Table of Contents
- 0.1 A Bakers Dozen of Evolv DNA Driven Mods of 2017-18
- 0.2 ELEMENT VAPE STOCKS THESE EVOLV DNA DRIVEN MODS, AND MANY MORE
- 1 Something About Evolv
- 2 The Future of Evolv and the DNA chip
- 3 Operating Evolv DNA Driven Mods
- 4 LOST VAPE MIRAGE 100W DNA75C TC BOX MOD
- 5 Lost Vape Therion DNA75C TC Box Mod
- 6 HCigar VT250 DNA250 TC Box Mod
- 7 HCigar VT250S DNA250
- 8 HCigar VT75C DNA75 Color TC Box Mod
- 9 Think Vape Finder DNA75C
- 10 Think Vape Finder DNA75C TC Box Mod specs:
- 11 Think Vape Finder DNA75C TC Box Mod contents:
- 12 HCigar VT75D
- 13 S-BODY VAPEDROID C3D1 DNA250
- 14 Wismec Reuleaux 200W DNA200 Box Mod
- 15 asMODus Oni 133W DNA200
- 16 HCigar VT Inbox DNA75 Squonk Box
- 17 Boxer Mod Classic DNA 75C BF Squonk 2X700 by Ginger Vape
- 18 Lost Vape Paranormal DNA166 167W TC Vape Mod
- 19 So, Where Are We Now?
A Bakers Dozen of Evolv DNA Driven Mods of 2017-18
In an industry dominated by abbreviations – PG, VG, OLED, TFT – perhaps no three letters have had more impact than Evolv DNA. And no, I don’t mean self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms, aka, deoxyribonucleic acid. The term DNA used in the vape community stands for the chip/board created by a company called “Evolv“. Vape Mods with a DNA “heart” have long been considered the standard against which all other devices are measured (though some might certainly disagree). Other than a few rare missteps, there are precious few DNA Vape Mods that don’t perform head and shoulders above similar devices.
Today, as companies develop high performing Vape Mod chipsets that narrow the gap between DNA-powered devices and the rest of the pack, Evolv’s standard-bearing boards simply work, with levels of precision and customization that most competitors could only dream of. Well, at least that’s how many of the vape community see things. That’s how Spinfuel VAPE sees things, but, we believe that it is critical for Evolv to thoroughly “vet” any company wanting to build a Vape Mod around their board/screen.
Of course, for every fan of the Evolv DNA there seems to be an equal number of fans for the YiHi chipsets. But, until we’re ready to reveal our top picks for the YiHi devices, we’ll just admit that YiHi and Evolv are fierce competitors, which is always a good thing for the consumer.
Sure, DNA Vape Mods (and YiHi Mods) are usually more expensive. Many of them still use antiquated control schemes. And some “set it and forget it” Vapers find the ultra-technical details a little superfluous. But for those who crave the utmost in efficiency, ridiculously precise temperature control, and preheat customization, there are few arguments to be had about the consistent quality of DNA mods.
In the spirit of March Madness, we’re going to break down what we feel is a nice Bakers’ Dozen of DNA mods. But first, let’s take a closer look at what drives these highly sought devices.
ELEMENT VAPE STOCKS THESE EVOLV DNA DRIVEN MODS, AND MANY MORE
Something About Evolv
The United States-based Evolv made its name with the DNA40, the first Evolv board to feature Nickel wire temperature control vaping, though the DNA40 (40W) was not the first DNA board. Since that pivotal moment, DNA boards have grown to handle all the current wires in TC mode, from the original Nickel to Titanium and Stainless Steel, and is still quite comfortable pushing power to Kanthal wire as well in variable wattage mode.
The Evolv DNA series now includes the DNA 75c (which introduced preheat functionality, a function button, and a color screen), DNA200 and DNA250 chipsets. In the coming weeks, Evolv will be releasing its first DNA250C, a color version of the ultimate power board, but as for which company will have the honor of building a Vape Mod around it, or what it will look like, we have to keep that under wraps.
You may have seen other mods claiming DNA166, or DNA167 but those mods use the DNA250 chipset and throttle it down to 167W in the name of improving battery efficiency. Guess what? It works – the most recent devices to do this, such as the Lost Vape Paranormal DNA166 (pushing 167W), have an incredible 97% power efficiency rating.
Though the older control scheme of classic DNA chipsets makes these mods a little polarizing, the recently introduced DNA75c now employs a beautiful full color display and a crucial function third button for controls. The results bring DNA chips current with other industry leaders and make DNA quality accessible for a much wider range of vapers, though suffers with just 85% power efficiency. Just keep in mind; Evolv is always, always, always, striving for more, as the latest Lost Vape Mirage DNA75 100W Vape Mod shows (more on the Mirage below).
The Future of Evolv and the DNA chip
A lot of us in the review community wonder about the next Evolv DNA equipped device all the time. These days the best producers of Vape Mods with DNA “hearts” come from Lost Vape, Think Vape and HCigar. Certainly, there are other makers, other manufacturers that decide to produce their own DNA Mod, but lately, it seems the market is nearly cornered by these three top-notch companies. Still, what about the future?
