Please help me choose a new set up in light of FDA regs

[Kimberino]

Currently use iStick 30w with Nautilus Mini and have used it for the past year and a half. Love it!!! Absolutely can't afford to stockpile 10 yrs worth of coils. Non smoker hubby has agreed to learn how to do a rebuildable and wick coils so he can teach me. Thankfully, ECF encouraged and taught me how to DIY my juice so no problem there.

Want something:

Similar in size to current set up
Won't leak

Can you help?

 

[rice721]

The Nauti mini is 22mm? Kayfun series seem to be a forum favorite for mouth to lung vapers.

Depending on how tight you like your draw, I find the Merlin RTA to be able to do MTL with the reducer installed.

Thats about it from me, I'm DL, but I'm sure more members will chime in soon.

As for the regs, I think the only thing you need to really stock up on is nicotine for juice DIY.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Kayfun Lite Plus V2. Simple.

 

[Max-83]

Lemo v1

 

[Eskie]

Kayfun and Merlin seem to be the best MTL RTAs right now. The Serpent mini is another that appears to perform well, is affordable, and I believe it holds a bit more than your current nautilus mini.

You should also consider your mod. Something with replaceable batteries is really best. Lots of nice stuff at affordable prices these days. Of course a mech mod will likely last longer, you really need to be comfortable with using them safely, as they really do not have the kind of built in protection found in regulated mods.

 

[Alien Traveler]

Kayfun Lite Plus V2. Simple.

Lemo v1

It's a matter of personal preferences, but I hate to fill these tanks through a tiny bottom hole, which is closed with a screw, so for refilling I have to use a screwdriver and try do not misplace the tiny screw.

For mouth-to-lungs vape I use these:

$23.57 Infinite Kayfun V4 Styled RTA Rebuildable Tank Atomizer - stainless steel / 23.2mm diameter at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
$20.02 Hotcig GT-S V2 RTA Rebuildable Tank Atomizer (5.0mL) - stainless steel + matte glass / 23mm diameter at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

Planning to buy these, but have not tried them (good reviews on ECF):

$17.11 Kayfun V5 Styled RTA Rebuildable Tank Atomizer - 5ml / 316 stainless steel / 22mm diameter at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
$12.98 Kayfun Mini V3 Styled RTA Rebuildable Tank Atomizer - 2ml / 316 stainless steel + glass at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[Max-83]

It's a matter of personal preferences, but I hate to fill these tanks through a tiny bottom hole,

Valid point. I have several kayfun 3.1clones and the authentic Lemo, in my opinion the Lemo wins hands down.

I fill the Lemo from the top, just remove top cover while holding steady downward pressure on the glass. No leaks and quick as filling a protank.

It is a personal preference.

 

[Baditude]

You should also consider your mod. Something with replaceable batteries is really best. Lots of nice stuff at affordable prices these days. Of course a mech mod will likely last longer, you really need to be comfortable with using them safely, as they really do not have the kind of built in protection found in regulated mods.

I agree with Eskie.

No one can say if replacement parts for a regulated mod will be available, or even if new regulated mods will be available after 2016. Since it could cost manufacturers up to one million dollars to have their mod approved by the FDA, I have a hunch that most manufacturers will choose to go out of business. The surest method to be "post FDA ready" is to have a mechanical mod and a rebuildable atomizer purchased before they are no longer available.

There are no electronic parts to fail in a mech. They are almost always far more durable than a regulated mod. A mech should last decades under hard use. As cautioned by Eskie, anyone using a mechanical mod should be informed of their safe usage. A Beginner's Guide to Your First Mechanical Mod

In my opinion, a Reo mechanical bottom-feeder is the perfect setup for the vape apocalypse. Battery and e-juice bottle both inside the mod. To feed the atomizer, you simply press the bottle through a cutout window. You are essentially "dripping upside down".
reosmods.com

Another mech mod recommendation if you don't want a bottom feeder. AltSmoke Silver Bullet.

Inexpensive Mechanical Mod and RDA Setup

 

[Nikea Tiber]

The kayfun has a microscopic build deck. The kanger RBA is a bit better. If you are looking into an RTA with a larger build deck like the Griffin or Cthulu you might also want to consider the geekvape Avocado, seems to be a well-built device and easy to set up.

