Introduction
Smoant has been a staple in the vaping community since the early days of my vaping journey. I fondly remember the Charon 218, my very first dual-battery mod, which left a lasting impression with its performance and design. Fast-forward to today, and I’m excited to have a closer look at their latest innovation: the Charon Racer Pod Kit. This modern take on the Charon line promises to blend Smoant’s legacy of quality with the versatility and convenience of a pod system. Let’s dive in and see how it performs!
Box contents
The Charon Racer Pod Kit comes with everything you need to get started, including:
- 1 x Charon Racer Device
- 1 x 0.6Ω Racer Cartridge (preinstalled)
- 1 x 0.8Ω Racer Cartridge
- 1 x Lanyard
- 1 x Type-C USB Charging Cable
Smoant has gone above and beyond by generously including additional spare pods in the kit for review purposes. Among these is the 0.4Ω Racer Cartridge.
The Charon Racer comes neatly packaged, exuding attention to detail from the outset.
Smoant’s attention to detail is evident in how they package the kit. The accessories are neatly separated from the included spare cartridge, with clear indications provided to differentiate the two. This thoughtful organization ensures a user-friendly unboxing experience, reflecting the brand’s commitment to quality and precision. It’s these small yet significant touches that enhance the overall unboxing experience for its users.
Included in the box is a thoughtful note, explaining the inspiration behind the design. The note highlights Ace Cafe, drawing from this spirit, the Charon Racer integrates classic motorcycle elements into its vintage design, This unique design philosophy allows users to embrace a lifestyle reminiscent of the gathering spot for motorcycle enthusiasts.
I want to take a moment to highlight the impressive attention to detail in the accessories included with this kit. Sometimes, it’s the small touches that make a difference, and for me, it was the quality and craftsmanship of the provided charging cable that stood out. This level of consideration should never be overlooked,
Even the included lanyard showcases Smoant branding, proudly displaying the Smoant Alien faced logo and depicting SMALL ANT BIG POWER It’s a bold way to remind everyone that you’re carrying a Smoant device at the end of it.
Specs
• Size: 865120 mm
• Battery: Integrated 1000mAh for about 2-day Vaping
• 2ml Capacity for E-juice
• Output Range: 5-45W
• Compatible with Smoant Racer Pod Cartridges
• AI Smart ANT Chip: Over-temperature/Short-circuit/Over-time/Low Voltage Protection
• 0.96-inch TFT Screen with Different Animations for UI
• 2 Output Modes: Smart/Power Mode
• 3-level Airflow Control
• One Button for All Operations: Theme Selection, Mode Switch, Puff Clear, Indicator Switch, Lock and Unlock
• Type-C Recharging
• Material - Zinc Alloy + Leather review
Colour Options
I received the Mecha Grey colour option for this review, and the device is available in an impressive range of seven additional colour choices:
- Blaze Orange
- Pepper White
- Phantom Pink
- Knight Black
- Racer Gunmetal Grey
- Gentle Blue
- Marrs Green Emerald Green
Design
The Charon Racer draws inspiration from the classic café motorcycle, reflected beautifully in its design. The standout feature for me is the unique retro motorcycle headlight design, seamlessly integrated into the mod. This headlight not only adds a nostalgic touch but also lights up and glows when the device is activated, adding a dynamic visual element.
There’s a generous use of chrome accents throughout the device, which enhances its vintage aesthetic. These accents are found around the pod housing, the screen, the glowing headlight, the fire button, The AFC slider and even the lanyard attachment tab. The latter seems to cleverly mimic a passenger grab rail from a motorcycle, tying the design back to its two-wheeled inspiration.
The Charon Racer features subtle branding on either side of the device, striking a nice balance between aesthetics and identity without being overly bold. I also appreciate the thoughtful placement of the charging port at the base of the device, which allows it to remain upright while charging—a practical and user-friendly design choice.
