Merlin by Augvape and Roxy

[Zombieslug]

Mine leaked out the airholes if I didn't wick it well and the seeping was between the two press fit pieces of the base underneath.

Ok, that's what I thought I'd read.

As far as wicking goes - I've watched a ton of videos on Utoob... and it seems that in every one I saw - they floofed the ends out and tucked em in gently - covering up the JF holes, and a BIT into the juice cups.
But in my (extensive) reading through forums - people are saying to NOT cover the JF holes?

Any quick advice for good wicking technique for 70%(+)VG liquids?
(I tend to chain-vape... as in many puffs in quick succession once an hour, as I have to vape outside where I live.)

 

[Eskie]

Also... as an RTA newb... with a tank that possibly "seeps"... how will I be able to tell if my tank is "seeping", or if it's "leaking" due to incorrect wicking?

If you get the Engine, you'll never see it leaking from your wicking, unless you don't wick it at all and stick it in your pocket upside down with the airflow open.

 

[Zombieslug]

If you get the Engine, you'll never see it leaking from your wicking, unless you don't wick it at all and stick it in your pocket upside down with the airflow open.

hahhahahhaha!

Yeah, so would you say that would be your advice?
(not the not wicking & putting in pocket upside down bit - but getting Engines instead?)

I ALMOST got 2 Merlins & a regular OBS Engine initially.
Then I just got nervous about whether it was a good idea to even bother getting a dual coil tank to begin building on.
At least til I got the hang of single coil tanks.

Seems the Engine gets a lot more love than the Nano.
And no leaking seems VERY appealing to me.
(I fing HATE getting slimed, in general, by eliquid, in ANY way... and I'm quite sure my mods do too.)

 

[Eskie]

I like my Merlins which fortunately don't seep but I love my Engines, both performance, ease of building, and no pocket worries when out and about.

 

[Zombieslug]

I like my Merlins which fortunately don't seep but I love my Engines, both performance, ease of building, and no pocket worries when out and about.

ok... well in this post - I take away two important words:
"like"... & "love".

I'm not a collector, and have no interest in buying things to put in a drawer... as I don't have a $$$-tree in the backyard.

Therefore - I'd like to get it right out of the gate, if possible.

 

[Eskie]

ok... well in this post - I take away two important words:
"like"... & "love".

I'm not a collector, and have no interest in buying things to put in a drawer... as I don't have a $$$-tree in the backyard.

Therefore - I'd like to get it right out of the gate, if possible.

Get the Engine. Granted, flavor is subjective, but I find the dual coil full size Engines to have some of the best flavor on any tank. I wouldn't call it a cloud tank, but it sure makes more cloud than a Merlin. Seriously, the deck is simple to build and wick. Refilling through the top side hole is fast and convenient (with a quick tissue wipe around the seal when you close it, the nature of top side fills).

 

[ricks]

I love my Engine Nano's more that my Merlins... and my Merlins did not leak either.

 

[Zombieslug]

Cool... well I'm definitely thinking this may be the way to go.

I'd hate to have three of something that's going to seep. (most likely)

Or even ONE, for that matter.

Too bad they never fixed this issue as time went by.

 

[Alter]

If it leaks then its going to come out the airflow, thats a wicking issue. The seeping you see the juice ontop the mod but usually not into the 510 pin area.
I wicked my merlin a 1000 different ways figuring its seeping was a wicking problem, that it wasn't. The most effective wicking of the merlin was that I'm using rayon so it has to be packed tight in the coil then thinning the tails(lightly sweeping a pin through the tails removing excess material) so your not packing tons of wick into the wells but you fill the wells making sure there is no openings looking through the holes, little longer tails is ok since you can raise it and make a waterfall looking into the well. I juice the wick before putting into the wells, never have I just packed dry material and juice after then adjust. Juice the wick first then make it as circular as possible then gingerly with tweezers lift and put into the well then with a long pin make sure there are no material outside the well keeping all the strands as straight and consistent as possible. It sounds way more difficult than it actually is but my merlins have never leaked from wicking issues.

 

[Eskie]

Cool... well I'm definitely thinking this may be the way to go.

I'd hate to have three of something that's going to seep. (most likely)

Or even ONE, for that matter.

Too bad they never fixed this issue as time went by.

You could still pick one up and end up the the vape fairy watching over your Merlin just like mine. Because it's otherwise a nicely performing tank for simple single coil builds. But if you're not willing to trust in the vape fairy, skip it. and that's from someone who really praised the tank, and still use mine on a regular basis.

 

[hittman]

Actually there is a new model of the Merlin but I don't know anyone that has tried it. I have the nano and mini and both are pretty good but after hearing people rave about the regular engine, I had to get one. It's on the way and I should have it this week.

