Swallowtail 75A by Sigelei

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor who has loaned the product for the magazine: Do not wish to be named.
• Price of the tested product: 58.90 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: 75 watts
• Maximum voltage: 7.5
• Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: 0.1

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

For all those who have lived the prehistory of the vape, Sigelei is a name that speaks!

Indeed, if the birth of this brand is lost in the mists of time of the cloud makers, we owe it legendary mods, like the ZMax, objects that made us dream even though they offered to vape at 15W and accepted resistances of 1.2Ω !!!! Well, of course, nowadays, nobody would fantasize anymore but, at a certain time, if you could not afford a Provari (RIP) whose price by weight was equivalent to that of a new Rolls , it was the type of “trippy” stuff that allowed us to make pretty clouds and participate in this extraordinary adventure of the development of vaping.

Then followed a few darker years for the brand which lost its leadership by releasing products that were struggling to keep up with market trends and technological innovations.

Fortunately, this period is now behind Sigelei whose latest productions show that the Chinese manufacturer has taken the measure of the evolutions of the vape and offers products in total adequacy with the demand.

It is therefore at this key moment that the Swallowtail 75A was born, a box displaying 77W on the meter, single 18650 battery and presenting a very particular aesthetic. It offers a traditional variable power mode and a most complete offer in terms of temperature control mode.

Offered, in this version, around 59 €, it has in focus a certain competitor, the Joyetech Evic VTwo Mini, almost a standard in this level of range and at this level of power. The fight will be tough because the champion benefits from a great reliability and a coast of love which does not weaken but the challenger, as we will see it, is not deprived of assets, on the contrary.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width and length of the product in mm: 35 x 44
• Product height in mm: 86
• Product weight in grams: 197.5
• Material constituting the product: Stainless steel, Zinc alloy / Alu
• Form Factor Type: Classic Box - VaporShark type
• 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): Very good, the button is responsive and does not make any noise
• Number of parts in the product: 2
• Number of threads: 2
• 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: 4.7 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

If we had to stick to simple aesthetics, the match would end in a knockout in the first round.

Indeed, where Joyetech plays the card of safety and sobriety by displaying a reassuring rectangular design but devoid of any artistic inclination, Sigelei strikes very hard by taking the risk of proposing a quasi-original and perfectly thought out form.

Beautiful to die for, the Swallowtail is full of curves and voluptuous curves. The grip is simply divine and, even if its size is a (little) little more imposing, it wins the point by a new grip comfort. No angular edge comes to thwart the palm or the fingers and the softness of the material, the granularity of the paint and the absence of angles lead to a very sensual tactile side. It has this ultimate elegance to be forgotten, by its featherweight and the total symbiosis between its shape and the palm hollow.

But that's without counting on a perfectly accomplished design that comes in three available versions, which correspond to three different prices. At the top of the basket, the main material will be stabilized wood which will offer a host of possible colors and the nobility of its material as a major argument. Of course, the price will be high, higher than 140 €. In the mid-range, we will find a resin version, available around 120 €, whose shine of the material and the multitude of color variations available will be a perfect asset for those who want to stand out. At the entry level, and this is the model we are talking about today, the beautiful offers an aluminum / zinc alloy and a grainy and speckled finish, very successful, for a price of around 59 €.

In all cases, the three plates, which are the top-cap, the bottom-cap and the front including the control screen, are made of zinc / aluminum alloy, the shapes of which have been designed and molded so as to fit perfectly the curves of the body. Although the colors may differ, the material is identical and therefore gives a common visual identity to the three versions of the collection. In all cases too, the chipset remains the same.

The control buttons, three in number, are made of metal and are perfectly suited to the situation. Thus, the switch or the [+] and [-] buttons are very well integrated in their respective housings, do not rattle and are very reactive, signaling with a solid and solid click the support of your finger. 

The Oled screen is very clear and all the information is easy to read. I salute in passing the strong enough contrast which means that, even in outdoor use in full sun, visibility is not impaired.

