Products used in this review:
About Smok
Smok has been a driving force in the vaping industry for as long as I can remember. I've been vaping for over a decade, and they've always been in the background, even influencing my purchases from time to time.
My first Smok product was the X CUBE II box Mod, which, thanks to the two external 18650 batteries, can produce up to 160W of power. It's a device I'll never forget, not least for the side trigger firing bar, which prompts a multi-coloured LED light show, and the top-down screen display, which attracted much debate among users.
Yes, back in 2016, Box Mods were often chunky Monkeys, and I paired my X CUBE II with the Smok TVF4 sub-ohm tank. The perfect partnership because, just like the Mod, it was made from stainless steel. The replaceable atomisers were the size of a bullet, and they had to be to incorporate four vertical coils and a vape load of wicking material.
Needless to say, I didn't see much of 2016, primarily due to a constant veil of vapour! Indeed, I was part of the cloud-chucking fraternity at the time.
Smok was formed in 2010 as the leading brand of Shenzhen IVPS Technology Co Ltd. Years later; their philosophy remains the same—a continuous awareness of what the vaping public needs. Research and development, manufacturing, branding, and service form the very foundations from which they operate. And it's always worked since Smok now serves over 40 million customers globally.
From my personal experience, Smok have never been a manufacturer to hold back on releases. I could easily argue that's been my only criticism of them at times. Sometimes, an upgrade arrives literally within the space of a month of getting used to the original. That's also the reason for all the coil compatibility confusion caused over the years. So, I would like to include enthusiasm in the list of Smok's attributes. Without a doubt, it's also a way of maintaining brand presence.
History Of the Smok Pod Kit
Everything I've mentioned so far predates 2018. That was the year pod kits suddenly burst onto the scene, and they were an instant hit among vapers for a multitude of reasons. As much as I loved the throat hit experienced with powerful sub-ohm tanks, it was becoming tiresome, not to mention embarrassing chucking clouds around non-vapers.
Box Mods have never looked the part in a trouser pocket. Sub-ohm tanks periodically leak and need constant refills, and external batteries have to be charged regularly. If ever there was a time for the vaping industry to offer portability, convenience, and reliability, this was it, and it arrived in the form of the humble pod kit.
It was also very clear that a gap in the market needed to be filled. Not everyone using pen-style devices was prepared to switch to powerful kits such as the Smok X CUBE II and TFV4 sub-ohm tank, for example. The transition needed to be subtle while retaining all the attributes associated with simple starter kits.
At the tail end of 2018, Smok released its first pod kit, in step with the needs of the vaping public. It's a testament to the popular manufacturer that the Novo pod kit is still a device much lauded today. Since then, it's been success after success, and I've been lucky enough to test products such as the Solus, Nord, and Morph pod kit ranges. Each one brings something new to the vaping table.
One could say the very evolution of the pod kit begins and ends with Smok - from simple, low-powered internal battery devices such as the POZZ pod kit to the power-mad RPM 100 single 18650 battery pod Mod. With the inevitable rise and fall of disposable vapes, it would appear the pod kit has come full circle, and yet another generation awaits us. A generation in which manufacturers such as Smok are focussing on products to replace the need for throwaway convenience.
The Smok Tech 247 pod kit is one such vaping device, but it adds a few extras into the bargain. Let's take a closer look.
Smok Tech 247 Pod Kit Presentation
It comes in the obligatory TPD packaging, brandishing the 'highly addictive substance' warning on the front. I know it is mandatory, but that means the image portrayed on the front of the box is significantly reduced. However, it does give a clear idea of the form factor and the chosen colour scheme. I've received the plain and simple silver version, but you can also pick it up in Black, Gun Metal, Red Black, Pink Purple, Green Gradient, Blue Gradient, and Purple Blue.
Also shown on the front is a small emblem that states 'M-Coil Series Compatible'. That is slightly misleading because, at the time of reviewing the product, these mesh coils are brand new and exclusive to the Smok Tech 247. One can only assume they're being groomed for use with future pod kits, which is typical Smok practice.
