Tests and Reviews: Box Detonator by Squid Industries ~ The Vapelier

Commercial characteristics

Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: The Little Vapoteur
Price of the tested product: 99 €
Product category according to its selling price: High end (from 81 to 120 €)
Mod type: Variable power electronics and temperature control
Is the mod telescopic? No
Maximum power: 120W
Maximum voltage: 6V
Minimum value in ohms of resistance for a start: 0.1Ω

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

The company Squid Industry was created by veterans of the Navy. This is probably why the products find their inspiration in the world of weapons. They offer us their latest creation: the Detonator box.
No need for much imagination to imagine what is inspired by this simple 21700 or 20700 battery box (18650 compatible via adapter). An electronic box capable of delivering 120W and which is placed in the high-end category with a posted price of 99 €.
All that remains is to test the beast hoping not to destroy the scenery around me.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

Width or Product Diameter in mm: 27X38
Product Length or Height in mm: 91
Product weight in grams: 210
Material composing the product: Stainless Steel, Zinc Alloy
Form Factor Type: Classic Box - VaporShark type
Decorative Style: Cultural Reference
Quality of decoration: Good
Is the coating of the mod sensitive to fingerprints? No
All the components of this mod seem well assembled? Yes
Fire button position: Lateral near the top-cap
Fire button type: Mechanical metal on contact rubber
Number of buttons making up the interface, including touch zones if they are present: 3
Type of user interface buttons: Mechanical metal on rubber contact
Quality of the interface button (s): Very good, the button is responsive and does not make any noise
Number of parts in the product: 1
Number of threads: 1
Quality of the threads: Very good
Overall, do you appreciate the quality of manufacture of this product with regard to its price? Yes

Vapelier's note on quality feelings: 4.4 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

Squid industry is inspired by the universe of arms and as its name indicates our Detonator Is no exception.
Indeed, the drawing of the box takes the aesthetic codes of these military equipments, the fans of Call of Duty or action movies where flourish weapons of any kind will easily recognize the reference to the case that can trigger an explosive remote.

So we have an elongated paver with rounded corners and a piece that seems to fit into the body of the box and flares out to form a small tray that receives the 510 type connector. A luminous band runs along the join between the top-cap and the rest of the body of the box. Impossible to miss the switch, it starts from one of the short sides of this kind of tray and he finds a support on a small button that is on the edge of the body of the mod.

Below this, on the same slice follow the oled screen, +/- buttons and a mechanical switch on / off.

The body of the box is very linear, the different faces are completely smooth (except where the screen and the various controls, of course). One of them hosts the Micro-USB port.

We find at the bottom-cap level of the box, the sliding and tilting door that closes the battery door.

We love or we do not like the universe from which this box is inspired, but whatever its design is successful and original.
The realization is neat, everything is perfectly in place and the treatment of the metal surface seems of good quality.
A product with a successful look that has everything you need to enter the premium category.

Functional features

Type of chipset used: Owner
Connection type: 510
Adjustable positive stud? Yes, through a spring.
Lock system ? Mechanical
Quality of the locking system: Excellent, the chosen approach is very practical
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 vape voltage in current, Display of the power of the current vape, Display of the vape time of each puff, Temperature control of the atomizer coils, Support the update of its firmware, Clear diagnostic messages, Operating light indicators
Accusability: 18650, 20700, 21700
Does the mod support stacking? No
Number of batteries supported: 1
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? No
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 mm 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: 4.5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

La Detonator is an electro box that is equipped with a chipset that can do almost everything. Indeed, the box is able to operate in variable power mode or temperature control, it lacks only the Bypass mode to be complete.
The variable power mode gives you access to a scale that ranges from 7 to 120W, in temperature control you can vary the latter from 100 to 315 ° C. The resistance value should be between 0.1 and 3Ω for the variable power mode and 0.1 and 1Ω for the TC mode. TC mode can be used with SS316, Titanium and Ni200. There is also a TCR mode that allows it to fine tune the heating coefficient of the selected cable.
You will have three predefined puff profiles (normal ...) but you can also build your own by setting the power delivered every second of the puff, this option is of course usable in variable power mode.
The Oled display shows clearly the power, the battery charge, the resistance value (which can be locked), the current, the puff profile, and the cable metal used (Kanthal for WV mode). It also displays a count of the duration of the puff.

