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Smok Arcfox Kit Review – Tough and Smart So How Does It Vape?

Is it tough enough to handle sustained physical abuse from my wife and kids..?

April 21, 2021

2020 was the year of Pod vapes, so it always makes a nice change to receive a Tank / Mod kit, like the Smok Arcfox.

I’m fairly sure the vast majority of vapers know of Smok, even if you haven’t had one of their devices before.

Smok Arcfox from front

Founded in 2010, Smok was one of the first brands off of the mark in the industry and they’re going as strong as ever, even if there has been a few bumps in the road.

I’m not going to go into too much detail, because I have in other reviews, but in recent years Smok has been involved in quite a few partnerships and acquisitions.

The first stock coil kit I fell in love with was the TFV4 … Since then it’s been an almost impossible to try and keep up with all the different Smok tanks and it isn’t any easier to keep up with all their devices.

At this point, trying to pick a few devices to point out is like trying to choose which strand of grass you should showcase, meaning there is so many to choose from.

What I will say is Smok’s portfolio is extremely diverse. Including everything from simple pods like the Nord’s and Novo’s (in total there is over 10 different pod systems), to pod mods like the Thallo’s, Scar’s, IPX’s and RPM’s.

Away from Pod Mods Smok has a long list of regular mods and vape pens like the following series’

G-Priv
Morph
Mag
Rigel
Scar
Stick

Really the list goes on… and on … and on.

What Can We Expect From The Smok Arcfox Kit

At first glance the Smok Arcfox kit looks very similar to the Smok Scar 18 kit which was released just over 6 months prior.

However it isn’t identical, I personally prefer the look of the Arcfox.

In the kit I received the Arcfox mod comes with the TFV-18 tank, however by looking at Smok’s website, if you are in a TPD area, you should expect a TFV-Mini V2 Tank. (Please check the product contents with the retailer before buying).

As you would expect from the ‘Scar-18 look’ the Arcfox mod is Shock proof, IP67 Dustproof and Waterproof.

The mod takes x 2 18650 batteries, takes a 2A charge through it’s USB-C port and has a sidebar firing button which I love.

It fires from 5w to 230w as well as having Temperature Control.

I’ve asked to focus on the mod because Neil Cozens wrote an awesome review specifically on the TFV-18 tank recently.

Plus if you live in a TPD area you wouldn’t get the TFV-18 tank and I don’t have the TFV Mini V2 tank. However, I will give a brief overview of my experience with the tank.

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Inside the Box

Arcfox Mod
TFV18 Mod (7.5ml)
TFV18 Meshed 0.33ohm coil
TFV18 Dual Meshed 0.15ohm coil
Bubble Glass Replacement
USB-C Cable
User Manual

There are 3 kits available (Standard / US, EU Standard, EU 2ml) the Standard and EU Standard versions are the same but the EU 2ml version replaces the TFV-18 tank for the TFV Mini V2.

As I said before, check the product contents before purchasing the product.

Smok Arcfox Mod Specs

Size: 88.25×55.6x30mm
Battery: 2×18650 (not included)
User modes: VW, TC
Display: 0.96in Colour TFT screen
Output: 5-230W VW (0.5-8.2V) / 10-80W TC
Type C USB charging – 2A charge rate
Resistance range: 0.1-2.5ohm (VW) / 0.05-2ohm (TC)
Temperature Range: 200-600°F / 100-315°C
IP67 Waterproof, Shockproof and Dustproof

Design and Build Quality

The Smok Arcfox kit comes in 6 colours, at the time of writing… It’s important to say that with Smok, because they are masters of reviving products by adding new colour variations.

I received the Prism Gun Metal, and I think it looks very suave.

Let’s be honest, the vast majority of the devices that have been released recently closely resemble the GeekVape Aegis Mods.

The Scar-18 did but this resembled an Aegis mod even more than the Scar-18 did!

However it isn’t identical and at risk of being shamed, I actually think it looks a little bit more elegant by the changes.

Smok Arcfox Top & 510 Connection

The 510 Connection on the Smok Arcfox is central to the top of the mod.

With a diameter of 24.5mm, the connection plate almost spans the entire width of the mod, which is 30mm, it is also a perfect match for the bottom of the of the TFV-18 tank.

The connection plate is held down by 3 torx screw which is certainly better than 2 screws!

Unfortunately the long term strength of the connection plate relies on the quality of the screws and what they screw into, although it does seem fairly durable.

The surround of the connection plate is some sort of very shiny metal (I would guess at Zinc Alloy), from the top we can see that it is held down by a further 4 screws.

I assume it’s designed like that because the sides of the mod are a sealed unit, so they’ll put the insides in through the top. Which begs to question… why on earth would you put the 510 connection on the very top as a vulnerability?

The Aegis’ for example have the 510 connection under a top layer… unless they have patented that?

Smok Arcfox From The Side

Here is where the ‘Aegis’ look comes into play.

There is a smooth shiny metal frame (again presumably Zinc Alloy), which goes around the sides and holds down a leather patch.

