Merkava new Rebuldable Tank Atomizer by Chell

[vdefazzio]

ok, I don't think adding a spacer to adjust the 510 pos screw to be a very viable option, it seems to me and I could be wrong, that there would not be enough screw threading to allow for a spacer. Over all, I'm pretty pleased. My first build was a 100% success, no learning curve at all. An analogy I would use: The Merkava is to a kayfun 4, as a Colt 1911 is to a AR 15. Both work exceptionally well for their intended purpose, however, the Merkava lacks the complexity of the kayfun 4, it is a rock solid and reliable atty. I can't wait for my Xvostick to get here so I can slap some nickel in the Merkava, I don't foresee any connectivity issues with it.
I just realized that I didn't mention anything about flavor or throat hit.
The position of my coil, is producing a nice throat hit sensation, but I'm not loosing any flavor as I kind of expected with it being so high.
And it just looks so nice on my smpl(not a clone)

 

[Mrbr00ks]

ok, I don't think adding a spacer to adjust the 510 pos screw to be a very viable option, it seems to me and I could be wrong, that there would not be enough screw threading to allow for a spacer. Over all, I'm pretty pleased. My first build was a 100% success, no learning curve at all. An analogy I would use: The Merkava is to a Kayfun 4, as a Colt 1911 is to a AR 15. Both work exceptionally well for their intended purpose, however, the Merkava lacks the complexity of the Kayfun 4, it is a rock solid and reliable atty. I can't wait for my Xvostick to get here so I can slap some nickel in the Merkava, I don't foresee any connectivity issues with it.
I just realized that I didn't mention anything about flavor or throat hit.
The position of my coil, is producing a nice throat hit sensation, but I'm not loosing any flavor as I kind of expected with it being so high.
And it just looks so nice on my smpl(not a clone)
View attachment 466525

Hi , can you please post coil and wick pictures ?
btw looks awesome on the smpl

thanks

 

[Grrrr]

Hi , can you please post coil and wick pictures ?
btw looks awesome on the smpl

thanks

I have a pic of my first build here:

Rebuildable Tank Atomizers - An Anthology, Pictorial, Builds and Reviews. | Page 187 | E-Cigarette Forum

Spent a few days with this tank now and am thoroughly enjoying it, flavor is superb.

 

[Mrbr00ks]

I have a pic of my first build here:

Rebuildable Tank Atomizers - An Anthology, Pictorial, Builds and Reviews. | Page 187 | E-Cigarette Forum

Spent a few days with this tank now and am thoroughly enjoying it, flavor is superb.

thank you

 

[Freedom2Vape]

Ok - I've been vaping on the Merkava for several weeks now and after a thorough cleaning (my first cleaning wasn't as thorough enough, resulting in a bad tasting vape), I have determined that this RTA is a keeper, IMO.
The flavor is great with the Merkava. I initially had a kanthal build at 1.1 Ω - my preference is to try kanthal first - and the flavor was excellent. I next tried a nickel build at .15 Ω and haven't noticed any difference in flavor.
It appears to be very juice efficient, at least with my builds and wattage (15-20 Joules on the SX Mini at 460°). I am using the steel tank.

Best Regards,
F2V

 

[roxynoodle]

I'm still interested in this tank (like I don't have enough tanks ). How would you compare the flavor to other tanks you have?

 

[Freedom2Vape]

I'm still interested in this tank (like I don't have enough tanks ). How would you compare the flavor to other tanks you have?

The flavor is there (and it is good ). I would say it is slightly better than the Calix (11-14w) and the Gem (11-14w) - but I do vape at higher joules/watts on the Merkava (15-20j/w). I haven't put a nickel build on the Calix or the Gem.
The Eviva-T matches it for flavor, but in a different way. I notice different aspects of the flavor between the Eviva-T and Merkava.

To me, the flavor isn't quite as good as the UTA with a fresh wick. I find I have to rewick the UTA every couple of days to maintain the flavor. I've rewicked the Merkava 3 times (or actually 4, but the first one I threw out and recleaned the tank because I could still taste the machine oil) in the month I've had it. One of those was for the switch to a nickel build.

I still have to compare the flavor to the Ataman, Tilemahos 2, Rose v2s, and the Origen V2 - all of which are excellent for flavor IMO. I'm currently using different juice in those...

