Table of Contents
This is what I’ve been waiting for! Sorry for starting a review with an exclamation, but after months upon months of shutdowns and shipping delays, having an honest-to-goodness high-powered vape mod in my hand just feels right. Even better? It was worth the wait.
The Freemax Maxus 200W mod kit may not have stood out a year ago, but today it’s like an oasis in a desert of pod mods and false promises. It’s also a rock-solid, high-performing vape mod with a companion tank that might have already secured its place on our year-end winners’ list.
Let’s start with the specs…
Discover the Freemax MAXUS 200W Starter Kit, featuring the FM CHIP-MAXUS 1.0 Chipset, single or dual battery, and comes with the Maxus Pro Sub-Ohm Tank. Constructed from durable zinc-alloy, the chassis of the MAXUS 200W Starter Kit is decorated in visually striking resin panels. Outfitted with the FM Chip-Maxus 1.0 Chipset, the MAXUS Kit can deliver an instantaneous firing speed of 15ms. Operating off a single OR dual battery, the Freemax Maxus will have a wattage output range of 5-80W or 5-200W, respectively.
More…
In addition, the batteries can be installed in any direction thanks to the SmartLoad Technology, making this a great starter kit for beginners. Paired with the Freemax Maxus Pro Sub-Ohm Tank , the MAXUS delivers delicious vapor with the new 904L Mesh Coils that heat eJuice rapidly and evenly thanks to the mesh coil heating element. With the ability to access more advanced firing modes, the MAXUS Starter Kit pairs neatly with nickel, titanium, and stainless steel wires for advanced firing modes for seasoned vapers.
Freemax MAXUS 200W Starter Kit Features:
- FM CHIP-MAXUS 1.0 Chipset
- Dimensions – 150mm by 52.5mm by 29mm
- Single or Dual High Amp 18650 Battery – Not Included
- SmartLoad Technology – No Polarity, Load At Will
- Wattage Output Range – Single Battery: 5-80W
- Wattage Output Range – Dual Battery: 5-200W
- Output Voltage Range: 0.7-8.4V
- Resistance Range: 0.1-3.0ohm
- Temperature Range: 100-315°C / 200-600°F
- 15ms Firing Speed
- Power Mode
- VPC Mode
- BYPASS Mode
- TC Mode
- TCR Mode
- Titanium, Nickel, Stainless Steel Wire Compatibility
- Zinc-Alloy Chassis Construction
- Single Firing Button
- OLED Display Screen
- Magnetic Battery Door
- Two Adjustment Button
- Low Resistance Range
- 10s Timeout Protection
- Open Circuit Protection
- High-Temp Protection
- Low Voltage Protection
- Short-Circuit Protection
- Automatic Coil Test
- Same/New Coil Selection
- Type-C USB Port
- Threaded 510 Connection
Freemax Maxus PRO Sub-Ohm Tank Features:
- 27mm Diameter
- 5mL Bubble Glass Capacity
- Pyrex Glass Reinforcement
- Superior 304 Stainless Steel Tank Construction
- Sliding Top Fill System – Single Fill Port
- Freemax Maxus Pro Coil Series
- 15ohm 904L M1 Mesh Coils – rated for 40-70W
- 2ohm 904L M2 Mesh Coils – rated for 60-90W
- FM CoilTech 4.0
- Tea Fiber Cotton Wicking Material
- Threaded Coil Installation
- Dual Slotted Bottom Airflow Control Ring
- 810 Widebore Drip Tip
- Threaded 510 Connection
Aesthetics of the Freemax Maxus
I won’t lie, when I first saw the Maxus, I was underwhelmed, simply because we’ve seen so many of these types of mods in the past. But once I started using it, I realized that the Maxus is designed for simple, no-nonsense functionality, without any nonsense to get in the way. That’s when I learned to love this kit.
That’s not to say the Maxus isn’t gorgeous. The permanent resin side panel is extremely smooth, and – other than a few fingerprints – really accent the mod without being garish or overblown. I wish I could swap them out, but overall, I’m happy with the design on my multicolor test model.
