ONI 133 by Asmodus / Starss

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor who has loaned the product for the magazine: Do not wish to be named.
• Price of the tested product: 119.93 Euros
• Product category according to its selling price: High end (from 81 to 120 euros)
• Mod type: Variable power electronics and temperature control
• Is the mod telescopic? No
• Maximum power: 200 watts
• Maximum voltage: 6
• Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: Less than 0.1

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

The ONI 133 box is a creation of Starss, a Chinese brand rather specialized in design and engineering, distributed by Asmodus. Also called “Oni Player 133”, this box is powered by a DNA200 chipset, well known and appreciated by vaping geeks.

It has a technical characteristic that can be interesting: the possibility of switching between the pair of 18650 batteries, implemented as standard, and a pack of three LiPo cells, according to your choice. By using the 18650 batteries, you will be able to exploit 133W of the 200 available in the chipset and, by switching to LiPo and tampering with the famous Escribe software, you can then reach the full power.

Offered at a price of less than 120 €, ONI is therefore positioned in the low average for devices powered by Evolv.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 29
• Product Length or Height in mm: 89
• Product weight in grams: 264
• Material composing the product: Aluminum, 3D printing
• 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): Medium, the button makes noise within its enclave
• Number of parts in the product: 5
• 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: 3.4 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

Aesthetically, the ONI presents well, mixing classicism and modernity.

Indeed, if the body is worked in an aluminum T6061 of aeronautical quality which presents very well and augurs a very good resistance in time, it is added certain parts obtained by 3D printing, like the front including the screen and the control buttons as well as a part located inside to delimit the battery cradle but whose edge appears on the outside rim, for a very nice black and red result. 

You should know that it is possible to change the 3D printed parts, cradle frame and front, with optional parts to change the color of your box. Likewise, this one is available in other basic shades such as a chrome and black version.

At the manufacturing level, we are on a well adjusted and well finished object. Some, including myself, will find the finish of 3D printed parts a little rough, that textured finish typical of this production method. But it is objective to note that the whole gives off a very correct perceived quality.

The plastic buttons, switch and commands [+] and [-], are consistent, even if they float a little in their respective slots. Nothing prohibitive, however, because it does not affect their proper functioning. The switch is precise and quite pleasant to use.

The typical DNA OLED display is efficient and informative and will be able to display a lot of information if you customize it with Evolv's personalization software: Write.  

The magnetic cover providing access to the battery cradle is specially well thought out because it has three magnets in relief which must fit into three guides containing the magnets paired at the bottom. It is therefore necessary to force a little for the installation but as much to say that it does not move a bit when it is installed!

A small downside very easy to solve: the fabric tab used to extract the batteries is too long and tends to protrude from the cover. I therefore recommend a good cut of the scissors to adapt it to the right size. Squeak! 

Functional features

• Type of chipset used: DNA
• 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, Support the update of its firmware, Support the customization of its behavior by external software, Clear diagnostic messages
• Accu Compatibility: LiPo, 18650
• Does the mod support stacking? No
• Number of batteries supported: The batteries are proprietary / Not applicable, 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 passthrough? 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: 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: 4.8 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

Equipped with the famous Evolv DNA200 chipset, the ONI therefore has all of its characteristics and functions. 

With a work in variable power mode or in temperature control and the many possibilities offered by the customization of Escribe, there is therefore something to have fun for the most geeks among us and get a truly unique and corresponding vape. your expectations. 

Rather than detailing for the umpteenth time how Escribe works or the possibilities offered by this now well-known chipset, I prefer to refer you to our previous reviews where we have already covered the subject: here, here, here or even here.

On the other hand, it is important to understand the typical operation of the ONI box. As we have seen, it can be powered by two 18650 batteries or by an optional LiPo pack. As the manufacturer has chosen to deliver its box in the first configuration, the power of the chipset is therefore limited to 133W and its voltage to 6V so as not to over-stress the batteries which could in no case ensure the possible 200W. 

