How’s the Vape
Mesh, just like round wire types is a personal thing. I do like the fact Wotofo give you 3 different options to try with the V1.5 so that’s a thumbs up, also the nexMesh strips are hard wearing so they’ll keep you going for a while (cleaning and re-using). Having said that, if you are looking into this latest offering you’ll no doubt see there’s a lot of focus on the mesh from a marketing perspective, but remember it’s a changeable so I’m overlooking that for this bit.
My approach therefore is a little unorthodox being I should try the mesh included and tell you all about it. However being I’m comparing for you on a side by side product basis, I felt it was only fair to describe my findings based on using exactly the same set up with both – only then can I compare and contrast them properly.
In addition and this might be me, but I really struggle with Kanthal (A1 or FeCrAl) mesh due to its lack of flavour fade. By this I mean I have to be mindful to keep the wick fully saturated at all times, otherwise I’ll get the dry hit from hell in comparison to typical round wire…simply because mesh ramps up so damn fast.
I opted to go with Vandy Vape’s Stainless Steel (316L) 200 grain mesh which I use with temp control largely resolving the problem above, with the added bonus of the RDA not getting roasting hot. Sadly the A1 isn’t suitable for temp control but I have asked Wotofo before to launch their own SS variant through nexMESH.
So my testing for this review was using the same mod (Smoant Battlestar Squonker- not the most accurate TC out there, but its good enough), Same juices, same mesh in each!
Test 1 – Both Fully Open, 80W Pre-heat, 520.F
V1 – Snorkel time! ….I find the vapour production anaemic, don’t get me wrong, it’s a cloud chucker for sure but lots of air mixture diluting it, so I don’t get much in the way of a hit from it. The airflow is silky smooth and pretty quiet all things considered. When it comes to flavour I find the original profile RDA muted if I’m honest, especially compared to many flavour chaser RDA’s I’m used to. It does stay cool though (I do like that thick cap)
V1.5 – again a Snorkel….In the flavour department it edges the V1, its not leaps and bounds better but it’s noticeable. With the different airflow configuration it’s more audible on the draw which is something I noticed in all the tests. I also noticed it actually produced less “cloudage” but I get a better hit from it which I prefer. Finally whilst it remains cool it does warm up more so due to the thinner cap (even in TC mode)
Test 2 – Mid Way Settings, 65W pre-heat, 500.F
N.B: Leaving 9 (of the 13 available) holes open on the bottom two rows with the V1, offers the same draw restriction as opening the bottom line on the 1.5
V1 - This setting for me is the sweet spot for the original RDA, it’s not too lose or restricted and because of the lower air mixture I get a better hit from it, as well as plenty of vapour production. Not only that the flavour performance is decent and moisture on the tongue is excellent making it a solid all-rounder for mesh.
V1.5 – Very similar outcome to the above “a solid all-rounder”, I found it difficult to tell them apart at times particularly with orange profiles. With candy,lemon/lime type flavours I’d say the 1.5 marginally exceeds the V1 but to be honest id be perfectly happy vaping either.
It’s a thirsty bugger for sure, well they both are actually but this more so as you’d expect. Same thing experienced as test 1, it does warm more than the V1, but exchanges a denser hit for slightly less clouds, not as much of silky inhale and more audible on the draw.
Test 3 – Restricted, 50W pre-heat, 480.F
N.B: Leaving 6 (of the 13 available) holes open on the bottom two rows with the V1, offers the same draw restriction as opening 3.5 holes of the bottom line on the 1.5
V1 – This for me is about as restricted as I like to go on this RDA, it’s not eye popping or anything but due to the ramp up you need enough draw to keep things cool enough for extended periods of vaping, which it does successfully. It shares a lot of the same similarities to test 2 but I feel It just wants to be opened up a bit more to make it shine, which means those who like fairly restricted vapes probably won’t get on with it as much as other RDA’s on the market.
