I performed a little informal head-to-head-to-head comparison test today on three different set-ups:
- a Magma clone RDA built with a 1.0-ohm 26-gauge Kanthal single horizontal microcoil wicked with KGD cotton and powered by a Kicked Origin mech mod set to 10 watts
- a bottom-fed YK-1 Mini (Cyclone clone) built with a 1.2-ohm 28-gauge Kanthal single horizontal microcoil wicked with rayon and powered by a Vapage XL 18650 bottom-feeder
- an old-school 2.2-ohm Joyetech standard 510 atomizer powered by a VAMO v3 set to 9 watts
In each of the three, I vaped two juices, both of which are 12mg Vaperstek nic in a 40PG/60VG blend:
A. a high-end DIY NET made from my homemade extract of a Rocky Patel Autumn 2008 Maduro cigar
B. a DIY dessert juice for my sweet tooth, Lemon Cupcake with Cream Cheese Icing
Flavor of both juices was terrific in all three set-ups, and so close that I couldn’t give the nod to any one over another. What set the three apart, though ever-so-slightly, was the overall vaping experience. Vapor production and mouthfeel were thickest with the Magma, whose coil was the lowest resistance (1.0 ohm) and thickest wire (26-gauge). Dripping into the Joyetech 510 atty produced vapor and mouthfeel that were a bit thinner than with the bottom-fed YK-1, which was itself a tad less thick than with the Magma. So, the Magma wins in a tight race (with a citation to the bottom-fed YK-1 Mini for ease of use, since squonking is easier than dripping), but all three are wonderful juice delivery systems.
In fairness, I also vape NETs and dessert juices in such humble devices as BCC clearomizers (Evod clones and Kanger T3s), dual-coil clearos (itaste16s), and even CE4s/CE5s. While not as good as the three I compared today, those lower-end devices are still acceptable to me, even for NETs. Their flavor, vapor, and mouthfeel are sufficient, if less than perfect, and they’re very convenient. I even enjoy rebuilding the heads on the BCCs with premade 1.5 ohm Nichrome NR-R-NR micro-coils ($3 for 50 from slowtech) and KGD cotton or rayon wicks. That elevates them to respectability.
I just ordered an
Origen v2 1:1 clone from slowtech, because---unlike the Magma---I can convert that one to bottom-fed with a little dremel action.