Most User-Friendly, Flavorful RTA?

[vuJim]

The conversation about the upcoming deeming regulations (see: Trump Administration Combating Epidemic of Youth E-Cigarette Use with Plan ...) got me to thinking about reconsidering my plan not to acquire any new RTAs.

Now before you say "But that's about e-liquids": True. But I can see a government, desperate to "do something" about the "teen vaping epidemic" and to recover lost tobacco tax revenue trying to figure out a way to extend its control, and what better way than to tax or otherwise regulate, say, atomizer coils? (Jeez, I hope I'm not giving them any ideas...)

But I'd like to just see them try to regulate and tax wire and cotton (or other) wicking material.

So that brought me to wondering what is currently the most user-friendly and flavourful RTA currently on the market. Did some research last night. Near as I can tell, that award looks like it goes to the AugVape Intake RTA. The many reviews I've read give it high marks for:

• Leak-free, inherent in it being a top flow RTA
• Flavourful, for a top-flow RTA
• Easy build deck
• Well-made

So what says the collective experience of VU: Yea or Nay?

 

[MrMeowgi]

Wotofo Elevate, Zeus single coil,

 

[f1r3b1rd]

I haven't used the intake, but from my experience I would have to second the elevate and add the peacemaker 25mm single coil and the tried and true kayfun series- any of them

 

[SnapDragon NY]

I would agree with Mr Meowgi- I think of all my RTAs- the Wotofo Elevate is one of the easiest RTAs to use- plus they include a coily tool which is nice for other postless decks you may encounter in the future. The coily tool helps to determine where to pre cut your coil legs- very handy!

 

[bikerboogieman]

I agree with those great folks above. I have 2 Wotofo Serpent Elevate SMM RTA's. Use them everyday and love em. I will get a couple more to be prepared for whatever comes our way.

 

[vuJim]

Thanks for the follow-ups!

I considered the Wotofo Serpent Elevate SMM and the Zeus single coil. From my reading the Intake allegedly yields a more flavourful vape?

 

[nadalama]

What is your preference for airiness in your vape? The Intake is not particularly airy. Wide open, it is a moderately-restricted DL vape. I run mine with airflow about halfway open, because I like restricted DL. Improves flavor.

I have two RTAs that I think are just as easy to build, and are better for flavor. OBS Engine Nano and Augvape Merlin Mini. Both are hard to find now. Engine Nano is top airflow, Merlin is not, but still I have had no leaking with mine. iJoy Captain Elite is very good, too, but has a smaller liquid capacity. These have been on sale for $12.50 each at StrikesUSA.com, if cost is a consideration for you. The iJoy Captain is on sale also, but I cannot speak for it because I don't have one.

The Zeus RTAs are all very good but they are not the easiest to build, especially the Zeus X. Fabulous if you can get them right, though.

I would not agree that the Intake has better flavor than the OG Zeus single coil.

 

[vuJim]

Thanks for the follow-up, @nadalama

I'll look into the OBS Engine Nano. I do wish to stick to top airflow. Too many bad experiences with leaking if I didn't get the wicking just so, in the past. As for airflow: It's not my primary determining factor. Flavour is #1. I do like big vapes. I find my Tobeco Mini Super Tank to have what I'd say is the minimum airflow I'd want. Right now I'm experimenting with my Falcon and Falcon King tanks with the airflow ring shut down about half way. Still plenty of airflow for me, and I think I'm getting good taste with the power turned down a bit. I'm aiming for good taste, acceptable airflow, and extended coil life.

 

[Huckleberried]

Another fan for the Zeus single coil, I much prefer it to the Intake. This won't be a popular opinion, but not a fan of the Engine nano.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my Zeus tanks.

 

[f1r3b1rd]

I wasn't a fan of the engine series either .. in fact they almost made me swear off top airflow.
To me it felt like sucking air through a tailpipe.

 

[Bigrick]

I recently got a Zeus X in a trade. Out of absolutel laziness I dropped is a single 4mm clapton I twisted off the spool. My goal was to just get it up and going. Not only did I get it going I got a damn fine vape. I did not expect much and was rewarded with a good vape. Now my expectations are high for a dual coil build. Now I hope I am not disappointed. Stand by for update.

 

[midknight420]

I have the engine nano and freaking love that thing. So easy to build and wick it's ridiculous. I get great flavor from it and have never wicked it wrong even the first time I did it. I see there are those here that don't like it, and that's cool. Vaping is like beer, it's very perspective. What I like others may not, and vice versa. But I have to throw my hat in on that tank. Freaking love that thing.

I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested

 

[DrVapenstein]

IMO the things that make an rta have great flavor are a) the shortest, smoothest possible route from atmosphere to coil and b) a compact chamber/chimney. Which I will have to rethink because the chamber on the Fatality is huge and it produces as good a flavor as I've had. Traditionally though, all the rtas that people talk about ad nauseum about being flavor beasts follow that formula, Aqua, Cthulhu/Goblin, Mage, Aqua Reboot, Manta etc.

 

[Just Frank]

I see there are those here that don't like it, and that's cool. Vaping is like beer, it's very perspective. What I like others may not, and vice versa.

Yeah, I see lots of love for the Elevate in the beginning of this thread. I don't care for mine at all. No matter what I do, the flavor seems distorted. It's really strange and has never happened to me.

The only top airflow RTA Ive enjoyed using a lot, is the Digiflavor Themis Mesh version. That ones awesome. Otherwise for bottom AF I've enjoyed the Ijoy Captain Elite very much. I just got an Ammit 25 and can already tell we're going to get along merrily.


I rarely and mean rarely have trouble with leaky tanks these days. A lot of the older ones were finicky with the wicking being just right. But pretty much every RTA I get these days, I get right on the first try. But even with top airflow tanks, you need to wick them properly. If you don't they won't vape that great and gurgle.