The Smoant Knight V1 Review – Side By Side Mod

Before I start the Smoant Knight V1 review I need to come clean and just put something out there!

I have a real soft spot for this style of mod. The side by side or cage mod as they are often referred to.

The Smoant Knight V1

As soon as the Knight V1 was released it went straight to the top of my shopping list.

Of course, my fondness of these mods will, in no way, affect this Smoant Knight V1 review.

So, now that’s cleared up, let’s get on with it and see if this can be a contender for our best vape mods list.

What’s In The Box

• 1 x Smoant Knight V1 Mod
• 1 x Micro USB charging Cable
• 1 x Silicone Cap
• 1 x Hex Key / Allen Key
• 1 x Instruction Manual

Knight V1 Features

• 1-60W in VW and 10-60J in TC Mode
• 0.5-7.0V output voltage
• Takes single 18650 battery
• Convenient access to adjust Tank airflow control ring
• Can access to adjust Tank airflow control ring conveniently
• Can accommodate a max 23mm diameter Tank/RBA/RTA
• Temperature control modes supporting Ni/Ti/SS
• Spring loaded 510 pin and SS connector
• On-board USB Charging & Pass-through capable
• Side Screen display
• Resistance range: 0.1-3.0Ω in VW and TC-Ni mode and 0.1-1.0Ω in TC-Ti / TC-SS
• Low Resistance Protection
• Over-time Protection
• Reverse Polarity Protection
• Overheating Protection
• Device Size: 83mm x 50mm x 25.5mm (h x d x w)
• Device Weight: 205g (without battery)

Build Quality & Design

The Smoant Knight V1 is a side-by-side/cage device, similar in appearance to the Black Oak by Continental mods, but at a fraction of the price. A single 18650 60W device, with temperature control for Nickel (Ni), Titanium (Ti) and Stainless Steel (SS) wire.

The Knight V1 is powered  by a single 18650, with temperature control for Nickel (Ni), Titanium (Ti) and Stainless Steel (SS) wire.

The mod will fire from 1 to 60 watts in regular power (VW) mode, 0.5 to 7.0 volts in variable voltage (VV) mode, and 10 to 60 Joules in Temperature Control (TC) mode. In TC mode the device has a temperature range of 100 to 300 degrees Celsius (°C), 200 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).

In TC mode the device has a temperature range of 100 to 300 degrees Celsius (°C), 200 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).

It’s heavy for its stealthy & compact size, coming in at a whopping 205g, and that’s without an 18650 battery onboard.

Talking of Batteries

The battery compartment on the Knight V1 is accessed through the silicone stopper (no it’s not the FIRE button) and metal battery cap located at the top of the mod.

Venting has been provided in the battery cap. Personally, I think this is in the wrong position and would be best placed on the bottom of the mod away from the users face.

Next to the battery housing is the cage section of the mod, where your RTA will sit, with a spring loaded 510 connection at its base. As the style of the device suggests, any RTA or clearomizer attached to the mod will be, in a cage, so to speak.

Anything over 23mm in diameter, however, will not fit. Shouldn’t be a problem for most sub ohm tanks available.

I tried a number of tanks all of which fit and worked well.

Kanger ToptankWotofo Conqueror RTAOBS Crius TankSMOK TFV4 Mini Tank510 Connection & Airflow

So Smoant have incorporated a very nice little feature on the 510 connection, which allows you to rotate it to suit the position of the airflow on your RTA or clearomizer.

Hence the reason for the Hex screw in the 510 and the Hex key in the presentation box.

Fire Button

The Fire button and the (+) & (-) buttons are positioned below the 510 on the front of the mod which feels quite comfortable when holding and firing the device.

The FIRE button can be easily operated with the middle finger while the (+) & (-) buttons can be adjusted using the ring finger.

The contoured shape of the mod makes it very comfortable to hold but it may take some a little while to acclimatize to the slightly different button locations.

All of the buttons are metal, possibly stainless steel, and there was no rattle from them.

The micro USB connection is located on one side of the device, allowing it to remain upright while being charged and also provides a ‘Pass-Through’ facility but no firmware upgrading.

On the opposite side is a small and very bright OLED screen which, in appearance, is very reminiscent of the old DNA30/40 displays. And just below the screen is the Smoant branding.

The mod is available in only two colors, black or white. Silver/brushed metal might have been a nice color to include but maybe that will come in future versions.

The mod is constructed from zinc with a baked on finish, making it very durable.

I’ve dropped this device twice now and there’s not a mark or scratch in sight!

Functions

Menu operation is relatively straight forward and the basics are covered in the user manual, which I have to say is very poorly printed.

On one particular page of the manual, the diagram of the device is totally missing making the visible labels meaningless! Not sure how this passed the final quality control inspections.

Operation

• To turn the mod On and OFF it’s 5 clicks of the FIRE button.
• With the device turned ‘ON’, press the FIRE button 3 times to enter the menu system.
• Navigation is achieved by using the (+) and (-) buttons.
• In the main menu you have the option to select (VW), (VV), (TC Ni), (TC Ti) and (TC SS). (VW) and (VV) work pretty much as any other device, but with Temperature Control, if selected, you will need to set the coil resistance and adjust the Joules. These are not difficult to do, but as they are not covered in the manual it’s down to trial & error!
• In TC Mode, setting the atomizers coil resistance is done by pressing and holding down the (+) and (-) buttons simultaneously for about a second or so until the screen displays ‘Set Resistance’ and boom you’re set!
• Next, adjusting the Joules. Pressing and holding down the (+) and Fire button together until the screen changes from displaying the temperature to showing the Joules.
• Once you’re in this display you can adjust the power from 10 to 60 Joules. And the menu does ‘Round Robin’.

Other menu features:-

• Pressing (+) and (-) simultaneously will lock the power setting
• Pressing (+) and FIRE buttons changes the screen orientation from left or right
• Pressing (+), (-) and FIRE at the same time will display the software Version and device Serial Number

Unfortunately, there isn’t a custom TCR mode or stealth mode on the Knight V1. Maybe these will be included on the V2 if Smoant decide to develop the device further. And as it is named the ‘V1’ this is highly likely.

What I Liked

Overall, I really like the Smoant Knight V1. Its performance in VW and TC mode were flawless. All RTA’s attached to the mod looked good, sat flush with the 510 and performed as expected. Aesthetically this device is very pleasing.

All RTA’s attached to the mod looked good, sat flush with the 510 and performed as expected. Aesthetically this device is very pleasing.

What I Didn’t Like

My main gripe with the Knight V1 is the position of the battery venting holes which are located in the battery cap at the top of the mod.

As the battery is installed positive (+) down, I think it would have made more sense to locate venting in the base of the devices. Correct me if I’m wrong but don’t 18650 batteries vent primarily from the positive (+) terminal.

My other gripe is not with the mod but with the instruction manual which is poorly printed and doesn’t cover all of the devices’ features such as coil calibration, display rotation, and Joules adjustment.

You’re pretty much on your own working out how to change these.

Final Smoant Knight V1 Review Verdict

Pros

• Includes Temperature Control for Ni/Ti/SS
• Temp Control works exceptionally well
• Pass through functionality
• Adjustable 510 connection to suit RTA and Clearomizer airflow
• Build quality is very good

Cons

• For some the weight of the mod may be an issue
• Position of Battery venting holes
• No Custom TCR mode
• Poor quality print and content to user manual

Have you used the Smoant Knight V1? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!