Heatvape Defender 50W

[alexmot]

According to 3avape, these are no longer in pre-order status -> √ Heatvape Defender 50W.

Looking forward to a backup / buddy for my istick 50W. I've managed to hold out not purchasing a subox mostly due to the fixed center pin on the subox.

Fingers crossed...

 

[alexmot]

Parcel arrived today. I haven't seen any discussion on this mod on ECF, so here's some mod porn.

I was looking for something in the 50W range, integrated charger, replaceable battery, floating center pin, VW/VV, around $50. This fit the bill.

Only thing it seems to be missing so far is the ability to lock the voltage/wattage settings.

Side-by-side with my iStick 50W for comparison.

 

[Oregon Linda]

I didn't realize it was smaller than the iStick 50. That's a beautiful mod! I also didn't realize it came with a replaceable battery. Now I definitely want one. I've heard good things about the previous Defenders regarding quality. How is it working for you?

 

[alexmot]

After a day and a half or so, here are my observations:

. Lacking ability to lock voltage / wattage settings means I'll either need to deal with it or get used to "5 click" power on / power off when pocketing the mod. On my iStick, I'm used to locking the wattage when I change attys and never actually power the mod off. Ever.

. I've dropped it twice so far ~3 feet to wood floor. So far, so good.

. The finish on the case is roughly the same as the iStick50, but this one feels a bit less slippery than the iStick. I'd still prefer a case / skin for it for better grip.

. Built in ohm meter jumps a bit even when cold. I don't know if that's normal or not (and it doesn't bug me in the least bit whether it thinks the coil is 1.21 or 1.23 ohms)

. If I screw my "Flat Screw Bottom" 510 tanks past "snug" to "tight", it shorts. Backing it out doesn't immediately re-register the atty. I need to either fire it or wait around 8 seconds (safety feature?)

. The manual that came with it, I think is the manual from the Defender 25W. It references a few things that don't make sense (USB port is actually towards the top of the mod, not one the bottom. There is no lanyard -- basic stuff).

. A few times (three, maybe?) I've hit the fire button and it didn't fire. Not a big deal. I'm used to this from the iStick.

. Having a center mounted 510 connector and a smaller mod leaves less room for my index finger to "cup" the mod while I hold it. This forces my finger closer to the tank and makes be block the air holes a bit if I hold it the same way I hold my iStick.

. I'm getting ~ 10 hours of battery with an eFest 2500mah battery vs. ~2 days on the iStick50.

Note my previous experience is limited to twisty sticks, MVP2, and iStick50.

The only thing above that actually irks me a bit is the inability to lock it. Perhaps there is a magical button sequence that's not in the manual that I'll just need to figure out.

Either way, I'm satisfied with the purchase so far.

 

[Oregon Linda]

Thanks for the really thorough review, Alex. I just ordered one yesterday from 3a, so will report back once I get it.

I wouldn't expect the efest 2500mah to last as long as the iStick 50w, since it's 4400mah. 10 hours seems pretty reasonable to me. I can understand the lack of a locking sequence will probably bother some people, depending on how they use it. I've never used that in my iStick since I don't carry it in my pocket. It seems like every mod has one or two little things that are annoying. I have some Sigelei minis, and you can't flip the screen on them. So of course they are flipped the opposite way I have my other mods set. There doesn't seem to be a perfect mod for everyone, but it sounds like this one is pretty good, particularly for the price.

 

[alexmot]

I knew there was something I had forgotten.

Apparently, there is also no screen rotation on the Defender.

I managed to find the manual online... http://www.heatvape.com/images/heatvape.50W.jpg

 

[Oregon Linda]

Ah. They must be using the same chip as the Sigelei. I'll have to get used to reading upside down.

 

[Kent C]

The 36W has the setting lock but not the 25W. Hold fire button and the + for a few seconds. But that's stated in the manual - not on the 50W manual, so likely - no. Not a requirement for me. I don't use it on my mods that have that feature.

 

[Oregon Linda]

The 36W has the setting lock but not the 25W. Hold fire button and the + for a few seconds. But that's stated in the manual - not on the 50W manual, so likely - no. Not a requirement for me. I don't use it on my mods that have that feature.

Actually, Kent, that works with the 50W and is in the manual I received. I accidentally locked mine when I first got it and had to dig out the manual to unlock it.

 

[gerrymi]

I've managed to hold out not purchasing a Subox mostly due to the fixed center pin on the Subox.

