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X CUBE Mini 75W TC by Smoktech
X CUBE Mini 75W TC by Smoktech

X CUBE Mini 75W TC by Smoktech

Commercial characteristics

  • Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: Vapoclope
  • Price of the tested product: 78.90 Euros
  • 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: 75 watts
  • Maximum voltage: 9
  • Minimum value in Ohms resistance for a start: Less than 0.1 in TC mode

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

Smok or Smoktech is a Chinese manufacturer since 2010. We owe him in particular the double coil cartomizer and a carto-tank, which at the time, represented a breakthrough for recent vapors. Since then, of course, the brand has gained ground. With the Vmax and Zmax, the epic of the electro tube mod started strong, without forgetting the series of telescopic mechs. Who doesn't have a Magneto!

Today, Smok is still in the race. After having released a good size 160W TC XCube II, we are going to look at the "mini" 75W TC, supposed to align with the competition producing equipment with the same characteristics, Joyetech, Eleaf or Kangertech… among others.

The price of this box is in the average of what applies to this range of power. The differences between them are in terms of features offered and design. I will therefore try to educate you on the multiple specificities of the XCube mini, which are not limited to the main one: the vape. Are all of these functions useful? I would answer no as an old fan of the mecha mod, but I understand that at a time when everything and everyone is connected, it is almost normal for the world of vape to get started too. As for statistical and glowing trivia, that's a bonus.

Smok logo

Physical characteristics and felt quality

  • Width or Diameter of the product in mms: 25.1
  • Product Length or Height in mms: 91
  • Product weight in grams: 258 equipped
  • Material constituting the product: Stainless steel, Aluminum / zinc, Brass
  • Form Factor Type: Classic Box - VaporShark type
  • Decoration style: Modern
  • Quality of decoration: Good
  • Is the coating of the mod sensitive to fingerprints? Yes
  • All components of this mod seem well assembled? Can do better and I'll tell you why
  • Fire button position: Lateral near the top cap
  • Fire button type: Spring mechanics
  • Number of buttons making up the interface, including touch zones if they are present: 3
  • Type of user interface buttons: Mechanical metal on contact rubber
  • Quality of the interface button (s): Good, not the button is very responsive
  • Number of parts in the product: 2
  • 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: 2.5 / 5 2.5 5 out of stars

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

The measurements of the XCube mini: height 91mm, width 50,6mm, thickness 25,1mm for a weight without battery of 205,7g make it a rather maxi mini in the category of the 75W mini available on the market. What about the Lavabox, less wide and less heavy and which sends 200W, not to mention its direct competitor, the VTC mini ...

X Cube Mini colors

The hull is SS alloy (stainless steel) / Zinc brushed steel color (that of the test). An irremovable face is marked at the top of the logo and the name of the box and at the bottom, the version of the Bluetooth firmware, the maximum power and Temperature Control, today essential.

The other facade accommodates the cover on which is inscribed the name of the mark. Inside the cradle expects an 18650 battery, preferably "High Drain" with high discharge capacity, minimum 30A if you plan to use it with an ato at 0,1Ω. The on-board electronics are ventilated through multiple holes.

X Cube Mini lid

X Mini Cube 75W Smok Gazette 4

The bottom cap has three rows of six degassing holes and a micro USB port for charging the battery (not supplied). There are also two screw heads which hold the “switch bar” device from below.

X Cube MiniBottom Cap

One whole side of the box is a “switch bar”, a firing mechanism which has advantages and a disadvantage that we will discuss below. Two light lines are visible on either side, between the switch and the shell.

X Cube Min switch bari

The top-cap concentrates the adjustment buttons, as well as the OLed screen (16 X10mm) and the 510 connection. Two other upper fixing screws of the switch device and LED bars are also visible, like the two fixings of the top- cap to the box housing the electronics.

X Cube MiniTop cap

If the general appearance is quite aesthetic and solid in appearance, it should be noted that the cover, held by two magnets, floats a little in its housing. It is practical to open with one hand, so practical, moreover, that you will partially open it without wanting to when handling the box. Fortunately the powerful magnets effectively remind it in the closed position.

