Introduction.
The Steam STM-2 along with a full range of accessories was sent to me by the kind team at HOG Vaping for the purpose of this review.It is described on the HOG Vaping Website as follows:
This newly designed Steam STM-2 De-Luxe Kit contains a high end quality Intelligent Mod from Steamecig in the USA. Made in the USA and backed with a 6 month warranty giving total peace of mind.
And is available to purchase online from Hog Vaping for £70.00 for the deluxe kit.
Presentation
The STM-2 came packaged in a really nice black display box with the steam logo on the front, with a magnetised fold up and over lid.
Once you open the box and lift open the lid you are presented with the STM-2 Mod, laying recessed in a foam cut out.
There is a small tab at one end, which when pulled allows you to easily lift out the top foam tray, to reveal the rest of of the deluxe kit, another 18650 battery and charger. Again all set securely in foam.
The STM-2 Deluxe Kit includes:
1 x STEAM STM-2 Advanced mod,
2 x Samsung ICR-18650-26F (2600 mah) Li-Ion batteries,
1 x Single slot 18650 Li-Ion battery charger
1 x Pouch Lanyard
So everything you need to start, apart from an atomiser and juice. This whole kit is really well presented, in its gift box, and is defiantly where I have been storing it, when not in use. For the purpose of this review I will only be reviewing the STM-2 Mod part of the kit.
Features and Specs:
Name : STM - 2 Deluxe KitManufacturer: Steamecig
Main Material : Chrome plated environmentally friendly copper.
Atomiser Connection: 510 / Ego cone
Key Feature: variable Wattage (3-15w) & voltage ( 3 - 6v)
Battery Size: 18650 and 18350
Battery Contacts : Solid brass connections
Firing Mechanism : Microprocessor / electric Switch
Locking Mechanism: Electronic
Built in Safety : overload protection, short circuit protection, low voltage,
Mod Width : 23mm
Mod Height :132mm (in 18650)
I start this review as I always do by breaking it down into its component parts.
Bottom Cap.
The matching chrome plated bottom cap has groves pressed into the sides to allow good grip when unscrewing. In the bottom of the cap there are 6 vent holes, to allow the battery to keep cool, plus if you should have any issues with the battery, such as venting.
Secured to the inside of the cap, is a massive brass (I think) spring, to hold the battery in place when fitted. To produce zero battery rattle.
The spring is held in place, by reverse threading the spring into the cap, which has a little lip at the bottom.
Battery Tube.
The STM-2 comes as standard with an 18650 chrome plated copper tube. The standard tube has 3 recessed areas machined into it, at allow you to fit the rubber grips. (Which are available in a choice of colours). The threading on the top and bottom of the tubed is finished to a high standard, with no sharpe edges, and very smooth, when either fitting the cap, or connecting it to the mod body. The tube can be fitted either way around, as the threading is the same both ends.
Should you want to make your STM-2 more compact, you can purchase an 18350 tube from HOG Vaping for £5 which replaces the 18650 tube, whilst using to same bottom Cap.
When this tube is fitted it shortens the over all length of the the complete Mod to 100mm still allowing you to interchange the grips.
Mod Body.
The chrome plated body of the mod houses the display, fire/function switch, and the ego/510 connection.
At the base of the the body, you have what I think is a brass battery connection, set into a black plastic casing. You also have the tube threading, which is again well machined.
Firing / Function switch
The STM-2 has only one button, this allows you turn the device on, scroll and select through the functions and fire the device. The switch has a solid feel to it, and a very positive 'click' to it when pressed. It is slightly raised out of the body with beveled edges, and is really easy to locate with the finger.
Functions.
If you press the fire button 3 times, it will enter into the function menu. Each function is numbered from 1 to 9.
1. Wattage / voltage up - allows you to increase your wattage or voltage. Once it reaches to top setting it rounds robin.
