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Good fairly inexpensive RDA for flavor testing?
submitted over 8 years ago by lewnworx

I've got both a big baby beast and a standard baby beast that I use throughout the day. However for mixing and checking my steeps it's a pita to deal with. I've got the RBA set up in the big baby and in heavy mix days I'll rewick it, and unscrew the thing and drip on directly for flavor tests and put straight VG on the coils and pulse and blow off between flavors. While it works it's fairly inconvenient and is accelerating the wear on the gaskets and probably the threads. I'd like to find a decent but relatively inexpensive RBA I could get a few of just for testing flavors when mixing.

I'm looking for something that doesn't require uber esoteric coils to produce good flavor (2 core fused claptons is about as complex as I get coil build wise), and something that works with a Scottish roll wicking in order to get enough pulls off a given flavor to have a decent feel for the flavor.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Comments
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10 points
 
by JohnLaCuentaover 8 years ago

The Derringer is good and really cheap on Fasttech. https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10012406/4064600-derringer-styled-rda-rebuildable-dripping-atomizer

5 points
 
by MrBurgundy314over 8 years ago

Agreed. Derringer is the way to go. I can also recommend the Hadaly, Hobo 3.1, and NarDa.

3 points
 
by Ephelusover 8 years agoFrugivore

Had a Derringer and a Narda, and I find myself using only the Narda recently. Both are still excellent flavor RDAs.

2 points
 
by vape_accountover 8 years ago

This is the exact one I would recommend. It works great and is a breeze to rewick. Also, flavor is phenomenal.

2 points
 
by 0bbsover 8 years ago

I like the Derringer a lot, I'd suggest maybe grabbing a v3 also. Haven't tried it but it should be easily to build on. https://www.fasttech.com/products/3028/10012406/4567400

2 points
 
by Tiptup300over 8 years ago

Dude.

That looks like my dream RDA. Legit.

3 points
 
by Oldguynothumbsover 8 years ago

There is heaps of great clones on fasttech.

I started on a derringer clone and it still holds up. The velocity clones ate also popular.

If you want authentic just pick up a wotofo rda, their products are usually well made but more importantly they are cheap.

1 points
 
by Hickerytickover 8 years ago

What's the draw like on the Derringer in comparison to a Hadaly?

2 points
 
by Oldguynothumbsover 8 years ago

Not that different imo, both are great. SXK Hadaly is also a good choice.

1 points
 
by Hickerytickover 8 years ago

I don't get on with the Hadaly too well so will possibly give this a miss - thanks!

1 points
 
by memnochlvover 8 years agoWTF is a "Terpene?"

SXK - Hadaly for single coil cheap clone. Wotofo Sapor or Mad Hatter would also be great. If you go for the Tobeco velocity, get the mini (better flavor with the smaller chamber).

All of the above should be available for under $30 and are wonderful for flavor.

3 points
 
by ClashOrCrashmanover 8 years ago

I use a Tobeco Velocity Mini that I got at a B&M for $30, but you could find it much cheaper online. Build quality is great, and it gives great flavor. There probably are better flavor atomizers, but that's what I use and I'm happy with it.

2 points
 
by wh1skeyk1ngover 8 years agoThanks for reading this flair

I've seen them around for $9-12 quite a bit as of late. They are excellent for testing, have basically unlimited airflow tuning capabilities, and are really easy to build on.

1 points
 
by bong-waterover 8 years ago

Second this, just grabbed one for $15. Easy build, good flavor

3 points
 
by DGsirb1978over 8 years ago

Velocity Clone from Fasttech, Wotofo Sapor possibly?

3 points
 
by BigStankover 8 years ago

My tried and true Troll RDA gives fantastic flavor with the right build and drip tip. Plenty of cloud as well.

2 points
 
by bobbysavageover 8 years agoResident Tobacco Specialist

ze legit dog3 is my choice

https://www.elementvape.com/dog3-rda-rebuildable-atty-by-congrevape

4 thick ass flathead screws wont be getting stripped by #0 & #00 phillips drivers anytime soon

2 points
 
by tehspamninjaover 8 years ago

Tobeco Velocity clone. Should be around $15 online, great quality, great flavor and easy to build on as well.

2 points
 
by iLLNiSSover 8 years ago

Honestly for a plain RDA grab the velocity mini clones from fast tech.

They have better orings than the full size, still have plenty of room to build on, and have great taste/airflow. In my opinion they are noticeably better than the full size clones. I used to use the full size clone, but figured I'd try the mini. It was the best decision I made and it's my favourite RDA now.

https://www.fasttech.com/p/3141800 https://www.fasttech.com/p/3142000

Those are the black/whites. There are many variations of the mini but these ones are the best in my opinion and I believe most opinions comparing the velocity mini discussions on fast tech.

1 points
 
by lewnworxover 8 years ago

Think that's the route I'm going. Gonna have to wait til after the Chinese New Year but that's ok.

Looked at several on fast tech but I agree these look like the best bang for the buck. Thinking I'll get a few.

Have you got a favorite coil build for these? I'm moving from 2x24 Kanthal w 36 ni80 Clapton to 2x26 SS w 36 or 32 SS Clapton as they will more than likely have better flavor and clean easier. Got wire on order.

