Cylon by Smoant

Commercial characteristics

• Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: Smoant 
• Price of the product tested: 80 Euros (estimate)
• Product category according to its selling price: Mid-range (from 41 to 80 euros)
• Mod type: Variable power electronics and temperature control
• Is the mod telescopic? No
• Maximum power: 218 W
• Maximum voltage: 8.4 V
• Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: 0.1

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

A new Smoant is coming to town! And not just any! After a well-supplied and most successful 218 series, the Chinese brand comes back to us without any scruples at the end of the year with an eye-catcher box that could well seduce fans of big vape and others for their little Christmas.

Using version 2 of the in-house chipset, the Ant 218, the Cylon borrows its nom de guerre from cinema since the Cylons were the evil robots that humans fought in Battlestar Galactica, a film and series well known to sci-fi fans. What to provide a rather very spatial look, inspired by SX mini G-Class, while giving it rather interesting features. 

218W of power, double 18650 battery, the box works in variable power and temperature control. It also offers possibilities of plastic and technical customization that will make the most geeky goats among us.

Not yet marketed in our country, the box should be negotiated around 80 € on the best French sites online. For now, it is only available in China for pre-order. So, you will have to wait a bit or look if you want to get it as soon as it is released.

But do not put the cart before the horse. We know the good reputation of Smoant but we will go around the owner to verify that Cylon is worthy of his heritage.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

• Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 32
• Product Length or Height in mm: 90
• Product weight in grams: 286
• Materials composing the product: Zinc alloy, Leather
• Form Factor Type: Classic Box - VaporShark type
• Decorative style: Classic
• Quality of decoration: Excellent, it is a work of art
• Is the coating of the mod sensitive to fingerprints? No
• All components of this mod seem well assembled? Yes
• Fire button position: Lateral near the top cap
• Fire button type: Mechanical plastic on contact rubber
• Number of buttons making up the interface, including touch zones if they are present: 2
• Type of user interface buttons: Mechanical metal on contact rubber
• Quality of the interface button (s): Good, the button is very responsive
• Number of parts in the product: 1
• Number of threads: 1
• Quality of the threads: Good
• Overall, do you appreciate the quality of manufacture of this product with regard to its price? Yes

Rating of the vapelier as to feelings quality: 4.3 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

The Cylon displays a beautiful presence that it owes to several parameters that have been carefully thought out.

First of all, it has an interesting form factor, inspired by the G-class, which places the atomizer in the center of the top-cap. Thus, we can install almost all possible diameters. Its body, schematically, corresponds to a parallelepiped whose edges have been largely rounded. In summary, even if it accommodates two 18650 batteries, its physiognomy makes it more compact than one might think and the grip is positively affected. 

Second advantage, the manufacturer has chosen to include “leather” inserts on its box. Between us, I admit that this is not about genuine leather but the illusion works well and the crocodile finish adds a certain added value to the visual and to the touch. The rubbery coating ensures good grip and blends wonderfully with the zinc alloy that makes up most of the body. The materials therefore provide a nice impression of solidity that is corroborated by precise adjustments.

If the faux leather parts cover the narrow sides of the box, the front facade is adorned with a superb screen of 1.3 ′ diagonal, which corresponds more or less to 35mm. It is comfortable for the vision, ideally placed and the Oled color screen ensures a good readability of the information. We will come back to this important part of the mod below since it can be personalized.

Underneath, we find the two interface buttons [+] and [-], triangular in shape, which make you think of a dehumanized look of a robot, that's good. These two eyes are made of chromed metal and, if we can always blame the hardness of the pressure to be exerted, I find them for my part more satisfactory than the too flexible buttons which take pleasure in playing with my settings without me to them. request…

Precisely placed at the foot of the facade, the micro-USB socket, allowing the recharging of the batteries or the upgrade of the firmware, draws a sort of mouth which ends up suggesting the beautiful cybernetic aggressiveness of the whole. Add to that taut lines, shiny screws left visible and the illusion is total!

On the back of the box, overlooking the silkscreened mention of the name of the box, is a bluish eyepiece depicting a six-branch swastika very Warhammer-like, which provides undeniable visual appeal.

On one of the slices, there is a switch, it was necessary to one, rectangular black plastic. Easy to find under the finger thanks to a specific texture, it is especially responsive, its race is very short and a cheerful and audible click reassures us about its behavior. 

