The Joyetech Exceed D19 starter kit is a new release by a well-known brand who have played a huge part in the development of vaping equipment over the years.
Joyetech seem to be developing a lot of the best starter vape kits currently available, which is a good thing in a vape world full of advanced devices .
The previous Joyetech device I reviewed the CuBox AIO worked wonderfully for both and I still enjoy using it – so let’s see if the Exceed is as good.
The Joyetech Exceed D19 Starter Kit
This is a two piece device – the Exceed D19 battery unit and the Exceed D19 tank. The tank and battery can also be bought separately if you need spares or want to use each part with a different device.
This is a available at a beginner friendly price for a kit. But is it worth the money and does it rate as one of the Best Vape Pens for e-liquid?
What’s In The Box
The Joyetech Exceed D19 Starter Kit includes everything apart from E-liquid to get you up and running. Plus some spares to help you maintain it.
- Exceed D19 battery
- Exceed D19 atomiser tank
- EX Series 0.5ohm DL Coil Head
- EX Series 1.2ohm MTL Coil Head
- USB cable
- User manuals for the battery unit and the D19 atomiser tank
- Warranty card
- Warning card
- Spare parts (O-ring seals and a spare tank glass)
Features
- Size: 19 x 76mm
- Battery capacity: 1500mAh – Built in battery (not replaceable)
- Weight: 73.0g
- Coil: NiCr
- Applicable heads: EX series heads for DTL/MTL vaping
- Max output: 40W (with battery fully charged in Direct Output Mode)
- Colour: silver, black, white, dark orange, black/white
- Direct output and constant voltage output
- Top LED light indicator ring
- Refined airflow control system
- Detachable structure, easy to clean
- Safety features : over-charging, over-current and over-discharging protection.
- Coil resistance limits : 0.2 ohm to 3.5 ohm.
Exceed D19 Tank
- Coil: EX 1.2ohm MTL head (8 – 15W) / EX 0.5ohm DTL head (20 – 35W)
- Adjustable bottom airflow
- Size :19 x 42mm (not including the 510 thread)
- Capacity: 2ml
- Coil Changeable: Yes
- Connection Thread: 510
- Filling Method: Top Filling
Build Quality & Design
I received two Joyetech Exceed D19 starter kits to review – the Black/White colour and the Dark Orange colour. The black and white version is really beautiful and it’s so much smaller in height and diameter than I expected. I think it looks pretty classy.
I didn’t think I would like the orange version when looking at the manufacturer photos. But in the flesh it really is beautiful. It does look the business.
In real life this looks way better than the promotional photos – which is really rare!
There is a light which is a ring around the top of the battery. I really like this it looks great. The light ring colour is dependent on which output mode you have set the battery to.
There are two instruction leaflets – one for the battery and one for the Exceed D19 tank. The battery leaflet is written in the smallest print known to man – it’s hurting my eyes – so I downloaded a PDF version from the Joyetech website to read in comfort! It is very basic no illustrations and only the bare minimum of information.
The tank leaflet is much clearer and includes a start-up diagram.
Also enclosed is a yellow instruction card – one side gives tips for airflow settings and the other gives priming and filling tips.
The Tank:
The tank is part of the Exceed D range of tanks by Joyetech. There is also the D22 tank available. The number represents the diameter – the D19 is a 19mm diameter tank and the D22 is a 22mm diameter tank.
The tank external components are either a very hard plastic or a coated metal – except for the tank glass.
The tank glass is clear and makes the liquid level very obvious.
A small mouthpiece which for me is ideal – but with this being a MTL and DTL device – DTL people might find this too small.
The tank has a standard 510 connection on the base so could be used on many other devices. If used on a vape pen style device – make sure it is 19mm diameter or wider or you will have some overhang.
The tank is well constructed – I filled it several hours ago and have already knocked it over once and no leaks.
The top cap and mouthpiece unscrew easily and the tank is extremely easy to dismantle if you want to wash it out or change the glass.
It does look great but in real life the black/white version tank has a completely black tank top and bottom so the Joyetech and Exceed branding shown in the manufacturer image is pretty much invisible unless you tilt it to the light. On the orange version the branding is really clear and looks great.
The Battery:
The battery is a metal construction with a paint finish. The black/white version has a beautiful graduated paint effect which I really love. The Joyetech and Exceed branding are clear on either side of the battery and don’t detract from its beauty at all.
The ring of lights at the top of the battery flash to indicate the battery charge remaining. As the battery level decreases the light flashes more rapidly. At full to 60% charge the light is illuminated fully when you depress the fire button.
When the battery is fully discharged and the voltage is below 3.3V the fire button backlight will flash 40 times and the device will turn itself off until recharged.
To charge the inbuilt battery connect the supplied USB charger to the port on the battery and plug the other end into a suitable USB outlet. The light will go out when fully charged.
There are two output modes – a constant output (where the device regulates to make sure that the battery output stays the same – despite the charge level) or direct output (where the device will be pushing out more power on a fully charged battery and less as it discharges.)
