Smok Scar P5 Review – Is It As Tough As It Looks?

The Smok Scar P5 is not only a new device but it is also apart of a new range.

Smok predate most vapers, founded in 2010 they are arguably one of the biggest names in the vape industry.

Although Smok doesn’t really have many (if any) stand alone RBAs (like RDAs or RTAs) they have had great success with every other type of vape.

I did plan to highlight some of their devices, but that’s a full 10 page article on it’s own.

The most popular Smok lines and products include:

• TFV Tanks
• Nord pod systems
• Mag Mods
• Priv Mods
• RPM Range (Pod Mods)

That list really doesn’t do the ranges justice, they are huge. But we are here to talk about the Scars.

Don’t get mixed up. This review is on the Smok Scar P5, but it does have a sibling, the Scar P3.

Although the devices are very similar there are a few differences. For example the Scar P5 takes an interchangeable 18650, as the Scar P3 has a built in 2000mAh battery.

What To Expect From The Smok Scar-P5 Pod Mod?

Like the rest of the Scar range, the Smok Scar-P5 (and P3) are IP67 waterproof that can withstand water immersion between 15 cm and 1 metre or 30 minutes…what about 14cm?

They are also IP67 dust proof to prevent dust ingress, as well as and shockproof to prevent against accidental drops.

It has ‘fast charging’ – don’t worry well dig into it and we will be the judges of that!

It has the new IQ-80 chip.

It comes in 8 different colours, but don’t worry, with Smok’s track record I’m sure they will be more to come!

It’s body is wrapped with leather and zinc alloy, it’s pretty light in regards to weight, without a battery, I weighed it at 102g.

The Scar-P5 (and the Scar-P3), have an adjustable power range of between 5w and 80w.

You might be thinking ‘water, dust and shock proof, leather and alloy… are you sure this isn’t some sort of Aegis?’

Well you’re not alone in wondering that, it’s a pretty common comment, but lets not judge by the cover.

I was anticipating running this over with my car after the review…but Smok directly say it is shock proof to protect against being dropped accidentally – there’s a big difference between accidentally dropping something and running it over with a 1.6tonne car.

Let’s just hope I’m not super high when I accidentally drop it…

 

Inside The Box

• 1x Scar-P5 Device
• 1x Scar-P5 RPM 2 Pod (RPM 2 Mesh 0.16ohm coil pre-installed)
• 1x Scar-P5 RPM Pod (RPM Mesh 0.4ohm coil pre-installed)
• Micro USB Cable
• User Manual

There are 4 different boxes (Standard, US, EU Standard, EU TPD) all of them are the same, with the exception of the EU TPD, which has a 2ml pod rather than a 5ml pod.

Specs

• Size: 110 x 32.3 x 27mm
• Weight: 101.5grams
• Display: 0.96” TFT Screen
• Pod Capacity: 5ml (2ml TPD)
• Battery: Interchangeable 18650
• Charger: Micro-usb
• Charging Current: 1.3A
• Power Output: 5-80w
• Resistance range: 0.15- 2.5ohm
• Material: Leather, Zinc Allot, PTCG
• Chipset: IQ-80 chipset

Features

• IP67 waterproof
• IP67 dustproof
• Shock Proof
• Intelligent Atomiser Recognition
• Puff Monitoring System
• 8Second cut off protection
• Short Circuit Protection
• Over-Heat Protection
• Dual-channel direct airflow
• Fast Charging

Design & Build Quality

As I previously stated the Smok Scar P5 comes in 8 difference colours.

They must know me, because I received the black one, and it does look quite stealthy and ninja like.

Although with the P5 and P3 I think all of the current colours look pretty nice.

The Smok Scar P5 Mod

It’s rare for a device like this not to mention it’s ‘ergonomic grip’ on the website.

Despite the fact Smok aren’t using that as a selling point, I’m quite impressed how the device fits my hand.

I think my hands are ‘average’, in regards to size and they hand fit around the device perfectly.

The leather is padded, which gives the device a nice feel.

