The Joyetech Exceed Grip is just one of a number of pod system devices that have been hitting stores since the salt nic revolution began.
Big brands like Joyetech have been upping their pod game in response to the popularity both of nic salts and of little, compact, user friendly devices that are ideal companions for stressed out cigarette-quitters.
What Does The Joyetech Exceed Grip Offer?
This ultra compact little device features a host of innovations that really set it apart from other AIO and Pod mods on the market. With two types of side-loading cartridges, the exceed Grip offers users the option of Direct to Lung (DTL) use with standard e-liquids and a cartridge with a replaceable coil, for Mouth to Lung (MTL) use with salt nic from the disposable, MTL cartridge.
Read more about Mouth to Lung and Direct to Lung vaping here
Joyetech has been stepping up for a while now with a string of exciting products in this category. They have introduced the Teros pod, the Atopack Magic and the odd-looking Runabout pod. Expecting big things from this affordable brand that’s been improving by leaps and bounds with every new release, let’s see how I fared with the compact and colourful Exceed Grip.
In The Box
- Joyetech Exceed Grip Battery unit
- Standard cartridge including coil
- Pod cartridge
- Spare coil
- USB cable
- User manual
Features
- Size: 74x40x21mm
- Output: Intelligent variable voltage output
- Battery: 1000mAh (Internal)
- LED battery indicator
- Coils: 0.4ohm Mesh (In standard Cartridge – replaceable) / 0.8ohm Mesh (In Pod Cartridge – not replaceable)
- E-liquid capacity: 4.5ml (Standard Cartridge) / 3.5ml (Pod Cartridge)
- DBP Technology (Dry Burn Protection)
- Push in cartridge installation
- LED battery indicator light
Design and Build Quality
Opening up the tiny, white, Joyetech box was a little difficult. A really nice box but impossible to get open without advanced acrobatics or tools of some kind.
When I finally got it done, I was greeted by an adorably small little rectangular box, with nicely rounded corners, grip textured, plastic panels on either side (my panels are white, other colours available such as the one below).
There’s a snazzy, brushed metal ribbon running around the entire mod’s base, top and narrower sides in one continuous sweep.
One plastic panel has a Joyetech branding, which blends discreetly in with the texture and colour on the white version. The other side has the Exceed Grip brand in the centre.
Looking from the Joyetech side, I see a quality 510 Delrin drip tip, in a lipped connection at the very right of the top surface.
Opposite that drip tip, at the top of the side on my left is a neat, thumb tip sized, rectangular fire button, in white on my device and with that fine concentric texturing which I like…it’s very clicky!
At the bottom of the side with the fire button is an elongated, horizontal running LED indicator, with a micro USB port below that.
On the opposite side, things are looking funky and innovative, as Joyetech has designed this pod’s cartridge to slide in to the centre of that side.
The pod easily clips in and out with a pull/push. Once out you can see a little metal base to this cartridge, which is removable, allowing me to actually change the coil head.
I can see that the coil head is optimally positioned at the bottom of the cartridge, where it can grab up juice, even on a low tank.
Replacing the 0.4Ohm Coil Head
You read that right, this pod comes with a DTL cartridge which allows you to replace the coil head!!!!
The DTL coil can be replaced by doing the following:
- Twisting the metal fixture at the bottom of the cartridge
- Pulling this section out, coil attached
- Remove and replace the coil.
- Twist the fixture back into place
Inside the box is an MTL, disposable cartridge, which can be identified by the fact that it has a plastic base and a solid coil and shaft within the cartridge.
Being a pod system, the Joyetech Exceed Grip is very simple and easy to figure out. It has an onboard battery and no screen or controls other than the fire button.
I like what I am seeing here, it really looks like an a quality little piece of gear, it has a good weight to it, the finishes and machining are really clean and sexy all round. It fits in the palm of my hand and it’s barely bigger than a Zippo lighter.
I can’t wait to try it out!
How To Fill The Exceed Grip Pod
Both cartridges can be refilled through the port on the side of the cartridge:
- Remove the pod
- Find the silicon stopper and ‘unplug’
- Fill gently and slowly
- Replace the stopper and click cartridge back into place.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before vaping to allow vape juice to soak into the cotton.
How Does The Joyetech Exceed Grip Perform?
