Tests and Reviews: Istick TC 100W by Eleaf ~ The Vapelier

Commercial characteristics

Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: Tech Steam
Price of the tested product: 54.90 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: 100 watts (120 after update)
Maximum voltage: 9V
Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: Less than 0.1

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

Eleaf advances its pawns with constancy, as evidenced by this evolution to 100W, which can now be upgraded to deliver 120 (announced “on paper”), with V1.10 here.

The latest-born (the Pico has just released) from the Chinese manufacturer, after 20 boxes, 30, 40, 50, 60W, offers the best of existing technology for a safe, controlled and sustainable vape, it adopts the fire bar, which replaces the button switch, already present for a few months on the recent XCubes from Smoktech. It offers 3 modes of vape: VW, TC, mechanic (bypass) protected.

We will detail below the other options of this box, but already we can say that for the asking price, it's a good deal. The manual is in French, the batteries are not provided, you will care to dedicate two identical 18650 batteries, new and at least 25A to your box, for good performance in complete safety.

It is however a material of a relatively large size which will probably repel many of our sisters, used to the previous models, finer and much better adapted.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

Width or Diameter of the product in mms: 23
Product Length or Height in mms: 94
Product weight in grams: 293 (including 110g of batteries)
Material constituting the product: Stainless steel, Aluminum, Brass
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: Not applicable
Fire button type: Metal mechanics on contact rubber (fire bar mode)
Number of buttons making up the interface, including touch zones if they are present: 3
Type of user interface buttons: Mechanical plastic on contact rubber
Quality of the interface button (s): Good, the button is very responsive
Number of parts in the product: 3
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

The shell and lids are made of aluminum, covered with a good paint that seems resistant to knocks and other scratches, (as long as you don't throw it on the ground and do not count on rubbing it heavily on an abrasive surface, it will be fine. without saying). The lids are held by magnets which give them a very good hold once closed. Five heat dissipation vents are visible in the upper part, in the center, in front of the arrival of the positive pole of the batteries, against the chipset.

The top cap features a stainless steel 510 connection with an air intake function and a two-position mechanical lock (lock) to prevent inadvertent firing, all the easier to produce in view of fire system. The brass positive pin is floating.

The bottom cap has five small degassing vents and a micro USB port for recharging via a computer.

The set is 94mm long and 23mm thick, the width is 52mm, the sides are rounded in half circle of 23mm in diameter. It is comfortable enough for the grip, but the coating is not anti-slip, it is better to hold it firmly.

The Istick of the test is white and does not leave visible fingerprints, the function fire bar (firing bar = cover) is active on the upper part of the box, its stroke is short and pleasant.

The settings section and the screen are located on the front inside a flat, smoked transparent plastic cover. The buttons float a little in their housing and you can hear it. The screen measures 17,5mm by 4mm, it is protected, fairly visible and remains discreet.

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: 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 power of the current vape, Display of the vape time of each puff, Variable protection against overheating of the atomizer resistors, Temperature control of the atomizer resistors, Support the update of its firmware, Diagnostic messages clear
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: 23
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 up to 50W
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 usual security features are in the menu of features, I will not return, the box cuts after ten seconds of pulse.

You can choose to vape without the screen, in “stealth ”, when you have finished and locked your settings, to increase the autonomy of your batteries. Simultaneously press the bottom button and the fire bar. To lock the settings (box on), simultaneously press the [+] and [-] buttons for 2 seconds, the screen displays "Lock" and a small padlock will then appear.

You will notice three buttons on the adjustment part of the Istick. In addition to the classic [+] and [-], another rectangular button at the very bottom of the box appears, which is very practical since it allows you to switch between modes, it is access to the functionalities menu.

To invert the screen direction, (box off), simultaneously press the [+] and [-] buttons 2 seconds, the display rotates by 180 °.

To switch from one mode to the other long press the lower rectangular button, you will access the following different modes: VW - Bypass (protected mecha) - TC Ni - TC Ti - TC SS - TCR (Temperature Resistance coefficient) M1 - TCR M2 - TCR M3. note that the range of resistance values from 0.1 to 3.5Ω corresponds to VW / Bypass modes.

As Meca modes, TC and VW have no secret for you, I will detail the operations to be performed in TCR mode.

First of all we need to make sure that the resistance value of our assembly is in the range 0,05 - 1,5 Ohm; (above 1,5 ohm, the box automatically switches to VW mode).

The box must be off. Press the [+] and the firing bar simultaneously, you enter TCR mode, the first is the M1, to memorize a first ato setting. To select an M, press the [+] or [-] buttons, to confirm the selected M, press the firing bar.

To increase or decrease the TCR value of your choice, it is with the [+] or [-] buttons. To confirm the setting press the firing bar (I change a little) or leave in the state for ten seconds until the electronics is fed up and decides to take into account your last position (eg in SS mode ).

As also the record is in French, I will just confirm the alert messages, and invite you to read it when you operate your settings.

No atomizer or short circuit = " Atomizer Short "or" No Atomizer »
Battery under 3,3V (each) = " Lids », You must reload (or replace the acus) to unlock.
« Temp Protection »Relates to the coil temperature (TC Ni, Ti, SS, M1, M2, M3 modes) and warns you that it exceeds your settings.
When the device has a little fever, the box cuts and displays " Device Too hot ". Patience, no antibiotics, remove the batteries instead and let him breathe fresh.

We did the trick quickly but essential, to begin to handle the beast as it should, it is done quickly.

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? Yes
Does the manual explain ALL features? Yes

Vapelier's note on packaging: 5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

A cardboard box in the colors of the brand which contains, on the upper floor, the box in its housing of semi-rigid foam.

The floor below is provided with the instructions and the USB / microUSB charging cable. That's all, it's enough and you can flash the QR code (on the back of the box) to go to the Eleaf website, check the authenticity of your purchase, and update the firmware.

Appreciations in use

Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for Jean's back pocket (no discomfort)
Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Easy, even standing on the street, with a simple Kleenex
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: 4.5/5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

If from 1 to 50W the regulation dispenses rather well the powers required, it is not the same from 75W, where we can see a shift between the actual output values and those displayed on the screen. Below, a table summarizes the percentage gaps of the values tested, with 3 typical resistance values.

This being so, the box is very reactive, the stable signal and its fairly precise settings, the resistances of my atos have been correctly evaluated.

The mechanical locking function of the fire bar is effective. I regret a little the position of the charging module and its output under the box, but I do not advise to use it systematically, a dedicated charger will be much more suitable and preserve the life of your batteries (only flat top in the Istick).

This box has, as they say, fishing! It is more designed for the sub-ohm than for the high resistances. Beyond 1,5Ω, the first 2 seconds will surprise you, as the Istick 100W tends to boost from the start, a sudden heating of the coil (s) follows and not necessarily a pleasant flavor rendering, whereas on the contrary at 0,3 ohm this boost is beneficial to avoid lag.

All in all, it's good material, inexpensive and, I hope, is expected to last.

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 type of ato up to 23mm in diameter, sub ohm mounts or higher
Description of the test configuration used: 2 18650 batteries, mini Goblin 0,7Ω - Royal Hunter mini 0,34Ω
Description of the ideal configuration with this product: Open bar, you decide.

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

You will find it in three colors: gray (brushed metallized), matt black, or satin white. You can also change the lids for fun, the website of the manufacturer offers various colors.

Be vigilant about the quality and characteristics of your batteries and share your impressions here, thank you for your attentive reading, wish you a good vape and say:

See you soon.

(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.