As far as wicking the Merlin, I use mostly 70/30 and I cut the wicks the width of the base and tuck them into the holes. Just make sure that the wick isn't touching the sides of the air hole. That'll cause leaking.

 

[ccwaters]

Personally I thought the Engine Nano was a piece of poo. I sold it within a month, considering I hord atomizers that says quite a bit.

I tried everything with that little large turd, blocked off back air, reduced the front with a reducer from my Athea n'sane, reduced the back, coil high, coil low, in between, damn near every conceivable size coil round wire to exotics. In the end it lacked.

I don't think I've ever put that much effort into an atomizer before, doubt I'll ever again. I kept the Engine dual coil, that one is not king but the nearly leak-less design makes it worth keeping around.

Now from seeing him post I know ricks has very strong and narrow likes on vaping, 2 flavors, MTL. So he has found an atty which works, and provides him with exactly what he likes. I envy that, wish I could be so happy with one atty and 2 flavors!

All that said, I have a few hundred atties I'd choose before that conundrum of an atty they call "Nano"

I posted my thoughts of the nano on the Goblin M3 thread, think it is worth posting here.

As for the Merlin vape quality is quite nice, even if mine seeped, which it does not I'd still use it daily. As much as I enjoy the Merlin I probably would not recommend it for someone looking for an atty for long term use. Same reason I would not recommend the Engine Nano, PRESS FIT.

With the possibility of looming regulation remaining unchanged, and future limitation we face for gear, longevity and reliability should be a key concern with anyone purchasing gear right now.

Neither the Merlin, or the Engines meet that criteria. If your looking for a final purchase, and want to be a one atomizer kinda guy, look elsewhere.

 

[ricks]

I posted my thoughts of the nano on the Goblin M3 thread, think it is worth posting here.

As for the Merlin vape quality is quite nice, even if mine seeped, which it does not I'd still use it daily. As much as I enjoy the Merlin I probably would not recommend it for someone looking for an atty for long term use. Same reason I would not recommend the Engine Nano, PRESS FIT.

With the possibility of looming regulation remaining unchanged, and future limitation we face for gear, longevity and reliability should be a key concern with anyone purchasing gear right now.

Neither the Merlin, or the Engines meet that criteria. If your looking for a final purchase, and want to be a one atomizer kinda guy, look elsewhere.

I still say the Engine Nano is a great tank. A couple people may not like it but most do. It's made very well too.

 

[Zombieslug]

As for the Merlin vape quality is quite nice, even if mine seeped, which it does not I'd still use it daily. As much as I enjoy the Merlin I probably would not recommend it for someone looking for an atty for long term use. Same reason I would not recommend the Engine Nano, PRESS FIT.

With the possibility of looming regulation remaining unchanged, and future limitation we face for gear, longevity and reliability should be a key concern with anyone purchasing gear right now.

Neither the Merlin, or the Engines meet that criteria. If your looking for a final purchase, and want to be a one atomizer kinda guy, look elsewhere.

yikes.
And where the hell does one look?
I've looked & looked & looked & then looked some more.
If you WERE a "1-atty-kinda-guy" - what would YOU hone in on - for best flavor, ease of use and least leaking/seeping issues?

so... essentially you're saying that these Engines (Original & Nano) are both destined to futures like the Merlin - because they are press fit.

There is always something about a tank that makes it "imperfect" to some people.
Always.

I don't expect to have something that will last me til the end of time... I just don't want something that's most likely "defective" before I even open the box.

Why can't somebody make a "Perfect" tank, for Christ's sake?
(at this point I will say "just kidding" before everyone starts in with "well...EVERYone's vaping needs are different" & so on & so forth. Are they REALLY? Who the fk doesn't want a great flavor tank, easy to build on & wick that doesn't fing leak juice???)

Sorry, all.
I'll try not to hijack this thread anymore.

Maybe I should just cross my fing fingers and keep these... & wait for their inevitable juice dumping.
(Really? Why the hell would I do that? Oh yeah. Because there IS no perfect tank. They ALL suck to someone.)

Wish I could buy "this one" & "that one" & the "other" to see if I like em & throw em all in an f'in drawer.
Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of disposable income.

What ever happened to vaping being cheaper than smoking?
I haven't gotten there yet.
(end of rant)

 

[ccwaters]

I've literally tried over 400 atomizers to date, probably have 15 or 20 in the mail right now, interestingly enough individuals that have made negative remarks about the Nano are the very same ones I would put a certain weight to there opinions. If you look through the Nano thread most of the people with glowing remarks are less traveled in the atomizer world.

