Funky 60W TC by Aleader

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor who has loaned the product for the magazine: Do not wish to be named.
• 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: 60 watts
• Maximum voltage: 8 volts
• Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: Less than 0.1

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

Aleader is a fairly recent Chinese manufacturer which specializes in the production of epoxy resin boxes. The Orbit or the D-Box 75 from the same manufacturer are very colorful examples and the Funky comes to ensure the entry of the brand with its good very psychedelic face and its small size which immediately classifies it in the mini. boxes. Be careful, we are not really into the smallest mods, it is still larger than a Mini Volt or other comparable references.

Epoxy resin is widely used, from simple glue to the most complex moldings such as certain sinks for example. This involves combining a resin with a hardener under the action of heat to obtain a hard and resistant material, which can be tinted as desired by adding dyes directly to the resin and which has the particularity of having excellent resistance to UV rays. As far as we are concerned, it is successful on the Funky which therefore has a very original and neat aesthetic.

The price is less than 65 €, which places it in the mid-range equipment. This may seem quite high for a box with a capacity of 60W but we must all the same take into account the uniqueness of each box since the color, which cannot be controlled by the manufacturing process, therefore provides its happy owner with a unique object. 

Possessing a variable power mode and a temperature control mode, the Funky communicates on its proprietary chipset may not have the same opportunities as the direct competition but is supposed to ensure a vape quite serious. Of course, we will try to check this down. 

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 25.2
• Product Length or Height in mm: 70.5
• Product weight in grams: 143
• Material composing the product: Aluminum, Epoxy resin
• Form Factor type: Box mini - type IStick
• Decorative style: Classic
• 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? 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: 2
• Type of user interface buttons: Mechanical metal on rubber contact
• Quality of the interface button (s): Medium, the button makes noise within its enclave
• 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: 4.1 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

When you first watch the Funky, you can't help but find a strong family resemblance to the Eleaf Pico. Indeed, we have a box of comparable size and an aluminum cap which acts as a prominent cap for the 18650 battery. This is enough to bring together the aesthetic characteristics common to the two boxes.

However, the physical comparison ends there. Indeed, the Funky is more “square”, slightly larger than the Pico and presents a typically parallelepipedal architecture. The two plates, top and bottom caps, are made of black anodized aircraft grade aluminum and the projecting edges are treated in a natural color, which is the best effect and gives a certain elegance to the box. The rest of the body is therefore made of epoxy and reveals very complex nuances of colors reminiscent of certain stabilized woods.

Back to the Pico spirit, however, with regard to the control panel located below the box which has the two buttons [+] and [-], the micro-USB socket for recharging and vents, paradoxically located there. opposite of the battery and which seem more there for the cooling of the chipset than to ensure a possible degassing. But for lack of having opened it, I do not know if the interior construction, also ensured in resin, also allows this functionality. 

The [+] and [-] buttons are made of metal and spherical in shape, fairly easy to handle although bigger fingers will have a little trouble telling the difference between the two but, with a little practice, you can get there. very well. No particular complaint on this point except that the spheres move a little in their housing. Nothing serious, it does not affect their handling or the user experience.

The metal switch, rectangular in shape, is responsive and does its job without complaining. It is neither especially pleasant nor especially disagreeable. Its greatest quality is to be subtly flush with the body of the box and therefore to be quite discreet. Its operation is no problem, no missfires to declare, agent. Everything's fine !

The build quality is very good, for once superior to that of the Pico and the finishes and various machining propels us into the upper segment. With one exception all the same: the undoubtedly excessive lightness of the battery cap which, although it presents well with its engraving with the brand's coat of arms, suffers from a flagrant lack of material and gives an impression out of step with the rest of the beautiful.

The OLED screen, which has now become quite traditional in the category, is necessarily small but very readable and displays important information: battery charge, power or temperature, mode, resistance, voltage and intensity. 

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: 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: 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? 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 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: 4.3 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

The Funky offers us a proprietary chipset which is confined to basic functions but which does it well. This is not a box for geeks but a vaping tool, intended as much for vapers confirmed for their nomadic life as for beginner / intermediate vapers.

So we have a variable power mode that propels us on a scale between 5 and 60W on resistors between 0.1 and 3Ω. It is set naturally by the [+] and [-] buttons. 