The zinc alloy frame is nice and shiny and therefore it is a bit of a ‘finger print magnet’, but it doesn’t show so much thanks to the dark chrome colour.

The branding is printed on the either side of the zinc alloy frame, with Smok on one side and Scar P5 on another, it’s a little bit large, but it’s not too ‘in your face’.

Moving forward a bit more and there is a rubber surround, which encases the rubber USB port plug, which is obviously needed to make the device waterproof. The rubber USB cover isn’t as stiff to remove as it on some other waterproof devices but it does seem to say in place nicely.

Then on the front there is a plastic surround for the screen and the buttons.

Overall I like it, it’s light, feels durable and to be honest although it looks very ‘Aegis-y’ on pictures, when you have it in your hand, it doesn’t resemble that Aegis all that much.

The Smok Scar P5 Pod

If you took any notice to the ‘inside the box section’, you’d notice there is 2 different pods; The RPM Pod and the RPM2 Pod. At a glance these pods look identical but they are not.

The RPM2 Pod has a bigger mouth piece (by 0.5 mm in diameter), bigger coils and it says RPM2 on the fill port cover, the RPM pod just says RPM on the cover…

The fill ports and their covers are nice and big for easy lifting and easy filling, even for us nail biters.

As you would expect the coils are push and pull coils, from the bottom of the pod. Although the coils are quite tight, but surely it’s better to be tight than it is to be loose!

The Smok Scar P5 Pod Connection

The Pod has 4 magnets, 1 in each corner and I have to say they are super strong.

I don’t think I’ve felt a pod connection so strong.

With that being said there is barely any movement with the pod…I can’t work out whether that’s because of the magnets or because the magnets are that strong.

Smok Scar-P5 Airflow

Now I’m super surprised that this kit doesn’t have adjustable airflow…

None, not even a poor adjustable airflow, like those, built into the coil base things that I don’t like or the turn the pod 180 degrees types.

However there is a airflow difference between the pods.

The RPM2 Pods (and coils) have a bigger airflow from the bottom of the coil all the way up to the top of the drip tip and you can definitely tell a difference.

We’ll discuss them both separately in the performance section.

Smok Scar-P5 Screen

The Scar-P5 is fitted with a 0.96” TFT Screen.

I quite like the screen, it’s simple but still feels stylish. It’s bright and at 0.96” it’s very easy to see.

You can also very easily change the ‘theme’ colour of the screen. Colours available are: Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple and White

The battery indicator is easy to see at the top of the screen, on the left side there is the battery status bar, on the right side there is the battery level as a percentage.

Nice and big, in the top corner of the screen, is the devices wattage setting.

Below that is the voltage and resistance information.

Then on the bottom is the puff timer and puff counter. They display the information numerically and they also have a status bar.

The Puff timer status bar refreshes with each puff and the puff counter gradually increases.

Smok Scar-P5 Buttons

As I mentioned, the screen and buttons are on a shiny black plastic panel, which I’ve always liked the look of, it kind of groups them together and brings them forward.

The buttons are the same colour and as reflective as the zinc alloy frame, which I think is a nice touch.

They look and feel durable, they are easy to press, a nice size and there’s no sign of rattling.

Smok Scar-P5 Battery Door

The battery door on the Smok Scar-P5 is, in my opinion, one of the most innovative parts of the device.

Apart from the hinge the door spans all the way across the device, with a spring loaded release button on the back of the device.

The latch that holds the door shut it wide and deep, so it shouldn’t ware away as fast as some other devices. If the spring is durable, then I see no reason for this battery door to become weak.

Smok Scar-P5 Quick Start Guide

Filling The RPM Pods

The below applies to both the RPM Pod and RPM2 Pod.

• Pull out the rubber Plug on the top of the pod
• Add E-liquid through the slot
• Replace the Rubber plug back into the slot

When filling the pod with a new coil for the first time, allow 4-5 minutes for the liquid to soak into the coil.

Changing the RPM Coils

It’s important to know the coils are different sizes and are not cross compatible so make sure you’re using the right coils for the right pod. How the following is correct for both the RPM and RPM2.

