As some folks are aware, I love a good tube style APV, stainless steel, and tanks. The Odyssey by TW covers all three in a sleek and curvy package.
The Odyssey is a mechanical, bottom switch, 14500 battery APV. The switch is mechanically lockable. The device comes with a carto tank which has a cutout/countersink for use with flanged cartos. The tank has the standard o-ring seals in the usual locations along with a couple inside the tank to seal the tempered glass interior. The tank has two oblong windows for liquid level checking. Along with the batteries and charger, the kit also comes with a tank filling adapter.
The Pros
The device had some design input from the original team that developed the Screwdriver series of mods. I consider this to be a pro since it adds curves to a class of mods that are often rather plain and straight. The construction is quite solid in most areas and the device has a nice balanced feel. The button is easily activated and easily lockable. The device is milled with little teardrop notches along the exterior of the button, the top of the ego thread cover, and on the included stainless drip tip.
Since it uses a standard ego top connector, it worked well with all of my ego specific elements like the Vision clearos and skirted DCTs. The tank worked well with punched cartos and factory flanged cartos. The top of the ego thread cover has airway notches milled in allowing flanged cartos to sit flush and gapless while allowing for a nice easy draw.
The device has a spring for the top + connection allowing for variations in battery sizes. The unit fuctioned well with the Trustfire protected 14500, AW IMR 14500, and AW protected 14500 batteries. One older AW protected and all of the Ultrafire 14500s that I had were an extremely tight fit. The loosest fit were the IMRs.
The Cons
The devices first batch had some issues. Some were shipped with missing parts and the included charger had problems working with European power systems. TW has pulled all available stock and has temporarily stopped taking/sending further orders until upgraded units become available. On their forum, they advised that this will be within a week or so. In the meantime, purchasers with malfunctioning units are being sent free replacement parts which were tested for functionality. I have been told by TW customer service that a new upgraded top half will be sent free as soon as they become available, even though my current one is fully operational.
The device also lacks any sort of safety vents in the case of a battery failure. I was told that the protected 14500 battery would not vent with sufficient force that would cause an explosion and that the gas would push the battery down in the housing causing the battery to disconnect itself from the + terminal spring.
My Opinions
I like it. It's solid and functions just like any of my other fixed voltage tube mods, just with a little more flair. I like the tank design and the fact that it handles my tank cracking juices without a hitch. The lack of vents don't bother me in the least as I have been using similarly ventless mods for years without issue. If I was really worried, I could always mill some slots in it. Unlike most of TWs offerings, this device has removable logos. They are basically stickers on the button and tank. Taking them off may void the 5 year warranty, but I haven't asked. If you do take them off, it will leave a void that may prove uncomfortable if not filled with something else. I used rapid set hard acrylic but a peel-n-stick bumper pad works just as well.
At ~$100 the price isn't all that bad, but certainly not cheap. It's not for everyone due to the lack of safety circuitry/features inherent in any mechanical mod. For me, I think it's great.
The tanks will supposedly be offered separately which, if priced reasonably, will be a nice thing to have. The tank filler attachment is OK IMO, but other designs work better for me. It was a tad messier than my other tank fillers, but it does make for a nice looking extra.
Hope this helps.
The Odyssey is a mechanical, bottom switch, 14500 battery APV. The switch is mechanically lockable. The device comes with a carto tank which has a cutout/countersink for use with flanged cartos. The tank has the standard o-ring seals in the usual locations along with a couple inside the tank to seal the tempered glass interior. The tank has two oblong windows for liquid level checking. Along with the batteries and charger, the kit also comes with a tank filling adapter.
The Pros
The device had some design input from the original team that developed the Screwdriver series of mods. I consider this to be a pro since it adds curves to a class of mods that are often rather plain and straight. The construction is quite solid in most areas and the device has a nice balanced feel. The button is easily activated and easily lockable. The device is milled with little teardrop notches along the exterior of the button, the top of the ego thread cover, and on the included stainless drip tip.
Since it uses a standard ego top connector, it worked well with all of my ego specific elements like the Vision clearos and skirted DCTs. The tank worked well with punched cartos and factory flanged cartos. The top of the ego thread cover has airway notches milled in allowing flanged cartos to sit flush and gapless while allowing for a nice easy draw.
The device has a spring for the top + connection allowing for variations in battery sizes. The unit fuctioned well with the Trustfire protected 14500, AW IMR 14500, and AW protected 14500 batteries. One older AW protected and all of the Ultrafire 14500s that I had were an extremely tight fit. The loosest fit were the IMRs.
The Cons
The devices first batch had some issues. Some were shipped with missing parts and the included charger had problems working with European power systems. TW has pulled all available stock and has temporarily stopped taking/sending further orders until upgraded units become available. On their forum, they advised that this will be within a week or so. In the meantime, purchasers with malfunctioning units are being sent free replacement parts which were tested for functionality. I have been told by TW customer service that a new upgraded top half will be sent free as soon as they become available, even though my current one is fully operational.
The device also lacks any sort of safety vents in the case of a battery failure. I was told that the protected 14500 battery would not vent with sufficient force that would cause an explosion and that the gas would push the battery down in the housing causing the battery to disconnect itself from the + terminal spring.
My Opinions
I like it. It's solid and functions just like any of my other fixed voltage tube mods, just with a little more flair. I like the tank design and the fact that it handles my tank cracking juices without a hitch. The lack of vents don't bother me in the least as I have been using similarly ventless mods for years without issue. If I was really worried, I could always mill some slots in it. Unlike most of TWs offerings, this device has removable logos. They are basically stickers on the button and tank. Taking them off may void the 5 year warranty, but I haven't asked. If you do take them off, it will leave a void that may prove uncomfortable if not filled with something else. I used rapid set hard acrylic but a peel-n-stick bumper pad works just as well.
At ~$100 the price isn't all that bad, but certainly not cheap. It's not for everyone due to the lack of safety circuitry/features inherent in any mechanical mod. For me, I think it's great.
The tanks will supposedly be offered separately which, if priced reasonably, will be a nice thing to have. The tank filler attachment is OK IMO, but other designs work better for me. It was a tad messier than my other tank fillers, but it does make for a nice looking extra.
Hope this helps.
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