IPV8 by Pioneer 4 You

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor who has loaned the product for the magazine: Do not wish to be named.
• Price of the tested product: 79.90 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: 230W
• Maximum voltage: 7V
• Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: Less than 0.1Ω

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

The great comeback of Pionner 4 You is today through the IPV8 which succeeds IPV6 already well noticed in its not so distant time. One wonders well what happened to the IPV7 which has disappeared in the records of a brand engineer ... It is clear that the IPV saga continues for the Chinese manufacturer. 

Rarely will a manufacturer have divided vapers with their products to such an extent. There are fans of the brand and those who abhor it. But it is clear, beyond the sterile quarrels, that the brand has held up for a long time and offers interesting products at the right time even if some already old references were not without flaws. Some may criticize it for lacking a spirit of innovation, but the simple fact of following the movement in real time is already, in terms of the speed of technical or performance developments, a great victory in itself.

This IPV8 is equipped with a Yihie chipset, the SX330-F8 powered by two 18650 batteries, displays a pretension of 230W accessible and has a variable power mode and full temperature control. We expected no less for a product in the current trend. The whole being offered at a median price of 79.90 €, justifiable by the promised power and the supposed quality of the electronics. 

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 28
• Product Length or Height in mm: 88
• Product weight in grams: 233.8
• Material composing the product: Aluminum, Plastic
• 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? Yes
• 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): Good, not the button is very responsive
• 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

Rating of the vapelier as to feelings quality: 3.9 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

Tight lines, sharp angles, the IPV8 has an aesthetic all its own and which is reminiscent of the latest productions from Smoktech, the analogy stopping there, Smok going much further in this niche. The handling is pleasant, the dimensions having been designed for this. Even if the height is normalized with respect to the category, the width and depth, added to the angular edges allow the hand to truly encompass the whole of the object.

A piece of pseudo suede has been added to the back of the box to facilitate grip. Although the comfort is increased, the material is a real dust collector and other crumbs. Without doubt it would have been better to favor a rubberized part to avoid this pitfall. As long as we are on this subject, it is a shame, for the sake of pure aesthetics, not to have included the part on the mod in a housing made for instead of simply sticking it over. Located at the top of the suede, there is the micro-USB port which will be used to recharge the batteries.

The IPV8 combines the subjects to serve its purpose. Aluminum ensures the rigidity of the whole by serving as a skeleton, the different walls are made of hard plastic. The battery hatch, sitting below the box is also plastic and its operating mode by clipping / unclipping, using a fairly loose hinge, remains effective even if it is allowed to assume a lower reliability over time. 

The switch is correctly placed and falls naturally under the index finger or the thumb even if I regret a little that its size is so small. However, it is efficient and is never faulty during use. The [+] and [-] buttons, located above the OLED screen on one of the facades are easy to find and use. The material of all the controls leaves me perplexed, I hesitate between a very light aluminum or a very mimetic plastic… when in doubt, I opt for the latter. 

The 510 connector is simple and has no air intakes. We could have wished for a part of higher quality even if it does its job well, helped by a very well machined screw thread.

In summary, even if the configuration and aesthetics of the IPV8 are very reminiscent of the IPV6, we are dealing with an attractive product whose perceived quality remains a little below the competition but the efforts made on an anodization worthy of the name and a very correct assembly despite everything catch up with this impression. 

The screen is quite small but still visible and clear and that's what matters. Slightly set back from the surface, it will thus avoid possible shocks.

Functional features

• Type of chipset used: SX
• Connection type: 510, Ego - via adapter
• Adjustable positive stud? Yes, through a spring.
• Lock system ? Electronic
• 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 current vape voltage , Display of the power of the current vape, Display of the vape time of each puff, 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? 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? No, nothing is planned to feed an atomizer from the bottom
• Maximum diameter in mm of compatibility with an atomizer: 25
• Accuracy of the output power at full charge of the battery: Excellent, there is no difference between the requested power and the real power
• Accuracy of the output voltage at full charge of the battery: Excellent, there is no difference between the requested voltage and the actual voltage

Vapelier's note regarding functional characteristics: 4 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

The features offered by the IPV8 are up to date and do not differ in the panorama of current boxes. A power of 230W, no doubt a little optimistic, for less than 80 € would have been enough to leave the oldest vapers dreaming a while ago.

Thus, we therefore have a traditional variable power mode, usable on a scale of 7 to 230W within resistance limits between 0.15 and 3Ω. At least that's what the manufacturer says but, for having tried, the box still fires around 0.10Ω! I therefore deduce that the limits set are more recommendations for use, so I advise you to follow them.

