Sigelei 150w

Today, I'll be reviewing the Sigelei 150w box mod. This thing is an absolute monster of a device, that just so happens to be affordable - at 99.99, you'd be hard pressed finding a similarily powerful device at that price point. You can pick yours up at www.alluringvapors.com for 99.99

If you haven't caught on, the wattage/box race is on - it is almost on a weekly basis that we see a new 20w, 30w, 50w, 100w+ device hitting the market. Clearly, the community is moving quickly in this direction - we need power, we need variability, and we need it now. Capitalizing on the success of the revisioned Sigelei (the 100w+), Sigelei brings something not exactly new, but better, to the table - the Sigelei 150w box mod. Notable improvements over the 100w+ are as follows

• 150w limit
• Bottom vent is now slotted
• No waves!
• Larger button
• Fires to 0.1 ohm

Let's hit the manafacturers description

• Variable Wattage Operating Range: 10.0W – 150.0W
• Lowest Atomizer Resistance:0.1Ω
• Battery Voltage Operating Range: 6.4V – 8.4V
• Uses 2 x 18650 Batteries (Not Included)
• Size: 103mm x 23mm x 57mm
• Visual Operating System
• Low Voltage Protection
• Low Resistance Protection
• High Voltage Warning
• Short Circuit Protection
• Reverse Polarity Protection
• High Temperaturhole Warning
• Use Replaceable Battery

Sounds great, doesn't it? Let's get down to the review!

- Build Quality

The Sigelei 150w is built like a tank, and aptly so - it is only fitting that such a powerful device is durably built. To get started, the box itself features a very, very nice shape - the corners are completely rounded, and the box itself is not as large as you'd think - more or less the same size as the 100w+, it's large enough to contain the internals, but compact enough to fit comfortably in the hand. The aluminum model feels very sturdy, and the finish is a nice matte black. If you're one of those people who struggle to use phones with larger screens, you may want to try for a smaller device - however I quickly got used to it. Asthetically, I find it much more appealing than the 100w+  - it is well rounded, precisely well machined, ergonomic, all black, and ditched those damn waves.

The 510 connection is identical to the 100w+ - spring loaded. This is a god-send, and to those of you who own the 100w+, you'll be right at home. If you're coming from the original 100w device, you're in for a treat - you no longer have to fiddle with the adjustable/removable 510 pins. Some have reported that the spring wiggles, however my research shows that this relatively uncommon - the 510 in my device is sturdy and does not wiggle. The great thing in my opinion about spring loaded 510 connectors is that if you know your way around a box mod, if ever you run into positioning trouble, they're fairly easy to remove and reset. Nearly every atomizer I threw at this thing sat flush, with the exception of the Magma. The Magma is notorious for an absurdly long 510 pin, so when mounted flush, the occasional bump or removable of the atomizer can cause a fluctuation in ohms. This can be rectified by removing the atomizer, and screwing down until it is snug - over-tightening leads to the fluctuation, and will wear out your spring loaded 510.

The buttons on the device are similar to the 100w+, however they're slightly easier to press - the firing button is a bit more flush with the device, and has yet to stick, a problem I've encountered with previous models. The buttons used to ajdust the wattage are both very tactile and clicky - they definitely seem like they will hold up. To power the device on and off, you simply click the power button five times. To lock the device, hold the "+" and "-" button, and repeat to unlock. Simple and effective. I like that the buttons are so responsive, they are a slight improvement on previous models.

Internally, it is nearly identical to the 100w + - you have your dual battery sled, your ribbon, your vent holes, and your chip. The back plate is held on by four magnets, and I've got to say - they're incredibly strong. Often I wake up and in a daze accidentally install the door backwards, and this can definitely snap a magnet - fortunately so, I have yet to have this problem, which leads me to believe that they're quality magnets. The battery sled itself is held securely into the device, and the contact pins are springy, making installing and removing batteries quick, and less of a wear on the device. The solder and wiring are completely hidden by the battery sled and plastic housing, which is great - the 510 is also directly over the sled, and not the chip. This gives me a little more comfort knowing a potentially leaky atomizer won't destroy the electronics as easily as it can in other devices - though you definitely want to avoid this at any opportunity.

