How could i "experiment" with a Ithaka without breaking the bank if i choose its not for me?

[maf2k8]

Ok so i have always been about SS mesh and genny style atomizers. I always heard about kayfun style atomizers and refused to try one with fear of it being to much a PITA to build, To complicated and they were impossible to find.. Fast forward to today? and now kayfun style atomizers are the only style i use, Sold off my ZAPs, AC9, AGA-t, etc.. and SS mesh? I haven't touched the stuff in month! Cotton & kayfun style atomizers are all i use now.. I could do a Kayfun build with my eyes closed.

With that said, My eye has been looking at a Ithaka for a few weeks now. My first thing is the use of NR wire! That alone turns me away, Though i am sure its easy to use and you can buy ready wires, It just scares me. Now i seen the Ithaka is coming out with a adapter so that you don't need to use NR wire! Ok NOW the Ithaka is REALLY looking good to me. Though i am still intimidated by all the pieces, parts, etc.. Its scary!

With that said, What would be the best way for someone who is still unsure about the Itaka and scared of NR wire, To experiment or test drive one ( or something similar ) without going broke if i end up not liking it?

I know most will say pick up one used but honestly there used value isn't much cheaper then new.

Is there anything out there ( i don't want to say the word ) that is a good clone of the Ithaka? That isn't complete junk but at the same time good enough and cheap enough to were i can test drive one to see if i like them and to invest in a real one?

I did own a Terminator ( not sure if there similar at all ) for a day. It also uses NR wire. I bought it used and the guy shipped it with a coil already made for me.. It vaped AWESOME! but i sold it once it came time to build a coil because i wasn't ready for NR wire.

Any advice as to what or how i can go about trying one out? or getting my feet wet with Ithaka style atomizers or ones that use NR wire and of a similar style??

Thanks

 

[DarthV8pr]

FT clone is pretty great for the price. Once you do a couple builds it's easy. After you poke yourself about a hundred times you will end up with some sort of wire joiner. I used a camera for a couple weeks

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[christiang]

Totally agree with Darthv8per..... get a clone and try it out. The clones threads will probably go bad after a while, at least mine did. IF you like the close you will love the genuine...then you can make the investment.

Check out Fasttech for the clone.

 

[SonHouse]

Yeah, FT clone seems well regarded, is inexpensive and you can buy ready wires for it.

 

[maf2k8]

Yeah i was checking out the FT clone, So that clone is pretty decent for a beginner you think?

Alright! Seems like you guys are all agreeing on the FT clone. I will go that route!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Sickkboy]

Clone is your way out to not breaking your bank trying if you like or not mate.

 

[kabonk]

I really like my magoo it's a pretty nice ithaka clone

 

[DarthV8pr]

The rainbow heaven is very well built too. Check them out if you don't want a ithaka logo <<<< this

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[TorontoJay]

I grabbed an iSmoka Magoo, and it's all I've been using save for a couple carto-tanks. I have a kayfun light, and a rocket in the mail from FT which may become my go-to based on the ease of build. I have to say though, don't be intimidated by the nr-r-nr build. If you can twist a wire, you're good to go. It's not at all complex and while it still takes me a little while to build my Magoo, it's just lack of experience that's slowing me down and trying to get a perfect coil. My biggest issue is getting the coil tightness right on the wick so it doesn't choke or create hotshots. Take the plunge, get a clone. I have no desire to get a real GG at this point, and not sure I ever will.

 

[ZeroOhm]

Ok so i have always been about SS mesh and genny style atomizers. I always heard about Kayfun style atomizers and refused to try one with fear of it being to much a PITA to build, To complicated and they were impossible to find.. Fast forward to today? and now Kayfun style atomizers are the only style i use, Sold off my ZAPs, AC9, AGA-t, etc.. and SS mesh? I haven't touched the stuff in month! Cotton & Kayfun style atomizers are all i use now.. I could do a Kayfun build with my eyes closed.

With that said, My eye has been looking at a Ithaka for a few weeks now. My first thing is the use of NR wire! That alone turns me away, Though i am sure its easy to use and you can buy ready wires, It just scares me. Now i seen the Ithaka is coming out with a adapter so that you don't need to use NR wire! Ok NOW the Ithaka is REALLY looking good to me. Though i am still intimidated by all the pieces, parts, etc.. Its scary!

With that said, What would be the best way for someone who is still unsure about the Itaka and scared of NR wire, To experiment or test drive one ( or something similar ) without going broke if i end up not liking it?

I know most will say pick up one used but honestly there used value isn't much cheaper then new.

Is there anything out there ( i don't want to say the word ) that is a good clone of the Ithaka? That isn't complete junk but at the same time good enough and cheap enough to were i can test drive one to see if i like them and to invest in a real one?

I did own a Terminator ( not sure if there similar at all ) for a day. It also uses NR wire. I bought it used and the guy shipped it with a coil already made for me.. It vaped AWESOME! but i sold it once it came time to build a coil because i wasn't ready for NR wire.

