Is a RBA/RDA "the next step"

[vapsychedelic]

Hey guys,

I literally just found out about RBA/RDAs, in the sense I finally got what they really are.
I was looking at the RSST on fasttech and felt tempted (but maybe later because I'm yet to even rebuild a clearomizer head).

But leaving that aside, I checked PBusardo's review on the RSST and he mentions "this is a good beginners RBA". Ermm...? Beginners? So if the RSST is level 1 what would be considered level Ninja on this RBA world?

And moreover, are RBAs/RDAs the "next step" after you learn how to rebuild the coils on your clearomizers? Judging by the high activity on these sub-forums I'd feel tempted to say there are a myriad of fellas out there getting interested, but leaving aside the fact you are sort of building this yourself (not like you actually manufacture the thing, if you know what I mean), is the vaping experience really that superior to -insert your favorite clearomizer/cartomizer-? Or is it just for the sake of getting your hands dirty?

 

[pdib]

Yes. It is much, much, much better. That said, there are frustrations. I would start with a rebuildable dripping atomizer . . . . .. but finish strong with a REO Grand.

 

[gokusnimbus]

i got into RBAs bc of necessity. i found cleaning/reusing cartomizers a huge PITA and pricey if i have to keep buying them and throwing old ones away. even after cleaning they still were not 100%. i wanted something easy to clean/maintain and more flavor and vapor too. i got myself an IGO-L, a great beginner rebuildable dripper that's super cheap and available everywhere. from there i just kept rebuilding and rebuilding till i got better at it. my wick/coils were horrid at first but i learned thru experience what makes a great vape. you cant just read about it. you have to build something crappy to learn. this part is crucial bc a high-end dripper aint going to build itself or "improve" your vape if your build sucks.

the rsst is a bit much for a beginner since you have to worry about two things, building the stainless steel mesh wick and wrapping it properly. you'll also need extra supplies compared to a dripper. if you start with a dripper, you only have one thing to worry about, wrapping the wire around the silica wick.

ive tried all ways but dripping is the best for me. it is the simplest of all rebuildables. simple = less problems. the flavor/vapor you get from a rebuildable dripper is top notch. the best part is being able to build other peoples' set up and try their technique.

im sure all rebuilders can agree to this, there is a sense of satisfaction vaping on what you built. like yeah... i made that

my question to you is what is it about your current vape that you dont like or want to improve?

 

[Thrasher]

(but maybe later because I'm yet to even rebuild a clearomizer head).

this is where there is a lot of misconception I think. people who like to tinker figured out how to rebuild a clearo but they really arent even close to being a "rebuildable" and it is just a disposable item. completely different class of product and Idea.

i feel if you already have the interest in what it can be just do it with a proper rebuildable. a dripper is I think the smartest way to start with not much effort, in many ways much easier then a clearo head. more room to work and less things to go wrong because of the way they are designed to be rebuilt in the first place.
Essentially with a dripper you take the wick, wrap the wire on it, attach it to the atty do a few quick tests and off you go. no fiddling or fussing, no cramped spaces. after a few successful build try some of the different ways to make coils and wicks.

then if you feel like moving up get something like the RSST also called a genesis style tank whie not impossible many find the genesis a little overwhelming for their first try at rebuilding, BUT to me there is no better vape then a geni set up correctly.

in the end once you go down this road two things happen. disposable costs drop and you cannot go back to those cheap tanks and clearos becuase the experience and vapor/flavor from an RDA/RBA blow them out of the water.

 

[williebb123]

i have been rebuilding my AC9 for almost a year now and let me tell ya i do not miss buying replacement heads and even better yet rebuilding replacement heads , my supplies (wire,ss mesh,cotton)seem to last forever i dont think i have put a dent in them so for saving a ton of money RBA's & RDA's are a poor mans dream just buy a good one it will last forever

 

[vapsychedelic]

I would start with a rebuildable dripping atomizer . . . . .. but finish strong with a REO Grand.

