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REVIEWS
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MINIKIN 3 By Benedict Jones
Specifi cations:
- Construction: Zinc alloy - Power output: 5W-200W
- Battery capacity: 2x external 18650 cells
- Charging: 2A USB-C charging/proprietary charging base
- Display: HD colour touch screen display
Asmodus has long been one of the leading producers of premium
vaping hardware. The Minikin series has been its flagship range since
early 2016 and now that the long-awaited Minikin 3 is fi nally here, let’s
see how it stacks up. very impressive. The only other chipset that gives me such longevity
is the DNA 250C, customised for low voltage cut-off, so if battery life
is a high priority for you, this device should absolutely be on your
shopping list.
Construction, fi t and fi nish of the Minikin 3 is gorgeous. The Zinc alloy
frame with purple metallic fi nish is incredibly sturdy and feels more
than a match for previous Asmodus releases. Seams are minimal,
with tight tolerances and once batteries are installed there is no play
in the door whatsoever, making for a reassuringly robust device,
deserving of the Minikin name. Unlike the 3S model, the Minikin 3 does not feature the somewhat
temperamental fi ngerprint scanner and I’m glad this was omitted
from the standard model, since it doesn’t really add value.
As is tradition, Asmodus has completely changed up the form factor
with the new Minikin and I think this is the best design yet. The new
free-form shape favours left-handed use but this is a concession that
has to be made if you want to achieve great ergonomics.
The rounded back end and grooved sides result in a mod that fi ts
into the hand perfectly, with the thumb falling naturally on the large
fi ring button. This is the most comfortable dual battery device I’ve
used to date.
The new GX-200UTC chipset is exactly the kind of iterative update
we would expect from Asmodus. It features wattage, power curve,
preheat, eco, TCR, TFR, and temperature control settings, along with
some user experience options such as an accelerometer, haptic
feedback and password lock. The touch screen controls, which were
a tad sluggish on earlier models, are now very snappy and menu
navigation is beautifully intuitive.
Power output is instant and the TCR function works well for those
who wish to fi ne-tune their TC experience. The now legendary
battery life of the GX series boards remains in place and I found two
3000mAh cells to easily last for more than a day at 60W, which is
PROS
- Great build quality
- Fantastic ergonomics
- Great chipset
194 VM25
With no major flaws to speak of, I thoroughly recommend the
Minikin 3 to anyone who is willing to pay slightly more for their next
dual battery mod. It’s built to last, performs like a champion and is
extremely comfortable to use. Many questioned whether Asmodus
would be able to exceed the accomplishments of the Minkin V2 and
in my opinion they have done so convincingly.