In The Hand
Just look at how cute this is. It makes me want to jump up in a Reeves & Mortimer way shouting “it’s a beauty!”
It is light but sturdy, perfect size for my hand and the fire button feels just as it should. Nothing shakes or rattles. The fire button makes a solid sounding click as you use it.
How Does the Joyetech Exceed D19 Starter Kit Perform?
Basic operation
5 clicks of the fire button to turn this on and off. The light will flash 5 times to confirm.
To switch between constant output and direct output mode :
- Power off the battery (5 clicks of the fire button)
- Press and hold the fire button – the ring will light up – direct output mode (white light) and constant voltage output mode (orange light).
- Release the fire button when the applicable light is showing.
- Power up the battery (5 clicks of the fire button).
To explain why you would want to alter the output mode – Mechanical mods use a direct output – where all the available battery voltage is supplied to the coil. This can fluctuate according to battery charge – as the battery is discharged the performance will be very weak. Regulated mods regulate the battery output (constant output) to keep it the same regardless of the state of charge.
When the voltage drops below a specified point the battery is shut off until the device is charged. So this device can perform the functions of a mechanical mod and a regulated mod to add to its versatility.
How To Fill The D19 Tank
- Unscrew the mouthpiece.
- The filling holes are the smile shaped slots either side of the centre tube.
- Squeeze or drop E-liquid into the smile slots until the liquid is at the correct level.
- Replace the mouthpiece.
How To Change The EX Coil Head
If you notice a horrible burnt taste or poor output this usually indicates the coil head requires replacing. However make sure to check the tank level as often an empty tank will cause the same problem. Also if in direct output mode and the battery charge is low this will reduce performance.
You don’t have to have an empty tank in order to change the coil – just make sure to keep the tank upright to avoid spillage.
- Unscrew the mouthpiece.
- Unscrew the top of the tank (not the bottom bit where the airflow is!)
- The coil screws onto the underside of the top cap of the tank. If a coil is installed this simply unscrews.
- Install the top cap onto the glass tank.
- Replace the mouthpiece.
- Fill the tank to the correct level.
- Leave the tank for 5-10 minutes for the liquid to soak into the coil. Also before using take a couple of inhales on the mouthpiece without activating the fire button.
Airflow Adjustment
Just below the glass portion of the tank is an adjustable ring. You turn this to expose either holes or the large slot. With the large slot exposed you will get full airflow – which is mainly for direct to lung inhales. The holes are for mouth to lung vaping and you can tailor this by exposing more or less holes.
You can actually go as far as shutting the airflow off completely – so it really does offer lots of adjustment – which is brilliant. You can make a really restricted MTL airflow right up to a really airy DTL airflow – well done Joyetech!!
Flavour & Cloud Production
I used an 80% VG 6mg nicotine, Apollo DSRT E- liquid, for the 0.5 ohm coil – as sub ohm coils generally work better with a lower nicotine strength and are good at absorbing high VG E-liquid.
I used a 50/50% VG/PG, from the Apollo 50/50 Premium e liquid range for the 1.2 ohm coil.
Further Reading: What is PG and VG in E-liquid?
I have also tried the tank on another mod on its own to see how the tank performs.
EX Coil Range
This uses the EX 0.5ohm direct-lung coil head (best at 28W) and EX 1.2ohm mouth-to-lung coil head (best at 12W). Both coil heads were supplied in the kit. The 0.5 ohm coil is gold and the 1.2 ohm coil is silver.
These coil heads are also compatible with the Exceed D22 tank.
The coil heads come in packs of five for a great price. Apart from E-liquid these are the only consumable you will need to buy during the natural lifetime of the whole device.
I will update this review after more prolonged use with how well the coils last in real life.
1.2 ohm EX Coil
The 1.2 ohm coil is designed for MTL vaping using the airflow on the holes rather than slot setting.
I filled the tank – I used the orange device for the 1.2ohm coil – and left it to sit for a while to soak up the e-liquid.
After that it was lovely to use – no dry hits, an occasional pop but otherwise so lovely. Again this is a very cool vapour – which I am not used to – I do prefer a warm vapour – I think it does help the taste come through. So the taste wasn’t as strong as some devices- but you could still taste the liquid fine.
With 50/50 VG/PG liquid the vapour was exactly as expected – no big clouds but a normal volume for that type of liquid on a Plus Ohm coil.
The mouthpiece and airflow were spot on for MTL with this coil. Using the tank with this coil on another device gave the same performance.
I would recommend the constant output power mode for this coil.
0.5 ohm Clapton EX Coil
I used the black/white device with this coil.
This is designed for DTL vaping with the airflow wide open.
I used high VG liquid with this and found a couple of dry hits to start with so left it to sit for a while longer.
Constant Output Mode with 0.5 ohm Coil
14th October 2017
A really cool vapour which means the taste is a bit muted. Had a bit of spitting and gurgling too.
With the airflow fully open there wasn’t much vapour to be honest. However closing the airflow down to about half the DTL slot setting produced a better volume. I have used this high VG liquid in other devices and had a lot more vapour from them. So this is slightly below average for that.
