Cheyenne Sol Nova Unlimited II Review: A Step Forward for Traditional Tattooing
A couple of years ago, Cheyenne released the Sol Nova Unlimited, a machine that quickly gained attention in the tattoo community. Now, they’ve taken things up a notch with the Sol Nova Unlimited II, and I’ve had the chance to give it a spin. In this review, I’ll dive into all the features, what I think of the machine, and how it stacks up against its predecessor.
The Cheyenne Sol Nova Unlimited II is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering some impressive new features and improvements that I think tattoo artists will appreciate. The first thing you'll notice is the machine's 4.5mm stroke, which makes it ideal for artists who specialize in solid black work, traditional tattoos, and color packing. It's a great choice for creating thick, solid lines and vibrant colors. While you can still use it for black and gray shading, I personally think a shorter stroke machine is more suited for that purpose. But if you're all about bold lines and traditional styles, this is definitely the machine to have in your arsenal.
When it comes to traditional tattoos—think whip shading, solid lines, and color packing—the Sol Nova Unlimited II is a great option. It’s powerful and offers a steady performance, allowing you to get those crisp, thick lines you need for traditional work. Sure, you can use it for black and gray work, but with a 4.5mm stroke, you might find it harder to get that ultra-smooth blend that many artists prefer for black and gray tattoos.
One thing I appreciated about Cheyenne machines is the modular design. This makes it easy to swap out parts when something breaks. For example, if the power supply section breaks, you don’t have to replace the whole machine—just the power supply. Plus, this modular setup means you can use the same power supply across multiple machines, which is a great bonus for tattoo artists who like to have a variety of machines in their kit.
The Sol Nova Unlimited II is designed with comfort in mind. It's not the lightest machine on the market, but its weight is comfortable and won’t cause fatigue during long tattooing sessions. It’s a bit heavier than the original, but I’d say that’s an improvement in terms of overall feel and performance. The tactile buttons on the power supply are also a nice touch—they’re easy to find and press, even when the machine is wrapped in a clip cord sleeve or cling film.
Wrapping the machine is also pretty straightforward. You can use a clip cord sleeve, cling film, or disposable grip—all of which work well with the Sol Novar Unlimited II. This modular design is fantastic because it not only makes maintenance easier, but it also helps with cross-compatibility across different machines and power supplies from Cheyenne.
The menu system on the Sol Nova Unlimited II is a bit different from what I’ve experienced with other machines. While it’s not the most intuitive, having a menu system at all is a great addition. You can choose between voltage or Hertz to adjust the machine’s speed, depending on what you’re used to. It also features a responsive mode, which emulates a bit of a give (similar to what you'd find on other machines with eGive functionality). Some artists will appreciate this, especially if you want to simulate the softer feel of a coil machine.
For me, I tend to set the machine the way I like it and then leave it alone, so menu systems aren’t a huge concern. I do think it’s nice to have the ability to switch between different modes, depending on your style and preference.
When you compare the Sol Nova Unlimited II to its predecessor, there’s no question that it’s a massive improvement. The new motor gives the machine a different feel, and you can definitely notice the change in performance when you're using it. The machine also feels a bit more refined, and Cheyenne has really listened to feedback from the tattoo community. They’ve made improvements where it matters, from the power supply design to the overall performance and feel of the machine.
One thing that stands out for me is the battery life—it’s pretty solid, especially considering the longer stroke. Of course, you’ll get shorter battery life compared to shorter stroke machines, but I’ve had no issues getting through a solid day of tattooing without needing to recharge.
While the modular design is a definite plus, there is one area where I think Cheyenne could improve in the future: cross-compatibility with other battery systems. Currently, Cheyenne’s power supplies are only compatible with their own machines, which limits the flexibility for artists who might want to use different battery systems. It would be great if Cheyenne adopted a magnetic dongle system like Muso Toku or Critical to allow for greater compatibility with other brands' batteries. I think this would attract even more customers, as it gives artists more options without being tied down to one brand’s power system.
Overall, the Cheyenne Sol Nova Unlimited II is a solid machine for traditional tattoo artists. It’s powerful, comfortable, and reliable, making it ideal for work that requires solid lines and bold colors. While I still prefer a shorter stroke machine for black and gray work, the 4.5mm stroke is perfect for those who specialize in traditional tattoos, whip shading, and color packing. The battery life is good, the modular design is a huge bonus, and the overall improvements over the original Sol Nova Unlimited are impressive.
If you’re a fan of Cheyenne and already love their machines, the Sol Nova Unlimited II is definitely worth considering. It's an improvement on a great design and should have a solid place in any tattoo artist's kit.
