Released just before the SMOK Alien mod was scheduled to come out, it seems more than just coincidence that the WISMEC Predator 228 looks an awful lot like the Alien (Alien vs. Predator anyone?).
In the movie the Predator wins over the Alien, will the war between the two namesake mods result in the same outcome?
WISMEC PREDATOR 228
The WISMEC Predator 228 was designed in partnership with Sinuous Designs, based in the USA.
Powered by dual 18650s, the mod still manages to be very sleek and tactile, as evidenced by the very SMOK-like fire bar, which is very responsive and clicky.
Even the placement of the LED screen mimics the SMOK Alien, situated on one side of the mod. However, despite the similarities, the Predator has a very different aesthetic compared to the Alien.
The mod itself has a nice matte finish to it and is very ergonomic, giving a nice feel to the hand. It has substantial weight to it, giving the mod a nice premium heft.
The overall appearance is very sleek, helped by the use of a firing bar instead of a button, and perhaps the only parts that take away from the overall look are the adjustment buttons.
It’s not bad looking per se, but you can’t help but notice it.
The battery door is very easy to open and close while still preventing battery rattle. Other mods fix the rattling issue by making their doors snug and tight, thus making it hard to open and close.
WISMEC and Sinuous Designs has done a good job avoiding this issue.
In what seems to be a growing trend among manufacturers, you can also use the mod as a power bank. An adapter can be used so you can charge your phone on the go.
To me it’s a fairly gimmicky feature and one that I doubt I’ll use often if at all, but it could have its uses when in a pinch.
As for the screen, it shows the usual mod info you might expect such as wattage, temperature, voltage, and dual battery monitoring.
The menu system itself is very easy to use and highly intuitive, lessening the amount of frustration other vapers feel when having to navigate mod menus.
It’s simple enough for beginners to operate, yet feature-rich enough to satisfy even the most advanced vapers.
The Predator can fire up to 228 watts of power and has a very capable Temperature Control mode.
In TC mode, which has a temperature range from 200F to 600F, you can lock the resistance and also make sure the wattage doesn’t adjust while in use.
The mod uses WISMEC’s newest chipset, and is able to fire resistances from 0.1 ohm to 3.5 ohms.
Perhaps the best thing about the Predator? Its price.
KIT CONTENTS
- 1 x Predator 228 Mod
- 1 x QC Micro USB Cable
- 1 x User Manual
- 1 x Warning Card
PREDATOR SPECS
- Dimensions: 43.6*29*86.7mm
- Wattage Range: 1W – 228W
- Temperature Range: 200°F – 600°F / 100°C – 315°C
- Output Voltage Range: 0.5V – 9.0V
- Resistance Range:
- 0.05Ω – 1.58Ω (TC Modes)
- 0.1Ω – 3.0Ω (VW Mode)
- Max Charge Current: 2A
- Max Output Current: 50A
- Requires (2) 18650 Batteries (Batteries Sold Separately)
- Micro USB Port (Charging & Updates)
- Flip-Open Battery Cover
- 2A Max Quick Charge
- Balance Charge Technology
- Innovative Buck-Boost Technology
- Steady Power Output
- Dual Circuit Protection
- Reverse Polarity Protection
- Reverse Charging (Serves As A Power Bank)
- Ergonomic Size
- Hidden Fire Button
- Lateral Fire Key
- Large OLED Display
- Detailed Vaping Data
NOTABLE REMARKS
The WISMEC Predator seems designed to outmatch the SMOK Alien.
The design, use of a firing bar, and placement of the LED all echo the Alien.
But don’t take this as a blatant rip-off as the Predator has its own unique aesthetic charm.
If there’s one thing that the Predator has the Alien beat, its the maximum power, but only just.
The Alien fires up to 220 watts, while the Predator goes up to 228.
It’s such a minimal difference its barely worth talking about.
Something that is worth talking about, however, is that there has been a major flaw in the Predator’s design…
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
You may or may not already be aware about the 510 issue…
There were a number reports about the 510 popping out of the mod. While this may sound a little odd it certainly isn’t the first time Wismec has been slammed for their 510 pins.
Dubious, I decided to test this myself. I stuck an atty on the mod, pulled as hard as I could, and low and behold, the 510 did pop off.
While the 510 did pop out, it wasn’t an easy job getting it out.
It does take some significant elbow grease to make it pop out. However, the issue is still there. A drop or an unintended pull can make the 510 go unseated, which is a problem.
I did manage to pop the 510 back in, and once I had, it worked fine. This is not to say they all will. But mine did.
A loose 510, no matter how snug it fits, can cause unintended issues such as dust or e-liquid seeping through and wrecking the internal electronics, and it’s something that Wismec should address since it’s clearly a design flaw.
DISLIKES
- Adjustment Buttons – While not necessarily a con, the adjustment buttons kind of ruin the whole sleek and solid aesthetic of the mod.
- 510 Issue – While it takes some force to make it pop out, the issue of the 510 coming off can be cause for major issues down the road.
LIKES
- Design – The overall design is sleek. Despite its similarities to the SMOK Alien, the Predator still holds its own as a unique and beautiful mod.
- Ergonomics – Despite using dual 18650s, the Predator still manages to feel great in the hand.
- Battery Compartment – From the lack of battery rattle to the easy closing and opening of the battery door, you won’t get too frustrated when swapping out 18650s.
- Menu System – Easy to navigate, easy to read, the Predator eliminates a whole slew of issues many vapers have when it comes to navigating menu systems.
- Fire Button – Aside from giving the mod a flush look, the firing button is very tactile and clicky.
- Overall Performance – The Predator is a very capable mod, with advanced electronics that gives you solid performance all the time. Whether in Variable Wattage or Temperature Control Mode.
SHOULD YOU GET THE PREDATOR 223?
Overall, the Predator is a nice, affordable device that feels much more premium than expected.
It is very ergonomic and has a menu system that’s way easier to use than the SMOK Alien’s.
However, if I had to choose between the two knowing what I know about design flaw on the Predator, I’d have to pick SMOK’s Alien.
If WISMEC has this fixed though, then no contest, I’d pick the Predator all day.