Tag: Huml

Nature of the Beast

The Gaur-21 provides all the expected features in a high-end device without a burdensome menu design.
By Mike Huml
The Gaur-21 from Vandy Vape is a beast. There are no mincing words. It is a high-power series mod with the entire gamut of features expected from top-end devices. With design input from Matt from SMM, the Gaur-21 perfectly streamlines high-end vaping into a robust and straightforward experience at only a modest price point.
The Gaur-21 features three-button operation with a built-in menu system that is concise and intuitive, allowing each user to adjust settings quickly and easily with few ambiguous prompts. A standard 510 connection ensures compatibility with most any type of atomizer, including sub-ohm tanks and rebuildables. The mod itself is quite lightweight, but when batteries are installed, it can become weighty to the point that it feels solid but not cumbersome. While 18650 batteries can be used with the included adapters, the Gaur-21 truly shines when used with high-quality 21700 batteries. The battery door pulls off easily and is held in place with magnets, but the batteries can be charged within the mod via an included USB type-C cable.
Any vaping style is permitted with the Gaur-21, from low-wattage mouth-to-lung vaping to massive cloud-chucking lung hits. With a range of 5 watts to 200 watts, no atomizer is out of the question. Atomizers with resistances as low as 0.05 ohms can be used, and the mod supports an output current of up to 50 amps, so there is little need to worry about the mod limiting the output when low resistances are combined with high wattages. While pure power is certainly an attractive feature, temperature control is also perfectly viable as well, with a standard temperature range of 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius to 315 degrees Celsius).
The build quality is also something of note. The Gaur-21 has a rubberized finish on most of the exterior with portions of the battery door available in multiple colors and a more textured, rounded back for comfort. When assembled, there is absolutely no rattling, and there are no loose-feeling elements. Dust and excess e-liquid are easily cleaned from the rubberized surface, and fingerprints are a nonissue. In terms of pure aesthetic quality, there are no complaints.
The 510 connection is slightly off-center with airflow channels on the off chance that the connected atomizer receives airflow through its 510 connection. The asymmetry of this design favors finger firing rather than thumb firing, but both methods are equally comfortable. The screen lies on the atomizer side of the mod and is illuminated in full color, which not only looks nice but makes it much easier to distinguish between various screen and menu icons.
Three clicks of the fire button will allow for the selection of the firing mode—wattage, voltage, temperature control or bypass. Holding the fire button and the plus button will lock the device, and a separate option in the menu will determine whether this locking function will lock the device entirely or only the adjustment buttons. Holding the fire button and the minus button will flip the screen 180 degrees, a feature that will rarely see use. By pressing the plus and minus buttons twice in quick succession, one can activate a prompt to re-read the atomizer resistance. Holding the plus and minus buttons will enter the full menu screen for further customization.
Lastly, pressing all three buttons at the same time will activate or deactivate stealth mode, blacking out the screen but still allowing the device to function. Vandy Vape has not omitted any functionality, and these menu shortcuts allow quick and easy access to the most-used tools.
During and for a short time after use, the screen displays all the standard useful information one could want to know briefly. Current output setting, battery life on a per-battery basis, atomizer resistance, output voltage, puff count and vape time. When the menu shortcut is activated, a vertical list of icons appears, each corresponding to a set of features or options. These include output settings, standby sleep time, screen brightness, puff count reset, UI color, firmware version, a QR code to download the optional mobile app, temperature control options to adjust the cooling value and coefficient and a factory reset. These are mostly self-explanatory.
The temperature control settings allow TC aficionados the ability to really fine-tune the functionality to try and dial-in the perfect vape. The mobile app is handy for anyone who likes to tinker with their settings on a regular basis but finds the built-in system a bit too cumbersome. The first icon, settings, will be the most useful to most vapers.
Within the settings menu, the user can change which modes can be selected from the main screen. For example, if a particular vaper is partial to wattage vaping only, they can turn off temperature control, bypass and variable voltage mode entirely. These options will no longer be available from the main menu, which is great overall for simplifying.
