Kanger Protank 3 Review

The specs:

-Bottom dual coil atomizer
-Chrome plated brass

-Stronger base
-Pyrex glass tank
-Glue free
-510 threaded

-Removable drip tip
-2.5ml capacity

Package contents:

-Protank 3

-2x 2.0ohm dual coil atomizers

-Ego beauty ring

The Review:

The first thing to know about this tank is that the atomizers are not backwards compatile with the previous Protanks.  This means you will need a Protank 3 to use the dual coil atomizers, and while you can put the older single coil atomizers in this unit they do not seal properly and may leak.  This is Kanger's first Protank that does not use the same atomizer.  Many will complain about this, but evolution comes with a price.  One big positive is that the glass is the same as the other Protanks and is totally interchangable.

Airflow:  I have never been a fan of 510 connection tanks because of the inconsistent airflow and having to fiddle with the connection to keep it stable, but also get proper airflow.  With this tank Kanger has finally fixed this problem!  The tank can be screwed all the way down on any of my batteries and still have fantastic airflow, and it does not wobble.   It does not whistle or make funny airflow noises.  I can't tell you how exciting this is for me.  The draw is slightly tighter than the previous versions of the Protanks, probably due to the fact that you are pulling through more wick.  

I have heard many reports of people having airflow, flooding and gurgling problems and Sun Vapers tells me the production quality on these first atomizers is inconsistent.  So if you get a Protank 3 and are having any of these issues, try the second atomizer it came with.  Hopefully one of them will work as intended and you will enjoy the airflow as much as I do.  I am sure Kanger will remedy this quickly, hopefully when the first replacement atomizers start shipping.

Vapor Production: This where this tank is very different than previous Protanks and really shines.  After using this for about a week I have found the best results when running at 5.0+ volts.  Running this below 5.0volts will result in weak vapor production and having to draw on it for a while before it starts giving you more vapor.  The Protank 3 is really not suited for mechanical mods and it will produce a warmer vape than previous Protanks.  Because the atomizer resistance is 2.0ohms and I'm running it at 5.0+ volts it will drain your battery faster than running at the optimal resistance to voltage, chart found here.

Now running this thing at 5.0+ volts results in incredible flavor and huge clouds.  I have not experienced this level of delicious flavor or vapor production from anything but an RBA.  Great job Kanger!  I have noticed that I'm using my e-liquid faster than on other Protanks, but that makes sense because I am getting significantly more vapor production.

Look and Feel:  It looks very similar to previous Protanks so no real update here.  And just like its predecessors it feels incredibly solid and is built like a tank.  A big tank, with guns... not one you fill with liquid.  I like that the glass is backwards compatible and you can switch it out with colored glass if you'd like, which reduces the cost of ownership if you're prone to dropping things like I am.  I'd rather pay $4 for new glass than $20 for a new Protank 3.  The drip tip fits snugly and has a little play, but not enough to be irritating.

Tips and Tricks:  Make sure to screw the tank down tight enough or you will not get ideal vapor production, just be careful not to screw it down too hard and push your 510 pin down.  The new atomizer heads are made with a silicone grommet instead of a rubber grommet so this may have something to do with the fact that vapor production is not ideal when not screwed down correctly.  Also, if you screw it down too hard the airflow seems fine, but you will get little to no vape.  There is a pretty wide range for how far you screw it down and still get a great vape so this is not a huge deal, but something to be aware of.  

If you feel that the drip tip has too much play, you can get a bigger o-ring or put some dental floss underneath the existing o-right so that it comes out a little further.

The new atomizer does not have the long head we're used to, it's a tiny stub.  So remove the silicone cap and that will give you a better hold on the atomizer to screw it in securely, then replace the cap after the atomizer is in place.

Conclusion: 

This is the first real evolution Kanger has made since the original Protank.  While it has a small learning curve with tightening and voltage, once those have been figured out it is smooth sailing.  Great airflow for a 510 connection, amazing vapor production and even better flavor.  To date I have had no flooding, just a little bit of juice on the 510 connection I clean off whenever I refill it.  No dry hits or burned taste in at least 8 tank fills.  If I had faulty atomizers in my box this could have been a very different review, but I didn't.  Hopefully Kanger can figure that out soon.  So I enthusiastically give this tank my first ever 5.0/5.0 Stars.  Get one, and love it like I do!

Edit 11/26/2013:  I just replaced my first atomizer a little over 3 weeks later.  Still no burned or dry hits, just started to have airflow issues and the wick was pretty gunky.  That's over double the time I get out of the original Protank atomizer.

Kanger Protank 3
Reviewed by Vaping Nerd on Nov 11 2013
Rating: 5.0