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

[me1969]

And you used ccv which is $25 more than anyone else.

 

[Freddie]

Some early thoughts on the zmax-

Start with the just the unit itself. Feels a lot like a vmax, mainly because it is the same exact body and end cap, just a different top connector and cap. There's slightly more steel used in the body compared to that of the vmax though, an each magnet will stick it it slightly where on the SS vmax it wouldn't. The screen on the zmax is flush against the body of the pv unlike the vmax which on everyone I've seen and used would indent a little in near the button. The button is far more solid feeling and responsive than that of the vmax. Feels slightly studier than the vmax overall, but anyone who wants to kid themselves into saying it's better build quality and more durable than a provari, is simply being a fanboy. The zmax is not a mod I would suggest for anyone hard on their devices (as in drops them a lot, does a job where they are prone to abuse, etc.). It's no knock on it, but the truth. The 18650 end cap that comes with it (have the extension cap on order) takes a little more pressure than I prefer to screw on, part of it is because of the spring in the cap which is very stiff, the other part being the threads at the start don't always catch. When directly compared to the vmax, it's a step up build wise.

As for some technical data- This unit isn't as spikey so to say as the vmax, but still the voltage through the pwm still bounces around pretty heavily. Accuracy again isn't the strong suit for the zmax. In voltage mode 3.0v is actually closer to 3.31v on avg, better than the vmax (3.53v or so), but still not 3.0v. Every voltage was off in one way or another, won't post every voltage and what it was unless someone asks, but will go with some main ones- 3.2v- 3.41v on avg, 3.7v- 3.66v on avg, 4.2v- 4.33v on avg, 5.0v- 5.28v on avg, 6.0v- 6.11v on avg. Even with the single battery saw spikes as high as 7.7v on the scope when testing. As for amperage limits in voltage mode, 4.52a was the highest I could push it before getting a lor or wsc error. That's still roughly .3a higher than I could push my vamx (4.19a max), and a full amp higher than the provari. In the output aspect of vv mods, the zmax is the best performer thus far. In wattage mode things were just as off. For one it's not .1w increments as said on CCV, Electronicnicstix, etc. it's .5w on my unit. Not a big deal to me, because I prefer the voltage settings to the wattage (just personal taste). At 3 watts with was getting 2.93w on avg with a 2.5ohm atty (2.71v, 2.5ohm, 1.08a). At 6w same atty was getting 5.89w on avg (3.84v, 2.5ohms, 1.536a). 9w again with that 2.5ohm atty was 9.17w on avg (4.79v, 2.5ohms, 1.916a), 12w was 12.14w on avg (5.51v, 2.5ohms, 2.24a), 15w was 15.37w on avg (6.2v, 2.5ohms, 2.48a). Within tolerances but again quite a few spikes on the voltage under 9w testing saw a spike of 8.1v. Again accuracy isn't the killer aspect of this device.

The voltage/wattage droop when the battery is low isn't nearly as bad as with the vmax, but still there. Right around 3.45v on a single 18650 batt started seeing the voltage be .1-.3v on average lower at the same settings as when the batts was 3.5v or above.

Now for the final aspect, price... Will use CCV as an example.

For unit itself and in chrome and one batt and batt box- 137.85. With extension cap and two 18350 batts 142.50. 147.85 for option one with another batt, 149.85 for set up 2 with an extra set of efest batts. Throw in the wf-188 charger $21.55 and you're up to 169.40 for the 2000mah 18650 set up, and 171.40 for the 18350's. Keep in mind that's now only a $50 price difference from a satin provari with extension cap, two 18650 batts, and charger.

So is it worth the increase over the vmax (about $45 more with extension cap and 18350 batt option), depends on what you're looking for. The variable wattage and slight improvements to built quality makes it a better mod, question is how much are those two aspects worth to you. Only a 6 month warranty, and as of right now it's too early to say what the long term durability of the electronics themselves are. By pushing the price up closer to the Provari, you now have to be compare which is the better buy based on every factor. That is of course up to the individual.

