iStick 30w

I've gotta say, it seems a bit odd reviewing this device with a Sigelei 150w in my hand, but personally...it's a pretty kickass little thing. I'd like to thank MtBakerVapor for the shot at reviewing it, the wait was definitely worth it. 

Here, take some specifications, you know you want too.

• Atomizer short-circuit protection: 
• If atomizer short-circuits, the OLED screen show “Atomizer Short”.
• 10s firing cut-off.
• Low-voltage protection: 
• Once the battery is below 3.3V the OLED screen will show “Lock”, which means its time to recharge.
• Unlock the Low-voltage Protection:
• The iStick begins working again once it reaches 3.7V.
• OLED Screen.
• Voltage range varies from 2.0V - 8.0V.
• Click power button three times while battery is on to switch from VV to VW mode.
• Passthrough style battery lets you vape while you charge.
• 2200mAh internal Li-Ion Battery.
• Power on/off: Press the button for five times to turn the iStick on and off.
• Low power Alert:
• If the battery’s power is lower than 10%, the power symbol on the screen will flash.
• Supports sub-ohm coils.
• Accurate Metering.

Okay, reviews done, I'm going to sleep.

Just kidding. Wouldn't want MBV to sick those crazy bunch of bastards in GWAR on my ass for running off with such a sweet device. Though, actually, I'd get to meet them, so maybe...ah okay.

First Impression

Man, this is one tiny device. Seriously, it's like half the size of a standard DNA 30w mod, and that's incredible. When you consider a 2200mAh lipo and circuit board are packed into here, you've got to respect the design, you've just got too. It looks sleek and modern, a no frills approach if you will. No odd contours, no out of the box adaptations, just a straight forward, compact, 30 watt box mod. I really like how well it fit into the palm of my hand, it's a very discrete, stealthy piece of engineering. I imagined I'd have some trouble with it, considering my hands are on the larger size, however it felt incredibly natural, and was a nice change of pace from the larger, dual battery box mods.

Build Quality

At 34.99, a hair more than 1 dollar per watt, you've got to ask...okay china, what did you skimp out on? Surprisingly, I've found very little faults to knock in the build quality. It does not have the heft of the IPV series, it does not have intricate engravings, temperature control, nothing. However, it is built very, very nicely.

The actual box feels like it's worth a bit more than the MSRP, despite any real weight to it. In this instance, heft does not dictate quality, and though it feels much like a toy, it is a true powerhouse. The device feels solid, head to do. The spring loaded 510 has quite a bit of give, with all atomizers sitting flush, threading effortlessly. I do not own the 20w, but it is great that eLeaf employed the spring loaded pin, something that is always a welcome addition. Speaking of, it is also now 22mm in diameter, something that will certainly ease the minds of obsessive compulsive vapors the world over. 

The screen is remarkably bright, crisp, and clear. It's on the small side, clearly, but it definitely looks more than a modicum sharper than quite a few other "premium" devices.

One little grip I have with the build quality, however, are the buttons. They certainly work, and have yet to stick, misfire, or show any sign of unresponsiveness....but they just feel weird. It is almost as if the firing switch and adjustment switches are surrounded by rubber. It has no click, no real response, it's as if you're pushing into rubber. This absolutely frustrates me, but it is nit-picky at best if the buttons function as intended, and they do. Outside of that, it is built remarkably well, even offering a USB port to support charging. The port is sturdy, and does not move a bit.

Sadly, however, it is on the bottom of the device. I understand a bit of engineering and schematics go into placing it elsewhere, but seriously, with innovation beating down doors daily, you'd think more companies would opt out for a side-charger. It just works better if it can stand up right, but this is more of a personal thing, at best.

Performance

Over the course of a week or so, the iStick 30w was my faithful in car companion. You see, I lack the coordination required to drip and drive, and although I probably shouldn't, I do anyway. With a reasonable powered device at my side, it's worlds easier to throw an RTA or tank on this sucker and keep it handy at those inopportune moments..especially in Arizona, where drivers go to crash.

Frankly, it holds up incredibly well. With a 0.4 ohm limit, it has a wide variety of range, only shying from the ultra-sub ohm, super cloudchasers (and really, this device is far from any of those peoples radars, as it's simply counterproductive.) However, many are content at the 0.4 range, effectively able to chase reasonably dense, large clouds, if they so choose. 

It's nice to have the option, really. With 260w+ mods out there, 30w may seem archaic, but coupled with the right amp limit, it's quite a reasonable amount of power for even the more power hungry people. A nice 0.4 ohm dual coil build at 30w may take a second to ramp up, but when those coils get heating, it's hard to trump the experience in price range. On the opposite side of that spectrum, a nice 1.6 ohm coil at 12-18 watts is also a very enjoyable, satisfying experience. Honestly, it makes me wish that these devices were available when I started, because those both new and old to the market have so much variety at their hands, that some of us did not. You can literally throw this device at almost anything and get a great beginner, intermediate, or even advanced setup. For instance,

Paired with an Aspire Mini, running somewhere around 13-15 watts, you can get a very respectable amount of vapor and unbeatable taste, a true leg-up for those looking to trash the habit for good.

Moving up the ladder, paired with a Sub Tank, or perhaps at Goblin, running anywhere between 14-30 watts, you've got a killer RTA setup that won't break the bank. When you factor in that those particular tanks aren't as power hungry as their counterparts (namely the atlantis and artic) you've got a great flavorchasing setup.

Finally, paired with something like the Atlantis, or maybe even an RBA such as the mutation, you've got the ability to chase clouds, though you may want to look into higher wattage devices at that point. While it is possible, somebody coming from 50w+ or mechanical devices will certainly scoff, as it just can't handle the kind of power users like that are accustomed too. 

Regardless, the flexibility of the iStick 30w is undeniable, and the staying power is nigh unchangeable. At 34.99, you just can't argue with 30 watts, especially when it's so neatly packaged in a compact box.

So, pro's and cons.....

PROS

• Compact
• 30w of power
• USB charging capability (as yes, it is also passthrough)
• Spring loaded 510
• Beauty ring included
• 22mm Diameter
• Versatile device
• Affordable
  
  Cons
• 2200 mAh battery - can last some two days, others, not so much. Lower wattage builds lead to longer battery life, so while you can go down to 0.4 ohms, don't expect to stay long at 30 watts.
• Silly charging port location

Honestly, at the price point, you just cannot go wrong. If I could, I'd have two or three in my collection, as they serve as handy, powerful compact boxes to keep in the car, or as a spare. I entirely believe this is an all day device for some people, and to those who have yet to get into the super serious cloud chasing/higher wattage game, this definitely has some staying power, even with the 50w on the market. The good thing about saturation is the price will slowly drop even more, so for those who have no need to go over 30w, I absolutely, sincerely recommend you look into the eLeaf iStick 30w device.