Are rebuildable atomizer (tanks) overrated?

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ukeman

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I bought some of the first Genesis atomizers when the GL came out in a co-op; it was from Germany and of course like all Genesis' a form of Raidy's work. Also I got excited when the Line came out.

But after playing with it for a while, I said, "kudos to those that can... but I just don't have the paitience... especially when there are HH357's to buy, ready to go"... and yep, they (357s) were so far ahead in the flavor dept than any atomizer or carto tank, I couldn't help myself... I probably helped Hanna's financial situation a good bit.

Then I started hanging around Murdocks gang a bit too much and everyone was raving about sub 1.0 Ohm genesis and Hybrids by Faceless, and good mechanical devices. I had to try again...

*whoever was the first one/s to try sub 1.0 Ohm coil/ mesh-wick in a Genesis deserves a medal!

It goes against everything I had learned in over 3 years of vaping, mostly dripping, because i care a LOT about flavor.
 

hausmouse

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If you have any understanding or ability they're not overrated I have a $25 aga t+ and couldn't be happier. 400 mesh and 30g kanthal on a provari. May buy 500 next time just to see what it's about but happy where its at really. Ill probably buy a more expensive model in the future but not because I need to by any means. Titanium would be nice to have but the aga has certainly impressed me. I've also dropped it many times with no problem
 

gadiwhat

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I felt the same way after build my first couple coils. Until i started messing around with it alt more and found the right setup. Now i enjoy it more than any other kind of atomizer. I have an agat2 btw. If you feel like you have the aptitude to mess with rba 's it'll be fun for you and you'll eventually find out what works for you. I have friends who use carto tanks who like how smooth and tasty my overall setup is.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
 

USinchains

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I can't even touch my old atomizers since I've gotten into rba's, I have some backgrounds that set me up for almost instant success, though. It's just a shame we can't really recommend them to everyone who struggles with cartos and such, and people who don't figure them out will trash them if we do. It reminds me of the situation where we try and urge someone away from smokes into ecigs, but it usually fails. People will either want to know and will figure it out on their own, or they will be stay with replaceables. Surely, replaceables will eventually borrow some tricks from rebuildables and improve someday.
 
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Sweeperdk

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I have been vaping a little over three years.. For the past year I have been getting into RBA's and must say that I cannot find a vape anywhere near as pleasing as with an RBA that is set up properly.

I solely use RBA's. I have a few standard 510 attys at home, but haven't touched them for many many months.

That said, RBA's are not for everyone. Most people will be more than happy with a clearomizer or something similar... But for me, RBA's are the way to go, until something better shows up :)
 

EddieAdams

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I'll have to disagree on a number of points you made. My Chids & Chobras don't weigh a ton. Yeah, my AGAs (-Ts & -T2s) are heavier than my Cobra, but not uncomfortably so. When the wick is properly prepared, you don't need to tip (except at the very bottom of the tank). All my gennys wick fine with the fill screws in place. I use 2 Chobras & an MVP as my daily work setup. (One flavor to go with my morning espresso and another for after lunch.) I can drop it in my pocket with nary a leak. I can vape while driving, in the library, or doing playground duty. The vape is the same from start of day until I get home & move over to other mods... all of which are topped with similar arrangements.

p.s. 2 of my Chids have the same wick & coil working properly since last September. Name any other delivery system that just works for 6 months without F-ing with it. Okay... I do flush the tanks out with hot water every 3rd fill or so, or if I change flavors.

There isn't anything else that's going to last 6 months. That's great. As I write this I have Bobas pouring clouds out of my AGA-T2. It's great. It's just not this omg so much better experience for ME. I'm very capable as far as building goes and have read and watched and read and watched everything I can find on rbas. OCD mechanical guy with an addictive personality that has given up one addiction for another. I've tried every combination possible with a vamo v2, ssmesh, cotton wick, hemp wick, 32, 30, 28 and done them well. If I didn't have the EVOD I would swear by it, it is capable of a better vape than the EVOD just not this overwhelming one.
If I was stuck with my t3s( because of gurgling and leaking issues), nova, I'd say there's no comparison. The performance of my EVODs are great. They're little( capacity only draw back), really easy to rebuild, light, and deliver great, consistent vapor, taste, no leaks or gurgling, and I don't have to worry about them. They break they break. A coil goes, changing the head with a spare takes seconds and rebuilding a spare takes minutes.I have 8 of them for the price of 2 AGA-T2 s.