Alternatively, if someone likes to switch between wattage mode and bypass mode, they can turn off temperature control mode and all its associated features to more easily switch between the modes that are most used. This is also the menu option that allows the user to dictate whether the lock function disables the fire button. Many mods have a lock function that prevents the device from firing, but this is in addition to the five-click on/off feature, which is also present in the Gaur-21. So instead of having two different ways to functionally turn the device “off,” the user can choose to lock the device at a certain wattage, voltage or temperature setting while still retaining the ability to fire the device.
The settings menu also allows the user to determine if new atomizers are automatically detected. Depending on the mode used, this can be useful for “locking” the atomizer resistance in place. Particularly in temperature control modes, this can ensure a more consistent vaping experience. Finally, the user can choose to have the mod disconnect from the mobile app automatically when the device is turned off.
In addition to adjustment functionality, the mobile app can also push firmware upgrades to the device, which is generally far easier than plugging it into a PC with a USB cable and upgrading through proprietary software or awkward button combinations. Most notably, the Gaur-21 app features a lost-and-found feature. If the mod is ever lost but is connected to the app, the user can use their phone to ping the mod, causing it to beep repeatedly until turned off. For anyone who has ever panicked over the prospect of losing their vape, this feature is a godsend.
The Gaur-21 provides all the features one would expect from a high-end device and then some, and it does so without overly burdensome menu features. In fact, one of the main features is to disable features that aren’t used in order to become even more straightforward! But a main feature that shouldn’t be overlooked is inherent to the nature of the mod, and that’s compatibility with 21700 batteries. 21700 batteries are truly a treat. With only a marginal size and weight increase over 18650 batteries, 21700 batteries have significantly more battery life and a consistently higher amp limit. That means safer batteries that last longer. High-quality 21700 batteries can easily achieve over 4,000 mAh and still retain a continuous discharge rate of over 30 amps.
That’s impressive even for a 26650 battery, which have generally fallen out of favor due to the extremely large size. Now, that performance can be had even in devices that aren’t necessarily larger than those that use 18650 batteries. For mouth-to-lung vapers, that means that 10 watts to 30 watts can be maintained for days without needing to charge the batteries, and for lung-hitters, higher wattages can be attained for longer periods of time with much less stress on the batteries.
Given that most multi-battery mods are on the larger side and focus on power and features over size and convenience, the benefits of 21700 batteries over 18650 batteries cannot be overstated. Advanced mods have always pushed 18650 batteries to the limit, and 21700 batteries offer some much-needed headroom with almost no downside.
The Gaur-21 doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, but it makes a strong case as a flagship mod targeted at intermediate to advanced vapers. Operation is simple yet exhaustive, catering to every vaping style. Build quality is fantastic with that sought after “tacticool” look, unapologetically inspired by the Aegis Legend, and the option to use 21700 batteries is a game-changer.
It may seem like a small thing, but for anyone who wants the benefits of a multiple-battery series box mod and isn’t phased by the larger size, 21700 batteries offer increased battery life, power and safety with virtually no negatives. The Gaur-21 is undoubtedly a mod worthy of the advanced, high-power mod throne in any product lineup, successfully capable of offering most any function to any vaper.
March 22, 2021
Predicting the PMTA

Credit: Andikatalinmueller
By Mike Huml
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) dreaded deadline for its premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) has come and gone after multiple delays. With all that’s happened this year, it may have gone unnoticed for many. Rest assured that the process of submitting a PMTA has been long and tedious for manufacturers and vendors alike, and they have been working hard to ensure that reduced-risk products remain available for as long as possible.
Many companies have been working tirelessly to submit their applications, but the process is fairly opaque and uncertain. The filing of the PMTA does not ensure FDA acceptance, and each product must be filed separately. Currently, it is largely unknown which specific products have been submitted for FDA approval.
What is known, however, is which companies intend to submit or have already submitted a PMTA and how far along they are in the process. Keep in mind that being further along in the approval process is not necessarily an indicator of success. No vapor company at the time of this writing has received FDA approval for any product, and the length of time each submission will remain within the approval process is unknown. With so many unknowns, it can be difficult to predict which products will be legal to carry, if any. By looking at which companies are taking part in the PMTA process along with their histories, one can make reasonable assumptions as to which direction the vapor industry will begin to sway.
