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SMOK G-Priv 220W Review

Jeremy Mann
November 23, 2016

SMOK G-Priv intro

Touchscreen devices are everywhere… may as well be on a mod too!

The Smok G-Priv is a 220W mod featuring a 2.4-inch touchscreen that has the most advanced OLED display to date of any mod. The G-Priv also features full temperature control modes including adjustable TCR for any wire type. he user may also adjust between 5 settings for the speed that you would like your vape to heat up in VW mode, or use a Pre-heat function for temperature control.

I received the G-Priv kit which pairs the mod with the Big Baby TFV8 Sub-ohm tank. Since the Big Baby has been reviewed already on Vaping360 this review will concentrate largely on the mod.

Let’s dive into the review and look at the details of the G-Priv.

SMOK G-PRIV specs and features

Kit Content

  • One G-Priv 220 mod
  • One TFV8 Big Baby
  • One preinstalled V8-X4 coil head
  • One replacement V8-T6 coil head
  • One replacement glass tube
  • Spare parts
  • Instruction manual

Specifications

  • Dual High-Amp 18650 Battery - Not Included
  • Dimensions: 85mm by 58.5mm by 28mm
  • Wattage Output Range: 1-220W
  • Min Atomizer Resistance: 0.06ohm
  • Temperature Range: 200-600F
  • Supports Ni200 Nickel
  • Titanium
  • and Stainless Steel Heating Elements
  • Superior Zinc Alloy Construction
  • Super Big 2.4 Inch OLED Touch Screen - Shatter Resistance
  • Screen-Lock Button - Simplify Operation
  • Five Drawing Effects: Min
  • Max
  • Soft
  • Normal
  • Hard
  • Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) Adjustments
  • User-Friendly Interface
  • Stealth Firing Bar Mechanism
  • Magnetized Battery Cover - Carbon Fiber Inlay
  • Temperature Protection
  • Short Circuit Protection
  • Over Current Protection
  • Over/Under Voltage Protection
  • MicroUSB Port
  • 510 Connection

Notable Remarks

Design

smok-g-priv-kit-screen

The Smok G-Priv mod is a dual-battery 220-watt mod wired in series. The chassis is zinc alloy with a plastic firing bar similar to the H-Priv mod that was released previously. The battery door features a nice looking carbon fiber inlay, and the magnets that hold the door to the mod are quite strong. In fact, I have had a little trouble pulling the door off to change my batteries, but I definitely prefer that to my ipv5 that has a door that won’t stay on now matter how much I curse it.

The dimensions of the G-Priv are 85 mm tall by 58.5 mm wide, with a depth of 28 mm. It is a relatively short mod, approximately the same height as the Wismec rx200. The 28 mm depth does include the two side panels, but 25 mm diameter atomizers fit perfectly. I had no issues with any of the atomizers I tried sticking up off the mod’s spring-loaded 510 connector.

Touchscreen

smok-g-priv-kit-screen-2

The most exciting feature of the G-Priv is the advanced touch screen. Covered with shatterproof glass (and no, I didn’t try to see if I could break it, but my nickname could be Super Clutz), the 2.4-inch OLED screen is intuitive and features nice graphics. The screen lock button prevents your settings from being accidentally changed while the mod is in a pocket, purse, or shoved down between the bench seat in my pickup truck. To activate the screen lock, simply press the silver rectangular button located above the firing bar. Doing so will also cause the screen to go black, saving on battery power. Pressing the screen lock button again will activate the screen once again to allow the vaper to change settings or check the dual battery icons to estimate remaining battery life.

I found using the touch screen to very intuitive and glitch free. Clicking the firing bar five times in two seconds turns on the G-Priv. The mod will prompt you to choose from New Coil or Same Coil. From there the home screen shows four icons: TC Mode, VW Mode, Max Puff and Settings.

