Hi Ecigssa members, In this review i take a look at the Cold Steel 200 TC Box Mod from Ehpro. The Ehpro Cold Steel 200 TC Box Mod was supplied for the purpose of this review by Violette from Vapeciga.
Cold Steel 200
Introduction
Ehpro were known for manufacturing quality affordable clones but that seems in the distant past as more recently they have been manufacturing some well received products of their own, including many collaborations with reviewers. The Cold Steel 200 is one of two devices Ehpro have designed in collaboration with German Youtube reviewer Nebelfee and has the full works of wattage, Voltage, Bypass, Curves and full TC suite. The main marketing of both Cold Steels is their high quality Stainless Steel build quality so let's give the Cold Steel 200 a look!
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In The Box
Contents:
1x Ehpro Cold Steel 200 MOD
1x Type-C USB Cable
1x User Manual
1x Warranty Card
1x Certification Card
___________________________________________________________________
Aesthetics and Ergonomics
The Cold Steel 200 comes in presentation cardboard box packaging with everything packed on one level. I received the Stainless Steel & Gunmetal version which has a Stainless Steel shell and two vertical Gunmetal accent strips on both the face and spine of the device. The other standard version is the Black & Gold and there is also a limited edition Gunmetal & Gold version. During the review i might switch to saying Black rather than Gunmetal as although my version is supposed to be Stainless Steel and Gunmetal and the manufacturers pictures shows the buttons, base, 510 plate and accents to be Gunmetal on mine they do look more like Black, on all other versions the accents, buttons etc are Gold.
The device both looks and feels very high quality with it's Stainless Steel construction and faultless machining, but with the recent trend moving more towards lightweight and portable devices it won't be to everyone's liking as it has quite a bit of weight. Both side panels has pronounced tapered edges and we also see the same tapering on the top and base edging leading to the spine and face. On the side tapering we have "COLD STEEL" and "NEBELFEE" (a couple of times) carved into the Steel and to be honest having the collaborating reviewers name carved onto the device really is a turn off for me.
Both sides also have a central flat diagonal band with top and bottom bands which has some rather nice machined embossing, these bands extend around to the tapered edging. The face of the device has a central section which is indented, we have a light switch style fire button top followed by a narrow elongated screen. We then have 2 square navigational buttons followed by a small charging and upgrade indicator light, finally right at the bottom is an horizontal, rectangular release button for the bottom battery hatch door. The spine has the two accent strips already mentioned and indented central section, on one side of the device is the Type C USB port. The Black base section is the battery hatch door which has venting holes and plenty of printed safety marks as well as branding, we also have 4 round rubber feet which is a nice touch making the device very stable. Moving up top we have a central Black 510 plate which has a raised inner rim which protects the surface of the device and does give very slight gaping but you have to look for it so in my opinion not an issue, we have a Gold plated, spring loaded 510.
The Cold Steel 200 is old school box shaped and has mentioned has a bit of weight to it but the tapered edging and light switch style fire button rescues it ergonomically and i found it surprisingly comfortable to hold and fire.