The frame is held on by 4 screws, and the leather is nicely padded. I wonder if my friend Custom Aegis Skins can make custom replacements.

From the Back and the USB-C Port

On the back of the mod there is a shiny ‘Arcfox’ logo.

Underneath that ‘Designed By Smok’ is embossed into the rubber.

I’m not usually a massive fan of big branding, but it does look pretty cool.

Just above that (or to the side depending on your perspective), where mod curves around to the button, is the USB-C port which is covered by a rubber plug.

The plug has a bit of a lip, which is brilliantly designed, it’s not too much of a lip that it constantly gets caught and opens.

However it is still easy to open, even for me as an extreme nail biter.

On the Aegis’ this is a major problem, because the charger port is quite deep inside the mod and it’s quite hard to find a replacement USB cable that will fit into the hole.

That isn’t really a problem with the Arcfox, I tried it with 2 other USB-C cabled and they both fit.

Fire Button On the Smok Arcfox

As I said early in the review, the Arcfox uses a bar button for it’s fire button, which I love because it means you can hold the mod pretty much however you want and still be able to comfortably fire it.

The fire bar button is made out of the same smooth metal as other parts of the mod, well placed and doesn’t rattle.

The ‘+’ and ‘-‘ buttons are pill shaped buttons made of the same material and are placed on the front of the mod just below the screen.

Smok Arcfox Front and Screen

The front of the mod is the same as the back.

However instead of having the Arcfox branding, the front has the mods screen.

While screen is off, all you can see is a long black shiny piece of plastic with the Smok logo at the top and the ‘+’/’-‘ buttons at the bottom.

While the screen is on we are presented with the 0.96″ TFT colour screen.

At the top of the screen the batteries have individual battery indicator bars, each with their own percentage readings.

Below that is the power mode and the current setting.

Then in the bottom half of the screen, there is the information regarding coil resistance, volts, puff counter and puff timer.

It’s a simple and fairly elegant screen. It’s easy to see the majority of the time, but it could do with being a bit brighter as it can be a bit hard to see when you’re in the sun.

I almost forgot, but pressing the ‘+’ button and the fire button simultaneously you can change the colour of the interface. There are 6 colours available (Red, Purple, White, Blue, Green annd Yellowy orange).

Smok Arcfox Battery Door

Last but not least, the bottom of the mod, which is quite typically the home of the battery door.

Again, a design that we are quite familiar with, a spring loaded battery door with a release button.

It’s one of those battery doors that can last a while, if you look after it.

However it is not the easiest to close or open. Due to the pressure on the battery door from the spring loaded battery connections you hard to press it quite hard to close and to open it the button is just as stiff.

I’m not really going to be taking points off for that, I’d rather something be too tight than too loose, especially on a waterproof device.

Again the battery door uses that nice, shiny, smooth metal.

The Smok TFV18 Tank

Again whenever I talk of the Smok TFV18 tank, it will only be brief as we already have a dedicated review.

The tank is typically Smok…. That’s pretty much the best way to describe it, I genuinely don’t think there is a better way.

The top fill is exposed by pressing a button on the front of the top cap. Inside is just a metal top, but fear not, a silicon anti-leak system is in place, it is store inside the top part that swings open.

Using The Smok Arcfox

The Arkfox is a pretty simple Mod to use.

The how-tos for the tank applies to both the TFV18 and the TFV Mini V2.

Filling The Tanks

Press the button on front of tank and twist the top cap to the side.
Fill throught the fill hole slit
Close the top cap
Leave for 5 minutes to allow the Eliquid to soak into the coil

Changing The Coil

Change the coil when the tank is as empty as possible to reduce wasted Eliquid

Unscrew the base from the tank
Unscrew the coil and dispose of it
Screw in the new coil
Screw on the base
Fill the tank and leave for 5 minutes

Smok Arcfox Operations

On/Off = Fire button 5 times within 2 seconds
Change Power Mode = Fire button 3 times, use ‘+’/’-‘ to change the setting, then long press fire button to save and exit.
Lock/Unlock ‘-‘/’+’ buttons = press ‘+’ and ‘-‘ simultaneously
Clear Puff Counter = fire button and ‘-‘ simultaneously
Change Theme Colour = fire button and ‘-‘ simultaneously

How Does The Smok Arcfox Perform?

What menu? The Smok Arcfox doesn’t have a menu per say.

It’s pretty basic and uses button presses to changes the settings and things (as you have just seen in the above section)… Another similarity to the Aegis, if I may say so.

However I do like this kind of system, there is nothing worse than a mod that provides a menu when there isn’t one needed.

I think it’s simple and easy to use.

Battery Life & Charging

If you have read any of my reviews before you will know I always prefer charging my batteries externally because it’s believed external chargers are better for batteries but mainly for me, I like to have 2 sets, 1 charging and 1 in use.

The battery life and charging time you should expect depends completely on what capacity your batteries have. I’ll be optimistic and presume your batteries are 3000mAh, like my Samsung 30Qs.

