Best starter RBA tank and mod combo

[JDCJDC]

My itaste VTR and my original Nimbus do a pretty good job. The iclear 30s that came with my VTR I must say does a pretty damn good job as well.

 

[ixamtheocean]

I'm going to steer the other way in this discussion. If what you're looking for is clouds, while the Kayfun will give you decent clouds, if built correctly, it doesn't compare to the clouds that a well built genesis style atomizer will give you.

What I'd recommend for someone who is into clouds, but wants a tank system is to get a Smoktech RSST (~$32) and a Nemesis clone (~$50). You'll want to wick it with stainless steel mesh, either #400 or #500, and wrap it with 28 or 26 gauge kanthal. Wrap it to about 0.8 - 1.0 ohms and make sure to run 18650 Sony VTC3,4, or 5 batteries. For clouds, drill the airhole of the RSST to at least 5/64. There are pros and cons to this set up.

Pros:
- will produce more vapor than a Kayfun system. Kayfuns, IMO, are more geared towards a higher than 1.0 ohm build that produces great flavor.
- the flavor of your vape with a genesis will be a very crisp, clean vape. I don't necessarily think it's better than a Kayfun, but it's different and appeals to me more with fruit flavored juices.
- if used with the fill hole plugged and a wick that takes up the wick hole space, it really doesn't leak. You still can't leave it on its side or upside down for extended periods of time, but pocket time is fine.
- filling the genny is much easier than a Kayfun. You don't need tools, just a paper towel to wipe down the cap and o-ring, then pop the cap, plug, and fill.
- if you go with the Nemesis style mod, there are a slew of aftermarket upgrades, like magnetic switches and upgraded contacts, to make the thing hit really hard.

Cons:
- SS mesh builds have a longer learning curve than coiling and wicking a Kayfun. You may have to torch the mesh and wire a bit more, work out the shorts. This can take a bit of time to work out.
- as the juice gets low, you do have to tilt the unit towards the direction of the wick to keep it juiced. But this is only needed with you have less than 1/8 of a tank left.
- if you do pocket it and it turns upside down or it you leave it horizontal on your desk and leave it there, you may get so,e leakage out of the airhole.

I'm not knocking the Kayfun. In fact, I use and love my KFL+ on a regular basis. But if you're after clouds, I'd recommend a RSST over the Kayfun.

The RSST/Nemesis combo is my exact set up, except I use cotton wicks (unravel a sterile cotton ball and twist it into the coil and wick hole). Ive had minimal leaking issues, it rarely floods, and as long as you're mindful to keep it upright, you wont have to worry about juicy pockets.

This is my first RBA/Mech mod set up and I've been nothing less than thrilled with it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[gtalpaz]

The RSST is a great starter rba. It's fairly forgiving as far as builds go and bc the wick hole is insulated and the tank is plastic all around, you don't have to worry about shorts. I've got an old RSST that I don't use anymore. If you'd like me to send it to you just pm me. Better it get some use than just sit here collecting dust.

 

[Tinkiegrrl]

I prefer my Kayfuns over my genesis, but I'm not a cloud chaser. I'm a flavor chaser, and I like to keep my ohms at 1.5 or over. I will say this though, I don't use stainless mesh in my Kracken clone. I use cotton, and it tastes just fine that way. On par with, and marginally better then my Kayfun. That marginally better isn't better enough for me to use the Kracken more then the Kayfun though. I absolutely need something that can lay down for a while. I need something I can throw in my purse and not worry about for a two hour commute. My Provari isn't going to turn on once I turn it off, and my Kayfun isn't going to leak.

 

[MissionClouds]

PM sent gtalpaz. The only thing I don't like about the nemesis is that it is mechanical. I would really like to be able to turn it down, but I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too lol. I will probably get the nemesis since I can go sub ohm with it and it's cheap. Is there a preference on batteries with the nemesis? Also do all mechanical mods turn on and off by pressing the button 3 times etc.... dumb question I know.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[MissionClouds]

except I use cotton wicks (unravel a sterile cotton ball and twist it into the coil and wick hole)

Using cotton might be easier for me. Do you get a bigger hit, better flavor, it's easier? What do you like about cotton better in your RSST? Is that something that is common to do? Using wick styles other than what was "intended"?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Feignix]

Is there a preference on batteries with the nemesis? Also do all mechanical mods turn on and off by pressing the button 3 times etc.... dumb question I know.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

IMHO you're not ready for mech mods. While a lot of what you're asking comes down to opinions, which is why you will get at least 10 different answers to the same question, battery safety and safe building is a MUST! You don't turn "on" a mechanical mod, if it 100% mechanical, as there are NO wires in it only a "switch". You press the firing switch in to "fire" and when let go it "should" stop firing. Hence, should as they can and do "mis" fire under certain circumstances. This can be VERY dangerous! I'm not telling you this to scare you away from mechanicals, I think they are VERY interesting and I am just now venturing into them myself after months of research. It is just my opinion from the questions you have put forth in this thread that you don't have the current knowledge and resources you will need to safely do so. Do you own and know how to use a multimeter for example?

Please do yourself and the vaping community a favor and I mean this in NO WAY to be disrespectful but UTSF, (use the search function), and start with battery safety and mechanical mods and also check out Youtube. There is an older gentleman who does an excellent video on the very subject. Also research building coils. PBusardo has some excellent resources on his page Tasteyourjuice.com. I'm afraid that the more popular vaping and cloud chasing becomes the more likelihood we have of people taking "shortcuts" or getting into mechs too quickly at the expense of safety. This also increases the chances of something disastrous happening and puts people at risks. When that happens with all the heat vaping and e-cigs are already taking, forget about it.....NEVERMIND the consequences to ones and others personal safety. Just my two or 10 cents! Good luck and please be safe!

