Major differences in RDAs? Do you get what you pay for?

[spawnsharks]

I posted my love for dripping last week, and jumping back on the bandwagon of people praising the advantages of dripping, I must say that my first and only rda so far is an Igo-L. Simple, effective, straight forward. I do wish it had the holes in the contacts for feeding the coil leads through, as the top screw style is a bit of a PITA.

I know that RBAs can vary in reliability, performance and quality of build.. and you really do get what you pay for. I am having enough issues with my AGA-T2 that I am paying it forward to another member here in the forums. I see that I will need to get an original to really experience what the designer meant in terms of performance. Is the same really true with RDAs?

I mean, threads to the battery, a pin and 1, 2 or 4 ground posts. I know that materials matter for conductivity, thread tolerances and longevity... but RDAs seem so mechanically simple that I can't imagine that there is a world of difference between a $30 rda and a $130 RDA. The key areas of difference would seem to be: Engineering and build quality, quality of materials used, precision and tolerances of things like threading and airflow... but these things don't seem to be that much of a difference in value.

I am not talking about a clone vs. original, I mean low end vs. high end (although I must admit that I am not familiar enough with every device to know if the Igo-L is a clone of something else) I prefer not to support clones, and this is not the thread for that discussion.. there are plenty of others. I just want to know if there really is $100 worth of difference in performance in something that has no tank, seals, vaccuum considerations, feed considerations and engineering...

I would like to have a couple more RDAs in my life, for a couple of reasons, and I am just feeling out if the upper end is worth stretching an already thin budget for.

WOW.. that was a long-winded question... I should go into politics.

 

[Amiaji]

I only have 1 RDA, a clone at that, so I can't help you much there. But I can say the main thing I was looking for when I got mine is holes in the posts to put the wires in. It is a lot easier to put the wires through the holes and tighten a screw than it is to wrap the wires around a screw.

 

[emus]

YouDe UD uses quality materials, has good designs and quality finish. My IGO-W is great for big clouds. IGO-F is great for quality vapor. AGI makes a fine single coil 22mm RDA (no post holes). All are beautiful pieces.

I have several FT RBA clones and all are junky except trident. Trident has very tight cap even w/ single o-ring. My FT trident air holes were out of alignment; solved by drilling out to 1/8". I don't like adjustable air flow. I drill some RBAs for clouds and have small air hole in others.

 

[bikerbeagle]

I just want to know if there really is $100 worth of difference in performance in something that has no tank, seals, vaccuum considerations, feed considerations and engineering...

I would like to have a couple more RDAs in my life, for a couple of reasons, and I am just feeling out if the upper end is worth stretching an already thin budget for.

The question of value and quality are personal decisions that each person has to make for themselves because everyone uses a different measuring stick to determine them. Is a Ford 'better' than a Chevrolet? Is a Lamborghini "worth" more than, say, a Corvette? Life simply isn't priced on a menu system that is shared by everyone.

By and large, however, I would say that a lot of higher-end, higher-cost RDAs are purchased more so for their perceived status and rarity (not many people will be able or willing to fork over that kind of money for a simple RDA) than for their quality and performance.

 

[happydave]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...omixani-dimis-dream-dripper.html#post11607428

check this out! waiting for more reviews on the thing and for them to become state side, (hate international shipping) before i pull the trigger.

i do not see the item listed on the website yet.

 

[tj99959]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...omixani-dimis-dream-dripper.html#post11607428

check this out! waiting for more reviews on the thing and for them to become state side, (hate international shipping) before i pull the trigger.

i do not see the item listed on the website yet.

FT will have a $20 version of it next month

 

[happydave]

FT will have a $20 version of it next month

lol I know but still hate having to ship things internationally.

 

[Jazzi Mike]

In general, the higher end RDAs are usually made with better quality materials, but that is not something that is totally something I care about. You can definitely get a good build with something like an Igo. What is typically different is the ease of build. A lot of RDAs now have airflow adjustment (which does directly translate to more clouds).

