Modern Times (Silver Plated Luxury Box) by Dream Steam

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor who lent the product for the review: Dream Steam
• Price of the tested product: 870 Euros
• Product category according to its selling price: Luxury (over 120 euros)
• Mod type: Mechanical without kick support possible
• Is the mod telescopic? No
• Maximum power: Not applicable
• Maximum voltage: Not applicable
• Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: Not applicable

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

Sometimes, the life of a columnist at the Vapelier holds major surprises. After a test on a crappy atomizer or a delicious e-liquid, we sometimes come across, depending on the arrivals, an exceptional product, which like a pearl oyster in the middle of a fillet of sea bream, makes our hearts vibrate with this mixture of fascination and apprehension that the adventurer feels when opening the treasure chest.

We have here an exceptional kit. Thanks to its positioning in the market first, then its price. Indeed, this kit was thought out, wanted, created and developed to appeal to a niche clientele made up of two very different populations: the relentless collectors first of all who will hunt until they find a rare pearl in the ocean of tubes that flood the world for five years then a wealthy clientele on the other hand who will be attracted by the fact of vaping on a material which not only allows them to indulge their passion but also to assert their standing. We are no longer very far here from the concept conveyed by Breitling, Lamborghini or Mont-Blanc. The Modern Times is intended to be a luxury item, designed for an elite. It is important to understand this well in order to distance yourself from the very high price of the kit, which I will do my best to do as a reviewer.

We are therefore not going to talk about the price tonight, or even the quality / price ratio. We give everyone the right to form their own opinion on this. We are going to talk about technique and finishing.

First of all, it is essential to know that Dream Steam worked with craftsmen or manufacturers on this kit. The mod, which is the centerpiece of the set was developed and manufactured by PRO-MS based on its Steampunk sound and subsequently underwent silver plating. The chosen atomizer is a Kanger Aerotank equipped with a stainless steel tank and a pyrex tank. It comes with four 0.8Ω resistors, a velvet cover with the brand's logo, two drip-tips, one in silver plated, the other in stainless steel and a 20ml bottle of Brooklyn in 0mg / ml of nicotine. This homemade e-liquid was developed in partnership with The Fuu. The whole sitting in a cigar humidor type box, in beech, made to measure by a Jura craftsman. It should be noted that Dream Steam offers any buyer an XTAR VP1 charger as well as a pair of Efest Purple.

Here is for the scenario and the decoration. Let's move on to the movie that will feature the Steampunk in a silver suit.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width or Diameter of the product in mms: 23.20
• Product Length or Height in mms: 91.08
• Product weight in grams: 168
• Material composing the product: Brass, Silver
• Form Factor Type: Tube
• Decorative Style: Steam Punk Universe
• 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: On the bottom cap
• Fire button type: Spring mechanics
• Number of buttons making up the interface, including touch zones if they are present: 1
• User interface button type: No other button
• Quality of interface button (s): Not applicable interface button
• Number of parts in the product: 3
• Number of threads: 3
• Quality of the threads: Excellent
• 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: 5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

Without real surprise, the Steampunk bodied by Dream Steam benefits from an excellent finish and a quality that imposes it. This is thanks to two important elements:

1. The mod itself has benefited from all the experience of the master moderator of PRO-MS and deserves nothing but praise for its finish, manual manufacturing, piece by piece inlay of cogs and other laces. metal on the body of the mod. The whole is a true work of art which, if it will not disorient or surprise Steampunk lovers, reminds us that in France we have exceptional modders of which PRO-MS is the figurehead. 
2. The second element is the silver plating that covers all parts of the mod. A plating can be deposited by electroplating (electrolysis) or by Tollens reaction (chemical process). I do not know which process was chosen because it is difficult to determine with simple vision, even if I lean for electrolysis. On the other hand, Dream Steam has chosen here a plating in 6 microns. This choice is not trivial. For jewelry as a rule, we speak of a plating at 10 microns. But if, to tackle Steampunk, Dream Steam preferred a 6 micron plating, it is certainly to avoid too much “smoothing” the mod in order to respect and preserve the roughness of the cogs and other metal parts. It is easy to understand that the larger the silver layer, the more the initial design of the sculpture of the mod disappears.

In any case, we have a beautiful object in hand! Big fan in front of the eternal Steampunk, I can only adhere to this exceptional mod in its livery “silver surfer” which sparkles and gives it a precious and rare aspect.

Functional features

• Type of chipset used: None / Mechanical
• Connection type: 510, Ego - via adapter
• Adjustable positive stud? Yes, through a floating pine tree.
• Lock system ? No
• Quality of the locking system: None
• Features offered by the mod: None / Mod Méca
• Accusability: 18500
• Does the mod support stacking? No
• Number of batteries supported: 1
• Does the mod retain its configuration without batteries? Not applicable
• Does the mod offer a recharge feature? No recharge function offered by the mod
• Is the recharge function pass-through? No recharge function offered by the mod
• 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: Not applicable, it is a mechanical mod
• 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

We are here in the presence of a Steampunk so the basic material is brass. The silver plating does not come to oppose, far from it, the conductivity of the mod which remains available and “sends well” (Dictionary of the perfect reviewer page 14 😆). For a battery charged at 4.2V, we obtain 4.14V at the output, which remains an excellent measure, within the limit of course of my control protocol which is identical on all mechanical mods in order to have a reference base. Some mods do better, of course, but the point of this kit is to vape in great comfort and not to send flying islands of vapor. 

