Time For An Upgrade

[RamShot Rowdy]

My 3 year old Vapor Shark rDNA 40 and Squape R are getting worn out, plus I'm in need of a new set of 18650 batteries. I've been happy with both the rDNA and Squape.

I was looking at the Vapor Shark SwitchBox dna 75 and the Squape E[motion]. Any feedback on either of those? I know the E[motion] has a small fill hole, but I use a needle bottle anyway, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Any other suggestions for something different?

Also is RTDVapor still a good reliable place for authentic batteries?

I need some 18650s with at least 20A continuous discharge rating. I've had LG's, Samsung's, and AW's, never any problems out of any of them. Any suggestions?

 

[mattiem]

I can't help you with anything but the batteries. Yes, RTD is still a good reliable place to purchase your batteries. They have always been my go to place.

 

[Eskie]

As to batteries, I’d stick with the LG, Samsung, Sony crowd. AW was and is popular for button tops for Provari users, but it is still a rewrap. As mattiem already said, RTD is still a reliable vendor.

On the mod side the vapor shark is very good. However there is now a DNA 75c out, which is a new board and allows you to do a lot more customization right on the mod instead of through eScribe only. As to the Squape, I know there were some issues on the mtl front, but they did finally release a proper mtl kit for it. There is now another Squape coming or is out by now but I can’t remember the name offhand. You might want to look for some threads and reviews before jumping at it.

 

[Baditude]

Concerning batteries, I agree with previous comments of sticking with LG, Samsung, or Sony. Unless your vaping style demands 30 amp batteries, a 20 amp battery with 3000 mah capacity would be your best bet:

Samsung 18650 30Q, 3000 mah 20 amp CDR

AW 18650 3000 mah 20 amp CDR

Sony 18659VTC6 3000mAh 20A CDR

LG 18650HG2 3000mah 20 amp CDR

(The AW is likely an LG 18650HG2 rewrap. I usually purchase my batteries from RTD Vapor.)
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I'm extremely happy with my newer JAC Vapour Series-B DNA 75w. I get a full day use with my Samsung 30Q, vaping 30 - 40 watts with a 0.5 ohm coil in an original Uwell Crown clearo tank. I get a good month or so with the Crown coils.

I used to build my own coils for my RDA's. I'm no longer interested in the hobby aspect of coil building. I've become lazy and prefer using something with a good drop in coil ... I just want to vape and be done with it.

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[ScottP]

@RamShot Rowdy as @Eskie mentioned if you are looking to for a new DNA device I highly recommend getting something with the 75C board. Not only are there more things you can do directly on the board, they also added a dedicated "Select" button with makes doing things a LOT easier.

I personally have the HCigar 75D (which uses the DNA 75C board). It is a small device for a dual 18650 battery mod. It is sort of a triangle shape with well rounded corners so it fits very nicely in the hand. Kind of like a flight sim style joystick. This may be the first device I ever buy multiple of for backups. Since this is dual battery I do suggest buying at least 4 batteries for it (2 sets of married batteries).

For the topper IIRC the Squape is a MTL tank? If so you might consider the new Ares RTA, the Cthulhu RTA, or the Digiflavor Siren. I have not personally used any of these but people here on ECF seem to recommend them a lot. If you don't like rebuilding then maybe try the Zenith from Innokin.

 

[miteret]

Concerning batteries, I agree with previous comments of sticking with LG, Samsung, or Sony. Unless your vaping style demands 30 amp batteries, a 20 amp battery with 3000 mah capacity would be your best bet:

Samsung 18650 30Q, 3000 mah 20 amp CDR

AW 18650 3000 mah 20 amp CDR

Sony 18659VTC6 3000mAh 20A CDR

LG 18650HG2 3000mah 20 amp CDR

(The AW is likely an LG 18650HG2 rewrap. I usually purchase my batteries from RTD Vapor.)
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I'm extremely happy with my newer JAC Vapour Series-B DNA 75w. I get a full day use with my Samsung 30Q, vaping 30 - 40 watts with a 0.5 ohm coil in an original Uwell Crown clearo tank. I get a good month or so with the Crown coils.

I used to build my own coils for my RDA's. I'm no longer interested in the hobby aspect of coil building. I've become lazy and prefer using something with a good drop in coil ... I just want to vape and be done with it.

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I love Crowns as well-have 3 and build on the RBA's. Still learning tho and enjoy the hobby. I've never had a coil last more than a week but I only vape tobacco's. May I ask how much juice you use per day and what type? Thanks.

 

[Baditude]

May I ask how much juice you use per day and what type? Thanks.

I'm using 4 - 8 ml of juice a day. I mostly vape my own DIY juice (30Pg/70Vg) and a store-bought premade 100%Vg (Coffee Cake from Spring Vapor).

I use the 0.5 ohm factory coils, vaping at 30 - 40 watts. A tip which may prolong their use: drop a Qtip into the driptip and into the coil area to remove any accumulation of "gunk" about once a week.

 

[vapdivrr]

Although I don't use them anymore, still have a few vapor shark rdna 30 &40's. I love my jac vapour dna 75b mod now and the vct 75 nano , both single 18650 small mods...another reasonable small mod is the aspire nx75-a, pretty much the same size and form as a vapor shark, but doesn't have that silky texture...as for nice mtl rebuildables, the kayfun mini v3 or prime are fantastic , also for a real inexpensive mtl tank, look at the doggy style rta. It's not a hefty hi end tank, but it vapes really good and so worth the money...they have 2 versions, one kind of tight mtl, one a little looser

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[miteret]

I'm using 4 - 8 ml of juice a day. I mostly vape my own DIY juice (30Pg/70Vg) and a store-bought premade 100Vg (Coffee Cake from Spring Vapor).

