Augvape VTEC 1.8 Mod Review | A Bit More Under the Bonnet So Is It Still A High Vaping Performer?

The new Augvape VTEC 1.8 mod is an upgrade to the hugely popular V200 device designed to look like, and as a tribute to, the iconic and high-performance Honda B VTEC car engine.

As to if this new improved version has left its predecessor on the starting grid, we shall, of course, be looking at in this review.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Augvape for quite some time and generally enjoy using the company’s tanks – rebuildable’s and mods – hey I’m not a fanboy – I just give credit where it’s due 😉

The wider vape community tends to like the company’s vape gear too with RTAs such as the Merlin Nano which I bloody loved – the VX200 kit with the disposable tanks, which I was a little lukewarm on, whilst the BTFC RDA is still my go too dripper.

As for Augvape’s mods, the Druga Foxy is a very smart looking device and good performer, whilst the recently reviewed Augvape and Mass Mods S2 Squonker is a great little device.

What Can We Expect From the Augvape VTEC 1.8?

It’s the same design, with a little tweak of the software and the inclusion of a Variable Voltage mode – meaning we now have x4 modes from the original’s 3.

There’s also the addition of a leather strip on the rear of the mod – meant to make the device more comfortable in the hand and that’s really about it.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot!

This new version is cheaper than the original!

OK, lets see if this does enough to get a spot on our best vape mod list.

This was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review direct from Augvape – thank you and as I always say it’s only brown envelopes filled with cash that change my thoughts and opinions and not freebies – still waiting for my first bribe 😉

Inside the Box

A very badass looking box – love the cover image and inside you’ll find:

• 1 x Augvape V200 Box Mod
• 1 x Fabric Covered USB Charging Cable
• 1 x V200 Mod User Manual

BTW, I was expecting a funky “USB charge cable styled like a VTEC spark-plug lead…” Sadly I got a rather short bog-standard one…me disappointed? Naw lol.

Augvape VTEC 1.8 Specs and Features

• Size: 87.5mm tall – 45mm long – 29.2mm wide
• 5 to 200 Watt dual 18650 battery mod
• Variable Wattage – Bypass & V Mode
• ‘Hidden’ fire button on OLED screen
• Oil-cap style function wheel
• On-board USB charging capability [800mA]
• Compatible coil resistances: 0.05 to 3.0 Ohms
• Voltage input: 0 to 8.4 Volts
• Zinc Alloy chassis
• Colours: Light Blue – Black and Red

Quick Start Guide

• Insert x2 charged 18650 batteries
• Press fire button x5 to turn on and off
• Press power button x3 and rotate the wheel to choose the mode
• To lock the wattage press fire button and push wheel up together – repeat to unlock
• Lock the mod by pressing fire button and holding wheel down – repeat to unlock
• Mod shuts down after 60 seconds and use any button to wake it up!

Key Features

To all intents and purposes, there’s only a couple of things changed on the Augvape VTEC 1.8 mod, but they’re good upgrades, especially as this version is cheaper than the original!

First up the V200 mod was kept simple with no temperature control so just the Power mode – Bypass and V Mode – the latter was, and still is, a power boost feature.

This upgraded version now has a bit more going on under the bonnet or hood if you’re from across the pond 😉

Now we have x4 modes: Power – V mode – Auto and Bypass meaning the software has been tweaked too – however not enough to include temp control. I’ll look at how each of those performs in a wee while.

The fire button is still ‘hidden’ at the top of the OLED screen and there’s a tiny light when pressed, whilst the up and down control is a scroll style and based on the Honda VTEC engine themed oil cover cap.

Aesthetically not much has changed, though maybe the writing on the front of the mod has got a touch smaller, whilst the inscription paying homage to the Honda B VTEC engine on the rear is still there – it’s now printed on a leather strip.

Design and Build Quality

I don’t have the original at hand to compare the two – I sent that to our own petrol head Michelle, so I’m working off my review and aged fading memory.

The new VTEC 1.8 mod certainly feels solid in the hand and on the heavier side of light – but not uncomfortably so. Let’s put it this way it certainly feels as weighty [165gms] and tough as the engine block its modeled on and I reckon it can take a few knocks.

The chassis is made from zinc alloy and the paint job seems pretty good. To be honest I’ve only used this at home for the last week or so, therefore it hasn’t been in and out of my bag or pocket – but like I said it feels like it could withstand a few scrapes and drops.

I’ve had no issues whatsoever with the 510, which is now plain black and slightly raised on this version, compared to the original’s funky alloy wheel inspired design, and the 24 and 25mm tanks – RTAs and RDAs I’ve tried all fit nicely.

Width-wise it’s a very thin mod given it’s a dual 18650 battery device and the battery door feels solid and springs open nicely. However, being such a slim device, the battery compartment is a little tight.

Some of my re-wrapped 18650’s are extremely tight to get in and out – I’ve had to resort to shaking it often [ooer missus] – so something to be aware of! Of course that means there’s no battery rattle – always a good point 🙂

Incidentally those battery sleeves are very smooth indeed and look as if they’re meant to add a layer of protection. But even so, do make sure your batteries have no nicks – scratches or dinks in them.

