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Pioneer4you IPV8 230W TC Box Mod
Pioneer4you has a tendency to release devices very rapidly without taking the time to create something new and separate from the repetitive one after the other mantra. Quantity over quality seems to fail miserably especially in the vape industry. Pioneer4you are most known for their IPV lineup of Box Mods and here is another one to add to their repertoire. Even though there was a lot of negative feedback about the Pioneer4you IPV6x Box Mod (check out our review) that was just released a few months back, I really enjoy it as a powerful and portable option that I still use today. The holiday deadline was fast approaching so Pioneer4you had to put the unfinished IPV7 on the backburner and give us the IPV8 230W TC Box Mod ($54.99 at Vapor Authority) in its place. Was this iteration even necessary? It does seem to have crisp lines and a refined chassis but why keep releasing products with the same chipset and change things visually albeit slightly? It looks to me the IPV6x and the IPV400 were put in a blender and out comes the Pioneer4you IPV8 230W TC Box Mod.
Unfortunately with the IPV6x there was a voluntary recall issued shortly after release that gave consumers the option to return their mods and have them replaced due to a battery safety issue (read our article for further details). Long story short, if you installed your batteries the wrong way (backwards of the indicated orientation), the device would automatically fire at the full 230W WITHOUT hitting the fire button; it would keep firing until you removed the batteries. The IPV8 has Reverse Battery Protection so the problem was addressed and corrected. So if you plan on picking one up, no need to worry.
The Pioneer4you IPV8 230W TC Box Mod comes in a soft sleeve so the finish was flawless from the start. It’s made of Zinc-Alloy (with Aluminum buttons) and has an identical form factor as the previous IPV400 and IPV6x Mods. I received the Black with the Black Suede grip but it’s also available in Volcanic Red (a lightning or cracking Red/Black pattern) with a Leather grip and Silver with Brown Suede. The Black Suede that came installed on mine wraps around one side adding some additional comfort and grip to an already comfortable mod to hold. The Suede panel is glued on and doesn’t sit flush with the mod so after heavy use, expect it to start peeling off (mine is already starting to lift up on one corner). Instead of keeping the round chassis like the IPV6x, Pioneer4you did use some clean lines with sloping corners which does look sleek and modern in my opinion. The dimensions and weight are almost dead on with the previous IPV6x with a couple millimeters and grams differentiating the two. CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE
The Pioneer4you IPV8 is powered by the YiHi SX330-F8 chipset, the same exact board used in the previous IPV400 and IPV6x. You can exert up to 230W in VW Mode and up to 120J in Joule (TC) Mode. It has a 7V maximum output voltage and a 45.0A output current giving you plenty of atomizer options to run. The resistance range in VW Mode is 0.15Ω-3.0Ω and 0.05Ω-1.5Ω in Joule Mode. I was able to fire a 0.08Ω build in VW Mode but after a few pulls was getting a ‘Too Hot’ warning without the device feeling warm at all (just be careful). Joule Mode (212°-572°F) supports SS316 (says SS304 in the manual), Ni200, Titanium and SX Pure with full TCR customization to suit any wire preference. SX Pure can be run in either Power (VW) or Temperature (Joule) Modes. I don’t have the correct tanks to run SX Pure so please comment below if you have experience with this technology. The major hurdle with the way Temperature Control Modes operate is every time you want to adjust the temperature, you have to 5-click back through the menu and go through each option just to adjust it; it’s not hard to do but frustrating. On top of that, the temperature doesn’t display on the TC (Joule) operating screen so I have no idea when firing what the temperature is (get rid of the puff counter and put the temperature in its place).
The Pioneer4you IPV8 runs on dual high-amp 18650 batteries (not included). The battery door on the bottom feels like an improvement over the flimsy IPV6x door. The battery door needs to be slid one way then hinges open. There’s a small notch cutout that serves as some battery venting and makes sliding it open or closed much easier compared to the previous IPV models. I’ve had the door pop open once in my pocket but stays closed the majority of the time. Battery orientation is marked both on the inside of the door and deep down the battery slots. Reverse Battery Protection will prevent the device from turning on if your batteries are installed incorrectly. I was able to discharge my batteries down to 3.27V (both drained equally) before I saw a ‘Low Battery’ warning. There’s no battery rattle and feels solid with the batteries installed. The micro USB port is located right above the Suede grip and is for battery charging only; no firmware upgrades again! The batteries do charge very quickly with a 2A charge adapter so if you have to charge them internally, make sure to utilize the quicker charging method. You can’t vape while it’s charging which is never recommended anyway.
