Kumiho Model V Review by Richard

Kumiho are a Chinese based company that we’ve only just been made aware of from the guys over at Health Cabin. They appear to be a relatively new company in the e-cig market and a quick search only brought up the Kumiho Model V product on their website. Let’s get started the Kumiho Model V Review then!

The Name Kumiho derives from a mythical creature in Korean folklore and legends that literally translates as a nine-tailed fox. The kumiho can shape shift into a beautiful bewitched woman that seduces men to ultimately eat the livers or hearts of their human prey. Once transformed into their human state, they do retain fox like features. A fox that lives a thousand years is said to be a Kumiho… history lesson over!

Health Cabin kindly asked us if we would like to review the Kumiho Model V pod kit and even though we hadn’t heard of them before we thought it would be fair to give it a try.

Read on and see what we thought and get our honest opinion and views of the Kumiho Model V pod kit.

Overview

Airflow adjustment is provided by a small slider switch incorporated on the side of the Kumiho Model V body. This allows the user to adjust for either a MTL or a Semi Restricted Direct to Lung (RDL) style vape. There are no other functions or controls other than a dual color changing LED that illuminates through the Kumiho logo on the front upper part of the Model V body. This logo is in the shape of a foxes head with the eyes of the fox illuminating.

This dual color changing LED illuminates when you draw on the pod indicating the battery status and also when it’s being charged using the 2 different colors (white and red). Safety notifications are also displayed with the dual-color LED. In addition, the Kumiho also has haptic feedback so will vibrate when the pod is attached to indicate it has been connected and ready to use.

Charging the Kumiho Model V is carried out via the Type C USB port at the bottom of the device, specified at 0.75A and providing a full charge in approximately 50 minutes. Do note that the kit doesn’t include a charging cable so you will have to use an existing Type-C cable that you have.

The Kumiho Model V pod kit is a simple no fuss straightforward plug and play device with 2 different resistance pods producing very good results in terms of flavor and vapor. The build quality looks good and if this is Kumiho’s first device then it’s a good one.

I would like to thank Sue at Health Cabin for sending me the Kumiho Model V pod kit for the purpose of this review. As always this review is completely unbiased and is my honest opinion based on my findings while using the supplied Kumiho Model V pod kit. We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the buy buttons but at no extra cost to you.

Kumiho Model V Pod Kit Design and Appearance

The Kumiho Model V Body

The Kumiho Model V is a Mouth-To-Lung (MTL) and Restricted Direct-To-Lung (RDL) draw activated device measuring 92mm in height (119mm with the pod), 22mm wide by 11.5mm in depth making this a slim rectangular (flattened tube) shape although having slightly rounded edges.

Constructed out of aluminium alloy, it feels robust and is pretty lightweight, the Model V body only weighing in at 26 grams. It delivers an adaptive fixed power output of between 11 watts – 18 watts, depending on the coil resistance of the fitted pod, from its 600mAh internal battery. Charging is carried out via the Type-C USB port on the bottom of the body, specified as 5V/0.75A.

There is no fire button as the Kumiho Model V is auto draw activated only. The firing speed of the draw is pretty responsive while the control of the Model V ensures the multitude of safety features are maintained, such as:

• Overtime Protection (8 seconds)
• Output Over Current Protection
• Low Battery Protection
• Over Discharge Protection
• Over Temperature Protection
• Over Charge Protection
• Atomizer Short-Circuit Protection

There are 5 different color designs available in the Kumiho Model V Pod Kit range:

• Black
• Blue
• Red
• Gunmetal
• Pink Gold

The color device we received was the Pink Gold variant which is a gradual fade between the two colors. The overall surface has a metallic feel to it and what looks like a high gloss lacquer finish.

Branding has been kept to a minimum; the Kumiho foxes head logo with the dual color changing eyes and the words “Kumiho” with what looks like a foxes tail above on one side and the words “Model V” on the reverse side. The writing is pretty small so does look pretty discreet.

An adjustable airflow slider lever is located on one side edge of the Kumiho Model V body to allow for a MTL or RDL style vape experience. This slider only protrudes from the Model V body by about 1mm so sits pretty flush to the casing.

There is about 4mm travel of the airflow slider from fully open which reveals 3 small airflow holes to fully closed where the airflow is shot off. While there is a little resistance felt on this lever, it does move reasonably freely. Placing the Kumiho Model V in a pocket or bag will inadvertently move the slider. Moving the slider upwards towards the pod recess restricts the airflow, moving it downwards towards the base opens the airflow.

When the pod is fitted to the Model V body, the foxes eyes will illuminate white and the body will vibrate (haptic feedback) to indicate that the pod is connected and ready to use. Removing the pod from the Model V body will briefly illuminate the eyes of the Kumiho logo red to indicate it’s been removed.