The benefit of the AGA-T2 vapor production doesn't outweigh the drawbacks for me when there is something that is more convenient that is right there in performance. It's big, heavy, breakable$and not pocket friendly. I don't vape cinnamon or anything that eats poly. I've traveled plenty with my AGA-T2. I also rotate 3 flavors daily and can't imagine toting 3 of those around.
The other fact that I'm avoiding oxidized ss mesh for natural wick material while the jury is still out on oxidized metals. Doesn't mean that I didn't build 10 different ss mesh wicks with different densities, larger inner dimension, silica inner wick, hemp inner wick, cheese cloth wrapped. I've had it running fine with the screw in place though most don't from what I've read.

At the end we're disagreeing on opinions. I don't feel there is this end all be all vape that is so much better to outweigh what I consider negatives. You don't view my inconveniences as just that. I feel they're overrated in a habit that requires travel,convenience ,mobility, and portability and carrying around my AGA-T2 for me is inconvenient and just doesn't make up for it in the vape. I haven't tried all the ones you've mentioned but, the AGA-T2 has been well reviewed by many veteran users.
 

eHuman

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Vaping experience with an RBA is 100% related to the user's ability to set it up properly. That fact alone will cause some to love them and some to hate them. If someone who could not set them up properly was able to test one rigged by someone that could, then at least their opinion on it's capability would be changed. But when it comes down to it, you can only like or dislike your own ability. You can either seek to improve your skill or set it aside and use carts. But please be honest about what is inadequate, the RBA or the user.

I pocket my PV/AGA-T daily and have never had one drop leak, ever. I can lay it down on it's side for hours without it leaking. I don't have to tilt it to vape. I can vape it vertical until the tank is bone dry. It is not natural to vape in this orientation, but I have done it for a full tank just to see if it could be done.

RBAs are not for everyone. Some people who are able to set them up, don't enjoy having to. Other people who can't set them up either understand it is their lack of ability, or falsely blame it on the RBA itself.

Performance wise alone of a properly set up rba vs the best of manufactured cartos cannot be compared any more than a Hugo (which can get you where you want to go) can be compared to a BMW that can get you there faster with better handling characteristics.

To be fair and honest, find all who think RBAs are over rated and separate them into those who can set them up well but still don't prefer them, and those who merely over rate their own ability and "think" the problem with the RBA is not themselves.

You will end up with some who have valid reasons for preferring other set-ups, but far more who just don't know what they are talking about.
 
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CountSmackula

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At the end we're disagreeing on opinions. I don't feel there is this end all be all vape that is so much better to outweigh what I consider negatives. You don't view my inconveniences as just that. I feel they're overrated in a habit that requires travel,convenience ,mobility, and portability and carrying around my AGA-T2 for me is inconvenient and just doesn't make up for it in the vape. I haven't tried all the ones you've mentioned but, the AGA-T2 has been well reviewed by many veteran users.

I agree with you there. Opinions are like elbows & a-holes - everybody's got a few & some of 'em stink. :)

Whatever works for you is the best for you. I tried cartos early on & didn't like the taste of the filler after a bit of use. Clearos were my absolute favorite, but I got tired of crappy tubes/non-replaceable heads... and when replaceables came out not many of them were conducive to swapping while mostly full of juice.

I carry a foot of 30ga & a foot of 32ga wrapped around a folded business card (with a spare hex key slid inside) "just in case", but I've never had to use them while out & about.

Like just about everything in this world, one person's dream is another's nightmare - or somewhere in between. You know the disclaimer - YMMV. :laugh:

I'm glad you're happy with your current setup, as I am with mine.
Vape on! :toast:
 

StaircaseWit

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BCCs are where its going. Starting with the EVOD then the protank. Even if the protank has the issues of the t3 and mt3, the EVOD is a great experience.

When they start building the EVOD-style out of lead-free stainless steel with glass tanks, I'd be willing to consider them. Until then, they're another mystery-metal chrome-plated something material with a might-crack might-leach mystery-plastic material tank. I was actually pretty happy with ViviNovas, and didn't really experience any of the burnt-flavor issues I read about, but at the end of the day they're another mystery-plated-metal device.
 

EddieAdams

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I agree with you there. Opinions are like elbows & a-holes - everybody's got a few & some of 'em stink. :)

Whatever works for you is the best for you. I tried cartos early on & didn't like the taste of the filler after a bit of use. Clearos were my absolute favorite, but I got tired of crappy tubes/non-replaceable heads... and when replaceables came out not many of them were conducive to swapping while mostly full of juice.

