Vaporesso swag II vape starter kit
Introduction
With the number of POD and AIO systems released in the last 12 months. It was only a matter of time before vapers started looking for small, pocket-sized setups to replace coil-based devices to lower their cost of delivery, functioning. So, we bring you a Vaporesso swag ii vape starter kit.
Let’s forget about PMTA for a while, but the next logical step is to upgrade to a small box mod with replaceable batteries and a tank of your choice. Some vendors have tried going this route, but somehow none have been as exciting as the Vaporesso Swag ii, here’s why.
Vaporesso Swag II vape starter kit 1st Impression
As the name suggests, Swag II is the successor to the Vaporesso Swag from 2011.
Available in a host of colors and both as an NRG PE tank kit and as a mod-only version. It’s a fun little mod and the perfect gadget if you’re looking to upgrade your AIO device. It is small and light enough to fit in your pocket and use as an all-day MTL device or single-coil mod.
Packaging
Similar to the Vaporesso Gen, the Swag 2 comes in a holstered box containing the mod, the NRG PE tank (if you have the kit), 2 NRG coils, a micro-USB charging cable, 4 O-Rings, and manuals.
Specs
- Weight: 133g (without battery)
- Battery: 18650 only
- Output power: 5 / 80w
- 25mm atomizer compatibility
- Charging port: Micro USB
- Size: 108mmx25mmx50mm
Design
The Swag II may not be the smallest single 18650 510 based mod (I think the EHPRO 100 takes that honor), but I think it is the latter. Not only that but also the most attractive of the bunch, in my opinion, the Swag II is coated in the same fire-retardant rubber finish as the Gen and gives the mod an overall stylish device. It is also resistant to scratches and fingerprints.
The curved side fits well in the hand and makes the Swag II easy to operate with your finger. The power and temperature adjustment buttons are located in front of the side-mounted charging port and the menu button is located on the front panel.
Allowing for a 25mm base atomizer is a helpful touch, but be aware that a bubble glass RTA can press the protruding battery cap next to the 510 adapters. The battery cap unscrews and lets you lets drop your 18650, positive down, into the S2 sleeve. Unfortunately, the battery cover thread felt crunchy, but it’s not a deal-breaker for me.
Display
The display is a 0.91 ”OLED piece that may appear outdated but is clear to read and easy to understand. Battery level, resistance, a puff counter, current wattage (or temperature), and current mode are always displayed on the screen. So, there is no dive menu to get the information you need.
Menu
Speaking of the menu, it can be confusing on your first attempts to use it, simply due to the placement of the buttons. Three clicks of the menu button open its menu instead of the widely accepted fire button, although I have no complaints.
Once in the menu, the adjustment keys are used to change its mode between Pulse (a PWM type fire), Power Eco (God knows what this does to save battery life), Smart TC (detects your coil material automatically), DIY mode (VW, VT, VV, and CCW). The system settings are also on this screen. Here you can reset the puff counter, change the brightness and rotate the screen, set auto wattage and auto echo.
Performance
If you’ve used Gen before, you’d know how good the Axon chip is. The only difference between Gen and Swag is the battery options. In Pulse mode, the Swag II fires like a PWM. It’s hard to explain, but imagine a mod that fires a short, quick burst, getting hotter with each fire. This may seem counterintuitive, but it offers a nice smooth curved output.
Smart TC I have found to be quite accurate, even up to the recommended temperature, but it worked better with sub-ohm tanks than RDA.
The DIY mode works as expected from a 18650 mod, with a direct power output that feels like it’s delivering the claimed power or voltage.
I didn’t like the auto echo that activated as soon as the battery reached 20%. I’m not sure it does anything so it was immediately disabled.
The Axon chip is as good as for commercial mods. Sure, it’s not YIHI or DNA, but it does what is expected and at a quarter of the price. It is a great performance chip and I hope it will be implemented in the future of Vaporessos.
Pros of Vaporesso Swag II vape starter kit
- Super light
- Extremely comfortable
- It Fits RDAs up to 25mm
- The Axon chip, as found in Gen, is amazing
- The flame retardant finish feels nice to the touch
- Eco mode is a welcome addition
Cons of Vaporesso Swag II vape starter kit
- Machining on the battery cover is not the best
- The menu system can be confusing at first
- Smaller individual 18650 mods are available
Vaporesso Swag II Vape Starter Kit review conclusion
Since I didn’t own the original Swag and was a huge POD fan. I was skeptical about how the Swag II would replace my favorite pocket device. A 18650 device with a top-mounted tank will never be as easy to store as my Smoant Pasito or whatever else I carry. I couldn’t have been more wrong; the Swag II is small and to put it in context, only 10g more than a Smok RMP80 Pro.
Not only is it as portable as an AIO, but the Axon chip also outperforms mill chips out of the water, especially in pulse mode. Add to that the option to dump any atomizer, even a 25mm RDA, and you have a recipe for success.
There are some things I don’t like, the machining may be a bit better, for instance, and the menu navigation could have been designed better, but overall the Swag II is a great piece of equipment.
It won’t replace my POD Systems either way, but if I hope to be away from home for a day or two, the Swag II will be by my side from now on.
Check out more Articles
Vaporesso swag II vape starter kit
-
Design
-
Display
-
Performance
-
Ruggedness
-
Software