___________________________________________________________________
Cold Steel 200 Specs and Features:
Dimensions: 25 x 52 x 88mm
Material: Stainless Steel
Coil resistance range: 0.05-3ohm
Voltage range: 0.5-8V
Wattage range: 5-200W
Output current: 40A
Temperature range: 100-315℃ / 200-600℉
TYPE-C charging: Yes
Online software update: Yes
Work mode: PWR/ TEMP / CURVE / VOLT / BYPASS
Battery type: 2x 18650 cells (Not included)
Perfect device designed by Ehpro & Nebelfee
Fine stainless steel construction with durability
External 18650 cells and 200W max power
Multiple working modes for different style vapers
Pop-up battery cover for easy installation
Type-C USB port for quick charge and firmware upgrade
Thread: 510
Colours: Black & Gold, Stainless Steel & Gunmetal, Gunmetal & Gold (Limited Edition)
I weighed the Cold Steel 200 with and without batteries:
With batteries = 302g
Without batteries = 210g
___________________________________________________________________
Fitting The Batteries
The Cold Steel has a hatch door with release button which i really like but does leave a question mark about durability. On the face of the device where we also have the screen and all the operational buttons we have a rectangular release button right at the bottom. When pressing the release button the bottom hatch door which is the entire base section springs open to reveal the battery tubes for installing dual 18650 batteries. Orientation is marked at the bottom of the tubes but visibility isn't great because of lack of light and orientation on the inside of the door is Black on Black (beyond me why they can't make orientation stand out, try White on Black it might help). When you have installed your batteries just push the door shut and it clicks very securely in place. we have no movement or rattles. When pushing the door shut it does feel like quite some pressure is being put on the hatch door by the installed batteries which does leave a question mark as mentioned about durability of the catch. When looking closely the spring looks to be sturdy and the protruding small metal section which is what we hope will not fail is Stainless Steel and feels very strong so my hunch is the battery door over time will be fine but i can't give any guarantee!
___________________________________________________________________
The Display
The Screen is very narrow but elongated and old school in nature which many still prefer. The Display and fonts might be quite small but i had no problems reading all the information has it's sharp and bright. Top left we have the preheat in Power mode or wire type in TC mode, bottom left we have just one battery status bar. To the right of what has already been described we have resistance top and the voltage when in Power mode underneath, when in TC, Voltage or Bypass modes instead of voltage this is where we will find the wattage. The right of the screen displays wattage in Power mode, temperature in TC mode or voltage when in Voltage or Bypass modes.
___________________________________________________________________
Navigating The Cold Steel 200
The device is the usual 5 clicks of the fire button to turn on and 5 clicks to turn off and once on we are met by the already described sharp, bright, old school style screen. We do have some combination key press functions which are - and fire together flips the screen, + and fire locks the navigational buttons but the device will still fire, + and - together locks the entire device so it also will not fire and finally pressing +, - and fire together is stealth mode.
The device has many modes but a very simple menu system which is 3 clicks of the fire button to enter. The menu gives us the options of Power, Temp, Curve, Bypass, Voltage and Back, when selecting Power it then gives us the options of preheat which are Normal, Soft or Strong. The Curves, Voltage and Bypass are all straightforward but selecting Temp gives us the options of Nickel, Stainless Steel, Titanium, TC and Back. Once we have selected wire material in TC it then allows wattage to be set in 1W increments right up to the maximum 200W. Once wattage is set it then moves to where we set the temperature which adjusts in 5 degree increments and round robins between Celsius and Fahrenheit. That's it!, Very simple and i do like that all screens have a back option and throughout including setting wattage and temperature everything round robins. When adjusting the wattage it adjusts in .1W increments up to 30W and then .5W increments all the way up to 200W, it also scrolls at a really nice speed!
___________________________________________________________________
Protections
Short Circuit Protection
Over Heat Protection
Over Current Protection
Weak Battery Protection
Reverse Polarity Protection
10S Cut-off Protection
Low Voltage Protection
___________________________________________________________________
My Experience Using The Cold Steel 200
First i have to state i did not use the device in temp control and don't have access to data so simply reviewed the device as i personally experienced it. Damn, this device fires quickly and has very impressive ramp up which is great but it makes me think it would of benefited having a select button because every time the fire button is pressed to enter the menu system etc it fire's without fail.
I used the device at various wattage's and as far as i can tell it's pretty accurate and if anything slightly overpowered reminding me very much of the Minikin for the instant hit i got, all modes i tested which was all of them apart from TC worked great.
I love the light switch style fire button and the build quality can only be admired but it does come at a price and it's not for me who got sent the device for review to say if it's worth the price tag, it's very much an individual choice.
