I have one of these and it’s very light and vapes great. I bought the Ultem version and it seems really durable.
I have one of these and it’s very light and vapes great. I bought the Ultem version and it seems really durable.
I still love my Minikin. It made it through almost a year of my abuse and still works. I killed a Battlestar in under 2 months. I am really impressed with my SL Class so far. I take it everywhere It's good looking and tough. Once I got used to it I really like the way the chip and joystick work. With a 40T in it I get over a day at 55W. For a single battery that is quite good.I’m glad y’all tested it for me. For under $100, it looked solid. Early reviews were good, but can’t beat getting the long term use reports from y’all
Back on back on the iPad and entering into day 4 of computer hell. Bought a memory stick on Friday to insert in my old computer. It did not work so I took it and my computer back to the store today.seems more memory can be installed but Micro center does not have the kit. (Four sticks each with 2gb, to replace all four sticks in there now that have 1gb) because it is old he recommending I just get something else. I am unwilling to try out windows 10 so I was left to buy something refurbished. Seemed like the best choice so I did it. Came home with an HP. Only to find my monitor cord does not work on it. Off to Best Buy for the VGA cord. Then next problem is it keeps saying I am not connected to The Internet and after several calls to tech support it is determined something is bad and it needs to be returned. So tomorrow will make the third trip ( 40 miles) to the %#^*+ store and it is times like this I wish I had a husband. My dilemma? I want my familiar computer with more memory. I would say at this point maybe I would try one of those online places and get the kit BUT and this is where I break to tears..when I bought the refurbished, I had them take out my hard drive and I sent my old computer away with them to recycle.
I finally had to buy a new laptop and it has Win10 on it. It sucks imo.
Ahhh.. meh
Here's my review: Tanks & RDA's Ratings & Explanations
My first ever vape review. If you guys think it's decent enough, I may do another (or video) once I get my replacement glass for my Kylin Mini.
WOTOFO SERPENT SMM
The Wotofo Serpent SMM is a single coil RTA that was released in the summer of 2017. It has drawn mixed reviews. At release it was praised as the second coming, a tank designed around maximizing flavour with a novel approach to airflow; as time has gone its reputation has gone somewhat stale.
Build Quality
The Serpent SMM was designed in part by American Youtube Reviewer Matt (channel: Suck My Mod). It is, however, manufactured in China and the inconsistencies in the build quality reflect its origin.
The first batches that shipped out were tainted by glass issues. This was quickly addressed and I found myself with an iteration with improved glass durability and fitting.
For a single coil tank, promising a flavourful vape with a mild power and juice appetite, the Serpent SMM falls within the ‘daily driver’ range of options. While the paint and finish have stood more or less perfectly against dozens of falls and being thrown into bags and boxes for months, the threading on the top cap leaves much to be desired.
Unscrewing the top portion of the tank and revealing the juice fill ports, I find the most disappointing part of the tank: the threading. As you screw and unscrew the top to fill the modest 4ml tank, the fine and delicate threading is susceptible to being dented, bent, and misaligned. After months of use it takes quite some time to get the top to properly align and screw itself down; and sometimes some effort to un-jam it and twist it back out.
You will also, albeit occasionally, find a significant amount of liquid under the tank and around the 510 connector of your mod. The deck and o-rings used to seal off the 510 pin are not always properly seated. I have found myself needing to ‘tune up’ that portion of the tank to prevent juice and condensation from pouring at the base the tank.
A little maintenance is expected in a daily driver. But for the Serpent SMM, the maintenance needs grow ever larger as you find yourself using it more and more.
Outside
Some interesting design decisions were made during the conception of this tank. While the posts are extremely user friendly, little thought was put into the overall design on the outside of the tank.
There’s no knurling on any part of this tank. None on the cap and none at the base. With the issues regarding threading that I mentioned earlier, I would have appreciated some knurling to assist in removing the top or unscrewing the chamber and glass from the build deck.
But with its short profile, compact size, and minimalistic aesthetic; the Serpent SMM does fit its niche well as an easy to use, reliable, single coil RTA.
Inside
The airflow is said to be what makes an RDA superior in flavour to an RTA. The distance travelled from the airflow intakes on the side of a top cap, to the coil, and then into the mouth are an important factor in determining the flavour performance of an atomizer.
In the case of the Serpent SMM, airflow is pulled under from the bottom of the deck, through an air flow control ring, and then delivered through the deck posts directly onto the coil.
This approach, in theory, is what allows the Serpent SMM to deliver RDA-like flavour. It is also, I believe, the reason why so many find the flavour underwhelming. To take advantage of this novel airflow approach you need to build a coil just the right size and position it in just the right way for it to catch the airflow.
If your coil is too small or its positioning too high the air will flow right past it and deliver a muted flavour. But if you get the sizing and positioning just right, you’re in for a single coil RDA-like experience.
