Review: Hell’s Gate 200W Touch Screen by YEP E-cig

User Level – Intermediate and Above

Ease of Use – 7

Quality – 6

Durability – 8

Price Range – $70 – $90

Overall Rating – 7

 

Touch screen mods have become the somewhat “new rage” recently, with several major manufacturers putting out their signature versions in the last couple months. Just like the name implies, the user adjusts their settings via the screen rather than buttons on the front or sides of the mod. They’re usually a little smaller than normal mods since they don’t need the additional space for buttons and control boards most mods use, but still give the same performance for the most part. The Hell’s Gate 200-watt touch screen mod from YEP E-cig fits in to this general design as well, with a few features that set it apart from the others.

The Hell’s Gate mod has a roughly 2×3 screen display, with up / down and settings functions easily available to the user. Inside of the settings the user can adjust between VV/VW mode and TC mode, which supports Ni200, Ti and SS wire types. You also have options for puff timers, temp settings, locks, and to change the screen picture between one of four different pre-installed images. The display itself when in operation shows the levels for both batteries, the puff timer, resistance, voltage, current amperage of the user’s batteries, and operational wattage the user has set.

As with many mods on the market now, you can update the firmware as the manufacturer makes modifications for new wire types or to take care of bugs reported by users. The recent update does correct some usage issues reported by previous reviews, which is helpful. Users can also upload their own images for display on the mod by downloading and installing an additional app on their PC and patching the mod. So long as you follow the size requirements and use the specified file type, it works easily enough and could be a nice plus for shops or juice companies who sponsor teams to add a company logo.

Overall the performance of the mod was solid. Like with any touchscreen though there are some drawbacks to it. Because you have a bigger screen with touch controls, you won’t get as much battery life per battery cycle, losing roughly 10% per cycle. The lock screen feature will keep you from accidently adjusting your settings, but the user has to remember to turn this back on after each battery change or power cycle just as with any other mod using swappable 18650 batteries. Having to use a two different apps to change all of the settings is also cumbersome to a degree, and it would be more helpful to simply combine the two since there is little reason to maintain separate apps for minor differences. Lastly on the physical side, setting batteries in to the mod can be a little annoying since it uses spring loaded pins to maintain pressure against the batteries. Because of the tight form design, this can cause snagging on the battery wraps if the user isn’t careful.

On the whole it’s a solid mod worth picking up for those who want something they can customize a little more than just with wraps or sleeves, and does perform well compared with others in the same range. In the end a worthwhile purchase for those looking for a reasonable 200-watt mod with temp control.

Review: The BFT from Ohmega.co

User Level – Intermediate to Advanced

Ease of Use – 5

Quality – 3

Durability – 4

Price Range – $40 to $45

Overall Rating – 4

 

In the battle of the RTA’s, everyone is scrambling to carve out their nitch. As I have said in previous reviews, the trend in RTA sub ohm tanks is high right now. Customers are tired of paying upwards of $7 a piece for coil packs that last maybe three weeks when $7 can get you enough wire and cotton to build a dozen coil sets. The BFT (because those initials don’t scream about the appearance of the tank at all) from Ohmega.co is one of the more sought after ones for price, though when it comes to atomizers – you get what you pay for.

Ohmega.co has been making mods for some time, and offers a decent mod that can be customized for logos even. They have been offering RDA’s for a bit now, and the BFT is their take on a large rebuildable tank. With a Velocity style post set, and a large 25mm size, initial appearance is that this is a solid performer. Once you get in to actually using the RTA your opinion will quickly change.

Even with its larger size, letting you hold roughly 10ml of liquid, the design leaves much to be desired when it comes to usage. The vent holes at the base are large, but have no adjustment option to wide open is all you get unless you get creative and plug off the vents partly. The liquid ports for the base can’t be closed off when you go to refill the tank either, which leaves you fighting liquid trying to equalize to the outside air pressure after being in a vacuum state. This is a top fill tank, so when you try and refill it – the pressure from the seals FORCES liquid through the venting holes as well. Several folks have come up with different solutions in trying to keep from losing several milliliters of liquid every time you fill the tank. Honestly the best approach I have found so far is to actually NOT use the top fill option and instead remove the base each time. It takes a little more effort, but you don’t lose several mills of liquid each time either.

The BFT has the potential to be a great RTA offering. I appreciate the fact that they include an extra glass and hardware. I’m hopeful that a V2 will correct some of the design issues, such as no adjustable airflow and not being able to seal off the flow vents to fill the tank. In its present state though, it’s more problem child than enjoyable vape. To me, that screams waste of time and money – and in the case of the BFT a LOT of juice.

Review: The Moonshot by Sigelei

User Level – Intermediate to Advanced

Ease of Use – 3

Quality – 4

Durability – 4

Price Range – $45 to $50

Overall Rating – 3.75

 

Typically, when you see the name Sigelei on a product, you are confident that what you are getting is a quality piece of vaping equipment designed with the best performance for the end user in mind. Their reputation for mods is superior in the industry, and I have never heard of a user having a big issue with one. It’s been quite a while since they put out a new atomizer of any type, and of course this had the community racing to pick one up. With the increase in RTA demand as users try to match the performance they get from regular sub tanks, a company with a reputation like theirs should have been a blessing to the market. Unfortunately, the Moonshot just doesn’t live up to the hype.