The temperature control mode bypasses a TCR and therefore offers us three native resistives: the NI200, the Titanium and the SS316. Objectively, this is enough and I could not advise you enough to use SS316 to do this, this wire being considered healthier than the other two, in particular titanium, the oxidation of which can be dangerous for health. 

Note that the manufacturer recommends the use of Sony VTC5 for the Funky. I reassure you however, it also works very well with Samsung or LG, any battery having a continuous discharge current of 20A and 30A in pulse. Because the box can receive an intensity of 30A and restore it at the output.

No OFF mode on the Funky, just the possibility of locking the switch by clicking on it three times. It's simple, no frills, but it's still effective. To switch to OFF, remove the battery! 

There is also the possibility to change the direction of the screen. To do this, all you have to do is lock the switch with three clicks and then keep the [+] button pressed for a few seconds. Here again, the manufacturer gave pride of place to simplicity.

The protections are efficient and allow a quiet use of the box. Protection against short circuits, against overheating of the chipset, cut-off of 10 seconds, protection against reverse polarity (the box does not turn on), protection against TPD but I digress ... 

The list of features ends here, Aleader having decided to make a simple and ergonomic object rather than a gas plant. 

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

A cardboard box filled with a very hard thermoformed foam ensures optimal transport of the Funky. It is covered with a flexible cardboard case which lets the color of the box appear through a transparent shutter so that you can choose whether you buy it in a physical shop. 

You will find, in addition to the object of your desire, a white USB / micro USB cable with a flat section (that changes!) As well as a manual that will make anglophobes anglophagous! In fact, not only is there no French version of the instructions for use, but in addition, it is written ridiculously small. And when I say small, it's small, believe me! Besides, without wanting to disrespect our visually impaired friends, I advise Aleader to write their next leaflet directly in Braille, we will do better and I will be able to put away my magnifying glass and my microscope! 

Appreciations in use

• Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for an inside jacket pocket (no deformations)
• 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? Yes
• Description of situations in which the product has experienced erratic behavior: in temperature control

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

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

Simplicity, efficiency, quality of rendering.

If I had to sum up the highlights of the Funky, this is how I would describe it. Indeed, the vape is comfortable because the chipset is well calibrated for a smooth vape, which is a minimum but also for a power available without latency. The vape is therefore quite direct, full and precise. If we are objectively far from the most upscale chipsets but much more expensive, we are still on a good surprise in terms of rendering quality. The dead ends made on advanced features have allowed engineers to floor on the fast response and the signal is reliable, powerful across the entire watt scale.

In temperature control mode, it's… different…. 

Indeed, by using several atomizers mounted in SS316, I did not succeed in making the box work other than in power mode. In temperature control mode, the screen sends me fancy messages, such as 1.3W while I have set the box to 35W or even an advantageous 0.73V! However, the temperature has been calibrated, the resistance too. Not having Ni200 or Titanium on hand, I therefore deduced that my SS316 wire was not in the small papers of the box and that it was he who was causing the problem, although it was the first once that happens to him. In summary, in this mode, I did not draw a single cloud! I therefore remain wary of its effectiveness. But not having enough to establish real proof of its ineffectiveness, I prefer to abstain.

However, not being an aficionado of this mode in general, I am less inclined to panic about it. I therefore warn amateurs to carry out a check with the resistive of their choice to validate its normal operation.

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? All with a preference for small atomizers to be in the “mini” aesthetic
• Description of the test configuration used: Taifun GT3, Origen 19 / 22, Igo-L, Narda
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: Small height atomizer

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.4 / 5

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

The mood ticket of the reviewer

If we except the mishap in temperature control on my SS316, I just had to be happy about the use of this mod.

Aesthetic, small, holding well in the hand, it also provides pleasant vaping sensations thanks to a controlled signal and low latency. I will gladly recommend it to those who vape in variable power and who want a sexy little companion to cut the road on a daily basis. I advise those who wish to use its temperature control to check the functionality to verify if their wire is compatible and if the box is sending what it promises because I cannot, in any case, say so here.

So, although the score is high and objectively deserved, I resign myself to abandoning the Top Mod for this reason which, if verified by your own experience, would mean that this mode is poorly implemented. Too bad because for the rest, it is almost flawless for this beautiful little girl who performs in power mode! 

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