Today we are reviewing an interesting Zelos X Mod battery pack from one of the oldest Chinese vape manufacturers, Aspire.
Aspire Zelos X Mod box mod packaging at the front Aspire Zelos X Mod box mod packaging at the back Aspire Zelos X Mod box mod packaging under the lid
The device is sold in a small rectangular box – an orange box without a lid is hidden in a white drain. On the front side of the package there is a device in a silver-gray design, to the right and above there is a sticker with a mark of the real color of your purchase, below is the name of the device with the slogan Innovate the way you vape. e-cigarettes in australia On the back, a modest package is listed, details and links to company accounts are indicated, and the advantages of the device are described at length. A sticker with a hologram and an originality check confirming the authenticity of the contents is hidden on the left side of the package.
Equipment Aspire ZELOS X Mod
Zelos X Mod Battery Pack
USB Type-C cable
User guide
The set itself cannot be called rich by any stretch of the imagination; in the box you can only find the box mod itself with a display neatly sealed with a protective film, as well as a charging cable and a manual in English and French. Keep in mind that the Zelos X is available either alone or in a bundle with the Nautilus 322 Tank. So when ordering, be careful, unless you are going to get another useless atomizer tank powered by evaporators that you will have to look for. Although, to be honest, replacements called Nautilus for the clearomizer of the same name seem to have existed for as long as vaping itself.
Instructions for Aspire Zelos X Mod
The instructions included in the kit are provided with illustrations and describe in some detail the capabilities, functionality and management of the board. This manual can also be downloaded from the Aspire website, and in seven languages.
Appearance and design of Aspire ZELOS X Mod
For any person who has heard at least a little or seen at least images of the products of the German “machining” (this is how Google search presents it) company Dicodes, a feeling of déjà vu is definitely guaranteed. Yes, Zelos X openly copies devices originally from the Ruhr region of Germany, which became famous among vapers for its Dani Box devices and boards. The familiar twin pipe shape, steel top and bottom contrast with the painted central part of the body, threaded battery cover. Only the high plastic panel on the front, the controls and the ZELOS X engraving on the side instead of the logo in the form of a traditional German coal mine give it away as a “fake”.
The surface of the case is pleasantly rough; the only traces left on the black part are from very dirty hands and liquid drips; otherwise, even with active use, it looks quite presentable. The same cannot be said about the glossy plastic of the front panel, which instantly becomes covered with fingerprints and dirt.
Appearance of Aspire Zelos X Mod in hand
The device is in your hand… Here, perhaps, it will be difficult to choose something instead of the word “ideal”. At the same time, the shape of the “double-barreled gun,” the height, and the blunted corners and ribs are made in such a way that there is simply nothing to complain about. I don’t know if the Dani Box from the Germans is so pleasant in the hand, but Zelos X is damn pleasant. In general, if possible, be sure to hold this device in your hands; I think you will not remain indifferent.
Aspire Zelos X Mod Colors
Like any self-respecting manufacturer confident in the popularity of its products (or at least striving for its success), Aspire offers a fairly wide selection of colors. Zelos X is available in eight color options, including both strict ones – steel, all-black and with a black body, as in the photo in this review – and more interesting options.
Specifications of Aspire ZELOS X Mod
Housing materials: aluminum and zinc alloy
Dimensions: 37.5 mm * 24.5 mm * 83 mm
Weight: 92 g (with battery: 138 g)
Battery used: 18650
Operating modes: variwatt, varivolt, bypass, temperature control (nickel, titanium, stainless steel), customizable power supply schedule (CPS)
Output power: 1-80W
Output voltage: 0.5-8.4V
Temperature adjustment: 200-600°F/ 100-315°F
Supported resistance: 0.1-3.5 ohm
Cut-off time: 10 s
Screen: color TFT 0.96″
Charging port: USB Type-C
Charging current: 5V/1A
Colors: Full Black, Black & Silver, Gunmetal, Metallic Silver, Red, Pink, Aqua Blue, Blue
Appearance of Aspire Zelos X Mod from above Appearance of Aspire Zelos X Mod from below
The width of the device, and therefore the size of the fit for the atomizer, can be considered, is ∅24.5 mm, while the corrugated steel “minus” area is only 22 mm. The positive pin in the form of a hexagon is spring-loaded and copes well with the connectors of a wide variety of atomizers. Below you can find the battery compartment cover, the charging connector (why not put it on the front?) and several standard engravings with the obligatory Made in China. The lid is made as old school as possible – a steel plug that is screwed into a thread, with a partition in the center for gripping with your fingers.
And a few more words about the fit of the atomizer. The connector platform is raised above the body by only a couple of tenths of a millimeter, so the tanks and drips fit without any visible gap, and particularly aggressive specimens will not leave radial scratches on the body over time. In general, everything was done correctly and looks great.
Aspire Zelos X Mod and 18650 battery
Unlike previous mods with the name Zelos, here Aspire decided to use not a built-in battery, but a replaceable battery in the good old 18650 format. Judging by the dimensions, two cans could be squeezed in here. However, do not forget that a board with a screen, a connector and other important giblets also take their rightful place in the device. However, the manufacturer may well make the case a little wider and later release a dual-battery version. Personally, I would happily buy one.