I use the 0.5 ohm factory coils, vaping at 30 - 40 watts. A tip which may prolong their use: drop a Qtip into the driptip and into the coil area to remove any accumulation of "gunk" about once a week.

Thanks Baditude, that's my speed as well for ratio/quantity. Surprised you still mix, having given up winding.

 

[Baditude]

Thanks Baditude, that's my speed as well for ratio/quantity. Surprised you still mix, having given up winding.

I mix my own mainly for the cost benefits. I've only been doing DIY for about a year so its still new to me. Still searching for good recipes in my flavor genre.

 

[miteret]

I mix my own mainly for the cost benefits. I've only been doing DIY for about a year so its still new to me. Still searching for good recipes in my flavor genre.

Maybe the wrong forum, but what IS your genre?

 

[Baditude]

Maybe the wrong forum, but what IS your genre?

It has evolved over the years. I started out with mostly coffee flavors. Periods of custard flavors. I've pretty much liked fruit flavors throughout, and make several fruity drink flavors (pineapple, mango, papaya, tangerine). I make a pretty good Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and make this for a couple of relatives and friends. I would have liked to have found a good simple coffee cake recipe, but all that I have found require several different flavor concentrates which seems too complicated for me.

 

[miteret]

As I said before, I only use tobacco, but I mix for several others. Just for the joy. Haven't done any baked goods but they seem to love Unicorn Vomit (I know) and Coconut Raspberry. Happy to share if you like.

 

[RamShot Rowdy]

Thanks for all the options everyone, lots of things for me to research. I should have mentioned at first I'm a MTL vaper, vape a 24mg 60%PG/40%VG DIY Tobacco flavor, or a 50/50 unflavored 24mg.

While I've really liked my Vapor Shark, I'm open to a different mod, especially after hearing about the 75C chip.

I am however pretty partial to the Squape, I like the top fill on the E[motion] and I'm already familiar with building for them. However, something with premade coils might be nice as a backup, or to keep loaded with another liquid. I get tired of wrapping/cleaning coils myself.

 

[Eskie]

There are several choices out there for factory coil mtl tanks. The Nauti is very popular but others have been released. I’m less familiar with those, so check the tootle puffers thread and the tank forum here to get more info on them.

 

[stols001]

The Innoken Zenith tank (drop in coils) is getting some excellent reviews. No one is sure of coil life yet, but it's fairly new, people are just getting them. Good reviews for flavor and usability.

The N2 is considerably cheaper, although I'm partial to the Kabuki (it takes N2 coils and turns them into flavor machines) it is also pricy, and I usually recommend starting with a clone from FT to see if you like the tank without a huge initial investment. The clone doesn't rival the original for flavor but since the tank has a few quirks, it may be worth it to get a clone from Fasttech and see how you like it. The Nautilus X has its lovers and haters (I am a hater, not so much the flavor but I don't find it that easy to use.)

I like the Nicolas Vapefly tank if you want something a little airier but still MTL. Comes with a 0.6 coil and an 1.8 coil.

Otherwise, the Ego Mega one or any other tank that takes the Joytech CLR coils (you can do TC with some of the coils, but to me the 1.0 coil is FANTASTIC for flavor and longevity) and you can rebuild the coils easily. Asking on the tootle puffer thread is a great idea as well.

Best of luck,

Anna

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

AW batteries are the best of the best "A" bin cells. The dude takes "A" bin cells from Samsung, LG, et al and tests them. If they meet his standards, they get the trademark "AW" wrap. You might pay less, but you won't get better.

Just make sure you get them from a reputable dealer, because Wang's battery foo has attracted the usual suspects of counterfeiters.

RTD only sells known authentics.

 

[Eskie]

The Innoken Zenith tank (drop in coils) is getting some excellent reviews. No one is sure of coil life yet, but it's fairly new, people are just getting them. Good reviews for flavor and usability.

The N2 is considerably cheaper, although I'm partial to the Kabuki (it takes N2 coils and turns them into flavor machines) it is also pricy, and I usually recommend starting with a clone from FT to see if you like the tank without a huge initial investment. The clone doesn't rival the original for flavor but since the tank has a few quirks, it may be worth it to get a clone from Fasttech and see how you like it. The Nautilus X has its lovers and haters (I am a hater, not so much the flavor but I don't find it that easy to use.)

I like the Nicolas Vapefly tank if you want something a little airier but still MTL. Comes with a 0.6 coil and an 1.8 coil.

Otherwise, the Ego Mega one or any other tank that takes the Joytech CLR coils (you can do TC with some of the coils, but to me the 1.0 coil is FANTASTIC for flavor and longevity) and you can rebuild the coils easily. Asking on the tootle puffer thread is a great idea as well.

Best of luck,

Anna

Isn’t there also an Elf for mtl made by whoever? Also the Smok Spiral is supposed to be an ok mtl tank. Is that Zenith the Phil Bursado cobrand?

 

[Letitia]

Elf is IJoy I believe and does have it's fans. Zenith is one of the tanks Phil is connected to. Spiral and Spiral plus are supposed to be flavorful but qc is hit or miss.

 

[stols001]

I have an elf and I like it better than the N2. It's not my favorite tank but it does get pretty good flavor and has eliminated most of the N2 flaws, with topfill and larger capacity. It is an Ijoy tank but can take Nautilus coils.

Anna