The Anti-DUD

[j4mmin42]

Here's another of the new Genesis-style clones coming out of the Far East- the Chobra, as those in the co-op were calling it. I prefer to call it the Full-Size DUD, as opposed the the Mini-DUD...

...Unfortunately, though, it is plagued with problems- all of the things that made the DUD awesome make this thing look like a POS. Sometimes, the most beautiful ideas with the best of intentions end up being miserably poor little things in the end. Ah well, they can't all be great...

Here's my full review of the Chobra, and if you have any questions or comments- or you just want to rip me a new one for slamming this thing against the wall- feel free

 

[xformulax]

Appreciate the reviews, looking to go full rba soon and it's nice to see some non-biased/factual information on a lot of these products.

 

[j4mmin42]

Appreciate the reviews, looking to go full RBA soon and it's nice to see some non-biased/factual information on a lot of these products.

It's tough sometimes, to keep most of my opinions out of the review ('cept where they're needed, of course). Especially on something like this- I didn't mention on my site that I took a blade to each and every piece of this device- and EVERY PIECE is plated yellow mystery metal. There were times that I wanted to scream (in text) how bad this thing was because of that- but alas, I pressed on. Lol

 

[gdeal]

J4mmin42

Another well written and presented review. Thanks for taking the time to really lay out the details on this device and voice your opinion. I participated in the co-op for these too and received mine yesterday. (The co-op was run really well).

Yes, build quality is really sub-par. This is what the inside my cap looked like straight out of package.



Not sure what that is..it would not come off. Chinese mystery metal?

 

[j4mmin42]

J4mmin42

Another well written and presented review. Thanks for taking the time to really lay out the details on this device and voice your opinion. I participated in the co-op for these too and received mine yesterday. (The co-op was run really well).

Yes, build quality is really sub-par. This is what the inside my cap looked like straight out of package.

View attachment 150164

Not sure what that is..it would not come off. Chinese mystery metal?

Thanks

The co-op was excellent. Striker is a dedicated guy, many thanks to him for all of his hard work!

Thats one hell of an image there... the flat bottom part showing in your picture is where I did my scraping on that piece. One of the biggest obstacles the manufacturers face is the switch to SS- it is much harder to work with, and requires more expensive machining parts- that also need to be replaced more often. This leads to the "good stuff" being harder to find, and when you find it, they require you to pay more per item and to buy 3 times as many units at once! So it's no wonder that Utech and others are hesitant to "make the switch". They're trying to make do with the cheap stuff for as long as possible.

 

[martinc]

The pinkish stuff that looks like your thumb reflection?

Can only be some copper plating (brass-->copper plating--->chrome plating)

 

[gdeal]

The pinkish stuff that looks like your thumb reflection?

Can only be some copper plating (brass-->copper plating--->chrome plating)

Here another pic. no thumb this time.



Close up

 

[martinc]

Yup,copper...bad chrome plating.

 

[b0redagain]

They aren't perfect but I think they perform better than the DUDs.

 

[EDO]

Just to clarify....are the top and bottom base plate of a DUD, center inner post, center post and screws stainless steel? I have the clear tank DUD and to me it seems the top cap is the only part that is chromed brass...Am I right?

 

[j4mmin42]

The parts of the DUD you are asking about are magnetic steel- probably either low-grade stainless or just regular steel. Yes, the only part that is "mystery metal" on your dud is the top dome.

 

[martinc]

In fact,there are 3 versions,depending from which distributor your fav vendor got it

-all stainless
-plated brass body/ss hardware
-full plated brass

 

[j4mmin42]

In fact,there are 3 versions,depending from which distributor your fav vendor got it

-all stainless
-plated brass body/ss hardware
-full plated brass

That's a good point, there are several versions. The most popular is the mostly-steel version; The SS is not available from any vendors that I've seen, unless you're a supplier with samples, and the full plated brass clones are probably mixing their way in with the original supplies by now.

edit- I have yet to hear about either of those two other versions out "in the wild"- the only way I know of them is because of contact with the manufacturers.

edit 2: It has nothing to do with *which* distributor the suppliers go to; It mostly has to do with how much they're willing to pay, as most distributors have multiple versions. I've seen only one that sells the brass-only version. The SS is a bit prohibitive in its pricing and MOQ, and is easily distinguished from the others by its weight and brushed finish. The Mystery Metal Special is cheaper and, as far as I can tell, hasn't made its official debut yet either- or you would be seeing a greater competition in the prices of these things.

 

[CountSmackula]

I under stand your concerns about the material & workmanship, but I find these Chobras as easy, if not a bit easier, to set up than the Chids. And, I think the vapor production is superior. Maybe it's related to the increased volume of the top cap?

As soon as Chinese manufacturers get on board with full, quality (material & workmanship), Stainless Steel construction we be golden in the RBA arena.

My dos centavos.

 

[PhreakySTS9]

Wow, this thread makes me VERY glad that I decided to pony up for a real Cobra! Mystery metal is right....

 

[Bad_Habit]

If you are looking for something that is right out of the box perfect and ready to mesh and coil and add juice and go well this isn't for that person -


Just got my IBTanked glass guess they were still sitting in the mailbox from yesterday - work very well got all 3 on

 

[Bad_Habit]

I did have a issue with the insulator pulling through and ripping apart under the thumb screw

So I took a top from a juice bottle and cut off the tip and used that

The you get this

A little messing around and a oring on the bottom of the tank and i get a perfect line up for the air hole

 

[j4mmin42]

I under stand your concerns about the material & workmanship, but I find these Chobras as easy, if not a bit easier, to set up than the Chids. And, I think the vapor production is superior. Maybe it's related to the increased volume of the top cap?

As soon as Chinese manufacturers get on board with full, quality (material & workmanship), Stainless Steel construction we be golden in the RBA arena.

My dos centavos.

I personally think that vape quality on RBA's has everything to do with your set-up and much, much less to do with the RBA itself. The DUD and the Chobra are literally almost exactly the same when it comes to the coil base layout- the wick hole size is the same, the distances between contacts are the same, the center post and nuts are the same (AND the threads match )...the only substantial difference is the air hole- which I did say I preferred on the chobra. But really, it's all about your set-up: all things being equal, each of them will perform just as well as the other does.

But the Chobra might not last as long, and it required modification to work correctly- I've had many a DUD, and they all perform perfectly out of the box- that's HUGE when it comes time to review something...fiddlyness is the scourge of our hobby... hahaha

 

[asha23]

I love how a few of us calling the Chinese DiD knockoffs DUDs when they first surfaced has lead to them actually being known as DUDs now

 

[PhreakySTS9]

The DUD/DIDn't is good in being able to go right out of the package. A lot of sites even sell it with the airhole already bored out to a more proper size (Discount Vapers does, I didn't have to drill mine at all) I had it rocking out in like 15 minutes. Oddly enough, I had a much harder time, I got very lucky with my first build and then jinxed myself by thinking "What's all the fuss about? This genesis stuff is easy!". Hah, famous last words that I ate for like a month afterwards until I finally mastered it.