update #2: so i was still fiddling with my Cobra since i was still getting that bad taste and harsh throat hit... took it apart again, everything looked fine, put it back together, still getting that harshness making me cough when it dawned on me... maybe it's because my ejuices are menthol-based? so i emptied it, but some non-menthol juice and OMFG, did you know genesis/metal coils HATE menthol?!? who would have thought!?
now i'm getting an incredibly smooth vape, no harshness... extremely happy with my purchase. i guess these genesis atties are as good as people say... now i've got my eye on that Orion since the Cobra isn't all that portable... ;-)