First RDA for a flavor chaser?

[levander]

here are my three main criteria that I'm aware of that I think I want: 1.) best flavor, 2.) easy to build because I'm a beginner, and 3.) leaks as little as possible because I hate that.

I've already decided to buy a Boreas thanks to you guys discussing it other places on the board. But I'm thinking I want to get an RDA also.

I was gonna get a Tsunami because I'd heard good things about that. And was trying to decide between the original and the new 24 there aren't many reviews on. But you guys seem to shy away from the Tsunami on this board. And I watched Grimm Green's review of it and he said it had decent flavor, but you could tell it wasn't the best. And there was some thing about not being able to drip down the middle of the cap but having to remove the cap and paint the coils. I'm not sure what that is exactly, but it sounded annoying. But maybe I'm being too picky? It's these reviewer guys' job to find flaws.

I've seen you guys mention the Petri v2 on this board a lot for flavor. But I looked it up and authentic it's $85. Seems a bit steep for a first timer. But I'd be willing to fork it over if it's easily my best choice. Maybe I should get a clone? How is it for ease of build and not leaking?

I'm really wide open at this point, so suggestions appreciated. My main criteria is in the first paragraph. Only thing I ask is for people not to post a list of about 20 different RDA's. You guys know so much about this stuff, I've seen you guys do that. And all it does is confuse me. Please just suggest what you think best options would be. I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[DagMatt]

Aeolus Lite

 

[eggymaniac]

I can't imagine myself ever recommending any dripper other then a goon 528. Excellent flavor, easy build deck, and absolutely no leaks unless you ridiculously overfill it

 

[Freejep]

So horney clone...was so impressed with the ease and versatility of builds I ended up buying 7 of them to replace all my other rdas...but be aware...2 that I got off ebay were poorer quality...so get one by ShenRay at under 15 bucks.(Google so horney rda clone ShenRay)...as a beginner start at single or dual simple wrap 24g builds then go from there...and you'll be fine...also be aware all rdas will leak when you over drip them...but you'll soon get the hang of it..good luck







Plenty room for 6 simple coils..ridiculous clouds and ridiculous flavour....that's why I bought 7 in total...to experiment with various builds and wicking methods..and good luck again

 

[Rabbit Slayer]

View attachment 52068

Plenty room for 6 simple coils..ridiculous clouds and ridiculous flavour....that's why I bought 7 in total...to experiment with various builds and wicking methods..and good luck again

What resistance is that build? that looks crazy

 

[StereoFreeze]

For a 22mm RDA I would recommend the Petri V2, I find it to be a great flavor atty and is very easy to build. The deck is wide open, so dripping down the center is a non-issue, no need to paint the coils. For a 24mm atty I'll give a +1 to the Goon. Huge deck, plenty of juice capacity, easily accepts large coil builds and great flavor as well. I didn't expect it to be as good as it is and assumed it would be a cloud chaser atty.

 

[Freejep]

What resistance is that build? that looks crazy

.05 build...this last pic is same build 6 weeks later with same cotton using my "remote wicking " method...cotton never touches the coil so can NEVER get burnt hits...like I say...i experiment with wicking to avoid burnt hits..

 

[Catalyst]

View attachment 52074

View attachment 52075

.05 build...this last pic is same build 6 weeks later with same cotton using my "remote wicking " method...cotton never touches the coil so can NEVER get burnt hits...like I say...i experiment with wicking to avoid burnt hits..

Can you elaborate on the wicking a bit more? What are you using that is actually through the coils?

 

[Freejep]

Can you elaborate on the wicking a bit more? What are you using that is actually through the coils?

I bought some stainless mesh from an industrial filter company..the mesh wire is 1 thou diameter with a 1 thou gap to give #500... i cut 6 strips for 6 coils 2 inches by 1/4 inch wide then rolled them at an angle around a wooden cocktail stick(to make them around 1/2 inch long)..with stick removed I further rolled them between thumb and fingers to shrink them down in size until they inserted into my .080" bore coils...the rolled mesh protrudes either side of the coils by about 1/8"....the cotton is a single piece going from juice well up over down under up over again then down again...the mesh simply kisses the cotton...I'm a lazy dripper and had to come up with a way to drip through the top without getting dry/burnt hits on the middle coils of a 6 coil build...this was my experiment that works better than expected...6 drops each cotton side and 2 drops each coil side and I get plenty pulls of 1 to 3 seconds without any burnt hits...before dripping again..

top view of my cotton 6 weeks ago when first built..



