The Original Pico Was Much Loved – How Does the New Version Rate?

The latest Eleaf Istick Pico 25 gets the number after its name due to the size of the atties it can take – obviously in this case 25mm.

It’s from the extremely popular Pico series that included the Pico Dual, Pico Squeeze and of the course the original.

It comes in a variety of funky colour combos and is powered just like its predecessor with a single 18650 battery.

For the record I missed out on the original Eleaf Pico (reviewed here) as I was more of a MTL vaper back then however I did think at the time it was a good looking piece of kit.

I did compare Smok’s ALS 85 to the original Pico in that review and once again the two look to be going head to head for top place in the compact vaping kit market.

OK enough blabbering let’s take a closer look.

As always my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Inside the Box

It’s a bit of a jazzier eLeaf box than I remember – gone is the white and green plain packaging replaced with the same green but patterned and with the image of the device front and centre.

Inside you’ll find:

• 1×iStick Pico 25 (without battery)
• 1×ELLO Atomizer
• 1×HW1 Single-Cylinder 0.2ohm Head
• 1×HW2 Dual-Cylinder 0.3ohm Head
• 1×QC USB Cable
• 2×User Manuals
• Spare Parts

The ‘spare parts’ includes a larger glass Tank and an extension which increases capacity from 2ml of juice to a cheeky 4ml.

There’s also an extra wide bore drip tip which I immediately swapped for the more tapered version – just a personal choice.

iStick Pico 25 Specs

• Size: 25.0mm*48.0mm*104.0mm
• Weight: 143.2g
• E-liquid capacity: 2ml – 4ml with extension [included]
• Output wattage: 1-85W
• Maximum charging current: 2A
• Maximum output current: 50A
• Thread type: 510 thread
• Battery type: high-rate 18650 battery
• [Continuous discharge current should be above 25A]
• Output mode: VW/Bypass/TC[Ni,Ti,SS,TCR-M1,M2,M3] mode
• Resistance range: 0.05-1.5ohm [TC modes]
• 0.1-3.5ohm [VW mode]

Quick Start Guide – Eleaf iStick Pico 25

• Firstly you’ll need to unscrew the top cap and insert the battery positive pin down – it is marked
• Turn device on and off by clicking the power button X5
• Fire button and – button enters stealth mode
• + & – for 2 seconds when device is on locks the keys however the device will still fire
• + & – button for 2 seconds when device is off flips the screen
• To switch vaping modes press the fire button x3 when device is on
• Device is firmware upgradable – use USB in your computer and enter Eleaf website to download the software
• You can use a customized logo too

Ello Tank Specs

• Dimensions: 25*46mm
• 2mL Tank Capacity – 4ml with extension [included]
• 510 Threaded
• Convenient Retractable Top Fill System
• Detachable Structure
• Wide Bore Delrin Drip Tip
• Dual Cyclops Airflow
• Adjustable Airflow

Quick Start Guide Ello Tank

• The whole tank comes apart from cleaning
• To fill first prime your coil by drizzling tiny amounts of e-liquid on exposed cotton
• Once tank is back together locate the OPEN logo on the top of the tank and slide away
• Tank can now be filled – leave a few minutes before vaping
• To increase the tanks capacity – screw the extension onto the top of the coil in situ
• Add the larger glass tank

Key Features

Ok first up let’s look at the device itself.

It’s certainly compact and fits nicely in the hand.

It can take atties up to 25mm in diameter and can fire up to 85watts.

It’s firmware upgradeable and can operate in variable wattage – temperature control and bypass mode.

There’s x3 memory settings and also a pre-heat set-up which I found worked extremely well on a couple of larger coils when I tried using it with a RDA – those coils needed a little boost to get them glowing.

The standard configuration for the tank is 2mls but with the extension you can get around 4mls capacity which is a cheeky but nice touch.

The Ello tank has an easy slide away top fill feature with a generous fill port and I have had no issues with leaking or annoying air bubbles pushing the e-liquid out.

The screen is very pleasing and crisp to the eye and you can change to the look you prefer with three different settings.

