Wismec RX200 vs RX200S

The RX200 and RX200S 200W TC box mods are by Wismec (an affiliate company of Joyetech, the Chinese vaping conglomerate). The RX200S is a slightly upgraded and “improved” version of Wismec’s immensely popular RX200 box mod. Curiously, we haven’t reviewed the original RX200 here on Vaping360, but the differences between the two versions are slight (I’ll list them in the Notable Remarks section), so this review will serve to cover both mods.

Suggested List price (MSRP): $69.00 for either model
Street price (online): $38-65.00, depending on model and vendor

Discount Chinese vendor sites often include free shipping;
on most American vendor sites, shipping is usually extra.

Both versions (the RX200 and RX200S) are high power, triple-18650-battery mods, with built-in Temperature Control for nickel, titanium, and stainless steel wire. Each has three additional menu options for TC (called M1, M2, and M3) that allow user-adjustable TCR values. Except for the screen cutout, the cases are identical on both mods and were created by the American designer JayBo. While fairly large (to accommodate three 18650 batteries) and heavy (even without batteries), the case design is remarkably efficient and ergonomic — comfortable to hold and natural for thumb-firing.

Wismec initially used the same case and setup for their DNA 200 mod, which incorporates Evolv’s high-end TC chip, but not too long afterwards released the RX200 model (and now the RX200S), substituting a simpler Joyetech chip for about one-third the price of their DNA 200 mod.

A mere two years ago, a 200+ watt mod would have been considered the vaping equivalent of a live hand grenade. Now, the marketplace is chock full of 200-watt mods and moving even higher, to 300 watts. No one vapes at 200 watts, much less 250, and 300 is downright ridiculous. Still, the triple 18650 battery configuration insures that you could if you wanted. (Many dual-18650 mods advertised as 200 watts don’t live up to those specs; both Wismecs do.)

The RX200 has been a hugely successful box mod in 2016, with its high power, versatility, ergonomics, and inexpensive price, but a single glaring flaw has marred its reputation (and Wismec’s). Because of the under-spec’d short length of the interior threading on some RX200 510 connectors, certain atomizers — most notably the SMOK TFV4, but others also — short-circuited when screwed down all the way on certain RX200 units and permanently damaged their chips.

On March 2nd of this year, Vaping360 published an article detailing the RX200’s 510 connector problems and Wismec’s subsequent response, which was to circle the corporate wagons and protect themselves by voiding the warranty in those cases [link to article].

Some vapers won’t like the RX200 or RX200S because of their size and weight. In fairness, however, they’re not much larger than many dual-18650 mods, and they’re very comfortable to hold. They are heavy, though.

RX200 features:

• 0.3 mm x 1.8mm display screen
  the actual display, not the screen cover
• 300° C maximum Centigrade temperature in TC mode
• four case color combinations
  all black, all white, black with red, or white with cyan
• power output of 250W
  increased from the original 200W by a firmware upgrade
  to Version 3.10; available from the Wismec web site

RX200S features:

• 1.1 x 2.2 mm display screen
  more than twice as large
• 315° C maximum Centigrade temperature in TC mode
• only a single case color combination
  silver with gray
• power output of 200W
  which can be increased to 250W after Wismec releases
  an initial firmware update, which is expected soon

While the screen is smaller on the RX200 and reads horizontally, I prefer it to the larger screen and “upright” orientation of the RX200s. The font on the original screen is clear and easily readable, whereas the new “improved” screen uses block lettering (like a 1920s German expressionist film) that may be stylish but is anything but user-friendly. In addition, I find menu navigation simpler and more intuitive on the older RX200. Finally, the new screen is considerably dimmer. Overall, the RX200S screen display aggravates me every time I have to look at it. The one feature I like about the new screen is the option of either a battery bar or a numerical percentage of remaining battery charge. That’s nice. I like seeing a precise percentage rather than a rough graphic approximation of the condition of my batteries, and that alone is almost enough to win me over to the new RX200S version.

The additional 15° upper limit of Celsius in temperature control mode is minor, and of no use at all to me, since I use TC in Fahrenheit, which has the same range in both mods (200°–600° F).

Also, I can’t discern any difference between the 510 connectors on the RX200s I own (I have three of them) and the RX200S I was sent for review. Wismec claims to have upgraded the connector, but mine all look the same, and none has much, if any springiness on the positive 510 pin. That said, I’ve never had a problem with any atomizer (including various SMOK tanks), so perhaps all my 510 connectors are the same because that’s how they were supposed to be in the first place.

Basically, the RX200S is simply an RX200 with a larger screen. With the exception of the ability to see an exact percentage of remaining battery charge, the choice comes down to one’s aesthetic preference..

Performance of the two versions is identical in straight wattage mode, which is to say, brilliant.

The chip in both versions offers basic options for customizing temp control, especially with Wismec tweaking the TCR curves in firmware upgrades. Advanced users who insist on ultra-accurate temp control on all atomizer builds, however, should (and probably will) opt for a mod that uses more advanced adjustments for the TCR curves offered on the Evolv DNA-200 or top-of-the-line Yihi chips. For those vapers, the Wismec DNA-200 mod is clearly better. For the majority of users, temp control performance on the RX200/RX200S will be good enough to keep them happy.

My only real con is that those who buy either version — RX200 or RX200S — should probably acquire at least six high-drain 18650s that are kept dedicated to the mod and married in two trios. Keep the trios together when swapping out and recharging, and alternate the position of each battery in the bay. This adds considerable expense to the mod’s purchase, but it’s strongly advised. Many vapers may not do that, of course, but it’s the safest way to minimize potentially serious battery problems during use, and especially when recharging.

While I personally prefer the Wismec RX200, some vapers will love the new RX200S. Assuming that the occasional 510 connector problems are a thing of the past, then either version qualifies as a very good choice in the high-power, moderately-priced category of box mods.

Recommended.