I found myself still using this as MTL – I didn’t seem to get much performance using it DTL. I had to take pretty long inhales to get a throat hit or a lot of vapour. The device and tank get quite hot but the vapour is still really cool.
I have another Joyetech device the CuBox AIO which uses 0.6 ohm DTL coils and that performs way better than these 0.5 ohm – so these are slightly disappointing to me?
15th October 2017
The above was written yesterday – after leaving this overnight and also giving it a good charge – it is way way better! It must suffer from drop in performance even in constant output mode -which has surprised me. Maybe the coil soaked up the liquid more leaving it over night? I really don’t know what has happened but somehow the over night vaping fairy has weaved her magic on this!
Now the only other variable since last night is I added a small amount of 50/50 VG/PG unflavoured 12mg nicotine E liquid into my tank – just to up the nicotine level a bit for me. I wonder if it was struggling with the 80% VG and just thinning it slightly has made the performance better? But I used the 80% VG liquid in this tank on my mod and it was fine at 25W.
I feel a bit harsh now – but that was my experience at first with this. So give it a full charge and leave it sat for a day and then you will be very pleased!
Direct Output Mode with 0.5 ohm Coil
The 0.5 ohm coil does perform a lot better with the Direct Output power mode.
It was much better flavour and vapour production -but this doesnt last long as the battery charge drops it decreases in performance. So it’s not a mode I would use all the time. I found it made me cough with the battery fully charged.
Even the next day when the constant output performance improved – the direct output performance was the same.
When I used the tank on another device the performance was completely different…
The Exceed D19 Tank Performance
I tried this tank with the 0.5 ohm coil on my Pico Mega mod – it says the 0.5 ohm coil is best at 28W. At 25W this little beauty came alive! Huge vapour production and much better taste. Which in itself tells me that the Exceed D19 battery isn’t kicking out the power for this coil.
With the 1.2ohm coil at 12W on my mod I found very little difference in performance so the battery of the Exceed is much happier running the higher ohm coil.
In fact I would go so far as falling in love with the D19 tank and 0.5 ohm coil on my mod – it’s wonderful!
Battery Life
I found myself using this mostly in the regulated (constant) output mode. It was too fierce for me with the direct output when the battery was fully charged and then too weak as the battery discharged.
I did find myself questioning why this does need the output modes. The answer came when using the 0.5 ohm coil which didnt perform well in constant output. The 1.2 ohm coil performs wonderfully in constant output.
I will update this review with my opinion of the battery life as I haven’t got an accurate opinion as yet as I have been swapping between the two devices and output modes for this review.
What I Like
I mean just look at it – it is gorgeous. It looks classy and isn’t tacky or looking like it is a vaping toy.
It’s a simple easy and very effective vaping device with so many options to tailor it to your preference.
What I Dislike
I’m not a fan of some devices battery capacity display. I feel if it hasn’t got a screen then the old fashioned Green light for full charge and orange and red as the battery charge decreases is easier to interpret.
The flashing lights on this display the battery charge and it’s easy to mis-interpret.
Final Review Verdict
The Joyetech Exceed D19 is a great bit of kit, better than average as you do get lots of airflow adjustment.
This is a good price and you can use the tank on other devices and other tanks on this battery. So there is room for customisation.
This kit works well as a starter MTL device with the 1.2 ohm coils. In fact it’s great.
After leaving this over night and fully charging the 0.5 coil performance was hugely improved. I also added some thinner liquid to the tank – this may have helped – the 80% VG liquid may be too thick for this coil at this power level?
Using the D19 tank with 0.5 ohm coil on another device with a higher output was even better. I do recommend the D19 tank and 0.5ohm coil used on another higher output device.
It is super easy to use – I wasn’t keen on the battery display method but it works when you know what to look for and it is easy for a newbie to get to grips with.
Pros
- Spare tank and O-rings included- this I like a lot.
- This is incredibly cute!
- Top filling makes life so much easier.
- Airflow adjustment from pretty much Zero airflow to a nice wide open airflow. The airflow really is good for MTL vapers.
- MTL and DTL coils to tailor this for your own preference- both coils included in the kit too.
- Tank easy to clean as it fully dismantles.
- Tank liquid level really clear to see at all levels.
- With the 1.2 ohm coil this runs at its happiest – so a good kit for starter MTL vapers.
- The 0.5 ohm coil in this tank the kit was a bit unpredictable. One day was poor but the next day was excellent – seems to need the right battery charge and right E liquid to perform.
Cons
- DTL vapers might find the mouthpiece too small.
- Battery instruction leaflet written in micro writing. No description of why you would want direct output or constant output – which a newbie wouldn’t have a clue about.
- If I am being picky the battery indicator isn’t as clear as it could be. Perhaps reverting to the old colour codes of Green for fully charged and red for empty would be easier to interpret.
- I personally like a warmer vapour – I got a cool vapour from the 1.2 coil.
