Hi Ecigssa members, In this review i take a look at the PAL SE Pod Kit from Artery. The PAL SE Pod Kit was supplied for the purpose of this review by Hugo from Artery.
https://www.arteryvapor.com/project/pal-se-kit/
Introduction
Artery are a brand of their parent company EHPro and since the invasion of pod devices have concentrated on pod and AIO devices while EHPro have concentrated more on mods and atty's.
Here we have an open pod system which if it had been released about 8 months ago would of been giving the very popular Caliburn a run for it's money and after revisiting the Caliburn while testing the Pal SE device dare i say come out on top.
The device like with the Caliburn is both draw and button activated but the Pal SE has a much bigger battery, Type C USB and 2 different resistance pods. Coming in 4 stylish design options the Pal SE is worth a closer look!
___________________________________________________________________
In The Box
Contents:
1 x Artery PAL SE Kit (with 1.0ohm Cartridge)
1 x Artery PAL SE Cartridge (1.4ohm)
1 x Lanyard
1 x Type-C USB Cable
1 x Rubber Ring
1 x User Manual
1 x Warranty Card
___________________________________________________________________
Aesthetics and Ergonomics
The Pal SE Pod Kit came in cardboard packaging and on opening i was met by a stylish looking device with Carbon Fiber inserts both front and back but other options are available. The colour/design options are Black Carbon Fiber, Brown Leather, Black Leather and Royal White, the Leather versions have Leather inserts while the Royal White is a White device with Blue fused metallic panels, also included is the obligatory lanyard!
The device reminds me of the Caliburn in so many ways and it's form factor is like a much chunkier Caliburn but has some extra weight which in part will be the larger battery. The device has a high quality Zinc Alloy construction and the comfortable Delrin mouthpiece protrudes from the top of the device. The one i received as mentioned has Carbon Fiber Inserts and has a Gun Metal chassis and fire button. The Zinc Alloy large round fire button is towards the top on the front insert and below we have an LED for battery status indication. On both sides we have vertical slots cut out that act as viewing windows to see your juice level, also on one side we have a Type C USB port for charging. Finally on the base we have safety stamps and venting just in case.
The device as mentioned has some reassuring weight and is slightly bigger than the average for this type of device but is still both very ergonomic and portable.
PAL SE With Caliburn
___________________________________________________________________
PAL SE Specs and Features:
Size: 105 x 23 x 13mm
Material: Zinc alloy/PCTG
Battery Capacity: 700mAh
Wattage: Max 20W
Juice Capacity: 2ml
Voltage: 3.2V-4.2V
Coil: 1.0ohm/1.4ohm
Charging Current: 1A
Best for MTL vape (mid MTL)
Draw activation/Button activation
Sea grass fiber cotton for amazing flavor
Two selective coils of 1.0ohm/1.4ohm
Top refill with 2ml capacity
Built-in 700mAh battery
Type-C charging port system
Colour/Design: Black Carbon Fiber, Brown Leather, Black Leather, Royal White
___________________________________________________________________
The Pod
You get two pods included which is very good to see, the pre-installed pod houses a 1.0ohm coil with Sea Grass Fiber Cotton and the other included pod houses a 1.4ohm coil with the same wicking material, the resistance is marked on the coils but also the 1.0ohm pod has a Red band towards the bottom. The coils are fixed and not replaceable so once the flavour has muted to the point it's no longer acceptable (differs from person to person) the whole pod needs replacing.
The pod is clear which is another pro and the mouthpiece get's pulled off to fill the pod as it's top-fill. When you pull the mouthpiece off you reveal 2 fill ports, looking inside the mouthpiece you can see the 2 protruding pieces that plug the ports when fitted. The ports are big enough for needle nose nozzles but glass droppers will present a problem, whichever port you use for filling air can escape from the other, filling is a stress free experience as you can clearly see the juice level with the pod being clear.
Looking at the base we can see the 2 contacts and outer magnets, we can also see the 2mm air intake that leads to the membrane switch. The pod holds 2ml of e-liquid which for both a 1.4ohm and 1.0ohm coil is acceptable and also makes it TPD compliant.