The rear of the box gives a breakdown of the contents together with warnings, safety information, and, on one side, a list of features included with the Smok Tech 247.
Inside the Box
Slide the device out of the packaging by lifting the tabs on the top. The Smok Tech 247 awaits, sitting inside a rather tall (and hollow) plastic tray with the M-coil 0.8ohm mesh coil already installed in the pod. There's a circular cut out on the underside of the tray which allows you to get a finger inside to separate the inner contents, which include:
- Spare M-coil 0.6ohm
- Instruction manual
- Safety instruction leaflet
- Warranty card
- Warning card
- Type C charging cable
- Lanyard
Smok Tech 247 Battery
The 1800mAh capacity battery section is made from a tough alloy material, which helps to keep the overall weight of the device down to a bare minimum of 68.7g with the pod installed. My version adopts a polished Silver appearance, which matches the Black plastic trim of the front display panel. Together with the Silver activation button, the battery component looks clean and tidy.
I would have preferred the activation button to have been raised more than it is, but at least it exudes a dull clicking sound rather than anything loud and annoying. Five swift clicks of the button will turn the device on or off, and in both cases, the response time is rather impressive.
The monochrome OLED screen has a size of 0.69in and is pin sharp.
Smok's IQ chipset has been incorporated, which means the best power setting for the installed coil is predetermined. This eliminates guesswork and is very useful to newer vapers. It's more commonly known as Smart mode—something I rely on more and more these days. However, tinkering with the power settings is still possible. To do so, press the activation button three times. The power value can then be set between five and thirty watts.
Another useful feature is the dual vape mode. Press the activation button four times to toggle between button/auto draw or auto draw only. Use auto draw only mode if you're worried about the device misfiring in a purse or bag, for example. I also find it the most convenient and easy way to vape.
In addition to current wattage, the screen also displays battery levels as a percentage and icon, whether the device is locked or unlocked, coil resistance, and the number of puffs. The locked icon is only displayed if autodraw-only mode is enabled.
Here's where I give Smok full kudos. It's an area often overlooked: the positioning of the USB charging port. On the Smok Tech 247, it's been incorporated vertically into the bottom of the front panel. This means the device, aided by its rubberised base, will stand securely on any surface while charging.
Smok Tech 247 Pod
With the Smok Tech 247 pod kit, we're getting a brand-new pod to go with the brand-new coils. The incorporated mouthpiece is composed of a toughened PCTG material and has an opening of around 5mm, so direct lung vaping may very well be restricted. We shall soon find out.
It's certainly not the smallest pod out there, but it should also be noted that the TPD version is identical in size to the standard 4ml version. A silicone plug on the inside just reduces capacity down to a regulatory 2ml. This drastically reduces the E-liquid viewing window, but it is what it is.
The pod adopts a top filling system, one I always favour because it means the pod can stay in situ while filling, adding to the convenience levels. Along with top filling, we get top adjustable airflow (it should really be referred to as side as that's where it's positioned on the pod). Push the dial up to increase airflow and down to decrease it.
The M-Series coils are replaceable, and the 0.8ohm version comes preinstalled. Removing them is easy enough, but to replace them, you'll need to remember to match the flat sides of the coil base with those of the pod. In other words, the coils must be flush with the base of the pod, or they're going to leak!
Another thing to take into consideration is that the pod only fits one way inside the battery section. This is because the coils aren't centrally fixed. Never try to force the pod when installing it into the battery. Let the magnets do their magic!
Along with the two included coils, there's also a third, optional one. It's the M-Coil 0.4ohm version rated between 19-22W. With their four silicone ring structure, they're designed to be completely leak-free, and an improved mesh material has been enlarged to create a more even heating surface for purer flavour replication.
Safety Features
There's really not much to speak of. You get auto pod detection, eight-second cut-off, short circuit and low voltage protection.
