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Joyetech eVic Primo 2 w/ ProCore Aries Sub-Ohm Tank Review
Whatever it was that changed the minds of the product managers at Joyetech to offer the newer ProCore Aries for the eVic Primo 2, in addition to another Kit featuring the UNIMAX 2 sub-ohm tank, I’m very glad they did. While there is plenty of good things to say about the latest eVic Primo 2, it is the ProCore Aries sub-ohm tank that is the real news here.
In fact, since Spinfuel VAPE made the decision not to review everything that sees a release, I initially passed on the eVic Primo 2/UNIMAX 2 Kit and someone else on the team reviewed it instead. Soon after I learned of the ProCore Aries tank and a full kit release with the Primo 2, it became a product worth reviewing, so I decided another look was in order.
About The eVic Primo 2.0 TC Box Mod
Powered by dual replaceable 18650 batteries, the eVic Primo 2.0 has 228 Watts of maximum output, (wattage output of 1-228W) matching the WISMEC Predator 228. Inside the eVic Primo 2 is a new charging balance system. A system that can support a genuine 2.0A quick charge if the user also owns the Avatar Quick Charger (optional purchase). Without this 2A charger accessory, we recommend charging the dual cells outside the body with a Nitecore charger.
The eVic Primo 2.0 offers an upgradeable firmware system, along with multiple functions found in most Joyetech/WISMEC/Eleaf products this year. Pretty much standard fare now, but the chipset in the eVic Primo 2 allows for a clock, a custom logo, a preheat setting and reverse charging with the reverse charging adapter, not to mention the various modes, which I’ll get to in a bit. This quick charge adapter, while making perfect sense for a device like the WISMEC Reuleaux RX300 (4x 18650 cells), could come in handy in an emergency if the user was stranded with a smartphone in need of a charge. Otherwise, the Reverse Charging Adapter is superfluous technology.
The 26mm diameter of the eVic Primo 2 allows the user to option to use a wide variety of sub-ohm tanks, and the adjustable depth of the 510-connector (4 – 5.5mm) assures that virtually 100% of the sub-ohms will see a secure fit, and a secure connection to the power underneath. During the past 5 weeks, my review period, I tried out every tank I had and each one fit flush and pushed flavor and vapor as easily as the ProCore Aries it came with.
For this review, I chose the Yellow/Black model. For some reason, a deep yellow device is most aesthetically pleasing to my eyes, (hence my desire to obtain the yellow HCigar VT250S) and when I saw that we had received a few in each color the Primo comes in, I quickly grabbed the Yellow/Black. The ProCore Aries tank matches with the same shade and depth of the yellow eVic Primo 2.
The build quality of the eVic Primo 2 is solid. So far there has been zero rattles or loose fitting parts. The battery door on the bottom of the device has a snug and secure fit with the 2x cells inside. Even the slightly larger Nitecore 3100mAh 35A batteries (also yellow), fit perfectly in the battery chamber.
The eVic Primo ‘shape’ has not changed since the original Primo. The width of the device tapers down from the 26mm end with the 510-connector. This ‘wedge’ shape makes for a good grip, as well as a comfortable grip. The thick, glossy paint job, reminiscent of the paint on an expensive automobile, adds to the comfort of holding the eVic.
The biggest improvement from a Joyetech/WISMEC/Eleaf 510-connector can be seen in the eVic Primo 2. The spring-loaded connector is deeper and has more threads then other connectors on devices from the 3 manufacturers above, and the positive pin has a true spring in its step.
The eVic Primo 2 Chipset Modes
VW/VT (Ni, Ti, SS316)/TCR/Smart/RTC/USB Charge mode
eVic Primo 2 and ArcticFox
Although Spinfuel VAPE has never mentioned ArcticFox before, the advanced vapers in the vape community that enjoy Joyetech/WISMEC/Eleaf devices, as well as devices that use the firmware/chipsets from these three, such as Vaporflash, BeyondVape, La Petite, and the VaporShark Switchbox RX version, ArticFox is firmware that can give these devices a new life by extending their functionality to the same level as Evolv DNA or YiHi devices.
I recently discovered ArcticFox (back in February), and it’s been great so far. For example; the Preheat Function in the eVic Primo 2 is wattage-based, which limits its abilities. However, with the latest version of ArcticFox the eVic Primo 2 can be changed to a preheat function that is percentage-based. Percentage-based preheat is the best way to build a preheat function, in my opinion.
The ArcticFox can adjust power curves, create custom battery discharge profiles for each device, create custom TFR curves for these devices, and all these created profiles are automatically chosen based on coil resistance inside the tank sitting atop the device. There is much more to ArcticFox and the NFE Toolbox, and I’ll be presenting a piece on these tools soon. For now, the importance of mentioning ArcticFox is to inform you that the eVic Primo 2 is certainly a good device as is, but with certain tools, further customization is possible.
Downloading and installing ArcticFox takes some time, but I’ll discuss this and other aspects of using this firmware for your Joyetech/WISMEC/Eleaf devices soon.
eVic Primo Amperage and Voltage
The eVic Primo 2.0 has an Amperage output limit of 50 amps, allowing it to reach 200 watts with coil resistances between 0.10Ω – 0.40Ω, and pushing the full 228W from 0.10 – 0.35Ω.
The eVic Primo 2 has a 9-volt limit (Output voltage range: 0.5-9V) that allows the device to max out at 100 watts when using coil resistances as high as 0.81Ω. This would be good using a 3x or 4x 18650 mod, so for a dual 18650 mod it’s excellent.
eVic Primo OLED Display
The eVic OLED display has been around for quite a while, and to be honest I was very surprised to see a completely different display in the eVic Primo Mini. In the Primo 2 the same bright and crisp .96” OLED display lays out information in a series of horizontal lines and includes a battery icon for each of the two cells.
Operating the menu system begins with a 3 tap on the Fire Button. When activated, each line on the horizontal screen begins blinking one at a time. Using the two adjustment (plus/minus) buttons the user can scroll through the various modes. In default mode, the eVic Primo 2 begins in TC Ni200 mode, with the lowest temperature. Activate the Primo menu, tap the right adjustment button to get to the mode the user wants.
A Word About SMART Mode
The latest firmware for the eVic Primo 2 is version 4.0.5, and includes SMART Mode. When scrolling through the menu system the user will happen across this Smart mode. Smart Mode is used by being based on the resistance of the coil, and there will be a recommended output range for the user. The dash line on the display marks the maximum recommended output.
I found that the Joyetech ProCore Aries works best with Smart Mode. The recommended output range gives me the best vaping experience without having to run through various wattages to find it. Using other sub-ohm tanks the Smart Mode worked okay, but just in case, the user can still adjust the wattage beyond the range of what’s recommended. This happened to me when using the SMOK TFV8 Cloud Beast tank with the V8-T10 coils. The V8-T10 has a resistance of 0.12Ω, Kanthal A1 and organic cotton, with a range of 50w-300w, but is best between 130-190W. Using the Primo 2 in SMART mode I had to push the wattage by 30W on average. That said, the ProCore Aries were spot on.
ProCore Aries Sub-Ohm Tank
The other half of the eVic Primo 2 Starter Kit is the new ProCore Aries. This tank harkens back to the sub-ohm tank performance of the long-lost Delta II by Joyetech. Rich, full flavor, easy draws and massive clouds of thick flavorful vapor. The ProCore Aries, found here and other Kits from Joyetech such as the eVic Primo Mini and the Cuboid Tap, is the best sub-ohm Joyetech has made in a long time.
The ProCore Aries Replacement Coils are the newest high-performance coil structure from Joyetech that provides a wide range of resistances and wattage options. Replacement packs come with 5 coil heads, ($11.95 Element Vape) some for Direct Lung, and some for Mouth to Lung.
Joyetech eVic Primo 2.0 228W TC Box Mod Features:
- Dual High-Amp 18650 Batteries – Not included
- Dimensions: 131mm by 53mm by 26mm
- Wattage Output Range: 1-228W
- Maximum Voltage Output: 50A
- Minimum Atomizer Resistance: 0.05ohm
- Temperature Control Range: 200-600F
- Ni200, Titanium, and 316 Stainless Steel Compatibility
- Ergonomic Soft Contour
- Optional Power Bank Capability – Requires Reverse Charging (RC) Adapter
- Preheat Functionality
- Intuitive OLED Display
- Switchable Interface
- Oversized Firing Mechanism
- Hinged Flip Battery Cover
- Cell Balancing Trickle Charge System
- Innovative Buck-Boost Technology
- Dual Circuit Protection
- Reverse Polarity Protection
- Stainless Steel 510 Connection
Joyetech ProCore Coil Series:
- 0.4ohm ProC1 Single Coil – rated for 40-80W [Direct Lung]
- 0.25ohm ProC1-S Single Coil – rated for 25-55W [Mouth-to-Lung]
- 0.15ohm ProC2 Dual Coil – rated for 30-70W [Direct Lung]
- 0.2ohm ProC3 Triple Coil – rated for 40-130W [Direct Lung]
- 0.4ohm ProC4 Quad Coil – rated for 50-110W [Direct Lung]
The eVic Primo 2 Starter Kit includes two coil heads for the Aries; the 0.4ohm ProC1 Single Coil – rated for 40-80W for Direct Lung, pre-installed, and the ProC1-S, rated for 25-55W and is MTL, mouth to lung. Funnily enough, these coils are all Kanthal A1 coils. If you want to use the TC modes you’ll need to use another tank.
And here’s the biggest twist; the ProCore Aries Sub-Ohm Tank can use any of the SMOK TFV8 Baby Coils. I’ve tried it and it works wonderfully. In fact, except for the wide bore drip tip on the TFV8 Big Baby tank, the vape experience is nearly identical.
The ProCore Aries Sub-Ohm Tank has a 4mL juice capacity that is accessed with the flip top-fill design. The airflow control is on the base of the tank.
Warning: When filling the ProCore Aries make sure the bottom airflow slots are completely closed off. This tank will leak through the airflow slots if the tank is filled with any opening in the slots.
Features and Specs for ProCore Aries:
- Dimensions: 2″ x 1″ (Including Drip Tip and Threads)
- 25mm Diameter
- 510 Threaded
- 4.0ml e-Liquid Capacity
- Flip Open Top Fill Design
- Dual Airflow Slots
- Adjustable Airflow Control Valve
- Airflow Design Allows for a Balance of Flavor and Vapor
- Utilizes Joyetech ProC Series Kanthal Atomizer Heads for Variable Wattage
- Includes (1) ProC1 0.4ohm Dual Coil Atomizer Head for Direct Lung (DL) (40 – 80W)
- Includes (1) ProC1-S 0.25ohm Dual Parallel Coil Atomizer Head for Mouth to Lung (MTL) (25 – 55W)
- Includes (1) ProC4 0.15ohm Octuple Coil Atomizer Head for Direct Lung (DL) (50 – 110W)
- Compatible with TFV8 Baby Beast Atomizer Heads
Conclusion
This is the best version of the eVic Primo yet. With up to 2A quick charge with the Avatar adapter, an extra 28W of power, the loss of the weird replaceable stickers, it’s as though Joyetech pushed out the original with some tech left on the drawing board. Within a few weeks of release, Joyetech pushed out version 2 with the UNIMAX 2 tank. Shortly after, the ProCore Aries was ready and Joyetech pushed out the best version of the Kit; the Primo 2 and the ProCore Aries. A damn nice kit, and a damn nice price of $54.95 for the full kit. (Element Vape)
After 5 weeks of use, I give the eVic Primo 2 w/ProCore Aries Kit a score of 9.8
Tom McBride
Further Reading
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