First RDA - opinion request. Too soon? :)

[Jaffo]

The wife and I will soon be ordering our first RDAs. We have settled on just ordering from fasttech because of the bang-for-the-buck attribute, and because I have a ton of experience dealing with Chinese manufacturers, suppliers, and even the world of clones after spending a few years in the budget flashlight hobby.

We've done quite a bit of research on a bunch of different RDAs, and have settled on a few choices. At the moment, we have two Zenith V2s in our FT shopping cart (SKU 1791601) and she will probably be sticking with this.

But, I have also been thinking about one of the 1:1 Stillare Storms or even waiting for a 1:1 Plume Veil (the PVs currently available don't seem to be all that great).

Any feedback on these choices? We want the most versatility we can get with our first RDAs, of course, between flavor and vape production, and consider materials, quality of build/machining, etc. Not really looking for a debate on clones/authentics here, but it doesn't make sense for us to pay full price for an authentic RDA on our budget when the clones are proving it can be done for so much less. So I guess this post and questions are more for those who have also done the research or have the particular atties I named, or have other suggestions.

Also, my atty will be going on a 1:1 Stingray X, also from fasttech - which is the same as the SXK Infinites a few peeps on here already have. The Zenith V2 and Stillare clones on FT come with copper accent options, so I'm hoping it all matches. Otherwise I'll just go for SS on the RDA I end up with. The wife is liking the SS 1:1 Nemi clone, also on FT - the one with all the good reviews. We've both considered the fact that both of these mods have a bunch of rings and parts and stuff, but like the idea of also having versatile mech mods/battery options to start with.

Thank you!

 

[cocuZZa00]

I have the authentic Zenith and love it. The only other RDA I would want is the Magma.

I'm sure if you ask 100 people you will get 98 different opinions.

 

[Jaffo]

Yeah, I'm totally expecting that. LOL. Thank you for the note about the auth Zenith. I love the design. Seem like great atties to work with.

 

[porkchopbun]

I had the Tobeco Zenith and the authentic....it's almost one to one except the Delrin insert was less on the clone...and it felt lighter..but the build I did for my friend on it, he stated it was pretty decent..I never the used the clone , but my Zenith was pretty easy to work, good flavor...

I also have Tobh, and I heard the clones are pretty decent also....I like it that you can remove the top cap off and drip.

Oh yeah, the Magama clone is pretty RDA for flavor.

 

[Jaffo]

That is a cool option. I've noticed that for the most part, when the original is a fairly simple but effective design, it's much easier to trust the clones. LOL. Like the Tobh and Stillares. The Zenith is a little more complicated, but from what I've read and seen, they pretty much nailed it on some of the clones.

 

[mberlinger3]

I have a magma clone by infinite on the way because of many positive reviews. I'll report back when I try it out.

 

[Jaffo]

Nice! The magmas do get good reviews - and seem to be more for flavor than mean vapor production. The more I read, the less I am impressed with giant clouds. I'm doing this to quit smoking and enjoy vaping, but not to impress anyone. I would like the option of gettng lots of vapor, but predict it will level out and I'll be after better quality/better flavor after a while. So maybe a more variable RDA to start, then a Magma clone down the line.

Another great thing about clones - you can try several for the price of a single authentic. So if I'm going to buy authentic, maybe it will be smart to try an inexpensive clone first, eh?

 

[dapper]

IMHO I'd go for the zenith. I would say the plumeveil but because the few clones available ATM aren't made as well as the zenith clones, the zenith is definitely a good choice. But if you were to want a plumeveil clone, from what I've heard, tobeco makes pretty decent ones.

Sent from my XT555C using Tapatalk 2

 

[Kaezziel]

This one is a hybrid, so no 510 connection, but I have one, myself and I absolutely love it... the build deck is super easy to build on, and the only problem I've had is the firing button gets loose when you lock/unlock... one tiny drop of loctite fixed that though

$32.84 Lbaloi Style Telescoping Hybrid Mechanical Mod - 18500 / 18650 at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[Jaffo]

Oh wow. That IS nice! I guess if you have a hybrid with integral atty, you can't really miss with one like that. Curious - because it's "hybrid" does that mean it will work with the hybrid connection mode on the Stingray X? Not sure that atty would look good on the SRX, but I dig that setup as is. Very cool. Thank you.

