Hi Vaping Community, In this review i take a look at the Scar P5 from Smok. The Smok Scar P5 was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this review by Ella from Sourcemore.
Introduction
The Scar P5 Is one of the new Scar range of devices from Smok which consists of the Scar P3 & P5 which are in-built and 18650 versions of essentially the same device and in direct competition to the Voopoo Drag S & X and the Scar 18 a double battery version in direct competition with the Argus GT.
The Scar P5 Is a Waterproof, Dustproof and Shockproof IP67 device and has a neat top-fill solution. Although being one of a new range of devices it both utilises the existing RPM coils while introducing the new RPM2 coil for use in their independent pods. Powered by the IQ-80 Chip the Scar P5 is an 80W power only device, letās give it a look!
In The Box
Contents:
1x Scar-P5 Device
1x Scar-P5 RPM 2 Pod (RPM 2 Mesh 0.16ohm coil pre-installed)
1x Scar-P5 RPM Pod (RPM Mesh 0.4ohm coil pre-installed)
Micro USB Cable
User Manual
Aesthetics and Ergonomics
The Scar P5 came in cardboard packaging with everything neatly packed within one layer and a picture of the device in the colour of choice on the lid. I received the Red Stabilizing Wood version which relates to the pattern on the padded leather central spine and side accents. The options are Black, Fluid Black White, Red Stabilizing Wood, Fluid Blue, Green Stabilizing Wood, Fluid Red, Fluid 7-Colour and Fluid Gold.
The device has a Zinc Alloy main chassis and is given a busy look with the padded leather spine and side sections, the only thing iām not big on is the branding either side but in all fairness itās not bright but quite dull as if Smok have dumbed it down reluctantly. The front has a protruding Zinc Alloy square fire button towards the top and below the following colour screen protruding rectangular navigational buttons also made from Zinc Alloy. Finally at the bottom of the front of the device we have a silicone bung labelled USB which when removed reveals a micro USB port.
Moving to the spine we have the already mentioned curved padded leather central section which makes the device very comfortable in the hand and below a large area with āPUSHā on it which is to release the sealed bottom hatch door which has safety marks and membrane sealed venting holes. Finally the pod is one complete moulding including drip tip so you canāt fit your own, we have a silicone bung labelled either āRPMā or āRPM2ā depending which pod you are using which seals the fill port. The pod is quite darkly tinted but i didnāt have any issues seeing my juice level so not of any great concern.
The build quality of the Scar P5 is as good as i have ever known from Smok and that IP67 rating always gives piece of mind!
Scar P5 Specs and Features:
Size: 117.6 x 35.8 x 28mm
Weight: 101.5grams
Display: 0.96ā TFT Screen
Pod Capacity: 5ml (2ml TPD)
IP67 Waterproof, Dustproof
Shockproof properties
Battery: Interchangeable 18650
Charger: Micro-USB
Charging Current: 1.3A
Power Output: 5-80w
Resistance range: 0.15- 2.5ohm
Material: Leather, Zinc Alloy, PCTG
Chipset: IQ-80 chipset
Colours: Black, Fluid Black White, Red Stabilizing Wood, Fluid Blue, Green Stabilizing Wood, Fluid Red, Fluid 7-Colour, Fluid Gold
The Pod
You receive 2 pods and although on first glance they look identical one is for RPM coil heads and the other for the new RPM2 Coil head which is just slightly bigger and has larger airflow inlets, both have a 5ml capacity with the standard pods and 2ml with the TPD pods. The pods can be told apart by the fill port as the RPM pod has āRPMā embossed into the silicone seal while āRPM2ā is embossed into the seal of the RPM2 pod.
The pods are one moulding with incorporated drip tip so you canāt fit your own and looking at the base we have a magnet to each corner and round opening for the coil to be press fitted into place (all very standard).