Once you have chosen VW mode you may adjust your wattage setting from 1W up to the full 220W. There is a bar to allow fast adjustment and also + and – signs for fine tuning. Users may also choose how slowly or quickly their atomizer heats up by clicking Effects. Five choices are offered: Min, Max, Soft, Norm, and Hard. Once you have made your selections click on Activate to begin vaping. You will also see a new screen that allows you to change your wattage, counts puffs and shows resistance and remaining battery life. You may allow that screen to remain visible or press the Screen Lock to lock-in your screen and black it out.

Features of the G-Priv

The G-priv has a huge range of power adjustment, ranging from 1 to 220 W. The minimum atomizer resistance allowed is 0.06 ohms.

Not surprisingly, the G-Priv has temperature control (TC). Users may adjust between 200 and 600 degrees fahrenheit. What is a bit surprising are that all the bells and whistles are included, and that isn’t something seen often for a mod in this price range. The G-Priv has modes for ni200, titanium and stainless steel. However, it also has Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) adjustments. I was very happy about having adjustable TCR since I use stainless steel wire. Since stainless steel is available in several grades, mods that do not allow users to adjust TCR often will not work well for me in TC mode because they may not be programmed for the grade of stainless steel I am using.

Users may choose how quickly or slowly their atomizer heats up with the following settings: Min, Max, Soft, Normal, Hard.

Likes

The Big Baby Sub-ohm tank really is a beast!
Really good looking mod (and tank)
Carbon Fiber inlay on the strong magnet battery door
Adjustable TCR for stainless steel coil users
Five drawing effects to dial in your vape
Intuitive touch screen with shatterproof glass
Large range of power adjustments for most vapers

Dislikes

Firing bar on my unit has a lot of slop
Touch screen is a fingerprint magnet
Included Big Baby atomizer caters to high power cloud lovers only

smok-g-priv-kit

Verdict

The G-Priv kit is aimed at vapers who like to “put the pedal to the metal” and pump out massive performance. And this combo sure will! I recommend the kit to cloud lovers looking for a nicely paired mod and tank, especially if you enjoy the convenience of using factory coil heads.

For those looking at the G-Priv mod only, it will suit a large variety of vapers with its range of power settings. You get a lot of nice features for the money, all wrapped up in a smart-looking package.

Recommended.

I'm the chief editor here at Vaping360 and I reside in southeast Michigan. I've been vaping since my first ecig purchase in 2010. For more reasons than I can list, vaping has been a lifesaver for me. Now, my goal is to help other smokers make the switch.
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richard
richard
6 years ago

which are the best batteries for this mod vaping on a 40W-70W range on my Big Baby Beast?

Karim Haider
Karim Haider
6 years ago
Reply to  richard

i love the AWT 3000 mah on them

Audrey Saccogna
Audrey Saccogna
6 years ago
Reply to  Karim Haider

My only concern with AWT is that they are falsely labeled. They claim a 40A CDR, and this is not the case. It is really a 20A battery based on Mooch’s tests. He also said they became badly damaged at 35A and 40A during his tests. I do get upset about companies making false claims about a battery’s capabilities because that is how people get hurt. I’m sure they work just fine though if considered a 20A battery.

Disgruntled_Veteran
Disgruntled_Veteran
6 years ago

LG HG2’s are the way to go laddie. Buy 3 pair, and marry them to the device. That way, ye have one in use, one as a backup for long days, and one charging. Charge at slowest rate possible for longest battery service life.

Audrey Saccogna
Audrey Saccogna
6 years ago

Hi Richard, I generally use the rule of 60W per 20A battery and 75W per 30A battery. Since this is a dual battery mod a pair of 20A batteries will be great for you up to 120W on your Big Baby Beast.

For the longest vape time take a look at the LG HG2, Sony VTC6 or Samsung 30Q. Those 3 are 3000mah each. Other great batteries are the Samsung 25r, LG HE 2 or HE4 or Sony VTC4 or VTC5.

