Vapemons Magic Mod 228W Box Mod Review

It’s raining diamonds here at Spinfuel VAPE. Right on the heels of reviewing the diamond-cut Smoant Karat pod mod system, here comes the curiously named Vapemons 228W Magic Mod. This 228-watt adjustable voltage box mod certainly catches the eye with its diamond-pattern exterior. But will it capture the attention of vapers looking for their next big purchase? That remains to be seen.

For every forward-thinking design choice on the semi-mechanical Magic Mod, there’s a decidedly old-school counterpoint. Angular, asymmetric design is countered by an antiquated OLED screen. The 228 watts of power is countered by a manual adjustment dial atop the device. And the simple operation setup is countered by the inclusion of the VM OMNI 2.6 chipset, which was once touted to be a DNA board rival.

Our bright red test edition was attractive, in a weird, futuristic sort of way. This asymmetric, sizeable box is definitely on the larger end of the spectrum, and has a fair amount of heft, even without the dual-18650 batteries installed.

The textured side panels have an angular, sci-fi feel, but also provide a nice, subtle grip when operating the mod. The front panel is particularly busy, with a vertical monochrome display, basic control scheme, USB charge and upgrade port, and an oversized, angular fire key. Yet, within the design aesthetic, it never becomes too overbearing.

And the 510 connection might be the most bullet-proof one I’ve seen to date. No matter how I tried to make it flex, it never did. Plus, it’s ample size accommodated all but a few of my atomizers in style, with only the 30mm tanks showing any overhang.

Because of its size, and jutting, angular frame, the Magic Mod might not be comfortable in every hand. But most adult users should be able to do so without much trouble. However, I can foresee one concern with the design – the smallish fire key. It was plenty clicky, but I never felt like it was registering as effectively as it could.

On the inside, the proven and powerful OMNI 2.6 chipset shines as always. At least, as much as the framework allows. Though I rarely, if ever, use TCR and temp control outside of testing environments, they seemed oddly out of place here. Sure, they worked fine, but the overall vibe of the Magic Mod is one of straight power and simplicity. TC just seemed a little tacked on. Again, is this an advanced mech? A full-featured APV? It’s not readily clear, even to reviewers like me.

Thankfully, due to the simple dial control scheme, accessing and navigating the menu system is pretty easy. All customization and adjustment options are clearly laid out in horizontal trees, with little confusion to be had about proper entries or the ever-present “where do I go next?” It’s all very straightforward and user-friendly, despite the dial system.

One minor letdown was the supposedly bright and vibrant display, which actually wasn’t. Not that it was bad by any means, but a monochrome OLED display is hardly worth getting excited about in 2019, and there’s nothing exciting here, either. That said, it  does what it should and stays out of the way. It ain’t pretty, but looks don’t win awards at the end of the day.

Putting the Magic Mod into action was an instantly powerful experience. Other mods with these chipsets have always been top-flight performers, and this is no exception. Claiming a ridiculously fast 0.005-second ramp-up time (which we can’t really measure, anyway) the Magic Mod gives users a snappy, ultra-fast-ramping performance, and surprising battery efficiency, to boot.

In wattage mode, the Magic Mod easily gets to its 228-watt max in fast order, and stays cool to the touch when doing so. Of course, battery life dwindles at these levels, but the regular vaper who occasionally wants to soar higher can feel comfortable bringing the Magic Mod out on a day trip.

Lowering the power to more reasonable levels changed the battery life for the better, and I enjoyed nearly six hours of moderate vaping on one charge. Those aren’t world-beating numbers, but they’re more than adequate for most.

Plus, the 2-amp balanced onboard charging not only works quickly, but keeps each cell level during charging, to eliminate spikes or imbalances.

In temperature control, the OMNI 2.6 board performs as expected, and all coil types were instantly recognized, and easily adjusted to meet my particular needs. Of my three TC test coils, only nickel seemed to offer any hiccups when setting my resistance, but it was quickly rectified by locking it down. And as usual, using TCR made things a lot easier when presets didn’t get the job done.

The manual dial – a strange inclusion on an already strange mod – is accurate, and doesn’t twist too easily, so the Magic Mod is safe to keep in a pocket. To be safe, always check before firing.

Bypass mode also worked well, which wasn’tsurprising since the mod is effectively an advanced mechanical device. It’s not my preferred style of vaping, and seems a little wasteful on a mod with so much technology under the hood, but in the oddball context of the Magic Mod, it makes sense.

Enough with the numbers and specs. What you want to know is “does this strange Magic Mod vape well?” Putting aside all the quirks, yes it does. The uber-quick ramp-up time and straightforward menu system equals a mod that most people would enjoy.

While I’m not sure the limited display and odd controls are on par with the chipset under the hood, the Magic Mod DOES have everything an advanced vaper needs to enjoy long, powerful sessions without concern. If you’re into straight wattage/voltage output, the Magic Mod shines. If you like dabbling in more acute adjustments, it also works well.

And if you like something more original than the usual box mod aesthetic, the Magic Mod will definitely check a few boxes, as well. It’s not for everyone, but this unique device might be the diamond you need to complete your collection.