I don’t normally like to start reviews with a conclusion, but here we go: The YiHi SXmini T Class SX580J is a B+ Vape Mod. And it would have been an A+ Mod if the designers just knew when to quit. Because the T Class is a veritable master’s class in how to over-do a vape mod, and it affected my enjoyment of all the things it does right.

At first glance, the T Class is riddled with the usual SXmini trappings – tall, angular frame, hefty weight, and some jarring angles. Plus, in what seems like a requirement for YiHi-enabled mods, a protruding joystick interface that WILL scrape your thigh when pocketed in a pair of tight jeans.

According to the company itself, the YiHi SXmini T Class is constructed from a “stunning” 78 individual components, brought together like a cloud-chucking Voltron to create a “formidable structure” (their words, not mine). Impressive linguists at YiHi, to be sure. But to the average user, the T Class just seems like a solid, well-built vape device… and that’s good enough for me.

But after eyeballing the bold construction, you’ll notice a pair of silver wheels – one on the 510 connection, and another surrounding the joystick nub. Are they dials for precision temperature adjustment? Do they add a more secure grip to connected atomizers? Both good guesses… and both entirely wrong.

They’re fidget spinners. Mother-[EDITOR DELETION]-ing fidget spinners. On a near $200 vape device. With one of the most vaunted chipsets in the industry, which is capable of some seriously high-end performance and customization. The designers decided the T Class was the perfect vehicle to tap into last year’s most annoying trend… and added fidget spinners!

And in case the mod wasn’t distracting enough, there is also an absolutely blinding lightshow (as a DEFAULT setting) that could illuminate Broadway, shining right through the gaudy logo cutout on the rear of the device. Sure, it can be easily turned off in the menus… but you may burn a cornea before you get the chance.

On a $40 mid-wattage mod, I’ve come to expect certain things. Lights, touchscreens, top-hatted skulls, etc. On a $200 device, I expect different levels of maturity and sophistication. This was a disappointment on several levels.

On the positive side of things, YiHi mods have arguably the nicest, sharpest full-color displays I’ve seen on any vape mod. Depending on which of the available backgrounds you choose, the display gives a thorough look at wattage, temperature, voltage, coil resistance, coil material, battery life, preset mode and more.

Regarding the information itself, I have a few concerns with the display. Everything is laid out in a pleasing format, but it can be initially difficult to be sure you’re in the right mode. When going through the menus users can choose from any of the standard coil types for temp control vaping.

But just like on other mods using this chipset, there is no Kanthal option here, nor does it default to Kanthal or SS316 when moving into wattage mode. Instead, the display presents whichever temp control coil was most recently selected, and just assumes you’re using appropriate materials for wattage vaping.

Now, I’ve seen this before on other SX mods, but seeing “Titanium” on the display while the top of the screen indicated wattage vaping never felt comfortable, even when expecting it.

Just like on its older brother, the G Class, the T Class joystick can be pressed as an additional button, even though the same response can be achieved by pushing the stick to the right, eliminating any real purpose.

Still, thanks to the stunning display, the options are clear and easily identified. Beyond the standard coil/mode/temp configurations, this stacked menu takes three-page scrolls to get through, featuring every piece of SX customization, from wallpaper and screen brightness, to language, ambient temperature, and more.

Finally, because YiHi thought it was a key “feature” – the fidget spinners spin. Though the front-facing wheel around the joystick doesn’t have nearly the attention-getting rotation as the one near the 510. Unfortunately, a firmware update won’t fix this… but WD-40 might.

This is where the T Class earned its B+ score. Because when you get past the toys, and the lights, and the obtuse menu structure, the YiHi chipset does one thing very well – it vapes like an absolute monster.

It goes without saying that the T Class is a true 200-watt mod, and the device absolutely sings on its way up the ladder. At no point did it stutter, and every draw was smooth, silky and powerful, every step along the way. Plus, like so many modern mods, the ramp up time just gets faster and faster, with near instant power hitting the coil, leading to some very intense draws.

As an advanced chipset, the T Class SX580J features all the standard (and a few non-standard) safety measures – polarity protection, atomizer short, low resistance, battery meters, overheat and overcharge protection, for those who use the onboard 2-amp charging. And I still love the “dry atomizer/no liquid” warning that lets you know when it’s time to refill.

It’s pretty obvious that wattage vaping isn’t the primary focus for the T Class, or any device using this chipset. YiHi’s all-new SX580J board provides pinpoint-accurate temperature control vaping, with customization for days. The SX580J board can handle all standard TC wires, such as SS316, nickel and titanium, at temperatures ranging from 212-572 degrees Fahrenheit. And, for more complicated builds, the TCR functionality is there as well.

And to be completely fair, it vapes TC as well as any mod out there – including the Escribe-enabled DNA mods. Setting laser-precise temps, adjusting wattage curves and the rest of the usual TC minutiae is an absolute breeze. I may not prefer temp control vaping, but this is how I want to do it when the mood arises.

The nifty temperature and “taste” curves return, as well, and can be customized using the free SXI-Q app. This mobile download (iOS and Android) allows you to manage the device’s presets, so you can avoid trying to do this in the onboard menu system. This includes TCR levels, saved custom configurations, watts vs. joules, and more.

Using snappy Bluetooth connectivity to handle all tweaks, and even software updates over the air, it’s a handy app, but be forewarned – it’s buggy as hell, and doesn’t maintain very strong Bluetooth connections, even at close range. In other words, I stuck with the stock backgrounds, rather than bonking my firmware to vape with a picture of my dog behind the joule meter. (*Ed Note: My T Class had no problems with Bluetooth, but the electronics in my environment are minnimal)

If the YiHi SXmini T Class SX580J Box Mod was packaged in a straightforward box, with minimal adornment and simplified controls, there’s no doubt I would have given it an A. Hell, if YiHi packed the chipset in a shoebox, I may have even given it an A-. But all of the supposed extras managed to turn my enjoyment of a strong vape device into annoyance. It wasn’t fun to hold and use, even though it vapes like an absolute champion.

So, the call is yours to make. If you like a little flash and bling with your precision vaping, the SX Mini T Class is a top-tier mod. But if you’re like me and feel that vaping doesn’t need any more reasons to draw negative press from detractors, then you’ll want to keep those silver wheels from “fidgeting.” A shame, because it should have been an “A+” from the jump.

Score: B+

The YiHi SXmini T Class Mod is Available Now at Element Vape