After a long time dedicated to pods, eleaf is thinking again about vapers who still love boxes and atomizers. It's doing so by re-releasing the classic iStick and Melo series, pairing them to create the two new kits: the iStick X80 and iStick XC100 Kit. Both feature the new Melo X which uses the new EC-D coils and is compatible with several older EC coils. The difference between the two kits is the battery: integrated on the iStick X80, while on the iStick XC100, it's removable, with a choice between 18650 and 21700. Today's text is dedicated to the latter XC100, a gift from Eleaf.
The iStick XC100 Kit comes in a box with a revised graphic design that started with the iVeni Duo. Inside, you'll find the iStick XC100, the Melo X, two EC-D Coils (0.3 and 0.5 ohm, with one already installed), a USB Type-C cable, a replacement pyrex tank, a manual, and spare o-rings.
The Melo X follows the trend of hybrid open MTL / RDL pre-made coil atomizers. It's made of steel, weighs 71 grams, and is (approximately) 43 mm high, excluding the drip tip and 510 pin. The initial diameter of the base is 22.5 mm, then it goes up to 27 mm for the knurled part, and finally 32 mm for the 5 ml bubble tank section.
The Melo X features a 510 connection for the drip tip. The included black plastic one is 13 mm high once inserted, while the airflow hole is 7 mm wide. The top cap for refilling slides open in the direction indicated by the arrow. The seal is secured by a ball lock (unfortunately impossible to photograph with my equipment) that keeps the top cap closed. The white plastic gasket covers the refill hole, and a second spare is included in the parts.
By unscrewing the base, you can remove the 5 ml bubble tank and then the airflow ring. The photo also shows an o-ring that probably comes off the first time you extract it, but I should mention that it must be placed (you'll see) in the base. The airflow ring is at the top, and on both sides, there are two holes and a slot that can be adjusted as desired. The airflow ring has a stopper, so it has a specific direction for reinstallation. The tank is installed by pressure, and there is a replacement one in the spare parts.
You should see the o-ring placed in its proper seat in the base, which allows the pyrex tank to rest and create a watertight seal. Always check at each coil replacement if it is correctly inserted or you could encounter problems. The top airflow system has two slots with dimensions in line with the 510 drip tip, making it an RDL without reaching the typical direct-to-lung of the old Melos.
The coil insertion is different from what I've seen in a while, with a thread and not pressure. The EC-D or any EC Coil you choose must be screwed in until the green o-ring "disappears." To help and avoid pinching it, when you prime the coil, you can also drip half a drop of liquid on it. The CE and disposal logos are engraved on the base.
The new mesh-section EC-D Coils come in 3 options:
EC-D 0.5Ω (15-25W, Eleaf recommends: 23W)
EC-D 0.3Ω (30-45W, Eleaf recommends: 40W)
EC-D 0.15Ω (40-70W, Eleaf recommends: 50W)
In addition to the EC-D Coils, there is also backward compatibility with previous EC series, so not all of them have a mesh section, even though Eleaf has always experimented with wire shape:
EC-A 0.5Ω (20-40W)
EC-A 0.3Ω (30-50W)
EC-A 0.15Ω (40-70W)
EC-2 0.3Ω Coil (30-80W)
EC-2 0.5Ω Coil (30-100W)
EC-M 0.15Ω (30-75W)
EC-N 0.15Ω (30-70W)
When making your choices about which coil to opt for, it's helpful to keep in mind the structure and airiness of the Melo X. Don't aim to buy it with the idea of firing it at 60 watts, as it wasn't designed for similar temperatures, and adjust the battery according to the wattage required. The new mesh EC-D coils seemed similar to those from other competitors. The (almost) MTL coil like the 0.5 is appreciated, keeping in mind that it needs a bit of air (at least 2 small holes) even if you select the minimum recommended wattage from Eleaf. The 0.3 is already in the RDL field, even at the minimum wattage, as it appreciates fully open airflow in terms of heat management. Tests were done using a 60 vg 40 pg with the 0.5 and 70 vg 30 pg for the 0.3 without experiencing any problems.