The top-cap includes a stainless steel plate for depositing your atomizer, whose deep grooves can, if necessary, convey air for the atomizers which take their airflow through the connection. The positive pin, in brass, is mounted on a spring, the tension of which has been judiciously calibrated to oppose a certain resistance and therefore to avoid possible leaks towards the inside of the box but which still has the flexibility necessary to install any type. of ato regardless of the length of their 510 connection.

The front panel, in addition to the control buttons, contains a micro-USB port to charge the battery. It also allows the possible upgrade of the chipset by a computer junction even if, for the moment, no upgrade seems available. 

The bottom-cap has cooling vents to ventilate the chipset and maintain a good operating temperature. It also has a brass plug, to screw / unscrew, serving as access to put or remove the 18650 battery required. Even if I'm not a fan of this closing principle, I admit that everything is well machined and we immediately find the beginning of the thread to close the battery hole. A slightly more generous material thickness would undoubtedly avoid the “hardware” effect of the stopper itself. However, this has slits allowing possible degassing in the event of a major problem. 

The battery is positioned positive towards the bottom of the hole, the corresponding pole of which, mounted on a spring, facilitates insertion and closing. The screw thread of the cap being very short, it validates this choice by an easy and fast handling.

The general finish of the object calls for no reproach and would even be up to the higher category. Even at a low price, at least in this version, we have an impression of solidity and the various adjustments are very well done, almost worthy of a high-end mod. Four visible torx screws make it possible to separate the plates from the body but their position seems to be part of the general aesthetic. The devil, they say, is in the details. Here, no wolf, it's clean!

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 charge of the batteries, Display of the resistance value, Protection against short circuits from the atomizer, Protection against reverse polarity of the batteries, Display of the current vape voltage , Display of the power of the current vape, Temperature control of the atomizer resistors, Support the update of its firmware, Clear diagnostic messages
• Accusability: 18650
• Does the mod support stacking? Yes
• 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? 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? Yes
• Maximum diameter in mms 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

A beautiful body is nothing if the engine that equips it is not in unison. Can you imagine a three-cylinder in a Ferrari?

Users of 213 and other Fuchaï will not be disconcerted because the Swallowtail chipset is modeled on the same proven principles and presents up-to-date features that have nothing to envy to the leaders of the genre, be they much more Dear.

Thus, we have several modes of operation that Sigelei offers us:

The variable power mode:

Completely traditional, this mode operates between 10W and 77W on a resistance scale between 0.1 and 3Ω just like the temperature control mode. The power is incremented or decremented by tenths of a watt and, when the [+] button or the [-] button is pressed for a long time, the digits scroll quite quickly. The maximum output voltage is 7.5V and the intensity is 28A, which remains very comfortable and I recommend the use of a battery to reach this peak value.

The temperature control mode: 

This mode gives access to several types of resistive wire already implemented in the chipset. So we have the traditional NI200, titanium and three stainless steel: 304, 316L and 317L. A nice panoply, therefore, which will allow you to face almost the majority of possible situations ...

TCR mode:

... and if this was not the case and whether you are in love with NiFe or Ni80, Nichrome, kanthal or why not money, you can also use these wires in temperature control by implementing them yourself. heating coefficient, now easy to find on forums or blogs, on the five available memories dedicated to this purpose in TCR mode.

TFR mode:

This mode, which is a little less widespread than the previous ones, is however starting to get a lot of attention because, derived from the TCR mode, it nevertheless refines its settings in order to benefit from increased precision in temperature control. We know that temperature influences the resistance of a wire and its heating coefficient. This is also why it is advisable to calibrate the resistance of a cold atomizer when using it in temperature control mode. The TFR mode therefore takes this into account and offers you to implement not a single heating coefficient but five, according to pre-established temperatures: 100 °, 150 °, 200 °, 250 ° and 300 °. Thus, your box is ready to recalculate the voltage necessary to send whatever the temperature reached by the coil. Temperature control thus becomes total and very precise.

