Well, at least they didn’t call it the “Baby.” Even if that name would be more representative of the performance put forth by the new GeekVape Aegis Mini vape mod kit. While most casual users won’t find much fault with this miniature version of the phenomenal full-size Aegis, fans of the brand might be put off by the specs and output seen here.

(Yes, I’m one of those fans.)

Visually, the Aegis Mini is sharp – a fully downsized version of the original, complete with comfortable grip, bright vertical OLED display, bombproof 510 connection, 26mm atomizer capability, and a durable leather-like grip makes the design ideal for active types. Considering how large the Aegis is, this scaled-down version should be a big hit.

In short, the 78mm tall Aegis Mini looks really good, and fits equally well in a palm or pocket. It’s also surprisingly light without a battery installed, even though the exterior is still adequately durable.

Inside, there’s a different story to tell. For starters, GeekVape is positioning the Aegis Mini as a qualified sub-ohm replacement for fans. And the 80-watt output max is more than enough to make that happen. But the 2,200mAh internal battery is a major letdown – especially when pushing the mod to its top wattage limits.

(Spoiler Alert: Getting a total of 45 minutes of moderate vaping from a “mini” mod is a little disappointing in 2019, no?)

The 0.96-inch vertical OLED display is nice, clear and does what it’s supposed to without looking out of place on a streamlined mod. For the next round of Aegis devices, I’d like to see GeekVape upgrade the visuals and screen size a little, but the important thing is that it works, and works well.

The same can’t be said for the mushy, sticky fire and control buttons, which might be the biggest surprise on the Aegis Mini. I’m not sure if it’s the coating, or just an improper fit, but I had nothing but trouble with my test unit, resulting in a number of misfires and mistakes right out of the gate. Considering this is a full-featured, TC-capable device, precision is important, and the sticky keys did nothing to help things along.

Finally, the rubberized coating that covers some of the exposed metal sections feels good in the hands, but the plug/cap used to “waterproof” the USB upgrade port is useless. Mine repeatedly popped out and showed wear and tear after just a few hours carrying the Aegis Mini in my pocket. I like the concept, but until this design is ready for prime time, I’d rather GeekVape just left it off, rather than trying to make it work.

It’s a shame the Aegis Mini’s controls are so sticky, because the updated AS chipset is actually a precise one. Using the straightforward menu system, users are able to get to a broad slate of features, including full temperature control options, TCR mode, bypass and more. Thanks to poor buttons, getting the Aegis Mini to do what you want might be difficult, but the destination is promising.

On the flip side of the coin is the included Cerberus sub-ohm tank, which looked like it had so much promise, but left me unimpressed throughout the testing period. At first glance, the 25mm diameter, 5.5mL capacity, included mesh coils AND compatibility with SMOK TFV8 Baby Coils would seem like a vaper’s dream, right?

Unfortunately, it never quite comes together. As you’d expect, the Cerberus is a perfectly adequate sub-ohm offering, but “adequate” doesn’t really get the job done anymore. The included mesh coils last a good amount of time, but the flavor never really pops, and the vapor production was surprisingly limp, too.

Using some leftover SMOK coils, the Cerberus performance improved moderately, but coil technology has advanced far beyond what these durable workhorses provide. They’re still quality coils, but even SMOK would agree that they’ve made considerable strides since these hit the streets a few years back.

As I’ve said so many times before, if you get the Cerberus as part of a kit, use it, enjoy it and have it handy as a spare. But by no means is this a tank you need to hunt down as your next go-to purchase.

I feel like the Aegis Mini suffers from a slight case of “vape puberty.” On one hand, 80 watts is more than enough power to successfully sub-ohm ‘til your heart’s content. On the other, the mod tends to slow down its output near the top of its capabilities, never quite hitting a fully fledged max output. There are moments where it screams at that level, but overall, the weak battery and slightly jumpy chipset make it difficult to keep vaping at that level for long.

The Cerberus is designed for mid-wattage (30-60W) vaping, so most newcomers, who stick with this kit setup, shouldn’t experience much trouble with power fluctuation. But those who want to experiment with other tanks might find themselves wishing they grabbed something more capable before leaving the house.

I also noticed one thing about the Cerberus (at least on my test model) – it doesn’t sit flush on the Aegis’ 510 connection. Other tanks and RDAs fit well, but the included companion tank had more play and wiggle than I’m comfortable with, especially when pocketing the mod for use out and about.

Overall, it’s a solid vape device that shouldn’t offer too many surprises to those who use it as a straightforward wattage mod. But there are better, more long-lasting devices to be had.

Getting back to the “vape puberty” comment, if GeekVape had just toned down the power output, and positioned the Mini as more of an entry-level device, this review might have been a little different. But since it’s not quite a beginner kit, and not nearly an advanced kit, the Aegis Mini sits in a weird layer of Peter Brady-like awkwardness.

When it’s in its comfort zone, the Aegis Mini is a solid device, and most users will find it’s a nicer-than-expected starter device. And up to 70 watts, they’ll likely never experience anything to the contrary. But once that battery starts kicking out before someone orders a second round of drinks? Well, watch how quickly the Aegis Mini ends up staying home the next time its owner heads out.

I wanted to love this mod kit and am confident GeekVape has a much better follow-up to come. But the Aegis Mini kit represents a rare misstep from a company that doesn’t make many of them. Fingers crossed for the next time out.

Mod Score: C-

Tank Score: C

Kit Score: C

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