RBA Models and Why you like them!

[zero7starz]

I wanted to start a thread based on the different rba models we've(as in us here on ECF) purchased, why we chose them, and what we like about them. From $$$ to $ ones, problems we've had, supplies they use, and whatnot.

So like:
1: Model
2: Price Point, feel free to include where you got it, but you don't have to.
3: Supplies you use. General (like mine) or specific.
4: What do you enjoy.
5: Problems you've had.
6: Why? Why the problems, why you liked it, whatever why's you wanna add.

Mine:
1: AGA-T2 (X2)
2: $30 shipped from DV.com
3: Ss mesh 400 and Kanthal 32g wire
4: First RBA and I like it more than all my other tanks. Wicks perfect. I love that I don't worry about burning.
5: I've had little to no real issues. My counterpart keeps popping coils, but I think he was testing on too high a voltage. One semi issue I've experienced is that it can feel a little airy on the draw, but I fiddle with air hole placement to customize that experience. I'd say I prefer one with a tighter draw.
6: Specifically picked AGA after so many satisfied owners on the forum, and it's price made it a great way to start. I felt very comfortable buying one because of how successful most fellow members were getting them set up. Now, I'm itching for a varied collection of RBAs :B

Depending on how well this thread goes, I would consider compiling the data into a easier to reference media. Either as a spreadsheet, or database or something. It is always nice to have quick to reference materials!

 

[donnah]

My favorites are my 2 DIDs.. I love the way they look. I don't think they are the easiest to set up though because of the tiny nut that captures the wire on the pos post. My favorite thing about them.. they have screw on top caps that line up perfectly with the wick. I can take them out and not have to worry about the top cap coming off in my purse. I bought one used in the classys, it has a really large air hole that I've grown to love. The other I bought new from MMvapors, it has a smaller air hole that makes it a different but very enjoyable vape.

I have a zap that I bought from Provape. I seem to have gotten a smaller air hole than most others as my air hole is quite small compared to my older DID. I like the ease of set up with the top screw capture. It's a bit heavy and the top cap isn't near as secure but it stays on well enough. I think I might like it more if the air hole was larger but I'm going to leave it alone.

I have a did cone I bought from Fasttech for $8 shipped. It works just as well as the more expensive ones I have. The air hole is tiny but the whole atty is tiny and it gives a great draw and lots of vapor. It's also easy to setup.. the top wire capture is a nice, grippy nut that is easy to turn and capture the wire.

I have a RSST from Captivape. It is by far the easiest to set up. I love the spring/washer design top wire capture. I love the insulated wick hole. The top cap is press on but it stays on. I love the size, it looks good on my EA. I'm not too sure about the tank though.. I'm getting an odd taste that I don't get from my other devices. I've rewashed it and dipped it in alcohol and it's currently set aside because while it was soaking.. I stole the washer and am using it in one of the DIDs.

I also have a drunker tank that came from (I think) surevapes. It is easy to rebuild (after you get the hang of it) and best of all, it doesn't leak if left on it's side. It is giving great flavor with either cotton or silica and looks good too.

I recently bought a Pheonix dripper and was loving it until I overtightened the EA and pushed the center pin up into it and ruined it. I promptly ordered a couple more from Reosmods for $4 each.

So I have a mixture of expensive and cheap.

 

[Vego]

Of the 4 RBAs I've bought since getting into them about 3 weeks ago, all of them perform exceedingly well.

1) Smok Octopus
2) AGA T 2
3) Igo L
4) Terminator C

I really don't know which one I like best as they're all good devices. The Terminator is the biggest pita to setup, what with the NR wire, yet it can also be said that once it's working, it offers the least amount of tending to during the daily vape. No tilting or coil adjusting and no dripping or refilling with that 5-7mil tank. I've stuck with the lower $ devices because I just don't think the quality of the vape on +$150 devices over that of the cheaper ones will justify the cost. I'm not willing to spend that much for a slightly marginal improvement in flavor and vapor... which I concede, may exist on the pricier ones. But I get plenty of both with the cheaper units, and I'm sated.

Sweet spot for me is 28g K, 400# ss, or just recently discovered 100% cotton (which I'm using right now for the first time on a dual coil Igo L setup). Though 500# and ceramic wick and ribbon K is on my to try list.

 

[FogHawg]

I have:
1 ZAP
2 AGA T2's
1 Killer 705
They all work great & I really like em all, but the ZAP is my pet & always gets my fav juice. The Killer in an IBTanked std tank is my work vape & the T2's get used & abused by whatever strikes my fancy. They're all great devices IMHO.

 

[Rule62]

I have:
3 ZAPs
2 Cobras
2 DIDs (one standard D20 and 1 Short)
2 AGA-T+
1 AC9
1 RSST (2 more on the way)

I don't really have a favorite. I like them all. They all have their own personalities, or idiosyncrasies. There are things I like and dislike about all of them. But I enjoy the variety.

 

[DuaneNeveu]

I just got a Vision Eternity and an IGO-L yesterday. I absolutely love them both so far.

