Smok Scar Mini Review – Big Smok – Small Package

The Smok Scar Mini review, so let’s see if a smaller size makes any difference to the quality of the vape.

For as long as I can remember, Smok has pretty much stuck to dual battery devices along with cloud chucking tanks, obviously more recently they have gone down the pod mod route with the RPM range of systems.

I very recently reviewed the Smok Scar-18 Kit which is quite simply a Geekvape Aegis Legend copy and uses the the Smok TFV9 tank. As much as I had problems with the tank – major leaks – the device itself was durable, easy to use and comfortable.

So what we’re looking at here is Smok’s attempt to make a smaller version of the Scar-18 Kit.

What Can We Expect From The Scar-Mini Kit by Smok?

The Smok Scar Mini device makes use of a single 18650 battery which is installed via the top of the mod, very similar to the Vaporesso Swag 2 Kit that the awesome Will Jameson reviewed early this year.

The Smok Scar Mini can fire up to 80 watts and comes with a smaller version of the TFV9 tank, coming out at 22mm in diameter whilst still taking the V9 Meshed coils.

Apart from that, it looks like Smok has tried to copy the look, feel and design of their Scar-18 Mod with the Mini.

So let’s crack on and see what this is all about…

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Inside the Box

• 1 x Scar-Mini Mod
• 1 x TFV9 Mini Tank
• 2 x V9 Meshed 0.15Ohm Coils
• 1 x USB Type-C Cable
• 1 x User Manual

Key Features

Smok Scar Mini Mod

• Product Size: 50.0×25.5×75.1mm
• IP67 Rated
• Output Wattage: 1-80w
• Output Modes: Wattage Only
• Charging: Externally or Via USB-C Port
• Output Voltage: 1.0v – 6.4v
• Resistance range: 0.15-2.50 Ohms
• Display: OLED Display
• Battery: Single 18650

Smok TFV9 Tank

• Height: 55.8mm
• Diameter: 22mm
• Coil: TFV9 Range
• Airflow: Bottom Adjustable Airflow
• To Fill: Lift and slide Top-Fill
• Capacity: 3ml (2ml TPD Version)

Smok Scar Mini Colours

The mod comes in a range of colours and the tanks included will colour match the device.

There are some questionable colour styles to choose from which are terribly worded as ‘Stabilising Wood’… Yep!

But clearly they’re just a printed ‘Wood Effect’ on the leather panels.

Smok Scar Mini Design and Build Quality

I received the Fluid Gold variant of the Scar-Mini Kit, not my favourite colour mod and tank to be honest, but that shouldn’t make a difference to performance.

But yeah… it’s a little blingy for me.

The Smok TFV9 Tank

Smok Scar Mini Drip Tip & Top Cap:

The TFV9 Mini tank has a push fit 510 Drip-Tip which is simple and non-eventful. But Its comfortable and you can swap for your own 510 however make note, there is no internal O-Ring

The top-cap of the TFV9 Mini tank is one of those lift and slide latch styles.

We don’t tend to see this style very often but it seems to work OK and the top-cap slides out in a nice smooth anti-clockwise direction.

A little bit of force is required to un-latch and reconnect into position, a little annoying but nothing too stressful.

Smok Scar Mini Top Fill Port:

Once the top-cap is moved to one side, there is a terrible silicon seal on the TFV9 Mini tank and a really small filling port, just about large enough for the small sized bottle tips.

Smok Scar Mini the Base:

Not much to report at the base, the TFV9 Mini states it size, and of course the usual Smok branding.

The positive pin barely protrudes as well so as much as I would assume no-one would be stupid enough, I must stress this is NOT a hybrid safe tank. Meaning don’t use this on a Mech Mod… But you’re not that stupid are you?

Tank – Overall:

In summary the Smok TFV9 Mini sub-ohm tank is a cute version of the TFV9 which all fits together nicely.

My only gripes are the slightly grindy opening of the top-cap and the seal inside it pretty terrible.