The switch, here in its V2 version, is a perfection in terms of softness. It makes contact with each press and remains, for my part, one of the most pleasant switches I know on a mech. Its small size requires you to have the mod in your hand but its ultra short stroke and flexibility make it a must of its kind.

The choice of a tube that can accommodate an 18500 battery is relevant in view of the target clientele and allows to have a set of an average size. On the other hand, it will dissuade confirmed vapers eager for performance because the best 18500 battery in the world can only send what it has and will not be able to compete in terms of autonomy or maximum discharge current with a good 18650. Which makes the choice of the Aerotank as an atomizer quite relevant, especially equipped as here with resistors in 0.8Ω.

Let us dwell on this for a moment. The target audience for this type of material is not an audience of geeks who will spend their time doing coil-porn on a wild dripper 😯! It was therefore wise to offer a clearomizer that has proven itself, and the Aerotank is one of them, whose proprietary resistance is easy to change and which will deliver a voluptuous vape, driven by Steampunk, with its fairly low resistances and which will allow very correct airflow control, from very tight to air. 

Because if we summarize: we put the battery, we change the resistance, the clearo does not leak, we fill it easily, we shoot and we are there. No need to linger on a desk with tools to get the most out of the set-up. And this is where what initially seemed incongruous (an Aerotank on a Steampunk !!!!!!!!!!! Sacrilege!) takes on its full meaning and where we can consider that the assembly was thought out intelligently. In addition, a good 18500 battery will largely hold the 0.8Ω resistors. It is therefore a well thought out set-up. I have only one regret but which is probably explained by a problem of feasibility, it is that the stainless steel tank of the Aerotank did not undergo the same silver plating to come to complete the aesthetics of the set-up.

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

The devil is hiding, they say, in the details. Here, there are no bad surprises. The box is made of solid wood and was made to measure in beech, as I specified above. The interior is lined with a very dense foam covered with imitation leather and stamped to receive the various elements provided. The whole thing is magnificent. We could have thought of a box in a more precious wood such as elm burl or bird's eye maple but the use of beech painted in black throws it in by its simplicity, enhanced by a design on the cover showing the cogs and the name of the product in a shiny silver paint. We then leave the classicism of a box of precious wood to approach the industrial era and it is fortunate in view of the chosen mod. For my part, I find that there is no fault of taste in this sober and elegant packaging.

The detail is also this black booklet in an envelope of the same value which details the history of the concept and methodically informs us about the technical aspects with beautiful photos. Here again, it is not a question of enumerating specifications and some diagrams but a very classy black and white booklet, decorated with professional photos. The buyer has paid dearly, but he cannot complain that he is not being considered.

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

There is nothing to report in this section. The mod performs admirably and the duo work well together. The vapogeek that I am a little regrets the absence of a reconstructable at the height but, as I explained, it was necessary to have a set-up easy to implement and correct in rendering. The bet is held.

Recommendations for use

• Type of batteries used during the tests: 18500
• Number of batteries used during the tests: 2
• With what type of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? Dripper, With low resistance fiber less than or equal to 1.5 ohms, In sub-ohm assembly, Reconstructable Génésys type metal mesh assembly, Rebuildable type Génésys metal wick assembly
• With which model of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? The atomizer delivered with!
• Description of the test configuration used: Modern Times complete kit, Steampunk + Origen V2
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: An Aston-Martin DB9, a glass of Dom Pérignon, a sunset in Monaco ...

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.8 / 5

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

The mood ticket of the reviewer

I read AutoPlus. Okay, I might be wiser to read Expansion or Diplomatic World if I ever want to give myself this kit 😉. But when I read my favorite magazine, if I skim over the test of the last Renault, I linger heavily on the Bentley Continental GT. I reassure you, I do not intend to buy it but I am human and sometimes, like all humans, I dream wide awake… I ride in Polo every day however… .. Worse, I take the tram 😥

We are all like that. Sentimental Crowd as Souchon sang…. We rebel on prices which are soaring but when we dream awake, there is no longer any question of price and we always visualize ourselves better at the wheel of a Bugatti than of a Polo…. It's human…

This is the effect that this kit provides. We quickly understand why, for whom and how it was designed. So, we plague and we kick back and I do as you do: I'm looking for noises, tips to damage the reputation of the product but there isn't any, you have to be objective, that's my reason for being at the Vapelier . It's well done, it's thoughtful, it's targeted. There is nothing to add.

So now we can talk about the price. If the price offered does not bother the buyer and it appears to be, who would I be to say that it is not being honest? To trade, you need two: a seller and a buyer. The Modern Times is selling well, it is finding its audience. Everything is for the best in the best of all possible worlds even if it is not mine ... but I told you, it's a dream song ... 

Well, that's not all that, I will have to pack it up and send it back…. I will dream better tomorrow… 🙁 

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