Augvape VX200 Vape Mod & JEWEL Tank Review

Disposable – not exactly the most popular word in a world gone green. But leave it to the vape industry to carve its own path. The all-new Augvape VX200 kit is a shining example of this, with a unique disposable sub-ohm tank system in place… and sadly, a bit of a disposable feel to the mod, as well. Let’s see how the pros describe the device.

The Augvape VX200 TC 200W Starter Kit consists of a polycarbonate-framed box mod, with room for dual high-amp 18650 batteries, an extensive temperature control suite, and a proprietary chipset that allows for compatibility with stainless steel, titanium and nickel wires for more advanced builds.

In addition, the Augvape VX200 box mod is paired with the Augvape Jewel Disposable Mesh Sub-Ohm tank, a polycarbonate 3.0mL plastic tank featuring an integrated 0.15ohm mesh coil rated for 50-70W. Built from food grade plastic, the Jewel Disposable Mesh Sub-Ohm Tank can hold up to 3.0mL of today’s popular liquids, and offers dual-slotted bottom airflow control, for those looking to adjust things a bit.

A lot of nice words… but how does it all stack up?

When you first see and feel the VX200, you’ll think Augvape accidentally left out the internals, because this thing is LIGHTWEIGHT… lighter than most any mod in my collection, that’s for sure. Even with a pair of 18650s installed, the mod is simply not hefty at all.

A lot of this can be attributed to the polycarbonate plastic exterior, which definitely makes the VX200 a portable device… but it also makes it less than durable, which I found out after one unfortunate drop from my office desk. (We’ll cover that in a bit…)

Looking past the weight, the VX200 certainly looks like a sleek, modern vape mod, complete with nicely finished paint, a bright and colorful 1.3-inch color screen, attractive menu and control options, and firm, clicky buttons and fire bar. You’ll probably find yourself wondering how all this technology is crammed into such a small, lightweight mod… I know I did.

But that’s exactly what happened, since the VX200 lives up to its name, offering a legitimate 200 watts of output power, which ramps quickly using the now-common side-positioned fire bar.

Ultimately, your love or distaste for the VX200 will come down to your appreciation of plastic. Because it’s everywhere on this kit. From the vented bottom piece to the disposable Jewel tanks, every inch of this setup comes courtesy of polycarbonate materials. And unfortunately, that makes it feel flimsy, especially when engaging the device through the large, firm fire key.

Through multiple rounds of testing, I noticed that the VX200 repeatedly threw me misfires – not because the chipset was failing, but rather because the flimsiness of the mod shell made fewer clicks register. It was as if the mod was shifting under the weight of a heavy press – even when I was barely applying pressure.

Once I got used to it, and found the fire bar’s “sweet spot” there was little problem with operating the mod. But under heavier hands and less-cautious use, I can see the VX200 cracking or failing from the lack of durability.

It’s a pretty mod kit, to be sure. But is it a mod I’d trust for road trips and more-rigorous activities? Not a chance…

Standout Features

Love them or hate them, the key differentiator on the VX200 kit is the disposable plastic Jewel sub-ohm tanks. These mesh offerings certainly make a tremendous first impression, leaving me floored (yes, floored) with their performance out of the box.

After just a few minutes of soaking (no coil priming here, since the Jewel is a one-piece, non-adjustable affair) the tank filled my room with some of the most-flavorful vapor I’ve enjoyed in some time. I simply couldn’t believe that so much performance lied under the hood of this otherwise cheap-looking atomizer.

I was tasting things in my juice that hadn’t been noticeable in ages – and because the kit comes with three of them, I found myself trying older juices I had long abandoned, just to see the flavor clarity that came with the experience.

If only it lasted. While these mesh setups can technically give you 3-4 solid days of use, that pales in comparison to most traditional tank/coil setups. And once the coils start to fail, they fail quickly, requiring you to have another on hand at a moment’s notice. Sure, the 3-4 days will delight you with flavor and vapor production, but once it’s done, it’s really done.

The price point on these 0.15-ohm tanks is competitive (if there even iscompetition in this space) but thinking longer-term, having disposable plastic tanks that wave the white flag after three days, only to end up in a landfill? Doesn’t seem like a sustainable practice for most people, especially those who appreciate the environmental benefits of vaping.

PROS:

• Ultra lightweight
• Fast-ramping power
• Attractive looks

CONS:

• Disposable tanks don’t last
• Flimsy, cheap-feeling exterior
• Misfires everywhere!

Observations – Augvape VX200 Kit

I won’t lie – the flimsiness and disposable nature of this kit got to me. Even after I figured out the “right” way to fire the mod so it wouldn’t bend under pressure, I still found myself being extra cautious to not squeeze the device the wrong way, for fear of the exterior cracking. Honestly, that’s just a ridiculous concern in 2019. While I appreciate Augvape’s desire to make a lightweight device, I’m pretty sure most users would take durability over weight every time, and this is why.

I mentioned that I drop tested the VX200… well okay, I just dropped it. But it landed hard on a wood floor, immediately launching the back (non-screen) panel across my dining room. Thankfully it snapped back into place, but it was much wobblier than before, making a precarious situation even worse. This lack of durability really made me enjoy the device less, because I was worrying about it more – not something anyone needs to do with a modern device.

When firing properly, the VX200 is a fast-ramping, powerful device, augmented by 3-4 days each of good flavor with the three included tanks. But is that enough to justify the price? While there’s plenty of more-expensive vape mods out there, there’s also a bunch of more-durable ones at lower prices. Considering the included tanks really sing between 50-70 watts, there’s not much reason to have 200 on board, especially if that feature came at the expense of durability.

The features and menu system work extremely well, though, and remain a highlight of this otherwise flawed device. I hope to see Augvape implement this screen and menu setup into more-durable devices in the coming year, since it’s clear, sharp and easy on the eyes.

Spinfuel VAPE Recommendation and Score

Despite some strong flavor (for a few days) and ridiculously fast ramp up times, the Augvape VX200 is a “pass” for me. There’s plenty to like under the hood… but the hood itself is just too weak and flimsy to ever feel right when operating it. I don’t want to worry about things falling apart under regular, everyday use. And neither should you.

Plus, with a set of disposable tanks giving just a few short days of solid performance, the entire package feels … well … disposable.