Do you use the Hybrids or the Universals? Are they both suited for squonking? I want to get a bottom feeder at some point. Maybe when they go on sale again, or maybe just a Reo (not that a Reo is ever "just a Reo"). Don't know yet.
Mr.M,
The primary difference between the Vapage AMG Universal 510 atties and the AMG Bottom-Feeder 510s is that the BF 510s have four slots cut into the base of the connector (just inside but adjacent to the circumference of the 510 tube) to facilitate squonking. I don't see why the Universals wouldn't work also, because they're "open" atties with a hole inside the positive pin, just like JoyeTechs and other standard 510s. Dripping atties are closed, with sealed connectors, of course.
One of my Lucy Juicy box mod bottom-feeders bit the dust today when the plastic box finally broke. The regulated 5v circuitry had been wonky for a long time (some batteries wouldn't work, others would, with seemingly no rhyme or reason). So, I pitched it and ordered my fourth REO as a replacement---a tumbled raw aluminum REO 2.1 Mini blem. I like the 2.1 Minis that use an 18500 battery more than REO Grands, which use an 18650. They're the same width and depth, but the 2.1 Mini is shorter, which feels better in my hand.
In the REO versus Vapage Mod battle, I now have four REOs and four Vapage Mods---two XLs and two 2.0s. The Vapages were about $50 each bought on BOGO sales. The REOs---two blems (2.1 Minis) and two used from the Classies (a Mini and a 2.1 Mini)---were considerably more expensive, $100-$140 with accessories (button covers, extra hot springs).
All 13 of my bottom-feeders provide a good vape. The differences are in battery sizes used (14500, 18500, and 18650). None will accommodate low sub-ohm coils, but all are fine with builds down to about 1.0 ohms. I don't wish to go lower than that. 1.0-1.7 ohms is fine with me on a 3.7 volt battery.
The Vapage Mods are nicely designed and pleasing to hold. They don't feel "cheap," even though their inner skeletons are plastic. If money is a consideration, they're a good deal on sale at $50, although those sales are usually BOGO. If you can by only one, get an XL (18650) rather than a 2.0 (14500). I've modded all four of mine to allow rebuildable atomizers. PM me if you want the skinny on that.
As I'm sure you know, REOs are the heavy-duty industrial-strength champs of the bottom-fed marketplace. Thoughtfully-designed and incredibly well-made, milled from a solid block of aluminum. Totally mechanical (the Vapages are also), designed to allow disassembly of all parts for cleaning or repair/replacement. You just can't kill a REO (oh, I guess you could melt it in a 2000° forge, but you get my drift). Yeah, they're pricey, but so are ProVaris, and in this case you get what you pay for. All current REOs are milled with a catch cup that allows the use of bottom-fed RBAs with a base diameter of 14mm. Rob has a new line called "LP" (for low-profile catch cups for both the 2.1 Mini and Grand) that accept full-size RBAs. Many bottom-fed RBAs are expensive. I use dirt-cheap RDA clones from FastTech modded for bottom-feeding. Using a dremel and a micro-bit, I drill a juice channel through the silicon connector that surrounds the positive pin. Works perfectly. That said, standard 510 atties are fine for bottom-feeders.
Neither the Vapages nor the REOs are as beautiful as my three wooden Phids, which will accept Kicks, although I don't use them that way.
I saw a Red Sky wooden bottom-feeder in the Classies today---a DNA-20 VW unit that would be perfect for the sub-ohm cloud chasers. Asking price was $225. Not my thing, but great for somebody. Yes, I have Kayfuns, Nautilus tanks, and a ton of EVOD-style bottom-coil clearos, but---for a dedicated dripper who wants to stretch a bit---bottom-feeders are the closest thing to old-school dripping (except that you squonk rather than drip).
