Is there really a big difference in the quality of vape from low end to high end ?

[artbyshan]

I've been an rda fan for a while (Over a year), but have always used the lower end devices (First was a Phoenix rda; Currently using a UD IGO-W). The IGO-W is said to be made of 304 SS, and I've been really enjoying it. However, I can't help but think I missing out on something (e.g., Authentic Helios or the Cyclone-Two of which I have had my eye on). I understand that some of the higher end rda's have an adjustable air hole (A definite plus), but I drilled out the IGO-W and it works well. On one hand, I've heard the build of the higher end RDA's is better, but have also heard that it really comes down to the setup (Coil/Wick). Should I be in the market for a higher end RDA ? Any feedback would be welcomed.

 

[Jazzi Mike]

It depends on what you are vying for. There are some RDAs that have some neat features (Immortalizer - ceramic base, Helios - double positive post, etc...). I've been thinking about pulling the trigger on the real Nimbus since it has been around $60 at a lot of vendors. I think that you kind of answered your own question though. You get a good vape from your igo. I don't know whether you would notice a difference with a high end RBA.

 

[dr g]

Any differences in vape quality would be entirely based on design.

 

[MiamiMom63]

I was using a couple Igo-l's but recently got the Cyclone AFC (air flow control) and really like the way I can adjust the air flow because the stock holes on the Igo-l's seemed too tight and when I barely made them bigger, they seemed too airy. Plus it seems different builds make me want to adjust the AFC from time to time, which is easy and nice on them. And I like the way I can just stick the wire into the hole and tighten the screws down instead of wrapping them around, which was always hard for me. So in a way to me it's a better vape, but like dr g said above, it depends on the design you want I think. I don't see the need in spending $200 for an RDA though when there are alot of really good ones that are mid-priced. The Cyclone AFC was $75, and that was plenty expensive enough for me, but I'm glad I got it.

 

[armoworrior]

The vape itself wont change its the ease of build your setup for better wicking and airflow. A properly setup and drilled out igo-w will produce the same vapor as a high-end atty that is setup similar. But is the ease and oh look at my shinny new high-end atty worth the price. Thats up to you. Some just have better features. Some are just shinnier. I think where you would get the biggest difference is all in the build and the resistance loss from the actual mod itself. Silver is very conductive and so is copper. The more conductive something is the less it will lose resistance.

 

[Seebs]

Rolex Daydona in White gold with black bezel = $20K ---> Seiko Kinetic Perpetual = $300 - $500 depending on model.

Both watches keep time just as well as any other watch out there. Both watches will do the job their intended to do. Both watches will look good doing said job.

It all comes down to personal preference. Some people will go for the Rolex, some will go for the Seiko. Either choice is right because it only matters to the one making said choice.

As far as RBAs goes... I have a handful of IGO-Ls (use them for flavor testing and when I know I'm going somewhere where the risk of losing a mod/atty is high) and I also have a high end atty (Doodlebug SE) with a second one (Nahual) on the way.

Do the expensive ones vape better than the IGOs? Yes and No. It all depends on what juice/flavor I'm in the mood for.... The coil, the wick, etc.

I run micro coils at about 0.8Ω and cotton wick on my IGOs. The air holes are drilled out to 1/16" (1.58mm) diameter. Vapor production is incredible, flavor is great, throat hit is right where I like it.

My Doodlebug is set up with a 0.8Ω coil around SS mesh. The airhole on the Bug is 1mm diameter. Vapor production, flavor and TH are also incredible on this one... Again; it all depends on your setup, juice, etc. I have managed to make my high end atty produce crap-tastic tasting vapor before... And I've also managed to take a mouthful of burnt cotton from the IGOs.

My drippers; I use for certain juices that are a bit too strong to keep in the Bug. Not that the would damage it or anything, but the Bug is my "All day vape" and that is always Grumpy's Hooch. The other flavors I run on the IGOs because I can switch around as often as I want and be "cleaned, coiled and wicked" in five minutes flat.

Having said all that; I prefer the look/feel of the high end stuff... Nothing wrong with the cheap RBAs/RDAs... I still love my IGOs and plan on getting a couple IGO-Ws to play with dual coils, but I'm also on the hunt for a few high end drippers.

One thing I can't/won't go for is clones, but that's a conversation for an entirely different thread.

 

[Thrasher]

there are some differences, disregarding clones original designs are usually given some thought to the vapor production, is it warmer or cooler?, is it thick like a dripper or rich like a carto? or like a genesis is the top cap a certain way? I like genis with smaller top caps because the vapor is richer tasting to me. not saying others are bad but small design changes can make a big difference in the overall experience. and this is proven in the fact things like the DID and cobra are still selling well (as well as others). they just work and the vapor when set up right is kick a**

as for the quality of the device? drippers are a different beast all together but many cheap devices arent made with the same thought to the ease of setup or how much it will take to play with it to work correctly all the time. I have seen plenty of loose posts, cheap insulators, center pins that wont tighten etc. many of the best working cheap devices are almost direct copies of proven working designs like the RSST

many people ignore or forget that the better quality cheap devices out of china only started appearing maybe a few months ago, before this latest wave of decent quality devices you could tell in seconds the device was cheap and was never going to be a long term quality device and many were plated junk or very shoddily built.

 

[LeoRex]

Well.... I don't have any vape time on any high end stuff.... but I do know my cheap POS stuff.

Right now, I'm really digging my microcoil/cotton built IGO-l from FT. It's built pretty solid (seems to be solid SS and heavy for its size) and it's easy to build. I had to drill out the hole (but most everything these days comes with too small a hole).. but it churns out one hell of a vape.

So it's small, compact, CHEAP, easy to build, holds a good amount of juice and puts out a great vape. Would I spend 10 times for one of the luxo-RDAs? I can't think of any reason why at this point, other than having a cool new toy to play with.

Now, there are some (well, one) exceptions... there is one current high-end bit of kit out there now that I am eyeing, and it's a Reo with a RM2 sitting on top. But I wouldn't be paying that premium price for the vape quality (which would be on par with the humble IGO-l sitting on my cheapo K100)... what I would be paying for is the portability and easy of use of that thing... it's a brilliant, simple and elegant design.... But that sucker is kind of the exception to my usualy "No need to break the bank to vape" rule.

I mean, I have a little cheapy 510 bridgeless atty that sits on an ego spinner (510/510 adapter and shield).. and that gives an awesome vape.

 

[tc1]

Nope. Some of the low end devices perform just as well as the high end ones. It just depends on what you're looking for.

High ends will always have a much higher resell price however, so the investment can be justified.

 

[jhev]

Get a trident clone cheap easy to build and adjustable airflow nice and heavy looks good and good vapor production