DotMod DotPod Nano Review – Performance Over Design

Today I’m taking a look at an ‘old friend’ with a new device – the DotMod DotPod Nano.

My affinity with DotMod can be traced back to around 2015 when I mustered up the finances to afford their DotBox 200W box Mod. We shared the same characteristics, you see.

Style and elegance. Ha!

DotMod were known back then for higher end products, as reflected by their Zirconia Diamond encrusted DotBling. With such an extravagant price tag, I’d still be saving up for one!

While pod kits were hitting the market, Dot Mod were re-establishing themselves with AIO devices such as the DotMod Dot AIO kit. Heck, they even included an adaptor to allow the use of Aspire’s popular Nautilus coils.

Then disposables punched their way in and it was a case of keeping up with the Elf Bars of the vape scene. They did this with the release of the fully recyclable DotMod Dot E.

Until now it seems DotMod have avoided temptation to follow the well-trodden path of starter pod kits.

So how does the Dot Nano pod kit stack up?

What Can We Expect From the DotMod DotPod Nano?

A far cry from the likes of the powerful 200W Box Mod of old!

An integrated battery, no fire button and no complicated menu screens..

The DotPod Nano will supply a maximum of 18W of power and it’s not known if this is constant throughout battery discharge.

The 800mAh integrated battery is said to last for anything up to a full days use. I’ll be checking those claims soon.

The two pods that come provided are both sealed so no fiddling around with replacement coils. They’re both mesh. One has a resistance of 0.8ohm (16W max output) and the other 1.0ohm (14W max output)

Since there’s a single fixed airflow slot I’m hoping for both a restrictive draw (RDL) and mouth to lung (MTL) vape respectively. We tell you what these terms mean in our Guide To Vape Styles.

Incidentally, they’re both 2ml which makes them TPD compliant for use in the UK and EU.

It’s interesting because the instruction manual alludes to two more pods. A 0.6ohm and 1.25ohm. They don’t currently feature on the DotMod web site so I’m assuming they’re in the pipeline.

An LED on the base of the battery illuminates during auto draw and changes colour to indicate current battery status. It also informs of any issues the battery or pod is facing.

Fast type C USB charging is included and pass through vaping is possible for those not keen on waiting it out.

The Dotmod DotPod Nano comes in six colour schemes. Black, Brown, Orange, Grey, Royal Blue and Red (under review).

What’s In the Box?

We get a thumbnail cut out so sliding the box open is a doddle.

• Dotmod DotPod Nano device
• 2 x Sealed pods (0.8ohm / 1.0ohm)
• Lanyard
• User manual
• Type C USB charging cable
• 2 x stickers

Specifications

• Dimensions: 6.8cm (H) x 5.0cm (W) x 1.5cm (D)
• Weight: 78g
• Material: Zinc alloy / PCTG
• Pod capacity: 2ml
• Coil resistance: 0.8ohm mesh / 1.0ohm mesh
• Battery capacity: 800mAh integrated
• Battery indicator: 4 colour LED
• Charging: Type C USB
• Airflow: Single fixed
• Activation: Auto draw

DotMod DotPod Nano Design and Build Quality

Battery Section

At 78g it’s a little heavier than I was expecting but it feels durable and solid enough in the hand. The Zinc Alloy band running around the perimeter feels a bit rough against the skin. So that does take away some of the ergonomics of the device.

With its grainy texture, the Leather effect material feels comfortable enough and provides plenty of grip.

The DotMod logo has been etched into the corner on one side but what puzzles me the most is the bulging around the top where pod meets battery.

It gives the feeling the battery section was designed around the shape of the pod. That’s perfectly fine but my OCD really kicks in! I keep thinking the material is going to pull away from the main body.

On the side of the battery section we have a single fixed airflow slot. It’s slightly larger than the average MTL (mouth to lung) pinhole so does suggest the possibility of a restrictive lung vape too.

The Type C USB charging port has been mounted on the bottom. That’s a shame because there’s enough depth to allow for a free standing vertical charge.

The LED has also been positioned here which means having to turn the device each time to check battery status.

It’s assumed you’re going to be using the included lanyard. Two large, attachment slots are located on the top of the battery section. Again, this takes away from the aesthetics if you don’t plan to use it.

The Pod Section

Although made from a clear, tough PCTG material they recess quite deeply inside the battery section.

This means you’re not going to be viewing much E-juice without constant removal. However, and as expected the DotPod Nano easily passes the drop test.

A firmly seated pod isn’t going to separate without a fight!

DotMod have included a minimum fill level line which is handy. Use this for when knowing when to refill the pod.

The shape of the mouthpiece doesn’t exactly conform to the shape of the lips but is still relatively comfortable in use.

The Pod is filled from the side but I had a pig of a time trying to prise the tab open. Unless you have finger nails get ready to reach for a substitute aid – I had to.

The opening is sizeable enough for larger bottle nozzles but take care! There isn’t an air release valve on the pod. Things could get messy. Smaller 10ml nozzles will be perfectly fine.

So I think it’s time we actually took a look at how to get the DotPod Nano up and running.

Quick Start Guide

How To Operate the DotPod Nano

There’s no fire button, no on or off switch so the DotPod Nano relies entirely on auto draw for functionality. Things couldn’t be easier for the new vaper. Effectively we have a device that’s always on standby. It’s even possible to vape while charging.

