The Smoant Charon 218 is the second mod I have reviewed from the Smoant vape house.
They might not be what you’d call a giant in the vaping industry but I expect that’s more to do with the fact that they don’t have a massive product range.
What I do know is that the products this Shenzhen brand have released have hit the spot every time and Instagram is awash with Smoant hand checks because there’s just something edgy and cool about Smoant.
They’ve been rocking to the beat of their own drum with unique offerings like the ever popular Rabox, a cage like frame with a chunky design and exposed circuitry…there’s nothing else like it on the market.
Probably their most popular mod yet is the Smoant Battlestar 200W, which comes out in a range of alternative designs that’ll take any collection to the next level.
The Smoant Charon 218 TC Mod Reviewed
The Smoant Charon 218 TC mod looks like it’s set to make a similar splash and damn, am I pleased that I got my hands on one.
This beautifully rugged looking TC box mod runs on dual 18650’s and while there may be one or two tiny niggles, I simply can’t take my hands off this thing.
Another thing which drew me to this mod was the name, Charon is the boatman of the underworld in Greek mythology, with his creepy reaper looks he accepts the coins placed on the eyes of the dead as they arrive at the banks of the Styx…he’s a character of note.
Let’s take a closer look at an affordable mod that’s ideal for beginners into the high power game, due to its super easy controls, as well as for medium to advanced users like me, who just want an addition that’s got bad-ass written all over it.
Can it land itself on our Top 10 Vape Mods list?
Let’s see.
What’s In The Box
1 x Smoant Charon 218 TC Mod
1 x USB Charger
Features
- Size: 91mm(H)*25mm(W)*53mm(L)
- Take 2 X 18650 battery
- Material: Zinc alloy & High quality leather
- VW Mode power range: 1-218W
- Temperature Control Mode support Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, Stainless Steel, Ni-chrome and TCR(Temperature Coefficient of Resistivity)
- TC temperature range: 200-600℉/ 100-300C
- Support resistance low to 0.1ohm
- Firmware Upgradable
- Magnetic back cover, be easy to replace the battery
- USB Charge
- Weight(Without batteries): 195g
- Low Resistance Protection
- Over-time Protection
- Reverse Polarity Protection
- Overheating Protection
- Color : Copper/ Golden/ Black/ Stainless Steel/ Hell’s Angel/ Thor’s Hammer/Brazing Skull/ Evil Wolf/ Camo colors Available
Build Quality & Design
The Smoant Charon 218 TC Mod
The first thing that struck me on receipt of this highly anticipated vape-mail was the packaging, not average at all. The print, shape and feel of the box says a lot about Smoant’s image, their designs are their own and they don’t play by anyone else rules.
The ergonomic zinc alloy mod (I got the silver and black version) has a brushed aluminum style look, ever so shiny but very old school American car looking, like a Mustang, is what I’m thinking.
It had a solid weight, even without the dual 18650s and oh lord, I love the leather sticker finish.
It has the look and feel of real leather and this is one of the reasons I can barely put it down. The real leather type texture has me sort of running my thumb up and down it the whole time. I dig it.
The upper base features a deep, spring loaded 510 pin with clean, smooth threading that feels very solid and it’s surrounded by a unique dual concentric circle bar design (for lack of better description).
The dimensions will handle anything up to a 25mm…I’ve been using it with my Cigpet Eco 12 tank which has a microscopic overhang but dang, it’s a super sweet setup.
The leather clad battery cover is magnetic and is removed with a little bit of friction to reveal a neat and snug battery chamber with clear markings, a removal ribbon and gold plated connections. The inside of the battery cover also has insulating stickers on it. The cover is easily replaced.
Either side of the rectangular mod, with it’s rounded gripping edge, features 4 huge, meshed venting holes for the batteries and these are surrounded by deep and decorative indentations that go along way to adding that Mustang feel I mentioned earlier.
The firing button is perfectly placed, big round and clicky and its also surrounded by a decorative, raised frame with indentations in it. The button does have a little rattle on it when you just tap it but that’s no train smash.
Below the button you’ll find a basic, old school display that is super bright and effective. You’ll see resistance, volts, wattage, battery levels and modes displayed.
Below that there are two small diamond shaped adjustment buttons and below that, your micro usb port.
How Does The Smoant Charon 218 TC Mod Perform?
Well, good looks or no, I guess this is the really important part and thanks to the remarkable Ant Chipset, she fires and fires and fires, or should I say he.
I haven’t been going easy on Charon by any means, hooking up the Cigpet I’ve been vaping all the way from 100 to 200 and the response time is next to zero. I get tremendous power from this device, a smooth, stable vape.
I’ve been firing 0.12 ohm coils for about 3 days now, sitting at 4.35 volts as we speak and I can feel the power of this device, its really a dream.
I can’t stress enough about the response time though, it really has been impressing me, especially at high wattages, I feel the pull instantly.
The atomizer detection is flawless and I found the temp control to be stable and smooth also, I used it with a Baal V4 on a 0.2 ohm SS Clapton build and had no issues. I haven’t downloaded the temp curve firmware but if I understand correctly it is available on the Smoant site.
The only little issue I’ve experienced is a trouble switching off the device once or twice. The five click function just doesn’t seem to work sometimes and I find I have to try it a few times before getting it right.
Maybe this is an issue with my mod, maybe I’m a little slow after the weekend, maybe I should vape more…either way, I still love this mod.
Battery Life
Now, keeping in mind the fact that I’ve been rocking this device at some seriously low resistance, the battery life is not bad.
Let’s say that I get about 7 hours battery life here, and I have a tendency to leave the device switched on. Charge is super fast though.
How To Change The Batteries
Slide the battery door off and change ‘em!!! Hello!!!!
Oh, and replace the door!
Always recommended to use a good quality external charger! XTar (can find these on Amazon) are a trusted brand.
Controls
The controls are very simple and even a bigger will get used to it in no time.
- 5 clicks on or off
- 3 clicks continuous gets you through the TC modes
- From there you’ll use up and down adjust to change your settings
What I Liked
The air vents and indentations, together with the ample fire button all add to the magnificent look of this device.
The leather sticker that seems almost genuine (Smoant says it is genuine leather, it may be but I’m not 100% sure) feels so different from other mods, it’s beautiful.
Snug battery chamber with a solid magnetized battery door and the huge fire button and easy controls.
Extraordinary response time with a very responsive and stable chip finished off with such a stunning overall look, really rugged and unique, makes for a 5 star hand check.
What I Dislike
My only complaint is an occasional difficulty with the five click power down.
Final Review Verdict
This is the kind of mod you’ll get hooked on, the Smoant Charon 218 TC box mod fires with outstanding power and lightning fast response time.
Combine that with some of the best aesthetic out there (in my opinion) and you have the stuff that vaping dreams are made of.
This mod is affordable, effective, easy to use and sweet!!!!
This box mod will be ideal for someone who might have had their eyes on the Therion DNA from Lost vape.
It has a very similar look and dimensions, plus it operates with a similar response time…only difference, it’s a hang of a lot cheaper.
Pros
- The leather finish and decorative elements, together with the ergonomics
- Easy controls
- Bright display
- Nice, big, round, well placed fire button
- Great battery life
- Loads of battery vents that add to the look whilst keeping things cool
- A solid, smoothed, responsive vape.
Cons
- Some problems with the five click power down
