[Review] iStick Pico kit by Eleaf

Eleaf is known for it’s popular range of e-cigarette kits such as iJust, Melo, or the large iStick family. Sticking to this trend, the brand just launched the iStick Pico kit which includes the Melo 3 mini atomiser and an iStick Pico battery. Bringing these two products together will make a reliable and welcome product for both beginner and seasoned vape enthusiasts.

Characteristics

Melo 3 mini Atomiser

• Capacity: 2ml
• Dimensions: 55 x 22mm
• Materials: Stainless steel 304
• Airflow: adjustable (bottom)
• Filling method: top-filled
• Type of coil: EC series

iStick Pico Mod 

• Dimensions: 45 x 23 x 70.5 mm
• Weight: 130 g with battery, 185 g with Melo 3 atomiser and battery
• Connections: Brass 510 spring-loaded pin
• Materials: Steel and aluminium alloy
• Type of battery: 1 18650 cell
• Operation: VW and Bypass, Temperature Control
• Wattage range: 1 to 75 Watts
• Temperature control modes TC-Ni/TC-Ti/TC-SS/TCR
• Temperature range: 100-315°C/ 200-600°F
• Compatible coils: 0,05 Ohm to 1,5 ohm for TC-Ni/TC-Ti/TC-SS/TCR and 0.1 Ohm to 3.5 Ohms for VW
• Screen: OLED
• Upgradable firmware

Contents of the package

• iStick Pico Mod with no battery
• Melo III mini Atomiser
• Two EC coils (0.3 and 0.5 ohm)
• Set of spare seals (4 coloured seals)
• Micro USB cable
• Two manuals

A versatile atomiser

The Melo 3 mini Atomiser is a compact piece of machinery with stunning performance and a user-friendly interface that will please both newcomers and experienced vapers.

The Melo 3 Mini has a 2 ml tank with a top-fill system. Given the performance, the small tank will need to be refilled frequently.

The atomiser works with EC coils, which represents a wide range of compatible models. The two coils included in the kit are ideal for a high-airflow pull (0.5 Omh – 30-100 Watts) or tighter pulls (0.6 Ohm – 30-80 Watts). If you are looking for another kind of vape experience, you can try EC TC (Nickel or Titanium) coils for precise temperature control, or ECL coils (L meaning Large) for a higher liquid intake. We recommend ECML coils (0.7 Ohm – 8-25 Watts), or the GS coil adapter (1.0 Ohm or 0.75 Ohm) for low Watt vaping. This means that EC2 coils used on the Melo 4 are compatible with Melo 3 mini.

The Melo 3 Mini also features a discreet, leak-prook airflow ring allowing you to fine-tune the vapour draw to your liking. Thanks to this precise airflow, mouth-to-lung and direct-to-lung vaping are both possible.

To ensure a modular product that users can keep for years to come, Eleaf designed the atomiser to be taken apart easily, for maintenance and to upgrade the tank from 2 to 4 ml. (Standard Melo 3). 

An efficient box unit

PICO is an acronym for Preferable, Innovative, Compact, and Oustanding. In short, a discreet, compact box at the cutting edge of technology.

With the success of the iStick 60 which ran on a cleverly-embedded 18650 battery, Eleaf is back with iStick Pico. Also based on the 18650, the iStick Pico is a testament to the skill of Eleaf’s designers to combine a compact box with this type of battery. As a result, you can see the screw-locked battery cover stands out from the box.

The maximum size for clearomisers is 22 mm, as the room left over from the battery cover will block anything larger than 22.5 mm, to leave space for airflow.

For this version of PICO, the buttons are under the box, which reinforces the streamlined aspect. The delivered 75 Watts are more than enough to power the majority of atomisers on the market.

iStick Pico can stand upright when charging, as the USB port is located right under the screen. Cherry on top, this model features Passthrough, just like its predecessors.

Functions include the usual VW (to adjust Wattage), TC (or temperature control), Bypass, and SMART mode, which saves your settings in profiles tied to the Ohm value of the coil, and finally Pre-Heat mode. This last function can deliver a stronger Wattage over a short period of time, to reduce the time to warm up fat coils such as the Clapton.

The iStick Pico battery case can charge batteries via USB cable, however it does not incorporate the standard safety functions of an external charger, so it is highly recommended to charge large batteries in an external unit.

Strong points

• The perfect atomiser for a beginning, offering long-term value
• Allows both direct and mouth-to-lung inhalation
• Large choice of coils
• Compact, powerful battery

Weak points

• 2 ml tank may be too small for heavy users
• Battery cover restricts size of atomisers to 22.5 mm max
• Screen is a little small

Don’t miss out on our 2017 Starter-kit Guide!