The single LED is responsible for battery charge status.

• Green – 61% – 100%
• Blue – 21% – 60%
• Red – 1% – 20%

It will also alert to potential battery issues encountered.

• Flashes white x 1 – Inserting/removing pod
• Flashes white x 2 – Short circuit protection
• Flashes white x 3 – Open circuit protection
• Flashes red x 5 – Over temperature protection
• Flashes red x 8 – Low voltage detection

How To Fill The Pod

• Remove the pod from the battery section
• Locate the red fill tab on the side of the pod and carefully lift open
• Insert the E-liquid bottle nozzle into the fill port of the pod
• Gently squeeze E-liquid into the chamber taking care not to overfill

• Push the fill tab back into position ensuring a good seal
• Push the pod back into the battery section

Just a couple of things to note. The 1.0ohm pod is already attached to the battery upon purchase. Please remember to remove the contact seal located on the bottom of the pod before or after the first time of filling.

Never feel inclined to test the pod without first filling and priming. This will result in a burning of the cotton and will ruin the pod.

Also, when filling for the first time remember to let the E-liquid soak into the cotton wicks for around five minutes prior to vaping.

How Does the DotMod DotPod Nano Perform?

I started with the installed 1.0ohm mesh pod using Riot Bar EDTN Mango Vanilla Ice Cream, a 50VG/50PG blend with a 20mg salt nicotine strength.

1.0hm Mesh Pod – 14W Max Output

Given that the coil is pumping out a steady 14W I think the performance is extremely good.

The vape is quiet, smooth and turbulence free throughout inhale and the flavour simply floods out.

As mouth to lung vape, the pod is bang on. This is where I noticed the most sweetness from the vape. The fruits are bright and lively, surrounded by that sweetness and even the creaminess of the Ice Cream pulls through nicely.

Vapour production is very stealth like. Thin and wispy, pretty much emulating the smoke from a cigarette.

It is a little bit on the tight side for a restrictive direct lung vape but still possible. I find it pulls on the neck muscles just a bit too often for comfort, though.

You’ll still get a decent flavour but much of that sweetness gets diluted if using this style.

0.8ohm Mesh pod – 16W Max Output

I used Riot Bar EDTN Peach Ice tea to test the pod for flavour and cloud production.

It’s another 50VG/50PG juice ratio with 20mg salt nicotine.

The crucial thing to note is the airflow. It has the most minute of differences over the 1.0ohm coil. And those differences are really more noticeable if attempting a mouth to lung draw.

It’s maybe 10% less restricted which means still quite easy to pull off. In fact it’s a comfortable arrangement and I had no issues vaping this way.

Again it’s very tight as a restrictive lung hit but it’s going to come down to just how restricted you like your draw. I’m relatively happy with the performance in terms of airflow and the flavour is off the charts.

The Peach comes through juicy with plenty of sweetness and is extremely consistent throughout. Menthol hits the back of the throat early doors and also a clear indicator of how receptive the mesh coil is to auto draw.

As with the 1.0ohm coil, the inhale is very smooth and turbulence free. It’s as quiet as the proverbial mouse too. Ideal for the odd stealth vape or six.

In terms of power there’s obviously not much to separate 16W from 14W so in this respect performance is negligible.

Both coils get the job done and they do it well.

Battery performance and Recharging

The battery held out for eight and a half hours while flavour and vapour production popped throughout. I refilled the pod a couple of times and alternated between MTL and RL vaping.

The Green LED held true for around three and a half hours, the Blue for four and a half. Minimal vaping time is left when it turns Red.

It took exactly one hour to recharge the battery, the LED slowly pulsing as it passed through Red, Blue and finally completing with a solid Green indicator.

Pros

• The sealed pods don’t leak a drop
• Great flavour and vapour production with either pod
• A smooth, turbulence free auto draw
• Rock solid connection between pod and battery section
• Portable and pocket friendly

Cons

• Heavier than expected (subjective)
• Zinc Alloy edges feel rough in the hand
• Bulging at the top where pod meets battery section (subjective)
• Bottom mounted LED indicator
• Not the most comfortable mouthpiece
• Silicone fill tab is awkward to use (subjective)
• Unable to view remaining juice levels

Final Review Verdict

As you can tell I had a few negatives. However, you’ll notice they’re based around the design of the device. I can’t knock the build quality at all. It feels solid as a rock – highly durable and looks capable of rolling with the blows.

When it comes to usage the DotPod Nano also performs admirably. Auto draw is very sensitive, responding to the very lightest of inhales and both mesh coils were actually more powerful than I anticipated.

Although there’s not much to separate them in terms of airflow, flavour and vapour production was excellent. I got a great vaping experience even when the LED was reading Red.

There is a voltage drop from 4.2V to 3.4V as the battery depletes but I can’t say I noticed it much. The device behaved very consistently throughout the life span of a single charge.

As a recommendation I would suggest using 50VG/50PG juice ratios with the 1.0ohm pod. You’ll probably get away with 60VG/40PG when using the 0.8ohm alternative.

If you’re used to thicker ratios look out for the 0.6ohm pod. I’m sure it’s on the way.

So to summarise the DotMod DotPod Nano is a worthy consideration for the new or casual vaper. It’s easy enough to use and it ain’t gonna leak. Can’t be bad..