All in all, probably the nicest overall mod from China thus far. In comparison to the young june lt (the only other non-smoktech mod I'd put up against it or the vmax) it's got it beat in every aspect but one- abuse factor. The yj lt has survived a few days of work with me just to see if it could with a few nics and scratches but little else. Nothing I would ever subject the zmax to, the tube has some give if gripped hard enough, doesn't bode well of what would happen with a good drop on a hard surface.

Actually on the the ORIGINAL SS VMAX a magnet will stick! Like I stated before in the VMAX thread, there are 4 versions of the SS! The original SS VMAX has more of a Satin Semi-Polished finish to it and also having more weight to it in comparison to the other 3 versions!

BTW..Nice review!

 

[Morandir835]

Jackbox sir addressed that for new users. Have the i4 charger as well, along with a pila and a xtar sp2. On that some note if vmax owners already own the vmax, what really is the point to jump to the zmax if your vmax is still working? The two are very similar in performance, and while you're getting again slightly better build quality and variable wattage, is that worth $125-130 dollors more (for just body and cap)? It's something again that only the end user can answer. What made the vmax a great mod was the price to performance ratio, what hurts the zmax is the price has gone up in a way that for a new person just getting a mod, charger, batts, etc. it's been priced in a way where it's not the best in that aspect. It's older brother the vmax still holds that crown.

 

[Freddie]

I would think most people going for the ZMax already have batteries and a charger, so that reduces the cost of entry for these people (myself included). I would buy the body and extension cap only. Already have lots of batteries of both sizes and an Intellimax I4 charger which is one of the best low cost Li-Ion/NIMH (yes it does both and at the same time) chargers on the market.

I would take the i4 over the Pila HANDS DOWN!

 

[VaporHead512]

Not making fun of you or anything Freddie, I just think it's funny, but are you yelling as you type?

 

[Dusty_D]

Jackbox sir addressed that for new users. Have the i4 charger as well, along with a pila and a xtar sp2. On that some note if vmax owners already own the vmax, what really is the point to jump to the zmax if your vmax is still working? The two are very similar in performance, and while you're getting again slightly better build quality and variable wattage, is that worth $125-130 dollors more (for just body and cap)? It's something again that only the end user can answer. What made the vmax a great mod was the price to performance ratio, what hurts the zmax is the price has gone up in a way that for a new person just getting a mod, charger, batts, etc. it's been priced in a way where it's not the best in that aspect. It's older brother the vmax still holds that crown.

Ahh but see, I do not HAVE a VMax. I'm going straight to the Z.. which finally seems to be on it's way here. It cleared Hong Kong today so hopefully I will have it on Monday. Hopefully!!

 

[Morandir835]

me1969 (sir or Ms.?) used CCV because they are one of the few that includes batts with the order. Got mine from electronicnicstix, was $120, 125.50 with shipping. No extension cap or batts. With two aw 18650 batts, and the xtar wp2 charger, now my price is $166.47. No free shipping as with CCV so now my total is 171.97. That's $2 more than CCV for the same set up.

 

[jackbox]

I don't have a VMax or a Provari. I have two Ego Mod tubes v1, two Ego Mod tubes v2, an Ego Twist 1000 mAh, two VV350 (POS mod with horrible battery life) and various Ego batteries genuine and China copies. So the ZMax is definitely on my must get list.

 

[me1969]

Ididn't have a v either but would of if I knew it was like this .

 

[john360]

Jackbox sir addressed that for new users. Have the i4 charger as well, along with a pila and a xtar sp2. On that some note if vmax owners already own the vmax, what really is the point to jump to the zmax if your vmax is still working? The two are very similar in performance, and while you're getting again slightly better build quality and variable wattage, is that worth $125-130 dollors more (for just body and cap)? It's something again that only the end user can answer. What made the vmax a great mod was the price to performance ratio, what hurts the zmax is the price has gone up in a way that for a new person just getting a mod, charger, batts, etc. it's been priced in a way where it's not the best in that aspect. It's older brother the vmax still holds that crown.