Ok thanks for the suggestion although I took a look at the REO and it seems a bit chinky kinda bulky kinda not my thing?
Perhaps I'd feel more tempted by "tank" system RBAs, where I can use my existing mods.

the rsst is a bit much for a beginner since you have to worry about two things, building the stainless steel mesh wick and wrapping it properly. you'll also need extra supplies compared to a dripper. if you start with a dripper, you only have one thing to worry about, wrapping the wire around the silica wick.

ive tried all ways but dripping is the best for me. it is the simplest of all rebuildables. simple = less problems. the flavor/vapor you get from a rebuildable dripper is top notch. the best part is being able to build other peoples' set up and try their technique.

im sure all rebuilders can agree to this, there is a sense of satisfaction vaping on what you built. like yeah... i made that

my question to you is what is it about your current vape that you dont like or want to improve?

Thanks for the insight. I think the thing about RDAs is that (if I got it right) you need to be well... dripping liquid every now and then, so it seems a bit cumbersome for vaping on the go (like for people like me who work most of the day, not saying that RDA users are housewives tho' hahaha).
What I don't like about my current vape... well... it's solid to say the truth and I'm quite happy. One of the things that bother me about vaping even though it shouldn't is the fact there is so much to pick up from. It's a bless from the PoV of having a lot of arsenal at your disposal, but also there will be so much crap out there...
And so I'm in the point where only the Vision VT and the iClear30 have really gotten me to the point of happiness, but for instance the VT apparently was sold in special edition and only 10 people bought it because nobody ever mentions it and there are only a few places (that won't ship to my US forwarder) where I could find it. Crazy and boring //end rant
With the RBAs/RDAs I almost "dream" that I could potentially have an indestructible vaping machine and will no longer have to worry about "this clearo is better blah blah" but almost like "I found it!" and that's it (could be the same thing as with clearos and end up unsatisfied so on so forth but at least the price tag kinda tricks me into believing is a vaping bonanza extraordinaire with those things).

this is where there is a lot of misconception I think. people who like to tinker figured out how to rebuild a clearo but they really arent even close to being a "rebuildable" and it is just a disposable item. completely different class of product and Idea.

i feel if you already have the interest in what it can be just do it with a proper rebuildable. a dripper is I think the smartest way to start with not much effort, in many ways much easier then a clearo head. more room to work and less things to go wrong because of the way they are designed to be rebuilt in the first place.
Essentially with a dripper you take the wick, wrap the wire on it, attach it to the atty do a few quick tests and off you go. no fiddling or fussing, no cramped spaces. after a few successful build try some of the different ways to make coils and wicks.

then if you feel like moving up get something like the RSST also called a genesis style tank whie not impossible many find the genesis a little overwhelming for their first try at rebuilding, BUT to me there is no better vape then a geni set up correctly.

in the end once you go down this road two things happen. disposable costs drop and you cannot go back to those cheap tanks and clearos becuase the experience and vapor/flavor from an RDA/RBA blow them out of the water.

Thanks. Well I almost feel like the next "buy click" will be for an RDA after you guys replying. Any advice for a "beginners" RDA then? Even something for that total n00b who never even fiddled with a clearo head?
Would this be a joke? How about this knock-off?

i have been rebuilding my AC9 for almost a year now and let me tell ya i do not miss buying replacement heads and even better yet rebuilding replacement heads , my supplies (wire,ss mesh,cotton)seem to last forever i dont think i have put a dent in them so for saving a ton of money RBA's & RDA's are a poor mans dream just buy a good one it will last forever

I see the AC9, but it seems too expensive (like, Provari-expensive). And I also see RSST is a clone of AC9 (is that correct?) and that apparently it all started by a german fella that posted here, in this forum sometime? (Or maybe I'm just twisting the facts all over).
But maybe that's the idea after all, to grab a good one and get over with this. Not that I like it as a hobby, but then I already have a ton of hobbies and this whole watching reviews all day is getting out of hand

Interesting tho', that is there is nothing but good opinions about the RBAs/RDAs that not everybody and their mother are converted to the cult, ya know? Like, I understand money is an issue but then I wonder if guys like PBusardo (just naming a popular reviewer that's all) keep on reviewing clearos and other "low level" stuff just for the sake of their "reputation", instead of just saying "alright guys Imma get into the RBAs world and will never come back, sorry". Or maybe I'm just being too paranoid about the issue.