The adjustment buttons and mode selections [+] and [-] also float and are rather audible when pressed. The switch bar finally is a puzzling piece because of its propensity to move a little in all directions, it is nevertheless practical because it works by simple pressure of the fingers or the palm, over all or part of its length.

Functional features

  • Type of chipset used: Owner
  • Connection type: 510
  • Adjustable positive stud? Yes, through a spring.
  • Lock system ? Electronic
  • Quality of the locking system: Good, the function does what it is for
  • 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, Display of the vape time of each puff, Display of the vape time since a certain date, Variable protection against overheating of the atomizer resistors, Temperature control of the resistors of the atomizer, BlueTooth connection, Supports firmware update, Supports customization of its behavior by external software (paid options), Display brightness adjustment, Operation light indicators, Clear error messages
  • Accusability: 18650
  • Does the mod support stacking? No
  • Number of batteries supported: 1
  • 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? Date and hour
  • Presence of air flow regulation? Yes
  • Maximum diameter in mms of compatibility with an atomizer: 25
  • Accuracy of the output power at full charge of the battery: Good, there is a tiny difference between the requested power and the real power
  • Accuracy of the output voltage at full charge of the battery: Good, there is a tiny difference between the requested voltage and the actual voltage

Vapelier's note regarding functional characteristics: 4.3 / 5 4.3 5 out of stars

Reviewer's comments on functional features

There, things get tough, this box is a geek's tool. In addition to the classic functions of power variation and temperature control, it has a number of options (modes, functions, menus) some of which I admit, leave me a little perplexed. Let's first detail the characteristics. The securities are mentioned in the fixed protocol.

  1. VW mode (wattage variable): from 1 to 75W in increments of 0,1W / resistors from 0,1 to 3Ω.
  2. TC (temperature control) mode: from 200 to 600 ° F (100 to 315 ° C) - resistances from 0,06 to 3Ω.
  3. Output voltage: 0,35 to 9V - 
  4. Approximate charging time by the integrated module: 3h to 500mA 5V DC.

Features:

  1. You select the maximum temperature and the box will automatically calculate the power to be delivered.
  2. Detection and adjustment of resistive Ni 200 (Nickel) by default: accuracy factor: between + o / - 0,004 and 0,008 ohm. 
  3. Initial adjustment of the cold coil: by this operation, after detection, the sub-ohm coils are pre-adjusted so that the subsequent adjustments are effective despite any deviations in values ​​due to a defective contact or variations approaching the short-circuit . 
  4. Bluetooth 4.0 technology: Bluetooth low energy, after 10 minutes without intervention, it automatically enters standby mode 
  5. Customizable Led: you can have fun with the 16 millions of colors and other sequences of appearances / changes / and even go without. 
  6. Special draw effects: Hard / soft / norm / max / min, modes which allow to boost or reduce the power on the first 2 seconds of pulse. 
  7. Puff counter: 4 different modes. 
  8. Update and change the firmware settings online via the micro USB connection. 
  9. The box cuts after twelve seconds of pulse. 
  10. When the internal temperature reaches 75 ° C, the box cuts. Wait thirty seconds to vape again, ventilate by removing the battery and the cover. 
  11. When there is only 3,4V on the battery, the box does not work anymore. Replace the battery.

There follows a long list of button and switch operations to perform the multiple operations according to the functions and modes chosen. Five quick presses of the switch lock or unlock the box (closed or open padlock).

In mode open lock, the functions, modes and menus available are: 

  1. Bluetooth on / off by simultaneously pressing the [+] and [-] buttons 
  2. To switch from one mode to another, simultaneously press the [-] button and the switch bar 
  3. In the special draw effecs mode to choose a boost or reduce effect, simultaneously press the [+] button and the switch bar, “norm” is selected by default. 
  4. To choose / select the menus, press the switch bar once lightly and quickly. 
  5. To enter the sub-menus (yes, if there are any!) Press and hold the switch bar pressed. 

