iStick TC200W, Three 18650 Cells Mod From Eleaf vs. RX200, Thoughts?

[Vapomizer]

Eleaf just released the iStick TC200W. Powered by three 18650 cells with 200w maximum output and upgradeable firmware.

http://www.eleafworld.com/istick-tc200w/

First Impressions:

1- Size: 57mm*37mm*84mm pretty bulky compared to the RX200, no information about weight or build material/alloy yet.

2- Fire button placement is on the thick side of it which has not been seen before, i am not sure if it is within comfortable reach of thumb and index fingers, also placed on top of that wide plastic strip with the potential of a lot of fingerprints and smudges around that button.

3- 200W max output at release with 250W upgrade to follow few weeks later like it is the Joyetech tradition lately.

4- Max Amps output not known at this point, hope it is more than 25A!

5- Despite the screen being on the wide side of the device, it still uses traditional landscape layout with limited space for data, as apposed to the portrait layout which displays puff counter, amp draw, smart mode ... etc

6- Flip-open Battery Cover like the Cuboid and Sigelei 213, is that the new trend? i don't find that as reliable as traditional magnetic battery doors.

7- New Joyetech Dual Circuit Protection which has both software and hardware battery protections of over-charging, over-current and over-discharging, this looks good to prevent venting and blowing up hazards under several conditions.

8- 510 connector looks deeper than traditional Joyetech's 510, is the problem with tanks with long and/or protruding 510 now solved? also placed on the middle front side of the top of the device, making this compatible with all the 25mm RTAs flooding the market lately.

9- Batteries setup in series with two extra connectors to seemingly provide individual cell monitoring and charging, they state:

"The cells can also be charged in the iStick TC200W through the side USB port via 1A wall adapter or computer"

Did they actually implemented a fully functional 1A balance charger?

What are your thoughts? is this a better buy over the RX200?

 

[JERUS]

That looks quite wide. The RX200 is simply perfectly fitting for the hand. Also where you say 2 in parallel one in series, pretty sure it'll be all in series, but to have 3 in series it means 2 have to face the same way which may prompt the assumption of 2 in parallel, or did you read that somewhere, seems odd and dangerous to do so (you could technically have reversed orientation batteries in parallel, or same orientation batteries in series, it'd just be inefficient to do so, the connections are what is key not battery orientation). Also what has me curious is what that third button by the up/down is for? Overall the RX200 is simply a wonderful device. This would have to offer a lower minimum wattage mode resistance to have me consider it most likely. That's my 2 cents.

 

[Vapomizer]

That looks quite wide. The RX200 is simply perfectly fitting for the hand. Also where you say 2 in parallel one in series, pretty sure it'll be all in series, but to have 3 in series it means 2 have to face the same way which may prompt the assumption of 2 in parallel, or did you read that somewhere, seems odd and dangerous to do so (you could technically have reversed orientation batteries in parallel, or same orientation batteries in series, it'd just be inefficient to do so, the connections are what is key not battery orientation). Also what has me curious is what that third button by the up/down is for? Overall the RX200 is simply a wonderful device. This would have to offer a lower minimum wattage mode resistance to have me consider it most likely. That's my 2 cents.

You could most probably be correct, an all series setup for a nominal combined voltage of 11.1v, here is the battery orientation

 

[JERUS]

Yeah most likely series
.

Think of those series arrangements in alternating orientations to lower the distance of connections, and that's how we see most regulated mods.

 

[Vapomizer]

Yeah most likely series
.

Think of those series arrangements in alternating orientations to lower the distance of connections, and that's how we see most regulated mods.

Thanks, OP corrected accordingly

 

[Vapomizer]

Also what has me curious is what that third button by the up/down is for?

That is a dedicate mode button, holding it switches between VW/Ni/Ti/SS/TCR, same as in the iStick TC100W, i also use it to activate the screen without changing any settings or firing, it is also used in combination with +/- to change wattage up and down in TC mode. just an extra dedicated button instead of 3-4 consecutive clicks on the fire button to enter menu mode like it is the case with the RX200/Cuboid

 

[JERUS]

That is a dedicate mode button, holding it switches between VW/Ni/Ti/SS/TCR, same as in the iStick TC100W, i also use it to activate the screen without changing any settings or firing, it is also used in combination with +/- to change wattage up and down in TC mode. just an extra dedicated button instead of 3-4 consecutive clicks on the fire button to enter menu mode like it is the case with the RX200/Cuboid

That's pretty neat. Not sure it's worth what seems like the extra size, but I do like that feature, always felt like a few extra buttons would be nice, but that's also why I'm a PC over Mac kind of guy

 

[Vapomizer]

That's pretty neat. Not sure it's worth what seems like the extra size, but I do like that feature, always felt like a few extra buttons would be nice, but that's also why I'm a PC over Mac kind of guy

I actually like that 3rd button on my TC100W a lot, use it frequently to just activate the screen to check my settings before taking a vape, coz if you just click it once without holding, it does not change anything other than just activating the screen, also the wattage up/down in TC mode is very practical, many people complain that it is a pain to get your setting just right with this method, but i do not find it so, once you get the hang/timing of the accelerator, it is very easy to arrive at the exact wattage setting you want, the only down side is that you need two hands to do it, so if i am talking on the phone for example and want to change my wattage in TC i have to ask the other party to hold, put the phone down, change wattage with two hands, and then pick the phone up again .. LOL

 

[JERUS]

