Innokin Proton Kit Review With Scion 2 Tank – Joystick Control and New Mesh Style Coil

The new Innokin Proton kit is yet another step for the normally conservative company into the high powered world of vaping and as to whether they’ve pulled it off we’ll look at in this review.

When I say ‘conservative’ I don’t mean they vote Tory – rather they have always erred on the side of lower wattage safer devices resisting the urge to join the watt wars with their competitors.

I’ve been fortunate to review a ton of Innokin products and whilst I’m no-one’s ‘fan-boy’ on the whole I’ve been extremely impressed with pretty much all I’ve reviewed and used.

The iconic Coolfire IV TC 100 was the device that got me into sub ohm vaping – the recent Oceanus mod is still on my desk and still used regularly and many of my friends and family now have stopped smoking thanks to Innokin starter kits such as the Jem/Goby – Pocket Mod and Innokin Endura T20-S.

So this is a company not to be sniffed at and one never forgetting to produce superb starter kits for the smokers out there to take the step into vaping.

So how has the Proton performed and does it sit well with the rest of the excellent Innokin range?

Let’s take a closer look.

This was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review direct from Innokin – thank you – and as always my thoughts and opinions are indeed my own.

Inside the Box

The usual classy packaging we’ve come to expect from Innokin with lots of goodies inside:

• 1x Proton MOD
• 1x Scion II tank(0.36ohm installed)
• 1x Plexus coil 0.15ohm
• 1x Spare Glass Tube(5ml)
• 1x Extra Drip Tip
• 1x USB Charging Cable
• 1x Spare O-rings Set
• 1x Vape Band
• 1x User Packet

Specs

• Product Dimensions: 85*44.6*29.6mm
• Minimum / Maximum Wattage: 6.0W–235W
• Minimum / Maximum Voltage: 0.0V–9.0V
• Temperature Control range: 150℃–315℃/300℉–600℉
• Maximum Charge Current: 2A
• Maximum Output Current: 40A
• Atomizer Resistance Range: 0.05ohm – 3.5ohm
• 1.45″ TFT Color Screen Display
• Joystick Selector Button
• Side-Panel Squeeze Fire Button
• 6 Color Display Themes
• Individual Cell Battery Life Indicator
• Stainless Steel 510 Threading
• Dual 18650 Batteries

Innokin Proton Mod Quick Start Guide

• X3 clicks of side bar to turn on and off
• X3 clicks [press in!] of the joystick to enter menu
• Use joystick to scroll through options and click once to select
• Increase /decrease wattage and temp setting via joystick left/right or up/down
• Hold fire push joystick right to lock and unlock
• Hit fire bar to exit menu
• Fill tank by pushing top cap to open

Key Features

The Proton is a dual 18650 box mod with a minimum and maximum output of 6.0w to 235w and features a side bar for firing.

The main thing of note is the joystick control which I think up until now has only featured on the SX Mini G Class despite Innokin suggesting it’s the ‘first of its kind’.

It’s the joystick that lets you get into the menu and also increase and decrease your wattage and temperature settings on the fly.

The menu is packed full of features with a temperature control suite – TCR – Curve [pre-heat options] – Bypass mode and other setting options including puff counter and the ability to change the colour of the display.

The device is firmware upgradeable so keep an eye on Innokin’s site for more details.

The kit comes with the Scion 2 tank which we’ve covered in detail HERE – however the new Plexus coil is included.

This is Innokin’s take on a mesh coil which the company says not only delivers superb taste and clouds but lasts considerably longer than most stock coils on the market – three times as long actually!

As to whether that stands up we’ll look at soon.

Design and Build Quality

I say it every time I review an Innokin product – the build quality is as always outstanding however on the Proton there are a couple of niggles.

The battery door doesn’t feel the sturdiest they’ve made – yes it latches together nicely and no there’s no rattle – it just doesn’t feel as well made as the rest of the mod.

The joystick works well 97% of the time with just the occasional glitch particularly moving left to right.

It protrudes a good few millimetres not making it the most pocket friendly device out there as it can and does move.

When popping it into your bag or pocket I recommend locking the device so your settings are unaltered by any ‘accidental pocket jiggling’ – the mind boggles!

The side fire panel is pleasantly clicky and clickable almost to its full length is suitable for both left and right handed vapers and can be thumb or finger fired or obviously by gripping.

As to design it’s a shame they didn’t centre the 510 as where its situated gives the overall look of being a little off balance. Saying that it looks like it might take up to maybe a 28mm tank so there’s room enough.

Centering it may have meant the mod being slighter wider but that’s no bad thing given it’s pretty slim already!

