In 2017, when we discuss “high-end” vape mods, we usually center the conversation on features, modes and customization. The Stentorian Basilisk wants to change that line of thinking. Though this absolutely gorgeous resin-built device would certainly be a stunning addition to any collection, at its heart, the Basilisk is a simplified device designed to do one thing – pure, smooth power.
And it does it VERY well. Let’s dive in and see what this unique mod brings to the table.

STENTORIAN BASILISK REVIEW – We may have used the term “simplified” in the opening paragraph, but make no mistake, the Basilisk is a flawlessly styled box mod, with construction that seems as durable as it is beautiful. This premium feel extends all the way to the packaging, which is more akin to deluxe jewelry than it is a vape device.

The hard, plastic shell case allows buyers to see exactly which color and pattern they’ll receive, which will come in handy, since the resin is completely random, other than base color choice. If you’ve seen the fantastic Revenant Cartel mod, you have a very good idea of the Basilisk’s overall look and feel, though the latter is considerably shorter and stouter.

That said, I don’t think buyers will have much to complain about with any of these color blends. My test model is a stunning mix of iridescent blues, yellows and greens, in a swirling pattern not unlike the sky from Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.”

(Bet you didn’t expect to see a Van Gogh reference in your morning vape review, did ya?)

Aesthetics aside, the Stentorian Basilisk is extremely well-constructed. The resin is framed by just the right amount of metal. I can’t be sure if it’s zinc alloy or stainless steel, but regardless, durability will not be a concern for those who purchase the Basilisk.

Continuing the simplified format, the Basilisk features a traditional, side-mounted control panel, framed in the same metal on the top and bottom of the device. The 0.96-inch OLED screen is bright, while the relatively small fire key is nonetheless firm and clicky. The plain up/down control buttons have a similar throw and feel.

The press-fit, gold-plated 510 connection is ever-so-slightly recessed, likely to accommodate the included 510 protection gaskets. Though I did not use these accessories during testing, they are a nice throw-in for those who want to keep their mods pristine, even with regular use.

I DO have a bit of concern about the lack of airflow between the Basilisk’s 510 connection and an attached tank, with or without the protective gaskets in place. Though I never encountered any heat dissipation problems during use, I can imagine all this metal can become warm when vaping consistently at higher wattages.

Some users might be concerned about the lack of USB port, but there really isn’t a need for one, as the power-only format makes firmware upgrades a little extraneous. Some might disagree, but I concur that less is more on the Basilisk.

Closing out the section, the bottom battery door is a highlight. Though it seems odd to praise a hinged door mechanism, the Basilisk has perhaps the most snug, secure-feeling battery chamber in recent memory. There is absolutely no rattle, either on the door, or inside the chamber.

This may become the shortest mod menu description I’ve ever written. [ED NOTE: Thank goodness] As a wattage-only vape mod, the Basilisk is perhaps the most stripped-down, back-to-basics operating system experience I’ve seen on such a powerful device.

Navigating the tree-based menu system will be old-hat for any vaper familiar with classic mod control schemes. A series of combination clicks and holds allows users to access the menus, with most adjustments made on the subsequent screens. There’s very little to do, which is a blessing, not a curse.

The Stentorian chipset tries to maximize this wattage-only format, offering Standard, Powerful, Powerful+ and the oddly named Rebuild mode. While the first three are pre-set ramp-up settings, the interesting Rebuild mode is a rudimentary wattage curve adjustment, made right on the device. All in all, it worked fairly well, and I was able to manually find a spot between “Standard” and “Powerful” that suited my preheat preferences.

(For the record, “Standard” is a little weak – comparable to “Soft” settings on similar devices. Yet “Powerful” is a touch too strong for my tastes. Give each setting a try, as there are distinct differences, as you’ll read about soon enough…)

In terms of physical performance, the Basilisk is a winner. So much so, that I wonder why more companies don’t simply stick with similarly styled buttons. The unadorned, no-nonsense buttons allow the resin sections to stand out, while also serving as functional, comfortable control buttons.

My only MINOR gripe isn’t a complaint about the Basilisk as much as it is about my tiny hands. The 55mm width makes the mod a little difficult to grip tightly in the palm, forcing me to seat it differently than I would normally hold a vape device. If my short, stumpy hands are the only complaint about a mod, then it’s safe to say most users will find the Basilisk to fit just fine in their hands.

I tested the Stentorian Basilisk with a series of atomizers, all of them Kanthal builds, with an equal split between MTL and sub-ohm purpose. The goal here was to determine not only the ultimate power of the Basilisk, but also if this simplified, power-only format might appeal to new vapers, fresh off of cigarettes.

I started with the fantastic new VandyVape Berserker RTA, with a 1.2-ohm build, and set the Basilisk to 18 watts. Here, the Basilisk came out of the gate a little limp on “Standard” preheat, but was much better when moving the setting to “Powerful.” Once dialed in, I enjoyed rich flavor, and a surprising amount of thick vapor for such low wattage.

My next test was conducted using an 0.85-ohm coil using my original Aspire Cleito with the RBA head attached. Once again, I needed to adjust the preheat to “Powerful” but loved how much flavor and vapor I produced at a relatively conservative 40 watts.

At this point, I wanted to shift gears and push the Basilisk, so I moved to the Uwell Valyrian, with a fresh 0.15-ohm coil in place. Now, things were starting to get interesting. At 80 watts, the Basilisk started cranking out effortless power, while the tank responded in kind, with massive clouds. There were no hiccups here, nor did I expect any for a 200-watt device.

My final test saw me revisit the Anarchist Riot RDA, with a 0.1-ohm build – right at the mod’s lower limit, and started upping the power in 10-watt increments until the Basilisk hit its breaking point. At 110 watts, there was nothing but flavor and vapor. In fact, the same held true until 180 watts, save for a few dry hits.

At 180 watts, things got a little hairy. Suddenly, the mod stopped recognizing the coil, forcing me to open the RDA, check the connections for shorts, and start again. But the check atomizer warnings kept  appearing, making me wonder if I popped the coil inadvertently. But the coil was fine and clean, so I decided to instead use the system to solve the problem, lowering the preheat back to “Standard.”

Then all was right in the world once more. I managed to get the Basilisk to its advertised 200 watts with RELATIVE ease, and loved the fact that it never pulsed or misfired … that is once the preheat settings were nailed down. I will say, the mod became extremely warm at this elevation, likely due to the lack of venting throughout the frame.

The Stentorian Basilisk CAN hit 200 watts, but I don’t recommend staying there for any length of time. Not only because of the heat, but also because of the battery life, which went from “excellent” to “insanely bad” within 50 watts.

It took an extensive stress test to find flaws with the Stentorian Basilisk – a test that certainly wasn’t representative of a user’s normal, everyday use. For more practical purposes, the Basilisk is nothing short of a wonderful vape device, replete with class, style and straightforward performance.

Other than a slightly finicky preheat setting, and some minor wobbling at its highest limits, the Basilisk performed at a very high level, and comes highly recommended to anyone seeking a sophisticated, but streamlined experience.

Score: A

Stentorian Basilisk 200W Box MOD specs:

• Stentorian Chip
• Dimensions: 85 x 55 x 26mm
• Max Wattage: 200W
• Output Voltage: 4.2V
• Resistance Range: 0.1 – 3.0ohm
• Battery Type: 2 x 18650 batteries (not included)
• Thread Type: 510 thread
• Spring Loaded 510

Stentorian Basilisk 200W Box MOD contents:

• 1x Basilisk 200W Box Mod
• 3x 510 Scratch Protector
• 1x User Manual