Hot off the press we have the Eleaf iStick Mix Kit though I can’t for the life of me spot a stick anywhere!
It certainly does seem like there is a hell of a lot of Mods out there with Resin panels or body’s, certainly very popular now. There isn’t an awful lot else to do with them, right?
The iStick Mix Kit By Eleaf
The iStick Mix Kit is the latest offering from Eleaf. The Kit comes as a dual 18650 Mod, 160w kit including the Ello Pop Atomizer.
The mod has a nice feel in the hand and sits very comfortably in my very medium hands. I won’t say what it looks similar to, there’s a couple that spring to mind and one I reviewed myself not so long ago *cough* iJoy Shogun *cough
I received the iStick Mix kit in Wind Ninja colouring as you can see from the image above.
The kit does come in four other colours. It seems there is some sort of theme going on here but I can’t rightly figure it out.
This kit was sent to me for review. As always, I will give you my own, honest opinion of this product after a lengthy testing period.
See The Mix Kit In Action
What’s In The Box
- Eleaf iStick Mix Mod
- Eleaf Ello Pop tank
- HW-M2 coil
- HW-N2 coil
- QC 3.0 USB C cable
- Spare parts pack
- User manuals
Features
Eleaf iStick Mix Mod
- Size: 52 x 27 x 83mm
- Output: 160W max
- Battery: 2 x 18650 (not included)
- USB C Charging – 2.5A maximum
- Firmware Upgradeable
- Avatar chipset
- IML and Resin finish
- Resistance limits: 0.05-3ohm
- Display: OLED screen
Ello Pop Tank
- Size: 28 x 56.5mm (6.5ml) / 26.5 x 56.5 (2ml)
- Capacity: 2ml (TPD Straight Glass) / 6.5ml (Bubble Glass)
- Top filling childproof cap
- Coils: HW range – includes HW-M2 and HW-N2
- Bottom adjustable airflow control
- Glass has protector strips around the glass
Build Quality & Design
Despite similar looks to a few other kits available out there the Eleaf iStick Mix Kit is a great looking device straight out of the box.
The thing that agitates me a little, OCD kicking in here, is the two panels are differing designs. I can only presume and hope they will bring out battery door covers to match the other side of the Mod. I guess it’s called ‘Mix’ for a reason though.
The body of the Mod is elegantly curved with no sharp edges and has a great balance and feel to it whilst vaping. Everything really does fit as it should and there is no movement at all anywhere or annoying rattles.
One thing I am very pleased about is the position and the looks of the 510 connector at the top. Not only is it central, it is a lovely black, matching the mod and moving away from the more popular stainless steel finish.
The battery door on this Mod is easily opened. Simply lift the door from the bottom of the device and off it comes. It is held into place by two very strong magnets both top and bottom. Upon lifting the door away, you are met by the battery bay which houses two 18650 batteries.
OLED Display/Menu
As with a lot of Mods, the display from the iStick Mix isn’t the best. Whilst using the Mod inside or taking it out in cloudy conditions is fine, as soon as you get a hint of the yellow shiny stuff in the sky, you really do struggle to see what’s happening.
The menu system is very easy to navigate.
- Three clicks on the Fire button and it takes you to the choice of Wattage or Temperature controls and a click on those, each their own individual settings.
- Pressing the Fire button and the up button takes you to the main menu where you can choose Puff Counters, Amps and seconds. A choice to enter Stealth mode, power settings, logo settings and firmware version.
You get all the regular protections from the Avatar Chip.
The chip used in the Eleaf iStick Mix is the Avatar Chip used in other recent devices such as the Wismec Luxotic Surface and Eleaf Pico Squeeze 2.
Ello Pop Tank
The Ello Pop atomiser has been a great addition to the Kit. It has performed very well with no leakage at all and the flavour has been very good indeed. The version I was given to review came with a fitted 2ml plastic tank.
I know, it’s the law and must comply with TPD etc but to be quite frank, it is “as much use as tits on a fish”. The non TPD version comes with a 6.5ml capacity bubble glass.
Thankfully I was provided with a larger capacity 4ml glass for the purposes of review.
The Bodyguard
Usually, and I know a few, people put a rubber band around their tank. The reason for this you may ask.
How many times have you knocked your Mod over and you hear a thud, you close your eyes and pray, hoping the glass piece to the tank hasn’t smashed?
The rubber band, or vape band as some people call them, acts as a bumper for the glass tank and hopefully reduces the risk of the glass breaking.
Well, it seems Eleaf have provided this protection for you in the form of spiraly rubbery coating on the glass, they call them a boring name of “Bodyguard”. I am unsure of the life expectancy of these rubber spirals but, be rest assured, I slept a little easier at night.
Coils
The coils provided with the kit were the HW-M2 0.2ohm and the HW-N2 0.2ohm coils and I must say, the flavour and the longevity has been excellent, I had been using a high VG sweet e-liquid.
How To Fill The Tank
As you can see from the image below, Eleaf have implemented a childproof opening mechanic to their top fill Ello Pop.
It is very easy to use and makes filling your tank a breeze.
As it indicates, lift up the top cap and slide across at the designated pointer. Once across, you are met by a sizable fill hole. After refilling, slide the top cap back across and it clicks back into its “safe” position.
Flavour and Vapour Production
The flavour from the coils provided was very good, don’t get me wrong, it’s not as good as the better RTA’s out there but for a stock coil atomiser, it is very good and something I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to others. These coils really don’t hold back in the flavour department.
Clouds for days Bro! Well, not quite. You get pretty good vapor production from the Ello Pop, something pretty much in line from a stock coil tank. You would certainly be getting an earful though from your significant other half if you were vaping in front of their favourite TV program
How does the Eleaf iStick Mix Kit Perform?
I can’t lie, I’ve really enjoyed my time reviewing the Eleaf iStick Mix Kit. The Mod is a very solid performer and it is a bit of a looker.
Nothing too fancy in the menu department and you can work around it with ease. It does exactly what you would expect of it. Using Wattage mode, from testing it against other Mods I know, it is very accurate.
All of this coupled up with the Ello Pop Atomiser and you have a very well rounded kit.
How To Install The Batteries
Installation of the batteries couldn’t be easier. Put your nail/finger in the recess at the bottom of the battery door and lift it away from the body. You are then met with two slots to place your 18650 batteries.
Again, I will say it as I do with most of my other vape Mod reviews, please, please make the polarity markings a little clearer for those of us who have to go to Specsavers.
Pros
- Elegant, classy design
- Lightweight
- Ergonomically Designed
- Very good Flavour
- Rubber Bodyguard on tank
- Clean menu system and easy to navigate
- Quick firing
Cons
- Poor display in bright sunlight
- Circular indents in the fire button (easily picks up dirt)
- Unmatched side panels
Final Review Verdict
If you are in the market for a new Mod or Kit, take a look at the Eleaf iStick Mix because you won’t go far wrong, it’s certainly as good, if not better than a lot in its class.
I couldn’t really find a lot wrong with this kit and the negatives I did find were probably being picky.
In conclusion, I have really enjoyed my time reviewing the Eleaf iStick Mix kit from start to finish. It is a great all round Mod, sexy AF and would be even better with matching panels.
