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Pioneer4you IPV6x Review
“Spinfuel has learned that Pioneer4You has initiated a voluntary recall of the IPV box mods, including the eagerly anticipated IPV 6x. While we certainly stand behind our review, and there is no safety issue when used correctly, we recommend that inexperienced vapers who have purchased the IPV 6x read the recall notice and come to their own conclusion when it comes to seeking a replacement unit.” – Team Spinfuel
Click here for the recall information
Introduction
When I think of Power-to-Weight Ratio, what comes to mind are lightweight cars with so much horsepower that it boggles my mind wondering how all of that muscle can make contact with the pavement. I decided to give the Pioneer4you IPV6x its own Power-to-Weight Ratio by dividing the devices weight of 232g (with two 18650 batteries installed) and the total power output of 200W. The figure I came up with is 1.16g per watt of power! Very impressive number for such a small Box Mod, or Round Mod should I say, and truly is remarkable how a device putting out 200+ watts could be this compact! Does this even make sense in the vaping world? Not really, but my point is the Pioneer4You IPV6x can pull its own weight, literally!
Pioneer4You IPV6x High Performance Plus
The Pioneer4you IPV6x is my definition of what a high-performance ergonomic device should be! This is the smallest dual 18650 battery mod I’ve ever held, or seen for that matter. The shape of the body is rounded on all four corners giving you a perfect and comfortable fit in the hand. It can output 200W of power (215W with the upcoming update but isn’t available for download yet) and does so in a slim chassis. The weight of the Pioneer4you IPV6x is 232g with both batteries (140g without) as stated above which compares very closely to the Wismec Reuleaux RX 2/3 (review coming soon) at 241g and the Sigelei Fuchai 213 at 228g. But comparing the IPV6x to any other dual cell device, there’s nothing smaller that I’ve come across that can put out 200W like this mod can. I would go so far as to say it’s unfair for single or dual 18650 devices this size having to compete against the IPV6x moving forward.
Right out of the box, one of the first things I noticed is how flimsy and loose the hinged battery door was. It feels really cheap compared to the rest of the frame. Rest assured once the dual 18650 batteries (not included) are installed, the door locks shut and holds everything extremely tight. I’ve read that the battery door is held tight by magnets but it seems to just clip into place to me. Regardless, there’s no battery rattle or any rattle at all and just feels like you’re holding two batteries in your hand!
Installing the batteries is very quick and easy. There’s a Pioneer4you arrow logo on the battery door pointing the direction to slide and it hinges down. It pops open nicely and once closed holds in place securely. I’ve never had any battery connection issues or problems with the battery door opening randomly during the time I’ve been using it.
Aesthetically, the Blue version (available in Black and Purple also) I received is beautiful. The finish on it has a brushed texture that should hold up to my abuse and is really nice and sleek. The top, bottom and insert around the display screen have a different painted finish and I managed to scratch it a little while measuring the up/down buttons with my calipers. So over time, it will probably show some wear and tear.
When I have the Pioneer4you IPV6x in my right hand, the 0.98inch OLED screen is unobstructed and perfectly located when trigger firing. The 8mm x 5.5mm fire button and 6.4mm x 3mm up/down buttons are small but click easily and feel solid. I do prefer a bigger fire button but considering the size of the mod itself, this one will suffice. Even with the smaller fire button, my trigger finger ends up right over it and with my thumb naturally resting on the up/down buttons, I’m able to fire, adjust and view the screen without moving my hand at all. Combined with the phenomenal comfort the rounded design offers, it’s truly a pleasure to vape over long periods of time!
The OLED screen is bigger and brighter than the similar Pioneer4you iPV400 which was also recently released. The Pioneer4you IPV6x is only a couple millimeters smaller than the IPV400 and offers a more well-rounded experience. All the essential information is being displayed on the screen including a puff counter. I actually use the puff counter to calculate how many puffs a full tank lasts and other testing measures, so for me that puff counter can often be essential. The nice part is this puff counter only counts a pull lasting longer than one second unlike other counters that every time you fire the device it counts as one. Small details like that are things I really like and utilize often.
The micro USB plug is located on the opposite side of the fire button and is used for firmware upgrades and for charging your device. When charging, the screen will show the status of each individual battery which is essential to ensure your batteries are charging on par with each other. It’s a good way to keep tabs on the remaining life of the battery itself.