This is top view of my cotton after 6 weeks vaping....(yup...it's the same cotton)...zero burnt hits using my "remote wicking" method...will just have to see how long it lasts until the flavour and clouds diminish..like I say I just like experimenting with wicks to avoid burnt hits..

 

[levander]

I'm going over you guys suggestions still.

But quick question. Some of you guys are dividing your suggestions up between a 24 and a 22 suggestion.

The main differences that I know of is a 24 has a bigger deck to make it a little easier to build, especially larger builds. And they can hold more juice. Is that all there is to it?

Why would you choose a 24 over a 22 or vice versa?

 

[levander]

I just looked at the Petri and the Goon, Neither one of them have the Velocity decks I've heard so much about. Is a Velocity deck not really necessary to make building easy?

I'm sure I'll buy another couple of RDA's later (and maybe sooner keeping in mind the vapocalypse variable). Right now I'm just looking for a good one to get started with.

 

[Freejep]

I'm going over you guys suggestions still.

But quick question. Some of you guys are dividing your suggestions up between a 24 and a 22 suggestion.

The main differences that I know of is a 24 has a bigger deck to make it a little easier to build, especially larger builds. And they can hold more juice. Is that all there is to it?

Why would you choose a 24 over a 22 or vice versa?

The so horney rda measures 23mm dia...but with it being a velocity style twin post deck, the coil diameters can be huge with a single or dual setup...hence the versatility of it...so with an 8mm gap between the posts you could have an insane 1/4 inch bore single build at 3/4 inch tall...(38 wraps of 24g kanthal)..not exactly sub ohm building tho lol

 

[AmandaD]

The velocity (clone) is a very good RDA for your first in my opinion. The velocity deck is super easy to build. I have the Tobeco velocity mini, and it's a great little atty!

 

[AlbyKortoona]

+1 Velocity clone, original size or mini.

 

[Ogvapez]

Petri V2 Authentic or Clone
Tsunami 24mm
Velocity mini Clone
My top 3 right now.

 

[Jimi D]

So horney clone...was so impressed with the ease and versatility of builds I ended up buying 7 of them to replace all my other rdas...but be aware...2 that I got off ebay were poorer quality...so get one by ShenRay at under 15 bucks.(Google so horney rda clone ShenRay)...as a beginner start at single or dual simple wrap 24g builds then go from there...and you'll be fine...also be aware all rdas will leak when you over drip them...but you'll soon get the hang of it..good luck

View attachment 52063

View attachment 52064

View attachment 52068

Plenty room for 6 simple coils..ridiculous clouds and ridiculous flavour....that's why I bought 7 in total...to experiment with various builds and wicking methods..and good luck again

Good lawd ! Are you vaping Bozo the clown's hair !?!

 

[Freejep]

Good lawd ! Are you vaping Bozo the clown's hair !?!

LOL. ..nearly...... I was thinking of Marge Simpson at the time of build...but thought she would look better in pink...

 

[Woodsman]

here are my three main criteria that I'm aware of that I think I want: 1.) best flavor, 2.) easy to build because I'm a beginner, and 3.) leaks as little as possible because I hate that.

I've already decided to buy a Boreas thanks to you guys discussing it other places on the board. But I'm thinking I want to get an RDA also.

I was gonna get a Tsunami because I'd heard good things about that. And was trying to decide between the original and the new 24 there aren't many reviews on. But you guys seem to shy away from the Tsunami on this board. And I watched Grimm Green's review of it and he said it had decent flavor, but you could tell it wasn't the best. And there was some thing about not being able to drip down the middle of the cap but having to remove the cap and paint the coils. I'm not sure what that is exactly, but it sounded annoying. But maybe I'm being too picky? It's these reviewer guys' job to find flaws.

