Joyetech Atopack Penguin SE Reviewed – It’s Just Not For Me

This is the upgraded version of the original Joyetech Atopack Penguin – the ‘Special Edition’.

I didn’t get my hands on the first version but it seemed a heck of a lot of reviewers and vapers loved it.

This is about a simple as vaping can get – you fill up the cartridge – pop on the coil – hit the fire button and vape.

There’s nothing to phase even the newest of vapers – no screens or settings – the chip will add as much power as it thinks you need depending on the coil.

Joyetech say this is both direct to lung [DTL] and mouth to lung [MTL] and comes with two coils.

Design wise it does indeed look like a cute little penguin so has it given me happy vaping feet?

Let’s take a closer look.

As always my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Inside the Box

• 1 * Penguin SE battery
• 1 * ATOPACK cartridge
• 1 * ATOPACK coil (JVIC1 0.6ohm)
• 1 * ATOPACK coil (JVIC2 0.25ohm)
• 1 * QC USB cable
• 1 * Quick start
• 1 * Warranty card
• 1 * Warning card
• Spare parts

Atopack Penguin SE Specs

• Size: 26.5mm*52.0mm*102.5mm
• Weight: 102.0g
• Cartridge capacity: 8.8ml/2.0ml
• Battery capacity: 2000mAh
• Max charging current: 2A
• Colors: white, black, light blue, light pink, purple mix, grey mix
• Output mode: direct output
• Features: JVIC system, visual e-liquid window, modular design concept,

Atopack Penguin SE Quick Start Guide

• OK first up remove the cartridge
• Remove silicone plug
• Fill juice via centre hole – avoid the airflow!
• It’s important you prime the coil before pressing it onto base
• Leave to stand for at least 10minutes else you WILL get a dry hit as I did!
• Vape by pressing fire button

Light Display

There’s no screen but you can see the level of your battery via the LED light display.
5 solid lights means battery is full and these will go out one at a time as your battery fades.

Key Features

This is kind of a cross between a pod mod and an AIO [all in one device] – with the key feature being its total simplicity and I guess cool looks – yes it does look like a penguin particularly in the white and black version – very cute.

The refillable tank or cartridge has a TPD busting 8.8ml e-liquid capacity or if you’re in Europe a 2ml version is available – there’s space to write your e-liquid and other info on the side for future reference.

Charging is super-fast – from flat to fully charged I timed it to be a little under 2 hours and vaping on the 0.25ohm coil I got 6 hours before the battery ran down and slightly longer with the 0.6ohm coil.

Joyetech say the JVIC coils are ‘kanthal with pure cotton wrapped in a ceramic cradle’ and promise ‘It takes a horizontal approach in discovering original and clear flavor as well as large clouds’ – more on that later.

The new Special Edition comes in a variety of colourful options: white – light blue – grey mix – purple mix – light pink and the plain black I received.

Design and Build Quality

Design wise the Joyetech Atopack Penguin SE is obviously modelled on a penguin and that’s either going to appeal to you or not – personally I like the looks.

Build wise everything is well put together and it feels like zinc alloy or at least a very light and tough material with a very good paint job.

I haven’t used the original Penguin but I’m sure I read somewhere there wasn’t a juice window – the newer version has one and it’s shaped like an eye – a nice touch!

There’s no moving parts as such but pulling out and replacing the cartridge is easy enough and you get the minimal of rattling when it’s all put together.

It can get a little slippy from your finger oils so be careful as whilst it’s a tough little cookie – I don’t think it could handle too many falls on a hard surface.

How Does the Joyetech Atopack Penguin SE Perform?

First up you might be a little stumped on how the Joyetech Atopack Penguin works – the instruction manual is a little vague.

And hey I’m not the only reviewer who had to think about what to do in the first few minutes trust me!

OK, once you’ve removed the silicone cover from the base of the cartridge filling is a doddle – but you MUST prime the coil and once in place let it sit for a good 10minutes or longer.

I began with the 0.25ohm coil and left it for the allotted time – but got an awful dry hit – I mean awful.

Looking at the photo I took of the 0.25ohm coil – there does appear to be some damage – not sure if that’s the reason for the dry-hit but trust me even an hour later it was still doing it!

I swapped it for the 0.6ohm coil and left it for half an hour after priming and whilst there was no dry hit the flavour was more than a little muted.

It was only a good 30minutes later the flavour came through and the vapour production surprised me somewhat – lots of it!

Joyetech say the 0.6ohm coil is best for MTL but for me it wasn’t restricted enough but did give a half decent to lung, sub ohm vape.

As I’ve said clouds were very good indeed however it did take my coils ¾ of a tank before I got the best out of them.

The none adjustable airflow is just above the fire button and depending on which way you vape you can block it with your hand or lip which is a bit annoying.

Despite all that I have to say vaping on the Atopack Penguin SE is fun with a half decent flavour and plenty of clouds.

What I Like

Once you get past those first few moments wondering how it all fits together it really is a joy to vape on.

I’m not that excited by the flavour though – whilst it’s OK it’s not superb – but the vapour production is excellent.

It is extremely simple to use and over 8mls capacity and a reasonably long battery life means this is ideal for days out – it’s definitely not a juice guzzler.

And once those coils are broken in and soaked to the core they taste as if they’ll last an age – I’m into the 16th day and the taste is still clean – they wick well too even when chain vaping.

What I Don’t Like

There’s not a lot I don’t like – it is what it is a half decent fun vaping kit.

Not so sure it is a true MTL vape though I guess you could add a little tape to block of some of the airflow.

Speaking of the airflow it can get blocked off by your chin of hand if you’re not careful – not an issue if you vape with it pointing away from you.

Final Review Verdict

Having not used the original I can’t compare the two but as a standalone I think the Joyetech Atopack Penguin SE is a quirky cute fun little kit to vape on.

Look you’re not going to win any cloud chasing competitions even though the vapour is surprisingly good.

And flavour wise it isn’t bad but neither is it that good – especially the first half of the 8mls!

I was definitely interested in buying the Atopack Penguin but if I’m honest I’d have been a little disappointed.

That’s not to say I would put you off buying on as a spare or back-up – it’s just not for me.

Pros

• Simple to use
• Choice of coils
• Cute design
• Good battery life
• Fast charging
• Excellent clouds
• Flavour not too bad

Cons

• Coils really need priming until fully soaked
• Position of airflow can be an issue