I really like the battery door and release button but the device is relying on a small piece of metal and spring to not fail the constant pressure from the batteries and the whole opening and closing procedure over time? Personally i believe the Stainless Steel piece of metal and sturdy spring is up to the job but as mentioned earlier i can't give any guarantees, only time will tell! The menu is very simple, every screen has a back option and everything round robins which makes it a very user friendly device.
It does have a couple of things that bug me though which both are to do with the device auto setting wattage. The main annoying thing is every time the batteries are swapped or the battery door is just opened then shut the device resets to 35W and has no memory of what you were vaping at. The other is once the device is on it then has a smart wattage feature so for example if it thinks when you attach an atty with a build it believes should be vaped at 60W it auto sets at 60W, but guess what i want it at 40W. Actually i think a smart wattage feature is a good thing but only if the feature has the option of being turned off for vapers like me who always seem to vape at completely different wattage's than ever get smartly predicted.
As ever i would never recommend charging batteries in the device unless it's your only option but the device supports 2A balanced charging and is fully firmware upgradeable, the device also has a type C USB port. The Cold Steel 200 isn't for those that like their large atty's as any atty over 25mm will give overhang.
___________________________________________________________________
Likes
Excellent build quality
Stainless Steel construction
Precision machining
Aesthetically classy looking device
Rubber feet gives good stability
Battery door release button
Spring loaded battery door (very secure)
Light switch style fire button
Sharp, bright old school style screen
Lock just navigational buttons or entire device
Very user friendly menu system
Adjustment increments spot on also back options and everything round robins
Curves, Voltage and Bypass work as they should
TC (not tested)
Performed great in power mode
Fires instantly with impressive ramp up
Type C USB
Supports 2A balanced charging
Firmware upgradeable
Multiple protections
Cons
Heavy device (subjective to individual)
Price tag (subjective to individual)
Auto sets to 35W after battery door opened (no memory of previous wattage)
Smart wattage can't be turned off
Battery status shown by just 1 battery bar and no percentage
Will not accommodate large atty's overhang over 25mm
I would once again like to thank Violette from Vapeciga for supplying the Ehpro Cold Steel 200 TC Box Mod for the purpose of this review.
Cold Steel 200
___________________________________________________________________
Cold Steel 200
Introduction
Ehpro were known for manufacturing quality affordable clones but that seems in the distant past as more recently they have been manufacturing some well received products of their own, including many collaborations with reviewers. The Cold Steel 200 is one of two devices Ehpro have designed in collaboration with German Youtube reviewer Nebelfee and has the full works of wattage, Voltage, Bypass, Curves and full TC suite. The main marketing of both Cold Steels is their high quality Stainless Steel build quality so let's give the Cold Steel 200 a look!
___________________________________________________________________
In The Box
Contents:
1x Ehpro Cold Steel 200 MOD
1x Type-C USB Cable
1x User Manual
1x Warranty Card
1x Certification Card
___________________________________________________________________
Aesthetics and Ergonomics
The Cold Steel 200 comes in presentation cardboard box packaging with everything packed on one level. I received the Stainless Steel & Gunmetal version which has a Stainless Steel shell and two vertical Gunmetal accent strips on both the face and spine of the device. The other standard version is the Black & Gold and there is also a limited edition Gunmetal & Gold version. During the review i might switch to saying Black rather than Gunmetal as although my version is supposed to be Stainless Steel and Gunmetal and the manufacturers pictures shows the buttons, base, 510 plate and accents to be Gunmetal on mine they do look more like Black, on all other versions the accents, buttons etc are Gold.
The device both looks and feels very high quality with it's Stainless Steel construction and faultless machining, but with the recent trend moving more towards lightweight and portable devices it won't be to everyone's liking as it has quite a bit of weight. Both side panels has pronounced tapered edges and we also see the same tapering on the top and base edging leading to the spine and face. On the side tapering we have "COLD STEEL" and "NEBELFEE" (a couple of times) carved into the Steel and to be honest having the collaborating reviewers name carved onto the device really is a turn off for me.