The chip was originally rumored to be an in-house model, but it was revealed that it is in fact the SX YiHi chip. As you may know, it is a buck down chip - Instead of boosting power, (potentially) lying and improperly regulating, the chip regulates voltage from 6.4-8.4v  to your setting - essentially, it is far more efficient than regulating voltage from 3.2 up to whatever it is set. The device runs incredibly cool, even at the lowest firing range - 0.1 ohms. I personally don't miss the days of warm, metal tubes.

The LCD screen is identical to previous models - not much to write about. You have your battery graph, your ohms, your voltage, and your wattage. Pretty simple. All in all, this is a very, very well built device, fine tuning on the improvements the 100w made, but not completely changing the game. So... how does it vape?

- Performance

The 150w is quite possibly one of the most flexible mods on the market.

Looking to jump into vaping? You the type who likes to go big or go home, purchasing higher end equipment to avoid the hassle?  It'll fire you clearomizers (with 510 threading) starting at 10w - you may want to find a suitable coil, but it's possible.

Just upgraded to one of the better clearomizers, the nautilus mini? The nautilus? It'll fire those comfortably at 12w - 18w, providing surprisingly dense, flavorful vape.

It'll fire your RDA, RBA, RTA with unbelievable flexibility . 

You want a hot vape? Build around 0.1-0.3, crank up the wattage. You want a cool, cloud chasing vape? Utilize surface area, building around 0.6-1.1 ohms, and dial down your wattage. You want to utilize battery life? Build around 0.8 - 1.3 ohms, and dial down the wattage. Want to utilize some ridiculous surface area? Build high wrap quad coils, crank up the voltage. Want cool vapor from a twisted build? Try a high surface area wrap. Let's get down to a few builds I tried...

Mutation x V2 
Dual coil, 24g, 6 wraps, 0.3 ohms at 70w - flavorful, dense, and cool. Comfortable hit 130w.

Mephisto
Dual coil, 24g twisted, 5 wraps - 0.1 ohms, at 80w it's relatively cool and cloudy, but at 150w it's very warm, very tasty, and ridiculously cloudy.

Doge RDA
Single coil, clapton 24g inner 26g outer, 6 wrap, 0.5 ohms - at 60w, this is an all day vape. Warm but not hot, unbelievable flavorful, and clouds as far as the eye can see.

With so much power, it all boils down to utilizing the potential of any particular build. At the approriate wattage, any coil can sing - you can literally get the exact vape you want, and how you want. This is my defacto all day device - it goes with me to work, when I go out, and everywhere in between. Oh, and did I mention the battery life is stupidly amazing? On two freshly charged batteries, I can get about a day and a half of use at 50 watts. Insane. Definitely something I wasn't used to. While I am speaking of batteries, I forgot to mention it is important to marry a pair of 18650s - 25a+ only, preferable new, never used. These two batteries will go with this device, and this device only, to ensure that the amperage and overall life of the battery deplete evenly. I personally purchased two Samsung 25rs, labelled them 1 and 2, and assigned #1 to the left slot, and #2 to the right. This is paramount, as I initially used two pretty old VTC4s and let me tell you, I couldn't get more than 6 hours out of the device.

VERDICT

TLDR: Buy it. Outside of an extra 50 watts, it isn't a drastic change from the 100w. The build quality is better, the shape is sleeker, and the buttons are better, but the overall design is similar. For an additional 10 dollars, you get an extra 50 watts, and an (imo) sleeker looking device. Honestly, it is one of the most affordable variable wattage box mods on the market, built to last, and backed by a six month manafacturer warranty. It is flexible, it is sleek, and it out performs nearly all of it's competition. What are you waiting for? Pop on over to www.alluringvapors.com and pick yours up today for just 99.99

Skeleton Key by HCIGAR

Today, I'll be covering the Skeleton Key clone by HCIGAR, provided by Aaron at www.smokenmist.com. It's a work of art, and I'd like to urge all my readers to stop over at www.smokenmist.com for affordable prices on a variety of mechanical mods, tanks, juice and rebuildables.

