Choices for good TC capable RTAs

[TrueNorthist]

This is weird... I show Arabic symbols in place of the usual in the text editor here. I've probably been hacked by Daesh... I'll have to check my language settings.

I ordered the Subtank Mini first because so many say it is strong on flavour, but so much of this vaping game is entirely subjective. It's like arguing about one's choice for dinner. Fortunately, there are clones for most of these devices and where possible I usually order a clone first before buying the real McCoy. But even there I find there are differences between clones and oem, so I just pad the old budget a bit and order both versions. I have others coming too but the STM should get here first.

 

[Croak]

I ordered the Subtank Mini first because so many say it is strong on flavour, but so much of this vaping game is entirely subjective. It's like arguing about one's choice for dinner. Fortunately, there are clones for most of these devices and where possible I usually order a clone first before buying the real McCoy. But even there I find there are differences between clones and oem, so I just pad the old budget a bit and order both versions. I have others coming too but the STM should get here first.

There's been a lot of progress in the RTA market since a year ago when the STM was first released. It's average at best, has connectivity issues across all three revisions, it has a sub-par deck compared to more "modern" offerings and only looks good in comparison to the Kayfun style decks. And it's not even particularly price-effective, plus you should remember that first and foremost, it's a clearomizer with an RBA option, not a purpose built RTA.

Most of the STM fans I've ran into personally just don't have much if any experience with anything prior to the end of 2014 to compare it against, or it's their first and only foray into rebuildable systems, so they keep singing its praises. And some of them are so invested in the tank that they have half a dozen or more, so of course they're gonna stick with their decision. The hype was real...a year ago. Times have changed.

 

[BigEgo]

There's been a lot of progress in the RTA market since a year ago when the STM was first released. It's average at best, has connectivity issues across all three revisions, it has a sub-par deck compared to more "modern" offerings and only looks good in comparison to the Kayfun style decks. And it's not even particularly price-effective, plus you should remember that first and foremost, it's a clearomizer with an RBA option, not a purpose built RTA.

Most of the STM fans I've ran into personally just don't have much if any experience with anything prior to the end of 2014 to compare it against, or it's their first and only foray into rebuildable systems, so they keep singing its praises. And some of them are so invested in the tank that they have half a dozen or more, so of course they're gonna stick with their decision. The hype was real...a year ago. Times have changed.

What's better for flavor? I have a few RTA's. I recently got the Crius (one of the most hyped right now). I barely ever use it. It's not bad, but just not nearly as good as the STM. The flavor just isn't there. Back last year I bought a couple of orchids. Total crap. Utter garbage (they were clones, as the original is like $150 or something stupid). I had like 3 of them and threw all 3 in the trash.

I've never tried the Aqua, Gem, Rose or whatever other tootle puffing RTA's are the trend right now, but I am not really a tootle puffer. I am somewhere in between. I have outgrown the Kayfun style of vaping. I did used to like my Kayfuns, but I honestly find the STM as good on flavor (while producing more vapor).

So, as someone who likes moderate clouds and good flavor, what's better than the STM? Where is it? I want it if it really exists.

EDIT: Most of the RTA's right now have not innovated at all since 2014. All they have done is increase the diameter of the chimney for more airflow. All this does is reduce flavor. It's simple physics. A few of them have some decent "quality of life" improvements (top fill, velocity decks) but at the end of the day it comes down to flavor and big enough clouds to satisfy. I am not a "clouds uber alles" type of guy. Hence, throwing on a massive chimney with a 15mm diameter drip tip and calling it innovative does not impress me.

 

[dleister1981]

What's better for flavor? I have a few RTA's. I recently got the Crius (one of the most hyped right now). I barely ever use it. It's not bad, but just not nearly as good as the STM. The flavor just isn't there. Back last year I bought a couple of orchids. Total crap. Utter garbage (they were clones, as the original is like $150 or something stupid). I had like 3 of them and threw all 3 in the trash.

I've never tried the Aqua, Gem, Rose or whatever other tootle puffing RTA's are the trend right now, but I am not really a tootle puffer. I am somewhere in between. I have outgrown the Kayfun style of vaping. I did used to like my Kayfuns, but I honestly find the STM as good on flavor (while producing more vapor).