I actually like that 3rd button on my TC100W a lot, use it frequently to just activate the screen to check my settings before taking a vape, coz if you just click it once without holding, it does not change anything other than just activating the screen, also the wattage up/down in TC mode is very practical, many people complain that it is a pain to get your setting just right with this method, but i do not find it so, once you get the hang/timing of the accelerator, it is very easy to arrive at the exact wattage setting you want, the only down side is that you need two hands to do it, so if i am talking on the phone for example and want to change my wattage in TC i have to ask the other party to hold, put the phone down, change wattage with two hands, and then pick the phone up again .. LOL

Perks of my meaty fingers, I could do it at the same time! , but yes sounds nice. And it's a bit less frustrating than the RX200's locking feature where if I try to lock it to avoid accidental changes I end up screwing up the simultaneous pressing half a dozen times before I get it right (also why do we have fractions of wattage, never seemed to find much difference in it that'd make it worth having other than frustrating me).

 

[fckaugust8th]

But keep in mind the RX200 can be upgraded to 250W!

 

[Vapomizer]

But keep in mind the RX200 can be upgraded to 250W!

I bet this one will be upgraded too in a week or two, this is Joyetech's marketing strategy (under-promise, over-deliver), they always do that, did it with the VTC Mini, RX200, Cuboid, TC100W and no reason this one would not follow the same route, like the TC100W they have the update ready even before the announcement, to be available just few days after the release... or even before the release like it was the case with the Cuboid!

 

[Vapomizer]

Can't wait to see a video of this thing being fired with index and thumb, i have a feeling it will be a pain

 

[VapeVillian]

I personally think I would prefer the rx200. But at $37.60 shipped, I might try it out. (Cvapor.com coupon TC200W16OFF).

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Edit: Found it at cigabuy.com for $33.90

 

[HDMontana]

I ordered a grey one to try out. Eccigity has them in stock now. I ordered this morning and just received a shipping confirmation.

HD

 

[HDMontana]

I ordered a grey one to try out. Eccigity has them in stock now. I ordered this morning and just received a shipping confirmation.

HD

 

[Rabbit Slayer]

That fire buttons doesn't look like very well placed for the shape of the device

 

[VapeVillian]

That fire buttons doesn't look like very well placed for the shape of the device

Yeah, I played with one at the shop and I can't see myself getting used to it. I was pretty excited for it, but it's not going in my collection.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[skt239]

Got to hold one the other day at the shop as well and its not nearly as comfortable as my RX. The wide face of it makes for an uncomfortable button press and I don't like the battery door style. I didn't get a chance to mess around with the menu functions so I'm not sure if it uses the same clunky method for adjusting the temp / watts as the 120w TC (or whatever they put out before it). If I was in the market for a triple 18650, it would be the RX over this without a second thought,

 

[HDMontana]

The battery door is one of the things I like. Similar to my cuboid and no issues with it so far. I like silicone covers. To take out batteries, I would rather not have to take sleeve off every time.

HD

 

[skt239]

The battery door is one of the things I like. Similar to my cuboid and no issues with it so far. I like silicone covers. To take out batteries, I would rather not have to take sleeve off every time.

HD

Good point.

 

[HDMontana]

Got my istick 200, from eccigity, in the mail today. Finish is nice. I had charged up 3 lg he2s that I hadn't used yet. Still waiting on a trio of lg hg2s that I ordered. Threw on a Boreas, got setting where I wanted and started vaping. I don't have an rx200 to compare to, but I like the way it feels in the hand. My thumb crosses the fire button and with a slight press, the mod fires. Not as heavy as I thought it might be. Battery door seems solid. I need to use it for a few days to get a good impression. It will probably get used at home and on road trips. Grey with black window and silver buttons looks nice.

HD

 

[Jim_MDP]

Got my istick 200, from eccigity, in the mail today. Finish is nice. I had charged up 3 lg he2s that I hadn't used yet. Still waiting on a trio of lg hg2s that I ordered. Threw on a Boreas, got setting where I wanted and started vaping. I don't have an rx200 to compare to, but I like the way it feels in the hand. My thumb crosses the fire button and with a slight press, the mod fires. Not as heavy as I thought it might be. Battery door seems solid. I need to use it for a few days to get a good impression. It will probably get used at home and on road trips. Grey with black window and silver buttons looks nice.

HD

How many places have you copy/pasted this post?

Or did I just pick the wrong week to quit sniffin' glue?

 

[HDMontana]

How many places have you copy/pasted this post?
Or did I just pick the wrong week to quit sniffin' glue?

Just 3. Hate typing on my phone.

HD

 

[nightshard]

Hmmm hard to choose.
I don't want the Istick and I don't want the RX either

 

[Vapomizer]

After seeing some video reviews i believe the design is bad, much bulkier than the RX200, fire button placement is not the smartest thing in the world, i don't see myself owning this mod, no advantages over the RX200, battery door on hinges is also a negative, i don't trust having movable connectors for high drain cells, still the RX200 is the better choice IMO.

 

[HDMontana]

Seems like more mods are showing up with hinged battery door. Looks like the Sigelei 213 has it as well.

HD

 

[Jim_MDP]

Just 3. Hate typing on my phone.

HD

Understandable. I've done the same.... with a full keyboard.

It felt like the fourth time in short order.
I didn't know if I was re-opening the same threads (I read most all the JT ones) or if the Alerts system was screwing up.

 

[Steamhead]

Sucks they didn't put the 510 in the middle, it would've actually worked with 30mm tanks.


This mod might feel a bit better in the pocket than the RX200, other than that, I see no reason to buy it.