We also have a complete temperature control mode that offers you no less than three resistives natively: the Ni200, the titanium, the SS316 but also the possibility of using the SX Pure, a kind of wireless resistance that we must Yihie and which claims a better longevity and better healthiness. Not having used one yet, I will not develop but in the near future we will try to test an atomizer equipped with this technology. 

The temperature control is coupled with a TCR module which will allow you to implement by yourself the resistive wire of your choice. It should be noted that, in all cases, the temperature range will oscillate between 100 and 300 ° C in a resistance scale between 0.05 and 1.5Ω.

As usual with Yihie chipsets, you will need to familiarize yourself with the Joules since it is on this unit that you will influence to use the temperature control. The operations are simple and traditional for the founder. Roughly speaking, we set the chosen temperature and we adjust in Joule the power necessary to find the vape to your taste. If that seems complex in theory, in fact it is not and we find ourselves using this mode in a very intuitive way, is not taste ultimately the only important standard? 

For the record and succinctly, a joule, unit of energy, is equal to one watt per second.

The control ergonomics are quite simple even if it differs from that of Joyetech or Evolv for example. You must first calibrate the resistance by simultaneously pressing the [+] and [-] buttons. With IPV8, you can block the switch by clicking three times. by clicking five times, you enter the menu where the following items are available: 

• Mode: Power or Joule (Temperature Control)
• System: To switch the mod to Off. To turn it back on, simply click on the switch five times.
• Version: Displays the version number of the chipset (theoretically upgradeable, but practically there is never an upgrade…).
• Exit: To exit the menu

By choosing Joule mode, you have access to other items:

• Unit: Defines the temperature unit (Celsius or Fahrenheit) 
• Temp: To set the chosen temperature
• Coil: Choice of resistive wire (SS316, Ni200, titanium, SX Pure or TCR, in the latter case, the next step allows you to adjust the heating coefficient according to your wire)

To finish, just add that all the necessary protections have been implemented in order to vape in complete safety. Remember to size your batteries according to your use, the box can deliver 45A output, it would be nerd to use batteries with low discharge current if you plan to vape at high power…. unless you want to make the headlines, of course. 

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, the box, a notice and a USB cord. Point. 

It is certainly not likely to compete for the packaging of the year but that is enough. The leaflet is in English, which is still illegal in our country to my knowledge and there are no more “goodies” than good feelings in the head of an enarque. But nothing infamous for the category, we have seen more elitist material arrive in bubble wrap ...

Appreciations in use

• Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for a Jean side pocket (no discomfort)
• 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: 5/5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

It is in this precise chapter that LPI 8 gives the best of itself.

Indeed, the performance is really at the level of what one would expect from a Yihie chipset. Precision of the signal, absence of latency, everything converges towards a tasty and round vape but also suitable for specifying the flavors. The rendering is impeccable and does not lend itself to any criticism. 

This is valid for the entire power scale, regardless of the resistance used, low or high. It's really phenomenal to see how this mod performs and its electronic reliability in any area of ​​vape. With a triple coil dripper or a simple clearo, the result is identical: it's perfect. The precision of the settings is formidable and a single watt can sometimes make the difference. Magic !

In temperature control, there is something to forget about all the other competitors. The system developed by Yihie is effective, we have known it for a long time, but each time, we can only be amazed by the precision of the technology. No pumping effect here, no approximation, the signal however tortured in this mode even seems predictive as the vape is sumptuous. Even for me, who is a fan of variable power (or variable voltage), I waver on my foundations as the result seems perfect and unsurpassable. 

Yihie's mastery in the field of chipsets is known and P4U gives him a mechanic to match. The mod does not heat up and even if it warms a little, pushed to its limits, one wonders how the internal temperature can be regulated so well. At median power (between 40 and 50W), the box remains cold and the stability in continuous use throughout the day leaves you dreaming.

An enchantment worthy of boxes of a higher category.

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, Tsunami 24, Vapor Giant Mini V3, OBS Engine, Nautilus X
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: Any 25 atomiser with maximum diameter

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.5 / 5

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

The mood ticket of the reviewer

The rendering of vape, at any power or temperature whatsoever, commands respect. Precise and round at the same time, it charms with its homogeneity and convinces with its stability. What really to ask the question of a crack, especially since the autonomy is rather at the top of the table.

The IPV8 is attractive and signals the return of P4U to the best level, after an IPV6 which had laid the foundations. Of course, it is not exempt from certain small flaws that I mentioned above but, in view of the experience of vape, all this is reduced like the skin of sorrow.

I grant him a Top Mod for his controlled performances and the subtlety of his rendering.

(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.