The use of 200W of DNA becomes possible if we change the battery system by the LiPo pack recommended by the founder, the FullyMax FB900HP-3S available on the Evolv site at this page for a price of around 19 €. In this case, we benefit from the voltage 11V and, using Write, we can unlock the chipset to take advantage of the maximum power and the corresponding intensity of 27A continuous and 54A peak, intensity only batteries 18650 could not assume.

Changing the type of food is very easy to do, for once. All you have to do is remove the magnetic cover and the batteries as a first step. Secondly, you unclip the interior part in 3D printing. This is done slowly, without forcing violently so as not to risk breaking the part, but it comes after a while by gently going around with your fingernail or a flat screwdriver. Once done, you have full access to the interior of the box and you can see the chipset, the battery cradle and the connection. 

Then remove the cradle, being careful not to pull on the connection cable. Once removed, disconnect the pins to detach once and for all the cradle of the chipset. Then, insert the connection pin of your LiPo battery in the same place. All you have to do is install the flexible pack inside the box and reposition the 3D printing piece.

It's simple and, if you follow these steps, you won't risk untimely breakage. 

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? Can do better
• Presence of a user manual? Yes
• Is the manual understandable for a non-English speaker? No
• Does the manual explain ALL features? No

Vapelier's note on packaging: 2.5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

A black cardboard box can be seen through a clear plastic window box located on the first floor. 

Below, you will find the manual, the warranty certificate and a USB / Micro-USB charging and upgrade cable. The instructions are in English, very verbose and not very precise and do not include the explanation of the use of Write, as is often the case. This will therefore require you to familiarize yourself with this complete but complex software on your own, by helping you, if necessary, from the dedicated forums. 

The packaging is honest but the instructions, singularly literary and not very technical, would have deserved a more direct treatment, supported by graphics to allow non-English speakers to navigate more easily. 

Appreciations in use

• Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for Jean's back pocket (no discomfort)
• Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Super simple, even blind in the dark!
• 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

To allow optimal use of the product, it is necessary to understand that the limitation to 6V induced by the power supply by the two 18650s leads to certain dead ends in its capacities.

For example, if you use a dripper mounted in 0.28Ω and you request a power of 133W, the chipset will not be able to reach it since with a voltage of 6V for a resistance of 0.28Ω, you will be clamped to 128W. The box will still work but will regulate so as not to exceed the maximum voltage and will warn you that your resistance is too high. 

In any case, you will only be able to obtain the 133W with a resistance lower than 0.27Ω. With 0.40Ω, you will get a maximum of 90W for example. 

However, to be completely honest, these limitations will be quite rare and quite over the top as soon as you calculate the optimal resistance for a good ato / box operation. 

To avoid this and take advantage of the full capabilities of the chipset, you will have to go through the purchase and installation (easy anyway) of a LiPo battery.

Apart from this problem which is not really a problem, the ONI works as one would expect from a mod powered by an excellent chipset. Very precise and impeccably smooth vape rendering, proven reliability, enough to indulge yourself whatever your choice of battery with a voluptuous and dense vape in variable power mode as in temperature control.

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 atomizer
• Description of the test configuration used: Saturn, Taifun GT3, Nautilus X, Vapor Giant Mini V3
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: An RDTA with a resistance between 0.5 and 1.2

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

The ONI 133 is a good product, but it gives food for thought about the possibility of switching between two power systems.

Indeed, we can completely decide to stay with the 18650 if your style of vape accommodates the limitations and you vape serenely in high but “normal” powers. But, in this case, I find the width of the product (69mm) a bit excessive for a “single” double battery.

If you decide to opt for a LiPo system, you will be able to take advantage of all the capabilities of the chipset and vape as you wish but, in this case, the price increases since you will have to proceed with the purchase of the battery and the ONI thus equipped will be at the same price as other DNA200 boxes on the market.

The choice can therefore be made according to a successful aesthetic and very correct finish, not forgetting, of course, the quality of the DNA200 engine.

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