Tests and Reviews: Fodi by HCigar ~ The Vapelier

Commercial characteristics

Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: Evaps
Price of the tested product: 39.90 Euros
Product category according to its selling price: Mid-range (from 36 to 70 euros)
Atomizer type: Classic rebuildable
Number of resistances allowed: 2
Resistance Type: Classic Reconstructible, Reconstructable Micro Coil, Classic Reconstructible Temperature Control, Rebuildable Micro Coil Temperature Control, Rebuildable Genesis
Type of wicks supported: Silica, Cotton, Fiber Freaks Density 1, Fiber Freaks Density 2, Fiber Freaks Cotton Blend
Quantity in milliliters announced by the manufacturer: 2.5

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

HCigar is a Chinese production factory that budget-limited steamers know well. When it came to cloning atos generic brands, this brand offered an impressive panel of copies more or less well done. It seems that from now on this manufacturer has decided to produce a material designed and worked internally. The Fodi is therefore from the research and development of the HCigar company. Its price, although correct, shows that the company had to go through the technical study of this atomizer, for industrial production. An obligatory passage that has a cost, unlike the direct production of copies.

The package is very complete, the atomizer is almost ready to use. You only have to mount the coils already made with the set and fill it. I urge you to thoroughly clean with baking soda, all the parts that compose it and the coils before using it, mineral oil residues machining may still be present on the metal parts ( hot water and washing up liquid, allied with the toothbrush are very suitable).

Physical characteristics and felt quality

Width or Diameter of the product in mms: 22
Length or height of the product in mms as it is sold, but without its drip tip if it is present, and regardless of the length of the connection: 46
Weight in grams of the product as sold, with its drip tip if it is present: 52
Material composing the product: Stainless Steel, Brass, Pyrex, Surgical Grade Stainless Steel
Form Factor Type: Kraken
Number of component parts without screws and washers: 10
Number of threads: 5
Quality of the threads: Good
Number of O-rings, Dript-Tip excluded: 5
Quality of O-rings present: Medium
O-ring positions: Drip-Tip Connection, Top Cap - Tank, Bottom Cap - Tank, Other
Capacity in milliliters actually usable: 2.5
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: 3.6 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

Topped with its drip tip, the Fodi measures 55mm, for a diameter with the tank protection ring 24 mm. There is no technical obligation to use this unsightly addition, the atomizer then finds his 22mm and some discretion.

The positive brass pin is not adjustable. In addition to contact with the electrical source, it ensures the connection of a set of parts which I will detail later. The heating chamber / top cap assembly, like the tray, are made of surgical grade stainless steel, a very good quality material. Interesting feature, the top cap is provided with a protection system against the projections of boiling juice, removable for cleaning.

The tank is in pyrex, its thickness is 1,75mm, it falls into the category of fragile parts contained in this ato. In the photo, the elements of the plate / tank assembly.

The tray contains two mounting pads, with two lights for the passage of the 2mm diameter wire rather poorly centered on the pylons (for the atomizer that I am testing). The screws have rather large Phillips heads. Four 4mm diameter holes ensure passage of the capillary, from the coils to the reservoir. Another passage laterally located next to a stud and drilled at an angle, is intended for filling. It is closed by a tiny silicone cap, (another fragile part) with a micro socket. The two vents are located under the coils.

Two air intake positions are provided, for single or double coil assemblies, we will come back to this.

A colored acrylic drip tip is provided, although it is quite possible to do without, the top cap being topped by a cylindrical rim 9mm high and ample enough to vape, especially since it offers 8,5 mm useful diameter, compared to 5mm for the classic 510 drip tip.

The machining in the mass of the tray is not perfect but overall, this atomizer is properly designed and well finished externally.

Functional features

Connection type: 510
Adjustable positive plot? No, a flush mount can only be guaranteed through an adjustment of the positive pad of the battery or the mod on which it will be installed
Presence of air flow regulation? Yes, and variable
Diameter in mms maximum of the air regulation possible: 10
Minimum diameter in mms of the air regulation possible: 1
Positioning of the air regulation: From below and benefiting the resistances
Spray chamber type: Conventional / Wide
Heat dissipation of the product: Normal

Reviewer's comments on functional features

This RDTA (rebuildable dry tank atomizer) will be assembled as a single or double coil genesis but with a different capillary. You will have the choice between the various cottons available on the market (vaping means), and the two densities of Fiber Freaks, without forgetting their Cotton Blend. The important thing is to properly fill the 4mm of the passage so as not to risk leaks or sluggish capillarity. A coil of 3 to 4mm internal diameter is in fact possible.

