I’ve been fortunate to have been able to review SMOK’s previous releases over the last 12 months or so, including the H-Priv, the Alien Kit and the touchscreen G-Priv.
So when I received their latest kit in the form of the SMOK T-Priv 220W TC Kit I was definitely looking forward to putting the kit through its paces.
As with a number of SMOK’s previous kit releases, they have paired the T-Priv up with the very successful TFV8 Big Baby Tank which I personally have enjoyed using ever since its pairing with the SMOK Alien mod.
In this review I will solely focus on the T-Priv 220W box mod as we have looked at the TFV8 Big Baby Tank in a number of previous reviews.
What’s In The Box
- 1 x T-Priv 220w TC MOD
- 1 x TFV8 Big Baby Tank
- 1 x 0.4ohm V8 Baby-Q2 Dual Core (Pre-installed)
- 1 x 0.15ohm V8 Baby-T8 Octuple Core
- 1 x Replacement glass tube
- 1 x Micro USB cable
- 1 x Bag of spares
- 1 x User Manual
Features
- SMOK T-Priv 220 Mod
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- Dimensions:86.6mm by 48.1mm by 32mm
- Dual High-Amp 18650 Batteries – Not Included
- Wattage Output Range: 6-220W
- Voltage Output Range: 0.5-9V
- Min Atomizer Resistance: 0.06ohm
- Temperature Range: 200°F–600°F / 100°C–315°C
- Supports Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, and Stainless Steel Heating Elements
- 9-Colorful LED Strips – Fully Customizable
- Intuitive OLED Display
- Full Display Matrix – Rich Data Feedback
- Stealth Firing Bar Mechanism
- Hinged Battery Cover
- Intelligent Atomizer Recognition
- Puff Monitoring System
- 12 Seconds Cut-Off
- Short Circuit Protection
- Over-Heat Protection
- Low Battery Warning
- Micro USB Port
- Firmware upgradable
- 510 Connection
- Available in 14 colour options including Silver, Black, Red, Blue, Purple, Gold, Rainbow
SMOK TFV8 Big Baby Tank
- Materials: Stainless Steel & Glass Construction
- Size: 24.5mm Diameter x 56mm High incl. Drip Tip
- Capacity: 5.0ml
- Connection: Standard 510 Threaded
- Dual adjustable Airflow Control
- Black Delrin Ultra Wide Drip Tip
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Build Quality & Design
As with previous SMOK devices, the T-Priv has an incredibly sturdy and robust feel about it. Constructed from zinc alloy the mod has a nice weighty feel while still feeling very comfortable in the hand.
Back is the SMOK trade mark of the ‘Firing Bar’ which we have seen on several earlier devices. In addition to this, SMOK have introduced a 9 colour mode LED lighting system into the body of the T-Priv which can be customised in respect of colour and effect through the mods menu system.
Constructed from zinc alloy the mod has a nice weighty feel while still feeling very comfortable in the hand.
The SMOK T Priv is available in a huge array of 14 different colour options, so there’s pretty much something to suit everyone taste.
For the review I received the Purple kit which I’ll admit wasn’t the easiest of colours to capture in photos, so I apologies now for the quality of the pictures to follow 😉
At the top of the mod, you have spring loaded 510 connector with a brass pin. Attaching the TFV8 Big Baby and other atomizers was trouble free thanks to the threading on the 510 which was very smooth. 100% of all vape tanks I tested attached sat completely flush with no annoying gaps.
Next to the 510 there is square OLED screen, similar to that on the H-Priv, providing all the necessary vaping information including wattage/temperature, coil resistance, voltage, puff counter and battery capacity.
Unlike its predecessor the OLED Screen has now been positioned slightly further away from the 510 connection so that your tank or RDA wont overhang the screen. I did try out several larger diameter tanks up to 25mm without any noticeable overhang.
The (+) and (-) buttons for wattage/ temperature adjustment and menu navigation have been positioned on the rear section of the T-Priv.
While there was absolutely no rattle from either of the buttons I did find their positioning a little troublesome as now and then I would accidentally adjust the wattage/temperature when picking up or just holding the device. Not a major issue but something to watch out for if you have large hands J
As I mentioned a moment ago, on the front section of the mod we see the return of the SMOK ‘Firing Bar’ which runs along most of the entire length of the device. The bar is hinged at its base and can be pressed almost anywhere along its length to fire the device, so no more fumbling for the fire button.