I've seen you guys mention the Petri v2 on this board a lot for flavor. But I looked it up and authentic it's $85. Seems a bit steep for a first timer. But I'd be willing to fork it over if it's easily my best choice. Maybe I should get a clone? How is it for ease of build and not leaking?

I'm really wide open at this point, so suggestions appreciated. My main criteria is in the first paragraph. Only thing I ask is for people not to post a list of about 20 different RDA's. You guys know so much about this stuff, I've seen you guys do that. And all it does is confuse me. Please just suggest what you think best options would be. I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

I'm having good flavor with a single vertical coil 24awg 3mm wrap in my Velocity. Actually it's a parallel coil reading 0.25 ohms...

 

[Jimi D]

LOL. ..nearly...... I was thinking of Marge Simpson at the time of build...but thought she would look better in pink...

It does look like Marge ! LOL

 

[levander]

Okay guys, thanks. Between your suggestions and a "Favorites" playlist on Grimm Green's YouTube channel I'm starting to make sense of this. Like I figured out what all the fuss over the Tsunami is. It's not that it's one of the very best RDAs out there. It's that it's a well above average authentic RDA for a third of the price of the best authentic RDAs on the market.

I just ordered a Boreas and a Coil Master Kit V2 from Eciggity (they dropped the price of those two substantially in the last couple of days). Plus a couple of other goodies.

But I think I'm getting tapped out. So think I'm gonna play it cheap and go with one of the clones you guys mentioned above. A few of them sounded interesting right off the bat like the goon and the so horney, there are several I'll look into. But I'll probably end up with a Velocity because I'm not as much a gear head as a lot of you guys on here. And the Velocity is so well know. At least that's what I'm thinking now anyway.

 

[levander]

Quick question about the Velocity though. A few of you recommended the Velocity Mini. But looks like a Velocity V2 came out very recently. Any thoughts on the differences between the Mini and the V2? If I go Velocity, I'd have to decide which way to go between those two.

 

[BoomStick]

Petri has fixed airflow (non adjustable) and bottom airflow commonly leaks (Tsunami). Forget the Goon and other oddballs. I think a velocity clone would be your best bet. Mini vs V2 is a coin toss.

After awhile you'll know if something else would suit you better. Also, using a 510 drip tip will usually give much better flavor than a wide bore tip. Velocity offers both options. Good luck.

 

[levander]

Broomstick, I I think you basically summarized the advice I was looking for. Everyone in here made good posts. And you weren't the only one who suggested the Velocity. It's just you guys are some major gear heads in this forum... Which is cool. It's just not how I am. However, when I do need some gear, I know who to ask.

Thanks guys. I do appreciate it.

Basically for beginners, I think it comes down to if you want authentic, go Tsunami. If you're determined to push the envelope in flavor performance and are willing to compromise on ethics a little, go Velocity clone.

Then your second RDA, after you know what you're doing, can be something more expensive/exotic.

Jumping in with both feet and going exotic right off the bat isn't bad either. But I don't think that should be "standard" advice. But more determined beginners will find their way out there...

I very well could be wrong though.

Oh, and a Coil Master Kit V2 if you don't already have the tools lying around!

 

[JERUS]

https://www.fasttech.com/p/4616804

If you do go Petri v2 clone that's the closest match to the authentic and the single airhole is better for flavor compared to the 2 airhole cap option (lots of the other clones).

As far as Velocity goes, it's mainly the 2 post design that makes it so nice, and the Petri has that, and the v2 has big enough postholes that you don't need 2 seperate holes. Velocity may be slightly easier as you don't have to tweak anything to get the leads coming out of the same place (naturally one top one bottom when wrapping), but it's just a great RDA and worth looking at.

 

[Woodsman]

Okay guys, thanks. Between your suggestions and a "Favorites" playlist on Grimm Green's YouTube channel I'm starting to make sense of this. Like I figured out what all the fuss over the Tsunami is. It's not that it's one of the very best RDAs out there. It's that it's a well above average authentic RDA for a third of the price of the best authentic RDAs on the market.

I just ordered a Boreas and a Coil Master Kit V2 from Eciggity (they dropped the price of those two substantially in the last couple of days). Plus a couple of other goodies.

