Arms Race by Limitless

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: Ave40 
• Price of the tested product: 58.25 Euros
• Product category according to its selling price: Mid-range (from 41 to 80 euros)
• Mod type: Variable power electronics and temperature control
• Is the mod telescopic? No
• Maximum power: 200 watts
• Maximum voltage: Not applicable
• Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: 0.1

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

Our Californian friends from Limitless are coming back and they are not happy!

The proof with this Arms Race, powerful box with an atypical look whose golden rank proudly displayed on the main facade underlines the military aspect. A mod thought of as a weapon of mass destruction, that is interesting and risks making people talk in the corridors of the UN ... 

Available around € 59 from our sponsor of the day, the Arms Race, whose merry nickname means “arms race” is therefore presented as a double battery box, capable of sending up to 200W from 0.1Ω, powered by a proprietary chipset developed especially for the occasion. Add to that a very specific aesthetic, possibilities of customization and here we have a different object that titillates curiosity.

Big power for an attractive price by a Californian moderator whose past achievements speak for him, there is enough to do a thorough analysis and a little pleasure in passing. So, without further ado, let's go!

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 25
• Product Length or Height in mm: 90
• Product weight in grams: 239
• Material composing the product: Aluminum, Plastic
• Form Factor Type: Classic Box - VaporShark type
• Decorative style: Military
• Quality of decoration: Medium
• 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: Lateral near the top cap
• Fire button type: Mechanical plastic on contact rubber
• Number of buttons making up the interface, including touch zones if they are present: 2
• Type of user interface buttons: Mechanical plastic on contact rubber
• Quality of the interface button (s): Very good, the button is responsive and does not make any noise
• Number of parts in the product: 2
• Number of threads: 1
• Quality of the threads: 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: 3.6 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

Aesthetically, we are faced with a dark block whose shapes alternately recall a pistol, the tracks of tanks and the laser turrets of science fiction films. Add to that a grade with two chevrons, in gold metal, and we are well in the theme chosen by the manufacturer: the Arms is a massive vaping weapon! Thus, we can consider that the bet is held and the form, which we are going to detail, is the brilliant demonstration.

The box is cut in half at about half of its height. The top is devoted to the atomizer which takes its place on a spring-loaded 510 connection installed on a rubbery track and surrounded by a rim whose bow has been sectioned to allow the air necessary for your atomizers to pass and whose sides have been drilled for the same use. We also find a switch of the same material as the top-cap, rectangular and quite precise.

At the bottom, in addition to the two interface buttons, there is a metal part that can be released like a gun magazine using a metal button located on the bottom-cap next to the micro-USB socket and eight properly sized degassing vents. This means that the entire bottom is extracted to make room for silo-shaped locations for the batteries. It suffices, once we have checked the direction of the batteries by looking at the surrounding box, to press the magazine again so that the beast is ready to fire. This metal part is adorned here with a tattoo-like design which symbolizes an Indian chief's skull, at the limit of visibility but which is uncovered when tilted better in the light. The part changes according to the versions and colors and can even be purchased as an option to modify the general look of your box. A good idea and a good principle which increases in the reference to the weaponry suggested by the surname of the mod.

The materials used are credible: the chassis and most of the bodywork are plastic, the magazine is aluminum. The finish is correct with a rubbery coating which gives a pleasant grip even if the assembly is not free from defects. This is because the plastic walls tend to be a bit loose and gap around the frame a bit. Nothing crippling, but a somewhat anachronistic defect in our time where the general perceived quality of the boxes has significantly changed for the better.

Three other downsides can affect the comfort of use of the box. The first concerns the housing of the batteries. If these take Samsung 25Rs, MXJOs for example will not be calculated by the chipset, probably the fault of a lack of elasticity of the contactors which will tend to operate a sort according to the actual size of the battery. . We all know an 18650 is 65mm in length but that's on paper. In reality, this dimension fluctuates depending on the brand, and under certain conditions a tiny millimeter can make a big difference. It seems to be the case here but hey, you just have to know that and feed the Arms with the right batteries.

Second downside: the screen. Stretching lengthwise under the location of the atomizer, it is not the easiest to read. With medium contrast, it becomes almost unreadable in full natural light. In addition, its location which places it in the palm of the hand if you switch with the index finger multiplies the operations when you want to make adjustments on the fly. Finally, the screen takes place in an elongated polycarbonate frame which contributes to the aesthetics of the box. Why not ? But, in this case, why have you added the same frame on the opposite front of the box at the risk of confusing and having to turn the object over and over again to find which location actually hosts the screen?

The last downside will concern the micro USB socket used for the electrical charge of the device whose location below the box is far from relevant and will require, in most cases, to put the Arms in a horizontal position for recharging. and, most often, to remove the atomizer to avoid leaks…. not smart.

Of course, none of these flaws hinder the proper functioning of the Arms but they are pernicious details that make a small difference in the comfort of use and the general ergonomics. And they cause, in this chapter of physical characteristics, a more contrasted balance sheet than one would have thought when discovering the box.

It remains for me to evoke the dimensions which are relatively imposing, in particular in width, and which will reserve the use of the Arms has rather large hands. The weight, meanwhile, is relatively contained compared to the size of the machine.

