Mod Reviews

Eleaf Aster 75W TC

The Eleaf Aster 75W TC is a very steam lined and compact device which takes a single 18650 battery. It offers up to 75 Watts of power and has several modes of operation including Variable Wattage, Temperature Control and Bypass Mode.

by VapeMaster
Dec 29, 2016

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Eleaf Aster 75W TC

Eleaf Aster 75W TC features

Dimensions: 35.5mm x 23.0mm x 91mm
Wattage Output Range: 1-75W
Resistance range: 0.05-1.5ohm (TC modes)
Resistance range: 0.1-3.5ohm (VW/Bypass/Smart mode)
Temperature range: 100－315℃/200－600℉ (TC modes) Stainless Steel Spring-Loaded 510 Connector
Requires 1x Single High-Amp 18650 Battery (Sold Separately)
Supports Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, and Stainless Steel Heating Elements
Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) Adjustments
Smart Mode Setting - Automated Atomizer Detection
Wattage Lock Functionality
Resistance Lock Functionality
Ergonomic Design
Intuitive OLED Display
Oversize Firing Mechanism
Dual Magnetized Battery Door
Dual Circuit Protection
No Atomizer Protection
Atomizer Short Protection
Short Circuit Protection
Reverse Polarity Protection
Temperature Protection
Micro USB Port
Firmware Upgradeable
Available in several colours: Black, Grey, Deep Pink, Brushed Silver, White

What’s in the box?

1x Eleaf Aster
1x Micro USB Cable
User Manual

Eleaf Aster styling and build quality

The most striking aspects of the Eleaf Aster are its size and shape. It features an excellent and highly compact ergonomic design that tapers down to its base in a similar fashion to the Kik Cloud 50W. Eleaf claim it is the most ergonomic vaping device design ever and while I wouldn’t go that far it is certainly extremely nice!

The Aster feels very comfortable to hold and despite its small size and low price it is surprisingly well built and it has a nice weight to it which makes it feel quite robust. There are no sharp edges anywhere and everything is nicely chamfered. The 510 connector is made from Stainless Steel for maximum durability while the pin itself looks to be made from brass. The 510 pin is spring-loaded so you should have no issues getting your atomizers to sit flush.

The top of the device is 23mm in diameter so 22mm atomizers will look great and you will only have a very slight overhang when using 24mm diameter tanks or drippers. Keep in mind that the Aster does tend to look very top heavy if you fit large tanks to it and due to the tapered design it is a little prone to being knocked over. My Kayfun 5 fitted with the 6ml capacity Stainless Steel barrel tank looked quite ridiculous on the very compact Aster but it did vape extremely well and you can always lay the device down on its side if it’s a little bit top heavy.

The device features three buttons and what is unique about them is the fact that the plus and minus adjustment buttons are positioned above and below the main display so you will never get them mixed up. All of the buttons feel like they are made from Delrin, are very responsive and have a satisfying “click” to them.

The main screen is both bright and clear and all of the typical information is shown such as Wattage, Voltage and Resistance. In addition the display shows battery life and also temperature when in that mode. The font is perhaps a little small when trying to read the displayed Resistance or Voltage but the resolution is fairly sharp so it isn’t that big a deal.

The Micro USB Port is located at the bottom front of the device and it you can either use it to charge your battery or update the firmware (requires a home computer). Even though I haven’t seen Pass-through mentioned in any of the Aster features I found that I could still vape the device while charging it.

Another feature which Eleaf market that the Aster supports is Smart Mode. Smart Mode has been used on other Eleaf devices and allows you to set up specified Wattages for certain Resistances with up to ten different coil options. This saves you a considerable amount of time if you switch tanks often. It was not included with the device I received for review and if it is something you specifically want from this product then will have to go to Eleaf’s website and update the Aster to the latest firmware.

The battery compartment is really nicely done and features four strong magnets (two on the device and two on the lid). There is only a very slight seam when the lid is fitted and the correct orientation for the battery is clearly marked on the interior of the compartment. To remove the lid you have to use your nail to catch a small recessed section on the base of the device and it does require a little effort since those magnets are strong. There is a slight gap in the recessed section and I assume this helps to provide ventilation to the battery compartment.

One thing that may bother some users is that unlike the majority of popular iStick devices the Aster is not fitted with a non-removable internal battery. Now personally I think that Eleaf’s decision to design this device to use a single replaceable 18650 battery is a good one since once internal batteries fail on you it effectively renders the entire device useless. It does mean that if you purchase this device you will have to go out and spend £7 on a good quality battery such as a Sony, Samsung or LG etc. On the other hand since you can charge the battery via the Micro USB charger you don’t need to invest in a separate external charger if you don’t want to.

Ease of use

For anyone who has ever used an iStick they will feel very comfortable with this device. For someone entirely new to vaping the Aster has plenty to offer but does it in a very straightforward and uncomplicated fashion making it highly approachable.

Five clicks of the fire button powers the device on and off.
Three clicks of the fire button opens the menu. Navigate the menu with the plus and minus adjustment buttons and confirm your selection with the fire button.
Hold down the fire button and the minus adjustment button simultaneously to activate/deactivate Stealth Mode.
To lock/unlock the power hold down the plus and minus buttons simultaneously. Keep in mind this does not lock the fire button.
Go into the menu to choose between modes: Wattage, Bypass, Temperature Ni, Temperature Ti and Temperature SS. In addition there are three TCR memory pre-sets numbered M1-M3.

Eleaf Aster 75W TC performance

Given the low cost of this device you kind of suspect it will fall short in some area but that not the case. Everything I tried with this device resulted in a good vape whether I used Variable Wattage or Temperature Control.

I firstly used both my Kayfun 5 which admittedly looked a bit silly on this device due to its size and also my GP Heron 1.5 and the vape I got from both of them was very consistent and comparable to my other devices. I also tried out the Vaporesso Estoc Tank Mega which I also received for review using the ceramic coils on the Aster and once again I got an excellent vape!

To test Temperature Control I used my Sense Herakles Sub Ohm tank in Ni200 Mode and my Achilles II RDA in Stainless Steel Mode. I had absolutely no complaints with the Aster’s Temperature Control functionality, no weird Resistance fluctuation or heat spiking but instead a consistent, warm and very flavoursome vape from both. The wattage cannot be adjusted in Temperature Control Mode but the device does do a seriously good job at regulating the temperature.

In addition to Variable Wattage and Temperature Control the Aster does have three TCR memory slots and also a Bypass Mode which works pretty much like a mechanical mod but one with actual protection.

The Aster offers up to 75 Watts of power which should be more than sufficient for the average vaper and the battery life was pretty good when using the device at low Wattages. Obviously with more extreme power settings the battery will drain faster but I think for the average or modest user it should last you at least a day.

Conclusion

In every way the Eleaf Aster is a truly excellent device with a superb form factor and one that is marketed at a very fair price (as little as £29.99) without making any compromises on build quality or features. Since the device is very simple to use it is ideal for newcomers to vaping and since it is highly discrete and lightweight it also makes it a very attractive option for any other vaper out there. If my shelves weren’t already overloaded with numerous devices I would have no hesitation in picking one of these up but I must admit that this product offering 75W output, temperature control mode and that super slim line form factor is certainly a very tempting proposition and something of a no-brainer purchasing decision for £30.

In my opinion the Eleaf Aster 75W TC is a device that deserves to do well and I see absolutely no reason at all why it should not become as widely popular as the iStick. Great work Eleaf!