Kumiho Model V Pods

Kumiho include 2 different pods in the Kumiho Model V pod kit; a 0.6 ohm pod and a 1.0 ohm pod. Both pods are re-fillable via the side fill port which is concealed by a black silicone rubber flap and have a 2ml e-liquid capacity. The coil is not replaceable, it’s integrated into the pod, therefore when the coil degrades the whole pod will need replacing.

The side fill port sits flush to the pod casing and is concealed when the pod is inserted into the Model V body. Filling the pod has to be carried out when the pod is removed. Opening the black silicone rubber fill port flap is shown by a small arrow on the rubber to depict which side opens. Once open, the fill port measures 4mm by 3mm so is large enough to make filling the pod quite easy.

Each pod is manufactured out of clear opaque lightweight PCTG material making this really easy to see the level of e-liquid through the pod. The mouthpiece is a non-removable fixed black long duckbill shape with an 11mm outer oval opening tapering down to about a 5mm inner circular cut out to cater for the MTL vape style.

This method of fitting I found to be very secure, no movement or rattle whatsoever. There is no chance of the pod accidently becoming detached from the Kumiho Model V body. The pod is uni-directional so it can be fitted either way round.

Most importantly, Kumiho state these pods are leak free. During the time I’ve been using these pods there were NO leaks or any condensation on the base of the pod or around the contact pins.

Although the two pods look identical, the 0.6 ohm coil has increased wicking. If you look closely you can see extra wicking sticking out of one side of the wicking ports, whereas the 1.0 ohm coil doesn’t have this.

In addition to the included re-fillable pods that come with the kit, Kumiho offer a range of pre-filled flavored pods sold separately. I understand they are available as 30mg nic salts only in the following flavors:

• Ice Mango
• Ice Watermelon
• Mung Bean
• Assam Milk Tea
• Ice Blueberry Lemonade
• Ice Banana Apple
• Passion Fruit
• Banana Ice Lolly
• Ice Coke
• Fanta

Kumiho Model V Functionality

The Kumiho Model V pod kit is very simple and straightforward to use. There are no menus to fiddle with, no wattage adjustments and no firing button.

Quite simply, all you have to worry about is charging the device, make sure you keep your chosen pod topped up with your favourite e-liquid, settle on your desired airflow setting and enjoy your vaping experience.

The on-board chip that controls the Kumiho Model V maintains a constant output wattage throughout the discharge cycle of the battery, providing a fast responsive draw activated vape. This chip also controls the included safety features and provides the visual indication via the dual-color LED as follows:

• Charging – LED cycles on and off with the appropriate color (red or white)
• Full charge – Constant white LED
• Current battery status – LED remains lit for 5 seconds after drawing on the pod
• Pod inserted – LED flashes white once and the body vibrates
• Pod removed – LED flashes red once
• Low battery – LED flashes red 10 times
• Short circuit – LED flashes white 3 times
• No atomizer – LED flashes red 3 times
• Overtime protection – LED flashes white 7 times
• Overheat protection – LED flashes white 5 times

Airflow

Kumiho Model V Pod Performance

Included in the kit are two pods, one with a 0.6 ohm coil and the other one with a 1.0 ohm coil. As we’ve already mentioned, these pods don’t have replaceable coils therefore once the coil becomes degraded, the pod will have to be disposed of and a new one fitted.

As with most MTL vape pods, nicotine salts or freebase with a PG/VG ratio of 50/50 is recommended because of the smaller wicking ports in the coil and the lower power (wattage) used.

When first using a new pod, I would recommend filling the pod with your e-liquid and leave it to stand for 10-15 minutes to allow the e-liquid to saturate into the wick before vaping. This will improve the longevity of the pod before it needs replacing.

Kumiho Model V Pod (0.6 ohm)

Because of the increased sized wick in the coil, I filled the pod twice with a 70VG/30PG mix and the coil performed effortlessly with no dry hits.

I’ve cycled around 35ml of e-liquid through the supplied pod so far with no loss of flavor. Having removed the pod each time to fill, there were no signs of leaking on the contact pins or in the pod recess.

Kumiho Model V Pod (1.0 ohm)

Switching to 20mg nice salts through this pod gave a strong hit and the Mango Ice I was using did come across as flavorsome. This pod for me did improve using the nic salts.

Auto Draw Activation

Irrespective of the airflow setting, the draw activation was always responsive and worked every time. With the airflow closed off, even the slightest of draws on the pod activated the auto draw.

Kumiho Model V Battery Performance

The Kumiho Model V pod kit is powered by an internal 600mAh battery. Charging time is pretty impressive, taking approximately 50 minutes to fully charge via the on board 0.75 amp Type-C USB charging port.

