INTRO

The Fortis mod features a black chassis with a traditional flattened teardrop shape. There is a light “leather” grip down the back that is held in place by a coloured frame that wraps around the sides and back (silver in this case). Simple “Fortis” and “Smok” logos on the sides and another “Smok” logo etched into the spine of the “leather” grip make up the branding, which isn’t overdone either.

Due to the weight and texture of the paint, when I initially took this up, I assumed the chassis could be composed of hard plastic. However, it does seem to be primarily made of metal, with a few small plastic components, like the buttons. I can’t be absolutely certain without taking the thing apart and ruining it, and neither the instructions nor the website specifies the building material(s) utilised. Having said that, it does feel well constructed, and the painting has held up well despite being jostled around in the cars at work all week. There is only a slight amount of button rattling on the up/down buttons.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Parameters

• Size: 94 x 32.4 x 38.8mm
• Weight: 94g
• Power Range: 5W-80W
• Input Voltage: 3.3V-4.2V
• Output Voltage: 1.0V-6.4V
• Standby Current: ＜120uA
• Max Output Current: ＜30uA (When the resistance is below 0.1Ω)
• Resistance Range: 0.1Ω-2.5Ω
• Charging Current: Max 1.4A
• Charging Voltage: 5V±0.2V

 

Colour

• Black
• Red
• Silver
• Blue
• 7-Colour
• Brown

 

DESIGN

At 94g, the Fortis’ body is remarkably light and well-designed, with a plastic front fascia, a metal frame around the perimeter, and a gorgeous leather heel on the palm side of the device. With all of the buttons in their proper locations and the padding leather adding to the setup’s lightweight feel, it is a pleasure to hold in the hand. This gadget is incredibly ergonomic. Naturally, there is a spring-loaded 510 connection at the top, allowing you to attach practically any tank if you prefer not to use the TFV18 small. Additionally, it is gold-plated for improved connectivity.

Either a single 18650 battery with an adapter or a 21700 battery is concealed behind a slide-and-open, hinged battery door at the bottom of the gadget. The door is incredibly strong and simple to open, yet it stays closed when you need it to. I haven’t even come close to having the swing door accidentally open on me. A huge square fire button, two smaller adjustment buttons, a high-definition screen with the ability to change the theme colour, and a USB Type-C charging connector are all located on the front face, which is also where all the action takes place if you forget your external charger. The Fortis ignites instantly and without delay, and it pairs incredibly well with the 0.2-ohm coil in the TFV18 small.

 

THE TANK

Although the TFV18 tiny tank isn’t the biggest in the world, it still produces some fantastic flavour and nice rich vapour. The e-liquid capacity of this tank with its bubble glass is equally outstanding; it can hold 6.5ml of e-liquid to ensure that you won’t need to refill too frequently. The TFV18 tank is made of stainless steel and has a Pyrex glass tank. It has the same removable base that you screw your coil into, a fixed pin 510 connection, and a swinging top for filling as some of Smok’s earlier tanks in the line.

The airflow adjustment ring at the base provides three (tri) big cyclops-style airflow holes that may be set all the way down to totally closed or if you like, wide open. I’ve been using mine not all the way open, just a little bit restricted. Wide open is wide open and you get quite an airy draw.

That’s saying something considering I normally detest this type of top cap, but it truly does work so well. The filling mechanism consists of a locking button and a swinging top that swings away to reveal a single huge kidney-shaped fill port for fast filling. Excellent tolerances and a swing-away design prevent obstructions when filling a large bottle. The TFV18 small has a sizable drip tip on top, but as it is a Delrin sleeve with no male end, it is unable to attach your preferred drip tips for some added flair.

 

BATTERY

As previously indicated, the Fortis can accommodate an external battery, either a 21700 or 18650 battery with the provided adaptor sleeve. Behind a slide and swing door, which feels surprisingly strong given its design, the battery is placed positive side up. I believe Smok has done a fantastic job with this product; it is simple to open and simple to close yet does not open unintentionally in the pocket. In an emergency, you can also charge your battery using the USB Type-C port, which provides a 1.4A charging rate and will allow you to resume vaping right away. In all honesty, a slower charging rate is better for the longevity of your batteries than for some devices on the market.

 

USAGE

The Fortis is a straightforward device; while some people may not like it, others will appreciate that it is a wattage-only mod. The buttons provide a great feel and are nicely clicky without being excessively loud. I believe this strikes a happy medium between soft and clicky. The display is amazing, much like many of Smok’s most recent screens have been. This time, they chose a 0.96-inch TFT with a screen that gives all the information you could possibly need. Battery life, resistance, voltage, and a puff counter are all displayed. All of this also includes themes, allowing you to change the screen’s colour scheme to a favourite of yours.

How the Fortis is used:

• The device is turned on and off by rapidly pressing the fire button five times.
• The wattage can be adjusted using the up and down buttons.
• To completely lock and unlock the mod, press the fire button three times.
• The wattage can be locked and unlocked by depressing both adjustment buttons at once.
• You can change the theme colours by pressing the up and fire buttons simultaneously.
• The puff counter will be cleared when the fire and down buttons are both pressed simultaneously.

 

 

INCLUDES

1 x Fortis Mod
1 x TFV18 Mini Tank (6.5ml)
1 x V18 Mini Meshed 0.2Ω Coil (Preinstalled)
1 x V18 Mini Meshed 0.2Ω Coil
1 x Bulb Glass Tube Replacement
1 x Type-C Cable
1 x User Manual

 

CONCLUSION

Overall, the Fortis kit has been a really trustworthy piece of equipment that has allowed me to have a terrific time. It hasn’t missed a beat. The TFV18 tiny tank produces excellent vapour with wonderful flavour and a good, dense cloud, and the Fortis mod’s fast-fire feature, which releases nice power at the touch of a button, only enhances this.

Some people might not like the fact that this device just has a variable wattage setting, but I believe there is beauty in simplicity, and to be honest, with the coils that are currently available, you’ll probably only use the wattage setting anyway. This is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a wonderful setup that accepts either 18650/20700 or 21700 batteries, has a huge e-liquid capacity of 6.5mls, fires up quickly and intelligently, and is incredibly comfortable to use!