Before I start this review, I'd like to take a moment to speak to Marquis personally. Although I sincerely doubt that the creators of the authentic Skeleton Key will be reading this review in particular, I'd still like this point to somehow get across.  

The clone war will not stop, guys. Your legal team can threaten suppliers, vendors, and ebay sellers, (and rightfully so) but it is inevitable. Your device will continue to be copied, sold, and marketed with or without your patent(s) and trademark(s). As a company, I sincerely understand your objection - you have provided the community with a wonderful device, a device that contains your blood, sweat and tears - and it is being ripped from under you, and sold at a lower cost. Corners are being cut, manufacturing and QC processes aren't as strict as your manufacturing process might adhere to. While I do sympathize with you; know this. Your device IS a work of ART. You have created something so beautiful, so elegant, so profoundly efficient that it is hard to NOT clone it. With a clone available, your device can be in the hands of people who may otherwise never been able to afford something so exquisite, unique, and well made. Any publicity is good publicity, and I sincerely believe that a clone will find it's way into the hands of a user who very well may purchase the authentic - I know I will in the future, as I am impressed. Impressed enough to warrant spending 250.00+ on what is essentially a metal tube, a contact, and a switch.

The fact of the matter is, a large majority of the community simply cannot afford such a device, and while I would never, ever suggest a way to run your business or price your product, I would like you to see the other end of the spectrum- your innovative design is afforded the ability to find it's way into a larger niche of the market, something I personally find this to be invaluable - and I sincerely hope that those who own a clone of the Skeleton Key by Marquis take into consideration purchasing an authentic, as it is the only clone that has inspired me to do so personally. Feel free to email me at vapocalyptic@gmail.com if you see this message and would like to further discuss opinions and business practices, I'd love to hear from you.

With that said, the Skeleton Key by HCIGAR is a wonderful, wonderful mod, so much so I am hesitant to use it - it seems fitting that it remain on display, much like the authentic. Let's get onto the details and I'll share my thoughts.

CONSTRUCTION

- Brass 

- Three piece design (18650, 18350, 18490, and separate sleeve to use a kick)

- Telescopic silver contact pin

- Silver firing contact

- Unique locking mechanism - magnetic 360 lock ring allows it to be locked, and unlocked, with a 1/4th of a turn

- 510 connection

- 23 mm diameter

PROS

- Superior machining, boasting beautifully made threads that are buttery smooth at each juncture

- Low voltage drop, under load test showed about .23 drop

- Silver contacts that won't deteriorate and wear down like copper

- Deep, pronounced engravings, notably the Key - I doubt this is wearing off anytime soon

- Innovative lock ring that can be adjusted with just a 1/4 of a turn

CONS 

- Top caps are becoming a thing of the past - look at the 4NINE, Stingray X, Nemesis etc - the top cap is a bit gaudy and adds unnecessary length and weight, in it's absence you would notice a shorter profile and lower voltage drop

- 23 mm diameter, so not everything will sit flush

Design

In all honesty, I have yet to hold a mod as elegant as the Skeleton Key. Boasting a deep engraving on the main tube and quality laser engravings on the switch, it goes without saying that sometimes, simplicity is key. The device retains an aura of elegance without going overboard and employing a multitude of varying designs. The design was conceptualized with a hint of style and classiness, and it is safe to say HCIGAR managed to replicate this wonderfully. Pictures do not do the Skeleton Key justice - I had originally thought it to be too simplistic, lacking if you will. When it was in my hand, however, I could not help but be completely spellbound - intricacies of the engravings will captivate and amaze, even as a clone.