But I think I'm getting tapped out. So think I'm gonna play it cheap and go with one of the clones you guys mentioned above. A few of them sounded interesting right off the bat like the goon and the so horney, there are several I'll look into. But I'll probably end up with a Velocity because I'm not as much a gear head as a lot of you guys on here. And the Velocity is so well know. At least that's what I'm thinking now anyway.

The velocity mini has shorter posts, so you can't wrap a long vertical coil, which is what I like. The regular velocity allows a 24awg kanthal 3mm parallel. But the mini would be fine say with four or five wraps for a vertical coil. I haven't had luck with horizontal coils on my velocity, but the single, centered vertical coil works really well. Air flow hits it on both sides.

 

[cutevape]

if you are a new beginner,then I don't suggest to use tsunami,for it has bottom airflow,which is easy to leak for a new guy.You could choose a rda without bottom airflow,it would be better for you

 

[outwest]

So horney clone...was so impressed with the ease and versatility of builds I ended up buying 7 of them to replace all my other rdas...but be aware...2 that I got off ebay were poorer quality...so get one by ShenRay at under 15 bucks.(Google so horney rda clone ShenRay)...as a beginner start at single or dual simple wrap 24g builds then go from there...and you'll be fine...also be aware all rdas will leak when you over drip them...but you'll soon get the hang of it..good luck

View attachment 52063

View attachment 52064

View attachment 52068

Plenty room for 6 simple coils..ridiculous clouds and ridiculous flavour....that's why I bought 7 in total...to experiment with various builds and wicking methods..and good luck again

OooooOOooOOO! I like the looks of that one! Now I gotta order one (or 3), dang it! *laf*

 

[Freejep]

OooooOOooOOO! I like the looks of that one! Now I gotta order one (or 3), dang it! *laf*

Only 3 lol....
These were my original drippers..(ignore the tank..mistakenly bought on a whim)



All replaced with so horney drippers...


If you like velocity style decks...the so horney clone has gotta be your next buy...
You won't regret it if you love experimenting like me....and Outwest...you will eventually end up with more than 3 lol




Now to go think up some more experiments on builds n wicking....

 

[outwest]

Only 3 lol....
These were my original drippers..(ignore the tank..mistakenly bought on a whim)
View attachment 52253


All replaced with so horney drippers...
View attachment 52254

If you like velocity style decks...the so horney clone has gotta be your next buy...
You won't regret it if you love experimenting like me....and Outwest...you will eventually end up with more than 3 lol
View attachment 52255
View attachment 52258
View attachment 52259

Now to go think up some more experiments on builds n wicking....

So you're saying I need to find somewhere that has autoship and set it to send me two a week?

 

[Freejep]

So you're saying I need to find somewhere that has autoship and set it to send me two a week?

Yup...cos your mates are gonna wanna buy yours wen you show um...I've let 2 out of my original 7 go this way...so I'm down to 5...but not letting any more go now...I luv um too much lol

 

[outwest]

*heh* well, I only ordered 2 for starters, but did order them, thanks I'm feeling poor because of spending so much the past few days because of the FDA (in case they get their way) *sigh*

 

[Freejep]

2 is good....one to vape and one to experiment with....
And I'm hoping that the FDA do not stuff up vaping for you guys and gals over the pond....How can any government put vaping into the same category as smoking tobacco...it's just ridiculous....fingers crossed they see reason and common sense...

 

[11thcup]

If you don't want leaking, top airflow is where it's at. I learned on a Wotofo Sapor, and think it's a good place to start. It's not quite as dead simple as with velocity-style posts, but it's not an atomizer that's too picky about coil placement. There's a sort of sweet spot, but it's pretty forgiving of you don't get it right there.
I realize I'm in the minority, but I was a bit disappointed when i got a Tobeco velocity mini. I rebuilt it many times, as I wanted to like it, then I lost it and wasn't too sad.
Anyway, YMMV, as always, and I haven't used as many of the options out there as many here have, but the Sapor got me to a point where I haven't felt the need to get into any of the subohm tanks or RTAs out there, and for pretty small money. Instead, I bought another Sapor.