INTRO

With the first iStick from Eleaf, box mods gained a lot of popularity. The TC40W accomplished the same for temperature control. When it was first introduced last summer, the majority of temperature control devices were much larger and more expensive, thus this small, reasonably priced device was well received. When you consider how quickly technology is developing, it’s fairly impressive that it’s still available on the market after a year. I’ve had one for a while, and while it’s not perfect, it’s still a respectable mod with some advantages.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

Specifications

• Pod capacity – 2ml
• Coil resistance – 0.8ohm / 1.2ohm
• Battery capacity – 2600mAh
• Wattage range – 1-40W
• Dimensions – 126.3mm x 34.8mm x 25.2mm

 

Features

• Eye-popping Colors
• Comfortable Grip
• Redefined Black GTL Coils
• GTL D20 Tank: Simplicity From Top To Bottom
• Customize Your Vaping Experience
• Extend Vaping Enjoyment

 

Colours

• Cyan
• Neon Orange
• Fuchsia Pink
• Greenery
• Black

 

PACKAGING AND DESIGN

iStick TC40W is packaged in a well-designed, reliable cardboard box. The mod is kept in the upper layer. Here is another cut-out that, if you purchased the kit, holds a GS Tank; if not, there is nothing missing. Remove the foam to reveal a 510 to eGo adapter, a USB charging cord, and a brief user guide. The mod itself is small, which will be the first thing you notice about it. There is a 18650 battery inside, and Eleaf used some ingenious design to cram the circuitry and battery into such a small package.

The screen and buttons are hidden behind a smoked plastic panel on the front of the casing, which has a rounded back. You cannot stand it upright while it charges because the charging port is on the bottom, which is a drawback. Eleaf got it right with the stick 50, so this is bothersome. Other than that, it’s a wonderful tool to use. It is small enough to be a handy stealth vape and fits well in the hand. Eleaf has been meticulous as well. The cheap alloy 510 connector on the original iStick had problems stripping its threads, while the TC40W sports a steel connector.

For atomizers that draw air through the connector, airflow slots have been carved into the top deck. There are also two additional slots for lanyard attachment. The buttons are fairly clicky and the screen is clear. Overall, especially considering the price, it seems like a well-made piece of equipment. The fire button is made of metal and is encircled by a bezel that matches, however on mine (and a few others I’ve seen), it is a little loose and rattly. One thing to keep in mind is that some users have reported problems with the fire buttons on various iSticks, suggesting that Eleaf’s designs may have some flaws in this area.

 

FUNCTIONALITY

The iStick TC40W has two operating modes: Ni200 temperature control mode and conventional variable wattage mode. Since it couldn’t achieve anything that VW mode couldn’t, the variable voltage mode from prior iSticks has been removed, which, to be honest, I don’t believe is much of a loss. TC mode is available if the mod detects a Ni200 coil; otherwise, you can set it to TC mode, but as soon as you push the fire button, it changes back to VW. This is a basic but effective safety measure because using a kanthal coil in TC mode will likely cause your battery to explode.

Simple controls are used. In total, there are four buttons: the large fire button is located above the screen, followed by the up and down arrows and a third, smaller button. It can be turned on by pressing the fire button five times quickly. If you’re using it for the first time, this will put you in VW mode. Simply use the up and down arrows to modify the power in 0.1-watt steps. The TC mode is your alternative and most likely the one that will convince you to purchase this mod.

Stick with nickel because this is set up for Ni200 coils and may not be safe or reliable with titanium or stainless steel ones. When a nickel coil is installed, all you have to do to switch the display from watts to temperature is briefly click the little button located between the arrow keys. Simply hold one of the arrows and let it scroll through to display temperature in °C or °F. It will switch to the other measurement once it hits the limit. Adjustments to temperature are made in 5°C or 10°F steps. The temperature you’ve set it to is typically displayed on the screen when in TC mode.

The actual measured temperature is displayed when you push the fire button, and it rises rather quickly. The highest temperatures reach 310°C or 600°F. I discovered that 300°C was optimal, although I was using sub-ohm 24mg juice, so my findings may not be a great benchmark. The remaining features are nearly identical to those of older iSticks. Hold up and down simultaneously for two seconds to lock the buttons; hold fire and down simultaneously to activate stealth mode, which turns off the screen. By turning off the mod and holding it up and down for two seconds, you can rotate the screen.

The iStick 40 lacks a few features, mostly compatibility for Ti and SS coils when compared to higher-end TC mods, but for the majority of vapers, it is adequate.

 

BATTERY

A non-removable 2600mAh battery powers the TC40W. This has an average, not exceptional, battery life. It won’t last you all day if you’re operating above 25 watts or in TC mode. On the other hand, if you’re not continually puffing away at your desk, it’s acceptable for a night out or to get you through the day at work. With a 1A charger, a full charge takes three to four hours, and because the USB port is on the bottom, you can’t stand the device upright while it charges. Because of how inconvenient it is to use it as a pass-through, you may want to use another device while this one charge.

 

 

INCLUDES

1 x iStick i40
1 x GTL D20 Tank
2 x GTL coils
1 x USB Type-C cable
1 x User manual
1 x Warranty card