It has, of course, all the necessary protections for a safe use.
The box also has a classic locking system that activates by 5 clicks on the switch. But there is finally more simple, just turn it off with the on / off button.
It can be animated with an 21700, 20700 or 18650 battery (with adapter). It is possible to charge the battery using the Micro-USB port which will also be used as a connection to update the firmware.
A box well equipped and that has almost everything that is expected of a current electro box.

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

Vapelier's note on packaging: 3.5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

La Detonator we arrive in a matte black box surrounded by a black sheath too. Here, no picture of the box, it is the logo of the mark which is clearly inspired by the military emblems of the Navy with in the center, a skull placed on an anchor of boat, the whole bordered by a chain that the we find in headlining. Below, the evocative name of the box. On the back, we find some information on the content. Once this overpack removed, the box takes exactly the same scenery except this time on the back, there is a small text in English that explains the history and purpose of the brand (help veterans).
Inside, we discover the box, the adapter for the 18650, a USB cable and a brief and untranslated notice.
A simple and effective package but it could be more classy, so it's a shame that our veteran friends have not yet thought about translating the record into several languages.

Appreciations in use

Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for an external jacket pocket (no deformations)
Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Easy, even standing on the street, with a simple handkerchief
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

Vapelier's rating in terms of ease of use: 4.5/5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

First of all, I like the idea of a full on / off button. This is the most effective security and I find it much more convenient than the 5 clicks that do not disappear because Squid Industries keep this action to lock the box without turning it off (moreover I do not necessarily understand the interest). The settings and the menu are quite easy to understand and we find its marks quickly enough to enter by 3 clicks on the switch and then navigate with the +/- buttons and it is validated by firing, the classic.
A screen and clear and readable which does not spoil anything.

The ergonomics are perfect whether you're right-handed or left-handed and the switch is just super nice, it falls under the finger and it is neither too firm nor too flexible and makes a little very discreet click.

The vape we offer Squid Industries with this detonator is a good level, the box is reactive and does not show abnormal behavior, it is not at the level of a DNA but we approach it and the function that allows to customize the profile of his puff is really nice is easy to use.
The battery management is good but the autonomy will necessarily depend on the power you are used to vape and if you are a fan of high power, you will inevitably need several batteries (even in 21700).
On the other hand, I have a small complaint to make on the battery door, I do not know if it's me but I find it a little hard to open, a contrario, no risk of inadvertent opening.
The reload function works well, it can troubleshoot when you do not have your battery charger on hand.
A box that is pleasant to live in all and has no shortage of assets to seduce.

Recommendations for use

Type of batteries used during the tests: 18650
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? the choice is wide as long as it does not exceed the diameter of 25mm
Description of the test configuration used: Associated with the Ares resistance to 0.8 Ω; Govad RTA alien resistance at 0.18Ω
Description of the ideal configuration with this product: The beautiful is versatile

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.6 / 5

The mood ticket of the reviewer

Squid Industries once again offers a box that does not lack character. So it's true, you have to be sensitive to the military-inspired design that characterizes the products from the modder, and we could understand that some are a little resistant to the idea of walking around with a mod that looks like a weapon.
On the other hand, it is impossible not to recognize that this product is at the same time well designed, practical and ergonomic. The shape and especially this super comfortable switch give it an undeniable comfort of use and transport.
We add to this an efficient and rather easy to use chipset and we have a product that deserves a top.
The price might be a bit high. Indeed, if the design and the drawing are well done in the States, the production is undoubtedly carried out in China but we know it, it is a fact which is not specific to this brand and in the end the box is super clean. and does not seem to suffer from any defect except this battery hatch which is a little difficult to open.
So even if I personally am not a fan of the idea of making products reminiscent of the world of military weaponry, I must admit that I finally appreciated this meeting and the qualities of this box quickly reached me. makes you forget the universe from which it comes.

A really nice product that I am sure will find an audience without any harm.

Good vape,

Vince.

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