Okay, looking for a consensus...

[beckyblue]

Hello, my ridiculously friendly new Reo pals. Maybe I should just be asking this in the Lounge, but I did figure that some other folks who don't necessarily check in there might have a similar question. I am finally, honestly ready to take the plunge with an rba for my REO VVG (one that would also fit the Mini would be neat, but I think that, generally, that calls for two different types). I'm happy with my standard attys, but my curiosity is official piqued. Yes, I have read loads about the different models you all enjoy, but I'm looking for the very easiest one for an overly intimidated newbie to rebuildables. My vision is just fine, but my clutziness quotient is off the charts.

If it'll wind up saving me $ in the long run, I'm willing to spend more for it. So, apologies for asking an already much-debated question, but what's the simplest starter rba for our mods? Thank you all, again, in advance.

 

[lazyymatt]

I HIGHLY suggest you start off with the "Reomizer" the one that Rob sells on his site for I think $35? That was my first RBA and it most DEFINITELY helped me get into the world of rebuildable atomizers. I used that for a few months, but it was starting to fall apart (due to my carelessness) and then went and bought a Hornet ($70). I have also heard that a lot of people have the A7s, but my "Reo teacher" was not a fan and so I followed her advice and went with the Reomizer instead. There is even a sticky that shows you the step by step process on how to build your coil and wick and set it onto the atomizer. It is super easy once you get the hang of it and will cost you SO much money in the long-run.

I feel like my regular Grand has not been the best match with the RBAs... I am seriously thinking about getting VVG soon or maybe a birthday present to myself in June. Whichever RBA you end up choosing, I can guarantee that it will be your Grand's BFF lol.

 

[beckyblue]

Thanks, Matt, but Rob's no longer selling the Reomizers. I'll become a student of youtube university once I get; just hoping to give myself a leg up by choosing the right one the first time (not my typical order).

 

[nerak]

Becky, any that will fit the Mini will work on your VV Grand. I think your best bet is to read this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/reos-mods/377836-reo-compatible-rbas.html

You will get a good idea by looking at the various ones. You can then decide your price range. You can also learn how people find them to be as far as performance and easy of putting on a coil.

I have A7's because they are about the cheapest and are very easy to use. But they do have a issue with the center post. It is wiggly and needs some stabilization so it won't cause a short. It is a small price to pay for a great RBA though.

 

[beckyblue]

Thank you so much for the link, Karen. Ugh, cheeks are really, really red for asking for the group consensus here, when I should've just examined the stickies. I don't know why my eyes always gravitate towards the standard threads, and I tend to overlook the threads that have been stickied for a reason! And blue being my favorite color, it should certainly be the other way around. Won't do it again; and, hopefully my error will help out a couple other folks with this strange, annoying penchant.

 

[Blix]

You can still PM Rob for a Reomizer.

 

[clyde2801]

When is our maine modmaster coming out with the new RBA he hinted about?

Nerak as usual came out with the best points to consider. The only things I could humbly add to her list is warranty, customer service and country of origin. Nothing's worse than falling in love with a RBA, then having a problem with it and: a) being told TFB... or, b) having to wait two weeks or more just for it to get through two countries customs twice.

A7's relatively inexpensive. While the center post is a concern, but your VVG does have short protection. I don't want to sound like a total kiss-, but I'd try something like that to get my feet wet until we see what Rob's cooking up next. Yes, I'm talking about an unknown RBA, but his customer service ethic is well documented.

 

[starwatching]

Please be very careful with the Reomizer and your Grand. Last night, I had an issue, and I (gulp) shorted out my grand. Now, I am awaiting a kit to rebuild the insides. I was really liking the flavor with the Reomizer, but it seemed like the post was getting a little wiggly. I only had the Reomizer for a week. My own fault. Can anyone tell me if the Hornet is made a little more durable?

 

[lostknitter]

I have a couple of the A7minis, and the center post has not been a problem. I bought them because they are not too expensive and they fit on my 18490s.

