Pioneer4You iPV4s Review

iPV4s Review,

by J. C. Martin, III

General Opinions And Attributes Of The iPV4s

The Pioneer4You iPV4s is the latest edition in the IPV4 series, and this ‘upgrade’ adds some very useful new features. You’ll find the iPV4s to be slightly slimmer in size to the IPV3-Li and has more rounded edges. Even the grip has been improved over than the previous version. The advanced Yihi SX330-V4SL chip improves the overall performance, and offers an improved temperature control experience.

I have plenty of things to say about the iPV4s electronic cigarette. It is an amazing device and has given me a great many fun times while vaping with different rebuildables and Subtanks over the past few weeks.

The iPV4s has many qualities and is often recommended for advanced users. It can utilize both nickel (Ni200) and titanium wire with temperature control. The iPV4s can vape as low as 0.1 ohms, and goes up to 120 watts with a standard atomizer. In joules mode, it can vape from 0.05 ohms to 0.30 ohms.

Onboard Battery Charging – Gone!

Unlike most VV/VW mods, there was a lot of controversy about recharging the batteries inside previous IPV4 models. Some (most?) said you must  charge the 2x 18650 High-Amp batteries separately, with a charger, while others insist that with the right charger you could charge the batteries inside the unit. If you’re confused you’re not alone. That said, the Pioneer4You iPV4s does not have an onboard charger.

Doing some additional research into this situation here’s the basic argument from both sides about the previous models ability or inability to charge batteries inside the device:

Pros – Built In Charging

The IPV4 utilizes the 2x 18650 high-amp batteries in a ‘series’, not in parallel. Because they run in series it requires a 9-volt charger, but a USB charger can only go as high as 5-volts, so Pioneer4You went with the 9-volt charger. However, the 9-volt charger must be a 2-Amp charger in order for it to work properly. Pioneer4You has stated that this charge port has been improved since the IPV3 and was safe to use.

Cons – Built In Charging

Some owners of the IPV4 have gone so far as to remove the on-board charger altogether. The anti-onboard charging people insist that the problem is in the P4U manufacturing or design,perhaps even a quality control issue.

Whether you can, can’t, should or shouldn’t charge the batteries inside the unit it is no longer an issue with the iPV4s model. As I stated above, Pioneer4you has made the decision to just leave out the onboard charger from device. However, that port hole for the 9-volt charger is still on the side of the iPV4s, no doubt the decision to drop the onboard charger being a last minute one. I suspect that once the bodies with the port hole are sold off the newer bodies will no longer have it.

I use an external battery charger from Nitecore and keep a few matched pairs of 30A batteries to use exclusively with my iPV4s.

The USB port is only used for firmware upgrades. The iPV4s utilizes two high-amp 18650 IMR Lithium Ion batteries and does not include batteries within its gift box. Using the iPV4s I usually vape at 29.5 watts with a 22mm RDA chimney coil build. I also love to vape with my Kanger Subtank, as you can set the watts on the iPV4s to safely vape, protecting the Subtank’s sub-ohm coils. The picture below shows my iPV4s with my Cylapex Gate RDA on top of it; the RDA is not included with the gift box.

The iPV4s uses the new YiHi SX330-V4SN chip, which sends you safety messages when necessary. If the coils overheat, break inside the atomizer, or run out of e-juice, the chip will send a message to its screen to tell you. In my experience, there was one instance where the display read “Check Atomizer,” and when I did, one of the coils had broken due to heat. The iPV4s operates with watts or joules – I usually use the device with watts, because I can be very specific with the temperature of the vape when I do so, using Kanthal. I have not tried titanium or Ni200 wire with it yet, however it has a selection that lets you choose nickel or titanium wire. This selection allows for actual temperature control. The device’s settings are not too difficult to go through with the manual in front of you; it is a simple foldout with 6 steps, some safety precautions, tips, features, and specifications.

Before I get into the additional specs of the device, I will mention a few more details. One thing that throws me off with it is the way the plus and minus buttons are setup. For the life of me, I cannot remember that the button on the bottom (or right) decreases the watts and the one above it increases the watts. It just seems natural that the bottom button should be the one that increases the watts. The plus button increases the watts, as the minus button decreases the watts. The plus button is in the middle.

I have read a few reviews on the device and agree with what most people say. The grip sheath is awesome. It slides off easily to change the batteries and pops right back on there, snugly. If you get one, be sure not to put the grip battery cover on upside down. It is easy to do and hard to notice. When it is on upside down it is easy for the mod to slip out of the gripper –not a fun surprise. The activation button is fun to hold down to vape with and works great. It is not too big but big enough.

It can be confusing that the device comes with a USB cable but does not charge batteries with it like most other mods. The iPV4s does not come with batteries. The USB cable is for the software upgrade. I do not know how to upgrade the software, or if it is even necessary. I downloaded the file while I had the device hooked up to a USB port and could not figure out how to execute the upgrade file. I have not spent too much time trying to upgrade the device, because it vapes great the way it is. Also, the upgrade is for changing the temperature, which I can do already. I think the company that made the device, pioneer4you.com, may upgrade the iPV4s before it ships out.

Besides its sleek look and nice feel, the iPV4s also has a wonderful display called a “Visual Operating System.” The teal light turns off on its own about 60 seconds after use. The display shows readings and screen functions in a straightforward and easy to understand manner. I keep mine on the settings display that shows ohms, volts, watts, and the battery level. The display also shows what memory number you are vaping on, if one of the 5 settings is what you chose at the time.

