Smoktech ZMax Owners - Pics., Tips, Tricks and Quirks

[hubblecraft83]

Here is the first review (preview) of the Zmax VPLive Vape Team Episode #39: Sponsored by Pfizer? - YouTube

It's longer than the Vmax in dual 18350 mode. The problem they have is after taking a tewt, the Zmax will continue to fire for a full second. This was in 18650 mode and may or may not do this in dual batt mode.

The Zmax hasn't been tuned for true wattage & voltage. If you put your Zmax on 8 watts and the same carto on a Darwin @ 8 watts, the Zmax will hit way harder. Same with a provari, voltage to voltage the Zmax will hit harder at the same voltage. It seems like the same electronics as the Vmax that just does the math for wattage based on inaccurate voltage. I'm giving up on Chinese mods. My next VW device will be based on the Evolv dna chip. Accuracy is king in my book.

They made it even longer with a rounded bottom cap, a lay down mod to the highest degree.
Glad I went with my little Provari black mini. Very happy so far. Same height as a pinkspot 30ml bottle I chain vape and get 10 hours average on one efest 18350 (4.3v, 8w, 2A, 2.3ohm SC boge). "I get it"

 

[martinc]

Heard it will "only" do 12.5W on 18650 but will deliver 15W on stacked 18350s

 

[VAPNJ350]

All I can really say for that horrible excuse for a review is ......PLEASE someone do a review that actually knows about internal electronics and chipsets and is VERY familiar with the VMAX to begin with and the 'ADDED POWER' feel we've all grown to love and actually appreciate.

OK, and now for the supposed 1 second after fire. This really got on my nerves, to put it nicely, IT DOES NOT KEEP FIRING WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BUTTON..... it's just so got such good power going to the coils when you let off your coil is still got so much heat your juice is still sizzling and crackling as it's cooling down.

It would've taken 2 seconds to put it on even a inline voltage meter just to see when you let off the button the display turns off...if the atty actually kept firing the display would still be on flashing showing the PWM still activating.

 

[zenoth]

Can't wait to has Zmax, the wattage setting interests me, and I really want to try it out with out hunting down a darwin (don't like the form factor).

 

[MarcK73]

OK, and now for the supposed 1 second after fire. This really got on my nerves, to put it nicely, IT DOES NOT KEEP FIRING WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BUTTON..... it's just so got such good power going to the coils when you let off your coil is still got so much heat your juice is still sizzling and crackling as it's cooling down.

It would've taken 2 seconds to put it on even a inline voltage meter just to see when you let off the button the display turns off...if the atty actually kept firing the display would still be on flashing showing the PWM still activating.

Ah, thank you!!! I thought I was the only that realized this! My damn Provari even does that! I'm thinking that CJ might just be being super critical because he's testing it and that's why he noticed it...

 

[Dusty_D]

All I can really say for that horrible excuse for a review is ......PLEASE someone do a review that actually knows about internal electronics and chipsets and is VERY familiar with the VMAX to begin with and the 'ADDED POWER' feel we've all grown to love and actually appreciate.

OK, and now for the supposed 1 second after fire. This really got on my nerves, to put it nicely, IT DOES NOT KEEP FIRING WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BUTTON..... it's just so got such good power going to the coils when you let off your coil is still got so much heat your juice is still sizzling and crackling as it's cooling down.

It would've taken 2 seconds to put it on even a inline voltage meter just to see when you let off the button the display turns off...if the atty actually kept firing the display would still be on flashing showing the PWM still activating.

So, as somebody that has never owned a VMax, explain this to me VAPN, why the love and appreciation for something that is programmed incorrectly? Yes, I understand that the math can be worked out, and worked around but it still bugs me.

Example:

VMax'er: Whoa! my VMAX hits much harder than my Provari at 3.0v.
Me: Well, that's because it's actually 3.5v..and not 3.0v.
VMax'er: Oh, I know that.. but the vape is so much better 3.0v at the VMAX
Me: Well then, set the Provari at 3.5v and you'll have the same vape, no?!
VMax'er: No dude, the VMax does it better at 3.0v.
Me:

I'm in no way knocking the VMax, or ZMax for that matter and I am sure I will find my 8.0W sweetspot even if I have to set it to 7.5W.. but why can it not be programmed correctly to begin with?!

What am I missing?

 

[Dusty_D]

Can't wait to has Zmax, the wattage setting interests me, and I really want to try it out with out hunting down a darwin (don't like the form factor).

Right with you on the form factor. I've been saying this since the Darwin first came out. If they were available in a rounded shape, I would have atleast a couple of them in my hands. Wattage is everything to me when it comes to vaping. I love the 8.0 - 8.5 watt range with my ADV. Anything more and I start to detect a change in flavour.

I'm picky that way!!

 

[martinc]

That looks more like they are searching hard for problems and flaws then objectively testing the unit.