First, the bad news. Given that each PMTA is only valid for one “distinct new tobacco product,” and that even the smallest difference in the design of a product could warrant an entirely new SKU, it’s only reasonable to assume that there will be massive consolidation of vapor products. Products that are too similar will need to reconcile, either by being discontinued or redesigned. Even identical products with different colors, flavors, resistances or nicotine strengths could be considered separate SKUs, with each requiring its own PMTA, which has proven to be prohibitively expensive.
The massively varied choices that vapers have in products is undoubtedly going to shrink, but by what degree? A mod is considered one SKU, and an atomizer or tank is considered another. If the mod requires separate batteries, those are also considered an SKU, which requires FDA approval. Said batteries require a charger; that’s another SKU. If the mod and the atomizer come as a kit, that would yield yet another SKU. If the atomizer has three coil options of different resistances, that could require three separate PMTA applications. Clearly, this can spiral out of control quickly, so it’s expected that companies will need to streamline their product offerings.
Two parallel philosophies have been playing out over the past several years. One is to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. Several companies have been releasing an overwhelming number of products in quick succession to try to get a better feel for what works and what does not. PMTAs are expensive, and many companies have adopted the “measure twice, cut once,” mentality. The past 10 years or so have allowed the industry to innovate, unimpeded by government regulation. This innovation naturally plateaued to a point where vapers have enjoyed a few years of refinement.
The technology seen today is not much different from the technology introduced three years ago. The difference is that today’s products have gone through a process of refinement due to the growing population of vapers providing feedback with both their voices and their wallets. It’s been a completely free market up until this point, and while manufacturers have been steadily improving their products, now is the time to lock in the best of the best and commit to the long term by submitting PMTA applications.
The other philosophy is to streamline the product offering, and this can be seen with the popularity of proprietary systems. For example, 510 devices have pretty much stagnated in popularity while pod systems have seen a boom. If a 510 device is compatible with a thousand 510 atomizers, and vice versa, that’s an impossible number of PMTAs, and without an example of a product that has undergone the process, it would be a huge gamble to try to sell the FDA on a device that is compatible with products outside the applicant’s ecosystem.
The prospect of a device such as a 510-compatible atomizer, which is ripe for facilitating the rise of black market mods, could invalidate the PMTA process on that prospect alone. Not only would the applicant be taking a larger risk by submitting a PMTA for a 510 device, but he would also be complicit in the assumed knowledge that he won’t see a return on that PMTA investment if the end user chooses to go outside said applicant’s ecosystem for complementary products. In short, manufacturer X isn’t going to shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars to submit a PMTA for a 510 mod if vaper Y is just going to turn around and buy an atomizer off the black market.
The most likely scenario is that each company is going to submit PMTAs for a line of products that keep the customer within their ecosystem. Whether that’s one type of product or several remains to be seen, but it only makes sense for any company to want to see the highest return on investment possible. Additionally, this is only the first round of PMTAs, and no product has made it successfully through the process.
It’s unlikely that any applicant has already submitted more than a few products for approval. Even with FDA guidance, the industry is figuratively a canary in a coal mine. Until there is a solid example of a product successfully navigating the PMTA process, companies are likely to be conservative in how many products are submitted for approval. Those that do will likely be product types that have proven to be the most profitable and simple.
Pod systems are the most likely products to have already been submitted, along with e-liquids. They’re the most popular products in today’s market and are the easiest to consolidate. There are many pod systems out there, perhaps too many, but for good reason. They appeal to the widest market and ensure that consumers remain within the ecosystem as they keep coming back for replacement coils and pods.
Pod systems are also the most resistant pieces of hardware when it comes to a black market, therefore mitigating any risk for a PMTA rejection based on that premise. Many companies have released multiple pod systems over the years and by now have a good idea of which designs are the best. In terms of hardware, expect to see a pod system as the first “FDA-approved” vapor product.
As for specific companies to keep an eye out for, look at the largest companies. Smok, Innokin, Vaporesso, Juul—these manufacturers have been preparing for the PMTA deadline for years and have already submitted applications. In fact, almost all the big names in the vapor industry have submitted applications, including Uwell, HorizonTech, Sigelei, Suorin and others. Currently no PMTA has been approved, but none have been rejected either. These companies have the most resources, motivation and resolve to see this process through to the end.