Testing the Smok Tech 247 Pod Kit
Note: When filling the pod for the first time, please allow the E-liquid to soak into the wicking ports of the coil before vaping. I usually abstain from vaping for around five minutes when using a brand-new coil; this prevents any dry hits or premature burning of the coil.
Using the 0.8ohm M-Coil
To test the preinstalled 0.8ohm mesh coil, I used Flumlite E-liquid Blue Razz Lemonade, a 60PG/40VG ratio with 10mg salt nicotine included. This is the juice ratio I would recommend for the coil, and you'll also find 50PG/50VG to be a suitable candidate.
The coil is rated for use at anything between 11 and 14W, but since the IQ chip tech suggested 14W as the best setting, so I went with that. Initially, airflow was set to wide open.
The first thing to hit was the presence of a cooling agent on the inhale. It was quite sharp and quite cutting on the rear of the throat, which I very much expected since this range of E-liquids is designed to replicate the experience of a disposable vape.
As for the flavour, I simply cannot find fault with it. The blending of Lemonade and Raspberry is absolutely amazing! It's very rich and deep in taste. Yes, there's an overabundance of sweetness, but again, this is very much in keeping with the experience of a disposable vape.
The flavour lingers, too, for an extended period after the vape is finished. The sweetness does leave a coating on the inner lining of the mouth, but there's simply no denying the freshness of that flavour. Combine everything with that refreshingly cool inhale, and you've got the perfect Summer vape, in my opinion.
I was in my element because I was able to pull off a very effective restrictive lung hit with the airflow toggle set wide open. It's an impressively smooth inhale with very little noise generated. You only need to nudge the airflow toggle slightly to switch to a mouth-to-lung vape. My recommendation would be at the halfway point and no further.
At zero loss to flavour properties, the inhale does feel a little 'spongy' for want of a better word, and it's not the most comfortable of MTL vapes, but it still gets the job done. Don't completely restrict the airflow, though. It is still possible to vape, but I personally found the experience to be too uncomfortable. Remarkably, the flavour remains just as impressive.
Using the 0.6ohm M-Coil
I tested this coil using Dinner Lady Key Lime Tart, an e-liquid with a 50VG/50PG ratio and 20 mg salt nicotine. Again, 60VG/40PG ratios would also be perfectly fine. Thicker e-liquid ratios will be better suited to coils capable of a higher output than 17W (suggested by AI Smart tech). The optional 0.4ohm version may be the ideal candidate.
I also wanted to see how the 0.6ohm mesh coil responded to this slightly more complex dessert profile. Once again, the flavour was great. It was very rich, with sweet and sour elements instantly noticeable on the inhale.
I also observed that the coil generated just a modicum of warmth, which was highly welcome, given the flavour profile... I can't say I was expecting that from 17W output, so it's a big plus.
The citric notes combine gracefully with a layering of sweetness, and the pastry content is significant enough to push Key Lime Pie well into dessert profile territory. Indeed the coil is more than capable of delivering subtle flavour nuances and the biscuit base qualities are both rich and textured.
As for airflow, there's not a great deal of difference between this and the 0.8 ohm version. Fully open, a highly respectable restrictive lung draw is possible. That's what I ended up using.
Of course, a MTL vape is optional. Push the airflow toggle to around mid position. I wasn't able to get the kind of restriction I was looking for, but that was down to limited airflow adjustment. The flavour remained as intense as ever.
Battery Performance and Charging
The Smoke Tech247 is a veritable workhorse when it comes to battery performance. I managed to squeeze out 26 hours of continuous use from a single charge spread over two days. The difference between the mesh coils was negligible.
Take into account that I was consistently restrictive lung vaping (longer pulls than MTL) as well as frequently chain vaping, and that's really quite an impressive performance.
Yes, it has to be said that an 1800mAh battery in a relatively straightforward pod kit is the exception rather than the rule. Both coils are also quite low-powered, but flavour quality never skipped a beat during that whole time period.
On a single charge, I vaped approximately 10ml of E-liquid and amassed 480 on the puff counter.
