Product intro and specs
The Freemax Galex Nano is the latest pod system by Freemax, one of the most popular companies in vaping, largely due to their top-of-the-line coils and their Fireluke series of sub ohm tanks. They’ve been making great coils for a long time though, so that bodes well for a new pod system.
The Galex Nano is a compact square-shaped pod vape made for MTL vaping. It isn’t one of these super fancy pods with lots of settings, but it does have some adjustable features to it. Its internal battery is listed at 800 mAh and it comes with pods that have a 2 mL capacity and take the GX Platform coils. It is released alongside the Galex pod, which takes the same coils but comes in the standard stick shape.
Price: $14.99 (at Element Vape)
Colors: Black, gunmetal, blue, red-gold, pink-purple.
- Pod capacity: 2 mL
- Coil resistance: 0.8/1.0 ohm
- Battery capacity: 800 mAh
- Output wattage: 11-22 watts
- Output voltage: 3.3V-3.5V-4.2V
- 1 x GX mesh coil 0.8 ohm
- 1 x GX mesh coil 1.0 ohm
- (pre-installed)
- 1 x User manual
- 1 x USB Type-C cable
Build quality and design
The Galex Nano is a tiny pod system coming in the square shape that was popularized with the Mi-Pod and later with the UWELL KOKO. It is lightweight and very easy to pocket. Quite a few of these square pods have popped up recently, like the VOOPOO Argus P1 that I am also testing at the moment.
The Galex Nano body is covered by a metal plate and has a plastic top part with holes for an optional lanyard. There’s also a clear window above the chip, which I always like. There are LEDs you see through the window while vaping and they can be turned off. The side features a small rectangular button which has a few functions that I'll explain later in the review.
The device is available in five colors. From the pictures, I think the red/gold fade looks the best, but some may prefer the basic colors. I received the blue one for my testing and it’s a matte blue all around with a black plastic top. All in all, it’s a pretty simple device but it also offers some flair and adjustability.
Getting started
The Galex Nano is a pretty typical pod system made with beginners in mind. The function button (as I call it) doesn’t fire the device but has some great features. Here’s a rundown of basic operations:
- Press the button once to check the battery level.
- Two clicks change the LED color (solid rainbow, breathing singular colors that change, or turn off.)
- Three clicks adjust the power level (red is low, blue is medium, and green is high).
- Five clicks turn the device on and off.
- The device is draw-activated; just inhale to vape.
Using the button to check battery levels is a great feature, compared to most pods where you have to vape to see the level.
Filling the pod is basic. The pod itself is magnetic and comes in and out very easily. It’s not tight in there, but the magnets hold it in place well with no wiggle. You’ll only need to remove the pod to change the coils—you can fill with the pod still in. Just push back on the black mouthpiece and it’ll pop off showing a fill hole with a red rubber gasket and an air-escape hole on the other side. Just pop it back on when you're done, and you can vape it.
The pod is about half-exposed and there is no tint, so juice level is easy to see. However, when it’s below half you do need to tilt the device to check the juice level. Overall, the usage is perfect for first-time vapers looking to quit smoking or someone who wants something small that doesn't make a lot of vapor to get through the day. The extra features are there, but you don’t have to make use of them.
Performance
As I mentioned earlier, Freemax are known for their coils, so let’s see if these live up to expectations. There are two coil options currently in the GX line, a 1.0-ohm coil and a 0.8-ohm coil. The device comes with one of each. I tested both pods with 50/50 20-24 mg nic salt juices. Both provide a solid MTL vape, not tight but not very loose.
I started with the 0.8-ohm coil, and I got about 30 mL which is excellent—I usually expect 15-20 mL on a device like this. Their site promises 10 refills which is 20 mL, so they far exceed that. The flavor was great for a pod system as well.
Then I used the 1.0-ohm coil and was able to get 26 mL. Really good life and maybe a little bit less flavor than the 0.8-ohm coil. I preferred the 0.8-ohm coil overall, but both are excellent, and you can try both for yourself to see what you prefer since one of each is included. I suggest using them on medium or high power.
Overall, excellent performance from both coils.
Battery life and charging
Battery life seems very good for a device like this. It comes with an internal battery listed at 800 mAh, but I couldn't find a charging rate on their site. The port is Type-C, and it is located on the bottom of the device, so you do need to lay it down to charge.
Testing the charge rate, I got a max of 0.78A so it probably would have been listed at 1A charging. Most pods charge in 30-60 mins depending on the battery size and I got a charge time of 50 minutes. It does have passthrough vaping as well.
For battery size, I got a usable 632 mAh which is a little below the rated 800 mAh. Most devices are rated about 20% higher than you actually get due to soft cell cut-off, overrated specs from battery manufacturers, and what the device considers full. In this case it’s 21% higher, so I won’t fault them there—it falls along the standards.
As I mentioned earlier, you can check the battery level by pressing the function button once. The device has a three-step LED battery meter which is the standard, but I’d prefer a four-step meter:
- Green: 70-100%
- Blue: 35-70%
- Red: 0-35%
Pros / Cons
Gallery
Verdict
Overall, Freemax made an excellent device here. I had to be pretty ticky-tacky with the cons as I have no real complaints about the device. It’s simple, good-looking, built well, and durable. The coils are excellent, you can adjust the input, and it has nice LEDs—that you can turn off if it isn’t your thing.
If you want a device that's not boxy and more of a pen style, and doesn't offer the adjustments, they also have the Galex which is pretty much the same device and uses the same line of coils. Both of these devices would be a good fit if you want something compact and beginner-friendly that doesn’t skimp on performance.
Have you tried the Freemax Galex Nano pod? How was your experience with the device? Let us know in the comments below.
