Boxer V2 188W by Hugo Vapor

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor who loaned the product for the magazine: Acquired on our own funds
• Price of the tested product: 64.90 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: 188 watts
• Maximum voltage: 8.5
• Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: Less than 0.1

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

Hugo Vapor is a brand that is starting to get noticed. Specialized in boxes, it offers a fairly varied range, oscillating between the use of “prestigious” chipsets such as the Evolv DNA75 and chipsets resulting from their own research in the field. It is quite inflated when you are not yet a very well-known or reputable brand to directly attack the motorization of mods, especially since the market conceals nuggets in the genre. In general, it is a question of copying a little what others do, and less often, to lower production costs. Here, even if I don't want to reveal the rest right away, we could be very surprised!

The Boxer V2 therefore descends directly from the first of the name whose already comfortable power offered 160W under the hood. Here, we go to 188W and in addition, we equip ourselves with interesting features that will enhance the user experience.

Offered for less than 65 €, it is an excellent deal at this price for the power it offers and could well play the challenger in the category of powerful boxes by focusing on its price and its particular aesthetic. The temperature control is of course part of the game as well as other functions allowing fine adjustments. Geeks will love it!

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 40
• Product Length or Height in mm: 90
• Product weight in grams: 289
• Material composing the product: Aluminum / Zinc alloy
• Form Factor Type: Classic Box - VaporShark type
• Decorative style: Classic
• Quality of decoration: Good
• 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: 1
• 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: 3.9 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

A brick ! It is undoubtedly the element of reference which was used by the designers of the mark. Indeed, we have a massive box, quite high whose dimensions of 40x35x90 and a weight of 289gr, equipped with the two necessary batteries, will be able to make think the small hands and the fragile wrists. However, the aesthetics are worked on, with the aim of communicating a favorable perceived quality. Bodywork more like an Audi than a Ferrari, the Boxer imposes by its monolithic appearance. Serious.

On one side, the manufacturer has added the name of the mod, “boxer”, in an imposing size which further accentuates the impression of power and assertion. It is objectively original and, even if I hear that it may or may not please, we can only be delighted to hold in hand a box like no other and offering a physical alternative to the consensual forms of the news in matter.

The control panel retains this sober and wide appearance that befits the Boxer V2 by offering a large switch, curved in the center, which is a true work of art and a joy to operate. Without doubt one of the best switches I have ever used. The [+] and [-] control buttons sit on the same black plastic strip and are easy to operate, greeting each request with a cheerful click sound. We feel that the quality of controls has been optimized for an excellent user experience.

The Oled screen is a good size and very clear even if we can blame it for a not high enough contrast for my taste. While the size is pretty standard in the category, some menus lack clarity and the smallness of some characters will cause your eyes to squint with the strain of reading. Nothing dramatic however, the worked ergonomics of the chipset managing to overcome this. 

The box has a host of clean vents to reassure about cooling and degassing possibilities. No less than 40 on the battery cradle cover and 20 on the bottom cap. These vents have been designed as part of the aesthetics of the box and have a lot to do with its success. 

The handling is good even if you will not go unnoticed with this mod. To be reserved for fairly large hands, however. The texture of the coating painted on the aluminum / zinc alloy of the box is soft and pleasant to the touch. What to regret even more what is in my opinion the big defect of the box, the one which unfortunately penalizes the rest.

Indeed, the battery hatch, magnetic, is hell. In a rather loose outfit, it is more wobbly and even becomes awkward to grip because it does not stop moving according to your movements. It is not disqualifying but it is eminently unpleasant and all the more remarkable that the rest is of a flawless finish. Here, the weakness of the magnets on the one hand and the absence of guides on the other hand cause the hood to move constantly, is visually ill-adjusted and drastically lowers the quality rating. It's a shame even if, in everyday use, we end up not paying attention to it.

The 510 connection is of excellent quality and contains a network of channels which seem suitable for conveying air for the atomizers which take the airflow through their connection. The positive pin is made of brass, ensuring, as we can imagine, correct conductivity.

Functional features

• Type of chipset used: Owner
• Connection type: 510, Ego - via adapter
• 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: Switching to mechanical mode, Battery charge display, Resistance value display, 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, Display of the vape time since a certain date, 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? Yes
• 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: 4.3 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

Hugo Vapor has done a remarkable job on its chipset. Complete, with an ergonomic and intuitive control, it does not stand out among the lot of branded chipsets and even offers many possibilities, all focused on the adjustment of the vape and not on the gadgetization of possible customizations.

The box works indeed in several modes:

A variable power mode, from 1 to 188W on a scale of 0.06 to 3Ω, adjustable in steps of one tenth of a watt up to 100W then in steps of one watt thereafter.

