I am testing it for Evolv and have had all the various versions of the prototypes. The Kick does an amazing job of duplicating the Darwin vaping experience. It is essentially the same Power Regulation design and delivers the same consistency of vaping hits. It detects the resistance and automatically adjusts the volts and amps to deliver the user set watts level. Without the screen, settings are not as precision exact (Darwin sets in 0.1 watts increments) but it is amazingly accurate. Using an under-load meter (with atty/carto attached) allows users to see the under-load voltage automatically change as they swap out various resistance attys/cartos. Kick also has all the operational features of Darwin with low batt cut-off and short circuit detection/activation prevention. That short circuit protection is sensitive and may prevent activation on an atty/carto that may still fire on an unregulated device but that sensitivity is needed to protect the circuitry on the kick (same as Darwin).
The watts range is 5-10. However, many Darwin users find they adjust their vaping watts down a bit due to the accuracy and consistency of the Power Regulation. On Darwin, that adjustment is super easy (just a turn of the wheel). It is equally as easy on the Kick but requires opening the device to access the adjustment. On top-loading devices, this is as simple as removing the top-cap and then making the adjustment (can just leave the kick sitting right where it is in the device) and replacing the to-cap. Some will complain about "using a screwdriver..." but the Variable Voltage users are frequently having to make adjustments. As atty/cartos age, the resistance drops and Kicks/Darwins automatically detect the change and adjust accordingly. With Kick, once you find your sweet-spot, it is pretty much set it and forget it. Some, like you, who prefer a warmer vape, may just leave it a the max setting and enjoy the boosted consistency of Power Regulation using a single IMR cell (no risk of stacking). IMRs are safer chemistry and IMRs have more than enough amps to handle the Amps demands of boost and LR combined. Due to its built in safety features, Kick offers additional protection as well.
Devices vary in conductivity. Some are lossier than others. The production version of the Kick is even more efficient than the prototypes were and may well help compensate for the more lossier devices.
Brandon has stated that the 10 watt max is there due to a variety of manufacturing decisions. They could make it higher but the smaller components of the Kick, and the dynamics of prism (cylindrical) style batts, left them feeling it was best all around to cap it at 10.
