Up to this point e-cigarettes, even the more advanced models, have been pretty straight forward. They may have variable voltage and wattage, but once you bought it, you pretty much had to buy a new one when improvements, or even fixes, were made. Joyetech’s eVic promises to change all that by rolling out an e-cigarette with updatable firmware. What’s more the eVic itself has some design features that are also new to the market. The question is do these things make for a good vaping experience? Read the rest of the eVic review to find out if this is the next big thing, or unnecessary fluff!
Details
| Product Name | eVic Intelligent by JoyeTech |
| Available From | Panda eCigs |
| Price | $104.99 |
| Threading | 510/eGo |
| Voltage | 3-5v (.1v increments) |
| Wattage | 2-11W* (.1w increments) |
| Battery | 18650 (included) |
| * using eVic firmware version 1.1 | |
eVic design
Joye’s eVic (vapor intelligent cigarette, if you were curious) is not unlike many tube-style APVs out there. The design is maybe a little more streamlined, but it’s still a tube. Despite the traditional look, there are a few new conventions and nice touches to discuss.
Before we begin, this review is based on the 1.1 version of the firmware. This version adds some very useful features, like being able to actually adjust wattage. If you’re rolling 1.0 you should probably upgrade. If you’re rolling something newer, hopefully I’ll update this or post a firmware-only review which I’ll then link to from here.
Overall impressions of the eVic is that it is about the same size as other devices that use the big 18650 batteries but it’s a fairly light device. I’m guessing it’s made of aluminum. The finish appears to be a metallic powder coat of some type. It’s reasonably durable, but I have noticed a small nick in the finish of mine. Save for a couple of minor exceptions, which I’ll dive into shortly, the eVic is reasonably well put together.
Starting from the top of this high-tech ecig, things don’t look much different from any other similar device. The top features a tapered end with a recessed battery connector inside.
There’s more to the top than that. It’s the first of the cool things to be found in this device. Joyetech invented the eGo, so it’s not surprising to find the battery connector inside is a fully eGo compatible connector complete with cone threads. Also, the top is actually a cone that unscrews, leaving the connector completely exposed just in case you have a tank that needs more breathing room or an exceptionally large cartomizer.
It seems like removing the top cone is mostly unnecessary. There are air notches in the top of the cone, and more than ample space between the inside of the cone and the battery connector to allow even very fat cartomizers like Kangers fit with room to spare. It’s probably the first large device I could use those cartomizers on without an adapter.
The battery connection is built into the next part of the eVic, the control head. This section is the brains of the unit; where the magic happens if you will.
The control head is a black cylindrical piece that screws into the battery holder section of the eVic. Inside the head is the display which disappears when the device is not in use. Opposite the display is the sole button, an oblong chrome button.
In addition to being oddly shaped, the fire button is also low profile. I found the shape of the button made it very easy to find and press without looking. The button has a good feel to it, but it does rattle around a little, taking away from the solid feeling of the eVic as a whole.
Similarly, the control ring on the bottom of the head is slightly loose adding to the rattle. The control ring replaces the up and down buttons found on some other variable voltage e-cigarettes on the market.
One thing that is not loose is the cover for the built-in micro USB port. That is not a compliment. The cover is very difficult to pry open without using a small tool. There’s been a couple of times I’ve shoved the edge of the cover under a fingernail trying to get to the USB port.
Access to the USB port is important. There are a couple of reasons you need frequent access to the USB port, first is if you want to use the MVR software with the device or upgrade the firmware (I will do a review for the MVR software and link to it when it’s published.) More importantly, and an awesome feature is that you can charge the battery via the USB port. How cool is that? It’s a feature I’ve always wanted in a big battery e-cigarette. You can also remove and charge (and eventually replace) the battery like any standard 18650 battery.
Getting to the battery is just like any other device, there’s an end cap at the bottom of the battery compartment that simply unscrews for access. I did note that the thread action is very rough on the battery cap. It’s more pepper mill than stereo knob. Fortunately, if you charge via USB, you don’t need to open it often. If it really bugs you, you can always grease the threads.
The rest of the battery compartment is pretty standard stuff. Other than the odd Joye logo, it’s just a silver tube.
Continue to page 2: Using the Joyetech eVic
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18 Comments
Brandan
(02/03/13 - 1:04 am)I've been having issues with the evic not working with certain cartomizers. I Use dual coil 1.5ohm with the DCT tanks, and the evic doesn't always seem to trigger (produce vape) with them. My guess is something with the threads or airflow. Wondering if anyone else is having trouble with carts with these things. What would be the best cart to use with them?
moz4r
(06/02/13 - 6:31 pm)Hi same problem… Only 1 coil up to 2.8 works.