The top-cap therefore accommodates in its center a nice size 510 connection plate (25mm in diameter). Very slightly protruding from the surface, it will therefore allow the use of atomizers up to 28mm in diameter without risk of scratching the paint.

The bottom-cap serves as a cover to access the cradle of the batteries. Handling with great ease, we may regret however that Smoant has opted for plastic for this part. But it will be a fairly short regret, the hood being more utilitarian than anything else.

Placed on a flat surface, the mod holds well in place and even seems quite difficult to drop, the fault being due to a weight probably not exaggerated but still present. No vents in sight or chipset cooling holes or I have to change glasses. But, in use, including at high power, the Cylon does not seem to heat up.

In the balance sheet of this chapter, we have an almost optimal product, which fits well in the tradition of the Chinese High-End and which does not lack a certain sympathy capital.

Functional features

• Type of chipset used: Owner
• Connection type: 510, Ego - via adapter
• Adjustable positive stud? Yes, through a spring.
• Lock system ? Electronic
• Quality of the locking system: Excellent, the chosen approach is very practical
• Features offered by the mod: Display of the charge of the batteries, Display of the resistance value, Protection against short circuits from the atomizer, Protection against reverse polarity of the batteries, Display of the current vape voltage , Display of the power of the current vape, Temperature control of the atomizer resistors, Support the update of its firmware, Adjustment of the display brightness, Clear diagnostic messages, Light indicators of operation
• Accusability: 18650
• Does the mod support stacking? No
• Number of batteries supported: 2
• Does the mod retain its configuration without batteries? Yes
• Does the mod offer a recharge feature? Charging function possible via Micro-USB
• Is the recharge function pass-through? Yes
• Does the mode offer a Power Bank function? No power bank function offered by the mod
• Does the mode offer other functions? No other function offered by the mod
• Presence of air flow regulation? Yes
• Maximum diameter in mms of compatibility with an atomizer: 28
• Accuracy of the output power at full charge of the battery: Excellent, there is no difference between the requested power and the real power
• Accuracy of the output voltage at full charge of the battery: Excellent, there is no difference between the requested voltage and the actual voltage

Vapelier's note regarding functional characteristics: 5 / 5

Reviewer's comments on functional features

Its functionalities, the Cylon owes them above all to its in-house chipset, the Ant 218, here in its version 2. I have already had the opportunity to say how good I thought of this engine and I therefore find myself in familiar territory .

The box will therefore operate in two modes: variable power and temperature control. No bypass function here, moreover quite useless, I am one of those who think that if you want to use a mechanical mode, it is better to do it with the objects made for ... On the other hand, the two usable modes have been made largely customizable so that the most geeks can have fun and tailor a vape.

In variable power, the usable resistance scale oscillates between 0.1 and 5Ω. The power is traditionally incremented or decremented by tenths of a watt with the [+] and [-] buttons. You can also opt for three constant curves called Min, Norm and Max which will influence the start of the output voltage curve in order to boost a slightly diesel assembly (Max) or, conversely, to moderate the ardor of an assembly hyper reactive in order to avoid a dry-hit (Min). The Norm constant contenting itself with delivering the signal normally. You will also have the possibility to sculpt your own signal by choosing the values ​​in watt for every second over ten seconds. Most vapers will find it a bit superfluous but I know some who use this type of possibility in abundance.

In temperature control, you can use resistors between 0.05 and 2Ω on the three resistives implemented: nickel, titanium and steel. The temperature curve will oscillate between 100 and 300 ° C. But you will also have the leisure to implement any type of resistive by using the TCR mode provided and by entering the heating coefficient manually. As a reminder, the manufacturer reminds us of certain coefficients in the instructions. But, the icing on the cake for some or not very useful gadget for others, you can also create your own temperature curve by adjusting the temperature in ten steps of one second and thus shape your temperature curve very nicely.

In addition to its features for personal choice of vape, you also have the possibility of greatly influencing the personalization of the screen. First, you can choose between an analog type dial, resembling a tachometer which is very flattering. A needle rises in the turns according to the voltage conveyed to the atomizer. You will of course find traditional information such as the charge of the batteries, the resistance value and the current power or temperature. 

But you can also opt for a more digital dashboard which can then display a wallpaper that you can modify (9 possibilities of choice). You will find the same information there but in a more “traditional” way which is very reminiscent of the presentation, again, of the SX Mini G-Class.