In mode closed padlock, sit down, let's go!

  1. Duration and number of puffs: simultaneously press the [+] and [-] buttons 
  2. Choose the screen on or off: simultaneously press the switch bar and the [+] button 
  3. Choose to turn on or off the side LED bars: simultaneously press the switch bar and the [-] button 
  4. To display / set the date: press and hold the [+] button 
  5. To display / set the time: press and hold the [-] button 

To exit the menus: keep the switch bar pressed and choose OFF with an appropriate button.

You can now turn on the box to make the settings, press the switch bar five times quickly, you are welcome, start two coffees, we continue.

Under TC (temperature control) mode when you screw in a new atomizer at room temperature, the box asks “IS NEW COIL? Y / N ”then choose the correct option.

After this start (yes, before we just did the pit trials), quickly press the switch bar three times in two seconds to scroll 1 menus to 6 (a sugar in my coffee, please).

Menu 1: the Bluetooth symbol illuminates the screen. Wait five seconds or press and hold the switch bar. (I'll leave it to you to find out how to make the connection, give the password and all that follows, thanks to the instructions provided. (thank you for the coffee)

Menu2 : appears on the screen a broken line with three inclined directions (the seismograph type) wait five seconds or press and hold the switch bar to enter the sub-menu. You then choose between WATT MODE and TEMP MODE to select the special draw effects you have heard of before. You will choose (under TEMP MODE) the “Nickel TCR mode” and the number of coils of your ato. (2 sensors are present by default: SS and Ni for detection, the other types of resistives are subject to a modification of the firmware, a paying option online.)

Menu 3 : a stylized LED in action is then registered on the screen, four submenus are available to your thirst to do battle with this “essential” typically Asian option (this said without any racist connotation, but from a simple observation). I will not dwell on the thousands of possibilities that you can add to the natural beauty of your box, nor on the overconsumption of energy that these fantasies will inevitably generate.

Menu 4 : it's a smoking pipe that is drawing on the screen. Again, these are statistics of time and numbers of puffs which I let you take full advantage and from all angles, I do not attach any particular interest and have not deepened the subject to tell you about it right here.

Menu 5 : the screen shows you the sun, symbol of light and what can be obtained from your box for this purpose. Wait five seconds or press and hold the switch bar to enter the six submenus.

  1. The light bulb and the time dial that appears, allows you to choose whether or not to display the screen, and in case of display, to allocate to it an active period between 15 and 240 seconds.
  2. The icon of the sun filled with a circle pointed at its center, offers a function of adjusting the contrast of the screen.
  3. The following symbol shows a rectangle surmounted by a circular part (a man?) And 2 arrows on either side. You can then operate a 180 ° rotation of the screen.
  4. The time dial is used to set the date and time.
  5. A stylized coil above a vertical arrow tells you it's time to make the initial TCR setting.
  6. Finally, the screen traversed vertically by an arrow is the symbol indicating that you are in the right place to update the firmware via internet.

Menu 6 : an O crossed out at the top represents the final menu in this mode. Wait five seconds or press and hold the switch bar to access the submenus. This is where we manage the first two seconds of the pulse at the level of the power sent to the coil. The special draw effects you choose will depend on the assembly and ato you use, if they take a long time to react or on the contrary require a quiet progression of the power sent by the box.

HARD DRAW allow 10% more power for the first two seconds

MAX : 15% more

STANDARD : default retains the selected settings

LOW : removes 10% of power

MIN : 15% less.

We've done the tour, here are the messages that the screen tells you in specific situations:

HIGH IMPUT : the battery delivers more than 4,5V, the box will not work, change the battery (and send it to me because I have never seen such a thing happen)

LOW BATTERY : it is time to recharge the battery, it is below 3,4V.

OHM TOO LOW : resistance value too low (less than 0,1 Ω in VW mode or less than 0,07Ω in TC mode)

OHM TOO HIGH : resistance value too high (between 3 and 10 Ω)

CHECK ATOMIZER : resistance value above 10 ohms or bad contact between the ato and the box or at the level of the assembly.

