Hi Vaping Underground members, In this review i take a look at the Swell Waterproof Kit from Vandy Vape. The Swell Waterproof 188W Kit was supplied for the purpose of this review by Ariel from Vandy Vape.
http://www.vandyvape.com/kit/kit/kit/kit/swell-kit/
Introduction
The Swell Kit is another project between Vandy Vape and Tony B and the Swell mod is packed full of features yet the device out the box is set-up in wattage mode only making it suitable for newer vapers and those that just prefer simple regulated devices. The Swell allows you to activate whichever features you prefer to set the device up to have all the features you want without carrying extra unwanted baggage. The device with batteries removed can be cleaned under the tap and also features Bluetooth for connectivity to the Vandy Vape App. The Swell comes paired with the Swell tank (very familiar) so let's give the Kit a good look and find out just how Swell it is!
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In The Box
Contents:
1 x Swell Mod
1 x Swell Tank (pre-installed triple mesh 0.15ohm coil & 3ml straight glass)
1 x Accessory bag
1 x 4.5ml Bubble glass
1 x 0.15ohm Single Mesh coil
1 x USB Cable
2 x User manual
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Aesthetics and Ergonomics
The Swell Kit came in nice fold open cardboard packaging and on opening i found i had received the Rock Black Resin panel version which like all versions comes with a Black Swell Tank. The device comes in plenty of Resin and G10 panel designs which are, Obsidian Black, Red Arowana, Brown Alligator Snapper, Green Anaconda, Blue Iguana, Violet, Rock Black, Swamp Green, Wave Blue, Flame Red, US Flag and UK Flag.
The device is lightweight being made out of plastic yet it has a high quality look and feel to it and with batteries inserted is a really nice weight in the hand. The device curves slightly outwards from top and bottom to the centre of the face of the device and the spine is evenly curved making it very comfortable to hold. On the spine we have "VANDYVAPE" carved into the plastic which shows how thick the casing is and on the face we have a large, round protruding fire button at the top followed by the screen underneath. Below the screen we have the 2 smaller, round navigational buttons lined up vertically followed by the micro USB port.
Both sides we have identical panels then moving to the base to both edges we have notches for panel removal and some branding central. Up top we have a Gold plated, spring loaded 510 in an unorthodox position with swell design surround.
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Swell Tank Specs and Features:
24mm Diameter (26mm widest point)
3.0ml Standard Juice Capacity
Included 4.5ml bubble glass
Pyrex Glass Reinforcement
Stainless Steel Construction
Threaded Top Fill System
0.15ohm Single Mesh Coil - Rated for 50-90W
0.15ohm Triple mesh Coil - Rated for 40-100W
0.3ohm Single Mesh Coil - Rated for 40-60W (not included)
Dual Slotted Bottom Airflow Control
Thread: 510
Colour: Black
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Swell Tank Overview
The Swell is a nice looking subohm tank which comes pre-installed with a 3.0ml straight glass which is indented in from the top and bottom of the tank so if it's dropped the glass won't hit the surface the tank falls on so very unlikely to break. It's pretty standard comprising of top-cap, juice port ring with attached chimney and the base section with airflow control ring. The coil gets screwed into the base and the top of the coil screws to the chimney when the tank is screwed together. The glass is secured in place top and bottom with o-rings and can easily be removed for cleaning or swapping for the included 4.5ml bubble glass. The Swell comes with a 510 wide bore Resin drip tip that has a design to match the panels on the device, the o-rings are fitted to the socket of the tank rather than the drip tip itself but other 510's will fit. The tank is very familiar looking and apart from the top-cap tapering smoothly to the drip tip rather than having a nut design i really fail to see any difference between the swell and the previous Jackeroo and Trident tanks (different names, same tank) apart from one detail. The top of the tank has an easy screw off top-fill method even if the threading is a bit crunchy, just half a turn and the top is off to reveal a generous filling port and that mentioned added detail which is a small hole to let air escape when filling. The airflow is large dual cyclops, the control ring has texturing and moves with a nice tolerance. The finish feels like a rubber paint which gives the tank a matte look which suits the Black matte finish of the device's chassis, finally we have a protruding, Gold plated 510.
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The Coils
You get supplied with 2 different coils one of which is new to the range of coils for the Jackeroo, Trident and now Swell tanks. The new coil is the pre-installed 0.15ohm Triple mesh Coil - Rated for 40-100W, the other included coil is one of the coils that came with the Jackeroo and Trident tanks which is the 0.15ohm Single Mesh Coil - Rated for 50-90W. The third available coil which isn't included is the net style 0.3ohm mesh coil rated between 40-60w which is the other coil which was included with the jackeroo and Trident Kits.
