Smok Guardian III

[350ZMO]

@Night Hawk

I didn't want to derail the Krixus thread but thanks for that post.

I was wondering when smok was going to come out with a TC pipe. Nice. Ordered from FT, the pipe kit with micro TFV4 is $56.33, The GIII by itself is $43.11. I love my Guardian II.

• Variable wattage: 1W-75W

• Temperature control: 200'F-600'F / 100'C-315'C

• OLED screen

• Output voltage: 0.7V-9V

• Support temperature control with stainless steel, Ni200 and Titanium

• Resistance range: 0.06-2ohm (TC mode) / 0.1-3ohm (VW mode)

• Advanced Bluetooth 4.0 technology (w/ a built-in Bluetooth 4.0 module, Guardian Pipe III can be fully controlled by your smartphone)

• Professionally personal set up
  • Operating mode menu (TC/VW mode)
  • Adjustable initial resistance
  • Basic function menu
  • Puff plan menu
  • Screen setting menu
  • Bluetooth 4.0 menu
  • Screen rotation menu

• Protection
  • Intelligent atomizer recognition
  • Puff monitoring system
  • 12 seconds cut-off
  • Short-circuit protection
  • Over-heating protection
  • Low-battery warning

• PC + ABS alloy construction

• Spring-loaded 510 connector

• Magnet back cover

• Houses single 18650 battery (battery sold separately)

• With a USB port inside

• Recharged via 510 USB charger

With a single 18650 it will have its limitations but Bluetooth 4.0?

 

[Night Hawk]

I wasn't actually trying to derail that one but find out just what the OP was expecting from that particular tank since he never got into any mention of rebuilding ceramic coils. I had also been looking at the Horizon tanks when those were first out as well as what Aspire was offering with the Atlantis and now the V2 Mega tank without the need to buy a 5ml replacement tank. The Kraigen mod was a $30 ripoff for those claiming 7-8ml and still only seeing 5ml!

When I ran into the Guardian 3 I said to myself "son of a ..." just having ordered 5 new mods total since I missed the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, holiday bargains, etc. and just last month took a look at what was new. That however I ran into while not even looking up epipes or mods!
What I found disappointing with the Guardian II of course was how often I had to keep recharging the 18350s! Try about 2hrs. vaping time and recharge, recharge and even with the G1 mech mod the same while I had been looking at the other K100 mech epipe that takes 18650s.

This however is the first out that takes on sub ohm tanks as well as RDAs! The new model has the looks and hopefully the feel as well to go with it.

 

[350ZMO]

Yeah I said the same thing when I saw your post.

If this is anywhere near the same quality as the II, it'll be fantastic with an 18650.

 

[Night Hawk]

This one will feature Temp Control as well as seeing a major boost in wattage like about 60w more then seen with the G2 model. For most of the people I have been talking to about TC however most plan to stay in the wattage mode on whichever new mods they go with.

As far as the look and how the layout is that looks much better then the G2 not seeing fire button, wattage ranges, and the top battery cover all bunched together. At first the top was easy to get off but hard to get back on and not worry about cross threading trying to get it to sit 100% horizontal to allow the threading to be caught just right.

This new one will see an lcd display on top with the wattage adjuster down on the side facing you. Plus it looks much more like a real wooden by style and shape in contrast to the first two Guardian models while the G2 had the correct size body there only lacking the longer stem seen with this one. I doubt I will be calling it on a smart phone however for the Bluetooth option!

 

[dleister1981]

its a smok product i wouldnt get near it if you paid me to. i've never seen a smok product that worked well.

 

[Night Hawk]

I can't say that here! There's not one problem I have run into with the older mech or 15w models as well as VV/VW 3-15w 1300mah eGo-V type batteries while a few of those let go over time. I wouldn't go after any of their box mods however since I find eLeaf and Innokin well beyond what Smoktech sees in both quality and durability.