V1.5 - I’d avoid the low profile tip, even in temp control as you’ll notice it gets considerably hotter than the V1 so that’s worth noting this time around. Again it edges ahead in flavour otherwise same notes as test 2.
Final Test Notes
Both atomisers vape better with fruits and citrus flavours in my opinion, its not to say they don’t play nice with bakery but I find them lacking in that camp somewhat.
If you are the sort who really likes picking flavours apart, then I’d say mesh isn’t for you because it blends flavours together, at least that’s what I’ve found so far on any mesh I’ve tried.
What these both do well (and the 1.5 did more consistently) was in the handling of sweet and tart citric juices; they play nice with them and give a great all round vape, pulling back the extremes and making some of those overly sickly juices less so, whilst maintaining the dominant flavours like orange, lemon, lime, especially with the moistness of the vape you get. Subtle flavours like watermelon, some strawberries can get lost and you pick up the sweetness but not much else if that makes sense.
Final Conclusion
Wotofo went with trying to change things up, I mean nothing is compatible, so I can’t say they just gave it a lick of paint and did a half assed job by drilling the holes differently.
I can see they have actually worked towards improvements in the design, and in doing so have definitely made some gains.
On the flip side I think they also introduced a similar number of draw backs with the 1.5 which leaves it in a place of half improved depending on perspective… I’d go with that perhaps.
V1 – Smoother draw, is less audible, has a narrower flavour sweet spot, is easier to squonk, it’s a cloudy but thin vape, moist, stays cooler
V1.5 – A better hit, draw is less silky and it’s very slightly noisier, has a wider flavour sweet spot, gets warmer though, is harder to squonk, easier to wick
V1 Pro’s
- Easy to build on
- Decent spares
- Easy enough to wick
- Plenty of airflow configurations (suits mid-range best)
- Clouds a plenty
- Very smooth draw & quiet
- Thick top cap – stays pretty cool
- Well rounded vape – on the mid setting
- Wide bore squonk pin
- Hybrid safe
- Instant ramp up
- Forgiving when squonking
- Consistent wick press design – great idea
V1 Con’s
- The chamber cap is stiff to get on and off the base
- Spring is a little too soft (can fix that yourself though)
- Thirsty – keep it well saturated always
- Could do with some knurling around top cap (it does break in)
- [personal] not a fan of the branding
- A little thin on the hit side at times
- Underwhelming flavour at restricted and wide open settings
V1.5 Pro’s
- Easy to build on
- 3 Options of Mesh & Decent spares
- Easier to wick than the V1
- Plenty of airflow configurations
- Get a nice hit from this one
- Decent vapour production
- Smooth draw & pretty quiet
- Well rounded vape – across the spectrum
- Hybrid safe
- Instant ramp up
- Forgiving when squonking
- Consistent wick press design – great idea and a better spring this time
- The Chamber cap is easy to get on and off the base
V1.5 Con’s
- Thin top cap – it warms up quickly
- The squonk pin is narrower and you have more wicking….what?
- Juice under the base – pet peeve of mine
- The top cap needs knurling – “I cannit budge it captain”
- [personal] saw the font change - still dislike the branding
- Very Thirsty – keep it well saturated always
- [personal] Nice to have a spare drip tip – but the low profile one is not suited to this RDA
Let’s be honest the V1 was a massive success for Wotofo &MrJustRight1, it’s a difficult act to follow and my expectations are such that they have to follow on strongly, I'd describe the 1.5 as a stepping stone rather than a true upgrade in this regard (possibly why its marked as 1.5 and not 2?.
Given the choice as to what I’d reach for of the two; I’d give it to the 1.5 personally. When they come out with the V2 (which I’m sure they will), I’d very much like to see a bridge between the two, pick out the good bits dump the others bits, address the re-occurring cons and as far as mesh goes it would be bang on.
Thank you for reading my review. I hope you find the information useful, until next time KingPin!