Kanger Ranger 200W Starter Kit Review

We got a chuckle when we first got the Kanger Ranger 200W starter kit to review a long time ago. The name gave us a smile – KANG-er RANG-er, anyone? But once we were done digging our way through a very long list of vape mods, we finally got around to testing the Ranger, and none of us were laughing. In part because the mod was something wholly awesome and unique. And also because the companion tank in the box left us in tears more than once.

But we’ll get into all that – let’s first see the official line on the Kanger Ranger Kit.

The Kanger Ranger 200W Starter Kit is an exemplary vape mod system, featuring a durable zinc-alloy chassis construction, intricate temperature control systems, and paired with the Milli Mesh Coil System that is geared towards vapers of any and all levels. Constructed of durable zinc-alloy, the Ranger Kit is simple and sleek, utilizing a strong outer chassis to protect the proprietary chipset within.

(They should have amended this to say “vapers of any and all levels of superhero, but I digress…)

Right out of the gate, one thing most people are going to love is the unique shape and feel of the Ranger mod. From the rounded curves throughout the device, to the recessed fire bar and top-tier construction quality, there’s nothing here that’s going to remind you of anything else in your collection. Kanger may have had some hits and misses over the years, but the Ranger might be the finest-looking mod they’ve made to date. (And we all know they’ve made more than a few…)

My brushed silver and black test model is a stunning combination of gloss and matte surfaces (although I question why they left the polished parts on the sides, where your fingertips will spend most of their time). There’s a uniform look, despite the disparate elements, and the entire package feels like a truly unified kit – a high-end piece of technology, not a plasticky toy.

This even extends to the companion Ranger tank, which adds a knurled, industrial sense of muscle to this otherwise gorgeous device. But again, despite the different surface treatment, the kit is a looker when all put together.

My only slight complaints? First, the LED running lights on the side of the device are subtle, but they still seem a little out of place on such a mature-looking device. Sure, they can be deactivated, but why add them in the first place? It’s like putting a bumper sticker on an Aston-Martin.

My other concern was the 510 connection plate, which was a little wobbly when using the mod with any other tank or RDA. The stock pairing sat snugly, but the firm, spring-loaded 510 pin seemed to push back a little when using other atomizers. I managed to get by just fine, but it’s worth noting all the same.

Standout Features (for all the wrong reasons)

When we first saw the companion Ranger sub-ohm tank, we thought it was a nice throw-in – not only for the complementary looks, but also because the proprietary Milli mesh coil system was pretty flavorful during our time with them.

But “our time with them” wasn’t NEARLY long enough. You see, about three days into testing, without any drops, changes in temperature or voodoo practices, the Ranger tank suddenly seized up completely, freezing the base to the rest of the tank, trapping my coil for what seemed like forever.

After three hours, a LONG bath in hot water, and some random jerks and twists, the base suddenly released as if was free the entire time. At that point, I swapped coils without concern, cleaned the tank, without issue, filled and started vaping like normal. Then 3-4 days later, it happened again. A complete seizure, with zero movement or give.

I imagine my test model had some odd threading, because 1,500 Reddit searches turned up nothing about this issue. But after another hour of soaking and swearing, I gave up on the Ranger tank for the purposes of reviewing it. Given the sheer quality of this pairing and the lineage of the parent company, I’m going to chalk this up to a machining quirk and nothing more. But it’s a complete shame, because while it lasted, the Ranger tank/Milli coil setup was a good one.

Vaping the Kanger Ranger Mod Kit

One thing I really like about this box mod – other than its sheer beauty and durability – is how Kanger caters to all types of vapers, from newcomers to dyed-in-the-wool vape enthusiasts. To make sure the Ranger is set up properly from the outset, the device gives you three basic modes to select from before being able to advance further.

• Beginner mode: gives you access to wattage adjustment only
• Intermediate mode: gives you access to wattage and temperature control functions.
• Expert mode: gives you access to all the above plus custom wattage and temp curve modes.

And don’t worry – the Ranger vapes like a pro in any of these modes, even if you don’t like admitting that you keep choosing Beginner. It’s okay, I do it, too.

The rest of the menu system is equally user-friendly, allowing people to get right to business, or tinker a little more, never becoming too complicated or obtuse. Sure, maybe a third “action” button would have helped, but as modern menu trees go, these are straightforward and legible. (The gorgeous but simple display certainly doesn’t hurt.

In temp control and TCR modes, the Ranger was equally adept, and even the onboard temp curve adjustments were pretty good. I mean, no YiHi fan is going to drop their iPV devices to grab a Ranger for this feature alone, but given the price point and comparison to similar mods, the Ranger came to play in a very big way.

My ONLY concern? When the Ranger is taken above 150 watts, there is some slight stuttering and hiccuping. No, I didn’t get any power spikes or unpleasant draws, but it probably would have been better if Kanger downthrottled the chipset to 150 and made it sing all the way to that limit. Of course, none of the Milli coils are rated to go that high (and since most of you aren’t vaping that high, either) this probably isn’t a big deal to most. But we’re paid to test vape mods for doing what they say, not what we actually need. And in that respect, the Ranger isn’t QUITE what it claims to be.

But for the regular vapers? Power and precision aren’t going to be a problem.

Pros:

– Stunning look and feel

– Flawless build quality on the mod

– Innovative fire key/bar

Cons:

– My test tank was flawed

– Wobbly 510 connection with other atomizers

– Slight stuttering above 150 watts

Spinfuel VAPE Recommendation and Score

To some, the complaints about power stutters and frozen tanks would be enough to take a pass on the Kanger Ranger mod kit. But I’m asking you to look past these issues and simply enjoy the Ranger for what it is – a pristine, expertly-built, altogether enjoyable vape mod that warrants your attention, period.

All in all, let’s take all the pros and the cons and give the Ranger a score of A-. For many vapers however, they might be better off with purchasing just the vape mod and forego the starter kit.