2 good reasons imo
single battery confg
vw
i never bought the v for the first reason

 

[Freddie]

Not making fun of you or anything Freddie, I just think it's funny, but are you yelling as you type?

Hahaha...LOL! No bro, it's just me! I'll try and work on that!

BTW...Are you going to the Vape Meet at AAV?

 

[VaporHead512]

What time? It really depends. Fiance wants to go to the beach (da GULF) and watch me fix her brakes, but I want to watch football. So we clash on Saturdays

 

[studiovap]

I purchased a lavatube v1 kit (it was cheap and I was impulsive) and have been trying to use it with my DID, oh dear! 2-2.5 amps is not cutting it at all. So I have a couple of questions about the ZMAX if someone could tell me. A: How low a resistance coil will the ZMAX run?
B: Can I run the ZMAX with the flat top batts that came with the kit & should I be using the charger that came with the kit?
If so I could be off to 4amp heaven for $125 AU

 

[thedoc610]

I had the vmax ss rev 4 for 30 minutes and it broke lol... i dont trust smoketech at all... I had the first lavatube when it came out and it is still firing... I have a vmax rev 4 for 30 minutes and it fails lol so I got a refund... I don't see the reason for the big price jump in the z max not much difference imo... for that 30 minutes it did hit pretty damn good but i'll stick to companies that are proven and products last... if people don't have many problems iwth the z maybe i'll cop it but i'll hold out as there will be probably 4 revisions in three months...

 

[me1969]

Are we forgetting the other vw devices out there are 300 +and who can say the Darwin is built better than the z ?

 

[skipdashu]

I've got a kinda pole question

Hey come on man, this is a PG rated site! OH! wait, u mean a "poll"... sorry. ;-)

 

[Morandir835]

Me1969 in terms of comparing the zmax to the Darwin (not even commenting on the opus, a step back imo from the Darwin) it's a far better buy. The only thing the Darwin has on the zmax is accuracy. Output is better on the zmax, and the it's not as fragile. It's a top 3 vv mod on the market, but still a ways from being top overall. As of right now output is where it's number 1 (beating the vmax), but still lacks in accuracy and durability not to mention long term survivability (which is too early for anyone to say how it holds up long term). In another six months or so the early adopters can vouch for how long it lasts.

 

[retird]

I guess you could ask someone who has both to do a review....

Are we forgetting the other vw devices out there are 300 +and who can say the Darwin is built better than the z ?

 

[skipdashu]

I purchased a lavatube v1 kit (it was cheap and I was impulsive) and have been trying to use it with my DID, oh dear! 2-2.5 amps is not cutting it at all. So I have a couple of questions about the ZMAX if someone could tell me. A: How low a resistance coil will the ZMAX run?
B: Can I run the ZMAX with the flat top batts that came with the kit & should I be using the charger that came with the kit?
If so I could be off to 4amp heaven for $125 AU ��

a) It wouldn't fire a 1.25ohm DC but did fire a 1.5ohm DC. I also used a 1.7ohm SC in a tank on it.

b) Smoktech doesn't ship with batteries or a charger so that's your local vender. ie. We've got no idea what charger or batts you are talking about. Generally flat top IMRs are fine. Flat top, unprotected ICRs wouldn't be so cool.

If you're after pure amps you might stear towards the VMax.

 

[hubblecraft83]

Are we forgetting the other vw devices out there are 300 +and who can say the Darwin is built better than the z ?

The Darwin is cnc'd billet 6061 aircraft double anodized aluminum. Ugly as sin but strong and built well.
Provari is bar stock stainless steel sometimes Cerakoted.
The Zmax is sheet stock thin walled "metal" ss or brass.

All the pricey domestic mods are made way better than the Chinese Zmax.
You should love your Zmax but come on

This thread reminds me of the Chinese dirt bike versus Japanese dirt bike thread I was a member of. China is not known for it's metallurgy or affordable electronics. The stupidest stuff would break on the Chinese bikes that last forever on a Honda. Just saying