Best Regards,
F2V

 

[Bricca]

Hi F2V, I just wanted to ask about a Merkava update since your last post when you have a chance. I've prettty much been a Mtl RtA user for the past several years and have tried many times to replace my kaufun lite plus/ russian as the daily driver with the latest so called " Kayfun killer" including Aqua v2, kayfun V4 ,SquapeR, Taifun gt2, Erlkonigin, and the Gem and Phenomenon lite as of late. All have been good tanks but overall I still go back to the Kayfun lites/Russians. Flavor/Juice consumption/ ease of setup/troubleshooting/etc. just wanted to get your updated take on the Merkava especially since you seem to have a lot of other Rtas to realistically compare it to. Thanks!!

 

[Freedom2Vape]

Hi F2V, I just wanted to ask about a Merkava update since your last post when you have a chance. I've prettty much been a Mtl RtA user for the past several years and have tried many times to replace my kaufun lite plus/ russian as the daily driver with the latest so called " Kayfun killer" including Aqua v2, kayfun V4 ,SquapeR, Taifun gt2, Erlkonigin, and the Gem and Phenomenon lite as of late. All have been good tanks but overall I still go back to the Kayfun lites/Russians. Flavor/Juice consumption/ ease of setup/troubleshooting/etc. just wanted to get your updated take on the Merkava especially since you seem to have a lot of other Rtas to realistically compare it to. Thanks!!

Bricca - thank you for asking. I am still a big fan of the Merkava for the flavor. I've found the flavor is better on many of the pastry type e-liquids I vape and really good on the tobacco flavors, too. It is one that I use every day. For MTL, I think the Eviva-T supports that style of vaping better, having a tighter draw. Even on the smallest AF settings, I find it fairly easy to do LH with the Merkava. I can do that on the Eviva-T, too, but at a much slower rate.

While I like the flavor I get from the Eviva, I'm not a fan of trying to build in the ceramic cup - I prefer a larger diameter coil (2.5-3mm) and it is difficult to build that in the Eviva. With the Merkava, I can build a larger coil, but to do so, the coil is raised and has to be lowered after attachment to the base. I finally saw a video showing someone using an hex key to push the coil down (since I use ni200 in the Merkava, my previous attempts usually ended with me making a mess). My wicking is fairly straight-forward and I haven't had any issues with dry hits (unless I forget to set the juice control). The same is true about refilling - no issues unless I forget to close the juice control. I've vaped 50/50 VG/PG and max VG without issues.

In my experience, juice consumption is really good, but not as good as the Gem, which is the best I've seen in my limited experience. With a 5ML capacity in the steel tank, I seem to be able to use it all day without refilling - but this isn't the only RTA I am using all day, either.

I have the Squape R (well, had - my wife has decided that she needs it more than I do, which was ok because it allowed me to pick up several other atomizers like the Merkava and Ubertoot), Taifun gt2, Gem, Phenomenon, Aqua v2, Kayfun V4, etc. To me, the Merkava has better flavor than the Squape, Taifun, Aqua, and Kayfun V4. But, I also think the Kayfun Lite+ has better flavor than these. I'm just not a fan of the tool needed to refill (and I know they have accessories to make than unnecessary) and I've become more of a DLH vaper than a MTL.

I apologize that this is so long and wish I had more experience in being able to provide you with the information you want. This is one of 3 RTAs that I use every day (since I started using it consistently - approximately 1 month). If you get one (and it appears that they are currently out of stock on the mini-ecig site), be sure that you thoroughly clean it. I did a rush job as I was anxious and had a bad experience with the first tank. After I carefully cleaned it, I've really had no issues.

 

[hobbes4]

F2V, you can get the SS cup to replace the ceramic cup in the Eviva-T. Flavor suffers slightly but it's much easier to build whatever coil you like.

 

[Freedom2Vape]

F2V, you can get the SS cup to replace the ceramic cup in the Eviva-T. Flavor suffers slightly but it's much easier to build whatever coil you like.

Thanks, Hobbes4 - I've seriously considered that. I just need to bundle it as the shipping makes it slightly expensive by itself. I wish I had been smarter when I did the initial order.