Both sides also have a central flat diagonal band with top and bottom bands which has some rather nice machined embossing, these bands extend around to the tapered edging. The face of the device has a central section which is indented, we have a light switch style fire button top followed by a narrow elongated screen. We then have 2 square navigational buttons followed by a small charging and upgrade indicator light, finally right at the bottom is an horizontal, rectangular release button for the bottom battery hatch door. The spine has the two accent strips already mentioned and indented central section, on one side of the device is the Type C USB port. The Black base section is the battery hatch door which has venting holes and plenty of printed safety marks as well as branding, we also have 4 round rubber feet which is a nice touch making the device very stable. Moving up top we have a central Black 510 plate which has a raised inner rim which protects the surface of the device and does give very slight gaping but you have to look for it so in my opinion not an issue, we have a Gold plated, spring loaded 510.
The Cold Steel 200 is old school box shaped and has mentioned has a bit of weight to it but the tapered edging and light switch style fire button rescues it ergonomically and i found it surprisingly comfortable to hold and fire.
___________________________________________________________________
Cold Steel 200 Specs and Features:
Dimensions: 25 x 52 x 88mm
Material: Stainless Steel
Coil resistance range: 0.05-3ohm
Voltage range: 0.5-8V
Wattage range: 5-200W
Output current: 40A
Temperature range: 100-315℃ / 200-600℉
TYPE-C charging: Yes
Online software update: Yes
Work mode: PWR/ TEMP / CURVE / VOLT / BYPASS
Battery type: 2x 18650 cells (Not included)
Perfect device designed by Ehpro & Nebelfee
Fine stainless steel construction with durability
External 18650 cells and 200W max power
Multiple working modes for different style vapers
Pop-up battery cover for easy installation
Type-C USB port for quick charge and firmware upgrade
Thread: 510
Colours: Black & Gold, Stainless Steel & Gunmetal, Gunmetal & Gold (Limited Edition)
I weighed the Cold Steel 200 with and without batteries:
With batteries = 302g
Without batteries = 210g
___________________________________________________________________
Fitting The Batteries
The Cold Steel has a hatch door with release button which i really like but does leave a question mark about durability. On the face of the device where we also have the screen and all the operational buttons we have a rectangular release button right at the bottom. When pressing the release button the bottom hatch door which is the entire base section springs open to reveal the battery tubes for installing dual 18650 batteries. Orientation is marked at the bottom of the tubes but visibility isn't great because of lack of light and orientation on the inside of the door is Black on Black (beyond me why they can't make orientation stand out, try White on Black it might help). When you have installed your batteries just push the door shut and it clicks very securely in place. we have no movement or rattles. When pushing the door shut it does feel like quite some pressure is being put on the hatch door by the installed batteries which does leave a question mark as mentioned about durability of the catch. When looking closely the spring looks to be sturdy and the protruding small metal section which is what we hope will not fail is Stainless Steel and feels very strong so my hunch is the battery door over time will be fine but i can't give any guarantee!
___________________________________________________________________
The Display
The Screen is very narrow but elongated and old school in nature which many still prefer. The Display and fonts might be quite small but i had no problems reading all the information has it's sharp and bright. Top left we have the preheat in Power mode or wire type in TC mode, bottom left we have just one battery status bar. To the right of what has already been described we have resistance top and the voltage when in Power mode underneath, when in TC, Voltage or Bypass modes instead of voltage this is where we will find the wattage. The right of the screen displays wattage in Power mode, temperature in TC mode or voltage when in Voltage or Bypass modes.
___________________________________________________________________
Navigating The Cold Steel 200
The device is the usual 5 clicks of the fire button to turn on and 5 clicks to turn off and once on we are met by the already described sharp, bright, old school style screen. We do have some combination key press functions which are - and fire together flips the screen, + and fire locks the navigational buttons but the device will still fire, + and - together locks the entire device so it also will not fire and finally pressing +, - and fire together is stealth mode.
