Innokin Sceptre Review: Great for RDL Vaping on the Go
September 14, 2020Product intro and specs
The Innokin Sceptre is a pod-based AIO that’s made for both MTL and RDL vaping. While not a part of the Platform series, the Sceptre is loyal to Innokin’s goal of catering to beginner vapers. It is an easy to use vape kit that takes 3 mL pods, comes with two types of coils, and houses a 1400 mAh battery. On top of that, it allows for airflow adjustment, and can fire in two power levels for each of the included coils.
While many pod vapes claim to do MTL and RDL equally well, not many have succeeded till now. Keep reading to find out if the Sceptre will fit your style of vaping, and if it is a device you should invest in.
Price: $24.99 (Here )
Colors: Black, blue, white, grey, pink
Specifications
- Device dimensions: 106.8 mm x 29 mm x 18 mm
- Battery: Internal 1400 mAh
- Tank capacity: 2 mL / 3 mL
- Airflow: Adjustable
- Cut-off time: 10 seconds
- Filling: Side filling
- Max. output current: 8 amps
- Resistance range: 0.5-3.5 ohm
- Charging current: 5V/1A
Kit contents
- 1 x Innokin Sceptre
- 1 x Sceptre refillable pod
- 1 x 0.5-ohm Sceptre coil
- 1 x 1.2-ohm Sceptre coil
- 1 x USB charging cable
- 1 x User manual
Build quality and design
As far as form factor goes, the Sceptre lies somewhere in between a standard pod vape and a pod mod. Standing at 106.8 mm x 29 mm x 18 mm, it is a fair bit larger than the ultra-portables out there, but it is still pocketable. And at 95 grams with a full pod installed, some pod users may find it a bit heavy for their pockets—but I really like the way it feels in the hand. The extra heft, combined with the soft rubberized texture of the bottom and the hive-like design and texture of the top of the device, make me feel like I am holding a premium vape in my hands. The only design choice I am not 100% sold on is the color gradience on the hive part—but that’s subjective, and I am sure that many vapers will like it.
An interesting feature that further supports my idea that there has been a lot of thought behind this device, is the LED light under the pod. It will light up when you insert the pod as well as every time you tap the power button, and it is very useful when trying to see how much liquid is left in the pod. The pod design is a bit complicated, so checking juice levels is still not the easiest thing in the world, but I really like this feature and I hope more companies start incorporating it in their vapes.
The pods are clear, the dotted texture on their side makes removing them very easy, and the magnets that keep them in place are pretty strong. The mouthpiece also feels very comfortable in the mouth. Note that replacement pods come with two coils in the box, which is great—although it is one from each coil, so if you only like one of the coils there is some wasted potential there. Still, better than no coils at all.
Getting started
The Sceptre is a beginner friendly device, and it’s very easy to operate. The pods are a two-piece design, and you’ll need to remove the bottom in order to insert the coil. Just hold the bottom part and rotate counterclockwise to take it off. Screw your coil inside the connector and prime it first before using with a few drops of juice. You can now set the airflow by turning the small lever, with the left side being MTL and the right side RDL. To put the bottom part back on the pod, reverse the procedure. Just make sure you put it the right way or you risk breaking its tiny notches—the cutout should be lined up with the airflow slot of the pod.
The Sceptre only has one button. Three clicks turn the device on and off, and a prolonged press when the device is off will cycle through the two power modes. Check the two lights at the left side directly above the button: green for normal and purple for boost mode. The device operates both in auto-draw and button mode. Outside of using the MTL coil in RDL mode—where it was practically useless—the sensor is very sensitive. In fact, I couldn’t notice a difference between auto-draw and button activation when using the 0.5-ohm coil in RDL mode, regardless of the airflow.
Finally, that’s a constant output device, and you won’t notice a drop in performance up to the point that the red battery light appears. Props to Innokin for that, as it is a feature that all pod vapes should incorporate.
Performance
There are two coils currently available for the Sceptre, and the package contains one of each:
- A 0.5-ohm RDL coil (18 watts normal / 20 watts boost)
- A 1.2-ohm MTL coil (9 watts normal / 10 watts boost)
Both coils are made out of Kanthal, with the 0.5-ohm coil being mesh while the 1.2-ohm coil regular round wire. Note that the 1.2-ohm coil is gold while the 0.5-ohm coil is silver, so it is easy to distinguish between them even when they are inside the pod.
