Table of Contents
There are so many ways to open this review. I could comment on how the name of this Vape Mod Starter Kit sounds like the most-awesome ‘80s movie ever made. We could also compare the mod to a classic “Star Wars” lightsaber. We could comment on how the device’s zinc alloy construction ISN’T the same as “cold steel.” Or we could mention that Ehpro built the first-ever box-tube-stick-mod™ in vaping history.
Instead, let’s just lead with this: The Ehpro Cold Steel 100W Stater Kit ticks off a ton of the checkboxes we look for in a vape kit, and should be a consideration for anyone seeking a compact, unique-looking new mod.
But it doesn’t check ALL of them. For that info, you’ll have to read on…
The Word on High
Replace your old vape with the EHPRO Cold Steel 100W & RAPTOR Starter Kit. A compact high-tech vaping starter kit, combining a single high-amp battery layout and an extensive temperature control suite. It is readily available to utilize mesh coils to provide rapid and even heating to produce thick vaporous clouds.
Construction
Constructed from durable zinc-alloy, the chassis of the EHPro Cold Steel 100 is very durable and impact resistant, mitigating damage when dropped or slipped. This helps to protect the circuit board within, while being powered by the single high-amp battery that’s sold separately, within.
Batteries of all Kinds
Accepting 21700, 20700 or 18650 cell battery with the included adapter, the Cold Steel 100W Box Mod sits perfectly within the palm of the hand. Working in conjunction with one another, the Cold Steel receives an extensive and comprehensive temperature control suite, adjusting and matching resistances to find the perfect vaping settings.
Furthermore, with a EHPro Raptor Sub-Ohm Tank installed at the 510 connection, the Cold Steel Starter Kit can use a slew of mesh coil options to create densely flavored clouds of vapor with the rapid and even heating.
EHPRO COLD STEEL 100W Box Mod Features:
- Collaboration with AmbitionZ Vaper
- Dimensions – 91.5mm by 39mm by 27.5mm
- Single High-Amp 18650/20700/21700 Battery – Not Included
- Wattage Output Range: 5-120W
- 80-120W Requires 40A Battery
- Voltage Range: 0.5-8.0V
- Temperature Range: 100°-315°C / 200°-600°F
- Resistance Range: 0.05-3.0ohm
- PWR Mode
- TEMP Mode
- Curve Mode
- BYPASS Mode
- Volt Mode
- Zinc-Alloy Chassis Construction
- Intuitive Firing Button
- OLED Display Screen
- Two Adjustment Buttons
- LED Battery Life Indicator Light
- Threaded Bottom Battery Cap
- Short-Circuit Protection
- Over Heat Protection
- Over Current Protection
- Weak Battery Proitection
- Reverse Battery Protection
- 10S Cut-Off Protection
- Low Voltage Protection
- Battery Over Charge Protection
- MicroUSB Port
- Available in Grey Champagne, Black Obsidian, Old Gold
EHPro RAPTOR Sub-Ohm Tank Features:
- 25mm Diameter
- 6mL Bubble Glass Capacity
- 4mL Standard Glass Capacity
- Quartz Glass Reinforcement
- Superior Stainless Steel Chassis Construction
- Sliding Top Fill System – Single Fill Port
- EHPro RAPTOR Coil Series
- 15ohm EL1B-3 Single Mesh Coil – rated for 70W
- 25ohm EL2B-3 Dual Mesh Coil – rated for 80W
- Sea Grass Fiber Wicking Medium
- Threaded Coil Installation
- 360° Coil Airflow
- Dual Slotted Bottom Airflow Control Ring
- Gold-Plated 510 Connection
- Available in Black, Stainless Steel, and Gunmetal
Includes:
- COLD STEEL 100 Device
- RAPTOR Sub-Ohm Tank
- 0.15ohm EL1B-3 Single Mesh Coil
- 0.25ohm EL2B-3 Dual Mesh Coil
- Spare Glass Tube
- MicroUSB Cable
- Spare Parts
- Instructional Manual
Aesthetics
My lightsaber reference wasn’t just fallout from loving “The Rise of Skywalker.” (And seriously, haters, get a grip – the movie is fantastic.) But the Cold Steel looks just like the hilt of the classic Jedi weapon, combining a stout, compact tube section with a boxy extension that houses the slim mod’s technology. That includes a fire key, up/down adjustment buttons, and an OLED display so tiny, it might make you squint.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say the Cold Steel resembles an old-fashioned mechanical mod, when people made aesthetic modifications to their tubes to stand out in a crowd. (You DO know that’s where the term “mod” is derived from, right?)