Biggest reason? Genesis style attys almost moved me to light a candle at one end of my house, turn the gas on at the other end, and just walk away.

I know, I know...a few days efforts wasn't enough, and some of you can knock out a wick 'n' coil in minutes flat. For the sake of my sanity I had to shelve them for awhile.

These dripping attys make me look and feel like a pro coil maker though, so for the moment I'm in love.

 

[eratikmind]

I just started my RBA journey some 2 weeks ago. No high end rigs, yet. Thus far, I have, 2 AGA T2s, 2 IGO-Ls, and 1 Smok RSST.

These have performed better than I had anticipated. For the price point and vaping quality, they are fantastic.




- Andy . . . Don't let the Ciggieman getcha.

 

[evgeny131]

View attachment 201530
AGA T2 SMOK RSST
Love the flavor, consistency of vapor,
Hate the finnicky set up and especially the positive post on the AGA T2

 

[evgeny131]

Of the 4 RBAs I've bought since getting into them about 3 weeks ago, all of them perform exceedingly well.

1) Smok Octopus
2) AGA T 2
3) Igo L
4) Terminator C

I really don't know which one I like best as they're all good devices. The Terminator is the biggest pita to setup, what with the NR wire, yet it can also be said that once it's working, it offers the least amount of tending to during the daily vape. No tilting or coil adjusting and no dripping or refilling with that 5-7mil tank. I've stuck with the lower $ devices because I just don't think the quality of the vape on +$150 devices over that of the cheaper ones will justify the cost. I'm not willing to spend that much for a slightly marginal improvement in flavor and vapor... which I concede, may exist on the pricier ones. But I get plenty of both with the cheaper units, and I'm sated.

Sweet spot for me is 28g K, 400# ss, or just recently discovered 100% cotton (which I'm using right now for the first time on a dual coil Igo L setup). Though 500# and ceramic wick and ribbon K is on my to try list.

Ribbon K is AMAZINGLY well performing....i bought from kidneypuncher....10ft for $5

 

[Vego]

Ribbon K is AMAZINGLY well performing....i bought from kidneypuncher....10ft for $5

Kidneypuncher. Okay, got 'em bookmarked. Thanks for that. Looks like they'll have it in stock on the 24th... that is, if the next train doesn't derail too.

 

[Jimi D.]

1 Bully

2 Phoenix's

1 Magno

1 801 Dream

1 Igo L

1 Choice

1 Dream Tank

1 Phoenix Xl

1 DID

2 AGA S

1 AGI

As for me I like my drip atties the best. SS is a pita for me, and when I do get it to work, the vapor is too hot and thin, from the heat of the wick. I'm just gonna wait until that perfect wicking material comes along for these Genny's.

 

[DaggerStroke]

i have aga t2 and vision eternity

Aga t2 is the best

 

[Ctor]

In order of preference:

6 Satin Vulcans (stainless steel did clones) with IBTanked glass tank - smaller form factor, slightly better flavor and warmer vapor than the aga-t2s, but slightly harder to work on due to size.

6 aga-t2s with IBTanked glass- great genesis style atty, easy to work on

1 Igo-l - easy to work on, stainless steel, and slip on cap, ok capacity.

1 Wyvern (Rainbow v3) - nice ego sized dripper, very east to work on, decent capacity -I wish they made an all stainless version

 

[IamPaul]

Great thread!

I have 2 Aga T2's: One from PB Dragon and one from Delaware Vapor. Both Vendors are awesome, but I'm not a fan of the AGA T2.

I have one Smok RSST from LitecigUSA and another one on the way from VaportekUSA. I'm much more impressed with this one. Litecig is another awesome vendor, I haven't received my order from Vaportek, so the jury is still out, but they seem to have a good reputation on this forum.

My vote is for the RSST. This thing is much easier to get going than that AGA. They both perform about the same, but my inexperienced hands got the RSST up in running in 1/4 the time it took the to get the AGA's to work.

I've used 500 SS mesh and SS wire wick on both. I prefer the 500 mesh on the RSST. Had better luck with the stainless wick (7x7) on the AGA. Tried stainless washers on the AGA T2 as well, with limited success.
My biggest gripe with the ATA T2 is the top of the coil from the wick to the center post is a pain. Once you get it right, it's bliss. Getting it right is a pain, though. I went through several feet of Kanthal trying to make it work. Granted, I'm not the most experienced at this kind of thing, but it shouldn't be this hard. The RSST was a lot easier. Had a problem with the bottom of the coil glowing red hot but easily fixed.

 

[zero7starz]

In order of preference:

6 Satin Vulcans (stainless steel did clones) with IBTanked glass tank - smaller form factor, slightly better flavor and warmer vapor than the aga-t2s, but slightly harder to work on due to size.

6 aga-t2s with IBTanked glass- great genesis style atty, easy to work on

1 Igo-l - easy to work on, stainless steel, and slip on cap, ok capacity.

1 Wyvern (Rainbow v3) - nice ego sized dripper, very east to work on, decent capacity -I wish they made an all stainless version

How would you describe the draw on the satin Vulcans? How does it compare to the AGA? I read a thread about them the other day, and they seem to be a good quality, tested, DID clone. Wow 6 of them! Lol it's kinda the direction I'm going, too.