The last full-power DNA board was/is the DNA250. Its release caused quite a stir for the power-hungry Vapers. Soon after the thrill of a 250W DNA board waned we were expecting to see Evolv drop the big one, the DNA300. To date, that has not happened. Instead, Evolv has taken a different path. A path of lower maximum wattage output, color screens, and that third, ever-important, function button. In other words, Evolv refused to play the power game and instead spent their R&D on improving the functions of their boards and displays. Or, perhaps Evolv was refining their improvements before moving back into the higher wattage game. We’ll soon find out.
Moving in the direction of color, lower wattage, etc., turns out to have been a very smart move. Almost serendipitously, the Sub-Ohm Vape Tank market made a similar move; building tanks with prebuilt coils that require less wattage and still maintain massive vapor output and true flavor fidelity. The best-selling Sub-Ohm Vape Tank today is the SMOK TFV12 Prince. The most wattage that can be pushed through SMOK’s highest wattage coil is 110W, less than half the power of the DNA250. Yes, these coils, most coils today, are produced with Kanthal heating elements, but Temperature Control might define a DNA board, though owners of DNA Mods are no more likely to use its TC functions as any other Vape Mod.
In any case, the 2-button, monochrome DNA250 board has an outstanding 97% power efficiency, while the lower wattage color boards, the power efficiency comes crashing down to 85%. While these lower wattage, full color screens are outstanding devices, Evolv clearly has some work to do in this department.
Evolv is getting there. Technology is catching, and Evolv will soon show its latest board to the pubic. In the meantime, that third button that makes navigating a DNA Vape Mod so much easier, isn’t going away. The color screens make these same Mods easier to read and to manipulate, won’t go away, they’ll just get better, sharper, higher definition. With the ability to use larger cells, the 2X700 cells as well as the 26650, Evolv is finding ways to move the company forward.
Operating Evolv DNA Driven Mods
While the newer DNA75C use a straightforward, display-driven, function button, control scheme, older DNA mods have a somewhat intimidating learning curve. There are plenty of online resources to help newcomers get started, and better companies have included detailed instructions in their packaging. But just to be sure, let’s go through some of the most pertinent control functions, so you can spend less time reading, and more time vaping.
- Powering On Your Device: A simple click of the fire button will initiate the startup.
- Locked Mode: Click the fire button five times with less than .7 seconds between presses. To unlock, press five more times.
- Stealth Mode: After pressing the fire button five times (puts you into Locked Mode), hold the fire button and down button together for five seconds. Repeat to exit Stealth Mode.
- Resistance Lock: While still in Locked Mode, hold the fire and up buttons for two seconds to lock your resistance in any Temperature Control Mode.
- Power Locked Mode: Hold the up and down buttons for two seconds which prevents you from accidental wattage adjustments.
- Scroll Profiles:Still in Power Locked Mode, double click either the up or down buttons to scroll through the eight profiles.
- Switching between Celsius/Fahrenheit: Adjust the temperature down to 200F and press down one more time.
Of course, you can make these adjustments when your DNA Vape Mod is connected to a PC or Mac, using the handy Escribe software, which allows you to customize just about every aspect from what vitals show on the main screen to adding photos and even different fonts.
There are 93 different customization options, to be exact. But don’t let that intimidate you – Escribe is very user-friendly and gives users a much better look into what their mods are doing when firing, while also allowing them to personalize their experiences for optimal vape quality every time they press fire. (even if you never install Escribe on your computer, you can get hundreds and hundreds of terrific vaping from any Evolv DNA driven vape mod)
One quick note to get ahead of some potential controversy – only a select few companies are chosen to produce DNA mods. (In other words, SMOK will not be making one anytime soon…) So, you can expect to see many of the same company names on this list. It’s not favoritism. It’s not elitism. It’s not payola – it’s the reality of the highly discerning DNA product landscape.
So, without further ado… let’s dive into the Bakers’ Dozen of DNA-powered Vape Mods that excite us most at Spinfuel VAPE.
HCigar VT250S DNA250
The replacement to the VT250
The HCigar VT250S DNA250 TC Box Mod is an improvement in function over the above VT250, but clearly not in chassis design. The VT250S seems to have taken a page out of the WISMEC playbook, delivering a high-performance mod that allows users to switch between a dual-18650 or triple-18650 setups allowing greater versatility over the VT250, along with the same, powerful DNA 250 Chipset. The VT250S is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed VT250 Mod, The ability to switch from 2 to 3 cells uses an ergonomic hex-angular frame with modern lines and easy handling.