The  Smok Scar-Mini Mod:

510 Connector:

Because of the layout of the battery position, the 510 connector is to one end of the Smok Scar Mini. There is the usual Spring-Mounted 510 and I’ve had no problems using a number of different tanks, not just the TFV9 Mini.

Anything larger than approx. 23mm wont fit on the Scar Mini either. Firstly because of the overhang on the device, but more importantly because anything larger than 23mm wont fit because of the battery cap which isn’t also situated at the top.

Smok Scar Mini Micro USB Port:

Hidden under a thick rubber flap at the base of the Scar-Mini is a USB Type-C port for charging and firmware upgrades.

The Front of the Device

The Smok Scar Mini has a super simple display with the usual button layout.

At the top is a clicky fire button, and the alterations buttons (Up and Down) are barely separated by each other meaning if you have chunky fingers like me, you may struggle at times to scroll the wattage the right way…

Yeah that’s right… I kept dropping the wattage when I meant to increase it.

Smok Scar Mini Battery Door

At the top of the Smok Scar Mini is a large Golden (in my case) battery cap.

It has a nice ‘bottle top’ style to it, meaning it can be removed fairly easily, but the threading itself is a little rough.

However, I’ve really had no problems with it and experienced no cross-threading, it just feels a little rough.

Externals:

The design of the Smok Scar Mini device is very very similar to its bigger Scar-18 brother.

It’s covered in a thick black rubber and the softer squidgy leather feel on the back of the device, and all held together with an odd shape metallic frame to finish the look.

The Scar Mini Mod – Overall:

The Smok Scar Mini mod is small! Its tiny, even for a single 18650 device.

As much as I personally don’t find it attractive or fun to use, the fit, feel and finish of the Smok Scar Mini is fine. I’ve had no problems with functionality or daily use.

Smok Scar Mini Kit In The Hand

The Smok Scar Mini is a really small device, and the 22mm Tank matches the device perfectly.

In the hand its lightweight and comfortable thanks to the soft spongy leather along with the rubbery coating.

As both a finger and a thumb firer its really not going to bother your hands but personally I feel it fits better as a thumb firer with your fingers all wrapped around the leather section.

How To Fill The Smok TFV9 Tank

• Lift Top-Cap
• Turn Anti-Clockwise
• Fill with your desired E-Liquid
• Turn Top-Cap Clockwise and re-latch it into position
• Top-Cap will then drop back down into place

Smok Scar Mini Coils

The Smok Scar-Mini Kit comes with 2 of the Smok V9 Meshed Coils.

Both of the same resistance and are compatible with their Larger TFV9 28mm tank.

How Does the Smok Scar Mini Kit Perform?

The Smok Scar mini device is very simple to navigate and use with only minor alterations.

Being a wattage only device, you really only have to worry about adjusting the wattage to your preferred setting.

Basic Operation

Front screen shows:

• Wattage
• Resistance
• Voltage
• Battery Percentage
• Puff Count

There are small number of button sequences to remember to operate this device:

• 5 clicks of the fire button will turn the device on and off.
• 3 clicks of the fire button will lock/unlock all the buttons
• Press & Hold L&R buttons to Lock/Unlock Wattage
• Press & Hold Fire & L button to reset Puff Counter

Smok Scar Mini Flavour & Clouds

For the duration of my testing, I was vaping on OhmBoy Volume 2 – Sweetwater Grape and White Peach.

Ooh its lovely, afresh fruity flavour with a 70VG/30PG mix.

The 0.15Ω V9 Meshed Coil (40-90w)

I’ve found 60 watts is my sweet spot with the V9 Meshed Coils.

And at 60 watts with the airflow all the way open, I’ve been very impressed with the flavour from this tank. Slightly warm and a ever so slightly restrictive Direct-Lung Vape – just how I like it.

And yeah… this is a Smok Kit, so expect clouds-a-plenty.

The two coils that come in the Kit have also lasted very well however I must stress I haven’t switched up e-liquids halfway through a coils life so that may have an effect on how long they last.

