SMOK G-PRIV 2 Luxe Edition Kit Review

This Review is Sponsored by Vapor Authority – As touchscreen Mods go, the G PRIV has always been a favorite of Vapers everywhere. When Spinfuel VAPE reviewed the SMOK G PRIV 2 I agreed with every word that reviewer had to say about it. When the SMOK G PRIV 2 Luxe Edition came in for review about a month ago, I snagged one and volunteered to write the review. Unfortunately, the G PRIV 2 and the Luxe Edition are pretty much identical except for the new TFV12 Prince tank is part of the Starter Kit now, and there are some new colors and a new exterior scheme.

All this means is that if you’ve read the review on the G PRIV 2, you’re going to read a lot of the same stuff here.

The SMOK G-PRIV 2 LUXE Edition Starter Kit is a more luxurious G-PRIV 2 and features a gorgeous exterior upgrade to that of the already gorgeous G PRIV 2.

SMOK is using a prismatic frame on this Luxe edition (see photos), a few other mods, including the SMOK X PRIV, and a Cobra Resin (honeycomb) battery cover. Other than that, the specs on both are identical. The previous G PRIV 2 used a carbon fiber weave pattern on the battery access door.

SMOK G PRIV 2

Mod Material: Zinc Alloy
Mod Size: 85(H) x 52(W) x 27.3mm (D)
Power Range: 1W-230W
Resistance Range: 0.1Ω-2.5Ω(VW)/0.05Ω-2Ω(TC)
Temperature Range: 200°F-600°F/100°C-315°F

SMOK G PRIV 2 LUXE

Mod Material: Zinc alloy
Mod Size: 85mm(H) x 52mm(W) x 27.3mm(D)
Power Range: 1W-230W
Resistance Range: 0.1Ω-2.5Ω (VW) / 0.05Ω-2Ω (TC)
Temperature Range: 200°F-600°F/100°C-315°C

As impressions go, the G-PRIV 2 Luxe Edition is one classy and high performing touchscreen mod.

When we reviewed the G PRIV 2 Kit back in October 2017 we noted that SMOK equipped the Kit Version with its then new TFV8 X-Baby Sub-Ohm (reviewed here). With the LUXE edition SMOK has replaced the X-Baby with the newest, and best, TFV12 Prince Sub-Ohm Tank. Each of the Prince tanks match the exterior of the new G PRIV 2 LUXE and together they form to present one of, if not the best, looking Touchscreen Mod Kits on the market. My review is with the Rainbow color scheme, and although not as stunning as the photos of the rainbow model indicate, it’s still a beautiful rainbow of colors throughout the mod and tank. I’ll talk more about the Prince Sub-Ohm a little later in this review.

These latest offerings from SMOK not only upgrade the tank to the new Prince but have also been given a more sophisticated look and feel, along with new color schemes. Holding the G PRIV 2 LUXE should feel identical to the previous model but it’s not. It’s as though SMOK has applied a thick coat of ultra-smooth lacquer to the exteriors (they didn’t). Again, if you’ve held the G PRIV 2 you’ll know the carbon fiber back had a textured feel, not the smooth honeycomb prismatic back it has now.

 

 

The G-PRIV 2 LUXE Edition again features a Zinc Alloy body in a wide array of new colors options. These new colors include the aforementioned Rainbow, a Chrome Prism, A Gun Metal Prism, Matte Black, Blue, and a Gold prism color scheme.

 

 

The G PRIV body upholds the vertical-based design with sharp angular lines of the previous G PRIV’s, and in the center of the front panel is a large 2″ OLED “Colorful” Touchscreen. Although the display is capable of showing various colors, it is not a full-color display. The user can enter the menu system and choose from several basic colors for the fonts and icons presented on the screen.

 

The 2-inch screen has a resolution of “IPS 200PPI” that produces sharp images and text for a pleasant presentation of the information on the screen. More importantly, the sensitivity of the touchscreen itself is so much better than most of the touchscreen Mods I’ve reviewed, or used, in the past. While I can’t say with certainty that it is the “best” on the market, it is the best I’ve used.

The screen is responsive, fast, and handles input even from fat fingers. As noted in the review of the Aspire Skystar Revvo, it doesn’t seem to matter if your finger is a little oily or if you have a bit of eliquid residue on your finger.

Operating the menu system on the touchscreen is somewhat similar to navigating the menu system on smartphones. All of the G PRIV 2 settings and functions are controlled through the touchscreen using a finger.

Once the user turns the device on with 5 quick clicks of the side panel fire button, the high-quality OLED screen displays a wide range information. Better still, getting into the menu doesn’t take a certain number of clicks. Instead, on the top left side of the display if the touch sensitive word “Menu”. Touch that and you’re presented with the menu screen that will take you deeper into the system. Above the side firing panel is a small button for taking the screen into stealth mode. Click once for the screen to turn off, click again for the display to light back up. Additionally, that little function button serves to lock your settings in. Press and hold for 2 seconds and the settings are locked, though you can still fire the Mod.