Finally down both sides of the pod we have protruding rails (one each side centrally) that slot nicely into the cutout slots at the top of the device to form viewing windows.
___________________________________________________________________
Sea Grass Fiber Cotton
Sea Grass Fiber Cotton is becoming quite popular due to giving pure taste of your e-liquid but with these coils the Cotton has gone through a purification process that Artery claim they invented. This process is supposed to improve flavour further and after using the device whether it's the use of this wicking material, the purification process or a combination of both, these pods are giving excellent flavour!
___________________________________________________________________
Fitting The Pod
Looking into the bay for the pod to be inserted we can see it's very neat and tidy. Visible are the outer magnets and inner contacts. The opening to the membrane switch has a raised rim so if you do get any moisture or a leaky pod (mine were fine) liquid shouldn't get into the device. Also we can see the vertical cutout either side which will form viewing windows with the pod inserted.
The pod fits very nicely snapping into place securely, as i am comparing the device to the Caliburn then we do have a little play (unlike no play with the Caliburn) but it's not noticed during use.
Once fitted a tug pulls the pod out or to fill press on the front of the mouthpiece which loosens it, then this can be pulled completely off allowing filling without needing to remove the pod. The viewing windows that are formed when the pod is inserted are larger than on the Caliburn allowing the liquid level to be seen by just a quick glance, cracking job!
___________________________________________________________________
Operating The Pal SE
The Pal SE is both a draw activated device and has a physical fire button so the device can be used either way. The Device is the usual 5 clicks of the fire button to turn on and 5 clicks to turn off, turning on is confirmed by three Green flashes of the LED while when the device is turned off it's confirmed by 3 Red flashes.
The device has no adjustable airflow (very few pod system do) and is a direct output device so simply decide if you want to use the device with draw activation or using the fire button and vape.
The device does have battery status indication which although doesn't have 4 or 5 (my favourite) stages is perfectly satisfactory and is shown by what colour the LED lights while taking a vape. Over 60% and the LED lights Green, between 30% and 60% and the LED lights Blue and when the battery is below 30% it lights Red, you can also check the status at any time by just quickly pressing the fire button but do it quickly as the device fires instantly. The device also uses the LED to indicate any safety protections that kick in.
___________________________________________________________________
Protections:
Overcharge Protection
Overheat Protection
Cut-off at 8 Seconds
Short Circuit Protection
___________________________________________________________________
Charging
The device has a Type C USB port for charging which is what all devices should now have and another pro is the port is on the side of the device rather than the base, the 700mAh battery charged from empty to full in a fraction under 45 minutes, very happy!
___________________________________________________________________
My Experience Using The Pal SE
On first looks the Pal SE reminded me so much of the Caliburn with it being both draw activated or button fired, having side viewing windows, fixed coils, top-fill and having a 2ml capacity i instinctively tested the Pal SE alongside the Caliburn and the likeness didn't stop there!
In my Caliburn review i wrote the following:
"The draw is going to suit the majority, i prefer a loose MTL draw on pod devices and if i can get away with it DL using them but the Caliburn makes me want to do a MTL because it gives such a natural mid MTL vape, in my opinion the Caliburn gives the ultimate draw for a pod system and other manufacturers will not go far wrong trying to emulate it."
Well Artery have emulated it because as far as the draw goes all i can say is "Ditto" if anything the Pal SE is a fraction looser but it's that close i would be splitting hairs!
The draw activation is not quite as responsive on the Pal SE compared to the Caliburn but that doesn't mean it works badly it's just the draw activation on the Caliburn is the most responsive i have come across yet. When using the button to fire though it gives a really good consistent vape until the battery status gets to Red when very slight drop off in power is just noticeable but the vape quality is still good.
There are 2 different pod options unlike the Caliburn but the difference between them i struggled to notice, if anything the 1.0ohm pod gives just a slightly tighter draw but it's so marginal.
