Table of Contents
Last Updated on August 14, 2018 by Team Spinfuel
iPV400 200W TC Box Mod Review
The iPV400 TC Box Mod arrived at Spinfuel HQ a few weeks now, and I’ve been using it off and on since then, trying to decide how to approach the review as honestly as possible, without confusing anyone. It wasn’t easy. The SX Pure technology takes a bit to explain, and its a little premature right now due to the FDA’s ignorance. But, the review is done….
Okay, I am a little disappointed in the aesthetics of the iPV400. The body is in the same mold as the Fuchai 213, in size and basic shape, though the accents are very different. The disappointment comes from Pioneer4You not designing a cleverer body to match the new, exciting tech that the iPV400 is stuffed with. With the advanced tech that should do great things for Pioneer…, the body is a bit boring.
Additionally, with the August 8th Prohibition nearly here, I’m wondering just how far the newest tech, it’s “YiHi SX Pure” compatibility, will go. I’ll talk more about SX Pure shortly. First, let’s get to the main talking points for the iPV400.
Pioneer4You iPV400 200W TC Box Mod – At a Glance
The Pioneer4you IPV400 200W TC Box Mod advances output technology more than I expected. The integration of the proprietary chipset that is capable of firing up to 200W with Dual 18650’s, and the adaptable temperature control system that includes the new SX Pure heating element technology by YiHi.
The IPV 400 200W chassis has a naturally contoured shape that fits comfortably in the palm of pretty much anyone’s hand. The wavy accents create a whimsical feel of the mod, which is nice touch, but removes the device from any sort of industrial design recognition. In other words, the iPV400 may just look dated in a year or so. Not that it matters, I just have a preference for timeless designs, in mods or anything else, things that never look outdated.
The iPV400 measures 88mm by 41.5mm by 28mm, which I believe makes it one of the smallest 200W dual 18650 mod on the market right now (is the iPV6 smaller? Maybe) . It structural features include an attractive and logical three-button layout, with the firing button on the face-forwarding side panel, while the dual adjustment buttons are placed next to the OLED display on the lower, wider side of the mod, similar, again, to the Fuchai 213W.
The IPV400 is firmware upgradeable, though after August 8th any firmware update will require Pioneer4You to file a PMTA and wait for approval from the FDA for US vapers to download and install the update, making firmware updates not so important until the “Deeming Regs” can be walked back, if they can be walked back. (Although obtaining firmware updates via the black market is a viable alternative. Torrent the file and be done with it.)
The iPV400 features a high-performance YiHi SX330-F4 chipset, which allows the output range of 200 Watts using just 2x 18650 batteries, a minimum atomizer resistance of 0.05-ohm, and the temperature control system that is compatible with virtually any RDA, RTA, and Sub-Ohm Tank. I used everything from the Kanger Protank 4 to the
Cloud Beast TFV8 from SMOK, and the iPV400 handled them with ease.
With the ability of the TC suite to offer TCR setting support for four different heating elements (wires), including Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, Stainless Steel, and the new SX Pure heating element, you can definitely call the device a true TC mod.
What is SX Pure?
Atomizers utilizing coil-less technology was, maybe still is, poised to take off this year. Altus is, or was, working on a v2.0 version of their Altus Tank, which works with a unique ‘chip’ as the heating element and a small piece of cotton over the chip. So YiHi saw the potential of a coiless atomizer and began building technology that would utilize this coiless atomizers by providing an accurate TCR value.
Yihi’s SX Pure is a mixture of certain features that bring on a fresh take on how an atomizer can work. The YiHi SX Pure technology relies on the device used as well the tank. Right now it works with the Pioneer4You IPV5 mod (and probably the iPV6) and the iPV400. Both have an “SX Pure” setting for use with coiless atomizers, including the Pioneer4You Janus.
Both mods harness the YiHi platform chipset. The temperature control SX Pure setting allow for adjustments through Joules, and the resistance is as low as 0.05Ω. The temperature coefficient of resistance is not yet known (not that I can see anyway), and again that August 8th date will probably play a part in the success or the absolute shutdown of SX Pure technology.
IPV400 – Some Commentary
The iPV5/6 and the iPV400 utilize the latest YiHi chipset, and for that reason alone both devices stand tall among
advanced vaporizers. Still, with this insane prohibition in the US kicking in on August 8th, US vapers may be unable to take advantage of such high-tech devices. Let’s say that in a few months YiHi needs to make an adjustment to the TCR value of the SX Pure setting. They send the update to Pioneer4You, who then needs to send it out to owners of the iPV5 and iPV400. Because here in the US Pioneer4You would be required to submit a PMTA application in order to release it, can you really see this happening?
Don’t misunderstand me, although I find the iPV400 a little boring on the outside, on the inside is another matter. We have several of Altus coiless tanks, and ever a few Pioneer4You Janus tanks, and we’ve been expecting the new Altus tank for a while now, so there is some excitement, or at least was. Both the iPV5 and iPV400 offer some exciting new technologies to experiment with, to maybe even find a better vape in there, but will it all grind to a halt in a matter of weeks? If so, do you stock up now, or do you wait?
The Bottom Line
The biggest news coming out of the iPV400 is the new YiHi chipset. Other than that, this advanced box mod features the “expected” feature-set of any YiHi based mod, including safety features, TC features, and so on. If you want to dive into the coiless atomizer arena, then the iPV400 makes a lot of sense. Though remember that after August 8th there will be no more advancements without huge payouts to the FDA for a PMTA applications and a very long wait. To get the most out of the iPV400 now, and for the next several months at least, pick up a few SX Pure capable tanks along with the mod. Otherwise, you’re simply buying another 200W TC box mod.
For the small price of $49.95 at Element Vape, the iPV400 won’t hurt the pocketbooks of most vapers.
Grade: B
“Not the coolest box mod on the market, but certainly a capable, advanced box mod. If you’re a Joule’s fan, if you’re interested in SX Pure and coiless tanks, definitely pick one up, with a couple of coiless tanks to play with. After owning the black and silver for a while now, I’d opt for blue and silver…black and silver is just…dull.”
Tom McBride
Pioneer4you IPV400 200W TC Box Mod:
- Dual 18650 High-Amp Battery – Not Included
- Latest YiHi SX330-F4 Chipset Technology
- Maximum Wattage Output: 200W
- Minimum Atomizer Resistance: 0.05ohm
- Temperature Control Range: 212-572F
- “Smallest Size, Largest Power”
- Soft Curvature Structure
- Colorful Wavelike Accents
- Intuitive OLED Display
- Temperature Control Functionality
- Compatible with Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, and SS304
- Supports SX Pure Heating Elements
- Temperature Control of Resistance (TCR) Setting
- Magnetic Battery Door Cover
- Low Voltage Protection
- Low Resistance Protection
- High Input Voltage Warning
- Short-Circuit Operation
- Reverse Battery Protection
- 510 Connection
In The Box:
- 1 Pioneer4you IPV 400 Box Mod
- 1 MicroUSB Cable
- Instruction Manual
“An workhorse of a mod, with a remarkably small form factor, more than enough power and super low resistance, and a handsomely-crafted chassis, the Pioneer4you IPV400 200W TC Box Mod makes for a delightfully compact mod.” – John Manzione
