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We tend to not shine a lot of light on “celebrity-endorsed” vape product collaborations, but credit where credit is due. Since partnering with Innokin a few years back, Phil “Pbusardo” Busardo and Dimitris “Vapin’ Greek” Agrafiotis have lent their expertise to some seriously classy, well-made vape gear. Count the Kroma-R 80W Kit among them.
Though most of their collaborations have aimed at the mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping resurgence, the all-new Kroma-R and AJAX kit is a much more versatile setup, with 80 watts of power, single-18650 format and a tank that’s capable of some decent cloud production. Let’s see what Innokin’s latest piece has to offer. Previous Kroma-A Review Here
The Official Description
The Innokin Kroma-R Starter Kit, featuring a single 18650 battery, various output modes, and paired with the the cloud-producing AJAX Sub-Ohm Tank. Equipping a single high amp 18650 battery, the Innokin Kroma R can achieve a wattage range of 6-80W, and can reach resistances as low as 0.05ohms, making this an ideal starter kit for those that like MTL, but are open to other vaping styles. In addition, the Kroma-R is capable of utilizing a CURVE mode, forcing the mod to check wattage every 0.5 seconds to maintain the proper wattage level output.
Innokin Kroma-R Box Mod Features:
- Dimensions – 131mm by 40mm by 26mm
- Single High-Amp 18650 Battery – Not Included
- Wattage Output Range: 6-80W
- Voltage Output Range: 1-7.5V
- Resistance Range: 0.05-3.5ohms
- 3 Power Levels – Soft, Normal, Boost
- VW & VV Mode
- Bypass Mode
- Curve Mode
- 003s Firing Speed
- Zinc-Alloy Chassis Constructions
- Single Firing Button
- Color OLED Display Screen
- Two Adjustment Buttons
- Hinged Battery Door
- MicroUSB Port
- Available in Bronze, Gunmetal, Steel, and Black
Innokin ZLIDE D22 Tank Features:
- Collaboration with Phil Busardo, Dimitris Agrafiotis, and Innokin
- 22mm Diameter
- 2mL Juice Capacity
- Pyrex Glass Reinforcement
- Superior Stainless Steel Construction
- Top Refill System – Sliding Top Cap
- Removable Sliding Top Cap
- Innokin Z-Coil Line
- Compatible and Will Detect Entire Z-Coil Line
- Detachable Structure
- Locking 510 Proprietary Drip Tip
- Gold-Plated 510 Connection
- Available in Black, Stainless Steel, Blue, and Bronze
Innokin AJAX Sub-Ohm Tank Features:
- 24mm Diameter
- 5mL Bubble Glass Capacity
- 2mL Standard Glass Capacity
- Quartz Glass Reinforcement
- 304 Superior Stainless Steel Tank Construction
- Swivel Top Refill System
- Innokin AJAX Coil Series
- Plug ‘n’ Play Coil Installation
- Dual Slotted Bottom Airflow Control Ring
- Threaded 510 Connection
- 510 Widebore Resin Drip Tip
- Available in Black or Silver
Includes:
- Innokin KROMA-R Box Mod
- Innokin AJAX Sub-Ohm Tank
- Spare Coils
- MicroUSB Cable
- Spare Glass
- User Manual
- Warranty Card
Aesthetics of the Kroma-R
Other than a few missteps, the last few years has seen Innokin make some seriously gorgeous devices, and the Kroma-R might be the sleekest to date. My brushed silver test model is an ideal balance of classic style and subtle futuristic touches, with a slender, pocket-friendly feel in the palm.
From the bombproof 510 connection to the thoughtful locking battery door, every millimeter of the Kroma-R reflected class and distinguished sensibilities. But the highlights sit right in the middle, with a gorgeous, old-school OLED display/fire button combo that does a perfect job conveying all the vitals to the user.
Sitting opposite of this screen is a nice, rubberized grip section that breaks up the “metal on metal” feel while giving the user JUST ENOUGH grip to ensure some confidence.