The gold plated and spring loaded 510-pin has a notch cut through it (looks like a flathead screw) appearing to be adjustable. You can actually damage the device if you try to do just that and fortunately it doesn’t need be adjusted; its spring loaded. The 510-connection threads are very tightly machined and all my Atomizers screw on and sit down flush without any back and forth play. The 510-connection is also located directly in the center of the device so everything lines up and creates a nice flowing design. The Pioneer4you IPV6x will fit up to 28mm Atomizers with zero over-hang, but it looks sort of weird to me since the bigger tanks are pretty much the size of the mod!
Powered by YiHi SX330-F6
The Pioneer4you IPV6x is powered by the YiHi SX330-F6 chip offering simple but powerful operation. It’s easy to learn how to navigate through the options with the ability to switch between modes within seconds. 5-clicks powers it on and five more to access the menu.
There seems to be no way to lock the buttons to prevent the device from firing, besides powering the device off. Pretty annoying, especially because of the extra few startup screens you have to wade through before you can vape with it. When adjusting the wattage up or down, I have noticed a second or two of hesitation then it will start scrolling. It just lags a little, no big deal. Once powered up, the iPV6x fires instantly with a nonexistent fire delay which seems to deliver accurate wattages and temperatures.
Pioneer4you IPV6x – Temperature Control
The Pioneer4you iPV6x has full Temperature Control capabilities supporting Nickel, Titanium, Stainless Steel 316 (in the manual it says SS304 but it’s incorrect) Manual TCR and the Pioneer4you proprietary coil-less option, SX Pure. The latter is only available in TC Mode when selecting it but the manual explains how to use it in Power Mode too. I haven’t had any experience with SX Pure Technology but I’m not new to Coil-Less Tanks as I have some time spent with the Guo Altus. If you’ve used SX Pure, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
The temperature range is 212°-572°F but in order to change the temperature once you initially set it, you have to click back into the menu, go through the options and adjust it there. That is one of the only cons with this device when vaping in TC Mode. The Pioneer4you IPV6x can handle up to 120J (Joules) in TC Mode and fire all the way down to 0.05Ω. In Power Mode, the manual states it’s able to fire at 0.15Ω but actually I got it to read and vaped a 0.07Ω build in Power Mode at 130W. The Pioneer4you IPV6x has really exceeded all of my expectations!
The Bottom Line
I’m going to go out on a limb and admit this is my favorite on-the-go mod! The way the rounded-off frame easily fits my hand with all the buttons right there when I need to make adjustments is great for portability. Seems to me Pioneer4you really designed and executed a really great device. It’s not perfect per se, but pretty close and a well-rounded performer! On the Pioneer4you website, it’s stated that both the IPV6x and IPV400 were released on July 28th, 2016. I’ve seen the IPV400 out for sale before this date and wish they included accurate information in their product manual.
On top of all of the above, it’s pretty affordable at $51.95 at Element Vape. After holding the Pioneer4you IPV6x and using it for several days, I thought it would’ve been priced in the $70-$80 range.
For everything this device can do, and do very well, this is a recommended buy especially if you’re in the market for a powerful yet compact box mod! It’s not aimed at the advanced user or beginner. It can be used and learned quickly by anyone as a lower wattage vape or cranked above 200W!
Final Grade – A
“Pioneer4you put out an amazing Box Mod that just performs. What else can I say other than the iPV6x is a standard setter! A small device, powerful, ergonomic, well-built and affordable…need I say more!”
Team Spinfuel
Pioneer4you IPV6 200W TC Box Mod Features and Specs:
- Dual 18650 High-Amp Battery – Not Included
- Latest YiHi SX330-F6 Chipset Technology
- Wattage Output Range: 10-200W
- Joule Output Range: 10-100J (120J for Titanium)
- Voltage Output Range: 1.0-7.0V
- Minimum Standard Resistance: 0.15ohm
- Minimum Joule Resistance: 0.05ohm
- Temperature Control Range: 212-572F
- TCR Value: 0.0005-0.007
- Soft Curvy Contour
- Visually Striking Finish
- Three Button Operations
- Intuitive OLED Display
- Temperature Control Functionality
- Compatible with Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, and SS304
- Supports SX Pure Heating Elements – 0.04ohm Resistance
- Temperature Control of Resistance (TCR) Setting
- Magnetic Battery Door Cover
- Low Voltage Protection
- Low Resistance Protection
- High Input Voltage Warning
- Short-Circuit Operation
- Reverse Battery Protection
- Stainless Steel Threadpoints
- Centered Spring-Loaded 510 Connection
In The Box:
- 1 IPV 6X Box Mod
- 1 MicroUSB Cable
- Instruction Manua
