Pico - genuine vs fake...

[Deleted member 58360]

My conclusions.

As a kit, the copy is terrible. The tank is what kills it completely.


Ignoring the fake branding, fake packaging and gopping tank though, and taking the mod by itself:

It's actually not bad.

There are a couple of bits to watch - the battery compartment has those fins that protrude slightly, if you're a bit ham fisted your wraps might be in danger. And the earthing connection to the top plate through a screw - not great, but it's functional and it's not as if it's subject to any stress (unless it gets stripped to look inside...)

The connecting wires are ever so slightly smaller than the original, but it's only a 75w device anyway, so they're actually sufficient imo.

The battery cap is about 0.25mm larger than the original - doesn't sound a lot but it means you really can't go over 22mm on the atty - i.e. doggy (styled) and galaxies fit fine, kf prime (styled) is tight (have to remove tank to change battery).

Obviously one less PCB than OG, but honestly that's neither here nor there (well, unless you're being told it's authentic).



And that's where my only problem lies, the lies...

They've taken a fair effort to try to pass it off as genuine, which it quite clearly isn't.

It's sad, but let's say they ditched the branding, ditched the knock-off box (and put all the tanks back in the melting pot).

Then, put it in a plain white box or even a bubble bag and sell it as "Pico styled" - it'd be worth like 10-15 quid all day long.

They'd make no less profit, and customers would know exactly where they stand.

Alternatively, make a very slightly different case (so it's not a copy) and call it "Bob's tiny mod" and flog it for 25 quid - I honestly wouldn't feel ripped off if I bought one of those.


I've seen far worse assembly inside far more expensive genuine devices (I'm looking at you, squid DB2.1) - there's really nothing that is obviously lacking or plain crap.

I intend to use it for a bit and see if it fails in normal usage - so far it seems good on battery life, feels to me like the power settings are perfectly accurate enough (at least at my power levels) and, well, it just works.




Oh, the buttons rattle. Meh.

 

[Martvb60]

Great autopsy @pdg very informative i for one have enjoyed the build up. Thanks for taking the trouble to do it.

 

[Kevstar]

Enjoyed this autopsy , thanks

 

[conanthewarrior]

How annoying that they fake something as cheap as the Istick Pico.

The Pico is one of my favourite single cell mods in my collection. It's so small and combined with something like a serpent mini and a build that doesn't need too much power is fantastic.

Stealthy, plenty of vapour, and just a great mod all round.

I intend to get another so will be careful where I purchase it from after seeing this.

 

[eyeball kid]

My conclusions.

As a kit, the copy is terrible. The tank is what kills it completely.


Ignoring the fake branding, fake packaging and gopping tank though, and taking the mod by itself:

It's actually not bad.

There are a couple of bits to watch - the battery compartment has those fins that protrude slightly, if you're a bit ham fisted your wraps might be in danger. And the earthing connection to the top plate through a screw - not great, but it's functional and it's not as if it's subject to any stress (unless it gets stripped to look inside...)

The connecting wires are ever so slightly smaller than the original, but it's only a 75w device anyway, so they're actually sufficient imo.

The battery cap is about 0.25mm larger than the original - doesn't sound a lot but it means you really can't go over 22mm on the atty - i.e. doggy (styled) and galaxies fit fine, kf prime (styled) is tight (have to remove tank to change battery).

Obviously one less PCB than OG, but honestly that's neither here nor there (well, unless you're being told it's authentic).



And that's where my only problem lies, the lies...

They've taken a fair effort to try to pass it off as genuine, which it quite clearly isn't.

It's sad, but let's say they ditched the branding, ditched the knock-off box (and put all the tanks back in the melting pot).

Then, put it in a plain white box or even a bubble bag and sell it as "Pico styled" - it'd be worth like 10-15 quid all day long.

They'd make no less profit, and customers would know exactly where they stand.

Alternatively, make a very slightly different case (so it's not a copy) and call it "Bob's tiny mod" and flog it for 25 quid - I honestly wouldn't feel ripped off if I bought one of those.


I've seen far worse assembly inside far more expensive genuine devices (I'm looking at you, squid DB2.1) - there's really nothing that is obviously lacking or plain crap.

I intend to use it for a bit and see if it fails in normal usage - so far it seems good on battery life, feels to me like the power settings are perfectly accurate enough (at least at my power levels) and, well, it just works.




Oh, the buttons rattle. Meh.

Yeah I've seen non branded copies on the Chinese sites before for cheap as chips prices so I assume they've produced some with logo 's.
As you say, as a burner mod for the experienced vaper I could live with a non logo'd one for that price.
Nice work bud.

 

[eyeball kid]

Oh, @pdg.
Does the genuine battery cap fit the clone. You can grab them for £1.99 from totally wicked if you wanted to run a doggy on it.

 

[Deleted member 58360]

Oh, @pdg.
Does the genuine battery cap fit the clone. You can grab them for £1.99 from totally wicked if you wanted to run a doggy on it.

Yes, the caps are interchangeable.

The doggy does fit, it's just very close.

The prime has the slight issue of the airflow ring getting in the way of the battery cap - which isn't a massive issue as I personally think the prime looks too tall on a pico.

 

[Rickster]

I have 2 pico's, one bought over 4 years ago for sub 30$ still going strong... and a recent one for a tenner....yes a tenner... both originals......no need to be buying a clone of this mod, just hunt around.
Due diligence pays off.

 

[Leni]

I have 2 pico's, one bought over 4 years ago for sub 30$ still going strong... and a recent one for a tenner....yes a tenner... both originals......no need to be buying a clone of this mod, just hunt around.
Due diligence pays off.

I think the 75w original version’s been replaced now by the Pico X design. Still some out there, but they seem to be getting more difficult to find.

 

[Deleted member 58360]

I think the 75w original version’s been replaced now by the Pico X design. Still some out there, but they seem to be getting more difficult to find.

I'm really not keen on the X version.

For me, the point of the Pico is it's size - making it significantly chubbier for no practical reasons ruins it. I like the (lack of) ergonomics of the simple chassis and how it's so easy to slip in a pocket because it's not got the fashionable rubberised paint with lumps and bulges everywhere.

If I want something shapey and grippy I'll use my legend.

If my Pico dies and I can't find another genuine to replace it (for sensible money, like under 15 quid) then I'd happily grab a clone like this one - as long as it's not being passed off as genuine...