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To low-wattage, mouth-to-lung (MTL) vapers, the Uwell Caliburn is still the device to beat. Its combination of slender design and potent draws (even at just 11 watts) made ex-smokers feel a lot better about this whole “vaping” thing. So, we were confused when Uwell decided to tempt fate and release a more-traditional beginner device, the Crown Pod Mod System.
Though we don’t know if it’s a true successor to the Caliburn, Uwell has made a decent pod mod that beginners may prefer thanks to a little more versatility. Let’s see what the specs have to say, and we’ll see you after the jump.
Official Description
The new Uwell Crown Pod System is a portable vaping pod mod. Implementing a large 1250mAh Rechargeable Battery, dual parallel coil configuration, and can be paired with a myriad of pods with pod-based airflow control that can entertain MTL or DTL vaping.
Construction
Constructed from durable lightweight aluminum alloy, the chassis of the Crown Pod System is a fairly impact-resistant and can withstand light to moderate falls and drops. In addition, pods are secured via magnetic connection, allowing for fast and easy refills, accessible via the top fill system.
Equipped on the side of the refillable 3mL capacity pod, the Crown Pod System can unlock DTL or MTL style airflow control, allowing the user to dial in the ideal airflow rate to create delicious clouds of vapor. Outfitted with the advanced BEIN Chipset, the Uwell CROWN Pod System can utilize a 1.2ohm coil for nicotine salts, while the 0.6ohm coil can be used for freebase e-juice.
Uwell Crown Pod System Features:
- BEIN Chipset
- Dimensions – 95.6mm by 30mm by 18mm
- Integrated 1250mAh Rechargeable Battery
- Wattage Output: 25W
- Coil Resistance: 0.6ohm / 1.0ohm
- Zinc-Alloy Chassis Construction
- Intuitive Firing Button
- Draw-Activated Firing Mechanism
- 3-Tier LED Battery Life Indicator Light
- 3mL Refillable Pod Capacity
- Top Fill System – Drip Tip Fill Port
- Juice Viewing Window
- Pro-FOCS Flavor Testing Technology
- Uwell Crown Pod Series – Integrated Coil Design
- 6ohm DTL Pod
- 0ohm MTL Pod
- Parallel Dual Coil Configuration
- Magnetic Pod Connection
- Pod Based Airflow Control Switch
- Open Circuit Protection
- Short Circuit Protection
- Low Power Indicator
- Over Vaping Indication
- MicroUSB Port
- Available in Black, Grey, Blue, and Red
Uwell Crown Pod System Includes:
- Uwell Crown Pod System Kit
- 6ohm Coil Pod
- 0ohm Coil Pod
- USB Cable
- Warranty Card
- 1 User Manual
Aesthetics of the Uwell Crown Pod System
It almost seems silly to include an “aesthetics” section, considering how streamlined the Crown is. While some pod mods have begun to include visual enhancements, LED light displays or unique body shapes, Uwell has (mostly) stuck to its design guns, making the Crown another slim, flat-tipped pod device. The result? A traditional smoking experience, without going full “cig-a-like” in its design.
But for those looking for a subtle, no-nonsense vape device that is hefty enough to ensure confidence but compact enough to stow away in a shirt pocket, the Crown makes a decent visual impression. My matte test model looked like a large USB thumb drive — a VERY common design– with no extra adjustment buttons to be had. But Crown always adds little senses of quality and flair to stand out… even among same-y pod mods.
Worth a Note…
One thing worth noting – despite a sub-ohm coil pod in the box and claims to the contrary, this is NOT a multipurpose vape mod. Some pods try to appeal to sub-ohm newbies or airflow junkies. Not here. The Crown pods are very snug, regardless of ohm readings, with a maximum device output of just 25 watts. In short, we strongly recommend you use the Crown as a mouth-to-lung (MTL) only mod, focused on flavor and satisfaction, not room-filling clouds.
Interestingly, a standout feature of the Crown is the optional draw-activated firing system. By a show of hands, how many of you vape veterans remember doing those annoying “primer puffs” on early cig-a-like batteries? You know, a quick puff or two before a true draw, to allow the battery time to ramp up?
Yeah, none of this is evident on the Crown. Within milliseconds of taking a very light draw, your mouth will be greeted by a rush of flavor and warm, albeit wispy vapor. The activation time is impressive, even when the battery is at a lower charge level, giving users a surprisingly authentic smoking sensation.
Vaping the Uwell Crown Pod Mod System
I’ve vaped more pod mods than I care to mention, but only a few ever produced flavor like this. The Crown is one of the most intense, concentrated blasts of flavor I’ve enjoyed in some time, even if using the draw-activated fire system was like relearning to ride a bicycle. It works well, but we’ve come a long way, baby… and this isn’t a “style experienced” vapers usually prefer.
But the flavor is a gift that keeps on giving – both of the coil pods included in the box (0.6 and 1.0 ohms, respectively) offered tremendous longevity, maintaining strong flavor long after most pod systems throw in the towel. Both of my test pods lasted roughly 7-8 days a piece, delivering on the flavor promise right until the end of their life cycles.
Maybe a week isn’t much in the grand scheme of vaping atomizers, but for coil pods getting a healthy workout each day, I’m still moderately impressed.
But we really need to discuss the atrocious battery life. While the pods offer longevity and performance we only dreamed about, the 1,250mAh integrated battery reminds us of the old days of vaping, in all the wrong ways. With so much alleged power under the hood, we got the battery life of a 200mAh device. I mean, that’s really bad.
Two Hour Max
On a full charge I was able to get roughly two hours of moderate use before the LED indicator did its thing. Slowing down to a more realistic pace for ex-smokers, it still barely eked out 15 additional minutes the next time around.
That might be the only knock I have on the device. But it’s a big one — one that might affect people’s buying decisions. Putting the battery life aside, the Crown pod mod system is smooth, flavorful, potent and satisfying. That’s all the checkboxes a person could want from an entry-level pod mod system, and the Crown ultimately delivers.
The Pros:
- Amazing flavor and coil pod longevity
- Authentic MTL vaping
- Durable frame
The Cons:
- Battery life is shocking, given the specs
- Tired, overdone design
- LED indicators are a little “2017” for our tastes
The Uwell Crown Pod System Bottom Line
Despite the battery concerns, we still kinda-sorta-maybe recommend the Uwell Crown pod mod system, especially at its current price point. While you might not get all-day (or even all-morning) power from the integrated cell, you will get a rich, flavorful, enjoyable vape that hits all the right marks for new users. With a good juice (and maybe a charger in your pocket) the Crown makes a decent case for its existence.