I carry a foot of 30ga & a foot of 32ga wrapped around a folded business card (with a spare hex key slid inside) "just in case", but I've never had to use them while out & about.

Like just about everything in this world, one person's dream is another's nightmare - or somewhere in between. You know the disclaimer - YMMV. :laugh:

I'm glad you're happy with your current setup, as I am with mine.
Vape on! :toast:

Cheers bud. I'll send you an EVOD and a spare head if you like.( serious) I'd really be curious of your opinion.
 

EddieAdams

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When they start building the EVOD-style out of lead-free stainless steel with glass tanks, I'd be willing to consider them. Until then, they're another mystery-metal chrome-plated something material with a might-crack might-leach mystery-plastic material tank. I was actually pretty happy with ViviNovas, and didn't really experience any of the burnt-flavor issues I read about, but at the end of the day they're another mystery-plated-metal device.

ProTank is pyrex and bottom brass. I was about to say the tank was brass as well but, now the site says "iron" made. However the iron made tank may not even come into contact with the liquid because of its design. I'm curious now too of this iron mystery metal. Great...
 

PhreakySTS9

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I personally think they're overrated. Everyone will say well," you're not doing it right". You need mesh,400, no 500,4 wraps of 30,5 wraps of 28, ribbon wire, ceramic wick,a mod box and.00001 ohms...

They're totally inconvenient. Unless you bought a$200 titanium model they weigh a ton, need to be tipped to wick, need screw removed to wick, then you can't place in your pocket because they'll leak, not travel friendly at all. Just not worth it IMO.

BCCs are where its going. Starting with the EVOD then the protank. Even if the protank has the issues of the t3 and mt3, the EVOD is a great experience. I've built my AGA-T2 every way possible with just about every material possible and have had it purring with each combo. I've had the big clouds. Just no HUGE improvement or life changing experience that others describe. You're restricted to the size of the wick hole and what that wick can hold. That's the amount of liquid you have to vape. No extra wick surrounding the coil on the outside. Missing out on all that extra heating area. The EVOD has wicking inside and outside the coil, weighs nothing, is rebuildable,no tipping, no leaking, and is just consistent. Plus I'm not rolling the dice anymore on mixing liquid with and heating oxidized metal over and over when no one knows the long term effects.
You can trash me. I've tried a lot of different delivery systems in my short time and nothing offers the convenience and ease of use, consistency of vapor and flavor production of the EVOD. There's a reason a lot of places are out of stock. That little piece of plastic kicks .....
You're talking only about Raidy's "genisis" style, not about ALL rebuildables. My Penelope is the perfect rebuildable for me. Not only does it absolutely crank out the vapor with an excellent throat hit, but it's perfectly pocket friendly. There is absolutely NO way it will possibly leak in your pocket as long as you didn't do something totally stupid like set it up with 1mm wick or something ridiculous nobody would ever do. Plus, it is 100% guaranteed, the EASIEST rebuildable to use, without a doubt. There is no other rebuildable tank I've ever heard of that's quicker or easier to refill. I can literally unscrew the cap, refill it, and put the cap back on ready to vape in about 10-15 seconds tops. I love that it doesn't need a needle and syringe/ needle tipped bottle. I can just carry my usual 20mL bottle I carry with me everywhere (it is SUPER fast flowing, I can squirt 3mL out in seconds flat). Even rebuilding it is super easy and only takes 7-8 minutes if that to completely take apart, clean and rebuild once you get the process of bending the NR-R-NR wire setup. If you have prejoined wires you can rebuild it completely in like 3-4 minutes, with NO worries about shorts or hot spots.

With good quality silica, it has much better (meaning more pure and true to the juice, taste is subjective. SS mesh does change the flavor of a lot of juices but a lot of people prefer that taste, though I don't even though I do still love SS mesh in a genni) flavor than SS mesh. What your juice tastes like if you dabbed a drop on your tongue or something, is what it tastes like in a Penelope (or Odysseus, iAtty, Kayfun, etc.). Don't think that a genisis is THE only possible way to go for a tank atomizer out there. I absolutely love genisis attys, but I prefer my Penelope due to the fact that it performs just as well as any other genni I've ever owned, but it's nice and pocket friendly, and I don't have to think about how I'm setting my PV down after EVERY SINGLE DRAG! I can throw it over my shoulders behind me on my bed if I wanted to and wouldn't have to worry about it spilling a drop. Even aside from it being absolutely leak proof, I just still prefer the way it performs over a genisis. It has a unique, thick feeling vapor that's similar to a genisis but very unique in it's own way, and there is a lot of experimentation you can do with different wicks as well. Aside from silica you can use cotton, nextel, ss mesh, heck probably even a ceramic genesis wick if it were cut to the proper length and were a correct fitting width!
 