That is also why there is only a couple reviewers that I pay attention to SOME PARTS of their reviews.

 

[Dusty_D]

Here's how my Zmax setup will go.

* Figure out how to get display to show atty/carto ohms all the time.
* Change setting to watts.
* Set to 8 watts.
* Test vape production.
* Too hot! Set to 7.5 watts.
* All good.. vape away.
* Change battery nightly.

Setup complete.

See how long it lasts..

 

[VAPNJ350]

I can't really tell you why they do it the way they do, obviously I'm not an emplyed engineer at Smoktech, If I was I would be pushing for a completely different type of device that I have actually designed and now building the chipset for it. I wish I did know why they felt tuning it this way was justified or even a good thing to do in their opinion. I've asked a few times but as far as a straight 'real' answer from a engineer is kinds like pulling teeth or just a huge communication breakdown.

Why do I like it ? If I use my Provari @ 4.3v I don't get near the battery life or the satifaction I do @ 3-3.4v on the Vmax or now the Zmax. And don't get me wrong,...I like both of my Provari's (V1&V2) but as it was my absolute go to pv for almost 1 yr, or 1 of my 6 self built Fistpaks, it's not anymore and actually their both put away and not used at all, unless I'm testing side by side with another device, I just use 1 of my 6 Vmax's or the 'Z'.

 

[Rader2146]

What am I missing?

Root Mean Square

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...bc-hits-harder-than-xyz-set-same-voltage.html

They are programmed correctly to what you would see on a multimeter, but what you feel is stronger due to the unfiltered output and RMS voltage. The Provari uses an output filter to give flat constant voltage. Without the filter it would hit just these unfiltered China mods. If Only we could get China to realize that an output filter would only cost a handful of pennies per item to implement and make most end users much happier.

 

[Dusty_D]

So, what is the magic formula for the ZMax? What is the Watt variation that I need to dial in to get my vape right. .5w, 1w or other?!

 

[Rader2146]

It will depend on the setting. The error is greater at lower settings, and nearly no error at 6.0v

 

[Dusty_D]

Root Means Square

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...bc-hits-harder-than-xyz-set-same-voltage.html

They are programmed correctly to what you would see on a multimeter, but what you feel is stronger due to the unfiltered output and RMS voltage. The Provari uses an output filter to give flat constant voltage. Without the filter it would hit just these unfiltered China mods. If Only we could get China to realize that an output filter would only cost a handful of pennies per item to implement and make most end users much happier.

Oh man, you had to post this at nearly 11:00p.m?! I'm never going to get any sleep now.. I'm already around 3 tabs deep into it.

Thanks a lot!

No, really! Thanks for the information.

 

[VAPNJ350]

That looks more like they are searching hard for problems and flaws then objectively testing the unit.

That is also why there is only a couple reviewers that I pay attention to SOME PARTS of their reviews.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Your exactly right! CJ is a Provari FB all the way. Their was no way the 'Z' was NOT going to get a very critical review in that setting. IMO.

 

[VAPNJ350]

Root Means Square

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...bc-hits-harder-than-xyz-set-same-voltage.html

They are programmed correctly to what you would see on a multimeter, but what you feel is stronger due to the unfiltered output and RMS voltage. The Provari uses an output filter to give flat constant voltage. Without the filter it would hit just these unfiltered China mods. If Only we could get China to realize that an output filter would only cost a handful of pennies per item to implement and make most end users much happier.

I've recommended this exact filter to Smoktech and explained the huge benefit but they don't agree. I think they want it to be like this to be honest. Your guess is as good as mine.

 

[VAPNJ350]

So, what is the magic formula for the ZMax? What is the Watt variation that I need to dial in to get my vape right. .5w, 1w or other?!

When the VMAX 1st hit the public I had already had the prototype for 2 months or so for testing. The 1st thing I posted on the Vmax early pages was "START AT 3 VOLTS!!". Everyone seemed to respond to that and some even pm'd me thanks for the good advice.

Now here we are with the Zmax.....my advice.....START AT 3 VOLTS...or.....START AT 3 WATTS !!....then move up till you find your 'spot'.

 

[ckone180]

If the VW calculations are based on the voltage scale of the RMS differing from menu setting, it could mean the wattage setting could be way off at lower settings.

 

[martinc]

I own 2 Nivel chiped APVs and yet dont run them over 7.4W (yeah,what a waste isnt it) so my 1st try on the Z will probably be at that mark,with the same tank I use on the Nivel with the same juice.

Now that will be a fair comparo.

 

[Rader2146]

Sorry Dusty, didn't account for the time difference.

VAPNJ, unfiltered does have its advantages in battery life, but I can't come up with any others. I would think that, from a marketing standpoint, they would be smart to implement a filter seeing as so many people instantly dismiss these product when they here that it uses "PWM" (which is a misnomer for unfiltered output, and a pet peeve of mine ) and doesn't match the Provari.