Aspire ZQ VI Pod System Review
In 2018, pod systems were everywhere. I tried many portable pod products, but unfortunately I still hadn’t found one that suited me. Pod systems are compact and easy to carry, adding no extra burden when traveling, which is why they are so popular among s
In 2018, pod systems were everywhere, and I tried many portable pod products. Unfortunately, I had not found one that suited me. Pod systems are compact and easy to carry, making them popular among those looking to quit smoking. As pod systems continue to evolve, they gain the trust of seasoned users.
Today, I am reviewing such an evolved pod product—the ZQ Vi, developed in collaboration between SKEY International Group and Aspire.
The packaging is very simple, a clean white box with a flat image of the product on the front and complete information on the back. This product is designed by Aspire, and there is an anti-counterfeiting code on the bottom right that can be checked on the official website by scanning the QR code.
Overall Appearance and Structure
The ZQ VI I received for testing is black, and the official display shows that it is available in gray, red, and blue, totaling four color options. From the front, the overall appearance is very rounded, with smooth curves on the corners and sides, providing a very good grip. The front body is made of black rubber-like plastic, with a leather-textured surface that adds a touch of sophistication to the overall visual effect.
The leather-textured surface is funnel-shaped, with the ZQ brand logo printed on top, and the detail work is quite good, adding a nice accent to the overall design.
At the bottom of the leather texture, there is a small near-square button that is almost parallel to the surface, discreet yet very functional.
This small button also serves as an indicator light. Pressing it five times within two seconds can turn the device on or off, after which the LED light will flash five times to indicate successful operation. When powered on, a white light indicates normal power (about 7-10W), and when vaping, the white light will illuminate. Pressing it three times within two seconds switches to high power (about 10-14W), at which point a green light will flash three times to indicate successful operation, and the green light will illuminate when vaping. If charging, a red light will show. When the pod is inserted and connected, the light will also flash three times according to the current power mode. Overall, the prompts are clear and practical.
The ZQ VI has a very simple overall structure, consisting of a two-piece design with the main unit and atomizer that connect magnetically. The connection is non-directional, allowing for insertion from any angle. From the bottom view, it can be seen that the two parts connect through contact electrodes to complete the circuit, while the bottom centerline allows for airflow, making the design simple and practical.
The main unit features a blow-activated auto-firing function and short-circuit protection, ensuring safety. I believe I am not the only one who has been startled by a pod system that continues to fire when I blow into it. Some users may do this to blow condensation back in, so let me take this opportunity to mention the correct way to handle condensation: remove the pod, give it a gentle shake, and then wipe away any condensation near the mouthpiece with a tissue.
Pod Structure Analysis
Now let's take a closer look at the pod structure. The ZQ Vi pod is made of semi-transparent plastic, very lightweight, with exquisite craftsmanship and smooth details, without any burrs or sharp edges.
The top mouthpiece has a tapered design, and the opening is relatively large for a pod system, comparable to the mouthpiece diameter of conventional atomizers like the chessboard, indicating that the vapor production is quite good.
From the side, the craftsmanship is impressive, especially the frosted treatment and rounded corners of the mouthpiece, providing a very nice touch against the lips. On the side, there is a clip to lock the pod in place, which will be discussed in detail later.
The bottom filling hole is covered with a silicone cap that can be easily removed, revealing one round and one square filling hole on each side, allowing for filling from either side while the other side vents to improve filling efficiency. The filling holes are large enough for standard needle-tip e-liquid bottles, and for larger e-liquid bottles, the included needle-tip bottle can assist with filling.
The pod capacity is 2ml#p#分页标题#e#, with an insulating protective film to ensure safe transport. The filling hole's silicone plug fits tightly, preventing any leakage. The pod connects to the main unit via magnets, and slight shaking will not cause poor contact. It was observed that when nearing overflow, the scale stops at 1.2ml, indicating that 1.8ml of e-liquid was filled throughout the process. If it is a new pod, an additional 0.2ml can be filled due to the saturation of the cotton core, consistent with the official stated capacity of 2ml e-liquid.
From the previous analysis, it can be seen that the overall structure of the pod is relatively simple, with bottom airflow allowing the e-liquid to be heated and vaporized through a horizontally positioned coil, which is then inhaled through the top mouthpiece. The bottom center airflow maximizes the airflow and efficiency of this type of pod system, while the relatively long mouthpiece design helps to reduce condensation.
Pod Rebuilding
In the era of pod systems in 2018, whether a pod can stand out in the competition depends on some unique features. The ability to rebuild and reduce the cost of pod usage is a very important indicator, just like the best-selling printers are those that can be refilled with ink. In this regard, I believe that future pod production designs must consider this aspect.
The ZQ Vi pod showcased today can be easily rebuilt for reuse, further reducing usage costs. By using a flat-head screwdriver to pry open the side clips, the base can be removed.
