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

[VAPNJ350]

So, VAPNJ, what you are saying here is that there is definitely no accuracy to the VW circuitry in the Z?

(Not that it matters, because I still believe that there is so much variation in physical characteristics from carto to carto [even of the same type] and variation in personal tastes from hour to hour, that it is still necessary to adjust the PV to optimize to your taste, even if it is a VW.

What I want to see most of all in a VV or VW circuit is a very stable output voltage as the input voltage drops.)

What I'm saying is " "I" can definitely tell a bit of difference from the boosted circuit to the step down circuit working." I didn't change cartos, so that's out, didn't change juice, so that's out, used the same type of batteries in the 2nd try(E'fest 2000maH 18650 and E'fest 800maH 18350's) , so that's out. Right now all I can consider is ""FEEL"" . With the 18650 I had it on 6.0w. With the Stacked I couldn't go above 4.5w. Everyone can take that how you want to take it...or with a grain of salt. As far as 'accuracy'...if you haven't already watched the video I posted in a prior post I would ask that you take a minute to watch it. I think it will explain a lot. Now I will say with both setups , stacked and single when watching the voltage drain underload the numbers on my unit didn't move or drop even .1 volt. That's impressive. The ONLY device I've ever seen never drop voltage underload in 2+ years of vaping is the Fistpak multi-volt devices, and they actually raise in voltage by .5v in 5 seconds of firing the device. So all-in-all I would give the 'Z' a big thumbs up for better controlling the underload voltage drop. I haven't made it to the scope yet to see the details due to some late work related phone calls and a deadline I have but I hope to get there by tomorrow sometime at the latest.

 

[VAPNJ350]

Because when it is down tight it is shorting out. When you loosen it there is a connection but it is not shorted. The cartos should only be screwed until they go down. Never crank on them as it can break the o-ring.

^^^^^Exactly what he said. ^^^^^^

FREE TIP : If your curious just how far to screw down your atty/cart/tank..etc.... As your screwin' your stuff on have the "F"button pushed down and the device firing. As soon as you 'hear' your atty snap,crackle,POP!!! Then at the most turn it 'about' a 16th of a turn more just to ""snug"" it up. Does this apply to every single situation ??? Ofcourse not. Way too many varying parts, but a great and simple place to start. 99% of the time connector issues and problems ARE user error. I blame too much bad information out there and the blind leading the blind. 1 more great rule of thumb is before you do something with anything ask yourself.....does this make 'good' sense. Simple 'logic'. lol

 

[VAPNJ350]

Alright Dusty CONGRATS !!!!

Is it everything you were hoping for all this time. I truly hope it exceeds your expectations. Enjoy !!

 

[martinc]

But I like my stuff tight?

Oh well...

I`m concerned about co-ops and APVs...warranty-wise.

My fav dealer has endless stock on which I can rely if I have a brain fart...I doubt co-op makers can do the same!

 

[VapingTurtle]

... As far as 'accuracy'...if you haven't already watched the video I posted in a prior post I would ask that you take a minute to watch it. ...

Yes, I did watch it. And it reflects my thinking that I posted back in June in this thread, which I asked you at the time to get involved in.

BTW, everyone should take a look at this page. Very, very good explanation to accompany the video you linked to.

It's great that we are all coming around to the understanding of how and why the Smok and Ovale VV APVs are so poorly calibrated, as explained in the video that VAPNJ linked to.

 

[VapingTurtle]

...
I`m concerned about co-ops and APVs...warranty-wise.

My fav dealer has endless stock on which I can rely if I have a brain fart...I doubt co-op makers can do the same!

I way agree with that.

I really like my Vmax and have had no problems so far. But I have, um... very reliably, heard of a failure return rate way too high for me to consider bypassing a vendor's support. (Lower than the 30% failure rate mentioned by someone previously, but well higher than a vendor sees as acceptable to continue carrying them.) I hope the QC improves with the Zmax line.

 

[VAPNJ350]

Yes, I did watch it.

BTW, everyone should take a look at this page. Very, very good explanation to accompany the video you linked to.

It's great that we are all coming around to the understanding of how and why the Smok and Ovale VV APVs are so poorly calibrated, as explained in the video that VAPNJ linked to.

