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]SMOK has plunged back into the triple-18650 Mod category with the introduction of the SMOK T-PRIV 3. This 300W, Temperature Controlled Box Mod is nothing if not BOLD. The Kit version, which includes the SMOK Prince 8mL capacity Sub-Ohm Tank (and Spinfuel VAPE’s Product of the Year 2017), at first glance makes sense. But, considering the top wattage range of the Prince’s Proprietary Coil System is a mere 120W, there is a lot of wasted power inside the T-PRIV 3 if using the included Tank.

Is this new triple-1860 Mod worth your time and money? Let’s discuss…[/vc_column_text]

First Impressions of the SMOK T-PRIV 3 Mod

Honestly, the SMOK T-PRIV 3 is a BIG Box Mod. However, it feels good in the hand, so it is ergonomically sound. I know that word, ‘ergonomic’, is tossed around in almost all official mod descriptions even when it shouldn’t, but here the word fits. It was lighter than it looks when I first picked it up, but adding 3x hi-amp 18650 cells I begin to feel the heft of the Mod.

The T-PRIV 3 is an exceptionally crafted Mod with a sort of ultramodern design that is also found on the original T-PRIV.  It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, if you like the design of previous T-PRIV, you’ll like the 3rditeration.

The T-PRIV 3 Box Mod is  tall, with a horizontal oval shape and a hard-shell exterior with ‘slats’ that are actual cutouts that reveal a 9-Color LED lit-up strips. Turning the unit on, the 9 colors cycle through one by one on start up.

That topside OLED display is not unique to SMOK Mods. My first experience with it was the old, no defunct SMOK X-Cube (reviewed here) for one, and it is a design feature that must be used to accommodate the overall design of the Mod, and if you’re not used to glancing at a display to see the settings from on the top of a Mod, it won’t take long to get used it. In fact, it is actually a faster way to see the setting while vaping with it.

I was disappointed to learn that SMOK decided to make the OLED display monochrome and not follow through with a color display recently being used in just about every new SMOK Mod for the past several months.

 

In conclusion, my first impression of the SMOK T-PRIV 3 Mod was apprehensive at first, then turning somewhat positive once I set it up to my preferred settings. It’s hefty, but I like that in a powerful 300W Mod.

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The SMOK T-PRIV 3 Specs at a Glance

The T-PRIV 3 is powered by 3x hi-amp 18650 batteries (we recommend the Nitecore 3100mAh 35A 18650 cells). SMOK is using its latest chipset for utilizing the power of the 3x cells to achieve the 300W maximum output, as well as an accurate full spectrum temperature control suite.

The topside display is 0.96 Inch, using a monochrome OLED matrix, and like all modern Mods, it provides all the essential information at a glance.

 

The Adjustment Buttons are placed beneath the display, directly onto the oval exterior body. The Fire Panel goes the length of the Mod, on the only flat side of the egg-shaped Mod, directly opposite the Adjustment Buttons. Holding the T-PRIV 3 properly allows you to press the fire panel with your index and middle finger while looking at the display as you pull the Mod away from your mouth. It is a natural and comfortable process.

The SMOK TFV12 Prince

Like several other new models of older Mods coming from SMOK, the T-PRIV 3 is equipped with the TFV12 Prince. This 8mL capacity Sub-Ohm is truly a wonderful Tank and has been reviewed and talked about in Spinfuel VAPE many times. Read our Reviews Here, and Here.

 

The T-PRIV 3 Starter Kit includes one 0.12ohm V12 Prince-T10 Decuple Coil with a wattage range of 60-120W, though the optimal range is 80-100W, and one 0.4ohm V12 Prince-Q4Quadruple Coils which is rated at 40-100W, with an optimal range of 60-80W. There is a small voice in my head telling me that SMOK should have included a new Coil capable of at least 250W, but it’s a small voice and probably not a good idea.

The TFV12 Prince RBA

And optional, but important role in a 300W Mod

Note*For advanced coil builders, the TFV12 Prince does have an RBA head as an optional and additional purchase. This RBA will allow for higher wattage ceilings, but because none of the current LUXE or Prince-equipped Mod Kits include this RBA Head, its existence in this review isn’t reflected in any decisions or recommendations.

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Considering the SMOK T-PRIV 3 Starter Kit

The Starter Kit version is roughly about $20 more than buying the T-PRIV 3 Mod alone, so whether the user winds up using the SMOK Princeon the T-PRIV 3, or not, it’s a terrific price for the tank, a tank that can and should be used on another Mod. So, if you’re going to buy the T-PRIV 3 I recommend the Starter Kit version easily.

But, there are a couple of things I can’t shake about the T-PRIV 3. I wonder why SMOK decided to bring out another 300W+, a triple-18650 cell Mod now, and not something a bit more modern, like say a Dual-21700 Mod instead.

 

Does the SMOK lineup of Box Mods need a new 300W Mod in 2018? There are plenty of Mods on the market that reach up and beyond the 300W range, even SMOK does so with its 4x 18650 “GX 350”, the SMOK Marshall 320, or its SMOK Kooper Primus 300W(all “end-of-lifed” at this time).

