I’ve just received the Kizoku TechMod, it’s really small and my immediate first impressions are it looks pretty cool and kind of cute.
However I have a confession, I’m a bit in the dark with Kizoku, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them before, so I took a look around the World Wide Web and here’s what I found.
KIZOKU were founded in 2018 in Japan.
We specialize in manufacturing and selling high-quality vaping products with outstanding design and technology…
We have been carrying out extensive research and investing in innovation so we could offer excellent products to meet vaper’s needs.
Although Kizokus’ product range isn’t huge (understandably), they have an interesting and innovative accessory: the Cell Atty Stand, which uses magnets to allow you to order your atomisers however you choose.
Their catalogue also includes the Kirin Disposable Tank, Kirin Semi-Mech Tube Mod, Limit PC Tank Kit, Limit MTL RTA and the Unlimit DL RTA.
It’s worth mentioning the RTA’s I’ve just mentioned can also be used with stock coils. (in essence they are sub ohm tank / RTA hybrids).
What To Expect From The Kizoku TechMod?
First of all I want to point out that the mod is called TechMod and NOT Mech-Mod. Unlike a Mech Mod the TechMod has built in protections.
The very first thing you will notice when unboxing the Kizoku TechMod is it’s size, because it is ultra small.
Thanks to it’s ‘side-by-side’ design the Kizoku TechMod is ultra compact measuring at just 78mm high, 49mm wide and 24mm thick.
Bearing in mind this is a side-by-side mod, the height of the device won’t be affected too much by a tank, although it will restrict the size of tank you can use.
Despite how small it looks, it takes a single 18650, takes a 2A charge and fires from 5-80W. It also has 4 modes (Variable Voltage / Variable Wattage / Temperature Control / Bypass).
The fire button is on the front of the device. I haven’t started using it yet but it looks like it might be a bit awkward to hold… We’ll have to find out.
I’m going to find a tank that fits and put a battery in it.
Let’s see what this compact beast can do…
Check Out My Hands On Kizoku Techmod Video Review
Inside the Box
- 1x TechMod Mod
- 1x USB-C Charger
- 1x User Manual & warranty card
Kizoku TechMod Specs
- Size: 78 x 49 x 24mm
- Max Tank Width: 24mm (including bubble glass)
- Screen: 0.91″
- Power Modes: VV, VW, TC, Bypass
- Wattage range: 5-80W
- Battery: External single 18650
- Charger: USB-C 2A
- Materials: SS304 & Zinc Alloy
- 0.001s fire speed
- Compact & Ergonomic Side by side design
- Overheat protection
- Overcurrent Protection
- Low-Voltage Protection
Design & Build Quality
The Kizoku TechMod comes in 4 different colours, they all look pretty cool although I don’t think I’d be able to keep the white one white for very long.
Side By Side Mods & Tank Compatibility
Side by side literally means the tank is at the side of the battery, as you would expect this literally means the tank size is limited by the distance between the 510 connection to the side of the mod.
The tank in the picture above is the Aspire K Lite.
With the Kizoku TechMod that limit is 24mm. Therefore we are limited to tanks that are 24mm in diameter at the widest point, meaning you can’t use a 24mm atomizer with a bubble glass.
The depth of the 510 connection plate is just shy of 30mm so there shouldn’t be a problem finding a tank tall enough. Although it is worth mentioning, a tank smaller than 30mm tall, would be awkward to use.
For context, the well known Digiflavour Drop RDA is 24mm wide but only 26.5mm high, plus the 8mm tall drip tip.
Kizoku TechMod Battery Cap
The Kizoku TechMod battery cap is a screw system.
I quite like it, on the downside it take a little bit longer to change your battery but on the upside it’s a lot less likely to break or come loose.
The threads are nice too making it fairly easy to put the battery cap on and take it off.
Thanks to the open design it is also pretty easy to get a grip of the cap to loosen or tighten it.
Kizoku TechMod Body
The body consists of a Zinc Alloy frame that has a satin like finish. “TECHMOD” is embossed on the front of the frame, with the fire button above it.
There is 2 SS304 (Stainless Steel) panels, one that forms the battery compartment and one that surrounds the USB-C port on the back, as well as the screen and buttons which are on the front.
The Kizoku Logo is embossed in to the side of the battery compartment but both logos are nice and discrete, they are in no way “in your face“.
Overall the TechMod is relatively light but still feels fairly durable and trustworthy.
Kizoku TechMod Screen
The screen on the TechMod is 22x6mm in size.
It’s a simple, black and white display interface, but I like it.