Really it is kinda our own fault. Believe it or not China is on youtube all the time watching these reviews we do (not me but a lot of others). And because of their lack of knowledge, (US reviewers) which they are taking full responsibilty for, China was watching these reviews thinking, ok their using 'Vavg' to assess our devices so lets make sure were tuning to the 'Vavg' measurement, which could not be further from the wrong way and inaccurate way to assess or measure a devices output. PWM was never intended or even designed to be used in this type of application, but it's now a part of the equation. But as I've stated in many posts before this one Vrms is where it really matters, NOT Vavg. It's just not a accurate way to assess a device that has this type of internal chipset. But now that it's been made public and China will now hopefully see that we are now concentrating on the Vrms or the "true" Vrms which you get by calculation, NOT by pushing the 'F'button and looking at a Scope readout we should be getting a whole different very fine tuned kind of mods in the near future.....and I can't wait to see how it pans out. This is going to be a really good thing.

 

[ukeman]

Warranty on co-op Zmax.
I agree with you Turtle, although there is some back up in co-ops for DOA, and I think a 90 day warranty on the co-op. When i got my V2, Vmax, CS was almost non existent ... didn't need it though. Knock on wood.

 

[jackbox]

But I like my stuff tight?

Oh well...

I`m concerned about co-ops and APVs...warranty-wise.

My fav dealer has endless stock on which I can rely if I have a brain fart...I doubt co-op makers can do the same!

By the time the coop members get theirs the sale price from vendors will be below the coop price (already very close to it) and the ZMax will be on v2 or v3. Coops take way too long and too many risks, especially no warranty.

 

[zenoth]

Wooot got my ZMAX in the mail today, the chrome matches my ss g tank pretty nicely, two kinda shininess !! Also got some 801 fusions in from a friend, and a adapter...I hate cartos normally, but holy .... are these cartos nice, awesome draw and awesome flavor and awesome clouds of vapor. Zmax at 8.5 watts with my gtank rebuildable atty on top, pure heaven (the joose I have in it atm tastes burnt at higher watts so dropped it down )

 

[VAPNJ350]

Ya know when we started this whole Vmax thread months ago the 1 thing I kept recommending for use with the Vmax, and now Zmax, was the 3Ω 801 Fusions. Very nice to see that people are still finding out about them and just how good they really are. 510's....NO MORE, Fusions all they way. And yes.....they are that good.

 

[VaporHead512]

Ya know when we started this whole Vmax thread months ago the 1 thing I kept recommending for use with the Vmax, and now Zmax, was the 3Ω 801 Fusions. Very nice to see that people are still finding out about them and just how good they really are. 510's....NO MORE, Fusions all they way. And yes.....they are that good.

Can you give a little description as to how I would use the 3ohm 801 fusions on my ZMax or any other 510 device? And why/how is it better?

 

[Dusty_D]

Do you use your 801's in tanks VAPN, or just by themselves? Fuzzione turned me onto them recently and I got a few based on his recommendation. Now, I only use tanks with slotted 2.8Ω Smoktech single coils and have walked away from regular carto usage. I find the 801's lacking in my tanks. They don't wick as well, and I'm not sure why. This causes them to taste bad and burnt in under a day or two of usage.

I did notice something the other day and that was the batting material in the 801 is almost glued to the inside of the carto tube. When I tried to slide a syringe around the edges, it almost had to cut the batting away from the carto tube. Is this something you've noticed too, and could that be the cause of me having dismal performance from the ones I've tried?

Update on the ZMax: It has handled everything I have thrown at it this evening and has done it well. Set to 7 or 7.5 watts, I've tested single coil at 2.8Ω, dual coil at 2.0Ω and DID at 2.3Ω. Performance remains the same for the most part as far as I can tell. Still liking it..

 

[VAPNJ350]

Can you give a little description as to how I would use the 3ohm 801 fusions on my ZMax or any other 510 device? And why/how is it better?

You have to buy a 801 to 510 adapter to use them. You know it's the right adapter if you see threads on each end. The Fusions for some reason just have better flavor, vapor production, and to me and a lot of other people a very nice throat hit compared to other cartos. Why? It just does. Buy box and an adapter and you'll see 1st hand. After you do...come back and post about your experience to let the next person know.

 

[gogoplata]

Where can I buy a Zmax? Is it on sale already?

 

[fuzzione]

As Dusty_D mentioned, I now have in hand one of the 2 SS vmax he special ordered, knowing full well that I live close enough to trash his house if he didn't get me one

Sadly, all I can comment on at this time is the apparent build quality and cosmetic QC, not having an 18650 battery for this thing yet! With any luck this will arrive tomorrow and I can put it through its paces. My initial impressions however are quite positive.

Unit looks flawless. Smooth end cap threads, similar to my SS vmax but way better than on my v1 black. Curiously, the SS finish is different than on my SS v2 vmax. Wheras the V appears to have some sort of coating on the finish that feels like a thin layer of clear coat, the Z feels much more like raw good quality SS would feel in your hand. The grooves are also cut deeper on the Z. Button seems firmer with a more deliberate press being required to engage but overall less play than on my 2 other vmaxes. The furthest thing from your mind when actually holding one is that it has any sort of cheap feel to it.