 

The SMOK Marshall Kit came with the SMOK Big Baby Sub-Ohm, which offered the 0.15ohmV8 Baby-T8 Octuplet Coil, rated for 50-100W, which in my opinion makes even less sense the new T-PRIVwith the Prince Tank. At least the SMOK GX350 Kitoffered the TFV8 Cloud Beast with a 0.15ohm V8-T8 Octuplet Coil(6.6T) that is rated for 50W-260W, which made more sense than the Marshall’s pairing.

If these Mods and their respective Starter Kits were still being manufactured instead of vendors selling off their remaining stock, it would indicate a steady market for super high-wattage SMOK Box Mods. However, in 2017 and 2018, SMOK has been pairing lower wattage Mods and a proper Sub-Ohm Tank, Kits like the S-PRIV, the X-PRIV, G-PRIV, and the Majesty, all with 220-230W with Tanks that came close to maximizing the performance of the Mods without having to go outside the SMOK line for a high-performance Tank.

 

I don’t begrudge SMOK for attempting another 300W Mod, it just doesn’t fit the current model of providing truly great sub-ohm tank experience with coils that rarely need more than 80W of power.

Wrapping Up

This review might sound more critical than I mean it to be. I like the SMOK T-PRIV 3, but because most of my vaping is done with the Prince tank and the Uwell Valyrian Sub-Ohm, (reviewed here) I certainly don’t need 300W at my disposal, nor do I need to set up 3 more 18650 cells into a marriage.

 

Given the choice, I would stick with my SMOK T-PRIV 220W with my preferred Tanks, or even my new favorite, the SMOK Majesty LUXE Edition (A SMOK Majesty with the Prince Tank).

Scoring the SMOK T-PRIV 3 Starter Kit

How does it fare?

Having said all this; if you are looking for a solid, attractive, and modern 300W Mod, then by all means, reach out for the SMOK T-PRIV 3 Starter Kit. Remember that the included TFV12 Prince is color-matched to the color of the T-PRIV, so that if you wind up using a more powerful Tank or RDA/RDTA/RTA, that extra Prince tank can certainly find a home on one of your sub-300W Mods.

Score: A-

Buy Now Vapor Authority

SMOK T-PRIV Specs, Contents

T PRIV-3 300W TC Features:

  • 6 to 300W Power Output
    • 0.5 to 9.5V
    • 0.1 to 2.5 ohm Atomizer Resistance Range
    • Three Setting Output Mode
      • Hard
      • Normal
      • Soft
    • Firmware Upgradeable
  • Temperature Control Output
    • Ni200 Nickel Support
    • Titanium Support
    • Stainless Steel Support
    • Adjustable Initial Resistance
    • Adjustable TCR
    • Preheat Capability
    • 200 to 600 degree Fahrenheit Output Range
    • 0.05 to 2.0 ohm Atomizer Resistance Range
  • Top Mounted OLED Screen
    • Vibrant Display Resolution
    • Icon Based Display Matrix
      • Highly Visible
      • Comprehensive Menu Settings and Adjustment
      • Full Display
      • Dual Battery Life Indicator
  • Dual Adjustment Buttons
  • LED Lights On Device
    • 9 Colors
      • Cyan
      • White
      • Rainbow
      • Red
      • Green
      • Blue
      • Yellow
      • Magenta
      • RGB
    • Different Light Display Styles
      • Normal
      • Fade
      • Jump
    • Various Allowed Time
      • Always On
      • Screen On
      • While Vaping
      • Off
  • Innovative and Ergonomic Firing Mechanism
    • Comfortable and Easy to Use
    • Squeeze to Fire Operation
  • Hinge and Lock Battery Access Door
    • Accepts Three High Amperage 18650 Battery Powered
      • Sold Separately
    • Spring Loaded Internal Contacts
  • Zinc Alloy Chassis
  • Stainless Steel 510 Threading
    • Gold Plated 510 Contact

SMOK T-PRIV 3 Dimensions:

  • 86mm by 57.2mm by 47mm

TFV12 Prince Product Features:

  • 25mm Diameter Base
    • 28mm at Widest Point
  • Hinge and Lock Top Fill System
    • Swivels Open and Shut
    • Fill Port
  • 5ml Max Standard Capacity
  • 8ml Max Convex Glass Extension Capacity
  • SMOK V12 Prince Coil Family
    • V12 Prince-T10 Decuple Coil Head
      • 0.12 ohm
      • Patented Decuple Coil
      • 60 to 120W Range
      • 80 to 110W Recommended Range
    • V12 Prince-X6 Sextuple Coil Head
      • 0.15 ohm
      • Patented Quadruple Coil
      • 50 to 120W
      • 80 to 100W Recommended Range
    • V12 Prince-Q4 Quadruple Coil Head
      • 0.4 ohm
      • Patented Quadruple Coil
      • 40 to 100W
      • 60 to 80W Recommended Range
    • Compatible with Additional V12 Prince Coils
  • Dual Adjustable Airslots
  • Stainless Steel and Glass Construction

TFV12 Prince Product Dimensions:

  • 28mm by 63mm

T PRIV 3 300W TC Starter Kit Includes:

  • One SMOK T PRIV 3 300W TC Box Mod
  • One SMOK TFV12 Prince Tank
    • One V12 Prince Q4 0.4 ohm Coil Head
      • Pre-installed
    • One V12 Prince T10 0.12 ohm Coil Head
  • USB Charging Cable
  • Replacement Parts and Glass
  • User Manual
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