Sigelei KAOS Skycar Review – Chaos (with a ‘C’) is a funny word. We constantly review mods that try to be bigger and louder than others. And most of the time, that visual “chaos” is their downfall. So, when I heard that the oddly named Sigelei KAOS Skycar doesn’t have a traditional display, I thought it was a refreshingly simple concept, perhaps lacking in outright chaos….

And when I heard this was a wattage-only vape mod (somewhat obviously) I was even more excited to give it a try. Because, let’s face it, until there are some serious upgrade to Temperature Control Systems, its use is in serious decline.

But the results? Well, you can’t build a quality product on ambition alone, though many of tried. The KAOS Skycar tries to be the simplest, lowest-maintenance mid-wattage mod in your collection, but comes up short in several areas – most notably, accuracy. And this lack of precision and control left a really sour taste in my mouth, even when the Skycar was doing what it was supposed to.

Let’s dive in a little closer to see why.

I really don’t know what the design motivation was for Sigelei here. I suppose the anodized aluminum frame and chassis has a bit of a “classic car” feel to it, but there’s nothing futuristic about a vape mod controlled by an analog dial, positioned right in the center of the face side.

In fact, the KAOS Skycar is actually kind of “off-brand” for the KAOS series, with only the odd array of LED lights serving as any connection between previous models and this new device. Thankfully, the LEDs are pretty unobtrusive, and don’t interfere with the experience too badly. Of course, given the lack of any display, there really isn’t an “experience” to interfere with anyway.

Physically, the KAOS Skycar IS rock-solid. Not only is there a durable coating on the painted metal that ensures it can survive a few hundred dings, but the metal itself feels more substantial than similarly sized devices. I suppose the lack of screen gave the designers more leeway to create something a little meatier, but I can’t be sure. Either way, there’s no complaints in the longevity department.

That said, the Skycar IS a little larger than most mods in this category. While it’s certainly not the tallest device we’ve tested, the mod’s bowed out sides and strange curvature make it less comfortable than you’d expect it to be. Plus, the edges are less rounded than they appear, making the Skycar a little difficult to hold for extended periods of time. Something to consider if you plan on bringing it with you for a day out.

The side-mounted fire key was another bone of contention for me. Though it was adequately clicky, it’s far too recessed to give users confident presses when firing. And the raised “lip” around the perimeter of the button is more annoying than helpful.

Normally, a weak firing key isn’t enough to deter me. But considering the KAOS Skycar doesn’t have up/down controls, this seemed like a REALLY strange place for Sigelei to cut corners. Maybe they put that money into the magnetic back panel, instead, because that part of the mod is second to none, with a firm grip that doesn’t quit.

On a straight wattage mod with only a dial to control, there isn’t much in the way of actual “highlights.” So, let’s talk about it.

Honestly? I think this manual dial is absolutely terrible. Not the concept, but the execution. For starters, the rotating dial is the part of the Skycar design that should have recessed, not the fire key! EVERY time I put the Skycar in my pocket, or in my car’s cup holder, or even looked at it the wrong way, the far-too-loose dial turned.

Of course, I didn’t know this initially, so I blindly took a draw without realizing the dial had been jacked to the 230-watt maximum. The resulting draw was so immensely powerful, and uncomfortable, I had to take a 20 minute break before I could comfortably use it again. Trust me, this horrible experience was something I considered to be in the past, so I was even more surprised as usual.

And the dial itself makes no sense, either. Though the number designations are evenly spaced in writing, there is little way of knowing how precise the dial is, or if you’re actually getting the power you need. Plus, with the dial being so loose and erratic, no two draws were alike. It was a tremendously frustrating experience – especially coming from a mod designed to eliminate the extraneous nonsense.

I should also mention that the Skycar mod is technically 32mm deep, but the 22mm 510 connection plate is raised in such a way, that almost every tank above 22mm had overhang. Like, SIGNIFICANT overhang that caught on my pocket whenever putting the mod away. Again, very confusing.

Earlier I said that the KAOS Skycar offered decent performance when things were (pardon the pun) dialed in. And that’s completely true – the Skycar has good ramp speed, smooth draws, and stutter-free performance, even with the knob cranked to max wattage. Of course, it was difficult to gauge where I actually was. But, the average user should be satisfied with the output.

Thankfully, the Skycar also worked well with all of my usual test atomizers – even the ones with overhang. I never had any problems with misfires or heat spikes, which was refreshing, considering the trouble I usually face with my “antique” tank collection.

I also mentioned that the LED lightshow managed to stay out of the way, and it does. But some users might not appreciate the rotating colored light that activates when moving the dial or firing the mod. It’s not distracting, but it wasn’t attractive, either – especially on my candy apple red test model.

I’m really frustrated by the Sigelei KAOS Skycar mod. On one hand, when it worked, it worked. But there were just too many instances that the loose dial and unclear power output made me unsure of exactly how I was vaping. I struggled to keep things consistent, and rarely enjoyed the same vape quality twice – even during the same few minutes. Though honestly, Sigelei has always been a hit-n-miss mod maker. Sometimes I am hugely impressed, and sometimes I am hugely disappointed.  To paraphrase Forest Gump; Sigelei is like a box of chocolates… you never know what you’re going to get.

While the concept of a no-frills vape mod certainly appeals to me, the uncomfortable design, awkward fire key, obtuse control dial and outright weird performance makes the Sigelei KAOS Skycar a hard pass for me.

Score: C

Other Sigelei KAOS Reviews you might wish to read include; KAOS Z, KAOS Z GS and KAOS Spectrum