The fill port is situated on the front area of the top of the pod and has an already mentioned silicone seal which can be easily lifted up while remaining fixed to the pod to reveal a generous fill port which will allow air to escape while filling. The pod is quite darkly tinted but i had no issues seeing the juice level at all times and i found the fill method to be quick and mess free with the added benefit of not needing to remove the pod to fill!
The Coil Heads
Both pods have a coil head pre-installed which in the RPM2 pod is the RPM2 0.16ohm mesh coil rated between 25w and 50w with a best at 40w. The RPM pod comes pre-installed with the RPM Mesh coil which Smok rate as a MTL coil head and has a resistance of 0.4ohm and rated at 25W.
Of course the vast family of RPM coil heads are also compatible.
Fitting The Pod
Looking into the pod bay we can see the central Gold plated, spring loaded contacts with silicone surround seal. We also have a raised magnet to each corner to match the ones on the pod and the side airflow slots are fully visible. The pod snaps into place very securely and has no play whatsoever, in fact it takes quite a strong tug to remove the pod, very good job!
The Airflow
The Scar P5 has a large slot towards the top both sides that allows plenty of air to get to the base of the coil head installed. The airflow in not adjustable so relies on the inner bore of the coil head to give any restriction.
These coil heads have quite large air inlets at their base especially the RPM2 which has larger inlets than the RPM coil heads but even the RPM coil heads have fair sized inlets allowing plenty of air through the coil so i could of told you even before testing that the so called MTL coil head gives a very loose MTL at best but really is much more suited to a restricted direct lung vape while the RPM2 coil head is much more open offering very little in the way of restriction.
Waterproof, Dustproof, Shockproof
The Scar-P5 is IP67 waterproof which means it can withstand water immersion between 15cm and 1 meter for 30 minutes.
It is also dustproof as classified by the first number of the IP67 rating and shockproof so the device is protected from dust ingress and accidental drops.
Fitting The Battery
The Scar P5 accommodates a single 18650 battery which gets fitted via the bottom hatch door. The hatch door is sealed to meet the IP67 requirements and has a spring with release mechanism which is operated by pressing where it says āPUSHā on the lower part of the spine, itās a spring loaded lever operated release catch system and the door springs open!
Orientation is labelled in White on the underside of the door and to secure just push downwards and it clicks securely in place. I like this door and how it is operated, when released it feels very sturdy with a strong spring and the lever section on the lower part of the spine needs to be pressed with quite a bit of pressure for the door to release so i canāt see it opening by accident. Whether it holds up over time or loosens i really couldnāt say but from using it and judging from the overall build quality of the device i will give it the benefit of any doubt!
The Display
The display is a typical colour Smok display, sharp, bright and with plenty of information given. Top left we have the battery status bar and then top right the battery status given as a percentage, excellent!
Next we have the wattage with the unit āwā and when one of the device locks is in operation a closed padlock icon appears above the āwā. Below the wattage to the left we have voltage and to the right the resistance. The lower portion of the display is puff information, first we have your vape duration followed by a vape duration progress bar and finally at the bottom the puff count.
Yes you heard correct a Smok display without the word āSmokā anywhere to be seen, on this device their does seem to be an effort made to dumb down branding.
Operating The Scar P5
This is such a simple device to operate so instead of my usual waffle explaining how the device works i can do it in very simple fashion:
Power On /Off = Quick Press fire button 5 times (within 2 seconds)
Vape / Fire = Press and hold fire button
Vape Lock (disable buttons) = Quick Press fire button 3 times
Change power setting = Press ā+ā or ā-ā
Lock Navigational buttons = Press ā+ā and ā-ā simultaneously
Clear Puff Counter = Press Fire and ā-ā simultaneously. Then use ā-ā or ā+ā to move between yes and no. then hold fire to select yes.
Change Theme Colour = Press Fire and ā+ā simultaneously.
