In this review, we will look at the top box mod from Vaporesso for 220 Watts for two 21700 batteries – the ARMOR MAX set, made in the form of a limited edition.
Today it’s time to introduce you to its older brother – Vaporesso ARMOR MAX, and in the form of a Limited Edition.
Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO
I’ll tell you a little about the Vaporesso ARMOR MAX basic set. The device is sold in a relatively compact package, painted in Vaporesso’s signature colors – green and black. online vape shop australia In the kit you will find the mod itself, an iTank 2 tank, a pair of evaporators, a spare glass, a set of O-rings, adapters for 18650 batteries, a charging cable, two instructions and a warranty card.
Package
You can’t just buy the same mod in the Limited Edition version. A huge (20*20*8 centimeters) box may end up in your hands exclusively as a prize for participating in competitions or as a gift from Vaporesso or the company’s partners.
The presentation of the limited edition begins with the packaging – to open it, you need to slide the protruding octagonal logo, after which the tray will open and you will be able to access the contents. The box itself is made of matte black cardboard and decorated with stylized glossy images of the Fire button. There are simply no extra inscriptions, the set is not for sale, and therefore the designers were able to ignore all trade rules.
What is in the box
Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO – delivery set in the Limited Edition version Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO – delivery set in the Limited Edition version
The lodgement hides two more boxes. The first contains the mod and the tank, protruding through the top side, and the second contains all the additional, spare and bonus elements.
Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO – delivery set in the Limited Edition version Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO – delivery set in the Limited Edition version Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO – delivery set in the Limited Edition version
There is nothing special to say about four evaporators instead of two in the standard package, as well as about the traditional Vaporesso fabric-braided charging cable. Among the standard parts there will be a spare straight glass, a protective casing for it and instructions with a warranty card. Further differences are more significant: two additional drytips (green and blue) and a tactical carrying case, which can be attached to a backpack or load-bearing device in three different ways: through a loop with a button on the back, a carabiner on the side, or a plastic eyelet on the top. The mod is inserted into the case and secured with a Velcro strap, sits absolutely solidly inside, and there is no need to worry about accidentally falling out. But you won’t be able to use it without removing it from the case; all controls overlap.
Vaporesso ARMOR MAX. Set design
In my review of the Vaporesso ARMOR S, I complained about its large size. So, ARMOR MAX is even bigger and more brutal! But what’s interesting is that if in the first case the dimensions were a little annoying, then in the older model they look and feel natural and adequate. Apparently, it’s a matter of proportions and a subconscious assessment of the power ratio, two 21700 batteries and design. Even a decent-sized iTank 2 tank looks quite harmonious on it, especially if you remove the protective cover.
Sharp brutal chopped shapes set the direction of the style, rubber inserts on the sides and panels not only make the grip more comfortable, but also protect the device from falls and scratches. And the bright Fire button creates that very point of attraction and accent in the design, forming a complete image of the device.
The possible colors are the same as ARMOR S: black, green, silver, yellow and orange.
The differences between ARMOR MAX and ARMOR S in the mod are not the most critical. This is, first of all, the increased width due to two batteries inside. The design of the front panel has also changed slightly, now the screen is mounted horizontally, and the control buttons have become a little larger and more convenient. All decorative inserts remained in place, as well as oblique notches on the rubber elements of the mod.
The device lies solidly in the hand, but cannot be completely grasped by the fingers. The Fire button must be pressed with your thumb when gripping the screen towards you, or with your index finger when gripping the screen away from you. Due to the changed geometry of the device, the button to open the battery compartment no longer causes concern; no matter how hard I grip it, I couldn’t open it by “accidentally pressing” it, even though I tried.
But the features of the younger model are completely retained by the older one: rubber inserts quite easily collect dust, lack of waterproofness but obvious protection from falls.
Connector
The ARMOR MAX has a metal frame, divided into two parts, which is clearly visible in the photo. The upper end is not flat, on the sides of the metal 510 steel connector there are protrusions in rubber, but they will not be able to interfere with you – the maximum diameter for installing the tank is almost 30 millimeters, adequate – 28, and the diameter of the metal part with the brass spring-loaded pin is only 20 mm .
Bottom view
The bottom end, also known as the battery compartment cover, is the only visible plastic part in the mod. But even here there is a feeling of thoughtfulness in the form of a recess that replaces the legs. So everything is protected from scratches on this side as well.