On the left side of the screen is the power setting (Volts, Wattage or Temperature). In the middle is the power mode (VW, Power -VW), Temperature or by pass with the current coil resistance below.
On the right side is the Battery Level Indicator, which comprises of 5 bars when full, with the puff time counter below.
Buttons & The Kizoku TechMod In Hand
The buttons are decent, they are easy to press, have that radial type grip and they don’t rattle.
I originally thought the button being on the side of the device would make it awkward to hold and use but thanks to the compact design that’s not really the case.
Using The Kizoku TechMod
Insert Battery
- Unscrew the battery cap using your fingers
- Insert battery positive side first
- Rescrew the battery cap on using your fingers, it doesn’t need to be super tight
Operating
- Turn On / Off = Press fire button 5 times within 2 seconds
- Switch Power Mode = Press fire button 3 time in quick succession then press ‘+’ or ‘-‘
- Adjust Power / Temp Settings = press ‘+’ or ‘-‘ hold to move faster
- Lock/Unlock Power Adjustment = press and hold ‘+’ and ‘-‘ simultaneously for 2 seconds, until screen displays ‘locked’/’unlocked’
How Does The Kizoku TechMod Perform?
Menus, Navigation & Display
There isn’t really any menus the navigation is pretty standard and the display is pretty basic.
Although there isn’t anything ‘special’ about the 3, I like them, far too often in the vape industry (and other tech industries), companies try far too hand to innovate and make the system too ‘flashy’ it’s nice to go back to the basics but still have some key features like VV, VW, TC and bypass.
Kizoku TechMod Battery Life
The Kizoku TechMod Battery life is very dependent on what type of batteries you are using, especially what mAH the batteries have.
The most common 18650’s are 2,500mAh and 3,000mAh.
I’ve been using a Sony VTC6 (3000mAh) for the most time I was using it at 60-80W and getting about 8-10 hours out of a battery, which is what you would expect.
Don’t forget, if you use an external battery charger, you can always carry a spare battery with you. If you do, just remember to keep your spare in a plastic battery.
However I did notice when the battery gets to 2/5 bars left the mod secretly starts to struggle to pull power… but it’s not that secretive because it’s very noticeable.
Kizoku TechMod Charging
The Kizoku TechMod takes a 2A charge, meaning you can get your 3000mAh battery from flat to full in about 1 hour and a half, whilst a 2500mAh battery would take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Although I try to always charge my batteries via an external dedicated battery charger, if you do use the built in USB-C port for charging, the screen displays the battery level.
Is the Kizoku TechMod Durable
I think I’m slowly getting a reputation for being a bit heavy handed with my mods…
I mean, my personal ones, don’t last me very long at all.
For example I’m currently using the Geekvape Aegis, I’ve been using it for about 6 months, I haven’t ‘stress tested’ it or done anything with it really and it’s already pretty much doomed.
However the TechMod seems trust worthy.
I think the most common things to break on a mod is the battery door / USB-C charger.
Well we don’t really need a USB-C charger, we can pick up a dedicated charger for about £10 (at time of writing).
It doesn’t have a hinged or magnetic battery door, it has a screw cap…so far so good.
I’d say the next most vulnerable part of any mod is the 510 connection / connection plate but even here we are protected.
Because of the nature of a Side-By-Side mod, the connection plate will be under a lot less stress from the tank being pushed and pulled, it’s also a lot less likely to get danged by the mod landing tank side down if dropped.
All in all, I trust the Kizoku TechMod, it feels durable and i can’t see where there would be any vulnerabilities.
Pros
- Small Compact Design
- Durable
- 18650 Battery
- 2A Charge rating
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited tank size
- Very Basic Functions
- Battery Indictor is missleading
Final Review Verdict
First of all I’ve got to put it out there, this type of device is not for me.
I’m power hungry (higher power and longer life).
I’ve also noticed, pretty much every one of my tanks are bigger than 24mm.
However as always I’m reviewing the device for what it is and it is a good little device for someone that wants a small compact device that is packing lots of power.
For a device this size to have an 18650 battery and power up to 80w is pretty impressive.
It is basic but still has VV, VW, TC, bypass and I think it is well built and designed to be durable.
So we’ve established it’s not for me, but who is it for?
If you are looking for a Mouth To Lung device that has a good battery life / external battery that is compact in design or you don’t mind a small tank then this is definitely for you.
The 24mm tank limit makes me want to suggest the mod is better for MTL Tanks but there is MTL tanks that are bigger than 24mm and if the tank is a lot smaller than 24mm, you loose some of the extra security for the 510 connector.
So is this a side-by-side mod you’re interested in buying or are already using?
Let me know in the comments below!