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ukeman

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Genesis is sexy... Penelope is like "home" ... I have lots of Genesis' and always looking for more...buying selling... the Penelope stays and is going nowhere.
Basically, to sum up my post. If I could only have ONE setup for the rest of my life, it would easily be my Penelope. You can take everything else away but my lovely Penny! :D
 

EddieAdams

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You're talking only about Raidy's "genisis" style, not about ALL rebuildables. My Penelope is the perfect rebuildable for me. Not only does it absolutely crank out the vapor with an excellent throat hit, but it's perfectly pocket friendly. There is absolutely NO way it will possibly leak in your pocket as long as you didn't do something totally stupid like set it up with 1mm wick or something ridiculous nobody would ever do. Plus, it is 100% guaranteed, the EASIEST rebuildable to use, without a doubt. There is no other rebuildable tank I've ever heard of that's quicker or easier to refill. I can literally unscrew the cap, refill it, and put the cap back on ready to vape in about 10-15 seconds tops. I love that it doesn't need a needle and syringe/ needle tipped bottle. I can just carry my usual 20mL bottle I carry with me everywhere (it is SUPER fast flowing, I can squirt 3mL out in seconds flat). Even rebuilding it is super easy and only takes 7-8 minutes if that to completely take apart, clean and rebuild once you get the process of bending the NR-R-NR wire setup. If you have prejoined wires you can rebuild it completely in like 3-4 minutes, with NO worries about shorts or hot spots.

With good quality silica, it has much better (meaning more pure and true to the juice, taste is subjective. SS mesh does change the flavor of a lot of juices but a lot of people prefer that taste, though I don't even though I do still love SS mesh in a genni) flavor than SS mesh. What your juice tastes like if you dabbed a drop on your tongue or something, is what it tastes like in a Penelope (or Odysseus, iAtty, Kayfun, etc.). Don't think that a genisis is THE only possible way to go for a tank atomizer out there. I absolutely love genisis attys, but I prefer my Penelope due to the fact that it performs just as well as any other genni I've ever owned, but it's nice and pocket friendly, and I don't have to think about how I'm setting my PV down after EVERY SINGLE DRAG! I can throw it over my shoulders behind me on my bed if I wanted to and wouldn't have to worry about it spilling a drop. Even aside from it being absolutely leak proof, I just still prefer the way it performs over a genisis. It has a unique, thick feeling vapor that's similar to a genisis but very unique in it's own way, and there is a lot of experimentation you can do with different wicks as well. Aside from silica you can use cotton, nextel, ss mesh, heck probably even a ceramic genesis wick if it were cut to the proper length and were a correct fitting width!

F.R.A.T(I did anyway though)
I'll try one at some point. Once my already over-budget budget allows it.
 

EddieAdams

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I may have to eat my words.... SOMEWHAT:). I've been using mostly Bobas and Gorilla in my AGA-T2. I've tried Domestic Red Oak from JC in it. None have shown any real improvement in flavor in the AGA-T2 and I actually prefer the way they taste in my EVODs.

Recently, I ordered a tobacco bundle from BWB. I let them steep for 2 weeks. I've tried them all and liked most of them. Nothing wowed me but, they all were enjoyable. I decided to throw some Casa in my AGA-T2 and what a difference! It made all the flavors pop. I was using the same SS wick and 28g/8 wrap 1.5ohm coil just prior with gorilla juice with my usual results. Screw in. Not really sure what to say now. It will be the only way I vape the remainder of my BWB tobacco bundle. I wonder why only that liquid would perform so differently? Any reasons?

I still don't view my AGA-T2 as convenient or something I will use outside of my house and vehicle but, I get it a little bit more.
 

tenshi

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I don't think they are overrated, nor do I think that if someone doesn't care for them it doesn't necessarily mean they are inept in preparing a wick/coil set up. There are times a hh 357 long barrel sitting in an AMP is a really nice vape for me, especially on the go. I love my ZAP, AGA T+, IGO L and other RBAs but currently, my favorite is the AC9. Many say it's all about the set-up and yeah, that is the gist of what makes an RBA really good but going to my AC9 when I really want a good vape isn't arbitrary. For some reason, my juices seemed to taste even better comparatively speaking. There are so many different systems (devices, mods, wick types, wire types) that sometimes it just takes trying them out to find what works best for you and your style. I think we're all in search of that perfect vape ^^
 
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