The wattage wars are heating up. Innokin is no stranger to variable wattage but has upped the ante with its Evolv DNA powered SVD 2.0. Of course 20 watts seems like pretty low stakes considering devices exist that can produce over 300 watts of power now. Is Innokin’s SVD update enough? Find out in this review.
Disclosure: I received this product for review from the manufacturer, Innokin Technologies. This review contains affiliate links.
iTaste SVD 2.0 Review
Naturally, I reviewed the original SVD when it came out around two years ago. While it was a solid and well-built device, it was fairly pedestrian as far as advanced personal vaporizers go. The 2.0 version changes pretty much everything about the SVD.
None of the original design cues remain in the update. The weird little window bracket is gone, even the signature 3-light button most Innokin devices sport is history.
In its place is a more understated, taller tube design. The height can be attributed to the custom DNA circuitry created by EVOLV. The simplified design is more form than anything.
I’m not saying the tube is plain, rather the design is much more subdued than the original. There’s some slight curving to the tube and some very subtle lines along the battery tube. The DNA OLED screen sits opposite the three buttons on the device.
SVD’s DNA screen is pretty typical of other devices that use genuine and knockoff DNA screens. A nice backlight that displays battery charge, power setting, resistance and load voltage at a glance. This is the only thing that lights up on the SVD as the buttons do not.
The topmost button is larger and sports the new Innokin logo. I hate to say it, but Innokin’s new logo reminds me of the logo from Pixar’s The Incredibles.
Anyway, the + and – buttons are located a little distance below the power button. None of these buttons are backlit and they curve to match the shape of the tube. There’s an ever-so-slight protuberance from the buttons so you can feel them without looking. I have hit the adjustment buttons when trying to hit the fire button more times than I care to admit, however.
The stock body tube is designed for the larger 18650 batteries, while an included short tube can hold small 18350 batteries.
Also included is a replacement top cap with an eGo connection. This gives you the option of having an eGo connector without adding length to the already tall device if you don’t want it.
Speaking of nice little touches, the included carry case is pretty cool. It’s your basic soft sided rigid case, but with a nice extra. No, I’m not talking about the blue Innokin logo on the top and zippers. There’s a little battery tester sewn into the case. Stick one of the magnetized ends on each end of your battery and a series of blue LED lights will show you your charge level.
The little extras are nice, but the main attractions here are Innokin’s famous build quality and the DNA chip onboard.
Both companies are well regarded for their attention to detail and engineering. So naturally, this is an absolutely beautiful match. Some Innokin devices in the past haven’t had the most accurate voltage delivery. Using EVOLV gear inside makes that issue go away completely.
The only real question is if 20 watts is sufficient. While this is a new board design, 20 watts is the limit of the original DNA. EVOLV has more powerful boards, and the overseas manufacturers have gone out of their heads crazy, I’ve seen some mods that go beyond 300 watts.
That is entirely stupid.
But, I think in some cases 20 watts may be somewhat anemic. That being said, I think 20 watts is probably sufficient for 95% of the users. Typical tanks like the Nautilus and ProTank do great at even half the capacity of 20 watts. That leaves enough overhead for just about anything.
Where it may be lacking is in the RBA department. While I enjoyed using the Lemo on the SVD, I was pretty much at the top end of the powerband and felt like a little wiggle room would have been nice.
Other RBAs, I find sometimes even a 30 watt chip like the one in the Cana is barely sufficient.
In other words, if you want crazy high-power rebuildable atties and tanks, you might want to go full mechanical or with an APV that can go 30 watts or higher. For anything else, like normal tanks and things, you will find the SVD’s 20 watts to be more than sufficient.
Essentially, Innokin has put together a beautiful APV that is rock solid and incredibly adaptable. Some of the extras are also nice. I think this device might give ProVape’s new ProVari P3 a little something to worry about.
If you want to go buy an SVD now, check options and pricing here.