The device has many modes but a very simple menu system which is 3 clicks of the fire button to enter. The menu gives us the options of Power, Temp, Curve, Bypass, Voltage and Back, when selecting Power it then gives us the options of preheat which are Normal, Soft or Strong. The Curves, Voltage and Bypass are all straightforward but selecting Temp gives us the options of Nickel, Stainless Steel, Titanium, TC and Back. Once we have selected wire material in TC it then allows wattage to be set in 1W increments right up to the maximum 200W. Once wattage is set it then moves to where we set the temperature which adjusts in 5 degree increments and round robins between Celsius and Fahrenheit. That's it!, Very simple and i do like that all screens have a back option and throughout including setting wattage and temperature everything round robins. When adjusting the wattage it adjusts in .1W increments up to 30W and then .5W increments all the way up to 200W, it also scrolls at a really nice speed!
___________________________________________________________________
Protections
Short Circuit Protection
Over Heat Protection
Over Current Protection
Weak Battery Protection
Reverse Polarity Protection
10S Cut-off Protection
Low Voltage Protection
___________________________________________________________________
My Experience Using The Cold Steel 200
First i have to state i did not use the device in temp control and don't have access to data so simply reviewed the device as i personally experienced it. Damn, this device fires quickly and has very impressive ramp up which is great but it makes me think it would of benefited having a select button because every time the fire button is pressed to enter the menu system etc it fire's without fail.
I used the device at various wattage's and as far as i can tell it's pretty accurate and if anything slightly overpowered reminding me very much of the Minikin for the instant hit i got, all modes i tested which was all of them apart from TC worked great.
I love the light switch style fire button and the build quality can only be admired but it does come at a price and it's not for me who got sent the device for review to say if it's worth the price tag, it's very much an individual choice.
I really like the battery door and release button but the device is relying on a small piece of metal and spring to not fail the constant pressure from the batteries and the whole opening and closing procedure over time? Personally i believe the Stainless Steel piece of metal and sturdy spring is up to the job but as mentioned earlier i can't give any guarantees, only time will tell! The menu is very simple, every screen has a back option and everything round robins which makes it a very user friendly device.
It does have a couple of things that bug me though which both are to do with the device auto setting wattage. The main annoying thing is every time the batteries are swapped or the battery door is just opened then shut the device resets to 35W and has no memory of what you were vaping at. The other is once the device is on it then has a smart wattage feature so for example if it thinks when you attach an atty with a build it believes should be vaped at 60W it auto sets at 60W, but guess what i want it at 40W. Actually i think a smart wattage feature is a good thing but only if the feature has the option of being turned off for vapers like me who always seem to vape at completely different wattage's than ever get smartly predicted.
As ever i would never recommend charging batteries in the device unless it's your only option but the device supports 2A balanced charging and is fully firmware upgradeable, the device also has a type C USB port. The Cold Steel 200 isn't for those that like their large atty's as any atty over 25mm will give overhang.
___________________________________________________________________
Likes
Excellent build quality
Stainless Steel construction
Precision machining
Aesthetically classy looking device
Rubber feet gives good stability
Battery door release button
Spring loaded battery door (very secure)
Light switch style fire button
Sharp, bright old school style screen
Lock just navigational buttons or entire device
Very user friendly menu system
Adjustment increments spot on also back options and everything round robins
Curves, Voltage and Bypass work as they should
TC (not tested)
Performed great in power mode
Fires instantly with impressive ramp up
Type C USB
Supports 2A balanced charging
Firmware upgradeable
Multiple protections
Cons
Heavy device (subjective to individual)
Price tag (subjective to individual)
Auto sets to 35W after battery door opened (no memory of previous wattage)
Smart wattage can't be turned off
Battery status shown by just 1 battery bar and no percentage
Will not accommodate large atty's overhang over 25mm
I would once again like to thank Violette from Vapeciga for supplying the Ehpro Cold Steel 200 TC Box Mod for the purpose of this review.
Cold Steel 200
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