When I started using rebuildable atomizers in 2019, I often saw ThunderHead Creations products in various stores, especially their mechanical mods, and I dreamed of gaining enough experience to use them.
After six years, I can proudly say that I have had the opportunity to collaborate with THC, which sent me one of their products as a gift. The Tauren RDA Vortex 30 is a 30mm dripper, both imposing and fascinating. Designed and advertised as a dual coil atomizer, thanks to its reduced vaporization chamber and adjustable airflow, it also adapts well to high-performance single coil builds.
Additionally, it offers dual functionality: it can be used as a dripper or with a bottom feeder pin.
Specifications:
- Diameter: 30 mm
- Height: 29.5 mm
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 2.5 ml (excluding cotton)
- Drip Tip: 810
- Weight: 72 g
- Airflow: 3D Vortex Airflow - 84 holes
The Tauren RDA Vortex 30 by ThunderHead Creations comes in a laminated cardboard box with a transparent window that allows a glimpse of the device. On the side, there is a scratch and check feature to verify the product's authenticity. On the back, the package contents are listed.
- The Tauren RDA Vortex 30
- Warranty certificate
- User manual
- Two 3-core fused Clapton coils
- Leg trimming tool
- Two Allen keys
- Bottom feeder pin
- Two sets of four non-gold-plated screws:
- One set with flathead screws
- One set with Allen screws
The Tauren RDA Vortex 30 has an 810 connector, with the o-ring integrated into the top cap. The provided drip tip, without an o-ring, is made of black plastic and has a relatively compact design.
Despite this, it remains practical to use, thanks to the engraved pattern on the top cap by ThunderHead Creations, which not only gives the Tauren an appealing look but also effectively helps with heat dissipation.
In addition to the designs, THC has also created a true chamber reducer and leak-proof system with an insert. Fortunately, it's made of stainless steel, as I'm not a fan of plastic inside tanks, even if it's PEEK. This insert helps further control the temperature.
Here’s how it looks once taken out. By rotating, you can adjust the airflow with its 84 holes, thanks to an o-ring, which I suggest lubricating with VG when first purchased and after each wash. A small notch is also visible, acting as a stopper to help unscrew the Tauren RDA Vortex from the mod.
Here’s how the 3D Vortex Airflow appears, with air entering from the top through 84 holes, adjustable by rotating the top cap, with a minimum of 3 holes open. The chamber reducer, as already mentioned, helps to direct and quiet the incoming air, while also creating a "step" to prevent liquid leakage.
On the deck, you’ll see airflow holes hitting the coil from the side, and a secondary channel, visible, hits the air from below, helping to develop a strong flavor and maintain temperature control even with large coils. This is where the name 3D Airflow comes from, providing the added benefit of a quieter draw. Despite being such a large atomizer, it doesn’t produce much noise.
This is how the deck looks with a matte finish: 4 posts - postless design for building both dual and single coils, with gold-plated Allen screws included. The two liquid wells are NOT connected, as the airflow passes through the center, raised, preventing the liquid from contaminating the draw. The capacity is listed as 2.5 ml, not accounting for the cotton wicks. In single coil setup, the capacity remains at 2 ml or more, making it almost like a tank.
Dual coil setup: I avoided putting cotton to better showcase the deck geometry of the Tauren RDA Vortex 30. First of all, with the coils installed (3 mm), you can truly appreciate the monstrous size and the customization options it offers. ThunderHead Creations, along with the Tauren RDA, also provides a leg trimmer, with a suggestion (indicated by a triangle) to cut the legs to 6 mm. Given the vast space, the two coils can be placed far apart from each other, allowing for better heat dissipation and more flavor intensity.
Single coil setup: I used one of the included tricore fused claptons, but the screws tighten without issue even with thinner wires. Although it is marketed as a dual coil, I also tried lighter builds, like a 26 g parallel on a box mod, using airflow adjustment for great results. It’s therefore a product suitable for those who aren’t into extreme cloud and are looking for a device that will gradually introduce them to dual coil builds that can handle up to 100 watts.
The bottom features engravings with the THC/ThunderHead Creations logo and text, serial number, the CE and disposal mark. Included in the package is an Allen key, which allows you to unscrew the pin, either for a thorough cleaning when first purchased or to replace it with the gold-plated bottom feeder pin provided in the package.
Unscrewing the pin releases the positive post, which is held in place by its PEEK insulator, allowing for a thorough cleaning. Be cautious, as the post can come out easily. It’s recommended to perform this operation on a flat surface, away from sinks or areas where it could be easily lost. To reassemble, simply press the post with your thumb while screwing it in with the other hand.
I recently started getting interested in the RDL/cloud vaping world, as I used to practice it in the past on devices with pre-made coils. I was a bit concerned about handling a 30 mm dripper since the largest atomizer I’ve used before was a 25 mm. But thanks to the chamber reduction, the Tauren RDA Vortex 30 allows for excellent heat dissipation when used in dual coil mode, while also enhancing flavor performance for those who prefer lighter setups, such as a single coil build. Tightening and positioning the coils on the postless deck is actually even easier than on a 25 mm deck, thanks to the extra space available.
Whether you're a beginner like me or looking for a cloud-chasing dripper to push up to 100 watts, the Tauren RDA Vortex 30 is definitely a great choice.
For more information and to check out the available color options for the Tauren RDA Vortex 30, you can visit ThunderHead Creations' official website:
TAUREN RDA VORTEX 30 - Best 30 MM RDA EVER
I’d like to thank e-Cigarette-Forum and its staff for the space, ThunderHead Creation for providing me with the Tauren RDA Vortex 30, and all of you for reading.