But the one problem neither of them put out e-pipes! Smoktech has been right out front along with a few others. In fact I will edit in a few links here to give you an idea of what I have been running into for the last few years when initially looking to see if there were any electronic pipes to find. Be aware however the price tags for some custom made e-pipes may scare you away!
Hand-Crafted ePipes, custom made personal vaping devices from ePipeMods.com ...more than just an eCig

Now for finding all kinds of bargains on all types of gear from all over either domestic to the US or global Vaping Cheap has an e-pipe category and notice which particular brand comes up the most? E-Pipe Mod Deals | Vaping Cheap

Smoktech and Kamry are the most commonly seen despite the variety! The Smoktech Prospect as well as the K1000 were looked at with the Prospect winning the vote here for being an 18650 mech mod back in 2014! The Kamry K1000 simply wasn't going to work out due to the extra long stem as well as the same general body style the Guardian II was seeing at the time but not the VW capability back then. The G3 however is looking real good in contrast.

 

[350ZMO]

I used a micro R2 RBA instead of the included coils. UD 316L 2.5mm 4 wraps each side. Installed the included plus tank. Got the BT app installed and working. TC SS mode tastes spot on.

No problems vaping like a pipe just dial the AFC down.

Only con so far is the piano black finish, it is a fingerprint magnet.

 

[Night Hawk]

When you compare the two I bet you notice a major difference between the G3 and the older 15w G2 model!

The one thing I didn't care for with the G2 of course was getting the threaded cover back on when first getting that one in. That plus the 2hrs. max vaping time with the 18650s!

When thinking about the comparison between the two you have to stop and think for a moment why they would use what looks like cheap black plastic rather then updating the wood look and feel with the new model. Of course the battery cover wouldn't be able to be wood to match while that is on the bottom when being held anyways. Just got the confirmation email in from FT the one I ordered was shipped. Hopefully be seeing that in the next two weeks time.

 

[350ZMO]

Yeah just a little LOL.

 

[Night Hawk]

Just a little? go from 15w to 75w and just a little???

Sub ohm capable replaces anything 15w for sure for what you can run on it while most tanks I see tend to run right in there between 20-35w or 40w while I can take some flavors right upto 70-80w on some tanks. The e-pipe however is mainly used for those after dinner dessert or simply sweeter flavors while the others will be a menthol special as usual!

The first e-pipe here wasn't even Smoktech but some lame cartridge type where that was all that could be used. The vape from that wasn't even worth the time!

 

[Marc411]

I received mine today and so far it produces a nice consistent vape and feels good in my hand. Getting used to the menu took a bit but once I learned the menu and got it set up it really is pretty nice. Only time will tell how reliable it will be long term. It would have been nice in a wood or resin and it is a bit large but so far I'm enjoying the device.

 

[Night Hawk]

That's still a good report! I feel better that I wasn't wasting my time while the G2 still sees some use but hardly is suited for the type of higher end without cloud type vaping done here. While out and about especially when visiting a friend where Dandelion pollen is off the charts I will vape something with a lot of menthol in it and still end with throbbing sinuses for 3 days afterwards! This however would be for the sit and relax type vape.

That first DSI601 e-pipe did see a nice tan orientated coloring to that but saw those lousey cartridges you had to insert into the main section.

 

[350ZMO]

 

[Night Hawk]

The new model is definitely no where near as crud as the G1 mech and G2 3-15w models were. TC is the new trend being for most all regulated mods being seen now. In fact just after going for the 100w iStick the 100w TC then shows up! But I'll be staying with the wattage mode for the most part. I'll tinker around a bit on the other 40s mods I here first!

The lcd display however is a most have item at this point! The G2's setup of 6-10w on one range and clicking back and forth to the 11-15w range where the led changes from blue to white and then the 18350 going on you too quickly have been the main drawbacks there.

 

[Marc411]

Second day and I have to say I'm enjoying this mod. With a ohm coil the battery lasted just a little over a day.

I started looking at other pipe mods and realized how nice the design was as there aren't many 18650 pipe mods on the market. Someone can take this design and start creating some very cool pipe mods from this design out of wood or resin.

With the K4 (clone) on top it is a little top heavy but I wanted a rebuildable to go on top. I picked up a Subtank Plus and received it today. The threading is a little janky, I have several STM that were all pretty solid so this was a little disappointing. I'm going to try the Plus in TL next.

 

[Night Hawk]

That's alright! On the Cloupor ZNA 50 50w mod I went to put on one of the new Aspire Atlantis V2 Mega tanks and almost tore the threading right out of the ZNA! About 1/2 way the threading sudden jerks a bit and tightens right up. I would need to run a die over the tank's threading itself to clean up the rough spots!

