Istick 30w vs ipv mini 2

[Beakerrrr]

The answer to this will most likely be "stick with the istick"

I have an iStick 30watt with a subtank mini 0.5 ohm. I'm running it at 4.0v and 26.6 watts which is about where it maxes out at.

I'm pretty much fine with the performance and the vapor production but does it make more sense to use something like the ipv mini 2 where I can that extra bit of wattage which may be more of a psychological benefit than anything else. Just wondering if running a mod at half it's capacity vs maxing one out makes a real difference. Definitely don't need all 70 watts, but a couple more can't hurt!

Also I can't find info on exactly what kind of chip the istick has. The ipv has the YiHi SX330V2C chip. Does that offer any kind of advantage in vape production or temperature? I'm using the pre-built kanger occ 0.5 vertical coils. Does having a fancier chip really do me any good if I'm not using RBAs?

Basically am I a dumbass for wanting the mini 2. Twice the price gotta be twice as good right??!

Thank you

 

[Unforeseen]

Moved from Simple Solutions to New Members

 

[roxynoodle]

No, its a decent mod. I love the Yihi chips, and yes, I think its a better chip than what the istick has. Its also a mod you can grow with.

Do I think isticks are awful? No. I have some. I use them when I'm out of the house or doing yard and barn work. If I lose or break them, its less of a loss. And I think they're comfortable when I'm driving.

 

[K_Tech]

It depends where you vape at. There's nothing bad about either mod, but, obviously, you're going to get more power out of the Mini 2.

One thing to keep in mind (which may be irrelevant based on how you vape).

The Istick has a voltage output range of 2 to 8 volts, and the Mini 2 states it output range as 3.6 to 8.5 volts, which is a little deceptive. The Mini 2 doesn't lower voltage as the Istick does.

The output voltage on the screen will show what the calculated output voltage should be (for example, if you set the wattage for 32 watts on a 0.4 ohm coil, the display will show 3.6 volts) but if the requested wattage requires a voltage below what the battery is putting out, it will simply dump battery voltage to the coil.

As long as you're not wanting to vape at low(ish) power, you're good to go.

 

[poetruck]

I love IPV mini 2. It performs flawlessly. Go fo it

 

[dhood]

If the finish on the mini 2 is solid, I say it would be a better bet. Others will have to chime in to verify that. I had the IPV mini original and the finish was terrible. It rubbed off and left a metallic smell on your hands.

 

[louie325]

i have an istick 50w and i had a ipv 2 but i got drunk one night and lost it lol
depends on your style of vaping i am a vape as needed person i dont chain vape
so my 50w and subtank mini is more than enough at this point i have very little interest in huge clouds just need something reliable
both are good mods guess IMO its really a matter if you are willing to spend the extra cash

 

[suprtrkr]

If you want it for shinys, go for it. But if you're pretty happy with the vape you're getting, and you have not contracted shinyitis, it seems to me to make better sense to wait until the iStick goes south and then look around to see what's available.

 

[TubbyECF]

I have a Kangertech Subox Mini (the kit) and I find I enjoy the vapes more on lower wattage (20-35) than closer to 50w. It's all personal preference in the end. [emoji106]

 

[K_Tech]

If the finish on the mini 2 is solid, I say it would be a better bet. Others will have to chime in to verify that. I had the IPV mini original and the finish was terrible. It rubbed off and left a metallic smell on your hands.

Yep, I bought a black one and the finish started chipping shortly thereafter. It's not durable at all. However, I found a silicone sleeve for it for pretty cheap on Fleabay and all is well now.

 

[Ou2mame]

I have a silicon sleeve on mine. It's a great mod minus the paint which isn't really a issue for me. The thing you have to figure out is if you want replaceable batteries. You're going to want a good charger like the nitecore d2, and some high quality batteries like the samsung 25r

 

[Beakerrrr]

Thanks a lot everyone! Especially who said about the minimum voltage of the ipv. Good to know!

 

[Beakerrrr]

It depends where you vape at. There's nothing bad about either mod, but, obviously, you're going to get more power out of the Mini 2.

One thing to keep in mind (which may be irrelevant based on how you vape).

The Istick has a voltage output range of 2 to 8 volts, and the Mini 2 states it output range as 3.6 to 8.5 volts, which is a little deceptive. The Mini 2 doesn't lower voltage as the Istick does.

The output voltage on the screen will show what the calculated output voltage should be (for example, if you set the wattage for 32 watts on a 0.4 ohm coil, the display will show 3.6 volts) but if the requested wattage requires a voltage below what the battery is putting out, it will simply dump battery voltage to the coil.