Also the sweeter desert style flavours may gunk up quicker than the lighter fruit flavours.

Overall I’ve really been enjoying the flavour from the TFV9 Mini Tank…very good.

Smok Scar Mini Airflow

I’ve been enjoying the TFV9 Mini tank with the airflow wide open.

So much In-fact I’ve spent very little time adjusting it to see how it makes a difference, which of course it does, but as much as it changes the restriction, it doesn’t really change the sound.

A slightly turbulent and loud tank for sure. But not really Loud so it hasn’t really bothered me. But its not a clean smooth airflow that’s for sure.

If you’re after smooth airflow, this won’t be the tank for you.

Smok Scar Mini Battery Life

Seeing as the Smok Scar Mini comes with 2 identical coils, and a recommended wattage of 40-90w – I immediately have to give battery life a thumbs down.

Mainly due to the Scar Mini being a Single 18650 device.

So firstly you have no chance of testing these coils to their maximum recommended 90 watts, and secondly because a single 18650 battery is barely going to manage 80 watts for no longer than an hour, if you’re lucky.

However at my preferred 60 watts, you can get a good half-day out of the Scar-Mini Kit. But then that will always depend on how much you vape.

I really think this kit deserves its own coil, not just stealing the V9 Meshed coil from its larger brother. A 0.3Ω/0.5Ω Mesh coil would be much better suited for it. First for battery life but also for size.

Smok Scar Mini Durability

The Smok Scar Mini device itself is touted as a IP67 Dustproof, Waterproof, Shockproof device. So dunking in water or dropping from a fair height shouldn’t affect the device too much.

I gave the Scar Mini the usual waterproof test by leaving it in a vase of water for 20 minutes and the device worked absolutely fine after testing.

These kind of devices, especially once given that IP67 rating are designed to last and cope with the day to day rigors and I don’t have any major concerns with the devices durability.

However the tank… Is not IP67 rated so don’t expect the TFV9 Mini tank to survive the same amount of abuse as the mod.

Pros

Mod

• Tough and durable
• Simple to use
• Lightweight and portable

Tank

• Awesome flavour
• Coils last fairly well

Cons

Mod

• Battery threads are a little rough
• Display is very small, and very plain

Tank

• The lift top cap is stiff and difficult to lock at times
• The airflow is wishy washy
• The coils aren’t best suited for the device (Very low resistance)

Final Review Verdict

The Smok Scar Mini kit finds itself in an unusual category.

A direct-Lung kit with low wattage capability but a coil inside a small tank that demands high power, it’s a bit of a muddle.

I almost feel like Smok just didn’t put much thought into the use for this kit, so its not really ticking the right boxes to suite a certain type of vaper.

However, I cant really fault the toughness of a device like this, built to last and also the flavour from the V9 Meshed coils is very good.

So the 3 big questions I ask when testing a product are:

Would this device be long lasting and still work 3, 6 or even 12 months from now?

The Smok TFV9 Mini Tank is usual Smok quality…

Cheaply made so I’ve certainly had my concerns with regards to leaking and basically falling apart, but so far its held its own and performed very well.

The Scar Mini device will last extremely well thanks to its design, IP67 rating and being covered in a thick rubber.

Also using an external battery means once you find your battery is starting to die over the months, you can just pick up a new and and away you go.

Does this device deliver the flavour, vapour and general experience I require, in order to be enjoyed?

The vape experience with regards to flavour is excellent, and the coils have lasted well too.

But the airflow isn’t very smooth, you can almost feel its roughness as you inhale.

Is the Smok Scar-Mini Kit  versatile enough to suit a new and experienced vapers?

I wouldn’t recommend this for a new vaper.

There are plenty of more versatile devices than this.

I’m not quite sure who I would recommend this to.

Maybe a vaper who started off with a simple pod kit and wants to move into Direct Lung but has a heavy duty day to day job, and small pockets.

Did you buy the Smok Scar Mini kit? Or have you tried it?

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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