Ed
(06/03/13 - 4:39 am)I’ve had many issues and like you, some atomizers not working. When using a CE4 or 5 duel atomizer clearamizer I realized sometimes the center pin doesn’t always reach the power pin. With the CE I just moved the pin down 1-2mm or 0.125″. The easiest work around is using an extender aka 510 female to male adapter. If you have the metal charger extensions sold with the 5 battery charger you can use that too. I heard of spacers that fit in the battery but haven’t found these little disks………hope that helps….A NEW EVIC they have placed two metal screws under the removable sleeve, both on the same side of center pin. AWESOME I broke 2 each by dropping once. The new one is much tuffer..l.ltxt. C. U. L8r
Tyy
Ed
(06/03/13 - 4:44 am)Ty
Ed
(06/12/13 - 2:10 am)Yes I had a problem where the atomizer, cartimizer,tank…..just doesn’t work. However if it works on the 510 tread or riviera thread( bottom battery with a light ring) try pulling the center pin just 1mm at a time and see if that helps. All of my 510 stuff works on the eVic with that fix. Or buy an extender for 1$ then I guaranty it will work
Viktoria
(02/04/13 - 10:33 pm)I bought my evic at the beginning of January 2013 and it’s not left my hand since. Unlike your’s, I don’t have any rattle on the button or dial. The USB tab on mine opens easily; you press down the bottom of it and the top lifts up making it easy to open. Also, I can plug mine in via USB and vape whilst it charges. I’ve never tried this with my laptop but it works with the plug that was included with the set. In all honesty, having tried other peoples’ mods as well as accumulating a handful of my own, I don’t think I can better what I have unless I go for a Provari.
Ed
(03/26/13 - 11:48 pm)I have it and love it. The twist is to the eVic like blu is to twist. I love and now have two, why? The only fault is the wires to the atomizer located under the top screw off came lose after dropping it ONE time I loved it enough to by a second one for eighty bucks used it then pow broke again. Drops not covered by Warenty but email if you have any ideas trkmker@verizon I have some idars too drop a line
Ed
Mark
(04/22/13 - 7:31 pm)Hi I had the top come of my one and got it replaced, but if it is just a broken wire then just solder a new one in.
If you have problem with the soldering I would gladly look at it for you but I am in uk.
Ed
(06/03/13 - 4:42 am)Tyy
Ed
(04/23/13 - 1:39 am)Thanks 4 ur help I did as you said it works thanks for hollering across the pond
Steve K
(04/23/13 - 5:49 am)It’s great to see how helpful vapers are :) I had my head pop off a bit and I superglued it, but I forgot to take the cone off fist, so now it’s kind of a permanent fature.
Pvuser
(05/15/13 - 9:24 pm)My top thread gone loose so unable to screw in d catomizer, what I did was cut out a piece of d tin foil from d aluminum can and shape to it. Roll in and place on the ring. Screw in the catomizer. It works fine, just need to replace a new ones once in awhile. This extra piece just kinda fill d gaps.
Steve K
(05/15/13 - 9:30 pm)Now that’s an impressive piece of “field engineering” I dropped mine and popped the head off of the atomizer connector. So I superglued the head back together. Worked great, except I forgot to take the cone off so now it’s a permanent fixture on mine :)
Ed
(05/15/13 - 9:56 pm)I mentioned how you great at fixing the eVic and of course other ecigs. Not wanting to take away from your self earned Master of eCig engineering as impressed as I am, the eVic is a 100$usd cigarette. IMHO We should not have to repair this poorly made. The ecab, eVic, designs were stolen mabe the inventor could do better!!
Steve K
(05/15/13 - 10:59 pm)Thank you, although I don’t have anything on some of the people out there who do amazing stuff with ecigs. But I agree, it’s unfortunate that an expensive device like this has a couple of really fragile parts.
Amanda
(05/27/13 - 9:55 pm)As I’m sure you’ve figured out by now thru use, there is a quicker way to switch modes. If you hold the ring in either direction too long… it toggles between VV & VW. =) A huge thumbs up goes out to Mark, btw.. for jumping in (all the way from England) & offering to help Ed! Had to giggle while reading about the fix for your EVIC, Steve… couldn’t help but picture super-glue dribbling down your ears =( (you’ll hafta go back & re-read to understand. LOL) Yet another great review– thanks for all you do!!
Chris Carver
(06/11/13 - 10:54 pm)my EVic is cool but seems like i get better rips off my ego twist? im using kanger pro tanks ..at first it ripped good then not so good?
john doe
(06/13/13 - 3:38 pm)adjust your voltage and wattage bro…..i have an ego twist also as well as the eVic (V1.3) and my eVic kicks the twists ass 8 days a week. i have to take three pulls from the twist at one time to equal one single draw on the eVic. d remeber no matter what battery your using, if your using the protank to remove one of the wicks ( there are 3). youll see your vape production increase by 50%.
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