E-liquid, however, is a completely different animal. It takes much more to create vapor hardware than it does to create e-liquid, and that means that smaller companies have also been submitting PMTAs for e-liquid. Unfortunately, much more consolidation will likely also be occurring. Remember, if only one flavor is available in four nicotine strengths and three bottle sizes, that’s potentially 12 PMTAs for “one” e-liquid. So even though more e-liquid companies are submitting PMTAs than hardware manufacturers, each e-liquid manufacturer will likely have to consolidate much more than a hardware manufacturer. This is also heavily reliant on how the FDA receives the PMTA. Many e-liquid manufacturers have submitted one PMTA for multiple flavors, but the success of this method remains to be seen, and the FDA’s own language is ambiguous:
“A manufacturer could submit one premarket application for multiple tobacco products with a single, combined cover letter and table of contents for each product. However, when [the] FDA receives a premarket submission that covers multiple, distinct new tobacco products, we intend to consider information on each product as a separate, individual PMTA …. [The] FDA considers each ENDS product with a differing flavoring variant or nicotine strength to be a different product.
So will each different nicotine strength of each bottle size require a separate PMTA, or can they be combined? It’s unclear, but some manufacturers such as AMV Holdings are confident that multiple SKUs can be covered by a single PMTA successfully. In a Sept. 9 press release, AMV writes, “AMV has filed an additional 104 PMTA submissions accounting for over 5,000 SKUs.”
However, even if multiple SKUs can be approved by the FDA under a single PMTA, consolidation will still occur, and only the most popular flavors, strengths and sizes will be submitted, at least initially. Given the popularity of pod systems, many manufacturers will likely submit a PMTA for e-liquids that use nicotine salts for a high concentration of the stimulant. Non-nicotine e-liquid is also likely to be among the first wave of submissions as well as one that is medium-strength. The reason being is that if a vaper prefers a nicotine strength of 3 mg, then unofficially the user can mix a higher strength with the non-nicotine e-liquid to achieve the desired strength.
Several well-known e-liquid companies have submitted applications, including Humble Juice Co., Suicide Bunny, Charlie’s Chalk Dust and Beard Vape Co. While the more popular flavors may or may not have been submitted, there are several things that can be expected. First, tobacco and menthol flavors will likely be among the first flavors to receive approval, followed by basic fruit flavors.
Like with nicotine strengths, flavors can be mixed by the end user, and by keeping it simple, mixing becomes much easier. Strawberry mixed with banana is much easier than apple-peach-mango mixed with blueberry mint. Depending on how the FDA treats bottle sizes, those may be consolidated to one size as well. Thirty milliliters is far and away the most popular size bottle for e-liquid, so expect that to become the standard.
As the top level of the vapor industry consolidates its products, so too must the ground level. Doing so in a similar way to manufacturers is the most pragmatic approach. If and when products begin receiving FDA approval, look for three “levels” of products—beginner, intermediate and advanced—with minimal variation for each.
At first, all three levels may be pod systems with varying degrees of advanced features, such as variable wattage, temperature control, etc. Beginner devices like disposables and pod systems, such as the Caliburn G from Uwell (see “Building on Success,” page xx), should take priority because even if they are mostly targeted at new and beginning vapers, advanced users can find value in those products as well.
Intermediate-level products can begin to include features such as variable wattage and a larger battery capacity or e-liquid capacity. These are generally features that are requested by beginners who have had time to use a lower level product and find themselves wanting for more. Perhaps it’s more vapor or just not needing to charge the battery quite as much. Each customer base can vary, but those moving to intermediate devices want “more but better.”
Advanced products are much the same but with generally higher power capabilities, e-liquid capacities, etc. The advanced user will generally know what they are looking for. In the current state of the industry, advanced devices generally include rebuildable atomizers as well, but these are likely not going to be a priority outside of niche markets. There’s a good chance that the first products brought through the PMTA process will be on the simple side, and rebuildables could require a separate PMTA for each type of wire and wick in order to be usable.
The mods most commonly used with rebuildables also tend to have removable batteries, of which there are multiple brands that could, again, each require a PMTA submission. There are quite a few “moving parts,” so to speak, when it comes to advanced vapor devices, and until the industry has a more complete knowledge of how to submit a successful PMTA, the more complicated vapor products will likely be left by the wayside.
