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Last Updated on March 27, 2017 by Team Spinfuel
Aspire Archon 150W TC Box Mod
Aspire has proven they have what it takes to create reliable solid performing devices. With the Aspire NX75 Box Mod introducing a 5-button interface, it’s no surprise to me they implemented the same system for the Aspire Archon 150W TC Box Mod ($42.95 at MyVaporStore). Basically the Aspire Archon is a more powerful and lighter dual battery version of the Aspire NX75 Box Mod (check out our review of the Aspire EVO Starter Kit), giving us the same amazing chipset with some added horsepower. Most of the features remain the same as the NX75 besides the apparent doubling the power output. The overall shape has been compared heavily to the Aspire Plato, another highly-successful product from Aspire. While the appearance might be similar, the Aspire Archon 150W TC Box Mod stands as Aspire’s flagship powerhouse and shows us how lightweight and versatile vape devices these days can be!
I’m going out on a limb and stating the Aspire Archon is the lightest dual battery device ever created, weighing in at only 91g; lighter than some Atomizers currently on the market! Comparing it to the single 18650 Aspire NX75 Box Mod at 167g, even with both batteries installed in the Archon, it still weighs 30g lighter than the NX75 with only one battery! The extremely lightweight frame doesn’t take away from the build quality and overall fit and finish since the Archon is built with superior materials and longevity in mind. Available in Black, Gray or Blue, all sharing the unique signature Orange accent color that carries into the battery compartment area (I’ve been using the Gray). The U-shaped battery doors are interchangeable if you like to mix and match different colors for a two-tone setup. The shape of the Archon with one side rounded is perfect for trigger firing and is very comfortable to hold in the hand; it’s also very pocket-friendly.
The Aspire Archon shares the same chipset as the NX75 but can now fire up to 150W and has a maximum output of 8.5V. In both TC and Wattage Modes, the 0.05Ω minimum firing resistance is accurate and up to 3.5Ω for the higher-ohm vapers out there. The Wattage Modes available are VW (Variable Wattage), VV (Variable Voltage), Bypass and three CFBP (Customizable Firing Button Profiles) Modes (C1-C3) which allows for ramp-up or power curve adjustability to be fine-tuned. You can customize each second of power output to create the perfect vape to fit your style. All the adjustments can be made directly on the device without any external software and is really easy to set up. The little bit of time I did spend with CFBP was enjoyable especially for the low-ohm builds I tend to favor involving a lot of necessary preheating.
The Temperature Control options on the Aspire Archon are Nickel, Titanium and Stainless Steel (SS316L) along with three TCR customization modes (M1-M3). The Archon will automatically lock the coil resistance in any of the TC Modes (just make sure the coil is at room temperature before attaching it). You will be prompted if it’s a new coil but in all the Wattage Modes the resistance is read immediately. While I don’t run TC Mode often, I decided to run my VGOD TrickTank Pro RDTA with dual Titanium 10-wrap coils and right around 550F the clouds and flavor were amazing! Titanium Mode felt accurate comparing it to other precise Temperature Control devices (the Lost Vape Triade DNA250 in particular). Holding the (T) and (+) buttons gives you access to all the wire options, M1-M3 TCR Modes to adjust the temperature (up to 150W) and tweak the TCR for each one individually.
The Aspire Archon features a very intuitive 5-button operation with Wattage (W) and Temperature (T) Modes having their own designated action button. Navigating through the different modes is very straightforward but there are still a lot of commands you’ll need to learn to utilize the Archon to its full potential. The 0.86inch OLED display screen is bright and beautiful with a lot of information on display. The screen orientation flips automatically depending on the way you’re looking at it but favored the left orientation more for some reason. The 8mm square fire button is located perfectly, has a smooth clicking engagement and protrudes enough to easily find it with your finger. The two 14mm x 3mm regulatory buttons have a teeter-totter operation and are placed far enough apart preventing unnecessary button pressing. It’s very convenient having the two extra command buttons so no more 5-clicking or 3-clicking with the Archon! Loaded with a ton of cool features, one I personally use is the Child Lock. It allows you to input a three digit password that needs to be plugged in before the device can be used. It worked great on the Aspire NX75 and something I love to have at my disposal (being a parent of four). You can also change the logo displayed on the main operating screen of up to 10 characters (mine says Spinfuel of course). The default ‘Aspire‘ is displayed but having that small detail to personalize your device is always a welcomed feature.