As a medium to heavy vaper, I was achieving on average a good 9 hours vaping from a fully charged battery. I gauged the length of time I was achieving at the 2 set points of the dual-color changing LED and found it to be pretty repeatable with the following vape times:

• White to Red – Approx 9 hours
• Red to Discharge – Approx 5 Minutes

When fully charged, while vaping, the LED will illuminate white indicating its charge status is between 100%-30%. As the battery decreases, the LED will turn red with each draw indicating its charge status is below 30%. At the point when the LED shows red after drawing on the pod, I was only getting around 5 minutes vaping before the battery finally became discharged and required charging.

Even though the color change status LED is repeatable, there is very little vaping time left once the LED changes color to red. Even though the specification states below 30%, in reality this is more like 5%.

Once the LED flashes red 10 times, you will no longer be able to vape and will have to re-charge the battery. When the battery is placed on charge you will still be able to vape as the Kumiho Model V does have a pass-through function.

How Do I Fill The Kumiho Model V Pods?

The design of the pods, being a concealed side fill, means you have to remove it from the Model V body to fill with e-liquid.

Simply gasp the pod and pull away from the Model V body. When the pod is detached the Kumiho eyes on the fox head logo will briefly illuminate red.

With the pod removed, the black silicone rubber cover that seals the opening of the filling port is visible. A small arrow on the cover donates which end is to be lifted away. Pull this flap open to reveal the fill port. The other end of the rubber flat is secured to the pod so it won’t get misplaced.

Fill the pod up with your e-liquid and replace the black silicone rubber flap securely. Refit the pod into the Model V body making sure it securely snaps into position. The eyes in the Kumiho logo will illuminate white in color and the Model V body will vibrate.

Quick Tip: If you are filling the pod for the first time, fill the pod and leave to stand for approx. 10-15 minutes before you start to vape. This will help saturate the wick fully in e liquid and help prolong the life of your coil.

When and How Do I Change The Kumiho Model V Pod?

Because the Kumiho Model V pod has a fixed coil and is NOT replaceable, when the coil starts to degrade the pod will need to be discarded and a new pod fitted.

An indication of the coil degrading will show by either a loss of flavor or a lack of vapor. Continuing beyond this loss of flavor/vapor will finally result in a severe nasty burnt taste. At this stage, discard the pod and fit a new one.

Pull the pod away from the Kumiho Model V body. Unfortunately if you still have e-liquid in the pod, this will have to be discarded as well. If the coil has degraded to the point you detected a burnt taste, the e-liquid will be tainted so you would have dispose of it anyway.

When fitting a new pod, follow the procedure for How Do I Fill The Pod ensuring you leave it stand for 10-15 minutes. As you insert the pod into the Kumiho Model V body, the Kumiho logo LED will briefly illuminate white and the body vibrate to identify the pod has been fitted.

How Do I Charge The Kumiho Model V?

Using an appropriate Type-C USB charging cable, plug the cable into the USB port on the bottom of the Kumiho Model V body. Connect the other end into a suitable power source, typically 5V/0.75A or higher. Do note the kit doesn’t include a charging cable so you will have to purchase one separately or use an existing cable from another device.

Whilst charging, the Kumiho fox head logo will illuminate and slowly cycle on and off.

When first placed on charge, the Kumiho logo will cycle red in color. After a short period of time (approx. 2 minutes), the color of the LED will turn white and continue cycling. After a further 48 minutes, the dual color changing LED will turn static white indicating the charge cycle has completed.

Charging time takes approximately 50 minutes. The Kumiho Model V pod kit does have a ‘pass-through” function therefore you will able to charge and vape at the same time.

Throughout the charge cycle the body of the Kumiho Model V remained cool to the touch. Despite this, ensure while charging the device it’s placed on a non-flammable surface.

As always, NEVER leave your vape device unattended while on charge.

Kumiho Model V Pod Kit Verdict

Pros

• Good design and build quality
• Lightweight
• Airflow control
• Good flavor and vapor
• Draw activation responsive
• Type-C charging port
• Very good battery performance
• Two pods supplied in the kit
• Pods are see-through
• Pass-through vaping

Cons

• Charging cable not included in the kit
• <30% low battery Indicator cuts out to quickly

Kumiho Model V Pod Kit Summary

Kumiho Model V Pod Kit Price

Because of its design, build quality, performance and simplicity, if you’re after a no fuss pod kit and not interested in replaceable coils, the Kumiho Model V pod kit ticks all the boxes.

Health Cabin supply the Kumiho Model V Pod kit, replaceable pods and pre-filled flavored pods all at very reasonable prices. Click on the appropriate buy buttons to take you directly to Health Cabin’s website.

This review was written by Richard from Vaping Hardware, click to view original review there with more photos and more details.