Today we are looking at the REV GTS 230w Mod. Now REV are relative newcomers to the vaping scene but none-the-less have released 3 mods in a relative short space of time. The GTS 230w is pegged as their pinnacle mod in their range.
The mod is a dual 18650 regulated mod with a good hand feel and comfortable firing position. The construction screams luxury and as the REV mods try and emulate the automotive world, with its sleek lines we are looking at a Bentley for sure.
Disclaimer: we received the REV GTS 230w for the purpose of this review. All opinions are based on my own experience and road-testing.
In the box
- 1 x Mod REV GTS 230w
- 1 x USB Charger
- 1 x REV Key Ring
- User manual
- QC Card
Features and Specs
- Size: 94 x 55 x 32mm
- Battery: 2 x 18650
- Screen: approx. 80 x 40mm (at largest points)
- Output modes: Power / VT (NI200, SS, Ti1), TCR (M1,M2,M3,M4,M5,M6), Bypass /
- Preheat
- Wattage range: 5W – 230W
- Voltage range: 0 – 8.5V
- Temperature
- Resistance parameters: 0.08 ~ 3 Ohms
The REV GTS 230w will fire on a wattage range of 5-230w and 230w definitely brings the heat. If temperature control is your thing then there is the offering to support Stainless Steel, Nickel and Titanium along with 6 memory settings within VTC mode.
For those who like to customise their vaping experience you will enjoy the variable power curve mode for an individual draw.
I was impressed with the bypass function, which provides a semi-mech experience, even if it did nearly knock me on my backside.
Resistance range starts at Build Quality 0.08-3 ohms allowing you make use of many different types of coil builds from stock coil MTL down to more complex multiple coil builds. This makes the REV GTS 230w suitable for beginner to advanced vapers.
A voltage range of 0-8.5v is stated on the packaging. However, how the mod will fire with 0 volts in the batteries puzzle me?!?
Design and Build Quality
The bodywork
Rev have looked to Motorsport for inspiration with the GTS 230 but in terms of weight they seem to have taken more from monster trucks than F1. This is one heavy vape mod. The chassis is fully metal. The battery cover alone weighs 59g.
When fully laden with 2 x 18650 cells the mod weighs 293g, making the battery cover 20% of the total weight. This jumps to 29% when the weight without batteries is considered. But sturdiness can help with reliability and durability, time will tell.
Scan the GTS and you see smooth lines, there’s no denying this is an attractive mod. The body has an inward curve on the right to allow for a comfortable and secure grip. As a lefty the trigger position on the top right shoulder allows for an easy view of the screen however, to have the same firing position in the right hand you would have the backplate visible, meaning any bumps in the wattage/temp would not be as easy to pick up.
Remove the battery door and you’re faced with a luxurious bay. 
I know it sounds strange saying that but the grey housing and the even the sprung battery contacts look and feel high quality. The removal tab is secure and mine showed no sign of coming away from the mod itself. The magnets are really strong.
However, after about 4 days of constant use I found a bit of lateral play but thankfully no rattle.
Ignition
Five clicks on the fire button starts the ignition and the GTS boots satisfyingly quickly. The display is large, clear and surprisingly uncluttered.
The plus, minus and menu buttons have a reassuring click. All in all, this is one well put together mod.
The fire button is found on the top right shoulder of the mod and happily it can be fired with pressure on any part of the button. One thing I need to highlight here is the mushyness when locking and unlocking the mod. The manual states you need 3 clicks to lock and unlock, however, you’re looking at more like 5 at there seems to be misread.
The 510 has a gold, spring loaded connecter but no grooves for tanks that take their air feed from the 510 connecter. 
The 510 is mounted off to the left of the mod but as the device itself is quite wide it may well fit a 30mm atty.
Heads up
The tapered 80x40mm (approx.) display gives a lot of room for information on the screen. The layout is clear and uncluttered, making use of a dial readout which looks like an LED display on high end cars. The current software version gives us 4 screen layouts under the dashboard heading.
To compliment this, we have 5 colour modes: red, blue, green, orange and white for each dashboard setting. The display has variable brightness and is perfectly clear when used inside. However, take the GTS 230w outside and we have a different story. The display is simply not bright enough to see in sunlight. This is really unfortunate and one of the only things I could pick this mod up on throughout my testing.
In all display variants the screen clearly shows wattage output, the mode selected, volts and amps drawn, coil resistance as well as puff and draw counters. I used all of the pre-set display modes equally and there to be no clutter to any of them.
Leaving the mod idle will see the screensaver appear which shows an analogue style clock in the top dial and a digital clock in the bottom dial. Perhaps this is a little lazy on REVs part, but I don’t see why I need two time displays at the same time.
Paint Job
The finish on this mod is one of the best quality I have come across. Perhaps this has to do with the all metal casing and therefore no paint work, but I experienced no scratching or flaking of any lacquer whatsoever.
I’ve had the REV GTS 230w in pockets for hours on end pulling it in and out past rivets in jeans and wearing rings with no nicks at all and after 2 weeks it still looks box fresh! I was impressed.
Menu Functions
- Holding down the “M” button for 2 seconds takes you to the customisation menu.
- Here you can choose your output mode, display and time settings.
The menu is easy to understand so beginning vapers can feel confident they will get on with this mod. All options have a top-level approach with sub menus kept to a minimum. To return to the main menu from a customisation menu hold down the “M” button for 2 seconds and a repress for a further 2 seconds exits the menu completely.
How Does The REV GTS 230 Mod Perform?
From the first draw I knew I’d like this mod. The GTS 230w delivers its power reliably and confidently. The relatively short throw of the fire button feels luxurious. You can feel the power build to your max setting throughout the draw.
Jumping up the wattage range things started to heat up…fast! 150w was bearable but 200w was uncomfortable. I was using fully charged batteries for this test and 230w was unbearable for me.
The GTS offers a bypass function for those who want to experience a semi-mechanical hit. After a couple of pulls in bypass mode the body began to get uncomfortably warm and I had to leave it to cool down for a bit just to be on the safe side.
The powerhouse in the GTS 230w is REVs own Venom chip and the unit sent to me was running version 3.1.1 of the software. However, during testing I learned that an update became available. The chipset game reliable and consistent performance, I honestly can’t knock it!
At a constant setting of 76w I didn’t feel the mod getting warm even after a long evenings use. It takes a while to reach the set wattage so the introduction of taste modes for hit type could be an improvement REV TECH might want to make to future firmware upgrade.
Pros
- Luxurious feel
- Clearly set out display
- High quality materials
- Clean power delivery
Cons
- Display can’t be read in sunlight
- Lateral play on battery door
- Mushy trigger for locking
Final Review Verdict
I was more than happy to use the REV GTS 230w every day that I had it in my company. It’s a little heavier than I’d like, but there’s no denying the build quality on this device is high end. Indoors the display is spot on but make sure you have your settings personalised before you leave the house. The addition of taste modes would be a benefit.
I just bought this and bought batteries but won’t charge or turn on