The monochrome, vertically oriented display is worth mentioning. While the menu system follows the tried-and-true “three-click” approach, the bright, crisp screen makes it effortless, even for newcomers to advanced vaping devices. Nothing too crazy, just clean, legible visuals to improve the user experience.
The buttons and fire key follow the overall “no-frills” aesthetic, with rectangular, beveled inputs that are responsive and clicky. My only concern is the 510 connection, which had a little more play than I’m usually comfortable with. Once my tanks were attached, there wasn’t much movement, but attaching and removing them saw more wiggle than necessary.
Simplicity of the Maxus
On a mod so focused on simplicity, there really isn’t much in the way of “standout” features. That said, I have to credit Freemax for two things. First, despite its slender form, the dual-18650 Maxus hits a legitimate 200 watts, smoothly and accurately, with zero missteps on the way up the ladder. I never once misfired or got any random pulses or spikes. It just works.
Secondly, despite all this power in such a small space, the Maxus stays cool and battery efficient, even under heavy use. I’ve put this thing through the rigors over the last few days, and it just keeps delivering, without getting warm or stuttering. A pair of freshly charged 18650s keep the Maxus kicking through most of a workday, and should perform even better outside of conditions like these.
The Freemax Maxus Pro Tank
I think it’s pretty clear from the intro that I think the included 27mm Maxus Pro tank is a monster. And that includes its size.
While not as obscenely large as any of SMOK’s more obtuse tank designs, the Maxus lives up to its name, with a commanding presence, inlaid resin accents, and coils that will keep going long after competing products give up the ghost.
Plug n Play Coils
Each of the provided plug-and-play mesh coils went through hours of heavy testing, and none showed any signs of slowing or diminished flavor. The pre-installed M2 is actually proving to be the better of the two, as the flavor is extremely rich and nuanced, and the ramp-up time is instantaneous.
When I pushed the Maxus Pro to its higher limits, it never struggled to keep up with the heat. The ample juice ports kept the coils wet, and at no point was there any gurgling, spitting or leaking around the bottom airflow ring.
The coils are noticeably thirsty, but I highly doubt anyone will complain once they taste and experience the vapor the Maxus Pro produces in every puff.
Vaping the Freemax Maxus Kit
What can I say that hasn’t already been covered? At this point in my vape review career, I’ve seen it all – touchscreens, Bluetooth speakers, waterproofing, photo storage (?), WiFi capability… you get the point. But you know what mods I keep coming back to? The ones that just work without needing engineering degrees. And the Maxus falls right in that category.
Pop in two batteries, attach the awesome tank, and just vape. Not only does the size make it a pocket-friendly device, but it also offers tremendous longevity between charges, with onboard charging for when power gets a little lean.
DUAL CELLS
Even better, the Maxus can operate on either one or two 18650 cells — even changing the display, depending on the configuration you choose. This likely won’t get used much, but it’s a good option for people in a pinch.
Plus, with the nice, stiff input buttons, you don’t need to worry about unintentional 200-watt hits or random setting changes. The standard temperature control and TCR modes are here, easily accessible and pinpoint-accurate, with no random fluctuations along the way. I may not vape this way very often, but it’s nice to know the Maxus makes it easy to operate when I choose to.
All of my testing tanks and RDAs worked beautifully on the Maxus, with no random fluctuations or problems. Straightforward, no-nonsense vaping at its finest, even with the swirly resin side panels. Even at lower wattages, where many high-powered vape mods stutter, the Maxus fires confidently and accurately.
Pros
– Simple, proven design
– Excellent power and power efficiency
– Compact and pocket-friendly
Cons
– Resin panels aren’t interchangeable
– Slightly loose 510 connector
– Atomizers over 27mm will hang over the curved frame
Bottom Line of Freemax Maxus
Maybe I’m just happy to see a new high-wattage vape kit on my desk. But, other than a few sticking points, there’s really not much to complain about here. Freemax may not be a huge name in vape MODS, but they’re definitely more than just a vape tank company. (Even if the Maxus Pro tank is a highlight of the kit…)
For the size (and price) the Freemax Maxus is a tremendous value. If you’re like me and want something simple, effective and powerful, this mod kit needs to be on your shortlist in 2020.