 

[Wow1420]

I have 3, all very recent purchases. I like all three, it would be tough to choose a favorite as they all vape great. I don't do super low ohms, so these are my thoughts based short-term use at 1.8 to 2.2 ohms.

Vision eternity - got it on sale at aquavapor - I think these are great because of how much e-juice they can hold, at least 20 drops, some review say more, but I haven't pushed it to find the limit. They can also use an ego tank without leaking. What I don't like is the "tool-less" posts, it's very hard to work with the slidey post thingies. I can't count how many times I dropped them, surprised I didn't loose any yet. They are hard to pull off and hard to push back on. I'd rather have thumbscrews or even regular screws. I'm also doubtful of the longevity of the posts, I've read some reviews complaining of the posts coming out of the base, one of mine feels a touch loose already. For all that, I'm thinking of buying a couple of spares because I do like the way they work and the large e-juice capacity.

Phoenix clone - very ordinary appearance but works great - I got the first one from goodprophets, but I picked up several more from the Reos mods sale. It's easier to recoil than the Vision but holds much less liquid, 8 drops is OK. Sometimes the center post gets pushed in too far and I have to pull it back down a little with a pointy tweezers to restore contact with the battery. The ones from Reos look to be from a different manufacturer, and I haven't tried them yet, so I don't know if they will have the same issue.

SmokeTech RDA Octopus - I'm still using the original coil, but it looks like it will be easy to rebuild due to thumb screws and clear access to the wire holes. Biggest problem is that the shell just pulls off the base. I've pulled it off accidentally once already, rather messy. 8 strands of wicks holds a lot of liquid.

 

[Ctor]

How would you describe the draw on the satin Vulcans? How does it compare to the AGA? I read a thread about them the other day, and they seem to be a good quality, tested, DID clone. Wow 6 of them! Lol it's kinda the direction I'm going, too.

The draw was slightly tight. I left 3 as they were and widened another 3 a little with a fine round file. They're very close to the aga-t2s. Other than they fit and look better on an ego sized batt, I'd probably be equally happy with either.

 

[eehtpc]

My first RBAs were silica wick types like the Bulldog and the Triveca. Hated each of them. Switched to real genesis with the AGA-T2 and haven't looked back. My carto tanks haven't been used since. The flavor and vapor on 28g kanthal 400 mesh are the best I've ever experienced since I started vaping in 2006.

 

[super_X_drifter]

1: Model: Mark Bugs Chalice Bottom Fed (I have three).
2: Price Point: Between $160 - $230 on classies.
3: Supplies Used: 30 ga Kanthal A1 for coil and Rolled Cotton for wick.
4: What do you enjoy: superb chain vaping characteristics, flood proof, build quality, ease of recoiling / rewicking, looks.
5: Problems you've had: none
6: Why: its hands down the best bottom fed RBA on the planet. Period.

 

[CountSmackula]

In order of preference (including quantity owned) The first 2 are a tie in terms of vaping bliss...
1 - Cobra 3ml (I'd buy another in a heartbeat)
* Easy set-up, multiple wick configurations. From the classies...
1 - DID D20 (Again, I'd buy another in a heartbeat)
* Easy set-up, nice big wick hole. From the classies...
1 - G-Bell Small chamber makes for an intense vape. Screw on cap. Air hole aligns with the wick just like the DID.
* Easy set-up, nice big wick hole. From the classies...
4 - AGA-T2s I love these things almost as much as the Cobra & the DID.
* The first 2 have a smaller wick hole than the -T, but the newest 2 have the larger hole (and NO stupid grommet seal like most vendors are selling). From 2 different co-ops...
2 - AGA-Ts
* The only 'straight from the box' negatives are the screw on top doesn't always align with the wick, and the plastic tanks. The first was solved with a bit of sanding & the second can be solved w/ glass from IBTanked. From a co-op...
4 - Chobras
* (Half have been modded w/ spring capture - need 2 more washers 'just' the right size to do the others.) From a co-op...
4 - Chids I started with these, so everything else has been pretty much a breeze.
* (Half have been modded w/ spring capture - the others will be done when I get time.) 2 from DV & 2 from a co-op...
1 - AGA (Original metal tank version)
* The only reason it's ranked this low is that I can't see my juice level. From a co-op...
1 - odd atty (supposedly a Zen clone, but NOT!)
* It vapes well, but the center post is very short, therefore so is the exposed wick. It came from a co-op but was a gift from a fellow vaper...
1 - RSST on the way, so I can't comment on it yet. Coming from a co-op...

I use #400 mesh (pin-hole straw wicks) & 32ga Kanthal wrapped @ ~2Ω ±0.1 on the Chids for use on my Twists.
I use #500 mesh (solid wicks) & 30ga Kanthal wrapped @ ~1.6Ω ±0.1 on everything else.
I've done a few sub-ohm SLR coils for my EA, but was happier with the "regular" set-up. Just not that in to 'big plumes' of vapor & super-fast juice consumption.