2. Wattage / voltage down. - allows you to decrease the either wattage or voltage.
3. System on/off - allows you to turn the STM-2 off.
4. Voltage Check - allows you to check the remaining charge in the battery.
5. Display Change - allows you to set what displays when you press the fire button.
6. LED on / off - Allows you to turn the STM into stealth mode.
7. Voltage / Wattage mode - allows you to switch between running it in voltage of wattage.
8. NER / RMS mode allows you to switch between NER or RMS depending on the power output you require.
9. Puff count - allows you to view your recorded amount of puffs.
It you leave for 2secs on any of the above it will enter that mode. If you then leave it another 2secs, it will return to vape mode.
Screen
The screen of the STM is nicely curved to match to the body, and completely flush fitting. And when active produces a nice bright display.
510 Connection and Top Cap
On the top of the STM body, is the 510 ego cone threading, which feature a copper floating firing pin.
Around the outer edge of the STM body top, if fine threading which allows you to fit the Curved to cap ring.
The top cap opening is wide enough to fit all your cone threaded devices. All of mine fitted, with ease.
The top cap has four groves machined into the top section for air flow on any of your 510 devices.
Additional Accessories.
The STM-2 Deluxe Kit comes with everything you will need to start your advanced vaping journey, but should you want to add to you kit, or personalised your STM-2 the HOG vaping Stock a full selection.Steamecig Rubber Suction Holder (£1.00) - if like me you stand your mod up on your desk and constantly keep knocking it over, then stick one of the suction cups to you desk. And your STM Mod will fit perfectly into it.
Steamecig Interchangeable coloured sleeves (£2.50)
If you want to personalised your STM-2, to make it stand out from the crowd, then there are 7 colours to show from, one for every day of the week. The grips fit tightly in place on your STM battery tube.
Atheistics and Build Quality
From the moment you take the STM-2 out of the presentation box, if has a distinct feel of quality. Even without the battery installed, it has a nice weight in the hand.With the 18650 tube fitted, it is a mid length mod, coming in just under the Innokin SVD. So if you are taking it out and about you may prefer the 18350 tube installed.
I really like the overall look of the STM. And find it a really pleasant change to have a mod with grips fitted, as when you get abit of ejuice on your fingers, they can get a little slippy.
The overall finish on this mod is very good, and has a very solid feel. With all the threading well machined. With a solid feeling fire/function switch.
The only thing I think I would add would be the option of interchanging the domed top cap, with a flat top cap, for when using it with wider atty's, which don't really look right on the current domed top cap.
Performance & Real World Experiences
I have been using the STM-2 for a couple of weeks since it arrived, from Hog Vaping. As my all day vaping device, on both tanks and using my RDA. When I first started using it, I found the menu system a bit mind blowing, bit like programming your central heating system, this was mainly due to the fact that I am a man and don't read instructions. Once I had downloaded the PDF instruction book of the Steam website, it all started to make sense. But still find the multi press and pause to select a bit tricky some times. And I think I would be improved by having a couple of extra small buttons, to use in the menu, rather than just the one multi use button.Performance wise I couldn't really fault it when vaping on it. At 15watts with one of my dual coil RDA's it performed really well, instantly lighting up the coils and producing clouds of vapor. The only thing I found running it flat out on 15watts, it does tend to eat through the batteries, and I was getting through a couple of 18650's a day on normal vaping.
When running the Kanger Areo tank on it at 9watts, it lasted all day on one 18650. And performed really well.
Do take care when screwing down you RDA or tank, not to over tighten it, (it does warn you of this in the instructions). As for some reason it doesn't like it and just comes up on the display as a short, and won't fire. As soon as you loosen it of half a turn you are back in business.
Recommendations
I would not hesitate to recommend the Steam STM-2 from Hog Vaping, especially you you have just starting out vaping on the ego twist style devices, and looking for the next step on your vaping journey. Looking for a little extra power and performance. Then the STM-2 is perfect, giving you all the power you will need, with loads of built in safety features.MVR Rating
Build: 9/10Features : 8/10
Finish: 9/10
Threading: 9/10
Switch: 9/10
Aesthetics: 10/10
Performance : 8/10
Overall: 9/10
SUPPLIED BY : www.hogvaping.co.uk