An extra touch of convenience is the removable sticker placed on the screen, detailing the button functions. This clever inclusion makes it easy for new users to familiarize themselves with the device’s operation right out of the box,
Features
The Charon Racer delivers an impressive range of functionality and display customization options, making it both versatile and user-friendly. Here’s a breakdown of its features and controls:
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Navigation Controls:
2 Clicks: Access the main menu.
3 Clicks: Adjust power settings.
4 Clicks: Lock the device to prevent accidental adjustments.
5 Clicks: Power the device on or off. -
Menu Features:
Smart Mode/Power Mode: In Smart Mode, the device intelligently selects the optimal power setting based on the coil installed, ensuring a seamless vaping experience. -
Display Customization: Includes motorcycle-themed visuals and firing animations, adding a dynamic and personalized touch.
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Puff Counter: Tracks usage for monitoring your vaping habits.
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Light Control: Provides the option to turn the device’s glowing light on or off, catering to both aesthetic preferences and battery conservation.
The Charon Racer impresses with its functionality and thoughtful design,
- Display: The 0.96" TFT color screen is bright, clear, and easy to read. It provides all essential information in a legible font, which adjusts based on the selected theme.
- Battery and Charging: Equipped with a 1000mAh built-in battery, the device boasts a rapid charge time of approximately 35 minutes, ensuring minimal downtime between sessions.
- Airflow Customization:
- The 3-level airflow control allows for precise customization, catering to both MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) and DTL (Direct-to-Lung) vaping styles.
- Whether you prefer a tight draw or a more open, airy experience, the device adapts to suit your preferences.
- Performance and Chipset:
- Powered by the ANT Chip, the Charon Racer ensures The Charon Racer kit is thoughtfully equipped with features to accommodate a range of vaping preferences consistent performance across various power settings.
- The chip’s intelligent features enhance usability while maintaining efficiency and safety.
- Safety Features: The device integrates several built-in protections, including:
Over-temperature protection: Prevents overheating during extended use.
Short-circuit protection: Safeguards against electrical faults.
10-second cut-off: Limits draw duration to avoid coil burnout.
Low-voltage protection: Ensures the battery operates within safe parameters.
PODS
The Charon Racer kit is equipped with features to accommodate a range of vaping preferences:
- Included Pods: The kit comes with two pods, each tailored to different styles of vaping. and in total 3 available cartridge resistances:
- 0.4Ω for a warmer, denser vapor and DTL experience
- 0.6Ω a balanced option suitable for both MTL and RDL styles
- 0.8Ω tighter MTL draw
- Secure Pod Connection: Both the device and pods feature strong magnets, ensuring a secure fit. The satisfying snap when inserting a pod adds to the premium feel.
- Filling Port: The pods are designed with a large, easy-to-open elevated side filling port, simplifying the refilling process by not having to remove the pod from the device.
- Mouthpiece Design: The ergonomic mouthpiece is comfortable and satisfying to use.
Performance
I am pleased to report that all the included pod cartridges performed exceptionally well, delivering a vaping experience that aligned perfectly with their respective Ohm ratings and wattage limits. The following highlights were observed during testing:
- Flavour and Vapour Production: Each pod cartridge provided excellent flavour and impressive vapour production, making the experience satisfying across various usage scenarios.
- Battery Performance: The battery life was commendable, comfortably supporting extended vaping sessions without frequent recharges.
- Airflow Control: The smooth airflow was consistent and easily adjustable using the intuitive AFC slider, allowing for a tailored vaping experience.
- Draw Consistency: Whether using the device in auto-draw mode or manually activating it with the power button, there was no noticeable difference in the quality or consistency of the draw.
- Pod Longevity: Each pod demonstrated impressive durability, consistently achieving over 1,500 puffs.
Verdict
The Charon Racer is a well-rounded and meticulously designed kit that excels in both performance and aesthetic appeal. Smoant’s integration of classic motorcycle elements into the device’s design is not only unique but executed brilliantly, adding a sense of personality and flair to the vaping experience.
What truly stood out to me is the attention to detail displayed across all aspects of the product, from the retro-inspired design and seamless functionality to the thoughtful inclusion of high-quality accessories. The smart ANT chip ensures a reliable and consistent performance, while the mesh coil pods deliver exceptional flavor, vapor production, and impressive longevity.
Overall, the Charon Racer represents excellent value for money, offering a versatile and satisfying vaping experience for users at all levels. It’s refreshing to see a product that combines innovative technology with creative design while maintaining a focus on quality and user satisfaction.
I would like to thank Smoant for sending the Charon Racer Kit over for review, and I hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this one.
