Eleaf iStick Rim C Kit Review – Have the Minor Tweaks Improved the Vape?

The Eleaf iStick Rim C Kit marks something of a change from the highly recognized manufacturer of vaping devices.

They’ve certainly gained something of a reputation when it comes to the quality and range of their internally built battery mods.

There’s the the humble iStick 20W to the iStick T80 kit featuring an 80W capacity, there’s something for the virgin vaper and intermediate vaper alike.

More recently, the iStick Rim kit was released featuring these same 80W power capabilities.

I guess there’s really only one way to signify Eleaf’s intent to move forwards as far as power output is concerned.

Yup! That “C” word…

Change.

What Can We Expect From The Eleaf iStick Rim C Kit?

To all intents and purposes the iStick Rim C offers very little change over its fore runner other the presence of an external 18650 battery (not included, by the way).

It features the same tank, top filling system and even the coils are unchanged.

Understandable given the same power output I guess.

Still, it would have been nice to be presented with other subtle tweaks here and there.

Even the dimensions between this and its 18650 free close relative are damn near identical.

It is available in six colour schemes: Gradient red, Matte Black, Gradient Blue, Obsidian Blue, Rainbow and White – the one under scrutiny today.

There’s a 2ml TPD compliant tank that you can expect to plough through the juice with the included coils. I’ve been given the Non EU version which includes a 4ml bubble glass.

So does the iStick Rim C kit offer a change for the better?

That’s my cue, I think.

Read on – lol!

Inside The Box

• iStick Rim C
• MELO 5 Tank
• 1 x EC-M 0.15ohm coil
• 1 x EC-S 0.6ohm coil
• USB Type C cable
• 2 x User manuals
• Warranty card

Eleaf iStick Rim C Specifications

iStick Rim

• Dimensions 35mmx29.5mmx82mm
• Output wattage 1-80W
• Input voltage DC 5V
• Battery 1 x 18650 (not included)
• Resistance range 0.05ohm – 3.0ohm

MELO 5 Tank

• Size 28mmx57.5mm
• Capacity 2ml (TPD) / 4ml
• (Combined weight of kit 146g)

Key Features

• Type C and 2A fast charging
• Ergonomic and compact design
• Compatible with EC coils allowing versatility
• Smart childproof filling system
• Easy coil change with leak free capability
• Multiple circuit protection

Design And Build Quality

iStick Rim C Mod

The Rim C battery mod can also be purchased separate from the MELO 5 tank.

The look and feel is similar to a tube mode and only betrayed by the oval style.

Comfort and ergonomics are very much the order of the day with the Rim C mod.

A white plastic imitation carbon fibre pattern adorns both sides, encased in an Eleaf trademarked chrome plated sleeve.

An adjustable gold plated 510 spring sits firmly in the centre at the top of the mod.

Eleaf have incorporated a nice feature by way of a rubberized panel.

This allows your thumb to conveniently grip the side of the mod whilst a finger takes care of the fire button.

It also provides extra grip when holding the otherwise rather slippery side plates.

I’ve got to give full marks for the attention to detail.

There’s a very small cut away on the bottom of the battery door.

This needs a finger nail in order to prise off, exposing the inner battery tray complete with mandatory ribbon.

..Oh Boy! are you going to need it!!

Most of the weight can be attributed to the external 18650 battery when fitted.

Fitting is actually quite a struggle.

The spring loaded positive contact is extremely stiff, and this leads to a very tight fitting battery.

You will not easily remove it without using the provided ribbon.

At least you’re not going to find any battery rattle with the Rim C mod!

The screen has a 0.69inch OLED display that while not the brightest is clear enough, though you may have trouble viewing in direct sunlight

The substantial and raised chrome fire button sits in the traditional spot

Below the screen are the + and – buttons with the type C charging port sensibly placed nearby.

All buttons respond perfectly with a reassuring click during use.

