Eleaf iStick Pico 21700 Mod Kit Preview

It’s only fitting that this Eleaf iStick Pico 21700 mod kit preview is coming out at the beginning of the MLB season, because I have enough Pico devices in my collection to cover a baseball team. Just when you think Eleaf is done going to this well, along comes another similarly styled compact device. But that said, I have high hopes for this 21700 mod kit, due to specs alone.

Oh, this isn’t a new design – it’s still the same single-battery, top-loading compact mod style. But the slightly larger frame, 21700 capability and wider Ello Tank make me wonder if this is the Pico that finally joins my regular rotation.

I’ll come right out and say it – I LOVE the simple, no-nonsense brushed stainless steel finish on my Pico 21700 test model. With all of the jagged frames, oversized screens and LED lightshows pervading the vape scene, there’s something refreshing about a simple design, done well. Between the unadorned finish and retro display, there’s a distinct “old school” vibe that I really appreciate.

To be fair, most of the Pico series of mods have been simply designed. But this might be the most uncluttered look since the original Noisy Cricket … and with much better machining, to boot.

One notable area of improvement that Eleaf is touting is an all-new menu system for the Pico 21700. Previous editions of these entry-level devices had minimalist functionality. But the company is claiming a deeper, more intuitive interface to cater to a wider range of vapers.

This interface is necessary for the more expansive temperature control and TCR functionalities available on the Pico 21700. Though I’m not sure deep temp control is what the Pico audience is looking for in a vape mod, it’s nice to see some evolution from the series. We haven’t spent much time dabbling in the menus, but we’ll be sure to report back in our full review soon.

Also notable is the wider frame and 510 connection – not only to accommodate the larger battery cells, but also for larger atomizers. The included Ello tank is a respectable 24.5mm in diameter, but I tried several larger tanks, and they also looked right at home on the Pico 21700, with minimal overhang or awkward fits.

One frustrating design choice is the placement of the up/down controls on the bottom of the Pico 21700. Though they’re recessed, and are stiff enough to avoid accidental presses, this is a dated, awkward design choice, and one that needs to go away. There’s a fine line between “old school” and “just plain old,” and the Pico 21700 leans a little too far toward the latter with this control scheme.

The fire button, on the other hand, is a highlight of this 21700 mod kit. Firm, clicky, and with a nice shallow throw, the fire button is perfect for this device.

Unlike more reserved Pico models, the Pico 21700 is advertised as a 100 watt mod. As a 21700 mod kit, the Pico is expected to have better than average battery life. But how much better? Our experience with single-21700 devices has been hit or miss, with only a few mods truly taking advantage of the increased capacity. Previous Pico mods have struggled with battery longevity, so we’re curious as to how well the Pico 21700 will impress by comparison.

The eLeaf Pico 21700 mod kit also comes with an 18650 adapter cap, but we weren’t thrilled with how it felt. Though the adapter fits the battery tube well, there was a ton of rattle and play, with a lot of poor connections and misfires. In an emergency, this is a nice option to have, but there’s no reason to purchase this kit if you have no intention of staying with the 21700 format.

That’s why it’s nice that Eleaf included a single 21700 cell in the box! Plus, the Pico 21700 has 2-amp onboard charging, meaning the beefy battery will recharge at a decent clip. (Hopefully, we won’t have to actually recharge as often as we did with the single-18650 format!)

Clearly, we have a lot of things to consider when reviewing the Eleaf iStick Pico 21700 mod kit. And we have a few questions, too!

For starters, is there still a market for Pico mods? While Eleaf obviously sees a need to continue building upon this form factor, there seems to be some diminishing returns in terms of innovation and new features.

Also, are the menu and feature advancements enough of a reason for Pico fans to consider adding another Eleaf kit to their collections?

But we’re still excited by what we’ve seen with the Pico 21700 so far. We’ll be giving this interesting kit a thorough test over the next few weeks, and will report back as soon as possible!

Eleaf iStick Pico 21700 mod kit specs:

• Size: 51mm x 26mm x 119mm(after extended)
• Liquid Capacity: 2ml(extendable to 4ml)
• Battery Type: 21700/18650(AVB 21700 battery included)
• Maximum Charing Current: 2A
• Thread Type: 510 thread
• Output Wattage: 1-100W
• Output Voltage: 0.5-9V
• Output Mode: VW/Bypass/TC(Ni/Ti/SS/TCR)
• Resistance Range: 0.05-1.5ohm(TC modes), 0.1-3.5ohm(Bypass mode)
• Color: Silver, Brushed Silver, Black, Greenery, Hot Pink, Grey

Eleaf iStick Pico 21700 mod kit contents:

• 1 x iStick Pico 21700
• 1 x ELLO Atomizer
• 1 x 21700 Cell(4000mAh)
• 1 x HW2 Dual-Cylinder 0.3ohm Head(pre-installed)
• 1 x HW1-C Single-Cylinder 0.25ohm Head
• 1 x QC USB Cable
• 2 x User Manuals
• 1 x Set of Spare Parts