ASMODUS TRIBEAUT 80W BOX MOD REVIEW

It’s been quite a year for asMODus. Some ups and downs, to be sure. But all is forgiven thanks to the latest entry in the awesome Minikin series. So, when asMODus revealed the new Tribeaut (nice pun, guys) was based on the same usability traits, I was excited. And after using it, I’m still PRETTY happy with it, even if it’s not in the same league as its big brother.

The asMODus Tribeaut 80W Box Mod is an impressive box mod.  Powered by a single 18650 battery, features an extensive temperature control suite, and houses the advanced asMODus 80H Chipset. Constructed from durable zinc-alloy and plastic.

The Official Word

Introducing the asMODus Tribeaut 80W Box Mod, an impressive box mod building off the platform of the Minikin Series, powered by a single 18650 battery, features an extensive temperature control suite, and houses the advanced asMODus 80H Chipset.

Construction

Constructed from durable zinc-alloy and plastic, the asMODus Tribeaut 80W Box Mod, can withstand light to moderate falls or drops. Although it has a diminutive size and compact feel, the TRIBEAUT Box Mod is full of features. Powered by a single high-amp 18650 battery, which is sold separately, the Tribeaut can achieve wattages of up to 80W easily. Equipped with a myriad temperature control options and protections, the asMODus Tribeaut, makes fine tuning your vape easy, but also safe as well.

Aesthetics

asMODus owes a debt of gratitude (and maybe a royalty check) to the nice folks at OBS, since the Tribeaut looks an awful lot like their Cube mod from a year or so ago. But hey, that was/is a good-looking device, so there’s no harm in offering something similar, right? Besides, how many “unique” form factors are left in the vape mod design coffers, anyway?

This three-sided, heavily beveled chassis design was clearly chosen for comfort purposes, and in that sense, the Tribeaut delivers. While the compact, single-18650 format might not impress those seeking pure power, it was nice to have a pocket-friendly vape mod that can accommodate today’s larger atomizers without a drop of overhang.

It also doesn’t hurt that the Tribeaut is made extremely well — a quality we’ve come to expect from asMODus. From the bombproof 510 plate, to the stiff, rattle-free buttons and no-nonsense display, the Tribeaut is designed for simplicity and performance… and nothing more.

The polycarbonate frame material seems pretty durable, but I wouldn’t go recommending a concrete drop test for the mod, since its compact nature means there’s a ton of technology crammed into some tight real estate. For everyday use, though, the Tribeaut will likely hold up just fine.

My only complaint during testing came from the hinged bottom battery door, which started out stiff, but loosened itself dramatically within the first few days of use, causing it to pop open on several occasions… even once when I was simply picking it up from a table. I can’t imagine this gets BETTER with more use, so keep this in mind when checking it out.

Vaping the asMODus Tribeaut Mod

Simplicity is the goal here, and asMODus really took the concept to heart. While there’s nothing new or unique about a linear, three-button menu system, the way the 80H chipset leads users to the options is one of the best we’ve seen, with every adjustment made in an intuitive manner. Within minutes, I was operating the Tribeaut single-handed, never missing a beat. I imagine this was asMODus’ intent, and they were successful this time around.

In use, the Tribeaut handled all atomizers I threw at it, from low-wattage MTL tanks, all the way to the sub-ohming limits of its 80-watt output. While 80 is a fairly low cap for me, I found the Tribeaut made up for it with quick firing and potent draws, even on lower-ohm coils.

So, if you cheated and saw the score, you’re probably asking, “what’s the problem?” First, battery life. There may still be a market for single-18650 devices, but this isn’t the best example of why. I managed a few hours of moderate vaping with a freshly charged cell, but battery performance seemed random, with matched pairs of cells performing erratically, without any obvious reason as to why.

Secondly, while the user experience is seamless, and making adjustments is a breeze, the Tribeaut doesn’t always KEEP the mod at those settings. The pre-set temperature control suite was simple to use, but difficult to “nail down,” with resistance readings and coil settings jumping all over the place during testing. TCR mode made a lot of these issues go away, but if they’re going to offer a “dummy-proof” TC option, they should have focused on making it work better.

Wattage mode was a lot smoother, but there was some noticeable pulsing once I exceeded 65 watts. I’ve come to expect this on 200+ watt mods, but it was surprising to feel power fluctuations on such a moderate-wattage device.

Pros:

• Compact, comfortable design
• Wide 510 plate for modern atomizers
• Excellent, simple menu system

Cons:

• Battery life is poor
• Battery door became loose VERY quickly
• Erratic TC and higher power performance

The Spinfuel VAPE Bottom Line

Let’s be clear: none of the above problems made me dislike the Tribeaut. But in an age when mods are performing so well, these nitpicky things tend to stand out. And when you consider that the company’s own Minikin 3S and Amighty devices performed like champions, it’s even more confusing.

While those seeking a compact, single-handed device will find a lot to like in the asMODus Tribeaut, more-experienced vapers should definitely investigate things a little further before laying out the cash.

Score: B-