Then it can be separated into the following two parts:
After removing the silicone from the base and oil chamber, the coil and cotton core on the base can be seen, making disassembly very simple.
Rebuilding only requires cutting an appropriate amount of cotton and inserting it into the coil. In fact, the coil can last a long time, and the lifespan of the pod is mainly affected by the cotton core's wear.
After replacing the cotton, simply put the silicone cap back on and insert it back into the oil chamber; restoration is also very simple.
User Experience
The ZQ VI pod is only the size of a disposable lighter, weighing 50 grams, making it very lightweight in hand, whether used on the go or at home as a smoking alternative, it poses no burden. The airflow-activated firing mechanism allows for inhalation to activate, providing a very similar experience to smoking, making it very convenient for those looking to quit smoking.
At the same time, the ZQ Vi also supports button activation for vaping. For a pod system, this may seem redundant, but in practice, using the button to activate the vape allows for a gentle inhale, giving a feeling of the smoke being "pushed" to the mouth, while using airflow activation requires a bit more effort to trigger the auto-firing, resembling a "sipping" action. In reality, the former experience is much easier. The button is positioned lower, allowing users to hold the ZQ Vi and press it with their middle or ring finger, making it quite convenient once accustomed to it.
Another unique feature of the ZQ pod is its ability to switch between constant voltage mode and full power mode. The device defaults to full power mode upon startup, and users can quickly switch by pressing the button three times. Constant voltage mode: green light: output voltage 3.5V, power 7W; full power mode: white light: output voltage 4.2V, power 13W, allowing users to adjust based on their e-liquid or flavor preferences, which is very user-friendly. When the pod is inserted into the main unit, there will be a light prompt, and if the voltage drops below 3.3V, it will stop working, indicating that it needs to be charged.
In terms of battery consumption, although it has a built-in 650mAh large capacity, which is significantly larger than the typical 250mAh of other pod systems, its overall power is also relatively higher, so the battery life can only support about two pods of e-liquid, roughly a day's use. Fortunately, it supports charging while in use, so for modern users who typically carry a power bank, there is no need to worry too much about battery life.
Summary
In summary, the Aspire ZQ pod offers an excellent flavor experience, with a mouthpiece that fits perfectly. During use, there were no instances of e-liquid spillage or leakage. It is very suitable for seasoned smokers looking to quit, and new users can also enjoy the fun of mouth-to-lung and direct lung inhalation. However, the kit only includes one pod, which feels a bit insufficient, and this is somewhat unfortunate as it diminishes the overall impression of the pod. I hope the manufacturer can take this into consideration.
Today, I am reviewing such an evolved pod product—the ZQ Vi, developed in collaboration between SKEY International Group and Aspire.
The packaging is very simple, a clean white box with a flat image of the product on the front and complete information on the back. This product is designed by Aspire, and there is an anti-counterfeiting code on the bottom right that can be checked on the official website by scanning the QR code.
Overall Appearance and StructureThe ZQ VI I received for testing is black, and the official display shows that it is available in gray, red, and blue, totaling four color options. From the front, the overall appearance is very rounded, with smooth curves on the corners and sides, providing a very good grip. The front body is made of black rubber-like plastic, with a leather-textured surface that adds a touch of sophistication to the overall visual effect.
The leather-textured surface is funnel-shaped, with the ZQ brand logo printed on top, and the detail work is quite good, adding a nice accent to the overall design.
At the bottom of the leather texture, there is a small near-square button that is almost parallel to the surface, discreet yet very functional.
This small button also serves as an indicator light. Pressing it five times within two seconds can turn the device on or off, after which the LED light will flash five times to indicate successful operation. When powered on, a white light indicates normal power (about 7-10W), and when vaping, the white light will illuminate. Pressing it three times within two seconds switches to high power (about 10-14W), at which point a green light will flash three times to indicate successful operation, and the green light will illuminate when vaping. If charging, a red light will show. When the pod is inserted and connected, the light will also flash three times according to the current power mode. Overall, the prompts are clear and practical.
The ZQ VI has a very simple overall structure, consisting of a two-piece design with the main unit and atomizer that connect magnetically. The connection is non-directional, allowing for insertion from any angle. From the bottom view, it can be seen that the two parts connect through contact electrodes to complete the circuit, while the bottom centerline allows for airflow, making the design simple and practical.
The main unit features a blow-activated auto-firing function and short-circuit protection, ensuring safety. I believe I am not the only one who has been startled by a pod system that continues to fire when I blow into it. Some users may do this to blow condensation back in, so let me take this opportunity to mention the correct way to handle condensation: remove the pod, give it a gentle shake, and then wipe away any condensation near the mouthpiece with a tissue.Pod Structure Analysis
Now let's take a closer look at the pod structure. The ZQ Vi pod is made of semi-transparent plastic, very lightweight, with exquisite craftsmanship and smooth details, without any burrs or sharp edges.
