Eleaf – iStick Pico Le Mod Review – Return of Le Pico, Mon Ami

In for review is the Eleaf iStick Pico Le mod.

Eleaf were established over a decade ago in Shenzhen, China with a firm emphasis on delivering quality and value.

Their slogan has always been ‘Simply smart’ and that tends to be reflected in their huge back catalogue. With the Eleaf iStick Pico Le review we’re once again reminded of simplicity but with a few smart features included.

I remember being the proud owner of the iStick 30W Mod. To me it was simply smart, combining lightweight alloy with a sleek chrome trim. They were one of the first when it came to small vape mods back in the day.

..Far superior in looks to the humble CE4 clearomiser it was twinned with.

The iStick range went on to boast larger, more powerful Mods with integrated temperature control.

Let’s take a look.

What Can We Expect From the Eleaf iStick Pico Le Mod?

In terms of design and build quality we can expect pretty much the same as other Pico devices already released. The Eleaf iStick Pico Le retains the same stumpy box Mod appearance of its predecessors.

A Pico isn’t a Pico without the trademark battery screw cap.

Removing and replacing an 18650 battery has never been easier which galvanises the simplicity Eleaf adopts with their designs. The same can be said of the menu screen and general functionality.

The Pico range has steadily evolved from its humble beginnings as a 75W device to squonk versions capable of handling up to 100W.

I’ve received a standalone version of the Pico Le Mod. In kit form it comes packaged with the GX tank and AST steel mesh GX coils.

The chipset of the Mod has been configured to prevent the GX coils from dry burning.

We can expect the same power modes of previous versions. These include the usual suspects – variable wattage and temperature control for Titanium, Nickel and Stainless Steel.

Inside The Box

The Eleaf trademark green splash is evident around the front and side of the outer carton. So is the silver trim which represents the chrome plated finish of the Mod itself.

The Pico Le sits within a foam tray and underneath this a few extras can be found.

• iStick Pico Le mod
• USB Type C charging cable
• Instruction manual
• Warranty card
• Battery safety card

The battery safety card isn’t mentioned on the box but I commend Eleaf for including one.

They’re pretty rare but battery safety is very important.

Eleaf iStick Pico Le Mod – Key Features

The Eleaf iStick Pico Le Mod is very lightweight and compact which makes it pocket friendly. A single 18650 battery is top mounted so it’s far easier to remove or replace.

Fast (2 Amp) Type C USB charging is integrated allowing those without an external charger to bring a spent battery back to life relatively quickly.

A 0.49″ OLED screen displays all the information a vaper needs while tinkering with settings.

The centred 510 connector will accommodate tank sizes of up to 26mm without overhang.

There are 5 colours to choose from: Green Black (under review), Full Black, Black Grey, Orange Brown and Yellow Blue.

Eleaf iStick Pico Le Mod – Specifications

• Dimensions: 70.5 (L) x 52mm (W) x 27.5mm (D)
• Weight: 82.2g
• Screen: 0.49″ OLED display
• Battery: Single 18650 battery (not included)
• Output modes: VW, TC (Ni, SS, AST)
• Max charging current 2.0A Type C
• Output range 1-75W
• Resistance range 0.1 – 3.0ohm
• Smart coil protection – when used with AST-Steel coils
• Compatible with tanks 26mm diameter or less
• Tank connection 510 connection

Eleaf iStick Pico Le – Design and Build Quality

First things first I’m not a lover of chrome plated finishing on any device. From an aesthetical point of view it does look sleek and classy but under everyday use it’s another thing.

It didn’t take long for smudge marks and fingerprints to appear. After a few days the chrome was also scratched up in places.

Call me cynical but chrome isn’t a very practical option for a device that’s highly portable and pocket friendly.

The leather like finish is another story all together.

It’s stretched to fit seamlessly under the chrome ‘U’ frame. I’ll be able to tell over the course of time whether the stitching plucks or frays. Generally speaking the leather padding makes the Pico Le very comfortable to hold and grip.

Le Underside

The underside of the Pico Le has a slight recession allowing the battery much needed venting space even when stood vertically.

Nice touch, Eleaf!

The four star drive screws look a little unsightly but at least they’re hidden away from view.

This is one area where general wear and tear is going to take its toll very early on. Scratches and nicks to the chrome are par for the course but will prematurely age the Mod.

Le Top

The gold plated 510 connector is spring loaded. It’s sensibly placed and looks able to accommodate tank sizes of up to 26mm without unsightly over hang.

The perimeter of the 510 pin has four recesses allowing the use of older air fed tanks.

No Eleaf Pico Mod would be complete without the signature top mounted battery and cap.

What’s it like in use?

The cap uses male threading and it takes around six turns to remove or tighten it.

It’s a very quick and painless process. There’s even micro knurling at the top and bottom to help things along.

That’s another nice touch, Eleaf!

There’s a large red plus sign at the base of the mod and a minus stamped on the underside of the cap to help with battery orientation.

My single 18650 re-wrapped battery slipped into place with no issue and the cap was screwed down within seconds.

No battery rattle is present and the extra weight to the Mod really does make it feel solid and compact in the hand.

Le Front

The fire button measures around 11mm squared and although clicky is also a bit loud and hollow sounding.

A 0.49″ OLED screen sits beneath the fire button, slap bang centre on the front panel. Below this is a single rocker button and the recessed type C USB charging port.

This recess is yet another good design choice and will prevent the connections from impact damage.

Le Menu Functionality

It’s the usual five clicks to turn the Mod on or off.

The Mod fires up instantaneously but there’s a slight delay as the chip reads the current battery level. It’s no big deal but still needs to be mentioned.

