Vaper Expo Showguide 2019 VAPOUROUND-MAGAZINE-MAY-SHOWGUIDE-2019 WEB_compres | Page 143

REVIEW BY BENEDICT ‘NED’ JONES iStick MIX Eleaf’s iStick range is one of the most well-regarded in the Device Specifications: budget vaping sector. Their devices Dimensions: 52 x 27 x 134.5mm (including tank) are reliable, user-friendly and well- Weight: 209.5g designed. The iStick Mix is the first dual Battery capacity: 2x removable 18650 cells 18650 box we’ve seen from the range in Maximum wattage output: 160W some time. How does it fare in this competitive space? ELLO POP Specifications: Construction, fit and finish are outstanding and Materials: Stainless steel + glass this device has a real heft to it. The chassis material E-liquid capacity: 6.5ml/2ml (TPD edition) appears to be zinc alloy, which is pretty much the best choice for an every day mod. Tolerances are spot-on and there is zero movement in the battery door, due to strong magnets and great machining. The 510 connection is cantered, allowing for atomisers of up to 27mm in diameter. The Mix looks and feels much more expensive than it is. The Avatar chipset features variable wattage, temperature control - Build quality and memory banks. Power output is instant and stable. When I tested - Size + ergonomics the temperature control with a simple stainless-steel round wire build, the - Simple but reliable chipset result was a satisfying vape. The USB-C connection for charging and firmware updates is great to see. Coupled with a true balance charging board, on-board charging is a viable option. Dual-battery box mods often sacrifice comfort for sturdiness, but that’s not the case here. The rounded edges and very small size result in a mod that’s a pleasure to use day in, day out. If you enjoy mods like the Voopoo Drag but want something smaller and more comfortable, the Mix is where it’s at. The POP is the latest in a long line of ELLO sub-ohm tanks from Eleaf. It’s compatible with the same Baby Beast-style coils that have become an industry standard and comes supplied with Eleaf’s HW-M2 and HW-N2 mesh variations. The centre airflow pin makes the tank very resistant to leaking and the airflow much smoother than in other single-bore mesh coils. The vape quality matches the very best Baby Beast-sized coils on the market, falling just short of the output achieved by substantially larger fittings like the Falcon King and Freemax Mesh Pro. I found coil longevity to be very good, easily running 80mls of moderately-sweet e-liquid through each coil before a substantial drop in performance. The POP has a standard airflow ring, which provides huge amounts of air when wide open. The pre-installed glass section has a silicon coating to protect the tank during impacts. Eleaf supply a regular glass without the silicon in the spares. The top-fill mechanism is likely where the POP gets its name. Simply lift the top of the tank and then push to reveal a moderately-sized filling port. Though it’s a single port design, I’ve not had any overflowing issues, but it would be nice to see a second port that would eliminate this possibility. This mechanism is solid and stops accidental openings or small children from getting access to the contents of the tank. The Eleaf iStick Mix is a stellar kit for new sub-ohm vapers, or any veteran vaper who’s looking for an affordable workhorse mod that doesn’t compromise on performance, build quality or ergonomics. I really am thrilled with this device. It’s now my go-to recommendation for anyone in the market for a dual 18650 mod. VAPER EXPO SHOWGUIDE | 143