If I had only vaped a handful of atomizers I may well have been greatly impressed with the Nano. There is a small number of folks who pulled the positive post out of the nano on the first few builds. Now granted, its only a few cases and they just pushed it back in place but for me that is a red flag.

I like variety, flavors, airflow, pretty much everything, one day I may be hitting MTL with a 1 ohm coil, then later grabbing an RDA with .01 build in it and huge air. Different flavors respond better in different atomizers and various power levels. PG/VG Flavor % all make huge differences.

So many variations is why we see all these individuals saying this or that is the best thing they've ever used, and the next guy doesn't like it at all.

So what can you do, what choice to make? That is a bit tough for a real solid recommendation. China seldom gets everything right, they are definitely getting better, but still have a long way to go.

The Engines have some strong points, along with some weak points. It may well be you'll be in the love it croud.

For me to even start a recommendation I'd ask how you prefer to vape, resistance, air flow, simple round wire, or exotics? Maybe a basic preferred flavor profile.

Some generic recommendations, all of which I have first hand exp with, but in no specific order.
Taifun GTIII
Vapor Giant Mini V4
Hussar
Hurricane V2
Aromamizer Plus
Alpine
Doggystyle 2K16


Those cover a good range of vaping styles, but they all have one thing in common, Exceptional Flavor. They are also easy to build, easy to wick, leak free when built properly.

 

[Zombieslug]

So what can you do, what choice to make?
For me to even start a recommendation I'd ask how you prefer to vape, resistance, air flow, simple round wire, or exotics? Maybe a basic preferred flavor profile.

I vape like I used to smoke... about once an hour, outside (not by choice).
So I tend to have about 13(+) 2-1/2 second pulls with my airflow mostly closed off... & in pretty quick succession. (would say "chain-vape", but that means different things to different people.)

I'm not opposed to more airflow - just find that I get better flavor with the sub tanks I have, at around 50-55 Watts on .25 SS DVC prebuilts, with the AF only opened up 2 tiny clicks. (Halo Reactors - V1 - bottom fill, rebranded Freemax Starre V1's.) & I vape 70%(+)VG. Preferably dessert flavors (more gunk - too expensive for prebuilt coils), but also some fruity stuff from TBD.

I would essentially consider myself starting at ground zero on RTA's.
I know how to make a basic coil, and will have the whole Coil Master DIY 3 kit showing up tomorrow, & just received some SS316 24awg & 28-2/40 SS Fused Clapton - as recommended by a few people on Reddit for this tank.

I don't plan to make coils that will look pretty in forum pictures. But I've gotta try some Clapton vs. round wire.
Seems to be popular for a reason. Flavor. Right?
& Flavor (for a simple single coil RTA in MY price range) is how I landed on the Merlin.

Those cover a good range of vaping styles, but they all have one thing in common, Exceptional Flavor.

Cool. Thanks for the recommendations.
But, unfortunately, I noticed ANOTHER thing these tanks all have in common:
they cost a lot.
You get what you pay for, but I don't have enough to pay for 3 of those.
(& I'm used to having 5 or 6 prebuilt tanks going at the same time for quick, easy flavor changing throughout the day, but trying to streamline down to 3 RTA's.)

Well, I really am gonna try n stop hijacking this thread.
The OBS Nano seems to get mixed reviews.
The Original Engine seems highly praised, by most.
I wish I could get a unanimous nudge as to my 2 inclinations:

1) keep em & cross my fingers & learn on em & spend more $ later on others when they seep
2) return em & maybe get 3 Exo Rta's? (not the black ones)

Thanks for tolerating all my words.

 

[hiclass]

If you WERE a "1-atty-kinda-guy" - what would YOU hone in on - for best flavor, ease of use and least leaking/seeping issues?

Get Ijoy Exo RTA, you can't be wrong.

 

[Zombieslug]

Get Ijoy Exo RTA, you can't be wrong.

That's where I was being led to by my reading of this Merlin thread to the OBS Engine Nano thread readings.

I mentioned the Exo here, & haven't had anyone else respond about it.
(seems like it's got more of an "underground" following, as in lots of people saying it totally beats out the Engines that got all the hype? At least in single coil mode.)

Think I'm just gonna keep one of the 3 Merlins to experiment with (hope I pick one of the magic ones that don't seep)

 

[hittman]

The exo is a good tank. I did have leaking issues with the dual coil deck but none with the single deck.

 

[Zombieslug]

The exo is a good tank. I did have leaking issues with the dual coil deck but none with the single deck.

How would you compare the single coil deck?
And did you use the 6mL tube, or just the 2mL?
If so, is the flavor dip negligible on the 6mL?
(2mL is what kept me from the Merlin Mini)