 

[Thrasher]

well part of the problem telling everyone "just get into rba's" is that many people dont want hands on they want screw on and go. I know someone who uses clearos for a long time, they are happy, and nothing I say can convince them what I use is better in any way, so it makes sense for reviewers to keep reviewing what people will keep using.

the idea of buying a nice one and being done with it is solid except for one thing, what happens if you blow 180 bucks for the real steamboy and you go "i dont like this" ooops your out a lot of money until you find a way to sell it. so if you buy a 30 dollar rsst and say hey I like this and think i will stick with it so im going to get a really nice well built one, and have it for a long time.

the reason people say get a dripper is it gets your hands dirty for very little money, they produce a wicked fine vape when set up right and for just a few dollars you get to judge hey I can do this and wow this really works when i...... or man i hate this wrapping wire and playing with wicks and working out hotspots etc.

if going to fast tech for a dripper i say one of these :
forget the price this is one of the best drippers I own hands down. $5.10 V5 Electronic Cigarette Round Mouth Detachable Dripping Atomizer - 1.0.

this one is a cyclone copy its kind of small but drill the hole out just a little bit and you will be shocked at the clouds from this little guy.
$5.93 YK1 KTS Stainless Steel Electronic Cigarette Atomizer at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

I dont really care for the igo but many many people use and like them and has become one of the defacto cheap drippers.
$7.67 IGO-L Rebuildable Stainless Steel Dripping Atomizer - double heating wires / 1.6ohm at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping.

as for the steamboy from FT i do not know anything about them. most people go for the rsst as it is builder friendly compared to many geni's
when going to genis, almost everyone has that one time when it seems impossible, the key is to not give up and work on it , maybe over a couple days. once you get it running correctly - you will understand lol the vapor and nic hit will knock you down. like I said i have a lot of atty's, i love my kayfun for work. but my cobra genesis with SS mesh is tops for me period.


and yes a modder came in one day and said "hey i used this tank with some stainless steel mesh in it like this - check it out" and the geni was born.

 

[vapsychedelic]

Alright, thanks a lot Thrasher.
I watched a video on how to rebuild the Cobra Genesis and I understood about hotspots and other things. I guess I didn't like so much the heating of the SS Mesh (part of rebuilding process) as it produces a lot of smoke and I don't even know if that's unhealthy or not (could use a mask etc).
I guess I could give a go (matter of fact I'm doing it) to what you suggested. They seem cheap enough for me to try 'em (too bad I got in the middle of Chinese new year or whatever so I'll wait until after Oct 7th for my order to ship).
Of course the annoying thing would be taking them on the go, as I'd have to be dripping them all day long, but we'll see.
Thankfully I already have some 32 A1 Kanthal and 3mm Silica, so I can play around with it.

 

[Thrasher]

well with mesh as time goes on you can learn many methods that are less volatile for preparing it.
as it is now i roll mine first then use a bic lighter to make the end that will be under the coil glow red and then use a mechanical mod to pulse out the hot spots (another interesting video to check out - pulsing method)

wicks dont get nasty or burned, and the juice doesnt get all brown, takes less time to break in and seem to wick better.

if the cobra thing on fasttech is what your talking about I have no knowledge of this atty or how well it works. should be ok its a DID clone (never understood why they called it a cobra lol)

in the end good luck have fun and make sure you post if you run into problems.

they are def more expensive then a cheap dripper but if you like the flavor once you try it think about maybe investing in a kayfun or squape. built and taste like a dripper but very portable because of the sealed tanks.

