The Squid Industries Double Barrel V3 is an update to the extremely popular company’s flagship mod.
And as you can see, they have updated the device with a sleek and stylish colourful look.
Squid Industries was formed by a United States Navy Veteran, after overcoming personal struggles with homelessness and substance abuse, he taught himself to hand craft beautiful box mods, around which he built a community that believes in living healthy.
Incidentally – Squid is a nickname given to members of the US Navy. Not only that, a portion of the company’s profits go to military charities.
Having never owned one of Squids renowned products before, I had a great deal of fun perusing his website.
He has some great top quality looking products listed like the Detonator 120w, Tac 21 200w; of course we have already reviewed Peacemaker XL RTA and the Peacemaker single RTA.
What Can We Expect From the Double Barrel V3 Mod?
The Double Barrel V3 is an incredibly heavy durable, powerful little mod featuring a simple 0.47” top Oled display, which displays all the normally expected data.
The device provides various protections, along with a multi-function switch that can adjust wattage, lock wattage, fire the device as well as flip the screen.
The Double Barrel V3 is definitely a powerful but simple to use device.
It comes in 4 updated very wacky colour schemes, and 5 original colours; the hydro-dip colouring process compliments the durable powder-coating to provide an ultimately beautiful finish.
I was sent “Inferno” the colour of which reminds me of my parent’s bad taste in wallpaper of the late 60’s and 70’s lol.
So what are our thoughts on the Double Barrel V3? Let’s find out with an up and close and detailed look.
This product was sent to us for the purpose of review. As always my thoughts and views are my own after a considerable testing period.
See The Double Barrel V3 In Action With My Video Review
In The Box
- 1 Double Barrel V3 Mod
- 2 Plastic Washer/Protectors
- 1 User Manual
Features
- Size: 25 x 43 x 92mm
- Variable Wattage: 5-150W
- Battery Type: 2 x 18650 battery (not included)
- Display: 0.47 inch OLED display
- Mode: VW
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Spring-loaded 510 connection
- Updated version of Double Barrel box mod
- 5-150W max output
- multi-functional dial
- Hinged battery door
- Multiple safety protections
Design and Build Quality
The Kit comes in a card box which is decorated with an anchor. A good nod to Squids past.
The device is wrapped in a protective dust jacket and displayed in the packaging very nicely.
Squid Industries Double Barrel V3 Mod
Why call the device the Double Barrel?
Well if you look at the mod end on, it has the appearance of the business end of a double barrel shotgun.
From the Top
The device has an 810 connection that will hold up to 25mm diameter tanks, the connection has a spring loaded gold plated connection pin.
The device is 43mm in width with a height of 92mm.
The Mod is made from thick Stainless Steel throughout making this a very heavy device indeed, even more so once the batteries are installed.
The top Oled display screen measures 0.47”, which while rather small is bright and easy to read.
The multi functional dial under the screen (also made of stainless steel), adjusts the wattage of the device from 5 to 150w. It will also lock the wattage and fire the device as well as flip the screen.
As for decoration, the button has a number of stars and 12’s engraved into the metal, and around the edge of the button are striations to insure a good grip while turning.
Directly under the dial you have branding deeply engraved into the body “Squid Industries”, there are no other marking on the body of this device.
The bottom of the Mod has a hinged battery door while the door functions very well it has got a lot of play/movement to it when not engaged.
The battery door has a raised line pattern to facilitate easy opening/closing (pull back to open and push forward to close) and has the usual safety marks.
The case is the battery vent, it has a slot both sides between where the batteries sit inside.
On the inside of the battery compartment you will see the battery contact points.
These are mirrored on the inside of the door, which has 2 very small battery orientation marks in black – I had to look real close to find them!
The inside of the case has been painted black but the walls are not insulated against batteries with torn wraps. So please make sure you’re batteries are in tip top condition!
Overall I would call the quality and design of the Double Barrel V3 excellent.
How Does Squid Industries Double Barrel V3 Perform?
For this example I will be using the Hellvape Passage RDA on the Double Barrel V3, I have installed dual homemade Clapton coils 6 wraps each coil, made on a 3.5mm bit they worked out to 0.13Ω.
The liquid I will be using is “Vapestein” (rhubarb and berry pie) by Pro Vape LTD.