Karim Haider
Karim Haider
6 years ago

Overall I’ve been using the Smok G-Priv for 2 weeks now, my few comments about it r below: – The power saving (timeout) for the mod is annoying, even setting it up to the max, the mod will turn off along with the screen, 5 clicks is required every once in awhile – The 5 clicks to turn on the Mod doesn’t really work always from 1st time, you see the logo coming up then all goes black, u will need to do another 5 click and it will come up. – Battery life is fare, I’m using 2x 3000… Read more »

Audrey Saccogna
Audrey Saccogna
6 years ago
Reply to  Karim Haider

Hi Karim, thanks for your comments. I’m curious what bugs you have found on the G Priv?

I have only been using the Screen Lock because I knew if I didn’t I would be constantly adjusting things accidentally lol! I can’t seem to pick up my phone without accidentally hitting 5 things 😀

Karim Haider
Karim Haider
6 years ago

Also i cant locate the firmware update for the G-priv at SMOK website, worried it will turn on to be not upgradeable like the fuchai 213 ?

Audrey Saccogna
Audrey Saccogna
6 years ago
Reply to  Karim Haider

Unfortunately, I don’t have any info on whether they will provide updates or not, sorry.

Karim Haider
Karim Haider
6 years ago

Well, the only 2 i can mention now are:
1- MOD doesn’t go ON from the 1st 5 clicks u do.

2- lock screen is good, i always use it, but what i meant that the MOD goes OFF when the screen goes off, regardless if the screen is locked or not.

Audrey Saccogna
Audrey Saccogna
6 years ago
Reply to  Karim Haider

Mine doesn’t do that. I think you may want to return or exchange yours. Even once I lock the screen and the screen is off, the mod continues to fire any time I ask it too, even if it is a day later. Then if I want to access the screen just touching the silver screen lock button once brings it back up.

Disgruntled_Veteran
Disgruntled_Veteran
6 years ago

SMOK has just upgraded the firmware to ver. 1.8. This addresses all the concerns that have been mentioned by other posters in these comments.

tkm
tkm
6 years ago

I know this is a different mod than I am using but I just bought the alien 2 days ago. Just past night it started turning off on me. I am an ironworker in Maryland so it’s cold at night. Have you heard of people having any issues with them shutting off. I think it shuts off when the temperature is too low. Like last night the mod read 17 degrees Celsius and it always shitnoff after like 30 to 60 seconds. I do have the screen timeout set to 60 seconds but that came already set like that. Every… Read more »

Audrey Saccogna
Audrey Saccogna
6 years ago
Reply to  tkm

Hi tkm, the only issue I can think of due to cold is that cold will cause batteries to discharge faster. Is it possible the mod is shutting off because the battery level has become too low? I would check that, and also if you have the same problem when you are indoors to help you decide if the mod or the batteries are to blame.

tkm
tkm
6 years ago

Thanks for the reply Audrey. That’s what I thought at first as well but I am able to turn it on and it is still charged. It doesn’t happen when I am inside. And I have resorted to keeping hand warmers in a pocket that is connected to the pocket I keep my mod in. If anyone else has that issue it most likely is because the cold weather. I hope they fix that issue with their next release cuz I really like the mod. Thanks again for the reply

Thomas Kolbi (KolbenFresser)
Thomas Kolbi (KolbenFresser)
6 years ago
Reply to  tkm

You´re not the only one with that problem.. i got the problem too.. if i let it sit for a while with the screen turned off it turns off when i press the fire button..and sometimes i need to do the 5 click thingey 2 times to start it.. switched batteries and it didnt help.. it looks like a firmware problem.. mine says g-priv.v.1.6. in the settings.. im looking through the net to find a solutin maybe to downgrade the firmware to v 1.5 because i dont see anyone with the version 1.5 with this problem.. but they dont have… Read more »

Paul Galbraiythe
Paul Galbraiythe
6 years ago

Iv got exactly the same problem. IF i leave it for more than a few minutes it turns off then its one click that flashes the logo on and off then a further 5 clicks, (sometimes twice), to turn on, then press to fire….thats 7 clicks atleast, to have a vape after it being left standing for around 5 minutes. Absolutely not acceptable in this day and age. The quality tested stamp has lost credibility, atleast for me anyway. Im so disappointed, cause i love smok, i like many others have many of their kit. The g priv i was… Read more »

James Morgan
James Morgan
6 years ago

I’m having the same issues with my G-PRIV I purchased yesterday.

