Kurgan by Pure Diamond

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: Evaps
• Price of the tested product: 171.25 Euros
• Product category according to its selling price: Luxury (over 120 euros)
• Mod type: Mechanical without kick support possible
• Is the mod telescopic? No
• Maximum power: Not applicable
• Maximum voltage: Not applicable
• Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: Not applicable

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

I did not know the Filipinos that they were sensitive to the themes of the legendary Nordic mythology, dear to the authors of the Heroic Fantasy culture, whose hours of cinematographic glory raged in the last century.

The moderator of Pure Diamond must be a fan since he dedicated his creation to a furious character of the Highlander saga, Kurgan, why not?

We are therefore in the presence of a mecha mod of substantial size and weight, very beautiful and well finished, but which nevertheless will not really suit a population of vapers, which I can understand. At the time of the box, this type of mod tends to become scarce, I deplore it but can also understand it. They offer neither the security nor the convenience of electronic regulation. They require a good knowledge of the technical aspects of atos and batteries and finally, are not really suitable for vaping beyond an ohm.

Yet, they have undeniable assets that will never know the electro, we'll talk about it again.

Our Kurgan is a limited edition numbered piece. Its price is high. it is an artistic creation as much as a material specific to the “full meca” vape which alone gives participatory access to the most formidable official cloud chasing contests. Very widespread competition across the Atlantic and very popular with Asians (inveterate players, in front of, next to and never far from the Eternal). For you and me, it's a mega mecha mod, period.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width or Diameter of the product in mms: 30
• Product Length or Height in mms: 97
• Product weight in grams: 230
• Material composing the product: Stainless steel, Delrin, Copper
• Form Factor Type: Tube
• Decoration style: Universe movie
• Quality of decoration: Excellent, it is a work of art
• Is the coating of the mod sensitive to fingerprints? No
• All components of this mod seem well assembled? Can do better and I'll tell you why
• Fire button position: On the bottom cap
• Fire button type: Spring mechanics
• Number of buttons making up the interface, including touch zones if they are present: 1
• User interface button type: No other button
• Quality of interface button (s): Not applicable interface button
• Number of parts in the product: 8
• Number of threads: 5
• Quality of the threads: Very good
• Overall, do you appreciate the quality of manufacture of this product with regard to its price? Yes

Rating of the vapelier as to feelings quality: 3.8 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

It's really a beautiful object, made of copper and stainless steel. The body of the tube is engraved with a sword under which one can read KURGAN, and an aggressive-looking helmet prolonged by a long hair.

These engraved decorations are also hollowed out in places, revealing the copper that forms the inner tube. These two-tone relief patterns are the artistic originality of this mod, they are perfectly made.

The top cap is in solid copper, it has grooves allowing ventilation from below certain atomizers, except those supplied directly by the 510 connection. A black Delrin ring, encloses a truncated cylinder which accommodates the adjustable positive pin, in the center top cap, battery side. The 510 connector is surrounded by a circular bowl which can accommodate any juice leaks without compromising the conductivity of the device.

The bottom cap is also made of solid copper. The constituent parts are 4 including an iron spring. Here there is the main ring screwed to the tube, worked inside to ensure the locking function, it is extended in its center by a cylinder around which the spring is arranged and which receives the adjustable pin negative. The latter also ensures the maintenance of the switch, itself engineered for the locking function.

The parts assembled to the central tube are well machined and screw threads are of good quality, so far no problem to note, it's beefy, it's clean and very neat.    

Functional features

• Type of chipset used: None / Mechanical
• Connection type: 510
• Adjustable positive stud? Yes, through an adjustment by thread.
• Lock system ? Mechanical
• Quality of the locking system: Average, the chosen locking system is not reliable
• Features offered by the mod: None / Mod Méca
• Accusability: 26650
• Does the mod support stacking? No
• Number of batteries supported: 1
• Does the mod retain its configuration without batteries? Not applicable
• Does the mod offer a recharge feature? No recharge function offered by the mod
• Is the recharge function pass-through? No recharge function offered by the mod
• Does the mode offer a Power Bank function? No power bank function offered by the mod
• Does the mode offer other functions? No other function offered by the mod
• Presence of air flow regulation? Yes
• Maximum diameter in mms of compatibility with an atomizer: 30
• Accuracy of the output power at full charge of the battery: Not applicable, it is a mechanical mod
• Accuracy of the output voltage at full charge of the battery: Good, there is a tiny difference between the requested voltage and the actual voltage

Vapelier's note regarding functional characteristics: 4.3 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

And here we are at the stage of annoying observations. Everything had started well, I will even add a few positive points. The conductivity is excellent, the choice of material in contact with the battery and the internal column having a lot to do with it, copper is one of the best conductors. The locking function is effective, a simple screwing of the switch of barely 1 / 8th of a turn prevents any unwanted firing.