As long as you're not wanting to vape at low(ish) power, you're good to go.

What does dumping battery power to the coil mean? Displaying 3.6 but actually firing at a higher voltage?

 

[Topwater Elvis]

It means the chip isn't capable of down regulating / outputting less than 3.6v ish.
The display screen may show you're vaping at a lower power than you actually are.

Also you can't adjust watts and volts at the same time, it is either or, watt mode or volt mode.
4v / .5Ω = 32w & 8a
26.6w / .5Ω = 3.64v & 7.29a

 

[Beakerrrr]

It means the chip isn't capable of down regulating / outputting less than 3.6v ish.
The display screen may show you're vaping at a lower power than you actually are.

Ah so if I'm vaping anywhere from 3.8 v to 4.3 with a 0.5 ohm coil that'll be the absolute minimum the ipv will do. Or will it vape at even higher power, like a minimum of something like... 4.5 volts or something even when displaying lower.

Basically am I dumb for wanting this set up. I'm kinda thinking of keeping my istick which I use 6 mg juice, and get this ipv to use with 3 mg juice and higher power. More flavor, bigger clouds!! (Right?)

Also a main concern with my istick 30 is im at about its max power so it drains battery kinda quickly when I'm chain vaping. This mini 2 seems nicer than the SUBOX. But now I'm concerned it may be Too Much POWAR. I guess, is there an estimate as to what voltage it will actually be pulling at minimum with a 0.5 ohm coil?

 

[daviedog]

Get another (mlnl) as a backup,.

 

[Topwater Elvis]

If you set the ipvmini 2 between 7w ~ 25w using a .5 it will be actually firing a minimum of 25.9w because the chip spec minimum output is 3.6v.
3.6v / .5 = 25.92w & 7.2a

This isn't unique to the the ipvmini 2, many ' chips' don't down regulate output below a certain minimum, some are incapable of outputting less than battery voltage.

It's always best to read the chip specs before purchase to ensure it will work well for your vaping style.

 

[Beakerrrr]

If you set the ipvmini 2 between 7w ~ 25w using a .5 it will be actually firing a minimum of 25.9w because the chip spec minimum output is 3.6v.
3.6v / .5 = 25.92w & 7.2a

This isn't unique to the the ipvmini 2, many ' chips' don't down regulate output below a certain minimum, some are incapable of outputting less than battery voltage.

It's always best to read the chip specs before purchase to ensure it will work well for your vaping style.

Ah. Makes sense. I can be dense. I'm firing my istick at 4.0 to 4.3 at around 26 watts. Would like a little more wiggle room. I just wanted to make sure the mini 2s minimum wouldn't be too high for me haha!

But now I'm wondering if I should upgrade to an iStick 50 (Are all their QC issues people were complaining about fixed?) a subox (there's different versions out there so I know you don't really know what you're getting..) or the mini 2?? So many choices! I think I want more power and get some 3 mg juice and get my clowd-chasing enthusiasm done and out of the way

Thanks for the help everyone!!!

 

[Completely Average]

One thing that no one here has mentioned is that the IPV Mini 2 isn't really much of a "Mini", it's actually quite large. Almost as large as my dual battery SnowWolf 200W.


Also, allow me to throw another mod out there for you.

IPV D2

Much smaller than the IPV Mini 2, yet does 7W-75W, and has temperature control as well. Plus they are really cheap. You can find them for less than $50.

 

[Topwater Elvis]

Ah. Makes sense. I can be dense. I'm firing my istick at 4.0 to 4.3 at around 26 watts. Would like a little more wiggle room. I just wanted to make sure the mini 2s minimum wouldn't be too high for me haha!

But now I'm wondering if I should upgrade to an iStick 50 (Are all their QC issues people were complaining about fixed?) a subox (there's different versions out there so I know you don't really know what you're getting..) or the mini 2?? So many choices! I think I want more power and get some 3 mg juice and get my clowd-chasing enthusiasm done and out of the way

Thanks for the help everyone!!!

You aren't firing a .5Ω at 4v ~ 4.3v on the istick 30, no matter what the display shows.
4.3v / .5Ω = 36.9w
4v / .5Ω = 32w
Both exceed the 30w max output.

30w using a .5Ω = 3.87v <--- this is the maximum voltage the istick30 will out put using a .5 resistance.
26w using a .5Ω = 3.6v <--- this is the output voltage at 26w using a .5