Eleaf iStick Rim C General Operating Features

It’s the traditional operating process of five clicks of the fire button to switch on. Repeating the process will power the mod off.

• Press the fire button rapidly three times to enter vaping mode.
• Press the + or – button to select the required vaping mode.
• Hit the fire button to lock the current vaping mode.
• When in wattage mode press the + or – button to increase/decrease output.
• When in temperature control mode press the fire button four times. Use the + or – button to adjust wattage.

Other Settings

• Press the fire and the + button together to enter the settings menu.
• Use the + or – button to scroll through the various settings.
• Hit the fire button to select the setting.

MELO 5 Sub Ohm Tank

The MELO 5 sub ohm tank is available as a standalone product in silver or black colour schemes. No doubt you can tell by its name that there have been previous incarnations.

The tank comes with the EC-S 0.6ohm coil pre-installed.

The threading and O rings are generally very good on this tank, as are the tolerances found on the airflow control ring.

Here, the action is butter smooth allowing for some very fine tuning.

The arrow for the childproof top cap can be a little difficult to find (could blame that on my fading eyesight!).

The lift and slide mechanism is very easy to use, and it takes seconds to fill.

You’ll be back on that vaping train before you know it.

Tip! Just remember to align your thumb with that arrow before pushing the top cap back – it doesn’t function otherwise, thanks to the child safety feature.

The silicone sealed fill port is capable of accommodating the vast majority of bottle nozzles out there.

What I was most interested in was the bottom lock feature, as it’s described.

I’m pleased to write that this acted flawlessly!

Unscrewing the base to replace a coil is indeed a leak free experience.

You can leave as much juice in the tank as you like, you won’t lose a drop, a very appealing feature for tight wads like myself lol!

The only Negative Neil to be found is with the drip tip.

It just feels like a last minute addition.

Luckily you can replace it with one that offers more shape and character.

How Does The iStick Rim C Kit Perform

Tank Section

The MELO 5 tank features two very wide cyclops style airflow slots.

By using a single airflow pin hole the tank offer a true MTL vaping experience.

Twisting further will provide a restrictive lung hit.

Set wide open you’ve got a full blown direct to lung experience.

The tank has something to suit all styles of vaping.

How To Fill The Tank

• Locate the arrow situated on the top cap.
• Lift and then push back to reveal the silicone fill port.
• Insert juice bottle nozzle through the silicone stopper. Apply E liquid.
• Slide the top cap back into place and press down firmly to lock into place.

The first test came with the pre installed 0.6ohm stainless steel mesh coil.

The juice used was from British Ohm Vape and their NY Blue.

A blueberry cheesecake flavour that I’ve grown to know and love over the past few weeks.

EC-S 0.6ohm stainless steel coil

It’s a 70VG/30PG ratio with a single nicotine shot providing an overall 3mg mix.

I’m honestly disappointed with this coil.

It had plenty of priming. The cotton was left to soak up the juice for at least fifteen minutes. I even carried out some dry pulls to help the wicking along prior to testing.

Initially vaping at 25W (4V) I was presented with a cold, lifeless vape. Worse still, the flavour refused to come out to play. There were no bakery elements present and the blueberry was extremely dull.

Cloud production certainly betrayed any flavour properties. This was indeed altogether alien to what I’ve come to enjoy about this particular profile.

Increasing the power to maximum recommendations of 30W saw a nudge in flavour. During the course of the day it began to diminish. There was nothing recognisable about the juice.

A very poor and lackluster performance from this stainless steel mesh coil.

Very good cloud production is not enough to redeem this one, I’m afraid.

Time to switch coils.

How To Change The Coil

• Unscrew the base from the tank.
• Gently screw the coil into the threads of the base. Do not over tighten.
• Screw the base with installed coil back onto tank section.

EC-M 0.15ohm Kanthal Mesh Coil

To test the second coil included with the kit, I opted for a 60VG/40PG juice from Jungle Juice.