 

[Jazzi Mike]

I concur with the above posters: don't start with a genesis. I am by no means a fan of dripping. I'm with the OP, it is a pain in the @$$ to drip every 10-15 mins. I bought an RSST as one of my first rebuildables, messed around with it for a month with little success, and thought maybe this whole RBA thing is too hard for me.

My issue was not that RBAs are not difficult, building a coil out of SS Mesh was too hard. With an RDA, you can get the hang of rebuilding and still have some success. After you get the ins and outs of it, then maybe try the RSST. There are tank RBAs that are made to be used with silica, but unfortunately, many of them are in the $50-$100 range, which is not a very beginner friendly budget. I am only now having success with building coils using SS mesh, around 2.5 months of starting RBAs.

Basically, beginning with RBAs/RDAs is bit difficult. When you start with a genesis, that difficulty is multiplied by 20. It is better to start with something that you actually have a chance with, like an RDA.

 

[vapsychedelic]

well with mesh as time goes on you can learn many methods that are less volatile for preparing it.
as it is now i roll mine first then use a bic lighter to make the end that will be under the coil glow red and then use a mechanical mod to pulse out the hot spots (another interesting video to check out - pulsing method)

Thanks, I'll check some videos.

if the cobra thing on fasttech is what your talking about I have no knowledge of this atty or how well it works. should be ok its a DID clone (never understood why they called it a cobra lol)

No the cobra is the one you mentioned, I just watched like a half-an-hour review and rebuild video on youtube just to get the feeling
I think I'll order the RDAs (3 you mentioned) for now and maybe even that genesis clone to have a RBA to play with. Shall I feel like it's indeed the best vape of my life (ahem, maybe of these 3 long, cool as hell months as a non-smoker), I could take the advice of grabbing something not that clon-ish (tho' I get it, all of those are clones of the original design by whoever may have been).

they are def more expensive then a cheap dripper but if you like the flavor once you try it think about maybe investing in a kayfun or squape. built and taste like a dripper but very portable because of the sealed tanks.

I took a look at the kayfun and skape. Both run around the 150 mark, more or less. Maybe too expensive (thinking perhaps way ahead but I'm all about budgets, so...), but who knows, as long as I had something stable and not having to screw around searching for the "perfect clearomizer"...? I think those things are built to last for a decade perhaps? Just in time for the zombie apocalypse anyway. We'll see.

I concur with the above posters: don't start with a genesis. I am by no means a fan of dripping. I'm with the OP, it is a pain in the @$$ to drip every 10-15 mins. I bought an RSST as one of my first rebuildables, messed around with it for a month with little success, and thought maybe this whole RBA thing is too hard for me.

Well have in mind anyway I'm just talking in metaphores here because I never even was close in a thousand-mile range to a RDA, but just saying, dripping might be real tiresome, specially for the "heavy vaper" like me, versus re-filling a tank at most once a day if it turns out to be a "long day away from home".
I think I could grab the RSST, and leave it to steep that gorgeous steel, because the main problem with me, is that here in south america it's always a PiTA to get "the new stuff". And vaping is all "new stuff never seen before". Specially in my country where I'm yet to find another vaper (at least in my city). So I cannot just order and have that nice USPS dude to bring me the stuff 3 days later but I'm rather always left with long-waits from china/us/uk/[put_country_here] orders.

My issue was not that RBAs are not difficult, building a coil out of SS Mesh was too hard. With an RDA, you can get the hang of rebuilding and still have some success. After you get the ins and outs of it, then maybe try the RSST. There are tank RBAs that are made to be used with silica, but unfortunately, many of them are in the $50-$100 range, which is not a very beginner friendly budget. I am only now having success with building coils using SS mesh, around 2.5 months of starting RBAs.