2 points
 
by iLLNiSSover 8 years ago

I just run kanthal claptons (26/32) but have ordered some ss316 clapton wire to try out.

I'm not picky with my coils clapton kanthal has treated me well :)

1 points
 
by darth-thighwalkerover 8 years ago

316l is a pretty noticeable improvment.

2 points
 
by amouthforwarover 8 years ago

I only have a few drippers, all budget because i refuse to pay more than 30 bucks for a tiny ass tube of metal and some posts. Hobo 3.1 clone from vaporrange was 3 bucks, works just fine. Nothing crazy but i bought it for less than the cost of an aquafina bottle so fuck it. Tsunami 22 was cheap and is awesome for the cost. Azeroth rdta, meh havent gotten a good build in it yet but its ok. Herakles 22 rda is pretty awesome. I prefer flavor from cloud chasing builds over mtl setups to be honest and this thing rips.

2 points
 
by Drexciyianover 8 years ago

Tsunami 22, its dry as a bone after 4 puffs, you can't drip it you have to paint the coils/wick

2 points
 
by TogiraIkonoka0618over 8 years agoProud Sidebar Reader!

Really liking the Transformer RDA.

Need to build simple on it otherwise it can get hot but the flavor is great

1 points
 
by _Amateurmetheus_over 8 years ago

OBS Cheetah. I got it for 15 bucks from MyVaporStore. I think they're out of stock in black but in stock in silver. Honestly it's the first and only dripper I've purchased so I can't compare it to others, but I get way more flavor out of it than I do my tanks.

http://www.myvaporstore.com/OBS-Cheetah-RDA-p/obs-che10.htm

1 points
 
by Fonzie_txover 8 years ago

$2.22 I have one coming and I plan to drill out the airhole to 2mm. Reduced chamber and restricted airflow, should be flavor city.

4 points
 
by wh1skeyk1ngover 8 years agoThanks for reading this flair

Did you see the post spacing on the deck? Not to mention that thing is going to get hot as hell over like 20 watts.

1 points
 
by Fonzie_txover 8 years ago

It's not meant to go over 20 watts. It's a 16mm MTL RDA. I plan on using 28ga Kanthal around 1.2-1.6 ohms at 13 watts.

2 points
 
by wh1skeyk1ngover 8 years agoThanks for reading this flair

I see. Well, good luck to you sir.

2 points
 
by billgarmsarmyover 8 years agoMentholatier

damn, dog. that's some old school shit. but they got 'em cheap stateside too: http://www.madvapes.com/the-squid-rda.html

the squid and octopus were like the first RDAs i ever saw back in the day

here's another cheapo oldie: http://www.madvapes.com/the-scar-dual-coil-rda.html it features unbeatable bottom 510 airflow. remember that? remember how good it is?

1 points
 
by Fonzie_txover 8 years ago

Man I wish I had ordered from there. My Fasttech order is currently stuck in Beijing. I didn't realize this RDA had a real name, I found it one night when I sorted the ecig section by cheapest first.

1 points
 
by thedirtyprojectorover 8 years agoMixologist

I like Wotofo's Troll v2 or Pharaoh RDA by Digiflavour.

1 points
 
by SaladfingersPONover 8 years ago

Derringer has the best for flavour for me. I find myself using a Limitless plus more though. The flavour is still great and it holds a couple of mls worth of juice

1 points
 
by lewnworxover 8 years ago

Thanks for all the input. I like the notion of one with solid screens on the posts. The RBA that comes with the Big Baby beast is ok to build on but the screws are marginal and while they work I could see them stripping out if I'm not super careful.

In looking at the fastech photos of these they don't show pix of them with the coils mounted which would help get a feel for the mounting hardware. Time to dig in and research in more depth but you fine folks have given me some great start points and narrowed the list considerably.

Much appreciated and will report back once I've got a couple finalists.

1 points
 
by YamatoHDover 8 years ago

there are kennerdy's for $10 on FT

1 points
 
by mymyreallyover 8 years ago

Mad dog, Tsunami, Kennedy 22, Goon, for larger decks

NaRDA, Hadaly, Derringer, for a restricted deck

1 points
 
by lewnworxover 8 years ago

Fair nuff. I've got 26, 28, 34 and 36 316L on order to play with, mostly hopping for better flavor on both the RDA's and my smok tanks, but also hoping they will clean better than the Kanthal core / Ni80 claps I've been doing.

None of them this far have had the flavor I get off the prebuilt V8's in the baby and big baby tanks, but the rba's are a hell of a lot easier to change flavors on without having to pull the whole tank apart. I've been using the RBA on the big baby beast tank as a poor mans RDA when flavor testing during mixing by doing a fresh clean and re wick and running the tank dry and manually unscrewing and dripping direct on the wicks. While it works it's still a bit of a pita, hence the original query on the RDA suggestions.

Whole point is to get the whole mixing learning curve more efficient time wise. And the faster and more accurately I can test flavors the sooner I can get some good recipes nailed down and start actually saving some $$ by quitting smoking analogs.

But at least I'm off the analogs. A almost 2 months now. 3rd go round with vaping since 2007, and this time the tech is actually there and it's working for me.

-6 points
 
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