Ares, new MTL RTA designed by Phil Busardo and Dimitirs Agrafiotis

[Brewdawg1181]

Okay, an update for anyone that might've wanted to remove the AF ring for any reason. Guess they really don't want to tell us how to do it ourselves. I'd hoped it was keyhole slotted, but I guess @52anddone was right - it must be heated & forced over a snap ring/ridge. George just keeps suggesting I send it in. Doesn't matter for me anymore, since I removed the shower head - gets plenty of air flow now, but thought I'd post for anyone else interested.

Mine is still leak free, no issues,and I'm getting used to it since removing the shower head and putting in the reducer. Pretty decent. I never really thought it was a pain to unscrew a tank lid before, but I am really liking the slide top. And re-coiling is a piece of cake on these type posts, which is nice, because I recoil with every re-wick, quite often. Wicking itself could not be less fussy than with this style of deck (my first)- no measuring, thinning, trimming necessary- just cut to approximate length, and as long as you have a decent amount of juice, it works just fine.

 

[Nailz]

Well the replacement one from innokin has no seepage from the top cap, but I can't seem to find the right wick in this one, either to much and get dry hits, or not enough and get leaking, which I didn't have this problem with the 1st one

I did get the other one from fasttech this week, so going to build that one this evening and try that one, figure between the 2 of them I can get one decent no leaking tank.....hopefully, if not, I give up on it, which is a shame, as really do like the vape from it.

Well it seems 3rd time lucky for me on the Ares, had the fasttech one up and running since Thursday, and so far has been perfect, no seepage from top cap or bottom, not done a re-wick yet, but many refills and stayed bone dry.

Still not going to rush and get another one though, been to much of a task to get one good working one for me to go through it again, so will just enjoy the one working one I have.

 

[ShaneR42]

...Still not going to rush and get another one though, been to much of a task to get one good working one for me to go through it again, so will just enjoy the one working one I have.

Same with me. After my initial, rather large, disappointment with this tank, I have it in a usable state now, at least. But, it's still not a very good MTL tank for my tastes. Wouldn't even take another one if offered free. lol

 

[Brewdawg1181]

But, it's still not a very good MTL tank for my tastes. Wouldn't even take another one if offered free. lol

Just curious, Shane - what do you currently use that you compare it to, and what's different about it?

 

[ShaneR42]

Just curious, Shane - what do you currently use that you compare it to, and what's different about it?

My goto is the SXK doggystyle followed by the berserker. For me, the Ares fails (miserably) at 2 things: Flavour and airflow. For the way I vape, the airflow is far too loose and It's barely what I would call a MTL draw (Heck, I can DTL this tank). The airflow design is also the reason for the poor flavour I think. Overall, It's a tank that doesn't quite know what it wants to be, in my opinion. Others love it, though, so that's just my perspective.

 

[52anddone]

Wow !! Another Tight MTL'er I see . The Berserker is hard to beat for folks like us, isn't it Shane. It must be hard to produce a RTA that has that tight of a draw, but that is just my guess. The CV Hussar with the 1.3mm air pin installed is close to the Berserker in draw/air flow also, but just a half step behind, IMO. I have never tried a DoggieStyle myself, but do have a couple of Toyota's, and they are nice also. I think all the Big Air RTA's, RDTA's are easier to manufacture due to the fact that they don't have to be so close toleranced when made to get that tight air flow, but again, just my guess. I would think that former smokers would gravitate more towards tight MTL type of atty's and not toward the DL type of draw, but it seems like we are in the minority instead of the majority in the vape world today. Interesting !!

 

[DPLongo22]

I'm only a few days in, but I'm enjoying mine so far. Similar to the Siren (to me), but less "wet". I've got it wide open, vaping MTL (just like I do with everything). Neither best nor worst, but quite enjoyable (me).

Just one more opinion for the pile.

 

[Brewdawg1181]

My goto is the SXK doggystyle followed by the berserker. For me, the Ares fails (miserably) at 2 things: Flavour and airflow. For the way I vape, the airflow is far too loose and It's barely what I would call a MTL draw (Heck, I can DTL this tank). The airflow design is also the reason for the poor flavour I think. Overall, It's a tank that doesn't quite know what it wants to be, in my opinion. Others love it, though, so that's just my perspective.

I was making fun of 52 for being succeptible to suggestion, and now your post made me look up the SXK Doggy and order it from Fasttech! Hey, it's only $10, and I've been wanting to try it, Berserker, and Siren 2, so what the hey....I already had a few supply items in my cart from FT, so what's another $10? Ares is okay, and love my KM3, but would love a little more capacity - who knows, maybe I'll love it.

Berserker may not do it for me - like @DPLongo22 , I don't need it that restricted - I set them pretty open, and use the pace of my draw to get a good MTL.

 

[gnees]

I'm only a few days in, but I'm enjoying mine so far. Similar to the Siren (to me), but less "wet". I've got it wide open, vaping MTL (just like I do with everything). Neither best nor worst, but quite enjoyable (me).

Just one more opinion for the pile.