Running the VTS with dual 18650 automatically throttles down the power of the device to a maximum wattage output of 167W. In full power mode, the integrated Evol’s DNA 250 Chipset features an impressive output range up to 250W with an exceptional 97% output efficiency rating. When used with the Esribe application, the DNA250 allows for true customization. With expanded functionality and unparalleled power performance within a carefully crafted chassis, the HCigar VT250S DNA250 was to set the new standard in HCigar’s flagship device. It is a great choice, and it deserves to be listed here, but the VT250 still wins my heart from a design standpoint.
HCigar VT250 DNA 250 250W TC Box Mod Features:
- Triple High-Amp 18650 Battery Platform – Not Included
- Optional Dual 18650 Configurations
- Wattage Output Range: 1-250 Watts
- Max Power at Dual 18650s: 167W
- Voltage Output Range: 0.5-9.3 Volts
- Temperature Range: 200-600F
- Min Kanthal Resistance: 0.2ohm
- Min Temperature Resistance: 0.1ohm
- Patented Evolv DNA250 Chip
- Intuitive 0.91 Inch OLED Display
- Sleek Soft Contour Frame
- Futuristic and Modern Chasis
- Reverse Protection System
- Upgradeable Escribe Software
- 97% Output Efficiency
- Cell-by-Cell Monitoring
- Cell Balancer
- Atomizer Protection
- Low Resistance Protection
- Short Circuit Protection
- Overheat Protection
- Low Voltage Step Down Protection
- 510 Connection
HCigar VT75C DNA75 Color TC Box Mod
Color and that Third Button
While HCigar has branched out beyond the DNA chipset these days, their flagship devices are still powered by DNA’s efficient boards. And their recent VT75C uses Evolv’s gorgeous new color format in the best possible ways.
For starters, the VT75C just looks amazing, inside and out. With assertive, but still distinguished design, bold, leather-like adornments, and a striking (and leak-preventing) 510 connection, the VT75C isn’t looking to be another “me too” mod in your collection – it’s looking to be a standout device that is an extension of your own personal style.
On the inside, the new 75C chip shines, with an 85% efficiency rating, 75 watts of unwavering power, and the unparalleled customization of the chipset. Plus, with the ability to use 26650 batteries, the efficiency only improves, while the power never falters along the way.
There are plenty of mods available in this range. But for those who like a high-end mid-wattage vape matched with high-end looks, there are few options as attractive as the HCigar VT75C.
Hcigar VT75C Specs:
- Single 18650 or 20700 High-Amp Battery – Sold Separately
- Wattage Output Range: 1-75W
- Voltage Output Range: 0.6-9V
- Min Kanthal Resistance: 0.25ohm
- Min Temperature Resistance: 0.15ohm
- Temperature Range: 200-600F
- Supports Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, and Stainless Steel
- Intuitive OLED Display
- Die Cast Zinc Alloy Chassis Construction
- Genuine Leather Battery Door
- Stunning Wood Panels
- Three-Button Operation
- Patented Evolv DNA75-C Chipset
- Upgradeable Escribe Software – Theme Generator
- 85% Output Efficiency
- Cell-by-Cell Monitoring
- Cell Balancer
- Atomizer Protection
- Low Resistance Protection
- Short Circuit Protection
- Overheat Protection
- Low Voltage Step Down Protection
- MicroUSB Port – Firmware Upgrades
- Stainless Steel 510 Thread Point
- Spring-Loaded Nickel-Plated Brass 510 Connection
So, Where Are We Now?
We’ve done a lot of “Best Of XYZ” pieces lately, and they’ve been difficult to compile, simply because there are so many options and opinions to be had. Finding a consensus among the staff took time. But this list might have been the most difficult, because of how polarizing DNA-powered mods can be.
For some, the presence of a DNA chipset is reassuring – comforting those who know their devices will function smoothly, safely and consistently. For others, it opens up worlds of customization options other boards simply can’t provide. Hell, a lot of people just like knowing they have a world-class high-end mod in their hands (with a little leather and carbon to drive the point home).
One thing is for sure – if you’re fortunate enough to own an Evolv DNA device, take comfort in knowing you have a fantastic Vape Mod that will perform as you want it to, with no compromises and no limit to how many things you can customize. They may not be for everyone, but in the right hands, and with the right level of experience, a DNA mod can turn a good vape into a great one, with just a few clicks.
Throughout the year, as new Evolv DNA Vape Mods find their way to market, we’ll include the best of the them here, in an updated list. Today’s list was cherry picked for the quality of Mod itself, and the manufacturer that make them. We hope that as the Evolv DNA chip expands and improves, that Evolv maintain a tight grip on which companies can make a Mod with a DNA heart.
Any Evolv DNA chip/board/screen can be purchased by anyone, for the home modder to the largest and smallest companies. Should this remarkable board find its way into some of the cheaper, less reputable companies, it will harm Evolv as faith in their technology take a hit every time a cheaply made Mod with a DNA board fails. So far, at least in our list today, the pitfall has been avoided. You can trust every vape mod on this list, and because they are all equipped with an Evolv DNA board, all you need to worry about it the body design, and if you want power more than color and a third button, or vice versa.