The Aspire Archon 150W TC Box Mod runs on dual 18650 batteries (not included) that can be accessed through sliding the magnetized U-shaped battery door off. The door slides really easily and is held on by four large magnets, two on each side. Despite the strong magnets, the door does tend to move around just slightly. When I’m vaping, it’s not as noticeable versus when I’m moving the mod around. You can install the door either direction which makes for quick battery exchanges. The battery bay is super clean and carries the same Orange trim color from the outside in. Battery orientation markings are engraved inside the battery compartment and easily seen so installing your 18650’s is straightforward. There isn’t a battery pull tab but the batteries protrude far enough to make removing them an easy task. No battery venting anywhere but even when pushing triple digit wattages did the Archon get hot whatsoever.
Battery life is very subjective and is why I leave it out of most of my reviews with removable batteries. But with my Sony VTC6 (20A 3000mAh) batteries the amount of vape time is truly impressive; over a day of 100W+ vaping! Once your batteries reach about 3.4V each, the chipset will begin limiting power output to conserve the last bit of battery life that’s available instead of just giving you a ‘Low Battery’ warning. The micro USB supports up to 2A charging (with a 5V/2A adapter) and is for firmware upgrades as well. The detailed User Manual will give you step-by-step instructions how to update the firmware and any other task you need accomplished. The Archon supports pass-through charging but Aspire recommends not vaping while the device is charging to lengthen the life of the mod.
The only issue I had the first week of use was the Archon wasn’t reading certain atomizers with shorter, less protruding 510 center pins. When I tightened tanks on too much or not enough, I was getting a ‘No Atomizer’ or ‘Low Resistance’ error on screen. Finding the perfect middle ground was a battle from tank to tank. The 510 connection pin is spring-loaded but with very little travel which could’ve caused the errors I kept getting. Over the last month, the problem has slowly but surely vanished. My guess was the 510 pin travel could’ve been getting stuck the first week but has loosened up over time. But nonetheless, I wanted our loyal readers to know since it was very irritating in the beginning. The device has a slight ticking that if held to your ear sounds like a clocks second hand; not a negative just weird. And last but not least, because the width of the Archon is 23.5mm and the sides slope down a little, you can only fit a 22mm atomizer without dealing with overhang. Even with larger tanks attached it doesn’t look horrible but with 150W available, I’m more inclined to grab larger more powerful tanks; the Aspire Cleito 120 Sub-Ohm Tank perhaps?
Final Grade – A-
“With 150W the Aspire Archon can deliver, many of the low to midrange atomizers accompany it quite nicely; making it ideal in any vapers collection. Along with the lightest chassis of any dual battery device I’ve owned to date, the Aspire Archon 150W TC Box Mod is the ideal upgrade from the NX75 I was hoping for. A touch over forty bucks ($42.95 at MyVaporStore) is a no-brainer if you ask me!”
Team Spinfuel
Features and Specs:
- Dimensions: 3-3/8″ x 2″ x 7/8″
- Spring Loaded 510 Contact Pin
- Wattage Range: 1W – 150W
- Output Voltage Range: 0.00 – 8.5V
- Temperature Control: Nickel 200, Titanium, Stainless Steel 316 and TCR
- Temperature Control Range: 200 – 600F / 100 – 315C
- Resistance Range: 0.1ohm – 3.5ohm
- Requires (2) High Amp 18650 Batteries (Sold Separately)
- Customizable Firing Button Profiles (CFBP)
- High Resolution 0.86″ OLED Display Screen
- Sliding Magnetized Battery Door
- Child Lock System
- Customize your Logo
- Stealth Mode
- Micro USB Charging Port
- Firmware Upgradeable
- Automatic Cut Off Protection
- Short Circuit Protection
- Low Resistance Protection
- Overheat Protection
- Overcharge Protection
- Overdischarge Protection
