RDA RDA Clones... help yet answers abound

[Zazoie]

I am pretty new to rda's and have been searching ECF for peoples views of clones...the cons seem to be

1) they are a rip off of someone's art work
2) poorer craftsmanship
3) material may contain lead or other hazardous things you don't want to be breathing

those aside...

Those that do own clone rda's are they worth picking up? DO you find its hit and miss with how well they work? What has been your experience and maybe what is your favorite rda clone?

The prices seem too good to be true. Just looking for advice on RDA clones and if I should go down that road or save the money.

I have an authentic mutation x v2 and I love it but you know...I like shinny things and tend to want more of them

Thanks!

 

[Fattlestar]

If it worries you a lot to buy a clone, then a clone may not be the right purchase for you. I won't buy anything authentic that is more than 40$, so that leaves mostly clones, with a few nice exceptions.

Every clone has the potential to be a lemon, but by aggregate one can discern the possibility. Read reviews for particular items that you are interested in. Find out what the problems are. Understand what you are buying. Ask questions (about the particular item). That way you know better what you're getting.

Nobody can properly answer "are clones worth buying?" because every clone is different. Some are, some aren't. But generalizing them all as your list, besides being a rip-off, isn't a realistic view. Poorer craftsmanship? Sometimes, but many clones are better than the originals. Suspect materials? Sometimes, but if you do your research you can avoid the clones that are made with substandard materials.

For me, I find none of these little chunks of metal to be worth "authentic" pricing in most cases. There are exceptions to every rule though (Freakshow, and other authentic reasonably priced).

You can buy 12 clones from Fasttech for the price of one of the better authentics out there. I would put good money on at least eight of those twelve clones working superbly.

But those are just my opinions.

 

[Zazoie]

Thanks Fattlestar that was helpful. As an aside that list was from what I read here in the forums on this topic I have no real opinion for I don't own a clone just in the market...seems a lot of people like the Magma clone might give that a try since I love flavor

 

[bucknastyusa]

I have a clone of a tobh rda and not only is the cap way too small for the rda, but it also has now broken to where I can't use it anymore. Went and got an authentic MX and it was a magnificent decision. I feel like atty clones are more often than not of bad quality, with the exception of a few perfect attys. clone mech mods seem to be of decent quality and worth the money you'll save, but with an atty, dropping an extra 10 to 15 bucks for a decent authentic is worth the money.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[alicewonderland]

if you were to buy clones, i would buy them from a reputable seller to minimize your hit/miss. I bought almost all my RDA's from eciggity/originvape and all of the clones are top quality, their customer service is topnotch and they reply fast to email questions from me. Fasttech contains alot of clones but I wouldnt spend a large amount of money there, I ordered 10 drip tips from them and 3 came with broken O rings and were basically useless. Their quality control seems poor. Tobeco, ehpro, and the originvape 'non clones' (their alterations on originals such as their versions of the mutation X) were always all good quality and havent broke. Originvape also has cheap non clone, original Cigreen RDA's in the ~30$ range as well which is nice.

 

[Never Lift]

Ill buy clones until I find something I really like, then buy the authentic.

 

[Zazoie]

if you were to buy clones, i would buy them from a reputable seller to minimize your hit/miss. I bought almost all my RDA's from eciggity/originvape and all of the clones are top quality, their customer service is topnotch and they reply fast to email questions from me. Fasttech contains alot of clones but I wouldnt spend a large amount of money there, I ordered 10 drip tips from them and 3 came with broken O rings and were basically useless. Their quality control seems poor. Tobeco, ehpro, and the originvape 'non clones' (their alterations on originals such as their versions of the mutation X) were always all good quality and havent broke. Originvape also has cheap non clone, original Cigreen RDA's in the ~30$ range as well which is nice.

Thanks alicewonderland!

 

[porkchopbun]

Some of the clones I had good luck with is the Magma,CM Zenith 2.0 and Mephisto v2 by Ivogo. It helps to stick with well reviewed clones but even then I would stick with buying from reputable dealer in your home country versus from buying overseas. I own the real CM Zenith 2.0 and besides material wise (more sturdier on the authentic), they vape the same between authentic and the clone.

I had bad Atomic clone that broke the first day from fasttech and the RMA process was PITA. If you want "china" like prices, stick with angel cigs/Focalecig (ships from USA) section.


As somebody stated, with Cigreen and Wotofo coming out with own products that are actually not that bad. I don't think you need to spend big money on one these days to get the vape what you're looking for (flavor chasing, cloud, etc. ) Also if the clone product becomes really popular, sell alot, etc, I notice the clone quality improves a lot..but it has to get Kayfun lite plus v2 or Tobh rock star status

 

[T4T3Z0R]

i have a helios clone dont know the manufacturer and a ehpro tobh clone. both absolutely rock!

 

[Paramaniac413]

I bought my first RDA today - a Magma clone, and I'm very happy with it. I went to a local B&M just to actually see what I was getting. I spent more than online, but I'm very happy so far (vaped on it all day, my own build, no issues so far). I'm cheap...I'd rather spend a little and have it not work than spend a fortune and not like it.

 

[Train2]

Specific clones get reputations - I'd suggest selecting a few DESIGNS you like, then reading reviews of those - authentic and clone. Some clone MAKERS even TEND to develop a reputation, but there can be exceptions.

For example, I think Tobeco runs on the side of "lower quality materials and machining" but Infinite sometimes gets feedback that the clone is just AS GOOD AS... but again - that's not totally consistent.

Personally, I lean towards authentics, but that's because I lean towards stuff where a critical factor is fine machining, and I've researched it, and I'm willing to pay top dollar for absolute top quality. Or else there may BE no clone.
So I have a Chalice, which is absurdly pricey. But I also took a shot at a $5 clone Zenith because it came ready to bottom feed, and well...heck it was $5. I certainly like it $5 worth. LOL

Oh - I do have an Infinite Magma. I'm not in love with it - but the manufacturing quality seems excellent...

Bottom line - some clones are good, some are crappy. On Fasttech, sometimes they sell BOTH - read the reviews!

 

[Mediakiller]

I just bought a Tobeco Hobo V2 clone and the air slots didn't line up correctly. Added an o-ring under the threaded inner wall and now it hits pretty well. I am always going to be on the fence between auth and clone. The clone won because I could get it locally and money was a factor. When time and money aren't a factor I ALWAYS prefer the get the real deal because, as stated earlier, the machining of critical areas is just better.

 

[john333]

VaporDNA carries a good selection of affordable "Not A Clone" RDAs. Good luck

 

[DannyThunders]

There are some really great authentics to be had for reasonable prices. Mutation X, Doge, and Troll come to mind

 

[dustin86ed]

Flavor-wise, I'd go with a Hobo, an Odin, a Nimbus or a Derringer. In my opinion, they have the best flavor out there. Then again, it all depends on your juice, building/wicking ability, etc.