-If the screen times out, hitting fire shuts the device off.
-Usually, it takes at least two five-presses to get it to turn back on.
-Mine is also on v1.6

I’ve emailed SMOK to determine a resolution, and to see if a firmware update will be available anytime soon (as that’s the only logical reason it would do this, seems to be a software fault). If I hear anything back, I’ll update.

That aside, still an awesome mod.

Josh Smith
Josh Smith
6 years ago
Reply to  James Morgan

I also have the V 1.6 and it never turnes off after screen timeout if I hit the fire button.
Sorry mate

Thomas Kolbi (KolbenFresser)
Thomas Kolbi (KolbenFresser)
6 years ago
Reply to  James Morgan

well the smok support is realy realy bull**** they dont reply since a week now.. never ever again im going to buy a mod when it comes to this company

James Morgan
James Morgan
6 years ago

Hate to say it, but I agree. This is my first and last. After trying for a few days to get a resolution to the firmware issue, I’m told to RMA it through Madvapes. Seriously? RMA a device that is capable of USB updates for a bad firmware? I was then ignored for about half an hour after I asked when an update utility will be available. Quality “Live Chat”, I’ve gotta say. I typically don’t complain about things like that, but that’s just way too much.

Audrey, you wouldn’t happen to have a CS contact, huh?

Xonatic
Xonatic
6 years ago
Reply to  James Morgan

This mod isn’t upgradable like the reviewer samples. Connect your mod to your PC and see if it’s detected. Normally you hear a connect sound. It won’t connect because the mod doesn’t support data transfer. My alien can connect to all there upgrade software on the r200 /h-priv /primus for the simple reason my PC detects my alien. There are also other clues to it not being upgradable as well. Small things like retail version doesn’t say usb&charge above the usb port like the review samples. The usb cable that comes with the device isn’t listed as a charge/update cable… Read more »

James Morgan
James Morgan
6 years ago
Reply to  Xonatic

That honestly doesn’t surprise me much. It’s pretty pointless, though, to make a device like that without the capability to update (especially in light of the broken firmware that was sent out with it).

But, is all good. I exchanged it, got a Minikin 2, love it a lot more.

Thomas Kolbi (KolbenFresser)
Thomas Kolbi (KolbenFresser)
6 years ago
Reply to  James Morgan

It an awesome mod for sure.. They should release a firmware pgrade tool..

Robert P
Robert P
6 years ago

Hi
I just did an upgrade from version 1.6 to 1.7.
I do not see any technical issues after the update.

Olaf
Olaf
6 years ago

Great review, thank you! I bought the G-Priv a few days ago and I really like the touchscreen mod. It’s easy to use and I can adjust my wattage setting up to the full 220W. It’s a pity that you see every fingerprint on the touchscreen.

Audrey Saccogna
Audrey Saccogna
6 years ago
Reply to  Olaf

Thanks, Olaf! Yes, the fingerprints were my one big con, but I expected that as well. At first I left on the protective plastic that was there from the factory, but it fell off in my truck from shoving the mod between the seats. Glad to hear you are enjoying yours.

Lewis Morgan
Lewis Morgan
6 years ago

…. its a touch screen, you have to touch it with your fingers, of course it will have finger prints, i hate how people see this as a con. like when you buy a touch screen smart phone, did people complain about the finger prints. seriously guys come on.

Vermon Discuss
Vermon Discuss
6 years ago

Is the G Priv or the Alien better?