In an era of gimmicks, we’re glad to see Busardo and Agrafiotis worked with Innokin to deliver a classic, no-nonsense vape experience.
If we have ANY complaints it’s that the single-piece display/fire key is prone to fingerprints thanks to ongoing use. Not only that, but it also makes things difficult to read when gripping it trigger-style.
Regardless, the Kroma-R is gorgeous, with or without the companion AJAX tank, and it will stand out in any collection, due to sheer simplicity and attention to detail.
The AJAX Sub-Ohm Tank
This isn’t the first time we’ve covered the AJAX, since it was also packed into the MVP5 kit a few months’ back. But it seems a little more appropriate in this package than it did with that powerful 220-watt device.
That’s not to say it’s a tank you should run out and buy immediately, but the AJAX is a modestly performing sub-ohm offering that keeps up with most “pack in” atomizers these days. It’s nowhere near as good as many of them, or even Innokin’s own PLEX series from the last few years, but it’s decent enough to warrant using.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with the AJAX, there’s simply nothing that makes the tank feel like an improvement over more developed atomizers. And the AJAX’s compatibility with the PLEX coils only furthers the point. We reiterate, use the AJAX, enjoy it, but don’t expect to remember it after the experience is over.
Vaping the Kroma-R Kit
We’ve used the term “no nonsense” once or twice already in this review, but we need to be redundant here – the Kroma-R has everything a mid-wattage vaper needs, and very little that they don’t. Instead of padding the experience with bells and whistles, the Kroma-R instead reflects the sensibilities of its endorsers, trying to bring vaping back to its roots while remaining forward-thinking.
By that, we mean the Kroma-R is as technically sound a vape mod as there is on the market, with legitimate power output, responsive controls, wattage curve mode to moderate power, bypass, and other modes that reflect its versatile audience. Interestingly, there aren’t any temperature control options on the mod — something most TC enthusiasts enjoy — leading me to believe this was meant for sub-ohm cloudiness, rather than more controlled vaping.
Wattage Vapers at Heart
That said, we’re wattage vapers at heart, and appreciated the Kroma-R offers silky smooth ramping, near-immediate fire speed, and the complete lack of power fluctuations along the way. While you’re not going to break any records with the 80-watt output, as we’ve learned over the years, you don’t really need to break records to enjoy vaping.
(By a show of hands, how many of you are still using that five-cell Kanger mod from a few years’ back? Yeah, we didn’t think so.)
When using the Kroma-R with the companion AJAX tank, we enjoyed reasonably good flavor, impressive cloud production, and surprising coil longevity. Though we needed to juice the power a little higher than usual to get the most flavor clarity, it was a solid pairing that gave us a few weeks of performance per coil.
More importantly, the Kroma-R is immensely comfortable and easy to use with one hand, while giving off an air of class and maturity most of today’s mods lack. Stronger and more advanced than a pod mod, not nearly as gaudy as a high-wattage box mod, the Kroma-R fits a growing niche of vapers who don’t need gimmicks, just satisfaction.
Our only complaint is the battery life. Definitely understandably limited due to its single-18650 format. However, it begins to drop off the table above 70 watts. It wasn’t terrible, but anyone expecting to use it during a workday should have a charge cable around. (You’re gonna need it.)
Kroma-R Pros:
- Gorgeous design aesthetic
- Thoughtful, no-frills look and feel
- Smooth performance at all levels
Kroma-R Cons:
- Battery life drops off the table above 70 watts
- Combo fire key/screen is a fingerprint magnet
- AJAX tank is a little underwhelming
Kroma-R and the Bottom Line
We have no doubt that Innokin is perfectly capable of making top-tier products without celebrity endorsements. But there’s also a lot of evidence that shows their fruitful partnerships are paying dividends. It’s not as MTL focused as most of their new product line. Though the Kroma-R is nonetheless a versatile, responsive, enjoyable vape mod that warrants your attention the next time you shop.