More to come when I get this thing fired up. Prediction: ST are going to sell a ton of the SS Zmaxes. While they have a ways to go in demonstrating longevity and dependability, my outlook is a hopeful one. Apart from eroding end cap threads that they've since fixed, my v1 black is still going strong 5 months later after heavy daily use (and abuse). I would expect that ST have learned much since then that they've injected into the Z.

 

[VAPNJ350]

Do you use your 801's in tanks VAPN, or just by themselves? Fuzzione turned me onto them recently and I got a few based on his recommendation. Now, I only use tanks with slotted 2.8Ω Smoktech single coils and have walked away from regular carto usage. I find the 801's lacking in my tanks. They don't wick as well, and I'm not sure why. This causes them to taste bad and burnt in under a day or two of usage.

I did notice something the other day and that was the batting material in the 801 is almost glued to the inside of the carto tube. When I tried to slide a syringe around the edges, it almost had to cut the batting away from the carto tube. Is this something you've noticed too, and could that be the cause of me having dismal performance from the ones I've tried?

Update on the ZMax: It has handled everything I have thrown at it this evening and has done it well. Set to 7 or 7.5 watts, I've tested single coil at 2.8Ω, dual coil at 2.0Ω and DID at 2.3Ω. Performance remains the same for the most part as far as I can tell. Still liking it..

As far as the Fusions...I have never ever heard or had that issue. As far as wicking...thats 1 of the main reasons I switched from 510's. They wick extremely fast compared to any carto I've ever used in the 2+ yrs. I've been vaping. The 510's filler started getting so dense and tight they just wouldn't wick worth a poop in or out of a tank so I tried the Fusions. Haven't looked back since. The Fusions flavor just blows Smoktech cartos out of the water by a night and day measure. The ST taste full and strong at 1st then diminish rather rapidly down to non-existent. The Fusion full flavor sticks around till it's time to toss it. I use them in/out of tanks. If you look back in the Vmax thread their is a post I did with pics of the ideal punches for the Fusion carto. I worked on this for 2 weeks after purchasing 50 bricks of Fusions. After many different punch configurations I found the 1 that works flawlessly and no matter how you vape, back to back chain, or chill, you will never get a burnt or dry hit. It's actually a very robust almost wet, flavor saturated type vape. One of my go to methods. If you can't find the post I can email or try to pm you the pics. I'm curious if you had 'true' Boge 801 Fusions. Do you remember what they said or had on the box labeling the cartos inside ?

 

[fuzzione]

aa

Do you use your 801's in tanks VAPN, or just by themselves? Fuzzione turned me onto them recently and I got a few based on his recommendation. Now, I only use tanks with slotted 2.8Ω Smoktech single coils and have walked away from regular carto usage. I find the 801's lacking in my tanks. They don't wick as well, and I'm not sure why. This causes them to taste bad and burnt in under a day or two of usage.

I did notice something the other day and that was the batting material in the 801 is almost glued to the inside of the carto tube. When I tried to slide a syringe around the edges, it almost had to cut the batting away from the carto tube. Is this something you've noticed too, and could that be the cause of me having dismal performance from the ones I've tried?

Update on the ZMax: It has handled everything I have thrown at it this evening and has done it well. Set to 7 or 7.5 watts, I've tested single coil at 2.8Ω, dual coil at 2.0Ω and DID at 2.3Ω. Performance remains the same for the most part as far as I can tell. Still liking it..

Dusty, while I strongly suspect your negative experiences with the 801's (thus far) are attributable to that demon bile juice you're using, it may also be the way you're slotting them. I'll see if I can set one up for you that works well and ask that you reserve final judgment on the 801's until then

 

[VAPNJ350]

Where can I buy a Zmax? Is it on sale already?

AAV....all about vapor
CCV....crystal clear vaping
Electronicstix......Everywhere now

** Don't forget 18650 & 2 or 4 18350 batteries ...IMR ONLY !!! I recommend the Panasonic CGR 18650 and 18350 E'fest IMR's or AW IMR's.

 

[Dusty_D]

Dusty, while I strongly suspect your negative experiences with the 801's (thus far) are attributable to that demon bile juice you're using, it may also be the way you're slotting them. I'll see if I can set one up for you that works well and ask that you reserve final judgment on the 801's until then

Oh! They're not going anywhere. I like them when they work and enough that I've not given them to you yet.

VAPN, I'll take PM's, pictures, anything ya got. Always looking for new tricks to make things work. Thanks!