Today’s review will focus on the new miniature box mod of the popular “pocket” format iStick Pico X, released by the tireless Chinese company Eleaf.
The number of Pico box mods released can only be rivaled by the same crazy number of “iJusts”. The reason for the device’s popularity is quite banal – the mod turned out to be small, convenient and quite cheap, perfectly suited for the role of a single-battery power source for small atomizers. Since its appearance on the market a year and a half ago, the appearance of the battery unit has changed beyond recognition, received support for two batteries, and bulky 26650, and relevant 21700, and even served as an RDTA and squonk. But still, the “pico” received its true recognition precisely as a compact device for one 18650 battery, and not for all this madness that followed later. And, apparently, wanting to “test the waters” for the former popularity of the device in this format, the manufacturer released a new product in a current, slightly modified form and with more modern filling, the successor to the successful first-born of the series – the new iStick Pico X.
iStick Pico X with MELO 4 packaging
The device came into my hands in a small but tall white box with an image of the device of the color that is inside. As usual, the packaging of samples for reviewers has a sticker Sample | Not for sale, but in my case not on the packaging itself, but on the cellophane in which the box is wrapped. e-liquid australia Among the useful and not so useful information on different sides, you can find the names of Eleaf accounts in popular social networks and a link to the manufacturer’s website, a list of the contents of the package, an indication of the most important characteristics of the device.
Since cloners have long learned to counterfeit not only Eleaf products, but even their verification, the company has made this procedure more difficult for cunning anonymous competitors, but at the same time quite intricate. Instead of the long-familiar erasable scratch strip with verification, there is now a peel-off part of transparent plastic with an OPEN corner marked on it. Under the dark rectangle you can find the verification code, and to be sure of the originality, you need to put a piece of magnetic film under the transparent plastic, which can be found inside the box – the black and gray rectangle will be covered with multi-colored stripes. iStick Pico X with MELO 4 package
iStick Pico X box mod
MELO 4 atomizer (D22)
EC-M 0.15ohm evaporators (2 pcs.)
Micro USB cable
User manuals
Spare O-rings
In the box, right under the lid, you will find the box mod and tank, under the polystyrene there is a pile of waste paper and all the richness of the contents: a good thick meter-long cable for charging and updating the firmware, a spare evaporator (the second one is already in the tank), the same black and brown magnetic film for checking the sticker, spare O-rings for the tank and a pile of various waste paper, including two multilingual instructions (for the box and atomizer) with illustrations and a good translation into Russian.
The iStick Pico X box mod can be purchased in two configurations: with the long-released MELO 4 tank (European version) with new evaporators, or only the mod separately.
Colors of the iStick Pico X with MELO 4 kits
You can buy one of five kit options, in all cases the tankomizer will be steel, the box mod can be silver, green (more likely even olive), red, blue or black.
Appearance and design of MELO 4
Despite the fact that MELO 4 clearly looks like a greeting from the past, belongs to the early creations of Eleaf and in some places even resembles the unforgettable tank from the second iJust, it remains a good choice for lovers of free puffing, but at the same time not expecting huge clouds of steam. The atomizer combines equal compactness and good performance. But together with a rather interesting look of the new battery block, it looks, in my opinion, still quite alien. Of the identification marks, only on the lid on both sides you can find a deep engraving with the name of the MELO 4 device, and through the glass you can see the marking of the EC-M evaporator.
For those who like to buy a separate unserviced version, the manufacturer offers a choice of six color options: steel, black, white, red, blue and green. The tank comes in two versions: a 22 mm version with a capacity of 2 ml, as in our case, and a 25 mm version with 4.5 ml. In addition, there is also a Childproof Version with a special lock that provides protection from children, it is also available in two sizes, but only in two colors: steel and black.
MELO 4 Specifications
Materials: stainless steel and glass
Diameter: 22 mm (25 mm version available)
Height: 40 mm (with 47.5 mm drip tip)
Weight: 46.5 g
Volume: 2 ml (4.5 ml in 25 mm version)
Used evaporators: EC2 Series
Top filling with sliding cap
Colors: silver, black, white, greenery, blue, red
Impressions and conclusions
Painting the iStick Pico X caseThere is nothing to say about the tank, it is too obvious an attempt to sell old atomizer deposits under a new sauce with evaporators “like on a mesh”. However, for someone this option will be enough and it will even find its devoted user, but the device is designed primarily for beginners and unpretentious users. Although, again, I repeat that the resistance of the replacement 0.15 Ohm will literally “suck” the battery charge before your eyes. Therefore, for me, both the first “Pico” and the new product are, first of all, an excellent option for a cigarette tank, allowing you to create a compact and convenient setup that does not take up much space in your pocket with decent functionality. I think that this is the role for which the box is primarily suitable, and Eleaf should have come up with its own cigarette Berserker with a casino, blackjack and horses a long time ago, and not continue to foist off tanks that are of little use with interesting mods. There is only one serious complaint about the mod – the implementation of the coating. I have a positive attitude towards plastic mods, but in this case the body is made of white material and covered with a decent layer of something resembling soft-touch. This is not just paint, but something else, it looks quite durable, it has not peeled off anywhere after a week of use. But how durable it will be – only time will tell. If the manufacturer made the mod from a completely colored material, and not just painted it, it would be much more practical from all sides, but our desires do not always coincide with the financial calculations of companies. We have what we have. A purely personal complaint is the limitation of the diameter of the atomizers on the landing of 22 mm. Today, there are many cigarette atomizers of 24 mm, so forget about them, and the dimensions of the device (width, for example) could be slightly increased for such a benefit. I’m not even talking about the manufacturer’s own tanks, which he loves to sell so much. Otherwise, it’s the same old familiar mod for 18650, but in a new way, with an ergonomic shape and an updated modern board, support for high charging current, perfect for a place in your pocket and daily use.
