XFeng 230W by Snowwolf

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: Wholesaler Francochine 
• Price of the tested product: ~ 70 / 80 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: 7.5 V
• Minimum value in Ohm resistance for a start: Less than 0.1

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

After a consistent VFeng that had seduced by its Transformer aesthetic and a nice quality of realization, Snowwolf comes back to us with the XFeng, a new box 230W still housing and presenting an interesting design.

Although strongly supported by Sigelei, Snowwolf has never really managed to establish itself beyond the group of brand aficionados and is struggling to find its way to the general public. The fault, certainly, with a deficit of image in an ecosystem where the brands which have the wind in their sails keep it long enough. The fault also, undoubtedly, with a lack of technological innovations.

However, the manufacturer does not hesitate to leave from time to time boxes which have the merit of being apart in the mono-cultural movement of Chinese products where a good product is copied endlessly by the competition.

Also, it is with interest that we take the XFeng in hand, the last offspring of a family which, against all odds, aims to grow and prosper. The price is unavailable as I write this review but should be between 70 and 80 €, a mid-range segment where the competition is particularly fierce.

Available in three colors, the latest addition throws enough to seduce at first glance. Will this seduction keep all its promises? This is what we will endeavor to define. 

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 30
• Product Length or Height in mm: 89 x 49
• Product weight in grams: 260
• Materials composing the product: zinc alloy, PMMA
• Form Factor Type: Classic Box 
• Decorative Style: BD Universe
• 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: 2
• 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: 3.6 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

Aesthetically, the XFeng is a fairly traditional rectangular parallelepiped which has measurements quite in line with the standard for this type of object. The four ridges are arched in their center to achieve a stylish effect and the main front as well as the back are covered with two plastic X-shaped inserts in relief, the first housing a 1.30 ′ oled screen and the buttons of interface, the second the brand logo, a stylized wolf face, Fuu style. 

On the two narrow sides, there are five molded slots which accommodate stainless steel parts with a multitude of holes, probably to cool the chipset in operation. These elements bring above all an appreciable visual added value, thus declining the robotic aspect of the box. On one of these sides, the almost invisible USB port takes up a discreet place. 

The bodywork is painted with a so-called “jungle” decoration which rather evokes the urban jungle with its tags and graffiti. Aesthetically, it is therefore successful, especially if you are sensitive to the street art type. The general shape is pleasing to the eye, avoids the clichés inherent in the genre and the painted fresco attracts sympathy.

However, as will be the case with the XFeng, when the temperature rises, the cold is never far away.

Thus, the design is successful, of course, but the handling is rather unpleasant. The liveliness of the edges, the large pieces of plastic, the general shape made of broken and interrupted lines make the touch quite mediocre and the tactile pleasure unfortunately does not add up to the pleasure of the eyes. Nothing disqualifying and I suppose some will find it perfect this way, but some effort could have been made to ensure that an object made to be held in the hand fulfills this function in a more sensual way. Thus, the paint is grainy to the touch where a softer, more fluffy contact would have made it possible to lessen the shock. 

The same is true for machining. There are very precise adjustments to the bodywork and the finishes are flawless here. On the other hand, the switch and the interface buttons rattle in their respective housings and the plastic materials which are dedicated to them seem to belong to the past. If their action is not uncomfortable strictly speaking, the notion of perceived quality actually takes second place.

The top-cap has a correct plate, striated so as to be able to convey the air for the atomizers taking their airflow by the connection. The positive pin is spring loaded, probably in gold plated brass and does not pose any particular problem. One can ask the question of the interest of a recess of flat screw on the contactor which is not useful for much, except to upset the conductivity. 

The battery hatch conventionally consists of undoing the rear panel, firmly secured by magnets to the main element. The holding of the hood, the quality of the interior treatment and the functionality of the battery cradle will not pose any problem, it is well done. 

A very clear square Oled screen sits on the main facade and can be broken down into two very distinct interfaces. The first borrows a little from the Smok universe and offers very graphic circles. The second is more classic but just as effective. Both offer colors to differentiate crucial information. We thus find the current power or temperature, the voltage delivered in real time, the resistance value, that of the programmable pre-heat and, finally, the energy gauge, also in real time even if I ' admit, but it's very personal, that this type of system seems to me to be quite anxious ... 😉

In the end, hot meets cold and we are surprised to hope that the brand will be able, in the future, to rely as much on tactile pleasure, which is also important, as visual pleasure.

Functional features

• Type of chipset used: Owner
• Connection type: 510
• 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, Display of the vape time since a certain date, Temperature control of the atomizer coils, Adjustment of the display brightness, 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? 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 mm of compatibility with an atomizer: 26
• 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

The house chipset operates according to the two traditional modes of operation.