Is on the Squid?

 

[ShaneR42]

...Similar to the Siren (to me)....

Yep. In hindsight, I should have just avoided this tank: I knew Phil used the Siren a lot and the Siren is near the top of my most disappointing tanks list. Guess I was hoping they'd take what I liked from the Siren and fix what I didn't. Instead, I got the Siren V1.5. lol. Ah well...like I said, others love it and you can't please "me" all the time.

 

[DPLongo22]

Is on the Squid?

Not yet, but it may find its way. Currently I've got a Nebula Wine on Squidster.

I bounce stuff around, so to speak.

 

[Brewdawg1181]

Ok, I keep seeing this, so I gotta ask- what makes the Squid Double barrel so Popular, other than it looks really cool (although I guess that could be enough )? And why the analog wattage control?

 

[Nailz]

Guess I am a rare one, have 2 berserkers and 2 doogy's, which are not getting used, the berserkers are a little to tight for my liking, but more the fact they gurgle/leak when filling, and don't want to bottom fill, and even though like the vape from the doggy's, again bottom fill and because I use MTL clapton coil, they get too warm and burn my lips.

In this time of vaping, IMO no tanks should be bottom fill anymore.

 

[DPLongo22]

Ok, I keep seeing this, so I gotta ask- what makes the Squid Double barrel so Popular, other than it looks really cool (although I guess that could be enough )? And why the analog wattage control?

I can only speak for myself, but it's a combination of size (dual batteries, same size & weight as my SX Mini ML), artistic value (the dial, the etchings, etc.), the build quality (hold one and it hits you immediately), and the fantastic/smooth vape (similar to the original Billet Boxes, which is as good as I've ever had).

But we all know what opinions are worth.

 

[Brewdawg1181]

Guess I am a rare one, have 2 berserkers and 2 doogy's, which are not getting used, the berserkers are a little to tight for my liking, but more the fact they gurgle/leak when filling, and don't want to bottom fill, and even though like the vape from the doggy's, again bottom fill and because I use MTL clapton coil, they get too warm and burn my lips.

In this time of vaping, IMO no tanks should be bottom fill anymore.

You may be rare, but I'm just odd/weird/in the minority, I've been told, here and elsewhere!
So what are you using and liking, then?

 

[DPLongo22]

Guess I am a rare one, have 2 berserkers and 2 doogy's, which are not getting used, the berserkers are a little to tight for my liking, but more the fact they gurgle/leak when filling, and don't want to bottom fill, and even though like the vape from the doggy's, again bottom fill and because I use MTL clapton coil, they get too warm and burn my lips.

In this time of vaping, IMO no tanks should be bottom fill anymore.

There's no wrong way to vape - that's for sure.

For me, I find myself alternating through my stuff, usually focusing on one "something" each day. I never plan it, and I never know what it's going to be. In fact, I don't really think about it.

I start vaping, and all of the sudden something goes, "Ahhhhhhhh!", and I know it's going to be one of those days. Occasionally it doesn't happen, and I just move around as I feel like at the time.

Again - just MY way, certainly not any "correct" way.

Marlboro be dayumed.

 

[Nailz]

You may be rare, but I'm just odd/weird/in the minority, I've been told, here and elsewhere!
So what are you using and liking, then?

Right now, I have the prime, the ares and 2 Hastur MTL RTA's being used daily.

Prime is a really good vape, but expensive.
Ares really like the vape from it, but pot luck on getting a good one or not.
Hastur I have 3 of, again really good MTL vape as uses air port inserts, but down point, need to empty tank to access deck.

 

[Cirus]

I've been running the Ares for 3 days. It's not quite as tight of a draw as I would like for MTL but the flavor is great and to fill it is as fast and simple as it gets. No leaking or gurgling. I love not having to change tanks or have two setups on hand to get MTL and DL. DL is a little more restricted than I like.

Slight whistle in the airflow but it's not too bad or a deal breaker, and the only other tank that I've had that is quieter than the Ares is the Berserker. What's weird is there was a slight period of time this went away. I think it was when condensation was building or something. It did it, stopped, started again and hasn't gone away.

Purple in the tinted glass. I saw it online before I bought it, so I knew it was coming but....it's like driving down the road and seeing an old car you use to own and love and thinking, wow, I haven't seen one of those in years/what a great car/yuk look at that old purple tint....80's/90's.....glad tint ain't purple anymore.

Tried putting my slightly wider/shorter DT on it because I think it's looks much better but it was too hot. The DT that comes on it works very well for MTL though. The curved one works even better but I don't like the looks of it on my lavabox m dna75.

 

[Cirus]

Oh, and the lack of multi air inserts seems odd for a tank that comes with one and is made with the ability. They really dropped the ball on that. In reviews... "look at all the stuff you get" "everything you need"... But no inserts? Disappointed.

 

[Kusie]

I don´t think the fact that the air diffuser is removable does imply that the air port was ever planned to be a customizable. Let´s face it - it´s a "budget tank", targeted at newbies as a first hassle free RTA with everything included you need to build it besides juice.