The Caliburn did give very good flavour with a slight break in period and decent pod longevity but the Pal SE surpasses it. The flavour from both pods is excellent with absolutely no break in period and after receiving the device between Christmas and New Year i have lost count how much juice i have used in each pod and the flavour is still rocking! Just like with the Caliburn pod both pods can handle not just 50/50 but very thick juices also, i used up to 80VG in both pods and both pods handled some chain vaping with no problem.
The viewing windows are also bigger which is another pro and the device is lasting far longer between charges while when it does need charging it does so in less than 45 minutes. Finally the mouthpiece is very comfortable and although bigger and heavier than the Caliburn it's still a portable stealthy device.
___________________________________________________________________
Conclusion
The thread title included the question "Better than the Caliburn?" and in my opinion the answer is absolutely. The only other question though is with the evolution of pod and AIO devices and the Pod Mods that have become all the rage, how relative is the Pal SE in 2020? The answer to that depends on what you are looking for from a device!
___________________________________________________________________
Likes
Build quality very good
4 stylish colour/design options
Pocket friendly
Metal construction
Physical Fire or Draw activated
Fires as quick as any pod device i have used though draw activation is slightly inconsistent
Pod fits very securely (play so slight not an issue)
Top-fill (with 2 fair size fill ports) can fill without removing pod
2ml Capacity (fair for wattage output)
2 different resistance pods
Can use any e-liquid (handled 80VG no problem)
Sea Grass Fiber Cotton Wicking Material
Cotton Purify technology
Very comfortable mouthpiece
Excellent flavour (both pods)
Excellent longevity (both pods)
Best draw on a pod device along with Caliburn (subjective)
Good sized viewing windows
Clear Pods
Battery status Indication
Good battery life (superior to Caliburn)
Charges in 45 minutes
Type C USB
Lanyard Included
Cons
Would be better if Constant output
Draw activation a bit inconsistent
Material of coils not given
Coils not replaceable
Not suitable for glass droppers
I would once again like to thank Hugo from Artery for supplying the Pal SE Pod Kit for the purpose of this review.
https://www.arteryvapor.com/project/pal-se-kit/
___________________________________________________________________
https://www.arteryvapor.com/project/pal-se-kit/
Introduction
Artery are a brand of their parent company EHPro and since the invasion of pod devices have concentrated on pod and AIO devices while EHPro have concentrated more on mods and atty's.
Here we have an open pod system which if it had been released about 8 months ago would of been giving the very popular Caliburn a run for it's money and after revisiting the Caliburn while testing the Pal SE device dare i say come out on top.
The device like with the Caliburn is both draw and button activated but the Pal SE has a much bigger battery, Type C USB and 2 different resistance pods. Coming in 4 stylish design options the Pal SE is worth a closer look!
___________________________________________________________________
In The Box
Contents:
1 x Artery PAL SE Kit (with 1.0ohm Cartridge)
1 x Artery PAL SE Cartridge (1.4ohm)
1 x Lanyard
1 x Type-C USB Cable
1 x Rubber Ring
1 x User Manual
1 x Warranty Card
___________________________________________________________________
Aesthetics and Ergonomics
The Pal SE Pod Kit came in cardboard packaging and on opening i was met by a stylish looking device with Carbon Fiber inserts both front and back but other options are available. The colour/design options are Black Carbon Fiber, Brown Leather, Black Leather and Royal White, the Leather versions have Leather inserts while the Royal White is a White device with Blue fused metallic panels, also included is the obligatory lanyard!
The device reminds me of the Caliburn in so many ways and it's form factor is like a much chunkier Caliburn but has some extra weight which in part will be the larger battery. The device has a high quality Zinc Alloy construction and the comfortable Delrin mouthpiece protrudes from the top of the device. The one i received as mentioned has Carbon Fiber Inserts and has a Gun Metal chassis and fire button. The Zinc Alloy large round fire button is towards the top on the front insert and below we have an LED for battery status indication. On both sides we have vertical slots cut out that act as viewing windows to see your juice level, also on one side we have a Type C USB port for charging. Finally on the base we have safety stamps and venting just in case.