What is your current RBA setup?
Well, the thing is. 30 USD, I can easily afford. 50 USD, well, think about it, perhaps yes. 100-150 that's way too much. I mean, I could buy a ProVari right now and I wouldn't break the bank, but it's still too expensive for this "hobby" (that ends up becoming more of a lifestyle?). So I don't really feel thrilled about grabbing a tank system so expensive. And other thing I forgot to mention, I'm kind of a technophile. Not like apple-fanboy buying every single new revision (tho' I'm an apple user) of everything, but It would suck to get say the El Coolio VapeJet v1 just to find out the brand new v2 with improved pool, quad coil, octuple air-hole system and unequal vaping and everybody and their mom just having parties about how this vape can get confused with the sporadic recreation of real-life sky-clouds and how all Little Ol' El Cheapo Crappo eLiquids suddenly started tasting like what the greek Gods had for dinner... and then I'll be left with "dang, I'm stuck with this $150 v1...".

Basically, beginning with RBAs/RDAs is bit difficult. When you start with a genesis, that difficulty is multiplied by 20. It is better to start with something that you actually have a chance with, like an RDA.

Point taken and I'll make sure to start with those RDAs Thrasher suggested. Financially, it'll be the same as ordering a crappy FT clearomizer knock-off "just to try".

 

[caged]

I was in your shoes about a month ago. I looked at the SS mesh devices that were "recommended" for beginners and said no way. I got an iSmoka Magoo for my first RBA and couldn't be happier with it. I do use ready wires for now, but rebuilding this thing is ridiculously easy and I love the juice and air flow controls. Even if you don't want to use ready wires, I don't see how connecting your own wires could be harder than prepping mesh and working out hot spots. To each their own, but definitely check out an Ithaka clone. The Fogger V2 looks pretty nice as well, though it may need a bit of modding (the Ithaka style RBAs work well out of the box).

Fasttech has an Ithaka style RBA for about $35, the Magoo will run you about $45, a Hercules will run you $65, and the real Ithaka will run you $200. As with any RBA that has a clear window not made from glass, you may need to purchase a stainless steel window section for about $20 if you use plastic tank cracking juice.

 

[Thrasher]

ah yea, kinda missed the Colombia address there, for budget friendly tank i think the other poster may have a good idea, the ithaka clone I heard is really nice. and the original ithaka is the evolution of the Odysseus atomizer from golden greek. and those guys design some serious gear. get the rsst and toss it in a drawer for later as well once you feel ready go for it. we will still be here to help

 

[vapsychedelic]

To each their own, but definitely check out an Ithaka clone. The Fogger V2 looks pretty nice as well, though it may need a bit of modding (the Ithaka style RBAs work well out of the box).

Fasttech has an Ithaka style RBA for about $35, the Magoo will run you about $45, a Hercules will run you $65, and the real Ithaka will run you $200. As with any RBA that has a clear window not made from glass, you may need to purchase a stainless steel window section for about $20 if you use plastic tank cracking juice.

Thanks ok, I think I'll probably throw that FT Ithaka clone in the cart. $200 is definitely something I couldn't justify to myself, but around $100 worth of several RDA/RBA clones will probably do for now

ah yea, kinda missed the Colombia address there, for budget friendly tank i think the other poster may have a good idea, the ithaka clone I heard is really nice. and the original ithaka is the evolution of the Odysseus atomizer from golden greek. and those guys design some serious gear. get the rsst and toss it in a drawer for later as well once you feel ready go for it. we will still be here to help

Yeah the hard part of this "hobby" is living down here. Hard to get stuff and most good US vendors (read: plenty of stock and assortment) will get issues freight forwarding the stuff or getting CCs issued outside US. Just wish all of this was sold on Amazon one day.
I'll get the RSST and indeed leave it to mature in the pandora box.

Thanks a lot fellas!