My take on the Hcigar Aurora
I’m running the Aurora with an 18650 (Samsung 25R or 30Q) and a NarDA clone (26 ga. round wire) in SS TC mode capped at 25 watts. There’s a bit of battery rattle if I shake the mod violently, but it’s not a problem for me since don’t ever shake my mods that violently. I don’t have a 20700 or a 21700 battery to test.
Construction quality is really nice, IMO. The doors have a little play when I try to move them around, but I don’t notice the play unless I’m trying to move them. The battery goes in upside-down (based on my experience with the mods I’ve owned to date), but the mod has reverse battery protection so it’s not a problem. I really like the stainless (I think) plate surrounding the 510 connection. There should be no gouged paint or finish from too tightly screwed RDAs.
I got the mod free via the Heaven’s Gifts give-away (Thanks again, Heaven’s Gifts!) and received the red version. I probably would not have chosen red had I been asked, but I gotta say that I’m glad they didn’t ask. The finish looks stellar and it turns out I like the color! To me it looks predominantly a bright red, with a very slight orange or maybe yellow-ish tinge in it. Compared to it, my Volcano DNA 75 M is closer to a blood red.
It’s about as wide as an Inbox, but very slightly deeper and noticeably taller. It’s also about 10% heavier - with batteries, 206 g. vs 187 g. However, I think that the Aurora might actually be a little more comfortable to hold because of its beveled edges. (I have kind of big hands, tho..)
It took me a while to figure out how the menu system works and the manual was of little assistance. Easy once you get it though. Just press the third button first, navigate with the left and right buttons, select the item/icon with the third button, adjust/toggle with the left/right buttons and exit with the fire button.
TC works well enough with SS316L, but I’m disappointed that the mod doesn’t allow for custom TCR settings. I think my VT Inbox V2 is a bit smoother, but I could be imagining that. I detect no pulsing when using the Aurora, but it does seem to fire a little cooler than the Inbox. Not really a problem, though.
Although it doesn’t seem to affect the vape in TC mode I did notice an oddity. When I press the fire button, the temperature setting on the screen turns red and will go up to 50°F higher than my set temperature before backing off. So for example, I usually vape at 420°F and the “red” reading will go to 470°F before backing off to below 420°F. If I lower my set temperature to 400°F, the “red” reading will go up to 450°F before backing off. Might be a built-in pre-heat function, but that is just a WAG.
I have yet to find a way to lock my settings in without locking the fire button, so I have to be careful not to inadvertently change my temperature setting. It’s not that much of a problem though, as I pretty much intend to use this mod at home; I’ll take the Inbox - the settings can be locked on it - if I want to squonk on the go. I usually take a mod with a tank when I’m out-and-about anyway.
The large fire button has a VERY light touch - another reason for not using it when I’m out and about. It fires on its own weight when the mod is placed on a table screen down (Inbox doesn’t). Locking the mod (5 clicks) before putting it in a pocket or purse is a must - especially since the fire button is so big and accessible. In contrast, I usually stick the Inbox in a loose pocket without locking the fire button.
I’m not a fan of the included bottles. The default soft silicone bottle is fine while squonking. I adjusted quickly to its softness and it pulled
eliquid back into the bottle well enough, albeit slower than the Inbox V1 and V2 bottles I’ve been using. However, refilling the silicone bottle is a bear to do without getting eliquid all over my fingers. The bottle is so soft that it compresses when I’m trying to grasp the lower metal ring in order to screw the top (tube) assembly back on - which results in overflow. Guess I’m going to have to fill it with less liquid than I’d like. A fill bottle would probably resolve the problem for those who don’t mind using them, but they’re not for me as I change flavors often.
The extra bottle is made of harder plastic and has no lower ring. The bottle is constructed differently than the silicone one and I don’t think the lower ring can be installed on the harder bottle. I question whether the harder bottle can be adequately sealed by the top assembly. I tried screwing the top assembly tightly onto the second bottle, then gave the bottle a squeeze and sealed the top of the tube with my finger. I found that air was somehow able to find a way back into the bottle. When I did the same thing with the silicone bottle, an adequate seal was formed and the bottle stayed depressed.
Whelp, that’s my take on the Aurora so far.