I have to say there’s not much more they could have put in such a compact device – nice job!

Design and Build Quality

Build wise everything fits together nicely and machining in both the tank and device is good with no crunching at all with the threads.

The chassis seems to be made out of a mix of maybe zinc alloy with the coloured accents in a tough durable plastic.

Design wise it certainly has the ‘wow factor’ and comes in a variety of colours: white/green – silver/black – white/black – blue/white – full black and black and red – the version I received.

Looking at mine under daylight and the red isn’t quite Ferrari red but close enough and certainly not pink as my terrible camera skills suggests!

Though I have to say that’s quite a nice colour and if Eleaf do bring in the pink version I’ll settle for my 10% now

It’s a tiny bit shorter than the ALS 85 – I mean a tiny bit – but seems considerably slimmer and slightly lighter.

The fire button has a nice throw to it and like the Wismec Reuleaux RX mini the up and down buttons are on the base.

Overall I have to say I do like it though after using the ALS85 for such a long time I did instinctively try and fire by using the none existent fire bar.

How Does the Eleaf iStick Pico 25 Perform?

Let’s look at the coils that come with the kit.

• HW1 Single-Cylinder 0.2ohm Head – best between 50-65watts
• HW2 Dual-Cylinder 0.3ohm Head – best between 45-60watts

On their website Eleaf gives you a kind of thumbs up on what these coils are best at saying the HW1 gives decent flavour good clouds.

The HW2 on the other hand is one for the flavour chasers with less clouds.

To be fair I couldn’t argue with them on that.

However, for fun and science I did push the HW2 past 60 watts and got as high as 70 watts before it began to burn – not advisable

So in a nutshell the Eleaf Pico 25 does pretty much what it says on the tin with me hands down preferring the flavour from the HW2.

Battery Life

As for battery life I’ve had this a little over a week and have vaped pretty much every afternoon on both coils so a rough average of 55 watts – and my 18650 began to tire after about 6 hours of use – not bad but not amazing.

I did try the device in temp control using my trusty old Slipstream tank – I really must buy some wire lol – and with an almost dry coil the device fired with a bare minimum of ‘brown staining and no burning.

Overall it’s a decent piece of kit that certainly does have a very flavorsome tank on board when using the HW2 coil.

What I Like

I do like the feel of this device it’s sturdy but light and those plastic accents feel good in the hand.

It’s great you get a choice of colour combinations and Eleaf has packed a ton of options into the chip.

The battery life is reasonable for a single cell kit and those HW2 coils are definitely ones for the flavor chasers.

Big thumbs up for the screen – it’s very crisp – and the menu is refreshingly simple to use.

The option to change what you actually see on the screen is a cool touch too – the ALS 85 for instance is far too crowded.

I’m easy about the buttons on the base after using the Wismec Reuleaux RX mini and these are actually much easier to use – more spring!

And it goes without saying I love the fact they’ve added a tank extension – more of those please!

I have been using a 70/30 lemon tart e-liquid made by my local vape shop which is a real coil killer.

However 9 days in and both coils are still reasonably fresh.

What I Don’t Like

The battery life is maybe a little shorter than you’d expect but hey that’s nit-picking to say the least.

If you bear in mind this is a sleek compact take to the shops or pub kind of device and not a heavy hitting work horse then it is what it is and very nice it is too lol.

Final Review Verdict

As I’ve said there’s not a lot to dislike – if you’re considering a compact kit that’s perfect for popping out and about then I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the Eleaf Pico 25.

If you had an original Pico then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this upgrade – it really is a solid set-up.

Would I buy the Pico 25 ahead of the ALS 85 and the Wismec Reuleaux RXmini ?

Do you know I probably would – not sure about the red and black though

Have you tried the Eleaf Pico 25? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Pros

• Up to 85 watts
• Compact
• Stylish
• Pocket and bag friendly
• Choice of colours
• Temp – Wattage and Bypass modes
• Easy top fill
• 4ml tank extension
• Choice of drip tips
• Good flavor on the HW2 coil
• Can take 25mm atties
• Reasonably priced kit

Cons

• Battery life only OK