LOST VAPE DRONE BF SQUONK DNA250C TC MOD REVIEW

The Lost Vape Drone BF Squonk Mod Review – It feels like a long time since we reviewed an Evolv DNA device – to the point where I became worried that Evolv was no longer – well – evolving. But those worries were put to rest this week, when the awesome Lost Vape Drone BF DNA 250C squonk mod arrived on our desks.

I won’t lie, kids. Your regular squonk devices probably aren’t going to feel the same after spending some time with the Drone BF. And amazingly, it’s not only because of the (still awesome) DNA 250C chipset. This beast simply screams with its straightforward, effortless power performance. Is it worth the $200-300 it’s listing for? That depends on your threshold for wallet pain. Is it better than most any other squonk mod on the market? Absolutely.

Let’s get into the basics and specs. The Lost Vape Drone BF features the structural chassis of the acclaimed Triade mod, featuring a poly-angular frame with futuristic lines and elegant combination of high-end materials and accenting for a visually stunning aesthetic.

Along the base of the chassis you’ll find a cutout for the squonk bottle for ergonomic integration and convenient access. The magnetized battery door safely covers the dual 18650 batteries, and a centered 510 connection lets you use a wide range of atomizer sizes without overhang.

But that’s likely not why you’re reading this. The Drone BF also uses Evolv’s premier DNA 250 chipset down-throttled to a 167-watt max, but featuring an incredible 97% output efficiency rating, full temperature control with wide range of heating elements, and of course, the Escribe software. That’s a lot of tech for a squonk mod, right? Here’s the tale of the tape…

Initial Impressions and Aesthetics of the Lost Vape Drone BF

There’s no point in holding back – the Drone BF is gorgeous. Maybe it’s my love of that amber ULTEM color scheme, but my translucent test model was a perfect balance of commanding design and subtlety. The thin black alloy framing that surrounds the colored plastic side panels makes for a mature, but still exciting visual appeal.

That said, like most dual-battery squonkers, the Drone BF is a massive device, rivaling some of today’s triple-cell mods in terms of overall diameter. But the centered 510 connection ensures all of today’s popular BF RDAs – yes, even those 30+mm monsters – will sit flush, without an ounce of overhang or awkward balancing.

The DNA 250C display and menu system is just as good and usable as we remember, with a tremendously intuitive and clean interface leading the way to all sorts of customization options within the menus. Is the DNA screen the prettiest thing in vaping? No, they never have been. But like so many teen movies from the ‘80s and ‘90s, the ugly ducklings are the ones that show their true beauty in the end.

Even the buttons, which are largely overlooked these days, have an ideal blend of click, throw and responsiveness, leading to flawless draws and precise clicks every time. This is a high-end device that feels high-end, instead of just flaunting a larger price tag. (and this, right in the throes of the pod mod epidemic)

Clearly, to DNA novices, the 250C chipset is going to be a selling point. But it might also be a point of confusion, if they’re not familiar with the intricacies of Evolv’s high-end vape technology. Here’s a quick breakdown of how the board works:

The DNA250C chipset features precise Wattage Control, Temperature Sensing/Control/Protection, a Replay Function, a Boost Mode, a Preheat function, and the Onboard Programmable Multi-color LED. And let’s not forget the now-beloved three-button layout. The third button, called the Function button, allows any user, from novice to pro, to navigate the deep menu system quickly, efficiently, and with incredible ease. Many mod brands have adopted this button, and they are all the better for it, though it was Evolv that brought to modern vape mods.

Evolv’s EScribe and designersoftware can be used to make the DNA 250 Colorlook and act exactly like you want. It’s a lot to take in for newcomers. But for seasoned pros, the chipset represents the current pinnacle of customization in vaping. Does it maybe need an upgrade a few years later? Yeah, I could get on board with some modern stylings. But Evolv is likely thinking “if it ain’t broke” and I’d be hard-pressed to disagree.

That said, the laser-precise temperature control and navigation was secondary to the Drone BF’s best feature… pure power.

Vaping the Lost Vape Drone BF Squonk Mod

So, since the Drone BF is a DNA device, I automatically went for a conservative, flavor-focused temperature control build, using my beloved HellVape Dead Rabbit BF-RDA. The 22mm atomizer was immediately dwarfed by the huge mod size, but that didn’t affect performance one bit. Instead, the Drone immediately recognized the titanium coil, and allowed me to quickly lock in the resistance, set my temperature and get to vaping.

The same ease of use applied to all my TC coils, with absolutely zero jumps, hiccups, misfires or regrets. Making adjustments was simple using the onboard controls, and the Escribe software remains the gold standard for software-based vape device management. That said, I didn’t use it much after the initial testing, for one primary reason – the Drone was arguably more enjoyable in straight wattage mode!

Now, that might not be surprising to regular readers – I’m hardly a TC enthusiast. But what did surprise me was how straightforward and satisfying the Drone was without having to tinker. Using a standard 0.25-ohm Kanthal build on a different RDA, the Drone ramped up quickly, all the way to its 167-watt max, and delivered flavor and cloud production like no other.

Likewise, the squonk performance was just as flawless. Though the Drone uses the same “squeeze the bottle” format as a myriad of other squonk mods, there wasn’t an ounce of leaking or buildup near the connections, while the deck always filled smoothly, without any flooding or other issues. Lost Vape took a proven design and made it better, period.

My only complaint? The position of the cutout, near the bottom of the Drone BF’s side panel, is a little awkward. It’s not a natural trigger grip, nor does it feel great using a thumb. I realize the tech within may have made it difficult to find an “ideal” spot, but this is a rare black mark on an otherwise beautifully designed squonk mod.

Pros:

– Gorgeous, durable design

– Effortless squonk performance

– DNA 250C goodness

Cons:

– Price is insane for 2019

– Squonk bottle cutout is awkward to reach

– It’s a little large, even for those with larger hands

Spinfuel VAPE Recommendation and Score

If you’ve read this far, you know this is about as good as squonker vape mods get. The unreal build quality, top-tier chipset and flawless squonk performance should put this atop any vaper’s wish list for this year.

If my only complaint about the device is that I have unusually small hands, then you know Lost Vape has done something really special with the Drone BF. Maybe the price tag will put it out of reach for some, but if you want a more elaborate, controllable squonk mod, and have the means, we heartily recommend picking one up.