 

[Ratman]

Becky, after reading your situation through and really thinking through what I would do in your situation, I think your best investment would be a stainless steel hornet. It will fit any REO, is high quality durable construction and vapes wonderfully. It will last and will not be something you will feel the need to grow out of or have to replace due to lesser material construction. It holds 90%+ of it's value as well, at least for the foreseeable future.

 

[markfm]

Probably a month away from availability, but I'm thinking of an Achilles for myself.

 

[house mouse]

Probably a month away from availability, but I'm thinking of an Achilles for myself.

Me too. If they work as well as I think they will I'm going to sell my ERAs and Chalice.

 

[Ratman]

Me too. If they work as well as I think they will I'm going to sell my ERAs and Chalice.

Dibs on Chalice!

 

[rudy4653]

Please be very careful with the Reomizer and your Grand. Last night, I had an issue, and I (gulp) shorted out my grand. Now, I am awaiting a kit to rebuild the insides. I was really liking the flavor with the Reomizer, but it seemed like the post was getting a little wiggly. I only had the Reomizer for a week. My own fault. Can anyone tell me if the Hornet is made a little more durable?

Hornets are definately more durable especially the SS steel ones over the anodized aluminum colored version. I have both and they are great RBAs. Fit the minis also, nice size and shape. Just my 2cents.

 

[FeistyAlice]

I have several types of the more expensive RBAs and the least expensive types. For starting out and money savings, in my not so humble opinion, I highly recommend the Mini A7. It fits the smallest wells and catchcups and is no less well made than the $70 import that it is a clone of (I have several of those.)

As far as A7 wobbly center positive pin.... the expensive one that it is a clone of has that, too. It is easily stabilized with a couple of condom cap slivers. Doing the slivers is 1000% easier than building a coil. Although doing the stabilization is easy enough Sterno and I, and probably others, don't even bother doing those any more. We just make sure the pin is readjusted to proper position every time we screw the A7s into REOs.

A7s also make great drippers with their nice big wells.

On phone now so won't go find links but A7 Mini cost about $20 and available US retail.

BTW, two REOnauts have had center coil post insulation get over heated and melt on expensive ERAs. (I'm one but it didn't melt enough to cause shorting.) Talk about getting replacement parts????!!!!! No luck to this point in time; only vague promises.

Feisty Alice

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

[FeistyAlice]

BTW... I love most things about all my RBAs. Besides the low price of A7s, their ease of build/use, and good construction for such a low price, there are pretty regular co-ops running for them where they cost <$10 US.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Donkeytap]

I'm pretty new here so please excuse me if this is bad advice, but, I received a reo last week and placed a vision eternity on it. Done. As far as I know, the only problem with the vision is it may leak through the bottom which is bad for tube mods but great fot the Reo! I haven't had any problems with this set up. Seems to be a quality rba, however, I don't hear about them very often so maybe I just got lucky.

 

[hildicat]

My vote would be the ERA.

It will fit your Grand and VVG.
The current v1.5 is bullet proof and has no center pin issues.
It is in the mid range for price, and is easily purchased.
In my experience, it is probably the easiest to learn/start with. Because of the post configuration, coils can only be applied in one, straight forward fashion - no diagonal coil dance!

The only alteration you may consider is enlarging the stock air hole. I prefer it at 1/16th, but many like the stock configuration.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: Sorry. Just re-read your post and realized you have a Mini and a VVG. The ERA will not fit the Mini, so I would suggest a Hornet, essentially a smaller version of the ERA. All of my point are applicable to both.

 

[super_X_drifter]

I'll second what Hildicat says for the Hornet. It is a great RBA, easy to build, compact, great vape, quality construction and fits on a mini.

You will be shocked at how simple it it to build a great coil and wick.


Shot thru cyberspace with my iGun

 

[CATastrophe]

The SS hornet is VERY durable. No wiggliness on the posts. I have a hornet and a reomizer. I've had the hornet a week, the reomizer a couple months. The draw is a tad tighter on the hornet, but there are ways to deal with that. I love how solid the hornet is. No leaks yet, and can fog up a room in a heartbeat. I'm very happy and considering 2 more to outfit my other mini and VV Grand.