Once inside the menu system the user can view the wattage settings, temperature setting, resistance of the atomizer coil, the output current, the number of puffs, and the remaining life of each of the dual 18650 hi-amp batteries.  If the user encounters any errors, they are also shown on the display.

The G-PRIV 2 Luxe uses its bottom-oriented USB port for firmware upgrades (Mac and PC compatible), and battery charging. With the included USB cable, simply connect it end into a Mac or PC computer, visit the SMOK website, download the latest firmware and install.

The G PRIV 2 LUXE Safety Features

The SMOK G-PRIV 2 Luxe, is equipped with numerous safety features. Among them are, Reverse Polarity Protection, Low/High Voltage Protection, Low Resistance Protection, Short Circuit Protection, and Over-Heating Protection.

The SMOK TFV12 Prince Tank has been my favorite tank since its release. Its ability to produce phenomenal flavor and gargantuan clouds of vapor, without having to go above 80W. This alone saves on battery life and eliquid consumption. In addition, the 8mL juice capacity makes refilling the tank a task I only need to perform two or three times a day. We’ve reviewed the Prince twice, which you read here and here. That being the case, I’ll keep my comments about the Prince short and sweet.

The TFV12 Prince is constructed with truly high-quality materials. The body and chimney use a premium-grade 304 stainless steel. Tank glass is a high-quality borosilicate bulb-shape. The gorgeous Cobra Resin drip tips are interchangeable with other Prince tanks, but it’s been my experience that each drip tip is carefully crafted to match the color of the tank itself. SMOK recently introduced a pink Prince they call “Auto Pink”, which is, for now, only available on the X PRIV Kit. I’m tempted to buy another X PRIV just to have this cool Prince tank.

 

SMOK has made the task of refilling the Prince easier and more secure with access the fill port directly from the top of the tank. The security comes from a small metal button on the top cap that must be pressed before being able to swivel the top cap away from the fill port.

 

The Prince tank uses bottom airflow slots that are large and easy to adjust. Setting the airflow to wide open allows for incredible amounts of vapor and deep flavor, while restricting the airflow gives the user a tighter, almost MTL vape experience.

In the early days of the Prince Tank I was a little upset that the premade coil heads were proprietary, now I understand why. While the Prince has a huge capacity for eliquid, the magic is in the coils, allowing for the aforementioned performance at relatively low wattages. The optimal wattage for the 0.4-ohm V12-Prince-Q4 atop the G PRIV 2 Luxe is 75W. The G PRIV 2 Luxe Kit comes with the Q4 and the T10 coil heads.

Each coil for the Prince line is 100% pure Japanese organic cotton wicking, which means there are zero contaminants, including bleach, colorants, fungicides, and pesticides. These pure wicks provide incredible, unparalleled flavor fidelity.

As I mentioned in the beginning; if you own the SMOK G PRIV 2 you might be better off just picking up a SMOK Prince Tank. However, if you like touchscreen Mods and you don’t already own a G PRIV, then by all means, the current retail cost of the G PRIV 2 Luxe is definitely worth picking one up.

Score:  A

SMOK G-Priv 2 Luxe MOD Specs:

Wattage Range: 1W – 230W

Voltage Range: 0.35V – 8V

Temperature Range: 200°F – 600°F (93°C – 14°C)

Resistance Range (VW Mode): 0.1 Ohms – 3.0 Ohms

Resistance Range (Temperature Mode): 0.06 Ohms – 3.0 Ohms

Battery Compatibility: Two 18650 (Sold Separately) – (Both Must Be Identical)

Threading: 510

Available Colors: Gold, Chrome, Rainbow, Blue, Gun Metal, Black

Height: 3.46 Inches (85mm)

Width: 2.04 Inches (52mm)

Depth: 1.07 Inches (27.3mm)

 

SMOK TFV12 Prince Tank Specs:

Manufactured by: SMOK

Threading: 510

E-Juice Capacity: 8ml

Body Material: 304 Stainless Steel

Drip Tip Material: Delrin

Tank Material: Borosilicate Glass

Available Resistances: 0.4 Ohms, 0.15 Ohms, 0.12 Ohms

Available Colors: Stainless, Black, Blue, Red, Purple, Rainbow

Height: 2.48 Inches (63mm)

Diameter: 1.1 Inches (28mm)

 

SMOK G-Priv 2 Luxe Kit Includes:

1 x SMOK G-Priv 2 Luxe Edition Box MOD

1 x SMOK TFV12 Prince Tank

1 x V12 Prince Q4 Atomizer Coil (0.4 Ohms) – (Pre-Installed)

1 x V12 Prince T10 Atomizer Coil (0.12 Ohms)

1 x Replacement Pyrex Glass Tube

1 x Bag of Spare Parts

1 x Charging Cable

1 x User manual