Rincoe Manto X 228W Mod Review

Rincoe Manto X – It’s been a while since I reviewed one of these compact, hexagonal “Wismec RX-like” box mods, so when the Rincoe Manto X arrived, I was pretty stoked to check it out. And at first glance it looked like nothing’s changed much since a few years back. But that doesn’t mean the Manto X isn’t relevant in 2019, nor does it mean you shouldn’t buy it. In fact, other than two glaring flaws, this is one of the simplest, most user-friendly mods I’ve used in a while.

For all the bells and whistles we see on vape mods, there’s something to be said for the classic, basic color finishes. The Manto X is a perfect example – my glossy, piano black test model was a vision of zinc alloy professional design, with subtle cutaways, ample venting and a durable, ding-ready coating that took a pretty good beating during my two-week test period.

The Manto X 228W Starter Kit is a new vape mod from Rincoe, boasting a visually striking chassis construction, dual 18650 battery layout, and extensive temperature control suite. The Manto X is constructed from durable zinc-alloy and layered with stoving varnish for an impeccable finish to withstand light to moderate drops and falls. On the exterior are various ventilation holes to allow the Manto X to properly cool. In addition, the Manto X incorporates a dual 18650 battery layout with the hinged bottom battery door to power the temperature control suite, unlocking the compatibility with nickel, titanium, and stainless-steel wire options.

Standing just 75mm tall, the Manto X is barely taller than some of the industry’s bigger tanks and RTAs, and will look a little top-heavy if you plan to run something larger than 26mm in diameter. That said, the center-positioned 510 connection CAN accommodate larger atomizers without overhang, even if the end result looks a little “off.”

The 228-watt Manto X has some nice, well-executed features, including solid operation keys, a hinged battery door, and a clear, no-nonsense OLED display that delivers the info you need without anything getting in the way. Have I seen clearer, more interesting displays? Absolutely, but there’s something about the Manto X’s “business first” appearance that makes the antiquated display oddly appropriate.

Manto X – Two Glaring Flaws

Rather than focus on features and highlights, let’s cut right to the chase about what I didn’t like about the Rincoe Manto X mod. Neither of these problems led to a bad score, nor did they make me want to put the mod away in favor of something else. But they did annoy me because of how avoidable they were/are.

First, the fire button has a sticking problem… at least it did on my test model. On several occasions, the (otherwise nice and clicky) alloy fire key got caught in the chamber, causing my Manto X to fire until its cutoff time before I could free it up. Over the course of two weeks, this happened nearly 10 times, with no ill effects, other than annoyance. But it concerns me because of the potential of this happening in a pocket or purse without warning.

Secondly, while the hinge-lock battery door is fantastic, the right-side battery chamber (if you’re facing the front of the mod) isn’t as wide as the left, leaving all but a few of my 18650 cells stuck in the compartment until I shook it hard and released them. With rewrapped batteries, this can happen from time to time. But brand-new Samsung 25Rs? Absolutely no reason they should stick in a chamber other than a plain ol’ design flaw.

To be fair, they never stayedstuck, but if you have some rewrapped cells that are a little on the “girthy” side, might want to think twice before shoving them in the Manto X’s snug quarters.

Vaping the Rincoe Manto X Mod

Smooth, simple, potent, powerful. Four words we use a lot, but for good reason – they apply to a lot of the vape mods we review. And the same goes for the Manto X, which belies its size with ample muscle, all the way to its 228-watt max output. While most people will never need that amount of power, the Manto X is ready to deliver – and amazingly, without a tremendous blow to battery life.

Sure, vaping above 150 watts is going to drain your 18650s like there’s no tomorrow. But I found the Manto X to be efficient without ever feeling underpowered or throttled. Vaping tech is only getting better, and the Manto X is a shining example of how far things have come in a very short period of time.

In addition to the smooth ramping power, the Manto X also features your usual slate of temperature control, bypass and TCR modes. Nothing revolutionary to report here, but it all works well, from coil detection to resistance locking and all the other minutiae that comes with the territory. But I should say this – for once, all my coil types were detected and functioned without any squirrely readings or needs for adjustment.

Pros:

– Compact size

– True power output

– Reliable performance in any mode

Cons:

– Battery chamber is oddly sized

– Fire key sticks

– 510 connection should be truly centered

Spinfuel VAPE Recommendation and Score

Like my iPhone, my Linux PC and my Chevy Equinox – the Manto X just works. And that’s not nearly as common as it should be. But it’s unfortunate that my test model had the sticky fire button and ill-fitting battery compartment. Otherwise, the Manto X would be an easy A for me.

This compact, potent, fast-ramping mod does a lot of things right, and will remain in my rotation. But considering how many good design decisions Rincoe made with the Manto X, it’s a little discouraging to see two easily avoided problems get in the way of the end product. I still recommend the Manto X, but hope the next iteration doesn’t have these types of quirks.