• Remove the pod and turn it upside down.
• Pull out the old coil.
• Insert the new coil firmly

The coils have 2 flat edges on the bottom. If the coil isn’t at the right rotation, it will not fit into the pod properly.

Smok Scar-P5 Battery Installation

The Smok Scar-P5 takes a 18650 battery, the P3 has a built in battery.

• Press the button at the bottom on the back of the device, to release the battery door.
• Insert a safe 18650 battery into the battery bay according to the symbols (Positive side first)
• Close the battery door

Operations

• Power On / Off = Quick Press fire button 5 times (within 2 seconds)
• Vape / Fire = Press and hold fire button
• Vape Lock (disable buttons) = Quick Press fire button 3 times
• Change power setting = Press ‘+’ or ‘-’
• Lock Power settings = Press ‘+’ and ‘-’ simultaneously
• Clear Puff Counter = Press Fire and ‘-’ simultaneously. Then use ‘-’ or ‘+’ to move between yes and no. then hold fire to select yes.
• Change Theme Colour = Press Fire and ‘+’ simultaneously.

How Does the Smok Scar-P5 perform?

Scar-P5 RPM Pod – RPM Mesh 0.4ohm coil

I changed my flavour, I’ve been using Vanilla by POD SALT for the last few weeks, so I figured I’d use it for this review, it’s a 50VG/50PG Nic-Salt at 11mg.

Unsurprisingly it tastes like vanilla…

The very first thing I noticed about this set up, is that it is hard to gauge whether you are supposed to be using it Mouth To Lung or Direct To Lung.

It is recommended to be used at 25W, that alone, I always feel it a awkward power setting, it seems to be a little bit high for true MTL and a little bit low for DTL. It’s doesn’t help the airflow provides a restrictive DTL experience.

It took a good few puffs before the flavour started to come through.

At 15W the coil actually performs okay, the flavour can be tasted, but it’s massively let down by the airflow. It’s not a great experience; both the flavour and the vapour are too weak because there is too much airflow.

At 20W the power starts to match the airflow a bit better.

Using it MTL, you can feel the smooth vapour and taste the milky vanilla coming through.

DTL actually provides a nice medium sized cloud with an acceptable flavour, but neither are really impressive.

The recommended wattage for this coil is a straight 25w, and it’s here that the sweet creamy vanilla taste comes to life with both DTL and MTL.

Using the coil MTL provides a cig-like amount of vapour and using it DTL provides a thick medium sized cloud… but it doesn’t feel thick as you exhale it.

After about 6 days using this pod and coil, I’m still unsure whether I like it or not, I really can’t tell, if it is designed for MTL or DTL.

Smok claim the coil is designed to be used for MTL but there is absolutely no resistance…I can’t help but feel the experience and the flavour would be a lot better with less airflow.

That being said, it isn’t a waste of time, it is still usable at 25W MTL and provides a prominent flavour.

I also tried this out with the 70/30 liquid mentioned below and it performed much better, especially in regards to flavour.

Scar-P5 RPM 2 Pod – RPM 2 Mesh 0.16ohm Coil

I tested this coil and pod out with Brain Freeze: Lemon and Lime, a 70VG 30PG mix, by the EL Science Labs, with zero nicotine.

For the system to start gaining a high score this pod and coil needs to have some direction. This coil is recommended at 25-50W, with a best recommendation of 40W and is designed for DTL.

With the recommended range being so broad, I decided I’d just start at 25W. Here you get a subtle flavour at the back of the throat with a thing little cloud (or a fairly pleasant MTL Flavour).

At 33W the flavour is a nice and prominent, and with a slow inhale you get a nice little cloud.

Smok recommend this coil is best at 40W and at 40W you get a thick medium sized cloud and the flavour isn’t prominent but it isn’t really great, it leaves you wanting more.

Up top at 50W, more is exactly what we get. There is a nice thick medium sized cloud with a really prominent whole mouth flavour, although it’s not as thick and flavoursome as you would expect from a 80W coil.