Basic Quick Start Guide
Make sure your battery wraps are in good condition before using with this device!
When inserting the batteries please follow the battery orientation marks on the hinged door.
Screw on your atomiser with one of the washers to protect the top of the mod.
X5 rapid clicks of the fire button will turn the device on and off.
Once the device is on it will display first the Squid logo and go straight to the main wattage screen.
No temp control, curves or anything else. Just pure wattage with this one!
The main screen is very simply laid out
- Battery indicator
- Wattage
- Coil Ohms
- Volts fired
Pressing the action button:
- 4 times will lock and unlock the wattage.
- 3 times will flip the screen.
Twist the action dial to scroll to the desired wattage between 5 and 150w.
The device does not round robin. So once at 150w you will have to reverse scroll the dial.
Battery Protections
The device has a number of in built safety’s including:-
- reverse battery polarity
- overheat
- short circuit
Flavour and Vapour Production
50 to 80w
I first started out with a conservative 50w, the flavour was very good as was the vapour production however with these coils I felt the vape was a little underpowered.
So in increments of 10w, I upped the wattage to 80w. As the wattage increases so does the warmth of the vapour. At 80w the vapour production was thick and cloudy, the flavour was great – yummy in fact.
100 to 150W
While I am not personally a high wattage vaper, I had to test the higher end of the watts with this unit.
100 to 125w was fine for me and the combo was still producing good flavour, the vapour production went from cloudy to bloody amazing!
The vapour was so thick at one point I could not see my hand in front of my face lol.
At 150w I took one toot and coughed my guts up LOL!
The sheer volume of vaper and the heat it produces up that high to me is comparable to that of the Geek Vape Aegis Legend at 200w – excellent for those who like to vape at the higher levels!
Battery life
I wouldn’t say the battery life is rubbish but please be aware that even with 2 Sony VTC5a’s at a 100+ watts the battery can drain very quickly.
At 120w the charge lasted me less than 2 hours – At 80w the battery will last approx 3 to 3 ½ hours.
There is no USB port on this device, so charging your cells has to be done via an external charger such as the Golisi S6 Smart charger.
Notes
I have a habit of over dripping with RDA’s, I can say with absolute certainty because the top of this mod has been sealed no liquid has made it into the battery compartment.
The chipset for this device is described as an advance chipset although I was unable to find out what exactly is under the hood.
But going by performance of the mod the chipset is fast, stable and reliable.
I did notice that at higher watts the body does get warm, not uncomfortably hot, but worth mentioning.
Pros
- Quality is excellent
- Design is excellent
- Manufacture is very good
- Great Colours available
- Easy to use
- Fair to middling battery life
- Retail price is competitive
Cons
I have no concerns with this device but if pushed
- Watch your battery wraps! This device has no internal insulation!
Final Review Verdict
I hang my head in shame at never owning one of Squid Industries products before because without a shadow of doubt for me, this has to be one of the best regulated mods on the market today!
It’s powerful and easy to use, the functionality of the device is so simple!
There are no complicated menu systems, no TC or anything else to worry about, basically what you see is what you get!
Yes it’s a heavy mod and I can see that won’t be to everyone’s satisfaction, for me the comfort level is great. I just love a heavy mod that fits well in my hand!
Would I recommend the Double Barrel V3 from Squid Industries?
For those that like a heavy durable mod “Yes I would”…maybe not for novice vapers, but I reckon it would suit moderate to experienced level vapers!
A word of warning from me, be careful with this device! I dropped it on my foot the other day, luckily no damage to the device but I now have the bruise of all bruises; I was lucky not to break my foot LOL.
Would I buy this mod again due loss or damage?
I don’t think there is much chance of the device being damaged if dropped as its very substantial! I can’t promise that for the surface it’s dropped on LOL.
However if stolen or lost I would certainly be looking to replace it!
Did you buy the Double Barrel V3? Or have any questions? Let us know in the comments below.
I have 3 squid double barrel mods . One has problem with battery door not staying closed won’t lock. Other 2 not sure what the problem. Not asking for new ones just want them repaired. I would much appreciate your help in this matter. I’m 68 yrs old not abusive to mods. I have spent quite a bit of money on them it’s a great mod.
Sincerely
John Lodge