Both coils that come with the TFV18 have a suggested wattage of 100-110W, and if you’re using the Smok Arcfox kit at 100W you’ll get just under 800 Seconds worth of vaping. Which is a 3 second puff every other minute for about 8.5 hours, which is fair for 100W usage.

After using your mod all day, the batteries die, you bang it on charge though it’s 2A USB-C port. With your 2x 3000mAh batteries, it will take approximately 3 hours to charge.

All in I don’t think that’s terrible, it’s pretty much the expected for a dual 18650 mod.

Smok TFV18 Tank Summary

Neil Cozens gave the TFV18 a whopping 9/10 is his dedicated review.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, make sure you do, I pretty much agree with everything Neil has said.

To summarize my thoughts on the tank, I would say it is pretty decent, I love the push button, twist off top caps, they’re so much better than screw on ones!

It is a beast of a tank in regards to size, and so are the coils…. And so are the coils wicking holes.

My main gripe with the tank, and the main thing that lets it down, its the cloud thickness.

I am a flavour chaser and a cloud chaser. The 0.33ohm coil has a best recommended wattage of 100-110W, with an overall recommendation of 80-140W.

Now bare in mind I am someone that usually fires my RBAs at 135W.

DO NOT get me wrong, it produces some big clouds and some decent flavour, but for me the feel of a thick cloud, isn’t there on the way in or the way out, turning the airflow down works a little bit but still…

It just feels a bit thin and fluffy, even though there is plenty of cloud… Is that just me? Let me know in the comments.

Stress Testing the Smok Arcfox Mod

I always go over the top when it comes to testing the durability of mod, but hey why not, it has to be fun right?

I also try and keep it different each time I do a stress test and this time I figured I chuck it to my kids Lillie (3) and Jaxon (5) and let they play with it (without the tank), they break everything else, so I figured if it can survive them, it can survive anything.

Smok Arcfox Waterproof Testing

Ok, I didn’t really have any means of going other the top with this, I just passed it to the kids and told them to play with it in the water.

Everything went ‘swimmingly’, there is no surprise that the water didn’t effect the mod at all.

Smok Arcfox Shock Proof Testing

I didn’t just want to pass it to the kids and say “Here try and break this!”, so I created a game.

I put a metal fire bin a few meters away and told them to compete to see who could throw it in. FYI Jaxon was worryingly good at this.

The mod ended up going all over our large garden with some heavy landings, but it was fine. There was no actual damage to it, it was just a bit of dirt.

At this point I was a bit peeved.

Sure it’s great that the mod still works but it doesn’t have a single mark!

Breaking The Smok Arcfox Mod

So far we have proved the Mod can with stand the day to day wear and tear of a mod, like being dropped, or thrown into a fire bin a few meters away, you know the usual stuff.

It’s definitely shockproof but exactly how far can it go? Imagine being stood on the top of a skyscraper and someone throwing you your mod, you miss and it goes over the edge… would it survive?

No, absolutely not. I know this because I upped the game. I got mum involved.

First she played the “Throw it in the fire bin” game, the mod was still fine. Next they all threw it at the floor as hard as they could.

Jaxon had 2 goes, Lillie had 2 goes and at this point there was just a few scuffs, then mum had one go… and broke it.

When she threw the mod on the floor the battery door was shut with 2 batteries in it. When it landed it has 2 batteries in still, but it didn’t have a door… at all.

After looking for the battery door for 15 minutes, we finally found it ) about 6 meters away.

Does It Still Work?

It does, although not properly.

One of the nut anchors for the skeleton which holds down the leather patch has come free, which i assume you could easily fix with a spot of glue.

And the battery door has completely come off. You can put it back on, but I think a little bung has gone missing so it’s no longer a strong part of the device, it wobbles and comes out.

Also the lip where the battery door latches onto had been bent up.

I put the battery door back on, obviously it’s not how it was, it’s still loose, however, when I put it back together the best I could, it still worked…

So it is very broken but it can still perform as a vape mod, and to be fair it is still durable… to an extent, obviously the battery door may fall off or loose connection when you drop it.

Obviously this is extreme, but that’s the point, if my Mrs throws it on a concrete floor as hard as she can and it still partially works, it’s pretty damn durable and shock proof.

Pros

Durable (Water, dust & Shock Proof)
Easy to use
Feels good in hand, nice shape size and weight
Simple and not gimmicky
Decent / average ramp up time
Fire Bar Button

Cons

It’s not ‘advanced’ in regards to features and modes
Controllable screen brightness or Brighter screen

Final Review Verdict

You know… I think it’s a decent device, OK the battery door is a bit tight (which I’ve already said, I don’t mind) and the battery door was the part that broke in the ‘stress test’ but again that’s obvious, it’s the only bit on the device that moves.

At the end of the day the Smok Arcfox is a simple but durable device that fires up 230W or 600°F.

It isn’t all singing, all dancing and packed with features but it is more than ample and does (In my opinion) exactly what a vape should do.

I personally think Smok’s Scar range felt a bit like a cheap knock off of the Aegis’, however there is nothing cheap feeling about this, it feels and looks like an awesome device.

Are you likely to be getting your hands on this one?

Let me know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.