The mod itself is beautiful as well in brushed brass, and I can only imagine a natural patina will amplify it's antiquity and it's "days of old" inspirations. The top cap is notched, however it is is a bit too big for my taste - currently authentic owners are receiving improved flat caps. I would have liked to see HCIGAR wait and release their version with a hybrid / flat cap, but it isn't a deal breaker because the voltage drop is well within the acceptable range. A flat top cap would also afford a smaller profile - this thing is a bit big, not nearly as large as the king, though it definitely towers over my Fuhattan.

The switch, however, is something out of a dream - a cloners dream, if you will. Typically the clone community gets the short end of the stick when it comes to the switch. We have all dealt with the nightmare inducing nemesis switch, the endlessly crunchy stingray switch, and the infamous king switch. I would consider a top dollar purchase like the original just by the switch alone - it is that wonderful. I have had a ton of mods fire in my pocket, scorching my leg, decimating my high performance builds, so I find it extremely comforting to not have to worry about this ever happening.

The switch itself is brass, remaining quite conductive, however it is the design and innovation it exudes that makes me giddy with excitement. The switch itself is spring loaded, however the floating locking mechanism is magnetic. Not only does this afford trouble free operation, it also allows the Skeleton Key to be locked with just a 1/4t of a turn - I can lock, unlock, lock, unlock with just a flick of my finger, endlessly taunting my friends, who stand astonished in the inherent ease of it's  design.

Performance

Not only does the Skeleton Key marvel with it's articulate design and immaculate attention to detail, it also performs extremely well - I would go as far to say that it hands down trumps my entire collection. I ran a few different setups on it and compared them to my fuhattan

Skeleton Key with a Mephisto RDA - .4 dual coil

Skeleton Key with a Stillare V3  .2 dual coil

Skeleton Key with a Tugboat .8 twisted single coil

I tested each dripper on both the Manhattan and Skeleton key and hands down, the Skeleton Key put out denser, longer clouds than the fuhattan - a completely copper mod! Naysayers will have you believe that copper is the most conductive material to use although it is not. Silver is in fact the most electrically conductive metal. To think that HCIGAR managed to authenticate and implement high quality silver contacts at an affordable price is something out of a dream, I'd say. I absolutely love the telescopic contact feature - it is actually quite easy to adjust for battle rattle with just a few slight turns, and because it is a two piece design, I do not have to spend much time getting it right.

With that said, the Skeleton Key by HCIGAR is also surprisingly user friendly - I have been able to fire a variety of drippers without having to constant fiddle with the telescopic pin, or deal with battery rattle. I have yet to pair it with a tank or dripper that it refuses to fire - something I can't say for what is unfortunately quite a few mods in my collection.

Final thoughts

Without going off on a clone war tangent, I will just say this - I support the clone movement. I do prefer logoless designs, as I do not care for "made in the U.S.A" and 1:1 logo/design replications - imitation is the best form of flattery, but theft is always theft. I hope that the market comes to an agreement on the clone war soon, so that everybody can shut up and vape! After all, that's all we're trying to do, right?

With that said, the Skeleton Key by HCIGAR is hands down, the nicest clone on the market, at least in my experience. I would place this over the fuhattan, stingray x, nemesis, panzer, king, tree of life, caravela, stingray (in all it's incarnations), hades, etc - I have owned countless, and none of them stack up to the Skeleton key by HCIGAR.

It is well made. It is conductive as all hell. It hits like a turbo charged train. It has no noticeable construction or quality flaws. It has inspired me to purchase the authentic.

This is the real deal, folks. Shoutout to Aaaron at www.smokenmist.com he is a hell of a guy and a pleasure to do business with. Be sure to stop by and pick up a mod or some juice, his Strawberry Monroe a mothers milk killer - yes, I said that. Be sure to follow us on instagram @_vapocalyptic and @smokenmist.

PS: www.smokenmist.com has had to remove the Skeleton Key. If you're interested in purchasing the brass version for 34.99, please contact support@smokenmist.com. The copper version is 50.00. Thank you!

As always, vape strong and live long people.