Battery compartment
The battery compartment opens after pressing the mechanical button next to the word Vaporesso. The button is pressed with noticeable force and has a deep stroke (about 2 mm). So I repeat once again – there is no need to be afraid of accidental battery ejection. Let me immediately draw your attention to the fact that the batteries are installed in series, i.e. one with a plus down, and the second with a minus, as indicated by the marks on the common contact.
The device can operate from both 21700 and 18650 form factor batteries. If absolutely necessary, you can even mix different types, the mod will work, although this is not recommended by the instructions. Accordingly, there are also two adapters included in the kit.
An interesting observation: if you install one battery incorrectly, the mod will not turn on as expected, but when you connect the charging cable, it will show a CHECK BATTERY warning on the screen.
Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO – controls and interface
The engineers, having made a wider body, gained more space on the front panel, thanks to which they were able to place the screen horizontally, which instantly solved the problem with displaying information. And the control buttons have increased proportionally, becoming closer to square and, accordingly, more convenient.
Charging process
The location of the charging port has not changed, but the charging current has definitely increased. I was able to get up to 1.6 Amps on empty cans and get 1.3 Amps on an almost full charge.
Please note that even though it is possible to charge batteries in fashion, it will be preferable, faster and safer to purchase a high-quality external charger!
Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO – interface and control
The device is turned on and off by pressing the Fire button five times and is in F(t) mode by default. This is the basic mode, where you choose the power yourself using small buttons from 5 to 220 Watts.
The screen on the right displays power in large numbers. The left side of the screen is given over to less significant information: operating mode, number of puffs, vaporizer resistance and two scales showing the charge of each battery.
Simultaneously pressing “up” and “down” will programmatically block the buttons, and a corresponding notification will appear on the screen. It turns off the same way.
Pressing Fire three times opens the menu.
SETTING – settings menu, more about it below.
F(t) MODE – basic wattage mode.
PULSE MODE – a mode somewhat similar to varivolt. The voltage freezes, but you still control the power.
ECO MODE is an economical mode in which the maximum power is limited by the evaporator resistance.
TT-SS – temperature control for stainless steel.
TT-NI – temperature control for nickel.
TT-Ti – thermal control for titanium.
EXIT – exit the menu.
The settings menu is as follows:
MODES – return to the selection of the vaping mode (essentially a “back” button).
SMART (ON/OFF) – enable or disable the “smart mode”, when the power is automatically adjusted to the resistance of the evaporator.
TCR LOCK – power blocking in thermal control mode.
PUFFS – puff counter reset.
THEMES – screen color schemes. There is a choice of blue, orange or green.
Interface and control
BRIGHTNESS – adjusts the screen brightness from almost off at 10% to maximum brightness at 100%.
DEFAULT – reset all settings to factory settings.
VERSION – view the current firmware version.
EXIT – exits the menu to the main mode.
Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO – blocking the fire button Review of the ARMOR MAX set from VAPORESSO – blocking the fire button
It remains to talk about the second method of blocking the mod, so remarkable that it was essentially made a key design element. This is not only a button that can be pressed, but also a slider that, in the upper position, mechanically blocks pressing Fire. Simple, convenient, obvious.
Comparison of S and MAX
I was impressed that the older version, although larger in width, is noticeably thinner in depth than the single-battery mod.
Vaporesso iTANK 2
The complete Vaporesso iTANK 2 tank has already been described in detail by me in Vaporesso ARMOR S review, so I won’t repeat it. I’ll just show you photos of the tank with different glasses and how it looks with additional Limited Edition drip tips.
Personal impressions
Big, brutal, powerful and… adequate. Perhaps this is how I can describe this device in a few words. There is enough power for any request, be it any tank, including MTL, DTL, a sub-battery with replaceable evaporators, or a drip with the wildest winding. The use of 21700 format batteries will allow you to forget about charging for a long time, and their replaceability will allow you to instantly update your power sources if necessary.
The interface is clear and convenient, the controls are not overloaded with unnecessary functions. And even fans of thermal control, if they still exist, will not remain offended. Of course, you won’t be able to carry such a device with you simply in your pocket, except perhaps in a jacket or raincoat. But in a bag or backpack – no problem.