The device as mentioned has some reassuring weight and is slightly bigger than the average for this type of device but is still both very ergonomic and portable.
PAL SE With Caliburn
___________________________________________________________________
PAL SE Specs and Features:
Size: 105 x 23 x 13mm
Material: Zinc alloy/PCTG
Battery Capacity: 700mAh
Wattage: Max 20W
Juice Capacity: 2ml
Voltage: 3.2V-4.2V
Coil: 1.0ohm/1.4ohm
Charging Current: 1A
Best for MTL vape (mid MTL)
Draw activation/Button activation
Sea grass fiber cotton for amazing flavor
Two selective coils of 1.0ohm/1.4ohm
Top refill with 2ml capacity
Built-in 700mAh battery
Type-C charging port system
Colour/Design: Black Carbon Fiber, Brown Leather, Black Leather, Royal White
___________________________________________________________________
The Pod
You get two pods included which is very good to see, the pre-installed pod houses a 1.0ohm coil with Sea Grass Fiber Cotton and the other included pod houses a 1.4ohm coil with the same wicking material, the resistance is marked on the coils but also the 1.0ohm pod has a Red band towards the bottom. The coils are fixed and not replaceable so once the flavour has muted to the point it's no longer acceptable (differs from person to person) the whole pod needs replacing.
The pod is clear which is another pro and the mouthpiece get's pulled off to fill the pod as it's top-fill. When you pull the mouthpiece off you reveal 2 fill ports, looking inside the mouthpiece you can see the 2 protruding pieces that plug the ports when fitted. The ports are big enough for needle nose nozzles but glass droppers will present a problem, whichever port you use for filling air can escape from the other, filling is a stress free experience as you can clearly see the juice level with the pod being clear.
Looking at the base we can see the 2 contacts and outer magnets, we can also see the 2mm air intake that leads to the membrane switch. The pod holds 2ml of e-liquid which for both a 1.4ohm and 1.0ohm coil is acceptable and also makes it TPD compliant.
Finally down both sides of the pod we have protruding rails (one each side centrally) that slot nicely into the cutout slots at the top of the device to form viewing windows.
___________________________________________________________________
Sea Grass Fiber Cotton
Sea Grass Fiber Cotton is becoming quite popular due to giving pure taste of your e-liquid but with these coils the Cotton has gone through a purification process that Artery claim they invented. This process is supposed to improve flavour further and after using the device whether it's the use of this wicking material, the purification process or a combination of both, these pods are giving excellent flavour!
___________________________________________________________________
Fitting The Pod
Looking into the bay for the pod to be inserted we can see it's very neat and tidy. Visible are the outer magnets and inner contacts. The opening to the membrane switch has a raised rim so if you do get any moisture or a leaky pod (mine were fine) liquid shouldn't get into the device. Also we can see the vertical cutout either side which will form viewing windows with the pod inserted.
The pod fits very nicely snapping into place securely, as i am comparing the device to the Caliburn then we do have a little play (unlike no play with the Caliburn) but it's not noticed during use.
Once fitted a tug pulls the pod out or to fill press on the front of the mouthpiece which loosens it, then this can be pulled completely off allowing filling without needing to remove the pod. The viewing windows that are formed when the pod is inserted are larger than on the Caliburn allowing the liquid level to be seen by just a quick glance, cracking job!
___________________________________________________________________
Operating The Pal SE
The Pal SE is both a draw activated device and has a physical fire button so the device can be used either way. The Device is the usual 5 clicks of the fire button to turn on and 5 clicks to turn off, turning on is confirmed by three Green flashes of the LED while when the device is turned off it's confirmed by 3 Red flashes.
The device has no adjustable airflow (very few pod system do) and is a direct output device so simply decide if you want to use the device with draw activation or using the fire button and vape.
The device does have battery status indication which although doesn't have 4 or 5 (my favourite) stages is perfectly satisfactory and is shown by what colour the LED lights while taking a vape. Over 60% and the LED lights Green, between 30% and 60% and the LED lights Blue and when the battery is below 30% it lights Red, you can also check the status at any time by just quickly pressing the fire button but do it quickly as the device fires instantly. The device also uses the LED to indicate any safety protections that kick in.