The battery depletes in 5% increments until a 10% charge remains. From there, it alters to single-percent numbers, giving adequate warning to plug in that USB charger. When the battery does finally need recharging, the screen will display the words' Battery Low,' and the option to vape will cease. When recharging, the on-screen battery icon slowly fills. A percentage number charts progress and the time remaining is also shown. Time remaining begins at 90 minutes, but that rapidly drops to 60 minutes, and that's how long you can expect the device to take.
As long as it's switched on when charging, it's possible to vape should the urge arise. The Smok Tech247 is likely to last the average or casual vaper 3-4 days between charges, which is not too shabby if you ask me.
A Note On Filling
The filling process is undoubtedly made much easier since there's no need to remove the pod when doing so. As usual, with silicone stoppers, it's always best to have fingernails (I don't!) to speed up the procedure.
The sealing bung itself is quite substantial, so count that as an added reassurance against the potential for leakage. Since we're working with top fill and gravitational force, that will never be an area of concern with this particular pod. I do suggest filling in a well-lit area because over half of the pod is blanked off to comply with TPD regulations. (Damn those regulations!).
The size of the fill port opening is 4.25mm x 3.35mm, so keep this in mind when using bottle nozzles. Smok also stipulates that the length be no longer than 9mm when administered into the pod chamber.
Replacing the Coil
This is where fingernails come into effect again! Once you're done with a coil, simply pull at the edges of the installed coil to remove it. It goes without saying that you'll need to have vaped/emptied the pod of E-liquid before doing so! You're going to look a bit silly otherwise!
These coils are pretty much what they call plug-and-play. As previously mentioned, the only thing to remember is to line up the flat sides of the coil with those on the pod's base. There are four sealing rings incorporated into the coils and all four need to be working in unison to provide the ultimate leak free performance.
Usability
One button does it all, and in the Smok Tech 247 pod kit case, it's the activation button. With a few clicks of the button, you can alter the power output (wattage), vaping method and switch the device on or off.
That's about as difficult as things get.
The puff counter will reset once it reaches 9,999 puffs, but if you're in the habit of keeping a daily check on your vaping patterns, remove the pod, long-press the activation button and reinstall the pod to clear the puff counter.
The screen is uncluttered, pin-sharp, and displays all the relevant information you need. While vaping, the puff counter is temporarily replaced with the vape duration (briefly displayed as a number of seconds).
The display will switch off after 15 seconds of inactivity to preserve battery life. It will also show the message 'pod detached' when removed. Since the pod only fits one way, the message 'pod attached' would've been a good idea, so it remains notable for its absence.
Finally, be aware that the AI chip tech's Smart mode resets the best coil settings each time the pod is removed and installed. That could be an annoyance to those seeking out their own sweet spot, but it is another reason to keep the pod in place when refilling.
Pros
- Awesome flavour and decent vapour production with either coil
- Quiet and silky smooth inhale
- Sensitive auto draw
- No leaking
- Vertical charging
- Excellent battery life
- Easy top-fill system, reducing the chance of accidental spillage
- IQ Tech is a real time saver
Cons
- Pod only fits one way
- Mouthpiece attracts unsightly condensate
- Limited airflow adjustability
- Activation button doesn't protrude enough
- Plastic display window scratches up easily
- User-defined power settings are not retained when removing the pod
Who's the Smok Tech 247 For?
The Smok Tech247 is an incredible pod kit in that it effortlessly replicates the experience of a disposable vape, not only in terms of intense, sweet flavour but also in vapour production and especially the airflow restriction.
The mouthpiece is very similar to most disposables, and so is the smooth inhale.
I constantly used the auto inhale function and never once felt the need to use the activation button. This was due to the fact I've been used to using disposable vapes and the convenience auto draw offers.
For these reasons, I would highly recommend this device to anyone currently using disposables. Other than a few simple areas of additional functionality, it's not a transition to pod kits —it's more of a direct replacement, in my opinion. That additional functionality serves a purpose though, and is the perfect introduction to more powerful pod kits.
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