Because of all the hassles of the fixed center pin on the VV V4, MVP2 and 20W-iStick...I, too, fear mods with fixed pins.

However...the KBOX Mini...supposedly...is being changed to a spring-loaded center pin...

Taste Your Juice | THIS JUST IN FROM KANGER…

I have some Sigelei minis, and you can't flip the screen on them. So of course they are flipped the opposite way I have my other mods set.

Oregon...you got me a little freaked...since none of my mods have flip-ability.

But...thanx to alexmot's GREAT pictures...I can see that the Defender 50W's screen orientation will match my 20W-30W iSticks (leaving my IPV Mini as the only "upside down" mod).

 

[Rabbit Slayer]

After a day and a half or so, here are my observations:

. Lacking ability to lock voltage / wattage settings means I'll either need to deal with it or get used to "5 click" power on / power off when pocketing the mod. On my iStick, I'm used to locking the wattage when I change attys and never actually power the mod off. Ever.

How does locking the voltage keep it from accidentally firing in your pocket?

 

[Kent C]

How does locking the voltage keep it from accidentally firing in your pocket?

It doesn't and that isn't what he said. Instead of locking voltage, you can 'lock voltage' by doing the 5 click on/off which he normally "never does". If you have a voltage lock, you could still pocket the mod (not shutting it off) and not have an accidental voltage change - but you could have an accidental firing of course.

 

[alexmot]

How does locking the voltage keep it from accidentally firing in your pocket?

It doesn't. I was just used to locking in the wattage and only being concerned when I swapped tanks (iStick would some times jump to 20W if it shorted while I was swapping -- which is way above the 6-8W I normally vape at).

So far, it's only ramped up once while in my pocket to around 30W. The occasional ~30W puff on a ~10W tank keeps you on your toes.

I haven't been able to reproduce the "Fire & + Button" locking mechanism. When I hit the fire button, it just fires, and the plus button just plusses. When pressed together, the Fire button wins.

 

[Oregon Linda]

That's really strange, Alex. The instruction booklet says to press the Fire button and + button for 3 seconds at the same time and it should lock (or unlock). It works on mine, so I can't figure out why it doesn't on yours.

 

[alexmot]

That's really strange, Alex. The instruction booklet says to press the Fire button and + button for 3 seconds at the same time and it should lock (or unlock). It works on mine, so I can't figure out why it doesn't on yours.

I guess there must already be two versions on the market. It also sounds like yours shipped with an updated instruction booklet.

I've already gotten used to it. I doubt I'll be locking the settings on my Istick the next time I pick it up.

 

[pfaber11]

I have a defender 36w and although it says how to lock it in the manual i cannot get it to work. If someone could tell me how to do it i would be grateful. Thanks.

 

[GranFumador]

I have a defender 36w and although it says how to lock it in the manual i cannot get it to work. If someone could tell me how to do it i would be grateful. Thanks.

I can't comment on the 36w, as I have only the 50w. For the latter, simultaneously press + and the fire button for a long 3 seconds. A padlock icon is displayed. Do the same thing to unlock. The lock function not only locks the desired wattage or voltage number; it prevents the mod from switching from watts to volts by itself.

I've been using two 50w Defenders for about a week, and find them solid and intuitive to use. On one, the fire pin is set lower than the other, causing odd behavior with a GS-Tank.
It works fine when I uses a 510/510 extender on the Tank. It also behaves perfectly well with a GS-Air, a GS-Air M, and with a GS-Air Ms, all of which have very slightly longer threaded bases.

I bought these Defenders primarily for the replaceable batter. I'm glad I did. Generally they are very similar to the iStick 30s I have been accustomed to, just a bit larger and heavier. Of course they can operate at higher wattage, but that's a point of indifference for me, as I rarely vape above ten or twelve watts.

 

[alexmot]

I just sent an email re: the locking confusion to Heatvape support. I'll update when/if I get a reply.

FWIW, I watched a german youtube video review of the 50W. Although I don't know how to say "lock" in German, I watched the guy lock and unlock the mod a few times. Mine certainly doesn't do that regardless of how hard I try. Unless maybe I need to curse it out in German to enable that feature?

 

[pfaber11]

well done for sending that email i've also seen the 36w being locked and unlocked on you tube and mine does not do that
. it also states how to lock it in the 36w manual . i think there might be a fault on some defenders . we'll see what they say . have an awsome day

 

[alexmot]

I sent the email on 8/12 to "support@heatvape.com"

No response to date. I still love the mod.