Well now, since the Exceed Grip comes with the 0.4 oHm DTL cartridge preinstalled, it was easy for me to make the mistake of filling it up with my strong 25 mg salt nic e-liquid, which I shouldn’t have done.
Since the DTL cartridge has such a solid vapour production and such a smooth (although restricted) Direct Lung draw, I was quickly feeling ill from a slight nicotine overdose …when will I learn?
I ended up filling the cartridge half way with my nic salt and half with my regular 3mg juice and that definitely solved the problem!
Ergonomics are great on this little guy, with awesome weight, finishes and texturing that give it a good handfeel. The size is amazing, so small and yet so effective.
I would say that, given the very restricted nature of the DTL hit you get from this coil, the vapour production is probably about the best that you could ask for but that’s not a pods purpose.
The fire only controls and easy side-loading cartridge make it a breeze for even the most inexperienced users.
I get great response from this fire button, also when used for on/off…five clicks registers every time, which is not always the case with fire buttons.
I also find the mod stands up to heavy, chain vaping, without getting hot at all or complaining.
Dry Burn Protection
I tested the dry burn protection, which is intended to prevent firing when the tank is empty of juice and this actually works, which is awesome! You can see the idea behind this in the video below.
My one complaint is that the flavour, in my opinion, is not great on the replaceable coil or on the built in one, though the mesh coil is a little better.
That said, for the purpose of getting a nicotine fix, in a compact and very portable package, and when you’re not bothered about flavour, this is perfect.
EX-M 0.4 Ohm Mesh Replaceable Coil
Okay, the 0.4 Ohm replaceable coil, which comes pre-installed and which has a 10-13 usage range, actually delivers a hell of a cloud for such a teeny tiny coil.
Draw on this coil is smooth and easy, though the device delivers a restricted hit, for Direct Lung usage.
Flavour is just not great on this coil.
I have a very fruity nic salt and a very strong creme soda juice mixed into the DTL pod at the moment and I can taste very little fruit and none of the coolant I usually feel from my creme soda.
This is a big disappointment, since everything else about the Exceed Grip, and this coil, is awesome.
0.8 Ohm Mesh Internal Coil
The 0.8 ohm mesh coil is non-replaceable MTL coil and I expect the wattage range is the same as the previous coil, at 10-13 Watts, which is what this baby fires at.
Once again, I get exceptional vapour production form this little MTL coil, however, in spite of it being a mesh coil, flavour is still fairly muted, that said…it’s better than the DTL coil.
Even from first fill, my extremely high flavour salt nic and regular juice mix is just not manifesting much of the fruits or coolant I should taste, there is a slight sweetness on my tongue and a mild hint of fruit but that is all. Disappointed on that front but still a solid solution for an MTL nicotine fix if that is all you’re after.
Battery Life
Another plus for this diminutive and versatile device is its whopping, 1000 mAh built in battery. It’s hard to believe they fit such a huge battery into such a small device but the relative weight of this pod attests to the fact…as does its outstanding battery life.
I tend to chain vape, even on a pod system and I’m always struggling with the constant need to recharge on my pod devices but not this one, you can happily vape on this pod for a day and a half (excluding the night) as the low wattage output preserves that 1000 mAh battery. Very good.
Given the fact that flavour is better on this coil, I began using it for DTL and it actually works great for restricted DTL hits too.
For MTL, the draw is smooth but also quite open, far less restricted than a cigarette, for example.
Pros
- Ergonomic and tiny design
- Attractive, quality finishes
- Convenient operation with effortless side loading cartridge
- Excellent vapour production on both coils
- Outstanding battery life
- Good, smooth MTL and DTL draws
Cons
- MTL draw may not be as restricted as some users would like
- Flavour is muted
Final Review Verdict
The Joyetech Exceed Grip is a compact, portable, innovative, adaptable pod mod / AIO with excellent vapour production and battery life.
The only thing this pod system doesn’t deliver for me is the rich flavour and full flavour profile we are seeing on many of even the smallest pod systems these days.
That said, I recommend it for transition vapers and nic salt lovers who don’t really concern themselves with the flavour aspect and just want a really neat, portable and affordable device with great performance on all the other fronts.
Have you used the Joyetech Exceed Grip Pod System? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
