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SMOK Quantum 80W OTA* Box Mod
It would be very easy to mistake the SMOK Quantum 80 for an eVic VTC Mini, especially the stealth version of each, but there are some pretty big differences that are worth discussing. Priced about the same as that eVic Mini with a Tron tank, the value of the SMOK Quantum 80 is far more. Read on as I give you the lowdown on this fairly remarkable box mod.
SMOK Quantum 80 – The Basics
The SMOK Quantum 80W is certainly one of the smartest box mod released this year, yet featuring a small profile, and carrying an intelligent chipset inside the durable Zinc Alloy chassis.
This new chipset has the ability to wirelessly update the SMOK Quantum 80 directly from the smartphone app called Vaping Tour, an updated version of MyVapors. Available for iPhone and Android, this new app is easy to set up, and easy to adjust. More on this app a bit later.
The SMOK Quantum 80 offers the user a 1 to 80 Watt power output range and support for atomizer resistance from the low of 0.1 to a high of 3.0 ohms.
SMOK’s refined temperature control suite is integrated nicely, with support for Ni200 (Pure Nickel), Ti (Titanium), and SS (Stainless Steel) heating elements. Manual TCR adjust mode is included as well, and allows users to expand the compatibility and output tuning of the mod. The user can also adjust the initial power burst of Normal, Hard, and Maximum.
The SMOK Quantum 80 has a solid chassis fashioned out of strong but lightweight Zinc Alloy that has proven time and again to be a durable material for heavy usage with box mods.
The SMOK Quantum 80 chassis is about the same as the modern eVic Minis.
Joyetech eVic VTC Mini – 82 x 38.20 by 22mm
SMOK Quantum 80 – 86mm by 40mm by 23.5mm
Despite the similar size, the SMOK Quantum 80 differs in other ways. For instance, instead of the fire button on the front side like the eVic VTC Mini, directly above the large OLED display and adjustment buttons, the SMOK Quantum 80 has taken the entire side of the mod and made it a firing panel, a much easier way to fire the mod.
The firing panel also serves as the battery cover. This battery door features a two magnet system, top and bottom, with gold-plated contacts for a single high-amp 18650 battery (not included).
The SMOK Quantum 80 is equipped with a large OLED screen that displays four lines of readout information. The adjustment buttons are positioned directly below the screen. My review unit was the Starry Black, an almost vantablack actually, and the adjustment buttons particularly disappear in broad daylight. They are slightly raised so if you can’t see them you can at least feel them. Other color options include Mint Green, Sakura Pink, and White.
The Big One – Over The Air
The SMOK Quantum 80W can update the firmware when the user has the new app installed on their smartphone. The SMOK Quantum 80 has Bluetooth 4, and with the App firmware updates have never been easier. No need for computer, just a smartphone will do. My only concern is for users in the US having access to updates without SMOK having to obtain a PTMA and have it approved. So whether or not this feature is ever used by US owners, you have to admit it is a nifty feature.
Vaping Tour App – MyVapors
This is where most people will have problems, installing the app that can upgrade your SMOK Quantum 80, or any other SMOK mod. Vaping Tour is a lot more than a simple upgrade device or app, it is a closed system social media and vaping news app, that includes registering and updating all your SMOK mods.
Downloading the app is easy; type Vaping Tour into the App Store, Google Play or Apple, download and install. To pair your new mod with the App you’ll need to make sure the Bluetooth mode is active and press go to MyVaporizers. With the iPhone app you pull down the screen to “refresh” and it will search for the mod. However, when it finds the mod the user will need to register a hidden code.
Finding the code, or password as they call it, was extremely difficult because there is no clear cut way to find it. Finally, I discovered the way to do it was to hold down on the Quantum 80 icon for a few seconds, then move to the left to reveal a RED pull out box on the right, reveal that red box and the special number pops up on the screen with an option to copy the numbers.
Once copied, touch the Quantum 80 icon again and “Paste” the number in. Then send an email customer_support@smoketech.com with your serial number and sometime later they will send over the final password to unlock all the functions you can control with the app. Truly a royal pain in the ass… until its done, then it all seems worth it.
Real World Report
Despite the side panel firing button I couldn’t help to think of the eVic VTC Mini every time I took the SMOK Quantum 80 out to play. Both use a single 18650-battery, both feature full temp control, including manual TCR mode, and they feel a lot alike, including the large OLED display.
The SMOK Quantum 80 is a very good box mod and the price is right. That said, it’s a matter of choice, there is no “must-have” feature, no incredible design aesthetics, no urgency to pick one up. If a customer saw this mod and the eVic VTC Mini side by side, I believe it would come down to the firing panel/button that causes the customer to make his/her mind as to which one to buy.
Want One Now? Check out Element Vape
Grade: A
“A fine 80w box mod with plenty of pleasing features. I like side panel firing, love the love OLED, and 80 watts is plenty. At $44.95 at Element Vape, if you like what I like and you want to pick one up, I totally get it. You’ll no doubt enjoy it.”
Julia Hartley-Barnes
SMOK Quantum 80 Features:
- 1 to 80W Output Range
- 0.1 to 3.0-ohm Atomizer Resistance Range
- 30A Maximum Output
- 0.8 to 9V Output
- Firmware Upgradeable
- Temperature Control Output
- Ni200 Pure Nickel Support
- Titanium Support
- Stainless Steel Support
- TCR Adjustable
- Adjustable Initial Resistance
- 200 to 600 Degrees Fahrenheit
- 0.06 to 2.0-ohm Atomizer Resistance Range
- Bluetooth V4.0 Capability
- Over The Air (OTA) Update Capability
- Wirelessly Update Firmware on the Go
- Compatible with Android V4.3+ and iOS 7.0+
- Detailed Usage Feedback and Information
- Over The Air (OTA) Update Capability
- Large OLED Screen
- Battery Life Indicator
- Resistance Indicator
- Output Indicator
- Output Mode Indicator
- Dual Function Battery Door and Firing Bar
- Magnetized Battery Door
- Single High Amperage 18650 Compatible
- High Amperage Battery Sold Separately
- Firing Button Mechanism
- Ergonomic and Comfortable Feel
- Magnetized Battery Door
- Micro USB Port
- Charging and Firmware
- Stainless Steel 510
- Gold Plated Spring Loaded 510 Contact
- Multiple Protection Suite
- Intelligent Atomizer Recognition
- Puff Monitoring System
- 12 Second Cut-Off
- Short Circuit Protection
- Over Heat Protection
- Low Battery Warning
- Zinc Alloy Construction