Beyond these numerous and complete modes, we also have a pre-heat function which therefore consists, over a period between 0.1 and 9.99s, of programming a different power so as to boost a diesel assembly a little by printing it for example 5W more for 1s or to calm a very reactive assembly so as to avoid a dry-hit as long as the capillarity is not perfectly initiated by putting 3W less for 0.5s. This feature is invaluable and really useful in everyday vaping. A slight excess of zeal pushed Sigelei to pre-program an ultra long delay of 9.99s while the cut-off is 10s, no doubt thinking that some would like to take advantage of a hundredth of a second of the displayed power…. 😉 Well, who can do the most can do the least so we will not raise… ^^

The ergonomics of the Swallowtail have been particularly worked on and we tame the box in a few minutes:

1. Five clicks switch the box on or off.
2. Three clicks allow access to different modes. Then, just let yourself be guided.
3. Simultaneous pressing on the [+] and the switch gives access to the settings of the pre-heat, simple.
4. Simultaneous pressing on the [-] and the switch will lock the adjustment knobs. Ditto for unlocking. 
5. In temperature control mode, pressing [+] and [-] at the same time gives access to resistance calibration. A parameter allowing you to read this value (Read), another allowing you to lock it (Lock) on the value previously read by the box. I remind you that a resistance calibration is done when the coil is at room temperature, that is to say when the atomizer has not been used for a few minutes.

It remains for me to say that you can also enter the parameters of your vape by computer (and so take advantage of future upgrades) using the available software here for WIndows et here for Mac. You can also consult the installation operations and the software user manual here for Windows et here for Mac.

The screen displays the power or the operating temperature, the resistance of your coil, the voltage delivered, the voltage remaining in the battery, the output current and a bar graph indicating the charge level of the battery.  

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? We make fun of us!
• Presence of a user manual? No
• Is the manual understandable for a non-English speaker? No
• Does the manual explain ALL features? No

Vapelier's note on packaging: 0.5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

Well, it needed a flaw in this idyllic picture and it is here.

The packaging is needy.

Beyond the acrylic box which does not protect anything, we find the box, still happy, but that's it. No USB / micro USB cable, almost the first to my knowledge. And not the slightest manual either! Find out for yourself, this is the meaning of the signal given by Sigelei with this packaging in the form of a bitch!

As I feel in a friendly mood, you can download here the textbook (of which one of the proposed translations is in French medium level kindergarten section). 

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: 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: 5/5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

After this cold shower concerning a packaging that we would like more substantial in the future, we are left with happiness ...

Both in variable power mode and in temperature control mode, the box behaves in a royal way! If the ergonomics, as we have seen, greatly simplify the use, it is above all the quality of the rendering that sticks out.

The vape is precise and powerful. Moreover, we feel, in comparison with other boxes of the same category, a power slightly higher than the standard. The signal smoothing is perfect and its total control. The calculation algorithms programmed by the firm are nickels and the chipset is a dream. Reliable, constant whatever the charge of the battery, there are no faults in its behavior, regardless of the type and resistance of the coil you use.

The autonomy remains correct, probably slightly lower than the competition with identical battery. 

But the aesthetic compromise / size / weight / performance / autonomy remains one of the best that I have seen at this price level. 

It is, for me, a real blow of heart and of reason.

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 atomizer whose diameter does not exceed 25mm will be welcome
• Description of the test configuration used: Unimax, Saturn, Taifun GT3 and various liquids
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: An atomizer in 22 not too high, for the look. A mini Conqueror for example.

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

Perfection does not exist, I see it every morning when I shave. But yet, some approach it and it's annoying! 

Sigelei hit very, very hard with a beautiful, powerful, inexpensive Swallowtail with a precise and powerful rendering and devilishly addictive! Apart from the necessary reproach concerning the packaging (shit, guys, you have not assured!), I see nothing here that can obscure the perfect panorama of vape that this product offers us, a real UFO in current production.

Far from the tense and aggressive lines that are legion at the moment among Chinese manufacturers, the Swallowtail imposes its callipyge beauty and its physical voluptuousness. But it is at the time of the vape test that everyone is silent because Sigelei does better than compete with the benchmarks of the mid-range mod market. And the other manufacturers, who are however on the rise at the moment, may well have concerns.

Top mod, of course, for this atypical object and yet thoroughly in the race.

(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.