Review Summary
The G Pen Nova is simple, portable, and produces average quality vapor that can jump-start your day. It has an integrated dab tool that makes loading the wax at ease, and sesh mode for a longer and lung-filling session. It’s also compatible with THC or CBD carts if you want to vape oils. So, if you’re a newcomer that doesn’t mind a slower heat-up time and low battery life, this is one of my highly recommended affordable vapes.
Pricing Info ⓘ
Specifications
G Pen Nova
|
|
|---|---|
| Score (1-5) |
3.7 Current Review |
| Retail Price |
$35.00 |
| Release Date | November 2019 |
| Compatible With | Wax |
| Body Material | Aluminum |
| Mouthpiece Material | Aluminum |
| Heat Up Time | 10-20 |
| Precise Temp Control | ✗ |
| Temperature Range | 3 Levels |
| 510 Thread | ✓ |
| Coil Type | Ceramic |
| Battery Type | Internal |
| Battery Capacity | 300mAh |
| Sessions Per Charge | 6-9 |
| Charge Time | 2-3 Hours |
| Charger Type | Micro-USB |
| Display Type | LED Indicators |
| Smartphone App | ✗ |
| Session Mode | ✓ |
| Adjustable Airflow | ✗ |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Design & Features
The G Pen Nova is made out of aluminum with silicone coating from the body to the mouthpiece which is an unusual design for a vape pen. It has a charcoal grey finish which looks nice, and when you hold it, it feels soft and kind of hefty. It's slim and small enough that fits in your hand and can be put in your pocket for daily use.
The Nova has a single button that can be used to turn on/off the device, to pick three preset temperatures, and to activate sesh mode which is something you expect for a beginner-friendly vape. It's also 510 threaded which is useful to some vapers who also use pre-filled THC or CBD cartridges.
Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece is the stand-out feature of the Nova since it has a built-in dab tool that you don't particularly see on vape pens in the same price category. It’s convenient since there's one less accessory you need to take with you. It also detaches, which makes cleaning it pretty simple.
However, I find the mouthpiece clogs up after 2-3 sessions making it hard to inhale the vapor, and also it gets sticky preventing from closing the mouthpiece completely. Cleaning it may be easy but you'll need to clean it more often compared to some vape pens which is, undeniably, an inconvenience sometimes.
Coil
The coil is made out of ceramic which means it produces a cleaner and flavorful vapor compared to some vape pens that use a different type of coil. It's fairly deep and can hold a decent amount of wax which is enough for first-timers to get started. However, the thing with the ceramic coil is it can get a crack or break when you accidentally dropped it. This is something that you need to be aware of whether you're cleaning or using the device.
How To Use
Beginners will have no problem with using the Nova since it's a simple and straightforward device (which most vape pens do). To use this, you need to:
- Remove the mouthpiece.
- Use the dab tool to place a small amount of wax into the atomizer.
- Reattach the mouthpiece.
- Press the power button five times to turn on the device.
- Press the power button three times to select one of the voltage settings.
- Press the power button two times to activate sesh mode.
- Once heating is complete, inhale from the mouthpiece.
Temp Settings: The Nova has three temp settings that are color-coded in the following order: Blue – Lowest setting | Green – Medium setting | Red – Highest setting.
Sesh Mode: You can preheat your wax for 10 seconds by pressing the power button 2 times.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The Nova can be tricky to clean because the chamber can get messy, so you need to clean it on a regular basis if you don't want it to get clogged. To clean the bowl, you can clean it by wiping it down with a cotton swab that has been soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
For a more stubborn residue, engage in sesh mode repeatedly on the highest setting to melt any excess residue. The dab tool also needs to be cleaned since it's integrated into the mouthpiece. You'll just need to wipe it down with a damp cloth and that's it!
Performance & Vapor Quality
The Nova does a good job of heating the wax even if it has a slower heat-up time compared to some vape pens. It mostly vapes the wax but there are some residues that cause clogging into the mouthpiece which makes inhaling from it a little harder after 2-3 sessions. This issue can be easily solved if you clean the vape pen often. Also, the unit and the mouthpiece get warm when being on for a while which is a common issue to some small vapes.
The vapor produced by the Nova is quite potent thanks to the ceramic coil, it keeps the vapor pure and makes sure you get most of the flavor and aroma of the wax. The vapor is thin and wispy no matter what's the voltage setting which is suitable for discreet vaping. I found the middle voltage setting was the best, but I still got great flavor from the highest and lowest settings.
It's also great for using the Nova with 510 cartridges since it looks and feels natural when attached to the Nova. I got rich flavor from each cartridge I tried with which makes the Nova a versatile vape pen that can accommodate concentrate and oil vapers.
Battery Performance: The Nova uses a 300 mAh battery which should last a few days of moderate use before it needs to be recharged. It can recharge in 20-30 minutes with a micro-USB that can be connected at the bottom of the device.
Bottom Line
I think that the Nova, for a $35 vape pen, it's a pretty decent choice for people who are curious about vaping wax for the first time. It's easy to use, the vapor is good for its price, and has features (integrated dab tool & sesh mode) that can be useful at any occasion. It provides great value at an affordable price and gets the job done without any hassle.
However, I don't think it's durable and you'd probably need to find an upgrade that is suitable for your daily needs. If you want to have a vape that produces exceptional vapor quality, you can check the Dr Dabber Stella (Review), and if you want a powerful vape that produces more clouds, I'd probably go for the Utillian 5 (Review).