Any advice as to what or how i can go about trying one out? or getting my feet wet with Ithaka style atomizers or ones that use NR wire and of a similar style??

Thanks

I have only been vaping for a few weeks and only currently tried one RBA a GG Ithaka clone from FT which I have had for less than month, I had only tried Protanks and iClears and for me its like night and day And promptly sold them off. I had somewhat a learning curve but since it was my first RBA and i am a newbie it was expected there were some user errors and all I have been more than happy with it and use it everyday while waiting for all the other tanks to arrive in my vapemail.

I liked it so much and only having 1 tank I got a new RH Hercules which is almost identical (If a little better made except the tank) but the tank top tank threads completely broke off after just 30 mins with No tank cracking juice pretty sure it was faulty from new looking at it. As is common it seems there are few spares around unless you pay £££ for a spare tank or can get a Stainless Steel one. The Hercules here is probably 50% (UK) more in price than the FT clone not sure if the plastics are different but the FT GG has been fantastic can't fault it given it's price. Tank seems thinner but given I have rebuilt and filled it 20-30 times it works a treat tank threads and all are as good as new. I noticed the air draw is different between the 2 Ithaka clones the Hercules feels more airy and I changed an O ring on the 510 base air regulator on the FT clone as its a bit loose now they feel the same even though to me you have more airflow variation on the Hercules.

Given some of the Ithaka and clone spares can be pricey and I have been using the single tank I have with the Hercules (all the parts seem to be interchangeable and I believe its a 1:1 clone with a real Ithaka) and the retailer I bought it from had no spares I had no other choice given we are limited in the UK to what we can get and bought I think another one which looks the same as the FT clone this comes with no spares but as I know its a good clone, I can use it between the Hercules until l hope the retailer gets me another tank.

For a silica tank its sweet and vapes great, doesn't leak, works at low temps and is the best vape £££ i have spent (FT clone) to date. I am coming at it from the other side and waiting for all my vapemail as I have been trying to get a KF/KFL clone for 6 weeks ! I hope it lives up to it because in truth for a build and go silica tank the Ithaka has been almost faultless.

As i only run VV/VW APV there is limited latitude for me and much more with Genesis & KFs with ribbon, mesh, cotton, bamboo etc i look forward to learning the craft but right now I am glad I got the Ithaka it saved me from giving up vapjng and back to smoking.

There are 2 Ith. clones at FT the one with GG logo comes with spares (O rings, ceramic etc) but curiously The eBay seller i bought it from has both and i choose the same one i already had so not sure if there different or if one is better made, i did notice the logoed clone (with spares) was cheaper (eBay) and the 510 auto adjust centre pin was chromed (the same as the original) as the non logo one I got from FT is made of brass. But some fine wet and dry (which i believe some real Ithaka owners do) and you can sand it down to brass for better conductivity.


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[ZeroOhm]

I bought another Ithaka clone off ebay (logo'ed / serial no.) pics looked like the FT one i got it as a spare, it was truly awful and would require spending alot of money i believe to work not sure if it was a cheap copy. It had everything there (ceramic etc) but had been redesigned with mods beware of this one.


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[Dj Xy]

The Ismoka Magoo is a great Ithaka clone, as is the Hercules from Rainbow Heaven,I have heard Tobeco stepped up and made a good copy as well(the tobeco Oddy clone was horrendous to put it lightly), the Magoo and Hercules are both compatible with Ithaka parts, I don't have the Tobeco version but I heard thats also compatible.

 

[shoggot]

Just regarding the original subject line, I'd suggest the following:

Take a bottle of juice. Enjoy that it is sealed nicely, and doing its job - holding juice within itself. Enjoy the bottle. Appreciate the bottle. Coo over its elegant lines. Note that it compliments your cell phone's aesthetics. Feel really happy about your purchase of this bottle of juice. Now, roll a 6-sided die.

If it came up 1-5, wait two hours and roll again. Meanwhile, continue your appreciation of the nice bottle of juice.

If it came up 6, open the bottle of juice and dump it on your pants.

That's roughly the common Ith/oddy experience. You can get a great build working, and repeat it, but at some point, it's going to decide it hates keeping the juice to itself, and will want to share.

EDIT: Full disclosure: I have several choddies and ith clones, including RH's & a magoo. Even a UFS clone (which manages to be worse in every possible respect)... The only one which was semi-reliable was a term-c w/ a long tank, as long as I never filled it past halfway - 2/3 fill, and it'd dump the juice every time - and even so, the term has still managed to dump at times. I've tried tight-packed cotton builds, loose cotton builds, ecowool, ss mesh, ss rope, and ceramics. I've kept juice control everywhere from constantly as tight as possible to fiddling every five minutes. I've blown them out, hit without power, every variation of what people say worked for them. Every single build, every variation, has, at some point in its life, declared a resolute hatred for having juice within itself, and proceeded to excrete said juice, frequently while driving.