The 0.5-ohm coil has been impressive so far. It is a warm and very flavorful vape in boost mode, but I also liked it in normal mode when I wanted to save some battery. It wicks 70VG liquids easily and produces an impressive amount of vapor for its size. For me, it combines the ideal warmth and vapor production for RDL vaping when used with the airflow wide open. I didn’t even have to raise my nic level, which is something that I am used to doing with most RDL pods. My 3 mg juices were very satisfying in boost mode, and even in normal mode, 6 mg would have been overkill. It also seems to be a long-lasting coil. I had to change the first one after four or five refills, but I was using it with a juice that was heavy on the sweetener. I am using a cleaner juice with the second coil and is still going strong after eight refills. All in all, I think that this is one of the best RDL coils for pod-based devices on the market, especially considering the low power requirements.
Now for the 1.2-ohm coil. Innokin labels it as MTL, but to me, that’s too loose and weak to satisfy most MTL vapers out there. I tried it with the airflow closed, halfway open, and fully open, and ended up using it as a cool and very restricted DL vape with the airflow halfway in boost mode. Even when closing the airflow all the way, it is still a bit airier than the Caliburn. Outside of saving battery, I don’t see much of a reason to bother with this coil to be honest. The lack of warmth means that flavors don’t really pop, and you’ll need to use high nic juices to get some throat hit out of it in MTL mode. I was fine with 6 mg juices when using it in RDL mode, but it was a lackluster vape all things considered. It may not be as simple as that, but I have a feeling that it would have been a much better vape if the device could hit it a couple of watts higher. But as it is, I can’t say I am satisfied with it. Due to that, I have only gone through a couple of pods so I can’t say much about its longevity.
I have heard that Innokin has another MTL coil in the works. That’s great, and I am pretty sure they’ll nail it on the second try. But if you are an MTL vaper and bought the Sceptre, my recommendation is to use the 0.5-ohm coil in normal mode with the airflow fully closed. It’s not a great MTL, but it is passable—and it may do the job until they release the new MTL coil.
Battery life and charging
The Sceptre features a 1400 mAh battery, a great capacity considering the power requirements of its coils. I got over two pods (appx. 7 mL) on the 0.5-ohm coil in boost mode, which is an impressive feat for a device that produces such a warm vape. It also supports pass-thru, so you can use it while it’s plugged in.
The battery indication LED is placed above the power button and next to the power setting lights. It will light up every time you vape and has three levels:
- Green: 50-100%
- Blue: 10-50%
- Red: 0-10%
Innokin lists the charge rate at 1 amp and I timed a full charge at approximately two hours. That’s too long for a compact vape regardless of battery capacity. A Type-C port and a 2-amp charge rate would have really elevated this device, and that’s an area Innokin really needs to improve in the future.
Pros / Cons
- (+) Great build quality
- (+) Practical form factor
- (+) Feels great in the hand
- (+) Light under the pod is a great idea
- (+) Strong magnets
- (+) Replacement pods come with two coils
- (+) Very easy to operate
- (+) Adjustable airflow
- (+) Two power levels
- (+) Sensitive auto-draw sensor (if not using the 1.2-ohm coil for RDL)
- (+) Constant output
- (+) Great overall performance from the 0.5-ohm coil
- (+) Large battery (1400 mAh)
- (+) Supports pass-thru
- (-) 1.2-ohm coil is too loose and weak for MTL
- (-) Weak auto-draw sensor with the 1.2-ohm coil in RDL
- (-) Not a fan of the color gradience (subjective)
- (-) No Type-C charging port
- (-) Charging takes 2 hours
Gallery
Verdict
The Sceptre is a vape that excels both from a build quality and a design perspective. It feels premium, and it is in many ways what I’d call a typical high-quality Innokin product. With one caveat. Unlike the majority of Innokin products, the Sceptre leaves a lot to be desired as far as MTL goes. But where it absolutely shines, is in RDL mode.
The 0.5-ohm coils are very flavorful, produce surprisingly dense clouds for their size, and seem to be long-lasting too. These are probably the best 20-watt coils I’ve tried to date! Combined with the 1400 mAh battery and the constant output of the device, they make the Sceptre an excellent choice for everyone who enjoys RDL vaping. If that’s how you like to vape, I can strongly recommend this one.
I do hope they send me some of the new MTL coils to test when they are ready to be released. If they do, I’ll come back and update this review.
What do you think of the Innokin Sceptre? Let me know in the comment section.
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Article Author: Spyros Papamichail