The most important thing going forward is to simplify, reduce redundant products and provide a clear advancement pathway for new users. There is massive value in being a one-stop shop for new customers to discover vaping and keep coming back as they progress at their own pace. This may prove much easier throughout the PMTA process as a store owner may very well to be able to pick one manufacturer and stick to it since currently, many products are already similar between companies. Consolidation may also serve to clarify and simplify the development of a product line within a store, making it easier for stores and customers alike.
The PMTA process is grueling and stressful for the entire industry. Although choices may soon become very limited, rest assured that the most reputable names in the business will continue to make their products available. Consolidation is inevitable, but one way or another the burden of choice is about to become much lighter, for better or for worse.
December 26, 2020
Maximum Simplicity

The new XROS pod system from Vaporesso revolutionizes the method for filling vapor devices.
By Mike Huml
The XROS from Vaporesso is a pod system representing the culmination of the most successful features available in a pod. From its build quality to its ease of use, nothing is out of place or unnecessary. The XROS retains maximum simplicity while offering superior vapor production and flavor. Vaporesso is well known for its quality and innovation, and the XROS is no exception.
The newly released XROS is a pod system with a manual-automatic switch combination, an 800 mAh battery and a 2 mL e-liquid capacity. It uses a USB Type-C connection for extremely fast charging and a single LED below the fire button to display battery life and charging status. The reverse side of the body features adjustable airflow, allowing the user to vape using both direct-lung and mouth-to-lung vaping styles.
The pod itself is held in place securely with two magnets. The top half of the pod is transparent and extrudes far enough beyond the body that determining the amount of remaining e-liquid is effortless. The top part of the pod is the mouthpiece, which can be easily removed to reveal the filling port. Vaporesso has taken the extra step to make sure that filling is quick, easy and clean.
If that all sounds standard, think again. If other pod systems are easy to fill, the XROS is easier. If other pod systems are great for mouth-to-lung and direct-lung vaping, the XROS is better. There is not a single area where the XROS doesn’t excel, and that is mainly due to the nuanced and subtle improvements over past pod systems.
One of the largest improvements over other pod systems is the filling method. First and foremost, the pod does not need to be removed to be filled, which isn’t in and of itself unique, but it is rare. What’s more impressive is the simple and intuitive filling method. After removing the mouthpiece, the e-liquid bottle is simply inserted into the fill port and squeezed until the reservoir is full.
This generally leads to all sorts of issues such as flooding, leaking or e-liquid backing up due to pressure and surface tension. However, the XROS eliminates these issues by using a flap to seal the fill port when it’s not in use as well as introducing a pinhole opposite the fill port to release pressure when the pod is filled. It’s another one of those things that’s so incredibly simple and effective that it’s a wonder it hasn’t been thought of already.
Each pod is available in 1.2 ohm and 0.8 ohm varieties, with the 0.8 ohm pods using a red rubber seal as opposed to the 1.2 ohm’s black seal so that the user can tell which is which at a glance. The practical difference between these two resistances is negligible. The 0.8 ohm pods will generate slightly more heat and therefore are better for direct-lung vaping due to the increased airflow required, but both pods perform perfectly regardless of vaping style.
Both pods incorporate mesh coils for increased surface area, which also means more vapor and flavor at lower powers. While the XROS uses a constant voltage output and can’t be adjusted, both coils are tuned specifically for this device, and voltage adjustment isn’t necessary.
The coils have also been tuned to work well with the full range of airflow available with the XROS. By sliding the airflow adjustment all the way to the right, the airflow will be at its most restricted, and sliding it to the left will open it up for direct-lung vaping. While many pod systems rely on more open airflow for increased vapor production, the XROS produces impressive vapor at its most open and when closed.
Additionally, a common problem with many pods that claim to support mouth-to-lung vaping is that other than the adjustable airflow, nothing about the airflow path is designed for mouth-to-lung vaping. The coil is too large, the wire too thick or the airflow inlet too wide. This leads to poor vapor production, weak flavor and a harsh throat hit. Amazingly, the XROS suffers from none of these issues, no matter which coil is installed. Both the 0.8 ohm and 1.2 ohm pods offer great vapor and pure flavor without an overly harsh throat hit when direct-lung vaping and mouth-to-lung vaping.
The XROS only has one button, and it is used to turn the power on or off and optionally to fire the device manually. As is the standard, five clicks of the button will toggle the power on or off. Holding the button will fire the coil, but this is down to personal preference. The automatic switch more closely simulates smoking, but the manual switch allows for more control and pre-firing.