There’s a refreshing lack of logos and designs which always appeals to me with a very nice ‘subdued’ Proton logo at the top of the fire bar – Innokin stamped onto the base of the mod and Proton at the top and a very grippy textured back plate.

The screen is an absolute joy – bit of a fingerprint magnet though – but it’s certainly crystal clear and you have the added bonus of changing the colours [a choice of 6 in total] which lifts the look of the mod wonderfully.

I received the full black version – something I tend to go for – it also comes in a contrasting gun metal and rainbow.

I have to say the rainbow version is absolutely stunning given the dazzling colours are accented and not all over the mod – very smart indeed.

So apart from the off centre 510 – the Innokin Proton topped with the Scion 2 is a decent looking set-up – so how does it vape?

How Does the Innokin Proton Kit Perform?

First up the mod as you might expect being from Innokin performance wise this is very good indeed.

It’s almost instantaneous firing no matter where on the side bar you press.

The screen is maybe a little difficult to read in direct sunlight as it has a slight smokiness to it – however even with my tired old eyes it wasn’t really an issue.

The joystick has a slight niggle that at times – particularly when pushing it left or right it doesn’t quite connect but that is rare.

Otherwise I’m actually very impressed with the joystick operation – if you haven’t used one trust me it very quickly becomes second nature – super-fast scrolling too!

I do worry the joystick knob given it protrudes a good couple of mm might take some knocks in pockets and bags somewhere down the line though so take care of it!

I did my usual very basic temp control – a stainless steel micro coil with dry cotton. After x3 fires there was little if any banding – so yet another good chip from Innokin.

As to if it hits 235w?

I’ll leave that to the experts but my gut tells me it will fall short of that…

As I’ve already stated we’ve reviewed the Scion 2 tank HERE – however let’s take a look at the new ‘semi-mesh’ Plexus coil Innokin has included.

Innokin Plexus Coil Performance

The claim is the Plexus coil will last up to three times longer than other coils on the market.

A bold claim indeed.

They also say the coil gives stable flavour – can take higher wattage with ease [up to 110w at 0.15ohm] and gives a good throat hit.

Not so sure the last bit is relevant to us sub ohm vapers and to be honest as far as that claim goes I didn’t really notice.

However the flavour off the Plexus coil is very good indeed taking just a fill and a half for it to really shine through – though do make sure you prime that coil well and let it sit for a good ten minutes!

And I have to say I’m extremely impressed with the durability of the Plexus coil – very impressed indeed.

I had set aside a 60ml bottle of my go to e-liquid and at the time of writing this review I’ve ran about 40mls though it and as you can see from the photo – there’s little sign of darkening and the flavour is still crisp – great stuff!

Bit of a drinker though – as is the 0.36ohm coil included in the kit.

I’m sure many of you regular users of sub ohm coils have got used to the amount of juice they can drink so maybe not an issue to many.

By the way and as you might expect the clouds up there at 110w are incredible and just as impressive at the lower end of the power scale and it stays pretty cool too with a perfect warm vape.

Flavour wise there’s the slightest dimming at lower wattage but not really enough to notice.

Pros

• Nice design
• Good build quality
• Side fire bar
• Super fast fire time
• Plenty of menu options
• Choice of screen colours
• Joystick control adds something ‘new’
• Good battery life
• Fast scrolling
• Room for larger tanks
• Scion 2 is a decent sub ohm tank
• Plexus coil is very good indeed
• Lightweight for a dual 18650 battery
• Good battery life

Cons

• 510 is off set
• Joystick can be temperamental sometimes
• Coils are heavy on the juice
• Battery door may become an issue with constant use?

Final Review Verdict

If you’re looking for a high powered good looking vape kit I can’t recommend the Innokin Proton and Scion 2 highly enough.

It’s very comfortable in the hand with a large clear screen and extremely intuitive menu packed with options to keep those new to sub ohm vaping and the more experienced and demanding very happy indeed.

I just wish the designers had centred that 510 because for me it really does give it an unbalanced look.

The Scion 2 is a pretty good sub ohm tank but lifts to a whole new level with the inclusion of the Plexus coil.

I’ve found a very happy sweet spot using it at 97.5w and the flavour is as good as any other sub ohm tank I’ve tried and yeah the longevity is a good as Innokin state!

BTW you can get a Scion 2 RBA [bought separately] and given it’s very simple to build on its definitely one for the new builders to take the step up!

Now here’s yet another sign I’m a fickle old fellow – the all black version is shall we say a little ‘underwhelming’ to look at if I’m brutally honest.

However the pair with the coloured accents – especially the rainbow version – really does lift the design immensely so bare that in mind when you buy one – because you really should!