• Press the fire button three times to enter the settings screen
• Use the left or right menu rocker button to scroll between Power (variable wattage), Nickel, Titanium, stainless steel, TCR value or system settings

When in system settings the following options are available

• Turn the screen on/off while vaping
• Pre heat the coil by 35% over a three second value
• Maximum vaping time per puff
• Set the TCR value for M1 mode
• Show software and hardware version
• Restore factory defaults
• Home screen setting. Choose from Voltage, Puff or Wave

AST Mode

This is designed to work when the Mod is purchased in kit form with the Eleaf GX tank. The chip automatically detects when the tank is empty and prevents the coil from firing, stopping the likelihood of a dry hit.

• Press the fire and right menu rocker buttons together to turn AST dry proofing on or off

Le Other Functions

While the device is in standby press the left and right rocker buttons together to lock or unlock the Mod. Be aware this only stops menu functionality. It’s still possible to vape when the Mod is locked.

It’s also worth pointing out the Mod will auto select the current setting if left idle for a period of ten seconds.

During a charge the battery icon will continuously flash. The screen switches off once the Mod is fully charged.

Le ‘sometimes boring but important part’

The Eleaf iStick Pico Le comes with a host of built in safety features. The screen will display the following information in the event of a safety issue.

• Check Coil – No atomiser connected
• Max Power – If a coil resistance is above 1.0ohm the max wattage is 20W
• Low Voltage – When the battery voltage falls below 3.1V the Mod will auto lock. Charge the battery to continue use
• Short – When the resistance of the coil falls below 0.1ohm or 0.05ohm in TC mode
• Over 10S – Vaping time has exceeded 10 seconds. Power to the Mod shuts off
• Too hot – When the temperature of the Mod exceeds usage parameters
• Weak power – When the battery continues to function at 2.9V or less

Eleaf iStick Pico Le Mod – How Does It Perform?

I tried a few different attys but eventually settled on my Serpent SMM single coil RTA.

I used a fused Clapton coil with a resistance value of 0.3ohm and ran the Mod at 50W throughout the test phase.

The Mod handles variable wattage well. Each vape consistently delivered a powerful hit and was sustainable over various lengths of exhale. I never use temperature control but would have checked the Mods efficiency had I received the GX tank and AST steel coil.

Voltage mode isn’t available but it’s possible to change settings so that it’s constantly displayed. I always appreciate that feature because voltage helps me track down an ideal sweet spot.

Based on my own experiences I would suggest a wattage range of between 20 – 55W while using the Pico Le. So mouth to lung (MTL) and lower powered direct to lung (DTL) sub ohm tanks will be ideal.

We tell you what MTL and DTL mean in our Guide To Vape Styles.

Ergonomics

The Pico Le is slim enough to slip into a trouser pocket. With an atty attached I just about got away with using a shirt pocket.

It’s comfortable to hold and I had a natural tendency to cradle the bottom with a pinkie. The Mod was more comfortable when finger firing with the screen facing outwards.

Around 12mm of the battery protrudes from the top of the Mod. I’m wondering if that actually helps with weight distribution – I’m no physician! lol

It stands comfortably on any surface and won’t tumble over very easily. An atty can also remain in place during the charge cycle.

Battery Management

I got a respectable five and a half hours battery life running the Serpent RTA at 50W.

The Mod was still delivering significant clout at 50% charge. It was only really towards the last half hour or so that I noticed flavour degradation.

Even then the vapour production was still impressive, holding up right to the last possible vape.

As a rule I never charge external batteries inside a Mod but I made an exception with the Pico Le. It took an hour for the battery charge icon to fill.

It then took another thirty minutes for the Mod to switch off and in accordance to the instruction manual.

That’s more than acceptable given the uptime you can expect to receive in return, especially if vaping at lower wattage than I did during the test phase. It’s also possible to vape while charging which is always a plus.

Pros

• Compact, lightweight and pocket friendly
• Good chip / battery performance
• A powerful and punchy vape at 50W using my tank of choice
• Easy to navigate menu screens
• Able to charge in an upright position
• Pass through charging (vape during the charge cycle)

Cons

• Chrome plating scratches very easily and attracts fingerprints and grease
• Minor gap between 510 plate and tank when screwed down
• Erratic battery strength icon
• Screen can be difficult to read in direct sunlight

Eleaf iStick Pico Le Mod – Final Review Verdict

My biggest problem is with the aesthetics of the Mod. As much as chrome plating has a sleek appearance it comes with the inevitable caveat.

As predicted it took less than a day to scratch up and the grease and finger prints mounted by the hour. That does tend to prematurely age any new device, the Eleaf iStick Pico Le included.

I would have ditched the animated ‘wave’ graphic entirely in favour of a real time voltage reading or vape time since there’s so little real estate on offer.

I didn’t test the temperature control feature but had no issues with how the Mod performed using variable wattage mode. The 50 watts of power I used held up well for the majority of the battery life and flavour and cloud production were great.

The Pico Le would be highly suited to someone considering their first box Mod. It’s for someone already used to slipping a vape device in their pocket. It’s for someone that’s maybe looking for more versatility than a generic pod kit.

The limited number of features on offer won’t intimidate either so that’s another potential plus. It’s also a pretty good introduction to temperature control when purchased with the GX tank using AST mode.

As a potential upgrade in the range? There are a few design tweaks but if you’re happy with what you’ve already got the minor changes don’t really justify it.

For someone considering the Eleaf iStick Pico Le it’s going to offer reliability, ease of use, portability and a very consistent vape over the lifespan of each and every charge.