The included manual explains in detail how to press the activation button five times to turn on the device and 5 more times to operate the menu with the plus and minus buttons. It remembers up to five levels of wattage choices and stores these choices as you hold the activation button. This is a great feature so long as you figure out how to use it. I usually just press the plus and minus buttons twice a piece to get off of the memory choices, then I hold one of them down to go up or down in watts. As I usually vape at 29.5 watts, the buttons are not too much of a frustration for me. I will get better with the automatic stored memory choices in due time and with practice.

A frustration you may encounter is the pioneer4you.com website. Unless you are a wholesale customer, there is not much there for an iPV4s customer wanting to learn more. They tell you nothing on their site in regards to the software upgrade, and you may have to refresh the page to download the file. I think the device comes upgraded, so there is no reason to go to pioneer4you.com. If one does a search on the iPV4s on pioneer4you.com, there are no results found. If you want to know more about the device, you may want to perform web search with Google or Bing or Yahoo. Sound difficult? It is not too bad. Most of what you will want to know in regards to vaping any way you want to with the iPV4s is explained in a few simple details within the short manual that comes with the device. I use it for both rebuildables and Subtanks/clearomizers.

One positive feature is that it does go up to 120 watts, which means one could vape with a thick-wired dual Clapton coil in a 29mm RDA to produce a huge cloud in under 7 seconds. The device does everything I need it to. I change its wattage depending on what atomizer I have on top of it, and it always works great for me. I have only used Kanthal with it so far, so I do not bother changing its temperatures, which range from 100°C – 300°C and 212°F – 572° F. I will update this review when I’ve had the opportunity to use some Ni200 and Ti wire in my RDA’s.

I charge two batteries a day and change them out the same day, nearly every day. This is when I am using the device on and off for about six hours or so. I am very impressed with the iPV4s and highly recommend it for anyone with a healthy amount of knowledge about basic vaping and vaping safety. The YiHi chip’s safety features protect the device from being used improperly –the activation button will not function if there is a problem with the atomizer. The mod, like most, does use a 510 connection with an inner brass positive adjustable (standard screwdriver head) connection and an outer steel negative connection.

To discuss what you get when you order one, we’ll go into what is in the package. The link at the top of the review shows a nice picture of the box and its contents. When you order an iPV4s, you get the mod, no batteries, a warranty card, the manual, a stamped inspection certificate, and a little card on battery safety. The battery safety card explains that they (pioneer4you) were experiencing problems with customers not using the proper charging equipment to charge batteries in the IPV models, previously. Because of fried boards and the notion that most people who buy the iPV4s already charge their batteries separately, the battery charger is not included with this model. The card also shows a reminder to not use damaged batteries, showing small pictures of unsuitable batteries and one of a normal, safe Lithium IMR battery.

The manual explains how to use the device, including its 3 buttons within 6 explained steps. If it seems complicated, go through its steps two or three times, and it will seem totally simple. You will be able to use all the device’s special features in no time, especially if you obtain Ni200 or titanium (Ti) wire. After the 6 main instructions, the manual includes some tips for using Ni and Ti wire, as well as 7 safety precautions. The manual included with the iPV4s also provides the information below.

In The iPV4s Gift Box

• iPV4s device
• User manual
• USB cable
• Warranty card
• Stamped certificate of authentication
• Safe battery use reminder card

iPV4s Specifications

• Output Power: 10W – 120W
• Output Power: 5J – 50J (Ni wire)
• Output Power: 5J – 100J (Ti wire)
• Output Voltage: 1.0V – 7.0V
• Input Current: 1.3A – 40.0A
• Input Voltage: 6.2V – 8.5V
• Battery Compatibility: Two 18650 High-Amp IMR Lithium Ion batteries
• Standard Atomizer Resistance: 0.1 ohm – 3.0 ohm
• Joules Mode Atomizer Resistance: 0.05 ohm – 0.30 ohm
• Temperature limit, Centigrade: 100°C – 300°C
• Temperature limit, Fahrenheit: 212°F – 572°F

iPV4s Features

• Visual Operating System
• Low Voltage Protection
• Low Resistance Protection
• High Input Voltage Warning
• Output Short Circuit Protection
• Reverse Battery Protection
• Temperature Overheat Protection
• Software Upgrade/GUI Operate
• Temperature Control

Warranty

As far as the warranty goes, the iPV4s does have one. The manual suggests consulting the official distributor’s warranty and return policy on the device. The iPV4s gift box includes a nice looking warranty card. The card includes two after-sales service centers in case there are any quality issues –one in Texas and the other in California. The warranty protects the device from manufacturer’s defects for three months. Upon needing the device to be repaired from factory defects, the purchaser must pay for shipping to and from the service center. Additional fees may apply for “circumstantial issues not covered under warranty.” When I received mine, it was without flaw.

Should You Buy The iPV4s?

That depends. I enjoy mine and think you would enjoy yours, too if you decided to purchase one. Given the price from DirectVapor and the iPV4s’ abilities, it, in my opinion, is a great device for accomplished professionals or intermediate vapers. Before I got mine I researched the market as extensively as time would allow. I liked the look of the IPV4, I liked the sleek design (and now its feel) of the iPV4s more than most other mods. The price on DirectVapor is only $72.95, $28 less than normal, and even less than plenty of variable voltage / variable wattage mods out there that just do not compare to the iPV4s’ positive attributes.  The iPV4s allows the use of Kanthal, Ni200, or Ti wire with any rebuildable, as well as any clearomizer or Subtank available with a 510 connection. All of the modern RDAs and Sub-ohm tanks have a 510 connection… the IPV4s will work just fine with virtually any atomizer. In conclusion, I highly recommend the iPV4s for anyone in the market for a powerhouse VV/VW mod. Thank you for reading – vape long and prosper.

J. C. Martin, III