The one thing that has always fascinated me about Innokin is that as fast as other big-name vape gear manufacturers release new gear, Innokin moves at a fraction of that pace. Perhaps Innokin is more deliberate in their offerings to the vape community, or perhaps they seek out a niche to fill in an already crowded marketplace. Whichever it is, the Innokin iTaste Kroma is here, and it is a nice box mod, but it leaves me wanting. The Starter Kit version assembles everything needed for a new or intermediate vaper to start vaping (except for eliquid of course), and at Element Vape it is available for $49.95.

About the Innokin iTaste Kroma

The iTaste Kroma is a 75W Temperature Control box mod available in Black, White, Red, Blue, Green, Silver, and Purple.

The Innokin iTaste Kroma 75W TC Vape System features a less than desirable 2000mAh internal battery delivering a maximum of 75W. The Kroma uses the hi-tech Aethon Temperature Control Technology that allows the user the option to use Nickel, Titanium, and Stainless Steel heating elements, in addition to Kanthal in Power mode. Included in the Starter Kit version is the SlipStream Sub-Ohm Tank, which is recessed into the Kroma body unless the user attaches the adapter (included) which allows for a flush mount at the top of the mod.

The iTaste Kroma is certainly a compact device, measuring just 70mm high (95mm with the SlipStream tank attached and recessed), 23mm deep, and 44mm wide. Although it is a diminutive size, the specs and features of the Kroma are befitting larger and more expensive devices.

Features/Specs Worth Highlighting

Charging the internal battery at 2A/5V

Included Adapter that allows users to attach any sub-ohm tank or RDA.

Minimum Resistance is 0.1Ω

Temp Control Resistance: Ni (0.1 – 0.2 Ω), Ti (0.1 – 0.5 Ω), SS316L (0.2 – 1.0 Ω)

Wattage adjustments in TC mode

15 second Puff Time

Memory Settings

Internal temperature monitoring

Ohm Detection

The iTaste Kroma features a soft contoured body with a textured finish that allows the user to grip securely and comfortably. The oversized round firing button and the two adjustment buttons are easy to reach and easy to operate. The medium-sized OLED screen is on the side of the mod, and displays needed information at a quick glance, with a twist of the wrist, and a bit of a squint for middle-age and older users.

Everyday Use and the Innokin iTaste Kroma

After spending 3 weeks with the iTaste Kroma (not exclusively) I’ve decided that its appeal will no doubt be limited to vapers looking for modest power requirements, a small, but comfortable footprint, and prefers a built-in battery over replacing batteries every few hours. In other words, not me…

That’s not to say that the iTaste Kroma doesn’t deliver a decent vape. It does. But for advanced vapers, or power vapers, the Kroma just doesn’t cut it. The built-in battery alone, at 2000mAh, is enough to give one pause.

The top cap of the SlipStream implements a child-Lock mechanism, which is all fine and good, and the top-down coil design has, so far, produced minimal spit back and gurgling. I’m not much of a fan of top-down coil structures, but this technology has made some headway since the disastrous Cubis days.

Basic Operation of the iTaste Kroma

Turn the Kroma Off and On by way of 3 Clicks of the Fire button.

To Cycle through the numerous Vape Modes Press & hold ‘+’ and Fire button.

To Adjust the Power (Wattage) while in TC Mode, Press & hold ‘-’ and ‘Fire button’

To Rotate the Menu Orientation Press and hold ‘+’ and ‘-‘ adjustment buttons until you see the orientation change, then release.

Fire Button Indicators

In addition to bringing power to the SlipStream tank and navigating around the menu, the Fire button also serves as a visual indicator of the battery life using the LED backlit colors:

• Green =  Fully Charged
• Yellow =  Half Power
• Red     =  Low Power / Charge Required

Additionally, when the user connects the Slipstream tank, or any other atomizer to the iTaste Kroma, it will automatically detect that a tank with a coil has been attached and it will ask you to indicate the coil wire in the tank.

The user can select or change the coil selection by pressing and holding the ‘Fire’ and ‘+/Up’ button at the same time for 3 seconds to enter the coil selection menu and make changes.

Changing the wattage settings while in TC mode or Power mode, Press and hold the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ until the display begins to blink on and off, then adjust the power level by .5W per click. Once the user decides on the wattage setting, pressing the ‘Fire’ button will lock in the selection.

The TC Temperature Range is 300-600°F in 5° increments. (150-315°C) Switching the Innokin iTaste Kroma between Fahrenheit °F and Celsius °C is done by increasing the temperature past the maximum temp.

The SlipStream Sub-Ohm Tank

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE

Included with iTaste Kroma is the SlipStream Tank. This TPD-Compliant 2mL e-juice capacity tank with adjustable top airflow control works fairly-well for what it is. The preinstalled coil is a Kanthal 0.8Ω that delivers good flavor and decent vapor. (An additional coil is included, a 0.5Ω SS coil) I’ve heard others say that the Delrin drip tip is a wide-bore, but it isn’t. Had it been a true wide-bore drip trip there would be much heavier vapor production. (do these reviewers actually ‘use’ the devices they review??)

The top part of the tank is used to control the airflow with its two air slots located on opposite side of the top-cap. It is also used for filling the tank. The airflow slots measure approximately 10mm x 1mm, which will allow for Direct Lung vaping, though the draw will be tighter than you might expect.