The Moonshot is the latest in a recent upswing of sub ohm capable RTA’s taking over market demand. The desire makes sense, since most sub tanks run on coil packs costing $6 or more each that only last a couple weeks at the outside. The RTA option for tanks has been around for a long time. Typically, you can purchase a separate RTA adapter, or in some tanks they come with one. Usually they are pretty limited and not enjoyed by users without modifying them for better liquid flow. The new push for RTA only sub tanks lets users have the performance of an RDA without the need to drip every couple hits. Most are rated to 150 watts, however the Moonshot boasts for operation up to 200 watts to be more in line with the majority of regulated mods on the market right now.

On the surface, the Moonshot appears to be a solid design: adjustable airflow, Delran wide bore drip tip, quality stainless steel construction. It comes with a replacement glass and two different size allen wrenches, along with replacement screws and gaskets. Once you disassemble it, the issues become apparent quickly.

The build deck is a two post design, situated close to the deck itself. The airflow holes sit at an equal height to the posts meaning the user has to place their coils above the deck space significantly which also reduces the size of wire and coils that can be installed. The build deck actually separates from the base with the airflow ring, with the positive post serving to hold everything together on the deck. When reassembled a notched sleeve sits over the build deck and then screws in to the base plate to secure the two pieces together. The chimney and glass assembly then screws in to the top of the sleeve.

The tank itself is small, even for a 22mm size tank, only holding about 1.5ml of liquid. Because of the size of the sleeve, juice flow to the ports actually becomes constricted easily – especially with heavier VG liquids which you would want to run in a sub tank at higher wattages. This leads to dry hits when you get above 70 watts on an almost constant basis no matter how you wick or build your coils. After several different builds, I actually ran in to the build deck no longer wanting to seat low enough to let the positive pin connect fully and read. That meant full disassembly AGAIN and troubleshooting to see where the issue was.

Overall I have to say that I am incredibly disappointed in the product. Although it may be capable of mechanically taking 200 watts, the limits in coil size and constriction of liquid flow to the deck keep this from really being achievable. The height on the build deck for not only the posts but the airflow holes makes this a challenge that’s worse than dealing with the RTA kits for normal sub tanks. In a tank that is strictly an RTA operation, this makes it a poor choice compared to just about every other RTA out there. This is one of those times that it’s better to save your money and wait for them to correct the design shortcomings in a “version 2” than sour yourself on the Sigelei brand all together.

Review: The Micro Deck Build Station by DS Vape Accessories

User Level – Intermediate to Advanced

Ease of Use – 8

Quality – 8

Durability – 9

Price Range – $216 For Reviewed Version

Overall Rating – 8.25

 

A couple months ago I came across a post from Matt Bradley, the owner of Sky Vapor, about a product he was carrying in his shop. As a builder, I am always on the lookout for new tools that will let me work a little smarter in my coil builds and the limited amount of space I have to build in. Seeing a product being touted by someone I have met and trust to be putting out quality equipment got my attention.

The Micro Deck Build Station from DS Vape Accessories is a power house for builders operating with limited work space. Put together – by hand! – with a focus on giving even basic builders all the tools they could think of to get the job done and grow their skills, this little work bench has it all. It comes complete with a full set of basic tools (decent quality I must add) to work on most decks, including screw drivers, wire snips, needle pliers, and snips for cutting your cotton to wick. It also includes a basic meter to check your builds when you’re finished. I have been told by the manufacturer that future versions will come with a built in meter similar to the 521-tab system.

The top plate has a mount for your RDA while you build to let you clean up and install new coils / wicks without moving multiple times. The opposite side has a hand crank system which you can either install a jig to quick wrap basic coils (it comes with multiple sizes), or the included mandrel that will let you do some solid Clapton / Clapton variations with a little practice. I was able to throw out a decent set of fused claptons in about 5 minutes, which is not that much longer than when I use my drill to wrap.

Each deck is hand built from quality plating, with each top plate individually C’n’C cut for all the tools. The Micro Deck also has spool holders and feed eyelets on the front for two spools of wire – and does come with two 30 foot spools from Kidney Puncher. Both spool holders have adjustable tension bars to allow for larger amounts of wire on the same spool size. DS Vape Accessories has been working with Kidney Puncher so that customers wanting to reorder different wire sizes to work with can get the right spool size on their orders. Again, the Micro Deck was designed from the base up to give the user the most options with the smallest footprint, and make sure it lasts pretty much a lifetime.

Like any product though there are some downsides. Although the tools are decent that come with it, especially the screwdrivers, the slots for the cutters and pliers don’t fit all the ones out there. I was happy with the fact that my ergonomic Kline cutters fit wonderfully in there, and like me I’m sure some of you have your own favorites you like to work with. The tensioners on the wire spools were a little temperamental at first, at it took a little bit to get them adjusted to a level I was happy with. Although my spools for my usual choice of wire fit ok, they weren’t a total match which means hand spooling on to the included wire spools or ordering from Kidney Puncher instead of my normal supplier. I minor thing, but still something to mention on a piece of equipment with this price tag.

You can order from DS Vape Accessories through their site: http://www.dsvapeaccessories.com

For those who are running a shop, or for the build teams out there, the owner is happy to customize decks with your logo on them, and does do wholesale to retail shops wanting to put out his product. I actually enjoyed getting to speak with him during the process of getting mine, and look forward to exchanging more ideas on some additions to the product. Vape on!