In terms of a mod, there are a few reasonably priced regulated mods on the market that use the OKR or raptor pwm chipsets that are fairly well known and serviceable in case it fails on you. The Hexohm and Ranger are good examples of this style of regulated mod.

 

[Bob Chill]

I've been top filling my kayfun lites and 3.1's for years. Just hold your finger over the air holes when doing it. Almost never floods.

Kayfun v3 mini and mini plus are solid choices for cheap at fast tech.

All the tanks rec'd so far are great choices. I got my wife a Pico recently. She only used itaste's and spinners until recently. She really likes it now that she's used to the width. Cloupor Mini and VTC mini are other reasonable small mods that fit an 18650.

 

[Max-83]

Just hold your finger over the air holes when doing it. Almost never floods.

That right there is my only problem with the kayfuns. It seems a 50/50 chance (for me) that it will flood, leak or gurgle like hell after I refill from the top.

I refill my Lemo the same way and never has it ever flooded or leaked, that just puts it out in front of the kayfun for me.

 

[issy]

Best to stick a mech in the drawer for a rainy day, too. I just got a blem for $10... Google beyond vape and get the beacon mod in red (mine really looks hot pink plus they have gray, copper and black). It's a great first mech and it is telescoping to fit different battery sizes. I've used it a little, and it really isn't a big deal once you've done your safety research. You've gotten good advice on the rtas - I use a lemo 2 and I like it, but it can flood sometimes on me and I think there are better choices out there. Good luck!

 

[HauntedMyst]

Hard to beat a mech mod with a Titanium Mods Achilles atomizer for a flavorful vape and easy single coil building.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

I still have six Lemo V1s. Actually, am vaping on one now. Yes, has a bottom screw, but I don't mind. Any Kayfun style has a simple build, they don't leak, have good flavor, and sufficient airflow. The Squape Rs is another simple mod. I have a KF Mini V3. the flavor is good, but the tank is just a bit small.

The reason i mention it is that, for me, these RTAs just don't have wicking or maintenance challenges. It seems of late that RTAs require a specifically tailored wick to get max flavor and vapor from them. Vapor is fine, but flavor and ease of use is a priority.

With the regulations coming up, I just look to have simplicity, so I am moving away from purchasing the latest and greatest.

Although my Reosmod is great, I found a 1:1 clone. Between the two and easy spare parts, they will last a very long time. I have a good mech that will also last. For whatever blessing, Provari 2.5 mods got affordable. They all work off of replaceable batteries, too. All simple, easy to maintain and will last.

A lot of good input from others here. I could, and do, have most everything mentioned and anticipate them to last.

Good luck!

 

[Vandal]

I still have six Lemo V1s. Actually, am vaping on one now. Yes, has a bottom screw, but I don't mind. Any Kayfun style has a simple build, they don't leak, have good flavor, and sufficient airflow. The Squape Rs is another simple mod. I have a KF Mini V3. the flavor is good, but the tank is just a bit small.

The reason i mention it is that, for me, these RTAs just don't have wicking or maintenance challenges. It seems of late that RTAs require a specifically tailored wick to get max flavor and vapor from them. Vapor is fine, but flavor and ease of use is a priority.

With the regulations coming up, I just look to have simplicity, so I am moving away from purchasing the latest and greatest.

Although my Reosmod is great, I found a 1:1 clone. Between the two and easy spare parts, they will last a very long time. I have a good mech that will also last. For whatever blessing, Provari 2.5 mods got affordable. They all work off of replaceable batteries, too. All simple, easy to maintain and will last.

A lot of good input from others here. I could, and do, have most everything mentioned and anticipate them to last.

Good luck!

This is my thinking. Keep it simple. Stick with the tried and true, the reliable. The RBAs I have been purchasing (Kayfun Lite Plus V2 and Origen v2) are older tech, but they are new to me, lol, and they follow these guidelines. Same with Provari 2.5s and Nemesis (clone) mechs. Once I have a solid stock of these, I can throw in a few other things, providing they can be had by then.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Yep, I just got two Squape Rs in the mail today. Just looking for simple.

 

[Kimberino]

I appreciate you all taking the time to help me out. My head is spinning with all this info but I believe I have a good grasp of what to look for. I was pretty happy with my mini and iStick...stupid government!