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Swell 188W Mod Specs and Features:
Size: 82mm*26mm*55mm
Power Range: 5-188w
Working Voltage: 6.4-8.4v
Working Current: <50A
Output Voltage: 0.5-7.5v
Coil Resistance Range: 0.05-3ohm
Modes: Power/TC-Ni/TC-Ti/TC-SS/ Bypass/Voltage
Turn modes and features on/off
Waterproof PCBA
Bluetooth to work alongside Vandy Vape App
Portable Size And Incredible Light Weight
Replaceable G10 & Resin Panels With Multi-Colours Options
Dual 18650 Battery With 188W
Colours: Obsidian Black, Red Arowana, Brown Alligator Snapper, Green Anaconda, Blue Iguana, Violet, Rock Black, Swamp Green, Wave Blue, Flame Red, US Flag, UK Flag
I weighed the device with and without installed batteries:
Just device = 93g
Device with installed batteries = 186g
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Fitting The Batteries
To fit the dual 18650 batteries as you look at the face of the device it's the right panel that needs removing, you can find a notch at the bottom to get your fingernail into. Battery orientation is clearly labelled on the sides of the compartment and the batteries fit deep and snug, when it comes to removing the batteries both panels need removing and you just push the batteries from the reverse side that pops them out. It is an extra step to remove the batteries but as this method means no chance of damaging wraps and it's not as if batteries need removing every few minutes i don't see it as a con. The panels fit in place by both magnets and precision press fitting, in fact the fitting is so precise i doubt if the magnets were not present it would make much difference, they are very secure and no movement whatsoever, cracking job!
___________________________________________________________________
The Display
The Display is sharp, vibrant and very bright, i think the first thing most people will look for is how to turn the brightness down. The display is clearly laid out so we have a busy yet not cluttered display giving all the needed information. Up top to the left we have our 2 battery status bars then underneath is the wattage, temperature or voltage depending which mode we are in. Then we have the mode followed by resistance on the left and voltage on the right, instead of voltage this will display wattage when in temp control or voltage modes. Next we have puffs followed by the length of your current or most recent puff, underneath is a real time progress bar. When the device is paired with a phone or tablet running the app a little mobile phone icon appears top right.
Note: All pictures showing the display is with the brightness turned right down as my camera couldn't cope with the brightness.
___________________________________________________________________
Review Continued Below:
http://www.vandyvape.com/kit/kit/kit/kit/swell-kit/
Introduction
The Swell Kit is another project between Vandy Vape and Tony B and the Swell mod is packed full of features yet the device out the box is set-up in wattage mode only making it suitable for newer vapers and those that just prefer simple regulated devices. The Swell allows you to activate whichever features you prefer to set the device up to have all the features you want without carrying extra unwanted baggage. The device with batteries removed can be cleaned under the tap and also features Bluetooth for connectivity to the Vandy Vape App. The Swell comes paired with the Swell tank (very familiar) so let's give the Kit a good look and find out just how Swell it is!
___________________________________________________________________
In The Box
Contents:
1 x Swell Mod
1 x Swell Tank (pre-installed triple mesh 0.15ohm coil & 3ml straight glass)
1 x Accessory bag
1 x 4.5ml Bubble glass
1 x 0.15ohm Single Mesh coil
1 x USB Cable
2 x User manual
___________________________________________________________________
Aesthetics and Ergonomics
The Swell Kit came in nice fold open cardboard packaging and on opening i found i had received the Rock Black Resin panel version which like all versions comes with a Black Swell Tank. The device comes in plenty of Resin and G10 panel designs which are, Obsidian Black, Red Arowana, Brown Alligator Snapper, Green Anaconda, Blue Iguana, Violet, Rock Black, Swamp Green, Wave Blue, Flame Red, US Flag and UK Flag.
The device is lightweight being made out of plastic yet it has a high quality look and feel to it and with batteries inserted is a really nice weight in the hand. The device curves slightly outwards from top and bottom to the centre of the face of the device and the spine is evenly curved making it very comfortable to hold. On the spine we have "VANDYVAPE" carved into the plastic which shows how thick the casing is and on the face we have a large, round protruding fire button at the top followed by the screen underneath. Below the screen we have the 2 smaller, round navigational buttons lined up vertically followed by the micro USB port.
Both sides we have identical panels then moving to the base to both edges we have notches for panel removal and some branding central. Up top we have a Gold plated, spring loaded 510 in an unorthodox position with swell design surround.