In the personal settings category, you can influence the screen contrast, display a clock and set the time as a screen saver, choose the time period for activating this screen saver, in short, a fairly large range of small changes to make in order to tame the object and adjust it to your liking. And if you get lost, you always have the option of resetting the Cylon to factory settings.

I will pass over in silence the psalm on the protections of which the box is equipped, there is everything necessary to vaume in safety.

Evaluation of the packaging

•  Presence of a box accompanying the product: Yes
• Would you say that the packaging is up to the price of the product? Yes
• Presence of a user manual? Yes
• Is the manual understandable for a non-English speaker? No
• Does the manual explain ALL features? Yes

Vapelier's note on packaging: 4 / 5

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

A white cardboard box proudly displays the famous tachometer that can be found on the screen of the box.

Inside, we find the Cylon and a USB / Micro USB cable and a complete manual but unfortunately, in English and Chinese only. I will not repeat the verse of the guy outraged by the heavy absence of his mother tongue because I do it to you each time but the heart is there, you can imagine ...

Clearly, a packaging at the height, no frills.

Appreciations in use

• Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for a Jean side pocket (no discomfort)
• Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Super simple, even blind in the dark!
• Easy to change the batteries: Super simple, even blind in the dark!
• Did the mod heat up? No
• Has there been any erratic behavior after a day of use? No
• Description of situations in which the product has experienced erratic behavior

Vapelier's rating in terms of ease of use: 5/5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

First point, the manufacturer tells us a latency time of 0.015s between pressing the switch and sending the signal to the coil. I have a little trouble counting the hundredths of a second, age no doubt, but I can assure that the result is there. The heating of the coil is almost immediate and we find on this electro box the punch of regulated mecha or mecha mods. Suffice to say that things are moving and that we are far from the perceptible latency of certain competitors.

Second point, the manufacturer assures us of an efficiency of 95%, by this we mean the distribution of current to the coil, we send 100% and it arrives 95%. This is a very good number, above average even if we were able to meet better sometimes. This fact generates a very generous, powerful, perfectly smooth vape which gives a great compactness to the aromas. To establish a comparison, a DNA with equivalent power and settings will give better precision of the flavors but the vape will be less creamy, more pungent. Conversely, the Smoant chipset delivers greater generosity, increased compactness and a little less definition. 

Third point, the autonomy remains in the average of the category. Largely sufficient taking into account the use in double battery and the power possibilities of the machine, it is however not exceptional, the fault undoubtedly falling on the screen, more energy consuming than a static monochrome screen. But rest assured, there is enough to vape anyway ...

Last point, the reliability is exemplary, at least over a week of testing. At low power on an MTL ato or at full throttle on a barbarian assembly, the box does its job in a remarkable way and offers a constant and rich vape. In addition, cosmetics do not seem to want to move. No micro-scratches, no "poc" despite some small unintentional drops, the finish of the Cylon seems made to last.

Recommendations for use

• Type of batteries used during the tests: 18650
• Number of batteries used during the tests: 2
• With what type of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? Dripper, Classic fiber, Sub-ohm assembly, Genesis-type rebuildable
• With which model of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? All, within the limit of 28mm in diameter to maintain a consistent aesthetic.
• Description of the test configuration used: Vapor Giant Mini V3, Coil Master Marvn, Pro-MS Saturn
• Description of the ideal configuration with this product: Yours. 

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.8 / 5

Link to a video review or blog maintained by the reviewer author of the review

The mood ticket of the reviewer

What a beautiful product!

Original by its screen inspired by the automotive world, powerful by its chipset which improves with time and versioning, the Cylon hits hard, very hard. Besides the aesthetics that will please or displease, I notice the superb handling and comfort of use.

Full of customization possibilities enamel this product and, even if we do not vape a wallpaper, we recognize that it is pleasant to have in hand a very personal box in the end. 

Of all the 218 series that I had the pleasure of testing, this one is the most successful and poses as a formidable candidate for a possible podium of the year 2017. Shamelessly borrowing the best of its competitors, it However, it differs from it by a juvenile arrogance which is a pleasure to see, an assumed physique and a much lower price. Because, make no mistake, this box competes in the big leagues. 

A Top Mod to salute the performance.

(c) Copyright Le Vapelier SAS 2014 - Only full reproduction of this article is authorized - Any modification of any kind is totally prohibited and infringes the rights of this copyright.