Overall, despite the above description, the Cold Steel is attractive and comfortable to use, front to back. The build quality is top-notch, with a nice balance of rugged durability and ergonomic form factor. Smooth edges, a comfortable feel for thumb and trigger grip users, and an exterior that stays cool, all the way to the mod’s 100-watt limit — it’s all here, designed for usability.
The minuscule OLED display is also a throwback to a simpler time. Given the amount of real estate available, I understand why Ehpro opted for this, but the basic, no-frills screen and linear menu system are a little behind the times by modern vape mod standards. It doesn’t get in the way, and gives enough information in all available modes… but it just doesn’t seem to jibe with a modern device.
One minor complaint comes from the wiggly bottom battery cap. It never came off or had trouble rotating on the threads, but the cap just never felt all THAT secure, and was pretty loud when shaking the Cold Steel gently in our hands.
The Ehpro Raptor Sub-Ohm Tank
No need to mince words here — the Raptor is one of our favorite sub-ohm tanks of 2019 (or any year). For all the tanks that cross our desks — including some really top-tier devices — only a few really make a lasting impression on us. Well, let’s use our own words again:
Absolutely essential for your collection, if you are looking for intense and pure flavor with tons of clouds. And for the first time in a long, long time, the results of this review are unanimous with every member of the staff.
On its own, the Raptor is a tremendous purchase. As part of this kit, it’s one hell of a throw-in.
Vaping the Ehpro Cold Steel 100W Mod Kit
Let’s get one thing out of the way right now — the Cold Steel is a single-battery mod. So, no matter if you’re using a 21700, 20700 or 18650 cell (with adapter), there isn’t going to be hours upon hours of performance. But the battery life here is poor, even by single-battery mod standards, especially when pushing the device close to its 100-watt limit.
In wattage mode, the Cold Steel ramps up well enough, with no stuttering or sudden bursts of overheating. Though I have my concerns about the accessibility of this chipset, there is no questioning its performance, which was pretty smooth no matter what I asked of the device. (Even though the battery dipped tremendously when going above 80 watts.)
Temperature control is a different story. The menu system isn’t as intuitive as more modern setups, but crafting ideal TC settings is something I had to learn over time. I eventually “got it,” but expect newcomers to struggle a bit before the repeated presses and clicks becomes intuitive. Though not quite as dense as those on a DNA or YiHi device, this antiquated chipset is still tricky to navigate, especially for beginners.
Once in the menus, the Cold Steel offers quite a healthy list of features. In addition to 100 watts of power, there is the standard complement of options for power and temp curves, different coil types, bypass mode, and more.
As mentioned earlier, the screen is fine for what it does, but I can’t help but wish the Cold Steel took it a few steps in a more-modern direction. Meaning, the mod would simply look better with a more advanced, vertically oriented display, perhaps with a wider layout. I know Ehpro was going for a streamlined look, but this might be a little too “old school” for most.
Pros:
- Truly unique, comfortable design
- Smooth ramping and power output
- Fantastic companion tank in kit
Cons:
- Battery life is poor
- Screen and menu are antiquated
- Battery cap is wiggly and loose
Wrapping Up…
It’s far from perfect, but we really liked the Ehpro Cold Steel 100W kit. Not just because it’s unique but also because of how well-made this device really is. It’s portable, powerful and has one of the best sub-ohm tanks around, right in the box. Sure, the battery life is weak and the screen is barely there, but if you’re in the market for something different, this just might be what you’re looking for.
Score: B