I tried this coil / pod with the POD SALT mentioned above and the results really were very similar, except it seemed to level me with a dry throat and the flavour was a little bit less.

Smok Scar-P5 Coil Summary

The RPM pod and coil was OK, although I think it could do with less airflow or adjustable airflow and to be honest I think to use the Pod as MTL (like the coil suggests) it could so with a smaller mouth piece.

The RPM2 pod and coil was fairly good for a 50W kit, I can’t really complain but from my experience it is a much better experience with high VG juice.

Smok Scar-P5 Battery Life

The Scar-P5 takes an external 18650 battery.

As always I’m not going to talk about my experience of the battery life because there are so many determining factors but we’ll look at what you can expect from a 3,000mAh battery.

At 25w, the recommended wattage for the RMP and minimum for the RPM2, you would get roughly 800, 2 second puffs, that’s a puff every other minute for 26 hours!

At 50w, the max recommended wattage for the RPM2 coil, you would get roughly 400, 2 second puffs, that’s a puff every other minute for 13 hours!

Smok Scar-P5 Battery Charging

In regards to charging, if you use the Micro USB a 2500mAh battery would take roughly 2 hours to charge and a 3000mAh battery would take toughly 2and a half hours.

That being said I always suggest using an external battery charger to charge batteries.

In addition, it has confused me and, if I’m honest, annoyed me that the Smok Scar-P3 uses a USB-C charger with a 2A charge rate but this Scar-P5 only take a Micro USB with a 1.3A charge rate.

Does the Smok Scar-P5 Leak?

I can honestly say I haven’t experienced any leakage in the time I’ve been using this device and it’s been nearly 2 weeks.

Smok Scar-P5 Durability

The durability of the Scar-P5 is far better and far greater than I expected.

So the Smok say the P5 is IP67 waterproof, to test this out I just chucked it in a pint of water, with the pod on and then again with the pod off.

Interestingly I pressed fired a few times while the device was fully submersed and it actually fired…this is pretty useless though, through the nature of vaping, you can’t use it under water because you can’t breathe under water…

It’s also IP67 dust proof but I don’t have any means of dust blasting it, so I skipped this bit.

Shock Proof…on Smok’s website it says it is shock proof to protect against ‘accidental drop’. With that in mind I figured it would be a bit unfair to run it over with my 2.5ton Vauxhall Zafira (like I did with the Aegis Boost Plus).

However I didn’t want to just drop it from a metre high, most mods can handle that. So I dropped it from my bedroom window, inspired whilst watching the lightening, from the window earlier in the week.

Interestingly there was barely even a scratch on the mod, literally.

This irritated me a bit, so I ran it over. Or at least I tried to, I missed and only ran over the bottom half, so I re-positioned it and then ran over it twice.

It is remarkable! Not only has it survived, it is practically unaffected, apart from some serious scuffing down one side which looks like it’s been sand blasted.

Pros

• Super Durable
• Waterproof
• Capable of Good Flavour
• Capable of MTL & DTL
• Strong Connection Port
• Easy To Fill & Change Coils
• Simple and Easy to use

Cons

• No Adjustable Airflow
• Low Built in charge rate
• RPM Pod huge MTL airflow

Final Review Verdict

It’s strange, I really want to say I like it…because I do.

However, the actual vaping experience isn’t the best.

The RPM Pod comes with a MTL coil but the airflow is completely loose (restriction free) and the mouth piece is a little bit big.

The RPM Pod comes with a DTL coil, and it does perform fairly well for 50W.

However it’s a 80W kit and I’ve only been able to test it at 50W…which puts me in a awkward position, how can I say that it’s good for a 50W kit when that’s not what it is?

Sorry for my little rant there.

In regards to look and feel the kit is great, and it decent at it’s job, or at least the RPM2 is, respectfully a 70-80W coil would be awesome!

When looking at the rating, please make sure you read the rating summary so you understand why I rated what aspect the score that I did.

Is this a pod kit you’re going to be buying or already using?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below…