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Last Updated on August 19, 2020 by Team Spinfuel
“Oh captain, my captain.” I’ve made a deliberate habit of starting my iJOY Captain series reviews with this overused line for a reason. Because the Captain continues to overuse ideas. The very first Captain mod kit was a reasonable facsimile of the SMOK Alien kit. The endless line of follow-ups introduced more batteries, bigger batteries, different coils, but by and large, the Captain line was a series of rehashes on older ideals.
Fast forward a few years, and iJOY finally got around to iterating to the Captain 2 kit. And you know what we have to say about it? “Oh captain, my captain…”
Shop the iJoy Captain 2 180W Starter Kit, featuring a dual 18650 battery layout, 180W maximum output, and can access a useful temperature control suite. Constructed from durable aluminium alloy, the iJoy Captain 2 utilizes two high amp 18650 batteries installed in the bottom hinged battery bay. Offering a wattage ceiling of 180W, the Captain 2 Kit can deliver bountiful clouds of vapor at the press of the side firing bar, while granting advanced users a versatile temperature control suite to tailor the output to their liking. In addition, this iJoy Captain 2 Kit is paired with the iJoy Captain V Sub-ohm Tank, accepting coils from the iJoy Captain 2 Mesh Coil Series for exceptional flavor and vapor output, while relaying relevant vape information to the 0.96″ OLED Display Screen.
iJoy Captain 2 180W Box Mod Features:
- Pro Chipset
- Dimensions – 136.8mm by 52.2mm by 33mm
- Dual High Amp 18650 Battery – Not Included
- Wattage Output Range: 5-180W
- Voltage Output Range: 0-8V
- Resistance Range: 0.05-3.0ohm
- Temperature Range: 300°- 600°F
- VW Mode
- TC Mode
- Aluminium-Alloy Chassis Construction
- Dust and Shock Proof
- Intuitive Firing Button
- 96″ OLED Display Screen
- Two Adjustment Buttons
- Short Circuit Protection
- Overcurrent Protection
- Overvoltage Protection
- Overcharge Protection
- PTC Protective Circuits
- MicroUSB Port
- Threaded 510 Connection
- Available in Black, Silver, Red, Blue, and Rainbow
iJoy Captain V Sub-Ohm Tank Features:
- 28mm Diameter
- 5mL Glass Capacity
- Top Fill System
- iJoy Captain 2 Coil Series
- 15ohm X3 Mesh Coil – rated for 40-90W
- 4ohm X3-C1 Coil – rated for 60-90W
- Threaded Coil Connection
- Dual Slotted Bottom Airflow Control Ring
- 510 Threaded Connection
- Available in Black, Silver, Red, Blue, and Rainbow
Includes:
- iJoy Captain 2 Mod
- iJoy Captain V Tank
- 0.15ohm X3 Mesh Coils
- 0.4ohm X3-C1 Coils
- MicroUSB Charging Cable
- Instruction Manual
- Warranty Card
Aesthetics of the iJoy Captain 2 Kit
Box mods are hardly a world of innovation, but even iJOY should probably consider hiring an outside design firm for the next round of Captains. While there’s nothing bad about the Captain 2 mod, it’s instantly recognizable as part of the series, with very little to note beyond the rubberized coating on the top and bottom surfaces.
There’s also a leather-like grip along the sides of the mod, but they tend to get slippery in sweaty palms, and if e-liquid manages to find its way to them, have paper towels at the ready, because it’s near impossible to get rid of once it sets in.
On the positive side, the fire and operation keys are top-notch, with great responsiveness and a nice, clicky feel that just feels right. In turn, the recessed 510 connection has zero wobbliness or play, though some older tanks and RDAs had trouble being recognized by the Captain 2’s deep-set contact point. A screwdriver can rectify the situation, but should it have to in 2020?
If you’re a fan of the 0.96” monochrome OLED screen from previous versions you’re in luck! Because iJOY hasn’t changed a flippin’ thing about it. Maybe that’s a good thing, considering the layout is clear, bright and legible. But if you’re hoping that “2” in the name meant a new look and feel, the latest Captain isn’t going to meet those needs.
Finally, we had some issues with the stiff, finicky bottom battery door, which was prone to popping open on hard surfaces, and is difficult to close, depending on the cells you use.
The Captain V Tank
This 28mm Captain V sub-ohm tank made a poor first impression on us because of the specs. While the bowed-out glass section adds a few millimeters of diameter, and 5mL of e-liquid capacity, this is just another 25mm tank at the base. So, don’t go expecting anything huge and new here.
That said, the Captain V works well enough, with the venerable, proven X3 coils series still being put to good use. As expected, the Captain V is cross-compatible with the aging series of heads, which is nice if you’ve stockpiled a bunch over the years. But the coils also perform like high-wattage coils from years ago, giving users just a few days of regular use before flavor and vapor begin to drop off the table.
As a part of the kit package, the Captain V is a perfectly fine throw-in, to be used and forgotten the instant the second coil gives up the ghost. But don’t go rushing out to find one at your local shop — there are better options out there.
Vaping the Captain 2 Kit
Since we’ve harped on iJOY’s redundancies, let’s focus this section on the positive. The 180-watt Captain 2 works exceedingly well. While there’s nothing here that we haven’t seen before, there’s something refreshing about a mod kit that knows exactly what it is, without trying to be something different. We love innovation. We hate change for change’s sake.
One nice touch is that the dual-18650 Captain 2 doesn’t try to push its power output limits. Thankfully, vaping seems to have evolved past the idea of ridiculous power numbers, and newer mods seem to have much more logical wattage ceilings. As a result, the Captain 2 tops out at a respectable 180 watts, and even though there’s probably more oomph under the hood, there’s really no need for it, leading to better battery efficiency.
In short, there’s nothing you’re going to get at 200 watts that 180 won’t provide. This is especially true for the included pair of coils, which sing the loudest at just 50-70 watts on average. And while the coil longevity isn’t worth writing home about, they do perform exceedingly well while they last.
Overall, this is a durable, predictable, enjoyable vape device that doesn’t try to redefine anything. And today, that’s more than refreshing.
Pros:
- Fantastic fire key and control buttons
- Good battery life
- Durable, rubber coated frame
Cons:
- Boring, old-school display
- Battery door can be tricky
- Been there, done that, waiting for something truly new from iJOY
Bottom Line
We know we can be hypocritical. When a company changes things, we stress simplicity. When they don’t, we cry boredom. And we own that. But iJOY has fooled its loyal audience several times over with the Captain series. We enjoy the mods for what they are, but lament the series — which launched with great fanfare a few years back — for what it isn’t.
Those new to the Captain line of mod kits will likely be very happy and satisfied with their purchase. It certainly performs well, despite the lackluster tank. We just hope that iJOY has a few new tricks up their sleeves for #3… because it’s a little overdue.