SHORTED ATOMIZER : short circuit

DO NOT ABUSE PROTECTS : after a short, wait 5 seconds before vapping.

During loading a drawing represents the battery and the percentage of charge acquired is indicated. At full load, the drawing shows a full battery, you must remove the Micro USB connection.

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 4 5 out of stars

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

Your box arrives in a cardboard box.

On the first floor, the box is protected in a foam box that you remove with the protruding tongue. On the floor below, you will find the USB / MicroUSB cable, a warranty card with your serial number and two flash codes for the Bluetooth connection via Mac or Android systems, as desired. A warning card on the correct use and type of battery to use with your XCube is included, as is the user manual in English.

For non Anglophiles, Smok has thought of everything, a Chinese version is of course available. You'll also find a white protective silicone case to occasionally uproot your brushed steel material, while avoiding it, it is true, to mark fingerprints.

X Cube Mini Package

X Cube Mini scabbard

Appreciations in use

  • Transport facilities with the test atomizer: Ok for a Jean side pocket (no discomfort)
  • Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Easy, even standing on the street, with a simple Kleenex
  • 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 5 5 out of stars

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

You will be able to vape with the XCube! It's planned. After having calibrated your coil and chosen a maximum temperature, the box finally allows you what you bought it for.

She does it pretty well, the vape is stable. The pulse start boost is effective to avoid latency in the reactivity / response of the coil. Note that it is by default in the neutral position (NORM). Performance is at the rendezvous, with a slight difference in announced values, downward for high power from 50W.

The switch bar allows you, in addition to firing, navigate the menus and validate each setting with one hand, it is a practical feature, exclusive to this box.

The battery change is easy, the cover removed, especially since you will have no trouble opening it with a thumb gesture to the outside.

There was talk of mechanical malfunction of the switch bar that I have not had the opportunity to observe in two days of use. It is practical and easy to handle no matter where you put pressure.

The screen is not very big, it constantly shows you the remaining charge, the power / temperature (depending on the mode chosen) the resistance value and the special draw effect selected. During the vape, the screen becomes highlighted, indicates the pulse time (instead of the power) and the progression of the voltage during the pulse. It's nice but, as you are theoretically vaping, you cannot observe this information, which disappears as soon as the switch is released. Ask a friend for help ...

Recommendations for use

  • Type of batteries used during the tests: 18650
  • Number of batteries used during the tests: 1
  • With what type of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? Dripper, Dripper Bottom Feeder, Classic fiber, In sub-ohm assembly, Genesis-type rebuildable
  • With which model of atomizer is it advisable to use this product? Any type of ato up to 25mm in diameter, sub ohm or higher mountings to 1 / 1,5 ohm.
  • Description of the test configuration used: Mini Goblin 0,64ohm - Mirage EVO 0,30ohm.
  • Description of the ideal configuration with this product: Any type of ato in 510.

was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.2 / 5 4.2 5 out of stars

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

The mood ticket of the reviewer

I am aware that I have somewhat substituted the XCube user manual and, not being geek for two sous, I have it, it took me a while. But I can now assure you that the main functions expected by a steam are actually operational.

In summary, know that Smok has done things well despite a few minor mechanical defects and without major consequences on its operation. I find it a bit big and heavy for a mini box of this power, with a single battery. The electronics do not consume energy and if you have taken care to do without lighting amenities, its autonomy is interesting at reasonable powers (between 15 and 30W).

At a moderate price, you're ready to spend a good afternoon of manipulations and settings, if you want to fully enjoy all the features offered, it goes without saying. Otherwise, you will spend only a few minutes and you will be in tune with what technology allows vapers nowadays.

X Mini Cube

Good luck, thank you for your patient attention.

See you soon 

(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.

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About the Author

58 years old, carpenter, 35 years old of tobacco stopped dead on my first day of vaping, December 26, 2013, on an e-Vod. I vape most of the time in mecha / dripper and make my juices ... thanks to the preparations of the pros.