AFAICT, if you're going to experience any semi-significant-but-not-necessarily-ear-popping variation in air pressure - first floor to third floor, 100 foot elevation changes in a car, etc - it's going to act up. If you only use it at your desk and don't move it from there, maybe you'll have better luck.

 

[ZeroOhm]

Just regarding the original subject line, I'd suggest the following:

Take a bottle of juice. Enjoy that it is sealed nicely, and doing its job - holding juice within itself. Enjoy the bottle. Appreciate the bottle. Coo over its elegant lines. Note that it compliments your cell phone's aesthetics. Feel really happy about your purchase of this bottle of juice. Now, roll a 6-sided die.

If it came up 1-5, wait two hours and roll again. Meanwhile, continue your appreciation of the nice bottle of juice.

If it came up 6, open the bottle of juice and dump it on your pants.

That's roughly the common Ith/oddy experience. You can get a great build working, and repeat it, but at some point, it's going to decide it hates keeping the juice to itself, and will want to share.

EDIT: Full disclosure: I have several choddies and ith clones, including RH's & a magoo. Even a UFS clone (which manages to be worse in every possible respect)... The only one which was semi-reliable was a term-c w/ a long tank, as long as I never filled it past halfway - 2/3 fill, and it'd dump the juice every time - and even so, the term has still managed to dump at times. I've tried tight-packed cotton builds, loose cotton builds, ecowool, ss mesh, ss rope, and ceramics. I've kept juice control everywhere from constantly as tight as possible to fiddling every five minutes. I've blown them out, hit without power, every variation of what people say worked for them. Every single build, every variation, has, at some point in its life, declared a resolute hatred for having juice within itself, and proceeded to excrete said juice, frequently while driving.

AFAICT, if you're going to experience any semi-significant-but-not-necessarily-ear-popping variation in air pressure - first floor to third floor, 100 foot elevation changes in a car, etc - it's going to act up. If you only use it at your desk and don't move it from there, maybe you'll have better luck.

This made me laugh but must be really frustrating for you!

The FT GG ith. clone was my very first RBA, it leaked, flooded and dumped juice i put it down to me and being a newbie, until i worked it out understanding the seals and pressure system of the tank.

I live on a boat @ approx 90ft above sea level and when i go to the city its around 550ft above sea level. These tanks have been a rock to me even coiling on the boat. They never leak, gurgle or flood once i filled them correctly and pressurised the tanks. Although I never fill them more than half way and had issues with the FT clone but that was merely fixed by replacing an O ring in the top cap.

I vape only high VG juices 80/20 VG/PG but it has worked fine with 30/70 and 50/50.

How long you been trying to work it out? Dual coil? I only run it single as i have only a VV/VW device.




Hail the almighty Yuan, Long live the dragon vapemail!

As Yoda may of said 'May the vape be you!'
Seeking the vaping nirvana since the 30th September 2013
Vape on!

 

[shoggot]

@ZeroOhm - but applicable to the question perhaps, so public versus pm -

So, the unifying factor between devices and builds was juice - maxvg, probably in the 80-95% range depending on flavoring base, at a guess. Viscous stuff.

The devices... A term-c w/ extended tank / extended chimney from SVC, a choddy from chinabuye, a different choddy from FT (there's distinct diffs between the two, so suspecting different manufacturers, one's a tobeco, one's not), a FT ith (tobeco), a magoo ith, a ufs clone (tobeco again, I think).

I gave 'em all a serious set of chances - mesh builds, ekowool, silica, packing it, keeping it loose, even tried a short piece of ceramic wick... I tried keeping the juice flow closed and airflow open while filling, then backing off after sealing, and variations thereupon. Since the unifying advice for dealing with these on the forums had always been 'fill to top = flood', I never did, and don't think I ever filled above halfway.

At best, I was able to consistently get 'em vaping solidly for a few hours, but at some point during later use - say, after a night sitting unused, or change in elevation, they'd dump. I was sometimes able to get the term-c to get through a tank and a half, but that was a) rare and b) still not perfect.

I still use pressure systems, I have a kfl clone in regular rotation, and my go-to rba's are a set of four foggers - I can get these working consistently every time, and with zero complaints on 'em, I've just stopped trying with the cup-based pressure rba's.

Okay, I lie a little - I re-coiled the term-c a few days ago w/ a vert w/ a cotton wall around, and that seems to work fairly well so far, but it's a touchier build - very little room in the cup for the cotton surround, since an airflow has to be maintained through it - and foggers are just bloody simple to build quickly. So I'll probably dump my cup-based rba's on the classies at some point.

With the iths, almost always dual coil, just because the channels lend themselves to it. Re: O-rings, ever since I found a shredded oring on some rba, I've taken to replacing them as a matter of course on the first build, usually with buna, I know that might not be ideal, but it's not in high-heat areas.

So I guess my takeaway is this - kayfun / taifun style pressure builds I like, oddy / ith style pressure builds, I don't.