We therefore have a variable power mode, classic, which goes from 10 to 230W and that we increase or decrease in steps of one tenth of a watt up to 100W and in steps of 1 W beyond. I am very pleased to note a feature offered by the screen which will display the number in red as soon as you choose a power which, coupled with the value of your resistance, will exceed the possible 7.5V that the box can send. It's smart and very educational. Much better than the boxes which only sag in this same case without saying why. 

The Power mode, since it is so called, is coupled with a pre-heat, a module allowing to refine the curve of the output signal and thus obtain a personalized vape rendering. Nothing new here, we have the traditional choice between HARD for a momentary boost, NORMAL to touch nothing and SOFT to start smoothly as well as a USER item which allows a personalized setting that you can adjust in watt value and time . 

The temperature control mode is also present. It operates between 100 and 300 ° C in steps of one degree. The manual states that the two available modes can be used between 0.05 and 3Ω, which leaves me wondering. I did not dare to mount my clothesline on my dripper to check the lowest level in variable power because my clothes were drying but I very much doubt that the temperature control can operate at 3Ω! 

Speaking of temperature control, it natively accepts the following resistives: SS304, SS316, SS317, Ni200 and Ti1. It doubles as a TCR mode allowing you to implement by yourself the heating coefficients of your favorite resistive. It should be noted that it will be essential for a serene use of this mode to calibrate your resistance cold and to lock it. Otherwise, the system gets lost very quickly and becomes unusable. 

There is also the possibility of adjusting the contrast of the screen, to view the remaining voltage in each battery, to change the screen format and to activate or not the energy saving function. This one did not seem to me very efficient in addition, I do not obtain any difference if it is on or off. (?)

The general ergonomics have been correctly worked out and, if we except the obligation to precisely pre-adjust the resistance in temperature control mode which sends us back some time, we notice that the user is very well guided in its learning and use. 

On balance, it is correct. Not revolutionary but correct.

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

Snowwolf went all out for the packaging of the XFeng by offering us a metal box like a sugar box, particularly well highlighted by a nice design work. 

It has a very dense foam, guaranteeing the arrival in perfect condition of your model, which accommodates the box, a charging cable, the various and varied papers which are the joy of my trash and a notice. This is in English but don't worry if you are allergic to foreign languages ​​as it also speaks Chinese and Russian.

In real, a very beautiful packaging, very rewarding, worthy of what should be the packaging of high-end mods.

Appreciations in use

• Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for a Jean side pocket (no discomfort)
• Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Easy, even standing on the street, with a simple Kleenex
• 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

The XFeng ensures a quality vape that changes in variable power. The signal is correct at mid-power but gets a bit messy when you go up the watt scale. I blame it on a very (too!) Delicate chipset with resistance values ​​that change every second. I understand the engineer's need to show the best possible precision but this is sometimes done to the detriment of the simple pleasure of vaping. Here, it displays 0.52, then 0.69, then 0.62…. the round is infernal ... where an SX Mini persists in oscillating between 0.52 and 0.54 ... which seems to me more likely and above all more conducive to stabilizing the power calculation algorithm. 

Thus, we sometimes hesitate between perfect puffs, too hot puffs or anemic puffs according to the wishes of the chipset. Of course, rascal as I know you, you will imagine that it is my assembly which makes its own… 😉 Unfortunately for you, I tested the XFeng with a dozen atomizers and we end up with the same problem. 

Problem which is reduced with the temperature control mode… It is necessary to calibrate the resistance when cold, that is to say, it's old school but normal but, in addition, it must be locked. Ok, this is still normal. But blocking the resistance, unavailable in variable power, stabilizes the system and makes the vape more pleasant. Here, the rendering is correct and, even if we observe some rather discreet pumping effects, the flavors are finally revealed. 

It is quite rare that a mod can be more precise and less capricious in temperature control than in variable power. This is the specificity of the XFeng. 

For the rest, we are not bad. The protections are numerous and allow a safe vape. But the general impression is nevertheless tarnished by the somewhat stiff grip, a chipset probably not perfectly developed and a finish that alternates excellence and setbacks in the same format.

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: Aspire Revvo, Tech Flave Alliance, Taifun GT3, Goon
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: Yours…

was the product liked by the reviewer: Bof, it's not the craze

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 3.9 / 5

The mood ticket of the reviewer

Nothing to add. I can't say that I was wowed by the XFeng beyond the wow effect at first glance. Without being a discount box, our product of the day seems to be a little behind the competition at the electronic level and the vape rendering is negatively affected. 

A firmware upgrade should be able to resolve these few bugs, but it is not yet available. I hope that the manufacturer will act quickly, it would be a shame to leave it as it is, especially since the cosmetic and finishing qualities, if they can be improved, are still present.

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