For more info:

• A Beginner’s Guide To Vape / E Cig Batteries
• How & Why E Cig Batteries Explode

Design-wise you can’t fault it – it looks exactly what the designers were aiming for – that iconic Honda B VTEC engine – so no complaints there.

The only major difference in design is the addition of that leather/pleather strip on the back. It’s a nice touch, however as I have the red version and the strip is the same-ish colour, despite the B18C-R stamped onto to it – I can’t really see it unless I tilt and squint.

I really did like the inscription on the original especially with the black stripe matching the screen – maybe a black leather panel may have been a better option…maybe just my OCD kicking in 😉

How Does the Augvape VTEC 1.8 Mod Perform?

The scroll feature is extremely responsive and makes a real change from clunky up and down buttons.

The fire button is pleasantly clicky and the LED whilst not colour, is bright enough to see in daylight with all the info you need neatly laid out and not at all crowded.

I did have an annoying feature on the original that’s now been fixed in this upgrade. Every time I removed an atty, the device would default back to 10w. A little annoying – OK it drove me bloody nuts! Pleased to see this is now fixed – it’s the little things lol.

OK so let’s look through those x4 vape modes.

Auto Mode – Power/Wattage

I thought this might mean the chip recognizes the resistance of the coil and chooses the wattage for you. Not sure that’s the case here as I’ve tried to pop on and off an atomizer numerous times.

So we’ll call this power/wattage mode – correct me in comments if I’m being an idiot – but please respect my age ha!

OK, there is a slight delay in ramp-up time in Auto mode, not significantly so, but it’s there.

Looking back at my review of the V200, I wrote it was super-fast off the starting grid…maybe the new software has slowed it down a tad? Or of course, it could just be my device.

For the record, I used both the Augvape BFTC RDA and the GeekVape Zeus X RTA both with the same coils coming out at between 0.12ohms and 0.10ohms respectively.

Variable Voltage Mode

In simple terms variable voltage in vaping means, you have more control over your vaping experience with this setting giving you a more consistent vape.

• Read more: A Guide to Variable Wattage/Voltage E Cig Devices

In the VV mode you can choose between 0.5v right up to 7.2v – the choice is yours but remember whatever level of voltage you’ve set, the battery will pump that out until its dead.

I tried the VTEC 1.8 at what I thought was a gentle 4.2v and on the Zeus X at 0.12ohms it nearly blew my socks off lol – so be careful!

My happy medium was 3.9v with the same build, though the ramp-up was, at times, a touch slow.

Bypass Mode

This is pretty much the same as using a mechanical mod and Augvape make it clear within the instruction manual that even with short circuit protection – this mode is for advanced vapers aware of Ohms Law only.

• Read: Electrickery – A Guide to Volts, Ohms and Resistance in Ecigs

I popped on the Augvape Occular RDA with a resistance of 0.21 ohms and Jesus H Christ in a hand-cart, this time it not only blew my socks off, but underwear too – man that is some hit – so once again PLEASE be careful!

I will say that in Bypass mode that lag in ramp-up time completely disappeared – this mode hits fast and hard.

V Mode – Boost

I haven’t been able to find any info on how much power the chip sends to the coils in V/Boost mode.

And once again the sluggish ramp-up time has almost disappeared – it’s a split second now.

The vape off this mode is easier to handle for my old tonsils, though as you might expect the initial vape is much warmer than in Auto mode.

I liked this one – but stuck to Auto in the end…chicken that I am lol.

Pros

• Upgraded software
• x4 vape modes
• Bypass and VV modes are powerful!
• Smart and clever design
• Great build quality
• Solid – will take some knocks
• Large clear screen
• Scroll wheel very responsive
• Hidden button very clicky
• Good battery life
• Fixed the default return to 10w when removing atties off the original!

Cons

• Slow ramp-up time especially in Auto/Power mode
• Coloured leather/pleather strip better in black? [subjective!]
• No temperature control – though who really uses that these days?

Final Review Verdict

With just a handful of upgrades, you might think I might be a little lukewarm on the Augvape VTEC 1.8 mod – let’s see.

The chip has obviously been tweaked meaning we now have the option of Variable Voltage – that’s x4 modes rather than the 3 – so that’s a good thing.

However, and I stress it might just be a combo of my batteries – build or even production model, but there’s a real lag in Auto/Power mode.

There’s the slightest in V Mode, but the VV and Bypass are lightening fast – let’s hope that lag – if it is an issue with all devices – can be fixed with a software upgrade.

Otherwise, as I said at the start, not much has changed.

If I wanted to get really subjectively nit-picky, that coloured leather strip doesn’t do much for me aesthetically – especially as in the red version at least, the colour clashes rather than compliments. Black is the new red darling and I reckon it would have lifted the overall looks – but hey like I said – nit-picking 😉

So the big question – would I recommend you go out and buy this one?

If you own the original and want to try a bit of VV vaping – then go for it – unless Augvape does bring out a software upgrade – something I doubt.

If you’re a newbie to the Augvape V200 mod scene and fancy a tribute to the Honda VTEC engine, then given this new version is cheaper – I’d definitely recommend you start your buying engine.