But two other aspects will tarnish the picture. First of all, I notice the absence of degassing vents, it's appalling! A mecha mod must imperatively be provided and this is the case for the vast majority of them, at all prices. A mod at the price of Kurgan which does not have one, must be the subject of a recovery by the designer who will have to make the mandatory change, it is a security issue on which we cannot compromise (unless it is a good handyman with tools and to practice the necessary holes yourself, top-cap and / or bottom-cap).

The other big problem I have encountered is the inability to control the firing. When you unlock the switch, you should be able to operate it, it may help to vape. However, it is not systematic with the Kurgan, as implausible as it may seem, it is so. The fault is not very complicated to detect, but much more to resolve. The switch is the part which by rotation is released from the locking, this action is carried out freely without notch of established situation. The situation (unlocked) is therefore not established and maintained in place by any system. It will therefore move simply because you have to activate the switch to vape. A small untimely rotation of the switch before pressing and you are locked again! It's very annoying and frankly unacceptable for a mod in this category.      

Evaluation of the packaging

• Presence of a box accompanying the product: Yes
• Would you say that the packaging is up to the price of the product? Can do better
• Presence of a user manual? No
• Is the manual understandable for a non-English speaker? No
• Does the manual explain ALL features? No

Vapelier's note on packaging: 1.5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

The Kurgan is housed in a cardboard box covered with a material reminiscent of leather, inside which is made a rectangular housing upholstered with velvet (?) Black.

The lid of this case does not close, it is on the other hand equipped with a glass window. I personally would have preferred it to close, but definitely, this practical aspect seems absent from the conceptual considerations of the creator, too bad… do I have to remind you of the price of the tube?

I have just understood the usefulness of the window, it is so as not to make a mistake in the meaning by placing or grabbing the box, indeed, if you catch it with your fingertips upside down, the mod is earth, an attention that a clasp would have avoided. Another missing detail: the instructions. Certainly not essential, but useful and showing a form of respect for the purchaser, this document is also compulsory for devices in contact with electricity, within the EU.

Appreciations in use

• Easy transport with the test atomizer: Nothing helps, requires a shoulder bag
• Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Easy, even standing on the street, with a simple Kleenex
• Easy to change the batteries: Super simple, even blind in the dark!
• Did the mod heat up? No
• Has there been any erratic behavior after a day of use? Yes
• Description of situations in which the product has experienced erratic behavior

The locking system is only really effective in the locked position, to switch to the position of use it is haphazard, suddenly it switches and the next time you are blocked, a design by free rotation which does not effectively maintain the firing position. Too bad.

Vapelier's rating in terms of ease of use: 3/5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

Recommendations for use

My recommendations for the use of this mod will be psycho-pedagogical rather than technical.

Arm yourself with patience and leniency for your mod, after all it is for nothing in what you live with it. Think of its qualities, hold back your gestures of exasperation, they could cause an accident. Write in French what you think of the designers of the object and undertake a translation in Filipino for a possible claim, via their website, it flushes and it can be useful.

DIYers, I urge them to quickly evacuate the problem of venting vents, it should not pose major disadvantages. For the switch there is also material to think a solution of beneficial comfort on the base of the catch of stop (share your finds you will make happy).

Technically and when you have overcome these inconveniences, you just need to make sure to use an 26650, IMR High Drain battery with a minimum 25A capacity for your safety. This mod is not kickable (without changing the diameter of a kick) and the Vape Fuses are also not suited to the diameter of the battery, so choose a good from the start.  

• Type of batteries used during the tests: 26650
• Number of batteries used during the tests: 1
• With what type of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? Dripper, Classic fiber, Sub-ohm assembly, Genesis-type rebuildable
• With which model of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? Atos in 30mm will be flush
• Description of the test configuration used: 22 mm Drippers
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: an 26650 high drain (25A mini) and your favorite mega ato between 0,1 and 1 ohm

was the product liked by the reviewer: Bof, it's not the craze

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 3.4 / 5

Link to a video review or blog maintained by the reviewer author of the review

The mood ticket of the reviewer

And to think that when it works it is super efficient! It is a fact, you have a very good conductor of energy. The 26650 are moreover more powerful and last longer for identical characteristics than the 18650. Another advantage that this mod allows you therefore: better autonomy.

Atos 30mm diameter, if they are not legion, nevertheless exist and as I noticed Papagallo, the set with a 22mm is not unsightly, unlike an ato 30 on a mod in 22.

Remains the price of the Bouzin, that I would have liked to justify, but I can only see that it is of course too high for a mod that does not allow to vape at will and safely. I'm sorry because it would have been enough for the Kurgan to get a note at the height of its claims, perhaps a new version will see the day, which will enhance the reputation of this moderator and his Maori to name only him.

See you soon

(c) Copyright Le Vapelier SAS 2014 - Only full reproduction of this article is authorized - Any modification of any kind is totally prohibited and infringes the rights of this copyright.