In addition to this, the fire bar is used to turn ‘ON’ the mod with 5 clicks and also to enter the menu system, navigate and select menu options.
The Micro USB port has been given a new home on the side of the T-Priv which is a very welcome change, making connection to the device relatively simple and trouble free.
In addition to firmware updating the Micro USB port can also be used to charge the twin 18650 batteries within the T-Priv.
On the base of the mod we have a sliding battery cover. The inside face of the battery cover houses gold plated positive & negative terminals with battery installation markers (+) & (-). Opening and closing the battery door was very easy and the door remained in place without the assistance of any magnets or sliding clips, etc.
Overall, the T-Priv is constructed very well.
How Does The SMOK T-Priv & TFV8 Big Baby Tank Perform?
As I have mentioned in previous reviews, two 18650 batteries in a mod equals roughly 150-160w maximum. Yeah ok I know the 220w will be a pulsed output but for me I don’t enjoy my vaping when I can feel the device pulse the wattage. And to be honest, do you really need 220w to achieve a great vape!!? Rant over 😉
Using the mod is very simple and straight forward. 5 click of the firing bar turns the device ‘ON’ also also to ‘Lock’ the device. To enter the menu system it’s 3 clicks of the bar. The menu has five main options
- Mode
- Puffs
- Colour
- Settings
- Power
The ‘Mode’ menu allows you to select between either Wattage or Temperature modes. Wattage and Temp are relatively self-explanatory and similar to many other devices.
Temperature control also includes self-adjustable TCR’s for each individual coil selection. Memory mode which was included on previous SMOK devices has now been removed from the menu options which is slightly disappointing as this was a very handy little feature.
Maybe we will see its return in future firmware updates!!
The ‘Puff’ menu provides the option to reset the puff counter and to also restrict the number of puff take on the device. I’m not sure as to the reason why you would need a function like this, but it’s there if you should need it!
The ‘Colour’ option is a new feature to traditional SMOK menu system. In this menu you have several options which allow the customisation of the LED lights in the body of the mod. ‘Colour’, ‘Style’ and ‘Switch’.
I’ll be honest and say that this isn’t my thing at all. I really don’t what my device to light up and flash different colours but that’s just my personal preference!
The ‘Settings’ menu has some useful feature which includes a screen timeout setting, Screen Lock, Screen Contrast setting, Screen Rotation, Stealth Mode, Atomizer Ohms adjustment and Download Link for firmware upgrading.
The fourth and final menu ‘Power’ provide the function to turn the device ‘OFF’. Unfortunately, powering down the device can only be done using this menu function as the standard 5 clicks for ‘OFF’ has been replaced by the ‘LOCK DEVICE’ feature.
Both ‘VW’ and ‘TC’ preformed exactly as expected and are both relatively easy to setup & adjust to suit individual vaping styles. Both modes are provided with different outputs options of ‘Max’, ‘Min’, ‘Hard’, ‘Norm’, and ‘Soft’ allowing you to fine tune your vaping experience.
Overall, the performance of the T-Priv didn’t disappoint. Visually it’s very pleasing to the eye whichever of the 14 colour option you choose. Ergonomically, its rounded edges and firing bar make this device very comfortable and easy to use..
What I Liked
I enjoyed using the T-Priv & Big Baby Tank. It was easy to setup and use. Menu navigation was intuitive making it simple to switch between different modes.
Refilling the TFV8 Big Baby tank, like its smaller sibling, could be achieved easily and very quickly with little or no mess involved.
No leaking and more importantly no spit-back from any of the stock coils.
Aesthetically, the T-Priv and the TFV8 Big Baby tank make for a great looking combination.
What I Dislike
I have no real major issue with the T-Priv. Yeah the LED lights are a bit of a gimmick but at least they can be turned off, so maybe this is a subjective con on my part! But overall there was nothing that I disliked about the SMOK T-Priv 220w TC Kit.
Final Review Verdict
Another great kit from SMOK slightly marred by gimmicky LED lighting!
Pros
- The SMOK G Priv / TFV8 Big Baby tank look great as a pair
- Great all round Performance
- No leaking or spitback from the stock coils
- Upgradable Firmware
Cons
- OLED screen prone to coverage of e-liquid (Subjective)
- Gimmicky LED lights (Subjective)
Did you buy the SMOK T Priv mod? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