A positive point is that the deck is one of the easiest I’ve ever built on. Having four screws allows for coils wrapped in both clockwise and anti-clockwise fashion. There’s plenty of room for a single fancy coil. In fact, that’s exactly what I would recommend. A massive fancy coil that can handle high voltages. I find mine is at its best when I’m pushing or exceeding 5 volts. You need a coil robust enough to handle those kinds of wattages. You also need one to fill the chamber and force the air to pass directly over its saturated wicks.
Closing Comments
The Serpent SMM is a bit like a sailboat. It takes some time and practice to learn to catch the air with your sail. Once you do the flavour is excellent.
It’s unfortunate that the quality of the threading, deck, and o-rings won’t guarantee it a lasting roster spot in my line up of RTAs. But with the newer single coil RTAs that came out in the last couple months being so good, I have no problems saying ‘bon voyage’.
I have no qualms recommending this RTA to someone looking to get their first rebuildable. It’s extremely easy to work on and will allow the user to build up his or her skills. Though once the ceiling of this tank is reached, through the mastery of coil building and placement, it will be time to set sail.
Summary
+ Cheap ($22.85 @ Fasttech)
+ Easy to build on
+ Potential for excellent flavour
+ Durable finish
- No knurling
- Fragile threading
- Finnicky coil placement
~ Neutral aesthetic
Final Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
It was the tank that got me rebuilding full time. But against more modern tanks, it's just alright. Compared to any decent squonking RDA, it's downright outclassed.
I have the patience of a nap needing, hangry two year old. If I couldn’t manage the Vaporesso menu button, could I figure out the joystick? Does it look like a weak point design wise in terms of longevity?
Then I'm a complete klutz. My RDAs are fine, but the SMM is vapor and flavor for weeks. That and the Manta MTL are my favorite RTA of the past 3 years.
Update on my shinies.
Tomorrow is going to be the single biggest shinitis event of my vaping history.
I have $720 CAD RRP worth of gear arriving tomorrow (fingers crossed).
Plug 1 (Orange G10) - Had guaranteed next day delivery, but with the strike that was put aside. Assuming it arrives even though expected date still shows Tuesday.
Plug 2 (Black Delrin) - Left for my local post office Thursday night. Should be here tomorrow. Already got quoted for the duty and GST i'll have to pay. Comes out to $28.88 CAD which isn't that bad, I guess.
Custom Stab Wood Doors - Was supposed to be the last thing to arrive but it's already at the post office. Can't wait to touch and feel these doors. They look unwaxed (compared to other stab i've owned); and more of a natural texture with dye.
To say i'm excited is an understatement.
Tomorrow is going to be the single biggest shinitis event of my vaping history.
I have $720 CAD RRP worth of gear arriving tomorrow (fingers crossed).
Plug 1 (Orange G10) - Had guaranteed next day delivery, but with the strike that was put aside. Assuming it arrives even though expected date still shows Tuesday.
Plug 2 (Black Delrin) - Left for my local post office Thursday night. Should be here tomorrow. Already got quoted for the duty and GST i'll have to pay. Comes out to $28.88 CAD which isn't that bad, I guess.
Custom Stab Wood Doors - Was supposed to be the last thing to arrive but it's already at the post office. Can't wait to touch and feel these doors. They look unwaxed (compared to other stab i've owned); and more of a natural texture with dye.
To say i'm excited is an understatement.
Umm, Apple meet orange. Orange meet apple.
Of course it is, lol.
If the orange tasted better, was easier to eat, more nutritious, and in the same relative price range; i'd eat the orange.
You can say it's comparing apples to oranges, but when i'm planning on only eating one piece of fruit it doesn't matter if it's an apple, orange, pear, or lemon. I'm going with the best.
I love my SXK. It's easy to rebuild (I kept the Subtank RBA) doesn't leak and lasts quite a long time. Plus, it has an USB port to program the DNA. Bingo! all boxes checked!
Enter subjectivity, and which is the best again?
I'm going - me myself - is going... Pretty clear it's a personal decision based on personal tastes, no? Best being what I just described.
So to answer your question, the best one for me is the RSA, which is the one I will be going with.
Havent done extensive field testing on it yet but so gar I love it crunchy threads and all. Finish is showing signs of wear too...
It has novice mode which is jusw VW. no Other adjustments at all. I found it much easier than the Swag but it does take some playing with. The joystick is stubby and feels solid, but time will tell. I looked on Yihi's website and they have the chip on the site but not available for purchase yet. The battery cover is crunchy but it is very secure when it's on there. I was a bit bummed about the finish on the black one. I don't know how the other colors hold up. That won't be an issue on the Carbon Fiber or stabwood models tho. I am really happpy with it despite these things.
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