Trends are a thing that always revolves, this applies to almost everything. From fashion, aesthetics to technology, vaping is no exception. Do you remember when big, impressive box mods were the dream of most vapers? When the market was full of small vape devices, vapers wanted something bigger and more functional. However, when large box mods with full features flooded everywhere, they (most vapers) returned to their preference for using devices that were as compact as possible, how strange.
So where do these trends intersect? Of course, AIO kits. But what if you want something that’s as compact as an AIO but as powerful as a box mod? The answer is Side-by-side (SBS) mods.
Side by side is a new design that has recently appeared, but it has made a big splash in the vaper community because of its stylized design, compacting the entire vape combo into one block. Side by side is a type of vape mod, so the outstanding advantage compared to AIOs is none other than the 510 connection pin. With AIOs, you have very few options to replace the combustion chamber structure, usually each AIO set will come with 2-3 RBAs, except for BilletBox because this is something else. Not many AIO sets have a beautiful appearance and come with a good RBA, and if they do, I'm sure the price is not cheap. With SBS mods, you can freely use hundreds of different burners as long as they have a 510 connection standard.
That's a brief overview of SBS mods, what they are, how they are designed, and how they work, you probably already know. Now let's get to our main part: dissecting the two most popular low-mid-range SBS mods of the past year, Converter by Ambition Mods and Mixx by Aspire.
AMBITION MODS CONVERTER
Converter is the latest product of Ambition Mods. Previously, this company has also launched many products but generally did not make a big splash. Typically, RTA Bishop, although the design is very beautiful and the flavor is quite good, the fatal weakness is that the glass is too fragile and easy to break, and you know, a broken RTA is a useless RTA.
It seems that the company has learned a profound lesson in this Converter product.
This is a vape mod made entirely of SS304L stainless steel, giving a solid and "cold" feeling when held. The frame is probably the most misleading detail, its paint finish is so well finished that if I didn't knock it with my fingernail, I would still think it was ABS plastic, not steel. This is the only painted part and its paint finish is really good. The best part of this product is that it can be converted into 4 different forms, SBS 18350 + 18650 and Tube mod 18350 + 18650, buy 1 get 4, that's cool. The Converter design follows a minimalist style, minimalist from the screws to the buttons. The company cut all the adjustment keys and integrated them into a single fire button opposite the screen. At first, it's quite difficult to grasp, but don't worry, you'll get used to it. Possessing a minimalist design and the ability to transform in a flash allows you to freely edit the structure of this product, you want the button on the right, ok! You want the button on the left, that's fine too. For a vaper who values individuality, this is a plus that cannot be ignored.
When I installed it in tube mod form, I was really impressed by its appearance, from the screen interface, the engraved lines to the weight when holding it, it reminded me of Dani Extreme - the tube mod with the highest level of completion in the vape world. It can be said that this is a minimalist version of Dani, which is not embarrassing at all.
Of course, with much praise, there must also be criticism because nothing is perfect. The minus point of the Converter comes from the material that makes it. SS304L steel is a durable material for beauty that lasts over time, but when the entire body of the device is made of this material, it is a double-edged sword. Vape is a heat-generating device and steel is both a good conductor and a good heat insulator, leading to the device quickly overheating. Although the chip in the device has an overheating lock, in general, no one likes to touch a hot piece of iron all day. To overcome this, you should use small-sized RTAs, slowly vape MTL because the heat they emit is small, giving the device more time to dissipate. Because it is a tube form (folded in half to SBS), the manufacturer is forced to design the connector-chipset-screen on the same straight line, minimizing the wires, so leaking essential oil can cause problems for the entire circuit system, more difficult to handle than other folded designs.
ASPIRE MIXX
Mixx by Aspire, no need to say much about its hotness at the time of its launch. This is a product in the Prestige project, a project that must be said to completely change the previous design of Aspire. The company collaborated with Sunbox to create this darling. If you don't know, Sunbox is an Italian manufacturer focusing on high-end vape products, most of the company's products cost no less than $500. For that reason, Mixx, although ranked in the low-cost segment (only about $70), has a design that is not inferior to products that cost twice or even 3-4 times more. Like Converter, Mixx is an SBS vape mod with a 510 connection standard. The difference is that its body is made of anodized aluminum, a material that is as hard as steel but is much lighter. In fact, anodized aluminum is the material that Apple uses to make the shell for Macbooks, and more closely, it is the material of most products from dotMod.
Aspire is a vape brand that is one of the oldest in the vape industry and is still operating today. Its products are famous for their stability, simple design but suitable for all vapers and importantly, always in the low-cost segment. Of course, the company will not abandon that strength in its passion project Prestige. The Mixx chip simulates the interface and default settings of the DNA60 chip and has most of the features cut except for 3 basic modes: Power, Volt and Bypass. Trading advanced functions for stability, the Mixx power mode experience is the smoothest experience I have ever tried when compared to other vape mods in the same segment.
Mixx is designed with a full set of 3 buttons, plus an easy-to-understand, user-friendly interface, so you will definitely not encounter any obstacles in the process of using this vape mod. Except for the fire button located on the vertical edge and in a somewhat difficult-to-press position, the other details are very harmonious and focus on the user's actual experience. For example, the battery cover is convex for easier removal, there is an aluminum piece on the top of the battery tube to make the combo more square and also avoid the feeling of slipping. Or the bottom is shaped like a horseshoe to make the device stand more firmly while avoiding scratches on the screen and the brand's branding.
The downside of Mixx also comes from its advantages. The body is made of anodized aluminum, although it is hard and luxurious, it is very easy to scratch if not carefully preserved, and by careful here I mean always keeping an eye on it, just putting it in your pocket with your keys or wearing a ring on your hand can easily scratch the device. Next is the chip. The chip set is minimal to the maximum, cutting out the TC mode part, making quite a few vapers who are passionate about this mode not choose Mixx. Another point is that the device does not have a USB port, this can be considered a plus point to help limit the situation of water entering the circuit but is a fatal blow for those who are passionate about mods, specifically mods of the DNA60 chip into this device.
Overall comparison
So to summarize what do we have in these two products?
1: About appearance
- Converter has creative design, can be installed in many forms, SBS has nothing outstanding but is very impressive in tube mod form.
- Mixx has a more rugged, edgy style but still has the necessary harmony.
⇒ If you love versatility, buy Converter, otherwise if you love minimalist beauty, choose Mixx.
2: About performance
- Converter has many features, suitable for many vapers, the downside is that it doesn't work very well at battery levels below 50%.
- Mixx minimizes all functions but focuses on doing well what the company has. Power mode operates smoothly and stably throughout, without causing loss of breath/jerk at low battery levels.
⇒ If you need to customize the burning mode, Converter will be a better choice, Mixx will focus on the basic experience in basic mode.
3: About durability
- Converter has much better material and paint, excellent scratch and dent resistance. However, due to the design of the circuit details on a straight line, be careful not to leak juice into the connector.
- Mixx is less likely to short circuit because there are no gaps for liquid to leak in. Mixx's paint quality is average if not bad, it is very easy to scratch during use, reducing the value of the product.
Hopefully through this comparison you have made your decision in choosing a satisfactory SBS mod. Wish all vapers have a happy experience. Vape on!
Gia Bao
