The SMOK G-Priv pod kit review and this is predominately a sub ohm set-up, however by purchasing additional coils, it can switch to MTL.
SMOK has released two versions, the regular SMOK G-Priv pod kit and the Pro.
The only real difference is one has an internal battery whilst the other takes a single 18650.
I wasn’t sent the Pro – I guess everyone knows a ‘pro vaper‘ I’m not lol.
SMOK really doesn’t need any introduction given it’s probably the most well known vape company ever to have come out of China.
The much loved Alien saw SMOK catapult to stardom, and the G-Priv series has also been a big hit with vapers – Harley loved the G-Priv 3 which surprised him!
If you’re at all interested in SMOK and it’s rise to global popularity, I interviewed the CEO and wrote a history of the company – click the link.
What Can We Expect From the SMOK G-Priv Pod Kit?
I hate to say it but this is your bog standard chunky built pod mod, looking a lot like all the others out there…of which there are many.
The SMOK G-Priv pod kit is a sub ohm set-up, and a top filler with a 2ml or 5.5ml capacity, and comes with x2 sub ohm coils in the box.
It has an extremely basic menu with nice a clear colour screen.
It also features the fire bar rather than a button, and I know lots of vapers love that style.
It’s available in 6 colours: Matte Black Kit – Matte Blue Kit – Matte Red Kit – Nano Chrome Kit – Nano Gun Metal Kit and Prism Rainbow Kit.
Note: the colour bar now matches the pod mod.
OK, the SMOK G-Priv pod kit was sent to me by the good folk over at Vape Club – thank you – and as always my thoughts an opinions are not swayed by freebies.
Inside the Box
- Smok G-Priv Device
- G-Priv LP 2ml Pod
- LP2 0.23 Ohm Coil (20 – 45W)
- LP2 0.4 Ohm Coil (25W)
- USB-C Charging Cable
- User Manual
Specs and Features
- Sub Ohm Pod Kit
- 2500mAh Internal Battery
- 5 – 80W Output Range
- Airflow Adjustable
- 2ml Refillable Pod – TPD – 5.5ml ROW
- USB-C Fast Charging
- Size 34 x 27 x 123.5mm
Key Features
This is a sub ohm pod kit with a powerful 2500mAH internal battery.
It has a 2ml capacity with a top fill, and the SMOK G-Priv pod kit comes with x2 of the new LP coils.
Speaking of coils, the kit can also be used with the MTL coils – not included, and those from the RPM range – separate pod purchase required.
There’s x3 airflow settings and the colour screen shows a dead simple to navigate menu.
The fire ‘button‘ is the classic bar as used in the iconic SMOK Alien.
Design and Build Quality
There’s no getting away from it, the SMOK G-Priv pod kit is a chunky, solid device with a fair bit of weight to it.
The pods are a little stiff and tight to get onto and off the mod, there’s plenty of wiggling needed as they are press fit rather than magnets.
You can also accidentally hit the fire bar whilst trying to get them in and out, so be aware of that!
The fire bar makes contact for 2/3rds of it’s length and is extremely responsive with a very fast fire time…we’re talking milliseconds.
The top fill is a nice touch – simply push the mouthpiece away and fill via the generously sized port that’s covered by a gasket.
SMOK G-Priv Pod Kit – Design
And this is where IMHO, things take a turn for the worse…the design.
Whilst it looks like a plethora of the larger pod mods out there, the over the top advertising hurts my brain.
That humongous G-Priv pod lettering looks bloody hideous – as does the anti-counterfeit scan sticker that SMOK says vapers should leave on the device.
The fake carbon fibre backing with loud red stitching only adds to what I consider a far too busy design – but hey I’m sure the SMOK fans will love it.
The only redeeming feature for me is the colour contrasted fire bar – I particularly like the red version I’ve received which has a very smart metallic finish.
So…a decent solid build let down – for me – by a gaudy design.
That aside, how does it vape?
How Does the SMOK G-Priv Pod Kit Perform?
It feels like forever since I used or reviewed a SMOK vape product of any kind.
And it feels even longer since I reviewed a stock coil sub ohm kit – pod or regular mod.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much…however, you and I might be pleasantly surprised!
Let’s take a look at each of the coils…but first a quick start guide.
SMOK G-Priv Pod Kit – Quick Start Guide
- x5 clicks of the fire bar on and off
- Fill from the top by sliding away the top cap – arrow shows where
- Hold both buttons to lock wattage
- Fire bar and right button changes screen colour
- Fire bar and left button changes puff counter
- Up and down buttons change wattage
- Adjust airflow via slider
For the taste test I used an old school favourite of mine, Wick Liquor Contra an 80/20 PG/VG mix.
SMOK G-Priv Pod Kit – 0.24ohm Coil
SMOK says this coil has a best wattage range of between 20 and 45w – quite a difference.
Trust me don’t bother anywhere below at least 30w and even then it’s not the best flavour.
Bumped up to 45w and things can get a little hot and I found my best vape at 37/40w.
As for the flavour?
Impressive!
It’s a lovely warm vape with bags of flavour and plenty of vapour.
I found the tightest airflow setting gave a decent if a little loose MTL vape even with this sub ohm coil.
Half open and yup – a very nice RDL vape indeed.
Wide open and whilst the flavour dipped a tiny bit – the flavour was still on point.
As you might expect from a SMOK coil – the clouds were crazy even at that wattage.
SMOK G-Priv Pod Kit – 0.4ohm Coil
The wattage for this one is set at just 25w…who am I to argue.
As you might expect, this is a cooler vape, not by much and certainly not unpleasant.
However, for my taste buds the coolness means a tad less flavour – only a smidgen maybe, but noticeable.
With the airflow shut off, things warmed up a little as did the flavour, but not by much.
Half open and flavour dipped again, as it did with the airflow wide open.
Vapour was still pretty decent for such a low wattage, but this coil wasn’t as impressive as the 0.23ohm.
I did push it up to 35w and could feel the coil struggling with the hint of burning after a couple of puffs.
Pros
- Solid build
- Great flavour off the 0.23ohm coil
- Very good vapour production
- Easy to navigate/use menu – if a little basic
- Huge internal battery with fast charging
- 2 coils in the box that last well
- RPM 2 pod available separately
- x3 airflow settings
Cons
- Overall design not to my taste
- 0.4ohm coil not such good flavour
- Pods a struggle to get in and out
Final Review Verdict
I’ve managed to dodge reviewing this type of pod mod – though saying that, I have been spending a lot of time with disposable vapes – soon to end lol.
So you’d think this would be a refreshing change…
Nope.
Look, I can’t knock the flavour off the 0.23ohm coil – it’s very impressive – I just don’t like this style of pod mod…we’ve seen it all before.
There’s absolutely tons of them out there and the SMOK G-Priv pod kit from what I can see brings nothing new to the table.
And…nope…I’m not a SMOK snob by any stretch of the imagination – I was pretty impressed with the original Infinix and the SMOK Infinix 2 for instance.
Listen, if this kind of pod mod is for you then go for it and stock up on those flavoursome 0.23ohm coils, and maybe even go for the additional MTL coils or/and the RPM 2 pod.
It’s just not for me.
So…
Are you using the SMOK G-Priv pod kit or likely to be buying it?
Please let me know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below…be as brutal as you like – I can take it ha!
Did you experience any leaking?