There are no settings to switch back and forth, and the user can simply vape however they want without having to think about it. Underneath the button is a single LED that will illuminate when the switch is activated or when the device is charging. Green signifies that the battery is above 70 percent charged, blue indicates a charge between 30 percent and 70 percent while red is reserved for a charge level under 30 percent.
When it comes to the fit and finish, the XROS is second to none. The glossy metallic finish does collect some fingerprints but only minimally so. It never ruins the overall sleekness, even after days of use. The XROS is also fairly heavy for its size. It exudes a sense of quality, and it’s not so heavy as to take away from its portability or convenience. Overall, it’s a simple design that gets the job done and looks great in the process.
The incorporation of the USB Type-C charging port is a welcome addition that should be making its way into more devices for two main reasons. First, it eliminates the annoyance of having to fiddle with the charger to ensure that it fits correctly. Unlike micro-USBs, the USB Type-C charger is symmetrical and can be inserted in either direction.
Second, it can charge the battery much faster. In the case of the XROS, it can be charged at a rate of 1A when used with the proper adapter, which means it can charge the 800 mAh battery from empty to full in under 20 minutes. This virtually eliminates the need to worry about backup batteries. In today’s modern world, USB ports are abundant, and finding one to use for a few minutes in a pinch is getting easier and easier.
With refillable pod systems gaining in popularity due to the ban on most pre-filled pods, many manufacturers have tossed their respective hats in the ring, but most don’t hold a candle to the XROS. The battery is solid and long-lasting with possibly the most effective adjustable airflow to be found in a pod system to date. The pods are disposable, eliminating the need to maneuver with replaceable pods in addition to replaceable coils. The disposable nature of the pods keeps things simple, which is what pod systems are all about.
The filling system is also ingenious in its simplicity, allowing for fast fills with no mess. Fast charging via USB Type-C ports keeps downtime to a minimum, although the 800 mAh battery is likely to last for six to eight hours of constant use. Mouth-to-lung vapers will find quite a bit to love about the XROS with its perfectly tight airflow when restricted that produces clean and robust flavor as well as the ideal amount of vapor and throat hit. Vapers who favor direct-lung vaping should appreciate the increased vapor when the airflow is open, and it could be argued that the XROS rivals most “cloud-chasing” pods on the market in terms of raw performance.
It can be difficult to find a pod system that’s just right for each vaper and that’s also made by a proven manufacturer, which is important due to the fact that replacement pods can become difficult to find over time. With the XROS being Vaporesso’s most recent pod system and with PMTAs taking effect, there is a good chance the XROS is here to stay. For those looking for the most reliable pod system in roughly the same vein as the Juul, the XROS is currently the best bet.
October 19, 2020
Manuel Maneuver

Innokin’s Sceptre is the latest pod system to incorporate a manual and automatic switch.
By Mike Huml
Innokin is a titan of the vapor industry, having made some of the highest quality vape gear available over the past decade. Their newest pod system, the Sceptre, is no exception. With amazing battery life, top tier build quality and support for multiple vaping styles, the Sceptre is a force to be reckoned with.
The Sceptre is a little larger than a standard pod system, but it’s not a “pod-mod” by any means. The larger size is to accommodate a long-lasting 1400 mAh battery to ensure at least a full day’s worth of vaping. One button on the side is used to fire the device, toggle the power and adjust the output power. Three lights next to the fire button indicate the current battery life and output power. It’s slightly more involved than the run-of-the-mill pod system but still remarkably simple.
Each pod includes an airflow adjustment via a simple slider on the side of the pod. The coils are replaceable by turning the plastic fitting on the bottom of the pod and sliding out the assembly. From there, it is just a matter of unscrewing the old coil and installing a new one. There are two types of coils available: a 1.2 ohm coil that is best suited to mouth-to-lung vaping and a 0.5 ohm coil that is better for direct-lung vaping.
On the side opposite of the fire button is a micro-USB charging port. The included charging cable can be plugged into any USB port and can charge the battery from empty to full in under one hour. Given the size of the battery, the Sceptre should only need to be charged once per day with regular use.
