SMOK Trinity 30W Alpha VV Mod Review

Dedicated vapers are probably familiar by now with the Orion series of pod mods from Lost Vape. Even if you've never vaped one, you know they ushered in a new era of high-performance, adjustable power pod mods that have spawned countless imitations.

Last week, we reviewed the Orbit TF by Sense, which, as we pointed out, is similar in design to the Orion. This week we’ll look at the Trinity 30W Alpha VV Mod by Smok. And yes, again we've got a Orion clone - almost down to a tee, at least when it comes to appearance.

Still, there are some noteworthy differences, the biggest being the replaceable press-in coils adapted from Smok's other popular all-in-one device, the Nord.

So how does it measure up to the Orion? In this article we’ll take a deep dive into the positives and negatives to the Smok Trinity and see how it compares to the Orion and the other similar boxy devices. Let’s dive right in.

Design

First, let's talk about the 'pod mod' versus 'all-in-one' debate. We've identified a lot of systems that others might call an AIO as a pod device, using the following metric: pods are non-serviceable, disposable tanks. AIO devices have a tank that's designed to be used with a specific battery system, but also is reusable rather than disposable. Since the Trinity uses replaceable coils with a plastic tank that only fits the Trinity battery and is designed for long-term reliability, we're going to call it an AIO today.

Now, as with most Orion clones, if you’re familiar with that design than you’re familiar with most of the aspects of the Smok Trinity. There's a rectangular body with a tank tat snaps in at the top and attaches via a latch. An on/off/fire button is joined on one side by indicator lights and a power adjustment button, and charging of the 1000 mAh internal battery is via micro-USB (cable included in case you don't already have more than you can count). Size is nearly identical to the Orion, if a smidge thicker in side profile.

The top drip tip and fill cap appear Orion-like, but with important differences. The fill cap slides to one side rather than unscrewing, which is nice in that it's easier not to drop or lose the tiny top. The drip tip, meanwhile, instead of being fixed plastic (and easily broken) is a standard 510-style - finally, a mini device that allows you to use your own tip!

Airflow is also unique to the Trinity - it's incorporated into the top of the tank and is non-adjustable, which isn't much of a loss given that the Orion airflow adjustment happens past the point of vaporization. Smok's Nord coils, of which a 0.8 ohm mouth-to-lung and 0.6 ohm restricted lung variety ship with the device, are pressed into the bottom of the tank when it's detached from the device. The tank, by the way, boast an impressive 2.8 ml liquid capacity - that's one of the biggest we've seen in this micro-vape category.

The battery body is constructed of Zinc Alloy with resin panels sporting a marbled look. Color choices include Red, Bright Black, Prism Gold, Prism Chrome, Prism Rainbow, and Prism Blue.

Performance

Heavier vapers are going to be a fan of the Trinity and its powerful Nord mesh coils. Restricted lung hits with the noticeably bigger 0.6 ohm coil are about as loose as we've seen from a device this size, and produce clouds aplenty. MTL vapers, however, might find that even the tighter 0.8 ohm coil's draw is a bit loose for their liking.

The power on this device is also pretty impressive. As the name suggests, it has up to 30W of power at the highest setting (using the low-resistance coil), which means you can get a nice warm vape if that's what you're looking for. However, it also allows for some variation with the three settings, and if you’re not a fan of warmer vapes, then the Trinity still delivers plenty of vapor and flavor on the soft and mid-range settings.

Continuing our Orion comparison, Lost Vape is known for top-quality devices (the fixed drip tips excepted), and they've stuffed the first DNA chip into a pod mod with the flagship Orion device. Smok, meanwhile, is best known as a budget brand - their TFV series of clearomizers have long set the industry standard, but their hardware isn't known for extreme durability or longevity. The Trinity looks great and out-of-the-box performance is awesome, but we haven't used it long enough to know how it'll hold up over time.

Drawbacks

We've already mentioned this, but the Trinity lacks any kind of adjustable airflow, either before or after the coil. This isn't much of a problem for direct-lung vapers trying to get the most out of this diminutive device, but given the airflow is a bit loose on the MTL coil low-power vapers don't have much choice aside from trying to partially block the fixed airflow slot with a finger while vaping.

The fill port is also pretty close to the drip tip, meaning it'll be difficult to fill with bigger bottles without taking the tip off and setting it aside. We praised the Trinity for not making you completely remove the fill cap, but a lot of that convenience is lost when you just have to remove another part between fills.

Takeaway

Overall, the Trinity 30W Alpha VV Mod is about as good an Orion clone as we've seen. The vape is great, initial quality is great, and they've improved liquid capacity and the fill system while finally delivering a standardized drip tip mini device users seem to have been clamoring for. But airflow could be an issue for strict MTL vapers, and we're not sure how the device will hold up over time, though the price point is so low that replacing the entire setup every few months still wouldn't be cost-prohibitive.

Who is the Trinity built for? This is a great device for vapers on-the-go that want something they can wear around their necks, but also with enough battery life and power that it hits harder than other stick-like devices. If you like the Nord and are intrigued by the Orion’s form and design, than this could be the perfect device for you.