I received two of these yesterday. My brother in law was in Long Beach and swung by the store to pick them up. This was my first step up from a Vamo and my first step into a $100+ device so read my review with that in mind.
Build Quality:
Not having anything to compare it to but a Vamo or eGo style batteries with tank systems I'm going off of initial impressions. This is solidly machined aluminum with brass contacts for the batteries. I wouldn't call the threading "buttery" as I've heard described but its very well done. The tuning on the tube, button and tank cover is all very clean and clear and the assembly is perfect. Everything goes together smoothly with no gaps or hang ups and everything is flush when assembled. FYI, there are no instructions so hit up youtube for help. Mine required just sliding on the o-rings, then sliding on the tank and then building and putting in a wick and coil. Again, thanks to youtube, this was as easy as pie. with 400 stainless steel mess and 30 gauge Kanthal wire. I'm average handy so as the saying goes, if I can do it, you can too. Once completed, I filled the juice with a needle bottle. The fill hole is concave so in theory you can fill it with your bottle but I didn't try it since it seems to small. I inserted a 510 drip tip and it was ready to go. In theory, you should be able to adjust the contact points for optimal battery contact but mine was perfect right from the go. Press the button, the battery fires. Release it and the battery is off.
One thing I didn't like, which was the top coil is attached by a spring/nut system. Push down the washer on the spring insert your coil and release. It works and I haven't had a failure but I would have like to see the traditional screw mount for the top coil as I think it would be easier given how small the parts are.
One other thing I'd like to see change, and this isn't for just this device but for all similar devices, is that I'd like to see the wick cover to be machined to screw on rather than using a press fit connection with o-rings. The same goes for drip tips. As an expipe and cigarette smoker, I am used to hanging my pipe in my mouth while I work and smoke. I'd like to be able to do the same with my ecig but haven't found the drip tip o-ring connection to be reliable. I'm sure I am not alone in this. A standard size threading would solve this.
Weight and Size:
I like the idea of hybrids from what I've seen on ECF and youtube. They are more compact and lighter than a typical battery/tank combination. At just 5 inches with drip tip, this is about 3/4 the size of the Vamo with a Kanger ProTank or Vivi Nova. What I was unprepared for was just how much lighter these are. Made from solid aluminum as far as I can tell (the tank portion is anodized to prevent leaching), even with a battery in it and 4ml's of fluid, the Noble 1 weights less than an eGo style battery and a Vivi Nova or Kanger ProTank combo by about half. This is the perfect shirt pocket device since its small and light and feels solid and durable. Time will tell and I'll update if that changes.
Vaping Quality:
This being my first rebuildable, I didn't know what to expect from an RBA tank in terms of taste or vape quality other than what I've seen on the web. Just like the others, this thing fires up plumes of vapor. It has just the right amount of pull when you inhale, not too tight and not too airy. Once broken in (about half a tank it seemed) the taste is remarkable. It seems cleaner and more flavorful than my Vivi's, clearos or Kanger ProTanks. Light flavored juices like those I've found from RAWR are more flavorful in this device.
Initial Recommendation: Get one! It's well made, performs great and unless there is some hidden quality issue I haven't seen, this is worth every penny.
Other thoughts:
One of my Noble 1's arrived without o-rings. A call to 310 Vapors last night has a new set on its way, no questions asked. The staff at 310/Vapor Craze has been willing to spend time on the phone answering questions patiently for this noob. They clearly care about their customers. They also revealed they will be coming out with a tube kit to convert it to 18650 battery size which I'll do without a moments thought. This thing is so light, I can't image it making much of a difference in terms of weight.
Build Quality:
Not having anything to compare it to but a Vamo or eGo style batteries with tank systems I'm going off of initial impressions. This is solidly machined aluminum with brass contacts for the batteries. I wouldn't call the threading "buttery" as I've heard described but its very well done. The tuning on the tube, button and tank cover is all very clean and clear and the assembly is perfect. Everything goes together smoothly with no gaps or hang ups and everything is flush when assembled. FYI, there are no instructions so hit up youtube for help. Mine required just sliding on the o-rings, then sliding on the tank and then building and putting in a wick and coil. Again, thanks to youtube, this was as easy as pie. with 400 stainless steel mess and 30 gauge Kanthal wire. I'm average handy so as the saying goes, if I can do it, you can too. Once completed, I filled the juice with a needle bottle. The fill hole is concave so in theory you can fill it with your bottle but I didn't try it since it seems to small. I inserted a 510 drip tip and it was ready to go. In theory, you should be able to adjust the contact points for optimal battery contact but mine was perfect right from the go. Press the button, the battery fires. Release it and the battery is off.
One thing I didn't like, which was the top coil is attached by a spring/nut system. Push down the washer on the spring insert your coil and release. It works and I haven't had a failure but I would have like to see the traditional screw mount for the top coil as I think it would be easier given how small the parts are.
One other thing I'd like to see change, and this isn't for just this device but for all similar devices, is that I'd like to see the wick cover to be machined to screw on rather than using a press fit connection with o-rings. The same goes for drip tips. As an expipe and cigarette smoker, I am used to hanging my pipe in my mouth while I work and smoke. I'd like to be able to do the same with my ecig but haven't found the drip tip o-ring connection to be reliable. I'm sure I am not alone in this. A standard size threading would solve this.
Weight and Size:
I like the idea of hybrids from what I've seen on ECF and youtube. They are more compact and lighter than a typical battery/tank combination. At just 5 inches with drip tip, this is about 3/4 the size of the Vamo with a Kanger ProTank or Vivi Nova. What I was unprepared for was just how much lighter these are. Made from solid aluminum as far as I can tell (the tank portion is anodized to prevent leaching), even with a battery in it and 4ml's of fluid, the Noble 1 weights less than an eGo style battery and a Vivi Nova or Kanger ProTank combo by about half. This is the perfect shirt pocket device since its small and light and feels solid and durable. Time will tell and I'll update if that changes.
Vaping Quality:
This being my first rebuildable, I didn't know what to expect from an RBA tank in terms of taste or vape quality other than what I've seen on the web. Just like the others, this thing fires up plumes of vapor. It has just the right amount of pull when you inhale, not too tight and not too airy. Once broken in (about half a tank it seemed) the taste is remarkable. It seems cleaner and more flavorful than my Vivi's, clearos or Kanger ProTanks. Light flavored juices like those I've found from RAWR are more flavorful in this device.
Initial Recommendation: Get one! It's well made, performs great and unless there is some hidden quality issue I haven't seen, this is worth every penny.
Other thoughts:
One of my Noble 1's arrived without o-rings. A call to 310 Vapors last night has a new set on its way, no questions asked. The staff at 310/Vapor Craze has been willing to spend time on the phone answering questions patiently for this noob. They clearly care about their customers. They also revealed they will be coming out with a tube kit to convert it to 18650 battery size which I'll do without a moments thought. This thing is so light, I can't image it making much of a difference in terms of weight.