The lid does not cause any negative effects when used; it can be unscrewed and put into place easily. However, I would prefer to see something like a folding ear here, as is done, for example, in the Aegis E100. In the lid itself there are two ventilation holes for emergency release of gases (despite the fact that the battery is installed with the plus side inward), inside the compartment the positive contact is spring-loaded and is responsible for adjusting to the height of the can, while the thread has a distinct end of stroke. The polarity designation can only be seen inside the shaft; there is a cross around the contact indicating “+”. Either they were too lazy or forgot to make an engraving in the form of “-” on the lid itself.
Indication and control of Aspire ZELOS X Mod
The front panel of the Zelos X is decorated with a darkened plastic insert, under which a small color display is hidden. The controls are also located here. The buttons are large, protrude a couple of millimeters above the body and feel great to the touch, press easily and with a distinct click, in my copy they do not dangle or rattle under the fingers. Fire is made square with a side exactly a centimeter, “+” and “-” are rectangular and combined into a rocker.
Variwatt mode of Aspire Zelos X Mod
The device turns on and off with a standard five-time press. After replacing the battery, if you did not turn off the device, you will not have to start it again. On the vertical screen, reminiscent both in appearance and in the control logic of the unforgettable eVic VTC Mini, all the necessary information is simultaneously displayed. There is the battery charge immediately in the form of an icon and percentage, a lock for locking the adjustment buttons, the name of the selected mode, the installed power, voltage or temperature, at the bottom – voltage (in vari-watt mode) or power (in other modes), supplied current, winding resistance and a counter for the number of puffs taken, which when you press Fire turns into a cut-off timer.
In order to change the operating mode, you must press Fire and “+” simultaneously, the red-orange rectangle will start flashing. Short presses on Fire allow you to switch on the screen between different functions that can be configured (for example, resetting the puff counter or adjusting the power in temperature control mode), using “-” and “+” you can switch between modes and adjust different values. To exit the setup mode, you need to hold Fire for a while.
WATT – classic variable watt mode, power is adjustable from 1 to 80 watts in 0.5 watt increments, here and below there is circular scrolling.
VOLTAGE – varivolt mode, voltage is adjustable from 0.5 to 8.4 Volts in steps of 0.01 V.
BYPASS – protected mechanical mod mode with a constant voltage of 4 V.
TC-NI/TC-TI/TC-SS – three temperature control modes with nickel, titanium and stainless steel. The temperature is adjustable in the range of 100-315ºC/200-600ºF, the units change when the maximum and minimum values are reached. You can also adjust the power limit in the same range as in the variable watt mode. Only in these modes, when changing the winding, the board asks for confirmation of the NEW ATOMIZER winding change.
CPS – manual adjustment of the power supply schedule for five separate segments P1-P5. The first four last 0.5s each, the last one is active as long as you hold Fire or the 10s cutoff is not triggered.
Locking the Aspire Zelos X Mod Unlocking the Aspire Zelos X Mod Turning off the Aspire Zelos X Mod
In addition to the listed features, the device allows you to adjust the brightness of the image: you need to hold down Fire and “-” at the same time, after which you can use the adjustment buttons to adjust the intensity of the display. When you press “-” and “+” at the same time, the control buttons are locked (the lock at the top right is displayed in the closed position), however, please note that when you replace the battery, this lock is removed. When you press Fire three times, all buttons are locked; this function is perfect for carrying a setup. But the stealth mode was either not delivered, or I couldn’t find it here.
Charging Aspire Zelos X Mod
Well, a few words about charging. The device showed the inscription LOW BATTERY when the voltage dropped to 3.32 V on an old, worn-out bank. The charging current turned out to be higher than the promised 1A/5V, I “caught” 1.65A at peak on my Chinese meter when charging the can for approx. 20%, but on average it was about 1.5A. The device can be used with a cable connected, there is a fully functioning pasta, and current consumption from the memory stops when you press Fire. But, as usual, I would advise using USB charging with caution and sporadically; for these purposes it is better to use a specialized charger for 18650.
Impressions and conclusions
Aspire Zelos X has long been a “not the first fresh” device, but has not lost its relevance. First of all, because of the dominance of Pod systems, podmods and other disposable ones. It’s hard to find something really interesting on the market; the life cycle of many devices of this format – with a replaceable battery and an Orthodox 510 connector – is several years. Yes, progress in this area has long since stalled completely, and all that manufacturers can offer is flirting with various form factors and sizes. Even the controls were limited to three or four buttons, since experiments with rotating wheels and touch screens turned out to be of no use to anyone. I myself have been using Swag II as my main device for more than three years (it’s scary to think!), despite its already unpresentable appearance. Because it’s convenient.
Appearance of Aspire Zelos X Mod in hand
It’s exactly the same story here – Zelos X is incredibly simple and damn convenient. Yes, the format is not at all “Peak”, such a bunch turns out to be high. But the ergonomics of the case are excellent, the controls are intuitive, and the assembly is excellent. And it looks great, strict and stylish at the same time. And the metal body, made of zinc alloy and aluminum, inspires confidence and respect. Among my quibbles, I would include the not-so-convenient option for the battery compartment cover (unless, of course, these “plugs” on the threads bother you) and the location of the charging at the bottom of the case. In all other respects, the device did not cause any complaints and left a purely positive impression.