Functional features

• Type of chipset used: Owner
• Connection type: 510
• Adjustable positive stud? Yes, through a spring.
• Lock system ? Electronic
• Quality of the locking system: Good, the function does what it is for
• Features offered by the mod: Display of the battery charge, Display of the resistance value, Protection against short circuits from the atomizer, Protection against reverse polarity of batteries, Display of the current vape voltage , Display of the power of the current vape, Temperature control of the atomizer coils, Clear diagnostic messages
• Accusability: 18650
• Does the mod support stacking? No
• Number of batteries supported: 2
• Does the mod retain its configuration without batteries? Yes
• Does the mod offer a recharge feature? Charging function possible via Micro-USB
• Is the recharge function pass-through? Yes
• 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? No, nothing is planned to feed an atomizer from the bottom
• Maximum diameter in mms of compatibility with an atomizer: 25
• Accuracy of the output power at full charge of the battery: Good, there is a tiny difference between the requested power and the real power
• 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: 3.3 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

As we have seen previously, the chipset was developed for the box. The watchword that prevailed in its design and which is claimed by the creators is: simplicity.

The ergonomics have been worked on since indeed, we do not go into abstruse submenus to adjust what can be. The Arms offers a variable power mode which runs on a scale of 5 to 200W and shoots from 0.1Ω. There is also a temperature control mode, integrating the use of SS36, Ni200, titanium and a TCR and offering a stroke between 100 and 300 ° C. There is also a Joule mode, like what Yihi can do for example, but the latter still suffers from a lack of settings which makes it not very user-friendly. What even to ask the question of its concrete usefulness ...

The operations remain simple and fairly intuitive even if they change from those we might be used to. Five clicks turn the device on or off. So far, nothing new. To choose the mode, you must simultaneously press the switch and the [+] button, choose with the [+] and [-] buttons and validate with the switch. From then on, we go to the next step if necessary: ​​choice of resistive, TCR, choice of power in temperature control mode ... At each step and there are few, the switch is always responsible for validation.

Simultaneously pressing the switch and the [-] allows the screen to be rotated or the choice of stealth mode. 

And that's about it ... which is to say that the manufacturer's promise of simplicity has been kept to the letter. Even if the manipulations are a little different from the ordinary, they are really simple and effective and, after a short adaptation time, become intuitive regardless of the location of this damn screen.

I will all the same crack with a slight rant because, whatever the ease of access of a device, it is still necessary to communicate to the user the basic operations and the technical specifications. Even though the notice shines by its absence in the packaging. After all, we have seen others ... But the saving QR code, supposed to direct us to an online manual, leads us to a page whose meager content ignores the most grossly necessary for good start with the Arms. You can also check it for yourself HERE. Let us pass (again !!!) on the fact that the video present on the page looks much more like an advertisement of the object but the famous manual takes six lines and the specifications are absent subscribers. At this level, it is no longer an oversight, it is a shame.

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 packaging presents very well. A very beautiful black cardboard box serves as a setting for the box which takes place in a firm and protective foam. The front of the box proudly displays the famous golden grade found on the mod and the aesthetic has been well designed to seduce the user. A good point.

For the rest, do not search, it's empty! No instructions, no charging cable, just a box with the unnecessary QR code. A bad point.

Appreciations in use

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

Vapelier's rating in terms of ease of use: 4/5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

This box is entirely devoted to the driver of complex and heavy assemblies. It has a devastating punch capable of energizing the most diesel of coils. The vape is therefore powerful and does not bother with subtleties. Moreover, it will even have a little trouble correctly driving a simple coil made with a simple resistive. The tsunami sent by the chipset tends to overheat the coils and the juices quickly become difficult to vape and taste hot.

On the other hand, on a very big and soft clapton, it is the opposite which occurs. The coil blushes at high speed and delivers atomic clouds suitable for feasting the most stuffed of cloud-chasers. 

This is what happens in variable power mode. In temperature control, whether in joule or in classic TC, the box delivers what we expect and is more inclined to exalt the flavors. 

To give you an example, I take my Vaport Giant Mini V3, mounted in 0.52Ω. Usually, I give it a power of 38 / 39W to find my sweet spot. And this is happening on all the boxes that I have been able to test and there are starting to be quite a few. With the Arms, I fall to 34 / 35W. Higher, it's the taste of hot guaranteed! 

Obviously, one should not seek great precision of flavors with Arms. It is more made to send than for a quiet tasting. On the other hand, she roars with pleasure under a double-coil dripper mounted with complex wires and that, she does very well.

One last thing. Comments were raised by the first users of this box on a battery problem. In fact, at each request from the switch, the chipset checks whether the batteries are able to send the voltage requested from them under the appropriate intensity and if this is not the case, the box will display a message “too low ”Indicating that your batteries are not ready to provide the expected performance. This will happen if you use batteries that are too low in CDM or if they reach the end of their charge. It is certainly a little peremptory and frustrating but the mark pledges that it is thus intended for the protection of the user and the device. The advice to use excellent batteries known for their reliability is therefore even more important than usual since the box will not work optimally with lower references. Again, 25R or VTC are quite appropriate and did not pose any problem, including at the highest powers.

Recommendations for use

• Type of batteries used during the tests: 18650
• Number of batteries used during the tests: 2
• 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? Any atomizer 25mm in diameter or less
• Description of the test configuration used: Zeus, Hadaly, Marvn…
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: An ato equipped with an assembly which takes the high powers

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4 / 5

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

The mood ticket of the reviewer

The Arms Race obtains a correct mark which is the reflection of the respect of its double promise: simplicity and power. In both cases, we are served and the box even surprises by its very high signal which really asserts itself on the most imposing assemblies.

However, it is necessary to take into account the few caveats mentioned, an average finish and the lack of versatility which may present a brake in some vapers. In temperature control mode, for those who love this type of vape, it will be wiser and probably more in line with the displayed powers.

There remains a formidable aesthetic, which could please or displease by its ultra side but which still changes the bulk of the production and that's not bad.

We thought we discovered a Beretta, we are more on a Tomahawk missile. The Arms Race is no joke, you have been warned!

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