BD Vape Rayden 100 Reviewed by SessionDrummer

sessiondrummer

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
  • Jan 22, 2011
    1,221
    4,361
    USA
    1 Lede.png



    Thanks out to @Portia over at sourcemore, for contacting me, and sending this unit out for review.


    TBH I had never heard of [BD vape](https://bd-vape.com/en/) or their product lineup, but after I saw the Rayden, I knew I had to test it. Let's get into this little heavy hitter !!!!


    **Specs:**


    * DIMENSIONS: 90mm by 34mm by 28mm
    * BATTERY CONFIGURATION: Single 18650 / 21700 Battery - Not Included
    * WATTAGE RANGE: 5-100W
    * VOLTAGE RANGE: 1-8V
    * RESISTANCE RANGE: 0.08-3.5ohm
    * CHASSIS MATERIAL: Aluminum + Zinc Alloy
    * DISPLAY SCREEN: 0.96" Screen
    * OPERATION: Firing Button
    * OUTPUT: Adjustable Wattage
    * CONNECTION: Threaded 510
    * CHARGING: USB Type-C (2A)
    * CHIPSET: XT Ultra 1.2
    * On/Off Switch

    **What's Included:**

    * 1 Rayden 100 Mod
    * 1 USB-C Cable
    * 1 18650 Battery Adapter
    * 1 Rayden 100 User Manual

    **Firing Modes:**

    * Wattage
    * Boost (Soft, Normal, Hard)
    * Bypass


    Continuing, from BD Vape ...

    2 Exploded View.png


    3 Theme Colors.png


    4 On Off Switch.png


    Even the box art looked impressive ...

    5 Box.jpg


    A nice, no frills monolithic vibe from the packing ....

    6 Box Slide Off.jpg



    And alas, the little tugboat is revealed ....

    7 Box Open.jpg


    In addition to the battery sleeve adapter the extras were bare bones, with a high quality USB-C cable, and Owner's Manual ....

    8 Included.jpg



    Scanned the Owner's Manual, but there wasn't much to it ...

    9 Manual.jpg


    And finally, the Rayden 100 ....

    10 Rayden Front.jpg
     

    sessiondrummer

    Ultra Member
    ECF Veteran
    Verified Member
  • Jan 22, 2011
    1,221
    4,361
    USA
    Personally I love/d the clean, no frills, un-flashy appearance of the Rayden. Side mounted USB-C charging on the right, and mechanical kill switch on the left. Also very nice stippled grips as well ....

    11 Rayden Left.jpg


    12 Rayden Back.jpg


    13 Rayden Right.jpg



    A generous 28mm heavy top plate ....

    14 Top Plate.jpg


    A heavy, smooth threaded, vented bottom cap with excellent knurling ....

    15 Vented Cap.jpg


    Inside of the cap (with polarity marker) ....

    16 Vented Cap Inside.jpg



    Closer look at the right side w./ USB-C side charging port ....

    17 Side USBC Charging.jpg


    Who doesn't love an old school, no hassle kill switch ......

    18 Side OnOff.jpg



    A total look at the Mod, 18650 tube adapter, and cap ....

    19 Mod Adapter Cap.jpg


    Whenever it's an option, I always roll with 21700's ....

    20 Battery Mod.jpg
     

    sessiondrummer

    Ultra Member
    ECF Veteran
    Verified Member
  • Jan 22, 2011
    1,221
    4,361
    USA
    No hassles, or fitment issues with the big batt ...

    21 Battery Inserted.jpg


    After inserting the positive end in the tube (polarity markings inside tube), just enough overhang, which was snugged up completely when screwing the cap on. No rattles...

    22 Battery Hangover.jpg


    Initial boot with Battery Strength, Wattage, Voltage, Ohms, Boost Level, and Puff Counter, along with 3 VERY clicky buttons ....

    23 Display Boot.jpg


    Main menu .....

    24 Display Menu.jpg


    Different boost levels ...

    25 Display Boost.jpg


    Theme (color) choices ...

    26 Display Themes.jpg


    I preferred the Blue theme ....

    27 Display Blue.jpg


    Cocked, locked, and ready to rock with a Steam Crave Supreme RDTA ....

    28 Locked and Loaded.jpg


    **Testing/Usage:**

    During my testing the FIRST thing that stood out about this MOD was how solid it was, how well it felt in the hand, and how easy it was to just USE it, instead of having to fiddle with it. Built like a little tank, and with a good 21700 battery it hit like one too. The display was bright, and crisp, and the menu was super easy to set and forget. The tactile click of both the adjustment buttons, and fire button cannot be overstated. Very clean lines, well thought out side charging port, and cap knurling just made it even better. I ran dual 24 ga. kanthal verticals throughout the entire test, and 65 watts, in Hard Boost mode seemed to just work. The claimed 0.002 second fire time seemed accurate, and it was REALLY fast firing. Cap, and top plate threads were well machined, and the whole unit just felt well put together, solid, and sturdy.

    **Pros:**

    * Very well built, machined, assembled
    * VERY fast firing (0.002 seconds)
    * Very clicky, tactile buttons
    * Easy to use menu system
    * Great knurling on cap for easy removal
    * On/Off switch, no need to clickity, clickity, click before putting in your pocket
    * Crisp display with multiple color options
    * 18650, or 21700 batteries !!!!!!
    * Two button shortcuts to reduce clicking
    * Large top plate for more RTA, RDA choices with no overhang

    **Cons:**

    * Only single battery
    * 5 clicking to get into Menu did fire, fire, fire, the MOD
    * Display was slightly harder to read in direct sunlight (common issue)
    * Manual was sparse and didn't fully explain all details
    * No temp control

    With such a big list of Pro's and very few Con's, this one was a winner for me. I've got plenty of Mods that are far more advanced, but many can be a bit figgity, and have to be coddled at times. Not the Rayden. It was just a no-nonsense, set it and forget it, and enjoy it kind of MOD. Sometimes that's just what the doctor ordered. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy here folks.

    No fancy options, no temp control, anti dry hit tech here, but it just worked. Bypass mode (mech mode) worked very well, but I still preferred 65w in wattage mode with a Hard Boost. Shortcuts for locking the settings, and/or changing the display theme colors without having to 5 click into the menu to do so was a nice touch. The unit was very solid and had heft, so side charging, while standing upright was a non-issue. Knurling on the bottom cap was just another great simple touch.

    I hope all of the "it only uses 18650" crowd, will take a closer look at this 21700 MOD, as it was giving me roughly 8-10 hours on a single battery charge. Pretty impressive. Boost modes that actually worked, clicky buttons, and great looks, made it hard to not like this one from BD Vape. Solid, and weighty, but felt good in the hand, and don't forget, could be easily turned on/off via the mech kill switch before pocketing.

    Having never heard of, or used any BD Vape tech until now, color me impressed. If you're in the market for a smaller, pocket friendly, heavy hitting MOD, you should add this to your list.

    Thanks again, out to @Portia at Sourcemore for sending the Rayden 100 out for this review.


    29 Outro.jpg


    **Colors:**

    30 Colors.png
     
    • Like
    Reactions: hittman

    Users who are viewing this thread