___________________________________________________________________
Swell Tank Specs and Features:
24mm Diameter (26mm widest point)
3.0ml Standard Juice Capacity
Included 4.5ml bubble glass
Pyrex Glass Reinforcement
Stainless Steel Construction
Threaded Top Fill System
0.15ohm Single Mesh Coil - Rated for 50-90W
0.15ohm Triple mesh Coil - Rated for 40-100W
0.3ohm Single Mesh Coil - Rated for 40-60W (not included)
Dual Slotted Bottom Airflow Control
Thread: 510
Colour: Black
___________________________________________________________________
Swell Tank Overview
The Swell is a nice looking subohm tank which comes pre-installed with a 3.0ml straight glass which is indented in from the top and bottom of the tank so if it's dropped the glass won't hit the surface the tank falls on so very unlikely to break. It's pretty standard comprising of top-cap, juice port ring with attached chimney and the base section with airflow control ring. The coil gets screwed into the base and the top of the coil screws to the chimney when the tank is screwed together. The glass is secured in place top and bottom with o-rings and can easily be removed for cleaning or swapping for the included 4.5ml bubble glass. The Swell comes with a 510 wide bore Resin drip tip that has a design to match the panels on the device, the o-rings are fitted to the socket of the tank rather than the drip tip itself but other 510's will fit. The tank is very familiar looking and apart from the top-cap tapering smoothly to the drip tip rather than having a nut design i really fail to see any difference between the swell and the previous Jackeroo and Trident tanks (different names, same tank) apart from one detail. The top of the tank has an easy screw off top-fill method even if the threading is a bit crunchy, just half a turn and the top is off to reveal a generous filling port and that mentioned added detail which is a small hole to let air escape when filling. The airflow is large dual cyclops, the control ring has texturing and moves with a nice tolerance. The finish feels like a rubber paint which gives the tank a matte look which suits the Black matte finish of the device's chassis, finally we have a protruding, Gold plated 510.
___________________________________________________________________
The Coils
You get supplied with 2 different coils one of which is new to the range of coils for the Jackeroo, Trident and now Swell tanks. The new coil is the pre-installed 0.15ohm Triple mesh Coil - Rated for 40-100W, the other included coil is one of the coils that came with the Jackeroo and Trident tanks which is the 0.15ohm Single Mesh Coil - Rated for 50-90W. The third available coil which isn't included is the net style 0.3ohm mesh coil rated between 40-60w which is the other coil which was included with the jackeroo and Trident Kits.
___________________________________________________________________
Swell 188W Mod Specs and Features:
Size: 82mm*26mm*55mm
Power Range: 5-188w
Working Voltage: 6.4-8.4v
Working Current: <50A
Output Voltage: 0.5-7.5v
Coil Resistance Range: 0.05-3ohm
Modes: Power/TC-Ni/TC-Ti/TC-SS/ Bypass/Voltage
Turn modes and features on/off
Waterproof PCBA
Bluetooth to work alongside Vandy Vape App
Portable Size And Incredible Light Weight
Replaceable G10 & Resin Panels With Multi-Colours Options
Dual 18650 Battery With 188W
Colours: Obsidian Black, Red Arowana, Brown Alligator Snapper, Green Anaconda, Blue Iguana, Violet, Rock Black, Swamp Green, Wave Blue, Flame Red, US Flag, UK Flag
I weighed the device with and without installed batteries:
Just device = 93g
Device with installed batteries = 186g
___________________________________________________________________
Fitting The Batteries
To fit the dual 18650 batteries as you look at the face of the device it's the right panel that needs removing, you can find a notch at the bottom to get your fingernail into. Battery orientation is clearly labelled on the sides of the compartment and the batteries fit deep and snug, when it comes to removing the batteries both panels need removing and you just push the batteries from the reverse side that pops them out. It is an extra step to remove the batteries but as this method means no chance of damaging wraps and it's not as if batteries need removing every few minutes i don't see it as a con. The panels fit in place by both magnets and precision press fitting, in fact the fitting is so precise i doubt if the magnets were not present it would make much difference, they are very secure and no movement whatsoever, cracking job!
___________________________________________________________________
The Display
The Display is sharp, vibrant and very bright, i think the first thing most people will look for is how to turn the brightness down. The display is clearly laid out so we have a busy yet not cluttered display giving all the needed information. Up top to the left we have our 2 battery status bars then underneath is the wattage, temperature or voltage depending which mode we are in. Then we have the mode followed by resistance on the left and voltage on the right, instead of voltage this will display wattage when in temp control or voltage modes. Next we have puffs followed by the length of your current or most recent puff, underneath is a real time progress bar. When the device is paired with a phone or tablet running the app a little mobile phone icon appears top right.
Note: All pictures showing the display is with the brightness turned right down as my camera couldn't cope with the brightness.
___________________________________________________________________
Review Continued Below:
