Table of Contents
Joyetech eVic VTC Mini Review
Overview:
Joyetech has updated the original (not all that long ago actually) eVic VT and called it the eVic VTC Mini. The eVic VTC Mini is more compact compared to the original. In fact, if it weren’t for the beautiful OLED horizontally presented screen you wouldn’t recognize it as an eVic-Anything. The eVic-VTC Mini offers the same 60-watts of power and it’s temperature control technology. The eVic VTC Mini can fire coils down to an ultra low of 0.05-ohm.
The Joyetech eVic-VTC Mini has an interchangeable battery compartment instead of the triple layer LiPo of the original eVic-VT. Now when the power runs low you can switch out another fully charged 18650-30A battery and continue on. A smart move for this particular device, although the LiPo in the original works well for it.
The battery is easily replaceable by sliding down on the magnetic battery cover. The eVic-VTC Mini is a sleek device, and comes in the usual Black, White, and Cyan. (Although, to my eyes the Cyan color looks more greenish-teal) For this review I am using the Black eVic-VTC Mini, and when I say black I mean black as black can be. With all the buttons being black as well, I consider it a Blackout Edition.
The Joyetech eVic-VTC Mini also features a crystal-clear OLED screen with horizontal lines for the display, and supports VT-Ti (Titanium)/ VT-Ni (Nickel)/ VW mode and Bypass mode (Voltage).
Gone is the top stainless steel flick knob of the eVic-VT. It has been replaced with a more conventional Plus/Minus button directly under the Display, with the USB port directly under the buttons. Changing wattage or voltage or temperature is done through the Plus/Minus buttons.
In the new Bypass mode the eVic-VTC has the ability to become a direct output mode of voltage. The resistance must be in the rage of 0.15-3.5 ohm to fire in this Bypass mode.
Using the Temperature Control feature on any TC vaporizer helps extend battery life and eliquid consumption. Of course, using the TC mode requires either Ti or Ni coils. TC mode allows you to customize your vape in ways never before possible, with less power consumption.
The tank that comes with the eVic-VTC is once again the eGo One Mega VT atomizer, with its large 4ml capacity. The eGo One Mega VT has two types of coilheads for TC mode: Ti (Titanium) and Ni (Nickel 200). The metal thermal insulation drip tip is designed for a comfortable and easy vape. Airflow control with this tank is smooth, easy, and variable in distinct tightness of your draw.
Features and Specs eVic-VTC:
- Dimensions: 3-1/4″L x 1-1/2″W x 7/8″D (body only)
- Requires (1) High Amp 18650 Battery (Sold Separately)
- Removable Magnetic Battery Cover
- 510 threaded
- Output mode: VT-Ti/VT-Ni/VW/Bypass Mode
- Bypass Mode (Voltage Mode)
- Temperature Range: 100-315 Celsius /200-600 Fahrenheit
- Operating Wattage: 1 to 60 Watts
- Output Voltage: 0.5V-8.0V
- Resistance Range: 0.05-1.0ohm for VT mode
- Resistance Range: 0.15–3.5ohm for VW/Bypass mode
- Firmware Upgradeable
- Charged via USB
- 4ml Capacity
- 510 drip tip compatible
eVic-VT Visual Display:
- VT-Ti mode/VT-Ni mode/VW/Bypass
- Wattage/Voltage
- Atomizer Resistance
- Battery power/Puff/Time
Features and Specs for the eGo One Mega VT:
eGo ONE Mega VT—Ni (Nickel 200, Made in USA)
- Diameter: 0.25mm
- Resistance: 0.2Ω
- Component: Organic Cotton
- Temperature recommended: 500-550˚F
- Summit wattage: 60W
eGo ONE Mega VT—Ti (Titanium)
- Diameter: 0.4mm
- Resistance: 0.4Ω
- Component: Organic Cotton
- Temperature recommended: 450-500˚F
- Summit wattage: 60W
Note: For Kanthal wire with resistance range 0.25-1.0 ohms, the maximum output wattage on screen is 60W.
For Kanthal Wire with resistance ranges 0.15-0.24 ohm, the actual maximum output wattage will be limited to be 50-55W to ensure safer operation.
Warranty – The eVic-VTC Mini will include a 30-day Limited Warranty against any manufacturing defects from the date of delivery. Scratches and discoloration from regular use is considered normal wear and tear and is not covered by warranty.
How To Change The Settings
Entering the Menu System: – Press the Fire Button 3 times fast.
The top row of the screen read out will begin to blink. You are now in the Menu and cahnge change your setting from there.
Set To Power mode:
- Enter the Menu (press Fire Button 3 times fast)
- The top row of the menu screen will be blinking.
- Press the right adjustment button. This will cycle the modes: Wattage, Bypass, TC Ni, TC Ti.
- Choose the desired mode, and press the Fire Button once to set the mode.
Adjusting Your Wattage:
- Enter the menu screen (Click Fire Button 3 Times Fast).
- Press the left adjustment button once. The Power line of the screen should now be blinking.
- Press the right adjustment button. The longer you hold the right adjustment button the faster the wattage will change.
- The wattage can only change in one direction (up). When you go past the desired setting you will need to go all the way to 60w release the button and press it again to get the setting to round robin back down 1w.
- Once you have the desired wattage selected press the fire button once to lock in the wattage setting.
Locking the atomizer reading:
- Enter the menu system by clicking the Fire Button 3 times fast.
- Press the left adjustment button 2 times.
- With the Atomizer line of the screen blinking, press the right adjustment button once to lock the reading. A padlock should appear to the right of the ohms of the atomizer.
You atomizer reading is now locked in and the device will not ask you if you remove the atomizer. Make sure if you are switching out atomizers to unlock this feature or the device will not notice the change and can cause damage.
Adding a new coilhead:
When changing a new atomizer to the device, it will ask you if it is a new coil or not. this is to check and make sure the device is set up to work with the attached coil.
- With the atomizer reading unlocked change the coilhead on the device.
- You will be asked if its a new coil click right, same coil click left.
- Press the correct adjustment button.
Changing forth line output info:
To change the displayed info on the forth line of the display screen:
- Enter the menu mode.
- Press the left adjustment button 3 times. The forth line should now be blinking.
- Press the right adjustment button to cycle through the options.
- You can choose between:
- Battery
- Puff counter
- Time, (this is time vaped on not a clock)
- Once you have the desired item selected, press the Fire Button once to lock the setting in.
Adjusting the wattage or temperature:
Press either the left or right adjustment buttons to adjust the desired wattage or the max temp, depending on the mode you are in.
Impressions
We received our eVic-VTC’s more than 2 weeks ago, but I didn’t rush out to write a review because I thought I liked it more than I should. I wanted to wait to see if my feelings for the device would change, or if the device started to show some glitches. Since my impressions are the same as the first day I started using it I figured 14 days was long enough to wait.
After we received our review units we received an email with a new firmware upgrade. Attaching the device to my Mac (yes, they have a Mac version of the upgrade), it was easy to upgrade. Follow the directions and the firmware updates to v1.02. One word of caution: After the upgrade your eVic-VTC Mini will jump to the full 60watts of power.
There are three things that draw me to the eVic-VTC, only one of which is found on the original eVic-VT. That one thing is the incredible, ingenious display. I don’t know why others have yet to copy this display, though I’m sure it’s just a matter of time. The screen is a Hi-Res OLED that displays the information in a series of horizontal lines.
- First Line – Power or Temperature Control
- Second Line – Actual wattage or set temperature
- Third Line – Voltage
- Fourth Line – Actual Voltage Reading
- Fifth Line – Atomizer
- Sixth Line – Actual Ohms
- Seventh Line – Battery
- Eighth Line – Actual Graphical Battery Power Display
Out of all the devices I have it this is the display I like most. The Display is easy to read and easy to manipulate. While it was manipulated with a flick knob in the eVic-VT, the Plus/Minus buttons control the settings in the eVic-VTC Mini.
The second feature that draws me to the eVic VTC Mini is the replaceable battery and the magnetic battery cover. If you own a couple of differently colored eVic VTC Mini’s you could mix and match the magnetic battery cover to customizer the look. More importantly, while the door is easily removed by simply pulling down and away on the cover, it snaps in place firmly and quickly, and it stays put with absolutely zero rattle.
The third major feature that pulls me toward the eVic VTC Mini is the exterior finish. It is not a “rubberized” paint, nor is it a matte finish or glossy metal finish. The only way I can really describe what it feels like to hold it is to say what it is not. It feels so “right”. The weight of the device certainly depends on the tank you’re using, but without a tank it still has a solid heft to it. Feels rich, finished, polished. The tolerances are very, very tight. The buttons are firm and responsive, the firing button is laid into an indented round impression, yet the button itself is slightly raised, but not above the indention. (Hard to explain).
Usage – I must have put in more than 100 hours of operation in the eVic VTC Mini. I’ve used tanks and coilheads ranging from 0.15 to 1.5 ohms and the device handled them with aplomb. Never an issue, always delivered a terrific vape with plenty of power. Joyetech was indeed wise to go with 60w instead of 40w with both eVic-VT’s.
In all the time I spent with the eVic VTC Mini I never tired of it, always got good battery life, and the finish still looks new. The size of the device (above) is about half the eVic VT, closer to the iStick 40 TC, and it was always cool to the touch because of the exterior finish.
The eVic VTC Mini is offered in a starter kit with the eGo One Mega Tank and as a standalone device for about $50. I won’t recommend one over the other, it all depends on how much you want to use the eGo One Mega tank. It is a great tank, Julia’s eLiquid Team uses this tank for all their reviews now, but for many that want to use one of the subohm tanks on the market, I’ve yet to find one that did not make a great connection. Now, while no one, not even Joyetech, mentions a floating pin connector, or adjustable pin, when I apply a pen to the connector pin it certainly acts like a floating pin, so I’m going to stick my neck out and say that it does have one, and since every tank I own works with it, well, that supports the claim.
Grade: A+ – Why an A+?- Because when it comes right down to it, the eVic VTC Mini is everything Joyetech says it is, and more. It seems like the perfect size for most vapers, the features are top-notch, the look and feel are beyond awesome, and with the same great display of the eVic-VT there is nothing else like it on the market. Yes, I love the damn thing, enough that I plan on owning a few of them. Highly Recommend!
John Manzione