The top mouthpiece has a tapered design, and the opening is relatively large for a pod system, comparable to the mouthpiece diameter of conventional atomizers like the chessboard, indicating that the vapor production is quite good.
From the side, the craftsmanship is impressive, especially the frosted treatment and rounded corners of the mouthpiece, providing a very nice touch against the lips. On the side, there is a clip to lock the pod in place, which will be discussed in detail later.
The bottom filling hole is covered with a silicone cap that can be easily removed, revealing one round and one square filling hole on each side, allowing for filling from either side while the other side vents to improve filling efficiency. The filling holes are large enough for standard needle-tip e-liquid bottles, and for larger e-liquid bottles, the included needle-tip bottle can assist with filling.
The pod capacity is 2ml#p#分页标题#e#, with an insulating protective film to ensure safe transport. The filling hole's silicone plug fits tightly, preventing any leakage. The pod connects to the main unit via magnets, and slight shaking will not cause poor contact. It was observed that when nearing overflow, the scale stops at 1.2ml, indicating that 1.8ml of e-liquid was filled throughout the process. If it is a new pod, an additional 0.2ml can be filled due to the saturation of the cotton core, consistent with the official stated capacity of 2ml e-liquid.
From the previous analysis, it can be seen that the overall structure of the pod is relatively simple, with bottom airflow allowing the e-liquid to be heated and vaporized through a horizontally positioned coil, which is then inhaled through the top mouthpiece. The bottom center airflow maximizes the airflow and efficiency of this type of pod system, while the relatively long mouthpiece design helps to reduce condensation.Pod Rebuilding
In the era of pod systems in 2018, whether a pod can stand out in the competition depends on some unique features. The ability to rebuild and reduce the cost of pod usage is a very important indicator, just like the best-selling printers are those that can be refilled with ink. In this regard, I believe that future pod production designs must consider this aspect.
The ZQ Vi pod showcased today can be easily rebuilt for reuse, further reducing usage costs. By using a flat-head screwdriver to pry open the side clips, the base can be removed.
Then it can be separated into the following two parts:
After removing the silicone from the base and oil chamber, the coil and cotton core on the base can be seen, making disassembly very simple.
Rebuilding only requires cutting an appropriate amount of cotton and inserting it into the coil. In fact, the coil can last a long time, and the lifespan of the pod is mainly affected by the cotton core's wear.
After replacing the cotton, simply put the silicone cap back on and insert it back into the oil chamber; restoration is also very simple.
User Experience
The ZQ VI pod is only the size of a disposable lighter, weighing 50 grams, making it very lightweight in hand, whether used on the go or at home as a smoking alternative, it poses no burden. The airflow-activated firing mechanism allows for inhalation to activate, providing a very similar experience to smoking, making it very convenient for those looking to quit smoking.
At the same time, the ZQ Vi also supports button activation for vaping. For a pod system, this may seem redundant, but in practice, using the button to activate the vape allows for a gentle inhale, giving a feeling of the smoke being "pushed" to the mouth, while using airflow activation requires a bit more effort to trigger the auto-firing, resembling a "sipping" action. In reality, the former experience is much easier. The button is positioned lower, allowing users to hold the ZQ Vi and press it with their middle or ring finger, making it quite convenient once accustomed to it.
Another unique feature of the ZQ pod is its ability to switch between constant voltage mode and full power mode. The device defaults to full power mode upon startup, and users can quickly switch by pressing the button three times. Constant voltage mode: green light: output voltage 3.5V, power 7W; full power mode: white light: output voltage 4.2V, power 13W, allowing users to adjust based on their e-liquid or flavor preferences, which is very user-friendly. When the pod is inserted into the main unit, there will be a light prompt, and if the voltage drops below 3.3V, it will stop working, indicating that it needs to be charged.
In terms of battery consumption, although it has a built-in 650mAh large capacity, which is significantly larger than the typical 250mAh of other pod systems, its overall power is also relatively higher, so the battery life can only support about two pods of e-liquid, roughly a day's use. Fortunately, it supports charging while in use, so for modern users who typically carry a power bank, there is no need to worry too much about battery life.
Summary
In summary, the Aspire ZQ pod offers an excellent flavor experience, with a mouthpiece that fits perfectly. During use, there were no instances of e-liquid spillage or leakage. It is very suitable for seasoned smokers looking to quit, and new users can also enjoy the fun of mouth-to-lung and direct lung inhalation. However, the kit only includes one pod, which feels a bit insufficient, and this is somewhat unfortunate as it diminishes the overall impression of the pod. I hope the manufacturer can take this into consideration.
