To be perfectly honest, I think you have one of two options at this point.
1. REO. They are nearly indestructible. They are not regulated so there's nothing to burn out or fail. They have awesome flavor because they give you the intensity of a dripping RDA without the hassle of dripping. Of course you have to learn how to "squonk" and it's a learned thing. some people pick it right up, some people get frustrated from flooding it, or not squonking it enough. YMMV. You can use something other than a bottom feeding RBA, but what's the point? Your buying the REO specifically so that you can "squonk" it. If you are going to primarily use any other tank, there's really no reason to get the REO over any other mechanical. Since it is a mech mod, you can sub-ohm to your hearts content, but you will experience the drop in voltage during the discharge cycle like all non regulated mods. Also, you're wattage is entirely dependent on the resistance of your coil. If you build coil and it hits too hot....rebuild the coil. If it's not hot enough...rebuild the coil.
2. ProVari: It too is nearly indestructible, but because it does have 'lectronics in it, it's not as bullet proof as a REO. The ProVari provides you the convenience of being able to adjust voltage to your taste without building a new coil. It outputs it's set voltage out regardless of the battery discharge state. This means your first draw tastes like your last draw. It has fantastic warranty and post warranty support. The most expensive repair on an out of warranty ProVari is the control board itself at $65.00. This means if something does go wrong with it, you can get it repaired quickly and relatively inexpensively. The low points of the ProVari is that as part of it's regulation you can't exceed 3.5 amps. It also has a 15 watt limitation which basically eliminates the ability to sub-ohm with it. You are also limited to using button top batteries due to the internal design.
As you know, there are no "one size fits all" mods out there. In fact the ProVari and REO are polar opposites of each other which is why many REO owners own ProVari's and vice versa. Most of the REO's strengths and weakness stem from the fact that it is NOT regulated, just as most of the ProVari's strengths and weaknesses stem from the fact that it IS regulated. This kind of makes you decide what type of vaper are you?
You can't go wrong with either. If you don't like one or the other, you can sell either one in the classies practically before you hit the "post thread" button.
Personally my desire for the consistency of vape throughout the discharge cycle overrides my desire for high wattage vaping.
The newer DNA 20/30 and Sigelei 20W and other "high wattage" regulated mods are attempting to bridge the gap to make a true "one mod to rule them all", but none of them have the track record. I know my dunk test would have killed a DNA 20 flat out, probably should have killed my ProVari (but I read similar stories of accidental submersion, so I wasn't THAT worried), and would not have affected a REO in any way.
My advice to you. decide what type of vaper you are primarily, and then choose the device that fits that profile. For me, it's the ProVari. For you it might be something different.
But whatever you choose, the REO and the ProVari are the only two that I consider as having the proven track record of durability that is your primary concern at this point
Reo's are very nice indeed!