Anyone familiar with Banoffee Pie will know what to expect from this relatively generic flavour.

This kanthal mesh coil has a rating between 30-75W.

Even at 40W (2.53V) I was receiving improved flavour over the stainless steel mesh.

Still a cold vape but minimal turbulence and considerable cloud production.

Stepping up to 60W (3.1V) I was noticing the slight throat hit usually associated with a stronger toffee presence.

Very satisfying and just enough given that the nicotine shot was mixed to a 3MG level.

The vape had become warm with plenty of sweetness from the brown sugar and banana.

I had just enough battery strength left to test the juice at 70W.

Other than further warmth from the vape there was little else to notice from the flavour other than less sweetness and more of a caramel/banana mix at the forefront.

Eleaf iStick Rim C Battery Section

When it comes to functionality, there’s very little to fault.

The Rim C is never going to be the fastest firing mod in town but the built in circuit protection works a treat.

It was certainly quick enough to let me know when my external battery needed charging.

I particularly liked the way it continued to display the voltage output when selected in settings.

A puff counter is always a welcome addition.

The stealth mode and screen time out periods (adjustable) also assist in saving valuable battery life.

Temperature control is not really my bag but the option is there when using the 0.6ohm stainless steel mesh coil, however, I don’t trust it and I didn’t test it.

I don’t know what it is with manufacturers but they seem assured of one thing.

That everyone has adequate length finger nails!

There are two strong magnets on the internal face of the battery door, and they work well.

Being void of any nail length I found it impossible to remove the battery door.

It didn’t take long to start removing the plastic from the panel fascia by constantly picking away at it lol.

My ultimate concern is that someone decides to use a coin as an alternative.

I’m not trying to sound melodramatic, but coins and batteries don’t work well together!

The “C” Word And Type C Charging

C what I did there? 😉

I personally don’t recommend charging an external battery inside a mod but of course, the option is here.

A drained 18650 battery took 60 minutes to spring back into life using the type C USB port.

The OLED screen always displaying its progress, and a constant flashing of the battery icon indicated a fully charged 18650 battery.

When An 18650 Battery Decides To Come Ohm

Nothing can be set in stone but I observed the following when vaping.

• The 0.6ohm stainless steel mesh coil will last 8-12 hours if vaping at 25W
• The 0.15ohm Kanthal mesh coil will last 5-6 hours if vaping at 40W

I found these wattage levels to offer the most optimal performance for both flavour and cloud.

Pros

• The MELO 5 tank does not leak.
• The top fill system is quick and easy to use.
• Ability to change coils mid tank without spilling a drop of juice.
• Sensibly rated coil resistances to suit a single external battery.
• Easy to adjust airflow control ring.
• Fast charging capability with type C USB port.

Cons

• Removing the battery door is a tedious job.
• The battery tray feels undersized.
• Display is difficult to read in direct sunlight.
• Abysmal performance from the 0.6ohm stainless steel coil.

Eleaf iStick Rim C Final Review Verdict

Even though the Rim C battery and MELO 5 tank can be purchased separately, the partnership is an effective one.

As with the Eleaf iStick T80 kit, the tank feels slightly over weighted.

Knurling on the top cap and airflow control ring work fantastically well for the purposes of maintenance and adjustment.

The single rubberized panel also works providing a reassuring grip.

There’s a multitude of airflow options to suit both included coils.

Although they are  designed for the sub ohm vaper, it’s still possible to have the occasional mouth to lung vape.

The C Of Vapers

The Eleaf iStick Rim C kit is a stepping stone for those that are prepared to acknowledge the safety requirements of external batteries.

With that knowledge, the ability to quickly change a depleted battery is a major convenience.

The tank doesn’t leak.

It includes an easy filling system.

It has the ability to change coils mid tank.

The single external battery can last anything up to a few days of moderate use.

I’d call that change for the better.