There is one aspect to Pioneer4you that bothers me tremendously. The IPV400 and the IPV6x Box Mods didn’t have firmware upgrades and the picture is being painted quite clearly with the newest IPV8 also being non-upgradeable. Instead of making each device firmware upgradeable, why not make slight changes to each version, change the aesthetics some and throw out another IPV mod for sale; the diehard fans will spend the money! There are very few differences between the IPV6x and IPV8 besides the look. The YiHi SX330-F8 is supposedly an upgrade from the IPV400 SX330-F4 and the IPV6x SX330-F6 but in essence is the same exact board! By not making the firmware updatable, Pioneer4you is forcing the consumer to instead go out and buy the ‘new’ IPV Box Mod. I understand its business and everyone needs to make money. But companies like Pioneer4you should take a crash course and learn from their competition like SMOK and IJOY that are constantly innovating and putting out top notch products to see how they’re succeeding! Sorry for the rant but it needed to be said.
The IPV8 operates the same as the IPV6x and IPV400. If you’re familiar with YiHi devices, you’ll know how to navigate the menus right away. With the IPV8, you can now lock the device (3-clicks) versus not being able to with the previous devices (the newer IPV6x models now implement device locking). Sometimes when I click the fire button three times then try to click it three times again to unlock it’ll bring me to the menu. I’ll play the constant clicking game and eventually I’ll just power the device off since it’s easier than trying to lock the buttons. The 0.97inch OLED screen is very bright and legible day or night. The 9mm x 5.5mm Fire button (which instantly fires with almost no delay) and the two 6mm x 4mm regulatory buttons are slightly larger than the IPV6x and are as responsive as before. The Gold-plated 510 contact pin is located in the middle of the mod in-line with the display screen giving the IPV8 a streamlined fit and finish. The Stainless Steel 510 connection is slightly inset into the mod so every tank is going to sit flush with no gap. The 510 housing is also improved over the IPV6x and IPV400 since they went with a much stronger and larger connection plate.
With the IPV8 being able to hold 25mm tanks (with no overhang), the way the edges slope down minimize condensation buildup on top of the mod; a trait I do love about the IPV8. I’ve been using several high-powered RDA setups and a couple different 100W+ Sub-Ohm Tanks which have all been working and performing flawlessly. Being able to have a 150W build so easily transported with minimal mess is definitely a positive with the IPV8. It’s definitely a powerful performing device while remaining one of the smallest dual 18650 box mods; perfect for the vaper on the go! Would I recommend the Pioneer4you IPV8 230W TC Box Mod? If you haven’t owned either the IPV400 or the IPV6x, then the IPV8 could a good option for you.
Final Grade – B-
“Pioneer4you really needs to release a completely overhauled Box Mod that brings them back to their glory. Giving us the same performing mod as the IPV6x just so they have a product out for Christmas is borderline insulting. If you don’t own the last two versions of the IPV series and are looking for a powerful and portable mod, the IPV8 ($54.99 at Vapor Authority) might be the answer.”
Team Spinfuel
Pioneer4you IPV 8 230W TC Box Mod:
- Dual 18650 High-Amp Battery – Not Included
- Advanced YiHi SX330-F8 Chipset Technology
- Wattage Output Range: 10-230W
- Joule Output Range: 10-120J
- Voltage Output Range: 1-7V
- Minimum Atomizer Resistance: 0.05ohm
- Temperature Control Range: 212-572F
- TCR Value: 0.0005-0.007
- Compatible with Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, and SS 304 Heating Elements
- Supports SX Pure Heating Elements
- Temperature Control of Resistance (TCR) Setting
- Soft Ergonomic Contour
- Visually Striking Finish – Various Colorways
- Three Button Operations
- Intuitive OLED Display
- Temperature Control Functionality
- Low Voltage Protection
- Low Resistance Protection
- High Input Voltage Warning
- Short-Circuit Protection
- Reverse Battery Protection
- Temperature Overheat Protection
- Spring-Loaded 510 Connection
- Available in Matte Black, Matte Brown, Volcano Red