Here is what the Fodi is composed in its entirety, this photo has the advantage of also showing the arrangement of the different parts for their re-assembly.

Be careful, however, because it is not indicated what material constitutes the insulator of the positive pad and how it is, too, fragile. This piece is ceramic, during reassembly, you will need to ensure the correct position of the pad, and especially not force the screwing positive pin that will ensure the connection of the assembled parts.

The platen connecting cylinder has three 6 x 2mm vents that match the vents on the platen. You can open or close them by simply rotating the chamber.

Single coil assemblies will only use one vent. To obstruct the arrival of juice, a shutter is provided, it is necessary during simple assembly coil. Do not loosen the positive pin to increase the length of contact at the connector, it is not adjustable and the less you touch it, the better (ask Papagallo what he thinks).

Drip-Tip Features

Drip tip type: 510 Only
Presence of a Drip-Tip? Yes, the vaper can immediately use the product
Length and type of drip-tip present: Short with heat evacuation function
Quality of the present drip-tip: Good

Reviewer's comments on the Drip-Tip

The supplied drip tip is made of stainless steel / acrylic. With an external diameter of 11mm, it is reduced to 5mm inside for 9mm height. A single O-ring holds it firmly in its housing. HCigar offers a range of colors to diversify your sets, I know at least one to whom it will please.

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? Yes
Presence of a user manual? Yes
Is the manual understandable for a non-English speaker? No
Does the manual explain ALL features? Yes

Vapelier's note on packaging: 4 / 5

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

Packaging to match the product, in a cardboard box, itself inserted in an envelope that can be removed like a matchbox. Inside, is your atomizer, a bag containing a piece of Japanese organic cotton, another bag where you will find: 2 Kanthal A1 coils, replacement screws as well as O-rings, a drip-tip, a tank pyrex and two tank protection rings.

The manual in English details the essentials of what you need to know in order to use this material.

Appreciations in use

Transport facilities with mod of test configuration: Ok for an inside jacket pocket (no deformations)
Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Easy, even standing in the street, with a simple tissue paper
Filling facilities: Easy, even standing in the street
Easy to change resistors: Easy but requires a workspace to lose nothing
Is it possible to use this product throughout the day with several vials of EJuice? It will take a little juggling, but it is doable
Was there leak after one day of use? No
In the event of leaks during the tests, descriptions of the situations in which they occurred:

Vapelier's note on ease of use: 4 / 5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

The assembly has no notable feature, you can soak long wicks in the tank, or not leave them visible. It will be necessary, in case of short wicks, to think of feeding them by bending periodically your set.

To fill the tank, it is necessary to remove a hood rather small and think of putting it back to the place once the operation is finished.

The maximum open airholes allow to vape in ULR (ultra low resistance) up to 0,3 ohm, at normal power (up to 55W), without risk of overheating.

The connection / sealing O-rings of the chamber / top cap assembly to the plate are loose and do not offer a satisfactory hold. Once the ato is in operation, the condensation of juice causes a lubrication which alters the friction necessary for the effective maintenance of the assembled parts. You will opt for a replacement of at least one of these 2 joints by a thicker, to obtain a correct cohesion.

The cleaning after disassembly is easy and will be more effective than you have full access to all parts. Just avoid silicone o-rings for a long period of soaking in very hot water.

Recommendations for use

With which type of mod is it advisable to use this product? Electronics AND Mechanics
With which mod model is it advisable to use this product? Any type of mod in 22mm, mechanical or electro.
With which type of EJuice is it advisable to use this product? All liquids without problem
Description of the test configuration used: Single and double coil Kanthal 5 / 10e 0,45 and 0,25 ohm
Description of the ideal configuration with this product: An 22 mod, ULR or higher mount, with 1 cotton or Fiber Freaks

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.2 / 5

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

The mood ticket of the reviewer

The Fodi is an atomizer allowing a good production of steam, without excessive heating, while offering a taste rather correct quality. With its 2,5ml juice reserve, however, it is much less binding to reload than the classic drippers with their limited tank, in terms of frequency.

I regret a little that the airflow system is so rudimentary and does not offer a larger draft, but it is a personal consideration which does not alter the overall qualities of this atomizer. With resistive in 0,5 mm I did not observe a problem of shear when tightening but it seems that with a smaller section, this is the case, you can remedy it in two ways: by changing these screws or by them lapping with the necessary tools and precautions.

We are in the presence of a material of a moderate cost, which should appeal to lovers of flavors, a little DIY, fans of a reserve of juice and the dripper.

In your flash tests,

See you soon.

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