Pressing down on the top-cap and then unscrewing anti-clockwise will remove the cap and the entire coil structure. Unless the user puts in lots of practice, the top cap assembly will need to be placed on a table, or cloth, or something, while the tank is refilled. The SlipStream tank is equipped with an 0.8ohm Kanthal coil pre-installed. As with any top-down coil structure, the coil only comes into contact with the base of the tank once the tank has been filled and the top cap has been returned to the tank.

Can the Innokin iTaste Kroma Compete?

In this era of renewed interest in small box mods, can the iTaste Kroma compete against other brands and models? I’m not confident. My recent review of the SMOK AL85 Alien Baby Starter Kit, just $5 more than the Kroma, offers a lot more for a negligible increase in price.

The SMOK AL85 Alien outputs 85W of power, using a replaceable high-amp 18650 battery, features a huge OLED display, full Temperature Control suite, and the Starter Kit version includes the way better SMOK TFV8 Big Baby Sub-Ohm Tank.   In my opinion, the existence of the SMOK AL85 Alien Baby negates any benefit or value of the iTaste Kroma.

Real World Report

The iTaste Kroma is not a bad box mod, but it cannot hold a candle to the SMOK AL85 Alien. Vaping with the Kroma felt lightweight, and it was a struggle to get a good vape going. Once I did manage to produce adequate flavor and vapor the tank had to be refilled due to its small 2mL juice capacity. Even with the airflow slots wide open the ‘draw’ on the SlipStream was much tighter than the AL85’s TFV8 Big Baby, thereby requiring more effort to gather up a decent amount of vapor. CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE

The ability to produce true flavor fidelity from the Kroma was possible, but even so, the TFV8 Big Baby laid the SlipStream to waste when it came to flavor fidelity and clouds of vapor.

Whether the SMOK AL85 Alien Baby was used by this reviewer before, after or during the time spent with the iTaste Kroma, the opinions I formed about the Kroma would have been the same. That said, with the AL85 Alien Baby on the same shelves with the iTaste Kroma I cannot in good conscious recommend the Kroma to anyone other than a new vaper that is smitten by the looks of the Kroma. And even then, I would encourage the new vaper to rethink it.

Unfortunately, the vape industry is a tough nut to crack and the competition is fierce. But if a reviewer, or the publication the reviewer works for, chooses to ignore the truth, nobody wins. Innokin was once at the forefront of the vape industry, and I have plenty of fond memories of earlier Innokin products like the iTaste 134, but unless Innokin is able to realize where the needs of the vaper is today, and will be tomorrow, they do not stand much of a chance of regaining marketshare.

If I was talking directly to Innokin I would tell them this; the iTaste Kroma is a decent mod, but when faced with the competition, in particular the SMOK AL85 Alien Baby, it just doesn’t stand a chance.

I would love to see Innokin go back to the drawing board and come up with a series of mods that can compete with the likes of SMOKTech, Joyetech, eLeaf, and WISMEC. If the iTaste Kroma is any indication, Innokin isn’t paying attention to its customers, and instead are listening to the sycophants who are happy to accept the free products in exchange for a glowing review.

Final Grade: C-

“In a time when ‘decent’ performance doesn’t cut it, Innokin’s iTaste Kroma is a nonstarter. Yes, it’s pretty, yes it’s loaded with features, but when push comes to shove, it takes knowing your customers and building devices that satisfy. The Kroma simply isn’t enough.”

Innokin iTaste Kroma Kit Features:

Variable Wattage Capacity

Temperature Control, Sensing, and Limiting Functionality

Can Accommodate Nickel, Titanium, Stainless Steel, Kanthal, and NiChrome Coils

High-Quality and Chic OLED Screen

Built-In Ohms Meter

Battery Level Indicator

High Capacity 2,000 mAh Battery

Passthrough Capability

Evenly-Balanced Coil Heat-Up

Low External Heat Generation

Low Standby Power Usage

Eliminates Dry and Burnt Hits

Pyrex Glass Tank

Submerged Tank Design

Top-Fill E-Juice System

Top-Positioned, Tri-Adjustable Airflow Control Valve

Leak-Free Design

Entire Tanks Can Be Disassembled

Made with High-Quality and Durable Materials

Small and Compact Form Factor

Innokin iTaste Kroma Box MOD Specifications:

Manufactured by: Innokin

Threading: 510

Wattage Range: 6W – 75W

Temperature Range: 300°F – 600°F (150°C – 315°C)

Battery Capacity: 2,000 mAh

Maximum Output Voltage: 7.5V

Maximum Working Current: 27.5A

Available Colors: Black, Blue, Red, Silver

Height: 3.75 Inches (95.25mm)

Width: 2 Inches (50.8mm)

Depth: 0.94 Inches (23.9mm)

Innokin SlipStream Tank Specifications:

Manufactures by: Innokin

Threading: 510

E-Juice Capacity: 2ml

Body Material: 304 Stainless Steel

Tank Material: Pyrex (Borosilicate) Glass

Height: 1.19 Inches (30.2mm)

Diameter: 0.87 Inches (22mm)

Innokin iTaste Kroma Kit Includes:

1 x Innokin Kroma Box MOD

1 x Innokin Slipstream Tank

1 x Innokin Slipstream Kanthal Atomizer Head (0.8 Ohms) – (Pre-installed)

1 x Innokin Slipstream Stainless Steel (SS316L) Atomizer Coil (0.5 Ohms)

1 x USB Charging Cable

1 x 510 Tank Extender

1 x Set of Replacement O-Rings

1 x User Manual