 

[hobbes4]

Thanks, Hobbes4 - I've seriously considered that. I just need to bundle it as the shipping makes it slightly expensive by itself. I wish I had been smarter when I did the initial order.

If you have a dremel or metal file you can just grind down the two walls on the ceramic cup, making it flat like the ss cup. This should give you a good idea before dropping the cash on the SS cup. Although, if you did this i guess you wouldn't even need the SS cup...damn why didn't i think of this earlier.

 

[Bricca]

Bricca - thank you for asking. I am still a big fan of the Merkava for the flavor. I've found the flavor is better on many of the pastry type e-liquids I vape and really good on the tobacco flavors, too. It is one that I use every day. For MTL, I think the Eviva-T supports that style of vaping better, having a tighter draw. Even on the smallest AF settings, I find it fairly easy to do LH with the Merkava. I can do that on the Eviva-T, too, but at a much slower rate.

While I like the flavor I get from the Eviva, I'm not a fan of trying to build in the ceramic cup - I prefer a larger diameter coil (2.5-3mm) and it is difficult to build that in the Eviva. With the Merkava, I can build a larger coil, but to do so, the coil is raised and has to be lowered after attachment to the base. I finally saw a video showing someone using an hex key to push the coil down (since I use ni200 in the Merkava, my previous attempts usually ended with me making a mess). My wicking is fairly straight-forward and I haven't had any issues with dry hits (unless I forget to set the juice control). The same is true about refilling - no issues unless I forget to close the juice control. I've vaped 50/50 VG/PG and max VG without issues.

In my experience, juice consumption is really good, but not as good as the Gem, which is the best I've seen in my limited experience. With a 5ML capacity in the steel tank, I seem to be able to use it all day without refilling - but this isn't the only RTA I am using all day, either.

I have the Squape R (well, had - my wife has decided that she needs it more than I do, which was ok because it allowed me to pick up several other atomizers like the Merkava and Ubertoot), Taifun gt2, Gem, Phenomenon, Aqua v2, Kayfun V4, etc. To me, the Merkava has better flavor than the Squape, Taifun, Aqua, and Kayfun V4. But, I also think the Kayfun Lite+ has better flavor than these. I'm just not a fan of the tool needed to refill (and I know they have accessories to make than unnecessary) and I've become more of a DLH vaper than a MTL.

I apologize that this is so long and wish I had more experience in being able to provide you with the information you want. This is one of 3 RTAs that I use every day (since I started using it consistently - approximately 1 month). If you get one (and it appears that they are currently out of stock on the mini-ecig site), be sure that you thoroughly clean it. I did a rush job as I was anxious and had a bad experience with the first tank. After I carefully cleaned it, I've really had no issues.

Hi F2V, Thanks alot for the info. Very helpful! Along with the Merkava, the Eviva-T and also the Tengu have been on my Rta list. I realize that two of the 3 are very hard to get at the moment and want to gather as much info as possible before investing in either if/when the opportunity arrives. The Gem has been an excellent vape since I've gotten the build together but the Kayfun/russian is still way easier for me on the go even with the phillips head required. I'm definitely considering the Eviva T (the only one in stock!) and really appreciate your insight on it.

 

[Freedom2Vape]

Bricca - I really like the Eviva for flavor. As Hobbes4 suggested, I would recommend getting the SS cup (wish I had), as building in the ceramic cup can be difficult - unless you are used to smaller coils (I prefer 2.5 or 3 mm ID).

 

[roxynoodle]

I use 2mm coils in my Evivas. Great flavor atty

 

[Bricca]

Roxynoodle, With the 2mm coil builds, are you using the stock ceramic cup to build in? Also, are you using rayon?

 

[roxynoodle]

Roxynoodle, With the 2mm coil builds, are you using the stock ceramic cup to build in? Also, are you using rayon?

I'm using the big slot ceramic cup. I put my 2mm coil onto a 1/16" drill bit for mounting it. And yes, I use rayon.

 

[Bricca]

Thank you sir. I appreciate it!

 

[roxynoodle]

Thank you sir. I appreciate it!

M'am . And you're welcome.

 

[Bricca]

Roxynoodle. Sorry about that! Just curious which you prefer: rose v2 or eviva t flavor-wise? Or another ceramic I've missed.