I came across the Punkapes Personal Air Filter while browsing a shop recently. Given my frequent travels, I thought this device might be a game-changer for those moments when I need a stealthy vape in airports or hotels where vaping isn’t allowed. So, I pulled out my bank card and paid what seemed like a reasonable amount for what the sales guy claimed to be an amazing product.
First Impressions
Opening the box right there in the shop, I noticed the unit I bought didn’t have a filter installed. The sales guy quickly swapped it with another device that had the filter, and we were off to a great start.Screenshot 2024-06-05 153634448×530 62 KB
What’s in the Box
Features:- Durable plastic shell designed for travel
- Silicone mouthpiece for comfortable use
- Replaceable carbon air filter
- Long lifespan: up to 500+ uses
- Soft touch matte exterior for a sleek look
- Improved airflow for better performance
- Designed for continuous use
- Includes preinstalled filter cartridge
- Size: 49mm*90mm
- Weight: 159g
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The device looks like a mini garbage can with the PunkApes logo printed on it. It has a nice weight and the aluminum body feels good in the hand. The mouthpiece covers your mouth well, but my thick beard caused some issues.
Putting It to the Test
I took a big drag on my vape, put the air filter over my mouth, and exhaled. The cloud billowed out the sides of the mouthpiece. It felt like blowing into a balloon or taking a breathalyzer test. Trying again with a smaller drag and exhaling slowly while squeezing the device into my face, I managed to keep the cloud in the device. Or so I thought. As I moved it away, a large cloud escaped. I gave up and decided to try again later, wondering if it was designed for smaller devices.After some contemplation, I gave it another go. Taking a big drag and pushing the device into my face, I exhaled slowly. A small amount of vapor escaped, but not enough to be noticed by onlookers—a theory I later confirmed. Holding the device in place for a few more seconds, no cloud appeared when I pulled it away. Success! I repeated the process several times with consistent results. I even managed to prevent any vapor from escaping from my mouth or nose after a few tries.
Verdict
Would I recommend the Punkapes Personal Air Filter? Yes and No.Pros:
- Handy for stealth vaping in places like Ethiopia and Uganda where vaping is banned.
- Useful in airports, Ubers, or taxis.
- Effective after some practice in preventing vapor escape.
- Potentially allows kids to hide their vape clouds in inappropriate places.
- Not necessary for most vapers.