So, as someone who likes moderate clouds and good flavor, what's better than the STM? Where is it? I want it if it really exists.

EDIT: Most of the RTA's right now have not innovated at all since 2014. All they have done is increase the diameter of the chimney for more airflow. All this does is reduce flavor. It's simple physics. A few of them have some decent "quality of life" improvements (top fill, velocity decks) but at the end of the day it comes down to flavor and big enough clouds to satisfy. I am not a "clouds uber alles" type of guy. Hence, throwing on a massive chimney with a 15mm diameter drip tip and calling it innovative does not impress me.

i agree with you, the STM is king in my court too, but its always been a bit of a tight draw, i want something with just a tad bit more air, and was thinking on trying the crown with rba, but i expect it may let me down on flavor too. the STM is real hard to beat, even with a 10 foot pole

 

[Croak]

See, you guys are the ones I was talking about...no real experience with anything since 2014.

Crius, Bellus, Goliath V2, Griffin, Billow V2, Mutation Tank, Serpent, Aromamizer, Zephyrus, all primarily built for lung hits, and all produce better flavor the STM, have a LOT more build flexibility, though many of those are dual coil only. And most don't have the connectivity issues the STM has, or the perfect storm of them (floating 510 pin AND screw-on deck combined).

@BigEgo If you can't get a better vape out of your Crius than your STM then you're building it wrong. Seriously.

And don't get me wrong...I never said the STM was bad, but it's just average compared to the competition these days. If you're happy with it, stick with it. But I wouldn't recommend anyone looking to buy a new RTA (or even clearomizer) to buy one over several other models available.

 

[dleister1981]

See, you guys are the ones I was talking about...no real experience with anything since 2014.

Crius, Bellus, Goliath V2, Griffin, Billow V2, Mutation Tank, Serpent, Aromamizer, Zephyrus, all primarily built for lung hits, and all produce better flavor the STM, have a LOT more build flexibility, though many of those are dual coil only. And most don't have the connectivity issues the STM has, or the perfect storm of them (floating 510 pin AND screw-on deck combined).

@BigEgo If you can't get a better vape out of your Crius than your STM then you're building it wrong. Seriously.

And don't get me wrong...I never said the STM was bad, but it's just average compared to the competition these days. If you're happy with it, stick with it. But I wouldn't recommend anyone looking to buy a new RTA (or even clearomizer) to buy one over several other models available.

i have a crius, billow v2, zephyrus, tfv4 mini, had a lemo and a lemo 2, a triton, and the only thing that came close a OBS T-VCT. STM still wins. the thing is vaping is all about the users tastes, and Kanger hit a sweet spot. i do a also want to give the Serpent a go now that you mention that too, but it may have too much airflow. i get skeptical on anything that comes out as i have to measure it against a STM, and its hard to measure up to.

 

[TrueNorthist]

Geez I missed all the fun in here. (Note to self to check notifications) Anyway, I got the STM V1 and after disassembling, cleaning, then building and loading it up my first impression is/was: "Is that all I need to do? I'm ok to vape this thing? I haven't missed something somewhere? Alrighty then. Here goes nuttin".

I am glad I did not set the temp higher than 350 cause it was actually pretty good right there and has now settled in nicely at 380. Flavour is great (My own KLP brew) but I find it a bit of an airy draw — even on the smallest hole — but that's likely something I need to start getting used to with these newer RTAs. More air definitely makes more clouds and clouds are what the makers are aiming for I guess. I am back to getting new or used coil questions out of this Treebox, so I will have to see why that has returned. Washer trick doesn't seem to make any diff this time. It appears I nailed the wick too, so all in all seems good so far.

And no fears of me becoming a fanboi. I typically don't do fanboi, even if I really like something, but I am only human. Plus, I can see why so many like this device. Simple, very easy to build with Ti and has excellent flavour; which is almost all I need to be happy. The easiness is just a bonus. I have more stuff coming later and will probably start a thread for that in the reviews area. I figgered this one I'd get away with before Retired1 drops a nickel on me, again. lol

Thanks for all the tips peeps. I got way more than I expected, which will probably cost me a bundle but pay-off big in the long run. Oooooo! The new 25Rs are done charging! Time to fudget with the RX.