P.S I get some pretty decent plumes out of 1100 Kanger Evod VV twist and a Kanger Aerotank with good quality 80vg/20pg juice.

 

[JustTheTip]

Yeah, you need to watch more Youtube guides if you think a Mech mod needs to be switched on. Definitely don't start going sub ohm until you know EVERYTHING about ohm's law and battery safety without having to look it up.

Remember, big clouds look cool and everything but you'll go through juice much faster and batteries will die far quicker. The Kayfun will give excellent performance, is relatively easy to rebuild and is much less likely to blow your face off. Just because people say it's not a fog machine, doesn't mean it won't impress you. I get decent vapor production from my rebuilt evods!

 

[ixamtheocean]

Using cotton might be easier for me. Do you get a bigger hit, better flavor, it's easier? What do you like about cotton better in your RSST? Is that something that is common to do? Using wick styles other than what was "intended"?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Cotton is a pretty popular alternative to using SS mesh.

Its really a matter of preference though. The one time I used SS mesh there was a metallic taste to the vape. I find cotton easier to maintain and it can last surprisingly long. Just make sure its wicking and never dry burn it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[ixamtheocean]

I also find flavor to be much better with cotton

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[MissionClouds]

Thanks for the replies and info. Feignix, thanks for the input, I have great knowledge of using multimeter and doing electronic assembly. I've done a lot of wiring and a lot of ecu pin soldering in my day. Ive been researching mechs for a month, I've watched many videos on mods but I've only seen a few in person and it's just when I'm out and about (the vape community is small around here) so I've just never been taught anything other than my own research and I've never paid attention to how the power was turned on or off (now I see), knowing that there were no wires etc I was confused on how some devices were kept from misfiring. You never see a video of how someone puts their vape in their pocket, only them displaying it. I am concerned about safety which is why I thought I should stay away from the mechs and go with a regulated device for now and stay out of the sub ohms. Big clouds do look cool yes, but I'm looking for personal satisfaction. I'm in an office all day and my dual coil x-jet just isn't satisfying me anymore. Any information is greatly appreciated you guys are the only teachers I have! I will take your advice and read further in to modding safety. Thanks guys. Looks like I'm gonna have an RSST coming in soon curtesy of gtalpaz so I'll be starting there!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Feignix]

Mission,

We all have to start somewhere, and I'm the same boat with you as far as a small vaping community goes. Try NON-existent here in rural Nebraska! It took me forever it seemed just to get the different threads right on the small stick batteries, (cig-alikes), and find a decent kit for those before I even realized what all existed! I was simply trying to find something better than a Metro kit that I couldn't use due to the chemical taste and irritation it provided so I gave up on it after barely trying it for a couple of years. I was fortunate to see through all the "number one and best e-cig in the world" reviews and went with the Halo G6 kit and was BLOWN AWAY! Night and day difference! It ignited a fire in me that I'm still trying to "cool" after surprisingly getting into "vaping" as a hobby and not just a means to quit smoking as I had initially planned!

Sometimes I forget that and have to remind myself of that when I start spending unjustified amounts past my "vape budget" or when I start to get frustrated with my juices or a particular build! I was fortunate too that for the most part I made solid purchases and investments, thanks to doing tons of research that at times still makes my head spin! They're coming out with new mods at a staggering rate as the industry explodes and I've had to resolve myself that there's NO WAY I'm going to be able to get ALL of the mods out there that I find amazing and perform well!

Then there's the whole safety thing, yeah, I could write a few more paragraphs on that! My first mech was a Prism by Deus, a pretty solid and unique build, as well as a pretty piece. I ended up with a short from one of the stock coils in my Kanger Aerotank I was testing it out with and luckily I knew what to do once I discovered what happened! Still it could have been much worse and avoided in the end! I put them aside after that, despite having just purchased an additional piece and went back to my "studies" and research and just recently started getting back into them. I've finally got all of my rebuilding supplies to start out with and experiment with, a few different rebuildables to tinker around with, including some solid but inexpensive ones in the evident things don't go right, (they usually don't)!

So anyways, yes, it's a fascinating and exciting hobby and I'm glad to have found it as well as yourself. Keep in mind that the mod itself isn't as important as the atomizer, coil and juice that you're using when it comes to mechs! Like I mentioned before, you can get pretty decent vapes off of Ego style devices and the MVP2 as well from what I hear! My Cool Fire 2 my first "all day mod" by Innokin as well, does! As you know they are regulated but have you thought about something like the Vmecha by Vape Only? I recently came across them on a vendor website being sold as their "deal of the day" for about half price, and after liking what I saw and reading the description I picked up 2! It comes with a Kick, a safety fuse that's adjustable, and basically turns a mech into a regulated mod, and providing short circuit battery protection. There are similar chips/mod fuses you may want to look into as well. $30 buck a piece for a sharp looking piece WITH a kick and built in AFC, (air flow control), something I hadn't really seen before on a mech, seemed like a heckuva deal to me! I have more expensive, well performing devices but sometimes less expensive can be better I've learned! I should be getting them any day so I will try to update the thread on them. From my quick research it seems like they do well and are underrated sadly, and not recommend to newcomers looking to get into mechs as often as perhaps they should be!

Well good luck to you and I'm happy to help as best I can, although there are plenty more around that can help you much more than I can, but I don't mind trying or pointing you in the right direction if I can! Vape on my friend!