburn A devices – are that I wished there was a larger battery capacity and adjustable airflow would be an epic addition.
For instance on the OXVA Xlim V2 with a 900mAh battery – I get through 2 charges of this each day, which would be similar to charging the A3S three to four times a day – can you see why I want a bigger battery.
If you or anyone you know wants to start vaping and want a value for money, simple to use and excellent performing kit, then any of the Caliburn A range including the A3S will fit the bill.
It outperforms many more expensive kits and is easily a contender for an upgrade from disposable vapes.
I usually give a score for “replace if lost or damaged”. In this case this would be a low score as the battery capacity is not large enough for me. But I felt this would unfairly drop the average mark for such an excellent device! So I changed the category to “Value for money”!
You can’t go far wrong with a Caliburn!