 

[sKo713]

Veritas is a cool rda to play with and carry.

 

[GeorgeWachsmuth]

I have a Zenith V2 clone and an Infinite Magma and Tobh...among many others. For pure flavor and an ability to hold a good amount of juice the Magma is the way to go. For amazing vapor and still decent flavor.....and the easiest 3 post rda to build on..ever..the Zenith V2. The Tobh is also a very good Atty....but with the tab in front limiting some of the builds you can make, I would not pick it vs. the other two. The removeable cap and pretty deep well is nice on the Tobh also but would still pick one of the others.

 

[Kaezziel]

Oh wow. That IS nice! I guess if you have a hybrid with integral atty, you can't really miss with one like that. Curious - because it's "hybrid" does that mean it will work with the hybrid connection mode on the Stingray X? Not sure that atty would look good on the SRX, but I dig that setup as is. Very cool. Thank you.

I can't answer that, I don't have the Stingray and I don't know if the threads are the same. I prefer the hybrids due to the lower voltage drop (eliminates connections cause no 510 thread). The Ibaloi (Fasttech spelled it wrong, apparently) is telescoping, so you can do 18650 or you can shorten it up with an 18500... 18350 won't fit, I tried.. it's just too short, though I suppose you could make a spacer that would allow it to work if you really wanted... look around on fasttech, they also have it in a black and brass... I like that so much, I'm actually thinking about getting it so I'd have the SS and the black versions (they have a gold version too, but it's not my cup o' tea)... I also really like the Maraxus, check it out: $25.19 Maraxus Style Telescopic Mechanical Mod - brass / copper plated at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping (It's not a hybrid, but I think it's cool as a frozen cucumber!!)

 

[Bunnykiller]

Magma for flavor, Tobh or Stillaire for clouds...

 

[Jaffo]

George, thank you for that. Good info, and totally along the lines of what I was thinking. A magma is certainly in our future, but feeling even better about our choice on the Zeniths.

Kaezziel, sounds goo, and I'll look at it. I do like the Maraxus a lot. It's really neat looking, and the versatility is certainly there. Such a busy looking mod though. LOL.

 

[Jaffo]

Thank you, Bunny!

 

[Jaffo]

Sko713 - the Vertas is very interesting. I like the dual coil build capability with the single big air hole and large chamber design. Hadn't noticed that before. How does it look on a 22mm mod only being 21.8mm though? And do you get liquid inside the center post, touching copper (brass?)?

 

[santoki]

Oh wow. That IS nice! I guess if you have a hybrid with integral atty, you can't really miss with one like that. Curious - because it's "hybrid" does that mean it will work with the hybrid connection mode on the Stingray X? Not sure that atty would look good on the SRX, but I dig that setup as is. Very cool. Thank you.

the hybrid adapter that comes with the SRX allows you to use any 510 connection atomizer to become a hybrid atomizer (provided the postive pin extends enough)-no need for a seperate specially threaded atomizer to go hybrid mode with it

 

[Jaffo]

Awesome. Loving the idea of the STX for a first mod, let alone a mod I will get plenty of use out of as my experience grows. A lot of people seem to dig the design, and that .1 voltage drop, tho... The clone I've picked out seems to match the authentic in button throw and action as well. Only thing about the SRX is the unique styling and mix of SS and copper... makes choosing a matching atty a bit more interesting. Topping it with a SS atty it just too easy. LOL. I want copper accents. Might end up with a SS RDA and then go with a copper accented drip tip. I didn't want to care anything about aesthetics - not my style - but when I decided on the SRX for a host of reasons, it also just happens to be quite the looker. So now I find myself thinking about something that matches well.

 

[atkinsondj]

get a tobh..... punch out another 1/8 hole above the 3 pre drilled.... vape on and be happy. it loves .2ohms and clouds of great flavor you will have....