Protections:
Intelligent Atomiser Recognition
Puff Monitoring System
8 Second cut off protection
Short Circuit Protection
Over-Heat Protection
Low Battery Warning
Charging
The Scar P5 has a silicone sealed micro USB port although as usual i donāt recommend charging in the device unless itās your only option. The P3 version has Type C which unfortunately the Scar P5 doesnāt which i sort of get as the port is needed with the in-built version rather than some people will never use the port on the P5 but still feel all devices should have Type C as standard.
Bizarrely the charge rate is actually faster on the P5 being 1.3A while only 1.1A on the P3 but as these are maximum charge rates really you are looking at a sluggish 1A so another good reason not to charge in the device!
How It Vapes? And Thoughts!
Unlike the RPM160 which was my last review of a Smok product which just didnāt suit me i actually really like this device and itās build quality is every bit as good as any pod mod out there including the Drag S/X but with the added benefit of the āAegiseskā IP67 rating!
The only thing that really lets it down is not having adjustable airflow which limits the device to various direct lung draws that are determined by the inner bore of the coil head. The MTL 0.4ohm RPM coil just isnāt without having some form of adjusting the airflow at itās base and although the 0.16ohm coil head is the better of the two for flavour it is just too open for my personal vaping style.
I actually like the 0.4ohm coil head as it gives the sort of restriction i like for a DL vape and i like it at just 20w below itās 25w rating but if you like a much warmer vape just dial it up. Flavour is good but not quite on par with the Voopoo PnP coils although as mentioned the RPM2 coil head gives cracking flavour itās just the airflow isnāt my bag, i tested this for a short period finding the flavour and warmth sweet spot at 37w!
I have come to the conclusion that any leaking with this type of device is more down to the individuals vaping habits with particular coil heads as so many times i have had leaking with certain coil heads many say they have no issues but when i donāt get leaking issues there will be some that do, for the record though although i only tested the RPM 0.4ohm coil head for a reasonable amount of time i had no issues regarding leaking at all even when leaving a full pod overnight!
I really like not having to remove the pod to fill and found filling both quick and mess free and will put the pod being dark as a con because i am struggling in that regard but i had no issues seeing the juice inside! I also really like the battery door which springs open when pressing down on the lower section of the spine and seems durable although only time will tell.
The device is very simple to operate and performs great firing without delay and hitting set wattage instantly. I am disappointed the USB isnāt Type C and it has a sluggish charge rate for those that charge in the device but as most wonāt use the port itās not a deal breaker. Finally when a 510 adaptor (if it hasnāt already) becomes available the Scar P5 will make a good IP67 standard single 18650 device for out and about!
Likes
Build quality as good as with any pod mod
IP67 rated
Excellent battery hatch door
8 Colour/Design options
Very easy to navigate
Performed great firing without delay and with instant ramp up
Can lock just navigational buttons or whole device
Accommodates 18650 battery
Excellent top fill method (can fill without removing pod)
Comfortable integrated drip tip
Pod fits very securely
During testing experienced no leaking even when leaving full pod overnight (that was the RPM pod)
RPM2 0.16ohm coil head gave very good flavour (only tested for short time too much airflow for me but seems very good coil head)
RPM 0.4ohm coil head good flavour, nice smooth RDL draw
Compatible with vast range of RPM coil heads
Sharp, bright, well laid out display
Battery status given as both a bar and percentage
Cons
Non adjustable airflow
Canāt fit alternative drip tip
Pod darkly tinted (although i had no issues seeing juice level)
MTL 0.4ohm coil head does not give satisfactory MTL vape (but is a nice restricted DL draw)
Not Type C USB
Slow charge rate (only issue if you charge in the device)
I would once again like to thank Ella from Sourcemore for supplying the Smok Scar P5 for the purpose of this review, thanks for reading and stay safe!
$25.99 SMOK Scar P5 Kit
CODE: SCARP5
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Sourcemore or benefit in any way from the use of the above code but was asked if i would include it in my content!
