Icon short review

[lexgar]

I picked up an Icon on the classifieds and got it yesterday. It has the media blasted finish and older 510 cone adapter without juice well.

It is very small. It only comes to the top of the BB button bevel in height. It is much thinner as well. but seems a bit heavier. The cone shaped top makes it appear even smaller in comparison to the complete tube shape of the BB. It comes to well below the adapter on my ProVape1. The media blasted finish on this one is very nice and shows no fingerprints, but I wish they blasted the top cone to match along with the bottom button. Both are polished.

The threads on the bottom button are deeper than the Protege and there are many more threads as well. I would say 1/2 inch of thread. Not nearly as many threads on top cap, similar to Protege, but one will use that much less.

The Puresmoker site says that only non-protected batteries can be used, but this is not true. I am using the AW 14500 protected without a problem. I had to take 3 washers out of the switch and it works fine. To use the unprotected the washers go back in just as easily.

Bottom button is very different to use. Not sure if I like it yet or not. With the BB, Provape, BSB etc, I tend to hold the PV between the base of my fingers and my palm, using my thumb for the switch. With the bottom button, I tend to hold the Icon with my fingertips and thumb and activate the switch with my pinky between the first and second knuckle from my fingertip.

I have also tried holding the Icon with my first 2 fingers and thumb tips and activate the switch with the palm of my hand. It is just very different to use.

It is well built and finished. A small gripe is that the atty does not screw into the adapter all the way. There is a gap between the atty and the top of the cone. This is apparently a design decision and not a flaw in my piece. It may be different in the most current adapter. There is no juice trough which I also miss. This is also addressed in a newer version of the adapter.

The protected battery fits very snug into the tube with no rattle at all. The battery comes out with just a gentle shake.

This Icon does not work with the EM LR510 attys that I have. It works well with a true Joye 510 as well as the Cisco LR306 and EM LR306. I tried a screw on adapter with an 801 and that works as well. It hits great with the LR attys. Reg atty is as expected.

All in all a well built PV.

 

[Trioxin]

The Puresmoker site says that only non-protected batteries can be used, but this is not true. I am using the AW 14500 protected without a problem. I had to take 3 washers out of the switch and it works fine. To use the unprotected the washers go back in just as easily.

Just so everyone is aware, the new version doesn't use washers, so its not quite so easy to use protected batteries. But really, the IMR batteries are great. Strongly recommended.

 

[7thCabal]

Nice review!
I usually hold the iCON @ the base of my fingers resting the bottom switch@ the base of one of my fingers (usually my little finger)-- to activate I'll pull down w/ my forefinger & thumb... guess you could call it more of a fisted hold on the thing-- but what ever grip I use, what ever finger the switch rests on, the action is the same-- pull down w/ forefinger & thumb. YMMV.

 

[lexgar]

Just so everyone is aware, the new version doesn't use washers, so its not quite so easy to use protected batteries. But really, the IMR batteries are great. Strongly recommended.

I have several sets of IMR batteries from different manufacturers (including AW) that I use in my 14500 devices. My issue is with run time. I just get so much more with the protected AW. I tend to use the IMR at home where there is always a battery and charger at hand. When out and about, the extra time and less batteries to carry make the protected my battery of choice.

Also with the Icon, I am having to remember to lock the switch when I put it in my belt pouch. I have not made it constantly fire in the pouch since it is a loose fit, but I can tell by the first draw that is has gotten dry by firing a bit. The spring I have allows it to stand without firing, but the button bottom is not quite flat and is small making it a bit wobbly on its end. I have to lay it on a piece of tissue to catch any atty leakage.

 

[StarsAndBars]

Have had the Icon for about 4 months now. It is awesome. I do think its hilarious that you carry it in a belt holster. Not making fun of you in a bad way man, I just think its funny.

 

[lexgar]

I have several holsters. Both are black ballistic nylon and were made for small flashlights. None of my mods goes off in my pocket that way. It is always at hand. The one time I have had one go off in my pocket it was a Riva in the side pocket of carpenter jeans. I felt heat and smelled smoke. I had to use the strap of my laptop to take off the atty and it melted a spot on the strap. Totally smelled up the place. Atty was toast.

With the holster, no one seems to think it is anything except some kind of tool or flashlight until I take it out and vape.

 

[GregH]

Just so everyone is aware, the new version doesn't use washers, so its not quite so easy to use protected batteries. But really, the IMR batteries are great. Strongly recommended.

Steve posted this on the Pure Smoker forum:

The switch (the new one) Just has an added delrin piece. The whole delrin bottom is 2 pieces of delrin. You remove the delrin top and you can use P14500's

But even so, I agree with Trioxin and highly recommend the IMR batteries, especially if you're going to be using LR atties.

 

[Trioxin]

Ah, it is two pieces. I've had this thing completely apart to clean an unfortunate spill, and didn't even realize it. Still not planning on using my protected batteries, but good to know regardless.

 

[lexgar]

Really liking the Icon, but having to choose one battery type over another unless I want to take the switch apart is a bit of a pain. I have less IMRs than protected batts, so if I am going out and about for day, the I usually choose the longer run-time of the protected. I have read that some people get almost as much time out of the IMRs but this is not my personal observation.

That being said, I just put back in the washers and will try the IMRs again today. It seems to be hitting a bit harder.