Like a growing number of other pod systems on the market, the Sceptre incorporates a manual and automatic switch. The fire button can be pressed to preheat the coil or just provide more control in general. Alternatively, the user can simply take a drag without pressing the button to more closely emulate smoking.
Both methods provide a flavorful, smooth vaping experience, but it should be noted that the automatic switch only works when the pod is set to “MTL” mode. Pressing the fire button will also activate an LED underneath the pod that illuminates the e-liquid to more easily determine how much e-liquid is remaining without having to remove the entire pod. The pod is easily removed, however. It is held in place via a magnet and easily pops in and out of the battery.
Each pod holds just over 2 mL of e-liquid, which is standard and adequate for multiple hours of use. The pod is filled by removing it from the battery and opening a silicone plug on the side. The fill port is large enough that it should not back up or clog when being filled by any reasonably sized bottle or dropper. The silicone cover feels thick and sturdy and won’t wear down or break, even after prolonged and repeated use.
The Sceptre also offers two power settings for each coil. This can be adjusted by turning the device off with three clicks of the fire button then holding the fire button down for three seconds. Subsequently, each click will alternate the power output mode, indicated with either a green LED or a purple LED. The green LED signifies nine watts when using the 1.2 ohm coil and 18 watts when using the 0.5 ohm coil. The purple LED provides a small power boost, increasing the power output to 10 watts with the 1.2 ohm coil and 20 watts with the 0.5 ohm coil. The practical difference is subtle but noticeable and appreciated.
The third LED near the switch displays the approximate remaining battery life. Green means that more than 50 percent of the battery charge remains, blue indicates a charge of 10 percent to 50 percent, and red is a warning that the battery is about to die and a charge is needed imminently. It is a simple system, but for most users, battery life shouldn’t be an issue if the Sceptre is charged overnight.
The vape quality of the Sceptre is superb and really demonstrates how far pod systems have come in a short time. Airflow is smooth with no spitback to speak of, but it may be a bit airy for some discerning mouth-to-lung vapers, even with the airflow set to “MTL” mode. When the pod is removed, it reveals a switch with one side labeled “MTL” and the other designated “RDL.” As expected, when “RDL” mode is selected on the pod, the airflow opens up even more to accommodate direct-lung vaping. At this point, the automatic switch no longer functions, but the vapor production is significantly increased at no cost to flavor.
The overall build quality and aesthetic of the Sceptre is Innokin at its finest. It’s a heavy device with a two-tone finish that resists fingerprints, and the device as a whole feels like it could easily withstand an accidental drop. It doesn’t shake or rattle and feels like a solid piece of hardware. The design is unassuming enough to not look tacky but still looks flawless and slick up close.
The Sceptre is undoubtedly a step up from the traditional pod system in terms of complexity and features. It’s easy enough to “set and forget” just as one would with any similar device, but it also offers an elevated level of fine-tuning capability. Aside from multiple coil options, the airflow as well as the output power can be adjusted to suit most vapers’ preferences. The battery life is also a welcome upgrade, particularly among those who have become accustomed to charging a 150 mAh pod battery multiple times per day. No longer having to consider battery life throughout the day is truly a weight off users’ shoulders.
Innokin has maintained its attention to detail in designing the Sceptre, both aesthetically and functionally. Despite the weight, the rounded sides are easy to hold, and it never feels as if the Sceptre isn’t a good option to bring on the go. The pod itself is clearly marked in such a way that most vapers should be able to figure out the airflow adjustment, coil replacement and filling without even opening the instruction booklet. It’s incredibly intuitive, particularly for anyone even remotely familiar with other vapor devices.
Innokin has once again demonstrated why its products are revered as the best among the vaping community. The Sceptre offers a simple pod system with a few extra features that really set it apart from its peers. In terms of vapor, flavor and throat hit, the Sceptre is among the best in terms of performance, but it pulls ahead in terms of customization and fine-tuning.
Very few pod systems offer adjustable power and airflow without delving into “pod-mod” territory. Innokin offers these features in a familiar package that’s suited to both newcomers and veterans alike and even offers battery life comparable to much larger devices without the accompanying size or shape. It should be no surprise to anyone in the vaping community that Innokin has a clear winner in the Sceptre. It ticks all the boxes for a robust and competitive pod system and is undoubtedly a worthy upgrade.
October 19, 2020