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I’ve been vaping for more than a decade, and in that time, I’ve reviewed several iStick mods and kits. In the old days, 2011-2016, eLeaf/Joyetech were one of the most proficient and prolific vape gear manufacturers on the market. This may be 2023, but it isn’t the first iStick 40 we’ve reviewed. That would be this one in July 2015.
Type in eLeaf into our search box and you’ll see just how many eLeaf products we’ve written about. Therefore, I’ve been sitting with this 2023 model for a few weeks without knowing how to approach writing this review.
In the years following that first review, technologies for mods, all mods, has increased tremendously. And there are a handful of new technologies used in this new version of the iStick 40, I’m just not sure if I’d trade a 2015 model for this one. Well, honestly, I probably would, just for the USB-C port alone, though that’s about it.
A New Take on an Old Idea
The iStick 40, or i40, kit comes with a 40W mod with an internal 2600mah battery. 2600mAh isn’t terrible, but it’s not that great either. Fortunately, with USB-C as the charging port it doesn’t take long at all to fully recharge the internal battery.
TIP: The li-on internal battery should be totally recharged before your first use. Not charging it up first, regardless of the charge level when you open the box, it will shorten the life of battery.
It is an easy device to understand if you’re the type of Vaper that doesn’t bother to read manuals. The i40 uses VV (variable voltage) or VW (variable wattage). For most people that will use the decidedly Mouth to Lung (MTL) D20 tank, the variable voltage is the best mode to use.
I usually only use wattage mode, (VW) with my own mods. Either way, you’ll find a way to get the most out of the mod and tank.
That tank included is the GTL D20 which is really a pod tank with 3ml vape juice capacity. The D20 uses the GTL series coils. Both coils offered are two higher resistance coils, 1.2-ohm, and 0.8-ohm, making the GTL series built for nicotine-salt vape juice over freebase vape juice.
When you purchase the new iStick 40 Kit you receive:
1* iStick i40
1* GTL D20 Tank (3ml)
1* GTL 1.2Ω Coil
1* GTL 0.8Ω Coil
1* USB Type-C Cable
2* User Manuals
1* Warranty Card
Specs and Features:
Specs:
Product Size: 34.8mm x 25.2mm x 131.3mm
Battery Capacity: Built-in 2600mAh battery
Charging Current: 5V/1A (USB-C)
Variable Wattage (VW): 1-40W
Variable Voltage (VV) : 0.5-8V
Tank Capacity: 3ml
Filling: Top filling
Airflow: Adjustable airflow
Fit For: GTL Coil
Color: Cyan, Neon Orange, Fuchsia Pink, Greenery, Black
Features:
Combines leather with metallic materials
Minimalist design and comfortable grip
Built-in 2600mAh battery
Optional VW / VV mode
Adjustable and precise airflow
Magnetic connection
Easy slide-and-fill system
3ml e-juice capacity
Fit for GTL Coil and GTL D20 Tank
Plug-and-play coil replacement
Worth a Mention
The front of the iStick 40 has a round fire button on top followed by an OLED display screen, the + and – buttons, and the USB-C charging port on the bottom which only charges at 1A.
I expected at least a 1.5 or 2A charging rate with USB-C and the small-ish 2600mah battery. The display itself is simplicity in action. It shows Coil Resistance, Set to Wattage or Voltage, and of course, the Battery Level Indicator.
While it’s simple, there are a few button operations that add functionality.
Operating the iStick 40 Kit
- Press the fire button 5X to turn the device on/off
- Press the fire button 3X to enter the Setup menu
- Once in the setup menu, press the + or – buttons to navigate to VW, VV, or Screen to turn on/off the screen
- Press the + and – buttons to lock the adjustment buttons but the mod will still fire
- Press the fire button and the – button to flip the screen 180 degrees
Worthy of note: nearly all modern box mods use system of function that is 95% the same of this new iStick. Like I said, easy enough to use without the manual (though you really should read the manual)
The device have the usual safety protections found on most box mods.
Safety Protections:
- Low Volt = Battery is below 3.3V and display will show alert and shut off until charged
- Short = Alert will show on screen if coil resistance read is below .2 ohms
- Over 10s = Unit has a 10 second cutoff
- Check Coil = No coil is detected
- Unit has a resistance range of .4-3.0 ohms
The tank included in the kit is the GTL D20 has a magnetic base pod with a 510 threaded base connection. The tank is made of three major parts, which are the 510 threaded base, the pod portion, and the 510-drip tip.
TIP: There is no coil preinstalled, and two coils inside the box. Choose the one you want to use first, according to your style of vaping.
The base of the pod has four magnets to hold the pod into the 510-thread base. The GTL coils are simply pushed into the pod to make a leak resistant seal. (Make sure you line up the coil correctly to get a good seal)
The inside of the 510 base has a metal ring around, giving the magnets on the pod a solid attraction. Below are two spring loaded gold-plated contacts that send the power from the mod to the coil. The pod has a sliding top cap that you push to the side (where the arrow indicates) on the top cap to expose the fill port. Simple as can be.
TIP: The D20 has two separate sets of airflow holes to allow the user to obtain a tight MTL or less tight MTL draw. The airflow adjustment ring is built right into the 510 base. Consisting of four smaller holes for tight MTL and four larger holes for less-tight MTL.
Conclusion
To me the iStick i40 brings back memories of old school mods. Back in the day I had a handful of the original iSticks like the iStick 30, 40, and 50. I enjoyed the iStick 50 so much back then that I bought one in every color available.
The D20 tank has a 3ml capacity for vape juice and when using nic-salt vape juice you’ll discover that the 3mL can last quite a while, especially when using the higher ohm 1.2-ohm GTL coil. Flavor production was decent for MTL type vaping.
When I vaped with the .8-ohm coil, I found 17 watts was the sweet spot. Even using all four of the larger airflow holes open I could get good flavor, but it was still a little too tight for my liking. Even if the D20 had larger airflow holes, the drip tip is still too tight for a decent Direct Lung (DL) vape.
Recommended… with Caution
I recommend the Eleaf iStick i40 for most pod mod users looking for a step up. If you like a low wattage mod and like lightweight mods then yes, you would like the device.
FURTHER READING (POD MODS)
When Light’s Out Means Light’s Out – Delta THCjd Line
Considering Vaping? Tips To Getting Started
Vaping with Julia – Vape-Box, Resa Stick, H-PRIV 2
