DOVPO Topside Dual Carbon Squonk Mod Review

Dovpo Topside Dual Carbon Squonk Mod

The calendar year 2019 may have seen a dramatic drop in the number of squonk mods we’ve received for review. But that’s only because the industry is weeding out the chaff, letting cream rise, and any other metaphor you can imagine. Today, we talk about the Dovpo Topside Dual Carbon Squonk.

Just months after we deemed the Lost Vape Drone our top squonker, there’s a new king in town – yep, it’s the Dovpo Topside Dual Carbon Squonk Mod in all its glory and performance.

Yeah, that’s a lot of hyperbole for one paragraph, but sometimes the results are just too good to bury them at the end of a review. Even without the DNA-powered chipset (there’s an arguably BETTER YiHi board here), the Topside Dual Carbon secured its spot atop the throne by delivering the most effortless, enjoyable squonk mod performance to date. And the fact that they wrapped it in a gorgeous, ridiculously high-end exterior only makes this a more attractive proposition.

Let’s see what the company has to say…

Enhanced with a lightweight, scratch-resistant Carbon Fiber material, the DOVPO Topside Dual CARBON 200W epitomizes high-quality construction with sophisticated attention-to-details design elements. All the while creating an ergonomic form factor that fits dual 18650 batteries (sold separately) and the signature 10mL squonk bottles.

Taking the device to a new level involves the integration of the YiHi chipset, outfitted with a 200W maximum output, full temperature control suite, new Joule output mode, and a full-color TFT screen for top-level operation usage. Within the unit, the squonk bottle can be filled from the top, after unscrewing a knurled and threaded top cap.

If you already own a Topside Dual…you’ll STILL want to check out the Dual Carbon, because the carbon fiber exterior is stunning. This is no sticker, folks.  The lightweight but durable shell feels phenomenal in the hands, staying cool at max wattages, while having just enough texture to be reassuring in the hands. In other words, even with these dimensions (the Topside Dual Carbon is large, kids) it’s comfortable to use all day long.

And with the included 10mL squonk bottle, you might be able to do just that. Sure, no matter which atomizer you use, you can expect to refill a lot with steady use – squonkers are thirsty beasts, after all. But if you’re a more measured vaper, the 10mL represents an awful lot of liquid to use. And the bottle is one of the highlights here, with a completely leak-free, top-fill design that removes a lot of the awkward bottle removal for refilling… the source of most squonk mod messes, to be honest.

(Truth be told, I don’t usually bring squonk mods out on the town because of the inevitable spillage, but the Topside series has made this a thing of the past. And the Topside Dual only improves on the experience.)

My ONLY concern about the design? The battery chamber – likely in an effort to reduce space – is a little snug, meaning some of my rewrapped cells had a difficult time sliding in and out. It didn’t affect performance, but it’s worth noting for those who might have thicker wraps.

Standout Features

I already alluded to it above, but the calling card for the Topside Dual is the proven top-fill port, which makes squonking as easy as any other form of vaping. For those new to this format, Dovpo (along with some input from The Vapor Chronicles) chose to put a snug screw cap atop the mod, which lets users refill rapidly and without a drop of leakage – two things most squonk mod users don’t enjoy.

In practice, it actually reminds me a lot of those “huge chamber” mods that were popular a few years back, like the iJOY RDTA Box (RIP) or the SMOK Skyhook (stay dead). While those weren’t squonkers, per se, the top fill format allowed users to load their devices in seconds, not minutes. Here, it’s just a simple, effortless experience that makes me wonder why more companies aren’t implementing something similar.

And, in a nice design touch, the Topside Dual Carbon uses the same 10mL bottles as the original Topside and the non-carbon Topside Dual. So, if you’re an enthusiast, enjoy having spares available.

Another surprising positive? The 0.96-inch OLED display, which might be monochrome, but is laid out well, and is easy to read, even in direct sunshine. I’ve been calling a lot of companies to task for their boring displays, but in context of this massive beauty, a discreet screen was welcome, as what its linear, straightforward usability.

Vaping the Dovpo Topside Dual Squonk Mod

Featuring 200 watts of straight power, full temperature control suite, TCR capabilities and more, the Topside Dual is about as advanced as squonk mods get in 2019. As mentioned earlier, the mod features a laser-precise YiHi chipset which may not be AS feature-filled as the DNA Color chips out there, but it’s a close race. And in my opinion, the YiHi actually noses ahead because of the no-nonsense operations that never get bogged down in awkward menu trees or confusing input sequences.

Once I chose a series of RDAs to use for testing, I was floored by how easily the Topside Dual got to work. There was very little priming or prep needed. Just wick, fill and enjoy, as it should be. No matter which BF atomizer I was using, juice flow was smooth and steady – no random gushes or overfills here. If anything, the slightly stiff bottle helped ensure aggressive squeezers don’t flood their decks by accident.

Speaking of “feel” – the three button setup is just about flawless. The fire key and both operation buttons have a solid, reassuring click that registers with each press. Some might find the mild noise annoying, but it only instilled more confidence in how well the Topside Dual is built.

Using dual 18650 cells, the mod offers TRUE 200-watt output. Even though battery life struggles a bit at higher wattages, the Topside Dual never stutters while climbing the ladder. Besides, no one is buying a dual-18650 squonker expecting stellar battery life, but for the most part the Dual hangs in there with similar devices, offering roughly 4-5 hours of performance with moderate use. Unfortunately, the USB charging is far too slow to use effectively when needed, so have spares handy.

Finally, I’ve seen some reviews, both for the Dual Carbon and original Topside Dual, where writers lamented poor temp control performance. I did not experience anything wonky or out of the ordinary here. While it wasn’t QUITE perfect, the YiHi chipset allowed for a wide range of customizations, and once locked in, never really jumped or stuttered.

As far as we’re concerned, if you’re a TC vaper looking for a high-temp, high-power squonk mod, you can buy with confidence.

Pros:

– Gorgeous, durable carbon fiber frame

– Flawless squonk performance

– Tons of features with the YiHi chipset

Cons:

– Huge

– Narrow battery chamber

– Battery life is iffy

Spinfuel VAPE Recommendation and Score

This might be one of the most anticlimactic conclusions we’ve ever put to print, because it’s obvious we love the Dovpo Topside Dual Carbon squonk mod. Not only because of what it does, and how well it hits those marks, but also because of what it’s not – heavy, bulky or difficult to use. Instead, even with the massive footprint, the Dual Carbon sits well in the palm, is easy to squonk and even easier to keep filled.

Dovpo has created a true high-end device here. Yeah, the price tag might chase away skeptics, but if you’ve ever trusted our opinions on mods, trust us here. The Dual Carbon is a classic, and the rightful owner of the squonk mod throne.