 

[JollyRogers]

Gotta Origen RDA for myself for Christmas. Vertical coils/wicks, juice well, AFC. It is a really nicely done kit with great machine work and finish. I figured a RDA is a RDA... but the Origen is a different take on the concept, and I like it a lot. Haven't vaped anything else since I got it Monday.

 

[Technohydra]

There are some other considerations too, not all dealing with price. The size of the chamber will affect the denisty of the juice flavor you can achieve, and the size of the deck will allow for easier building. Adjustable airflow is a very nice feature as well, as it allows you to choose your vaping style. In general, I recommend the Trident clone from Hoosier Vapes. It is a 98% clone of the real $90 RDA, and gives a great combo of price and performance. I have both the clone and real deal, and love them both.

 

[Funk Dracula]

It's the build on your deck that yields your main experience. The type of coil, position of the coil, and airflow make huge differences in the vape. What I love about RDA's is the ability to experiment and drastically change the flavor, warmth, throat hit, and vapor production coming from a single topper all dependent on the type of build.

I can't help but look at the $150 dollar price tag on the 3D and think to myself; "you could buy an actual Made in the USA Reo Grand for less." $150 for an RDA is obnoxious, I don't care what gimmick it does. Plus the 3D logo/engraving on it reminds me of this;

As soon as these guys start charging over $70 bucks for an RDA there is no controlling my feelings of cynicism towards the manufacturer.

-B

 

[zoiDman]

FT will have a $20 version of it next month

Next Month? More like Next Week,

But by the time you get it thru Singapore Post the 4D Version will be out.

LOL

------------------------------

Merry Christmas tj99959

 

[supertrunker]

If the 4th dimension is time i'll have it by last Xmas

T

 

[Myrany]

I have the IGO-L and love it BUT I have to say the RM2 that I have for my REO grand kicks the IGO-Ls .... for me.

I have been told that Rob Reworks the RM2 to be optomised for the REO so that might be a large part of it. Just a wonderful device.

 

[emus]

FT is becoming obsolete.
USA version of FT which sell very high quality, very cheap, very fast shipping UD products is 101vape.
The new hot item is Aqua:
Aqua Atomizer Clone - 101 Vape
Triangle vapes sell high end hardware for fair price:
IGO-W - Triangle Vape LLC
My favorite RDA the IGO-W:

My all time favorite IGO-F:

 

[emus]

Aqua is hot alright.
101vapes got em in yesterday and I just noticed they are already sold out.
Glad I threw the dart on Aqua w/o sleeping on it

 

[Thrasher]

For the most part I agree, it is hard to buy a numbus/patriot or whatever for 60-80 dollars when the clone is 90% of the originals build quality for 10
Designs and the way they vape aside I have a hard time wanting to spend hard money on any dripper when so many have cheap, or flimsy looking pressfit posts. and a fancy top cap just doesnt seem to be worth the extra 50 bucks.

but if you search enough there are differences and there are models where you can see the construction is simply more than snap in parts.
here are a few examples of models i do think are worth the extra cash because the inside looks well constructed and you can see they actually had to build them. not just pop them together.

these are the ones i am interested in because i dont mind spending the money if i know it will last.

Versa Dripping Atomizer | Elevated Vaping
D Vx - Dual Coil Trpfelverdampfer Edelstahl - InTaste

 

[emus]

My favorite tank the AGI. The new version (101vape) has improved hot spring but I did spring mod anyway to get excellent voltage drop readings. Minimal tweeking may be needed. No leaks in RDA mode; use 3 deck set screws w/ teflon tape.

The FT trident. I have since blasted shiny brass nemmy because the bling was burning my eyes

 

[spawnsharks]

Thanks for the input everyone. I am looking at another RDA, since I am outgrowing the Igo-L, and am considering something else. THe biggest difference I see the the more expensive RDAs is attention to detail.. like airhole position and size, and quality of materials. I will either buy a decent one or make one (I have access, through a friend, to a tech shop with every tool needed to make these things.)