The XC100 measures 95 x 39 x 29 and weighs 102 grams, given its all-aluminum construction with no fabric inserts. There are two choices for power between 21700 and 18650 batteries, which partially justifies its significant height. The output is from 5 to 100 watts in both 18650 and 21700 configurations.
The plate is raised from the chassis thanks to an external ring that prevents scratching the paint or seating the atomizer too tightly; it is 15.5 mm wide. The 510 connection is spring-loaded with a gold-plated pin. Given its dimensions, it is possible to install atomizers up to 28 mm without them protruding from the chassis.
The form factor is rounded on the side, making it comfortable to hold despite being bulkier than it looks. The iStick print has been named "Ice Flower," and despite promotional flyers suggesting it has a rough texture, it's just a design with a (very) glossy finish. On one side, "Eleaf" is engraved, and on the other, "iStick XC100."
The base is flat, providing good stability despite the iStick XC100's significant height, and is engraved with the CE and disposal logos. The cap (should) be steel with a handle that can be lifted to unscrew it. The threading was not great initially, but after screwing and unscrewing it a few times, it seems to have improved.
The 21700 adapter is already installed in the iStick XC100 and should be inserted if you want to use a 18650 format battery. The battery's positive pole should be oriented upwards. There are two vent holes on the inside of the base in case of battery malfunctions.
The front side features the button called Press-Twist by Eleaf: when pressed, it acts as the fire button, and when rotated, it acts as the + and - for wattage selection and navigation. The 1.05-inch TFT screen is not very bright and has no option to increase brightness. The switch, or Lock Slider, has 3 combinations for locking the buttons to choose from:
Fire and wattage selection locked
Fire active, wattage selection locked
Fire and wattage selection active
The "Fire active, wattage selection locked" mode is very convenient since you can inadvertently rotate the fire button and change the wattage, even if it's only by 1 or 2 watts. Finally, there's the USB Type-C port.
The "Smart Chip Inside 2.0" is installed on the XC, with the possibility of an upgrade from the Eleaf website by connecting it to a Windows PC. I must clarify that I have not tried this as I don't know if, as I have a Sample, the final or retail version is installed, and I wouldn't want to brick the device. There are 4 themes available, all with a 4-digit puff counter, lock indicator, and battery percentage in numbers.
5 clicks to turn on and off
3 clicks to enter the menu
Lock systems listed above, there are no others
Options in the menu:
Power - wattage output from 5 to 100, increasing by 1 watt at a time
RTA - voltage output from 0.5 to 9.
The 4 themes (Racer, Bubbles, Pulse, Aurora)
Puff Clear
Also noteworthy is the Memory function, which reads the resistive value of the coil and automatically saves the selected wattage after two puffs. This function is obviously designed for the Melo X / pre-made coils and is not very adaptable to RTAs. Battery management is "Pico-like," so it does not drain the battery when inactive.
Protections:
Low Voltage - when the battery outputs less than 2.8 volts
Short circuit / No atomizer - when the atomizer is not detected
Over 10s - cutoff after 10 seconds of firing
Temperature alert - if the circuit detects a temperature that is too high
The iStick XC100 is more geared towards a "modern" audience that prefers variable themes and colors over modes and customizations during the vaping phase. If the only thing you're interested in in a box is selecting the wattage and vaping, the iStick XC100 continues with the reliability of Eleaf circuits known to almost everyone. The Melo X, on the other hand, is a dive between new and old, as it's not every day that you see a new atomizer that offers the possibility of installing coils from the last decade. It can therefore be an opportunity to pick up coils you were fond of or try the new EC-D coils. To get more info on the iStick XC100 you can check out the dedicated page Eleaf iStick X80 & XC100 with MELO X | Smart Vape Mods on the Eleaf website.
I'd like to thank the staff and community of e-cigarette forum for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts.
