To me Smok feels like one of those brands that goes in and out of fashion more times than a pendulum doing the hokey-cokey. Sometimes they’re really fashionable and everybody wants their stuff, sometimes they’re really uncool and nobody does.
After a little down time, it now feels like they’re starting to recover and people are beginning to sport their wares again.
This is largely down to two attractive releases they’ve made recently – the IPX80 and the Thallo – the first of which we’re reviewing here today.
Unfortunately for Smok though the hard work they’ve put in on the engineering and design over the years has so often been overshadowed by their poor marketing and image, where poor naming and sales pitches has often left them feeling quite staid and bland and more of a brand your Nan would use rather than you, despite their products being really rather good.
The IPX80 for instance sounds more like an old English draught beer your Grandad would drink rather than something you’d vape.
In spite of this though Smok are the perennial survivors and keep coming back more times than an elasticated boomerang and it’s devices like the IPX80 that keep doing it for them, not to mention their hardcore, dedicated fanbase.
If we as outsiders can get past the brand’s staid, draught image though, the vapour that this draft maker produces is really rather impressive.
It may be just one of many identikit pod/mod systems out there at the moment but it’s one of the better ones and Smok have gone all out to make sure it’s one of the best equipped too.
In a time some manufacturers still don’t give you simple things like basic air-flow control, Smok have gone all in and given you two – one external wheel-style knob on each side. However, the placement and protrusion of these from the side of the mod does rather make them look more like ‘ear-flow controllers’ than air-flow, but at least they work.
Another example of the thought they’re showing is a narrowing of the brand’s trademark ‘duckbill’ mouthpiece. This is something that’s drawn many fans and critics alike and something even they knew had gone too far.
On the IPX80 they’ve still maintained it but their willingness to narrow it shows they’re listening to the feedback and its narrowing means it’s no longer like sucking on a lolly.
In terms of its looks, the IPX80 isn’t radically different to many other comparable pod/mods out there, but with its IP67 water, shock and dust-proofing and cushioned rubberised coating, it does give it some significant advantages in the durability stakes.
The only things really to break off are probably its ears. The PTGC clear plastic pod and black duckbill mouthpiece are more likely to separate than break.
Even the USB Type-C charge port is hidden safely underneath the mod and protected by a rubber bung.
That’s not to say it’s utilitarian, it isn’t.
They’ve actually managed to keep it all rather attractive.
Its range of seven vibrant and tasteful colour schemes – blue, red, black carbon fibre, brown, grey, fluid seven colour and fluid black grey – and the double-stitched, branded PU leather panel and glossy bezel on the front, give it a nice tactile feel and elegant look.
As a result, it’ll suit you in both your Grandad’s boozer and your favourite fashionista coffee shop. It’ll also be tough enough to withstand any cattiness or fisticuffs that breaks out in the process.
IPX80 Mod
Smok has done very well here in walking the line between class, vibrance and durability – and with its tardis-like proportions it might not even drop out of your pocket in process.
For an 80w device with a 3000mah internal battery and 5.5ml liquid capacity, 107 x 34.8 x 34.4mm and 130g isn’t really that much, and yet it does absolutely everything you need it too. I can’t see any time-lord disapproving of this one.
Once you’ve oriented yourself to the two rear-facing buttons and to those two side mounted ‘ear-flow controllers’, you’re dandy.
It’s as easy to operate as a digital watch and there’s nothing unformulaic here.
The power and selection buttons sit in the standard positions above and below the 0.96in screen and the graphics are sat in two columns down the centre, although you do get a choice of six colours to have them in.
All your standard information is there like your wattage, voltage, resistance, puff counter, puff timer and battery level, plus it has it’s hidden goodies like your five protections – your short-circuit, battery, atomizer, low voltage and eight second cut-off. So you can play around with this mod until your heart’s content and you won’t get into trouble.
IPX80 Pod
And that’s all rather handy because playing around with this mod is something you’ll want to do a lot of.
The range of settings and the draw variations from those ‘ear-flow controllers’ is really quite good.
The way they tailor the air-flow flow through one of the two 0.16 (25 – 50w) mesh or 0.6ohm (12 – 25w) DC RPM2 coils is quite delightful too – from one side or two. You can even use the original RPM coils or build your own if you fancy purchasing the separately available pod or the RBA.
It took me a long time to realise the separate pod is the reason why the wattage goes higher than the two included RPM2 coils, but then again, I am a bit slow.
Aside from that, the warmth and flavour you get from the two coils is every bit as good as you’d expect, and the draw is slightly more variable too. It’s a little too loose for MTLing but RDLers will get something out of it as well as DTLers, although it’s still on the looser side of things and geared towards the DTL market.
Other than that, there’s not much more to say about it and it really comes down to whether you like duckbills and internal batteries or not.
If the whole ethos of this kit is to have been to keep it simple but maintain attractiveness, Smok have succeeded.
From the simple, single tiered box to the flavourful, customisable vape it’s all very nicely done.
Only the paperwork plonked lazily on top of the tray housing the coils, charging cable and mod really lets it down.
Conclusion
All in all this is probably Smoks best device to date, and with those glorious coils and it’s attractive stitching and aesthetics, there’s every chance you’ll love it as much as its dedicated fanbase and a fair few followers of fashion.