The other 5 no problem with anything else! The original V1 tanks with 5ml replacements go on without issue and have been in use on that one since first ordered. The G3 on the other hand wouldn't be the fast grab mod at the computer desk however while the Innokin CF Plus 70w is at the moment. There the ZNA 50 and 100w iStick are the two 18650 powered items while some eGo and iStick vv/vw type batteries are presently lingering until a new box mod stand is made. The G3 however will be more or less replacing not only the Guardian and G II models both 18350 powered but a few of the other mods as well as for the "Sit Back and Relax" after dinner vape experience.

The black plastic compared to the nice wooden body of the G2 in contrast does tend to take something away however from the overall experience. And it's a shame most of these companies simply toss things without any foresight until maybe later after offering some secondary models? I think one of the main issues as you will note would be the need to increase the size even further when trying to make a new wooden body design in that shape that allows the 18650 size battery to be used. The battery cover would be one item of concern while the synthetic approach DSE used for their 601 could have easily worked.

The appearance is about as authentic looking as you can get but those are the worst ever possible cartridges found on the planet to vape with! is what I have to say about that mistake made for sure!

I just have to wonder if someone will soon be coming out with some wraps as you generally see rushed out for each new box mod that surfaces?!

 

[Night Hawk]

Update on the Fast tech order in case anyone is wondering how long it would take. Since the order was likely filled by FT providing Smoktech's warehouse with the customer/shipping info if not having gotten in the stock directly the total overall time will be less then expected! The 3/16 shipping date will now be met by the 3/25 arrival date here less then 10 days later! The previous order placed for a 30w Box mod(DovPo E-LVT) took a few days longer back when the first 20w iSticks and sub ohm tanks were the brand new toys on the market.

Now the main item to note about the "it took so much longer" orders is that the G3 wasn't shipped from Hong Kong with any batteries! Orders that include 26650s, 18350s, 18500s, 18650s will take longer being shipped likely by freighter in preference to un-pressurized cargo holds on many aircraft. Just in time for "Fried"day and the weekend vape!

 

[Night Hawk]

UPDATE on the situation here. First since I was unable to edit the post to include a few snapshots and the mod didn't quite arrive when it was supposed with the PO saying "Undeliverable"? in the tracking update I used their email option and when checking up yesterday(saturday) found it was here! The kit included a little more then expected it seems.

You'll have to excuse the G1 and Guardian II models in the background I tossed in for relative comparison. You get two usb cords one with the 510 threaded end just like the one provided for the Bloog brand ecigs I originally started off with. The Cert of Authenticity is included with another showing Smoktech having 18650 batteries available.

This one shows the side by side compariscon of the G2 with this new model where I took the stainless extended drip tip and put it on the Freemax Scylla sub ohm tank I have been trying out lately. Later I swapped that off and went with the original Starre tank instead however since the Scylla sweat ejuice it seems while the Starre always remains a tight seal!

The other item of interest you generally never see with box mods as a rule is having protective sleeves or any other skin type accessories while Smoktech tossed two colors in the kit. This is a slightly stretchable vinyl foam type you fit over the main body itself with the intent for the single combination purpose fire button which operates much like the SMOK BEC Pro 50w APV except for one thing.

In the wattage mode which turns out isn't any actual separate mode from the TC part you can't adjust the wattage in watts but in the choice of four settings only. The four of those are Mild, Soft, Norm, and Hard which suggests each of those modes covers a certain wattage range much like the click three times for 6-10w and another three times for the 11-15w ranges seen on the Guardian II. I generally prefer too tweak the wattage in about 5w increments not 30w!

So I leave that in the norm and have been working with the TC on this back and forth between the 170C down 135C to find the best temps. At times I want to be able to toss an Aspire Atlantis or perhaps one of the newer Horizon Artic V8 tanks on. And one other thing to mention is the setting to choose the type of coil you are using whether cotton filled or other. You see two letter settings one being "SC" while it's mainly a little guess work for anything ceramic!

 

[Night Hawk]

Another Update: I was finally able to get into the actual watts mode while it can be a little awkward when first getting acquainted with the new menus I had passed through right into the four mode options on the first several tries until getting the timing just right. That can be a bit clumsy but the mode to raise and lower the watts in 1/10w increments is there.

 

[jussio]

Thanks Night Hawk for this great review on Guardian 3. I am thinking of getting one. Do you still enjoy using it? Did you try any other tanks?