___________________________________________________________________
Protections:
Overcharge Protection
Overheat Protection
Cut-off at 8 Seconds
Short Circuit Protection
___________________________________________________________________
Charging
The device has a Type C USB port for charging which is what all devices should now have and another pro is the port is on the side of the device rather than the base, the 700mAh battery charged from empty to full in a fraction under 45 minutes, very happy!
___________________________________________________________________
My Experience Using The Pal SE
On first looks the Pal SE reminded me so much of the Caliburn with it being both draw activated or button fired, having side viewing windows, fixed coils, top-fill and having a 2ml capacity i instinctively tested the Pal SE alongside the Caliburn and the likeness didn't stop there!
In my Caliburn review i wrote the following:
"The draw is going to suit the majority, i prefer a loose MTL draw on pod devices and if i can get away with it DL using them but the Caliburn makes me want to do a MTL because it gives such a natural mid MTL vape, in my opinion the Caliburn gives the ultimate draw for a pod system and other manufacturers will not go far wrong trying to emulate it."
Well Artery have emulated it because as far as the draw goes all i can say is "Ditto" if anything the Pal SE is a fraction looser but it's that close i would be splitting hairs!
The draw activation is not quite as responsive on the Pal SE compared to the Caliburn but that doesn't mean it works badly it's just the draw activation on the Caliburn is the most responsive i have come across yet. When using the button to fire though it gives a really good consistent vape until the battery status gets to Red when very slight drop off in power is just noticeable but the vape quality is still good.
There are 2 different pod options unlike the Caliburn but the difference between them i struggled to notice, if anything the 1.0ohm pod gives just a slightly tighter draw but it's so marginal.
The Caliburn did give very good flavour with a slight break in period and decent pod longevity but the Pal SE surpasses it. The flavour from both pods is excellent with absolutely no break in period and after receiving the device between Christmas and New Year i have lost count how much juice i have used in each pod and the flavour is still rocking! Just like with the Caliburn pod both pods can handle not just 50/50 but very thick juices also, i used up to 80VG in both pods and both pods handled some chain vaping with no problem.
The viewing windows are also bigger which is another pro and the device is lasting far longer between charges while when it does need charging it does so in less than 45 minutes. Finally the mouthpiece is very comfortable and although bigger and heavier than the Caliburn it's still a portable stealthy device.
___________________________________________________________________
Conclusion
The thread title included the question "Better than the Caliburn?" and in my opinion the answer is absolutely. The only other question though is with the evolution of pod and AIO devices and the Pod Mods that have become all the rage, how relative is the Pal SE in 2020? The answer to that depends on what you are looking for from a device!
___________________________________________________________________
Likes
Build quality very good
4 stylish colour/design options
Pocket friendly
Metal construction
Physical Fire or Draw activated
Fires as quick as any pod device i have used though draw activation is slightly inconsistent
Pod fits very securely (play so slight not an issue)
Top-fill (with 2 fair size fill ports) can fill without removing pod
2ml Capacity (fair for wattage output)
2 different resistance pods
Can use any e-liquid (handled 80VG no problem)
Sea Grass Fiber Cotton Wicking Material
Cotton Purify technology
Very comfortable mouthpiece
Excellent flavour (both pods)
Excellent longevity (both pods)
Best draw on a pod device along with Caliburn (subjective)
Good sized viewing windows
Clear Pods
Battery status Indication
Good battery life (superior to Caliburn)
Charges in 45 minutes
Type C USB
Lanyard Included
Cons
Would be better if Constant output
Draw activation a bit inconsistent
Material of coils not given
Coils not replaceable
Not suitable for glass droppers
I would once again like to thank Hugo from Artery for supplying the Pal SE Pod Kit for the purpose of this review.
https://www.arteryvapor.com/project/pal-se-kit/
___________________________________________________________________