This mode can also be influenced by what the manufacturer calls PTC for Pure Taste Control which boosts the start of the signal in an amplitude -30 to + 30W. Let's take an example: I want to vape at 40W but my clapton assembly is a bit diesel. I set the PTC to + 10W and, during an adjustable period of time, the mod will send 50W to preheat the coil and then deliver the requested 40W. Enough to wake up a little heavy assemblies and possibly calm the too tonic assemblies to avoid the dry-hits appearing when the capillary is not yet perfectly irrigated. Perfect !

The PTC also has a mode called M4, which allows the signal curve to be varied over the entire length in seven adjustable steps. Something to fascinate all geeks who really like “pimp the vape”!

A temperature control mode is also present. It allows the use of Ni200, titanium and SS316. It is quite classic and does without TCR, which ultimately is not that bad. It goes from 100 to 300 ° C on a scale between 0.06 to 1Ω

A bypass mode, emulating the operation of a mechanical mod, also exists and therefore allows to use all of the residual voltage of the batteries to supply the coil. Be careful, however, it is 8.4V which will go to the ato when the batteries are fully charged since it is a series connection. Enough to take off an atomizer like at Cape Canaveral and put it into orbit if the resistance is unsuitable.

The Boxer V2 can send a maximum of 25A, which is correct and allows you to “play” on almost any scoreboard from the moment you are not too greedy or teasing ... An intensity that allows you to send , for example, 188W on a 0.4Ω assembly without exceeding 17A. What to have fun. 

In the category “who cares!”, We note the precious presence and as useful as a pair of cowboy boots with a flamingo from a puff counter ... 

The ergonomics are very well thought out and the control of all the functions is easy. 5 clicks can turn off or turn on the infernal machine. 3 clicks toggle the choice between variable power, temperature control and By-Pass on the menu. And then, when you are already in an operating mode, 2 clicks will be enough to access precise settings such as PTC for power mode or watts setting for temperature control mode. 

Simultaneous pressing of the [+] and [-] buttons will block the power or temperature adjustment and the same press will unlock the blocking. Nothing really rocket science, just a quarter of an hour to understand, half an hour to get used to and all the rest of the time to adjust and vape!

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

Very “flashy”, the fluorescent yellow cardboard box changes the usual shades of black and white. It is invigorating while remaining effective since the box does not make any concessions on the protection of the box. 

A rewindable USB / micro USB cable is provided as well as a manual in English, unfortunately, but quite clear, located in a black pocket under the cover of the box.

This packaging is attractive compared to the price of the box and perfectly suited to the… higher category.

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: Super simple, even blind in the dark!
• 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 chipset deserves to be known. Once properly adjusted to your atomizer, it is a real pleasure to use. 

Whether variable power, using or not the PTC or temperature control, the result is quite worthy of more chipsets sides, I think for example the DNA200, yet very powerful. The rendering of vape is optimizable at will and never pour in any caricature. It allows a controlled signal from end to end, a compact and precise vape and the flavors are revealed as and when the puffs. 

By increasing power and this until the switch of intensity, no problem, the valiant Boxer assumes its 188W without problem and ensures a coherent rendering. Likewise, the differences between resistance levels do not frighten her and it behaves in the same good way with a 1.5Ω clearo as with a wild dripper in 0.16Ω, an obvious sign that the calculation algorithms have been particularly well worked.

The chipset does not heat up and shows no weakness throughout the day. The autonomy is rather in the upper average and ensures peace of mind when leaving with the only mod.

In short, in use, it's perfect and, for the price, we have a box that has all the performance of a large.

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? All
• Description of the test configuration used: Taifun GT3, Psywar beast, Narda, Nautilus X
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: Any ato with a diameter less than 25mm

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.3 / 5

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

The mood ticket of the reviewer

It is a completely positive assessment that I make at the time of writing this conclusion.

The Boxer V2 is an inexpensive, autonomous box, equipped with a very powerful chipset and offering precise and numerous adjustments suitable for shaping in a simple way, without having to play with software on your computer, a personalized and quality vape.

The firmware is not upgradeable and the battery cover is largely perfectible. These are the only two downsides that I notice and which cannot, in any case for me, prevent using the Boxer V2 on a daily basis and in nomadic mode or it will excel. But, to be objective, these two faults no longer exist today and prevent the Boxer V2 from accessing the Top Mod that it would have largely deserved otherwise.

Nevertheless, I prefer to retain top performance and a friendly rate that make the Boxer a mod quite conceivable, including main mod, and will largely play its part in your quest for the perfect vape.

(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.