RDA RDA for Dummies

[DagMatt]

(Yes, I'm the dummy.) Although I've been vaping for about 1.5 years, I just last week graduated from exclusively using EVODs to my first mod (IPV D2). I'm currently using a Kanger STM, but I'd like to move into trying out my own coil building and dripping, so I'm looking for entry-level rda recommendations. I'm happy to start with single-coil capability only, and since this is my first stab, I'm happy with clone recommendations to keep the cost low. I basically want easy and cheap to help me figure out my style before moving on to bigger and better things.

I've been reading a lot here, but there's just so much and everyone has their own preferences, so there's nothing jumping out at me right now as being the obvious choice. I have been thinking about a Magma or Velocity, based on reviews/descriptions here.

What say you, oh wise ones?

 

[Tagi]

Both are good choices but at complete opposite ends of the RDA spectrum. Magma is a maximum flavor minimum cloudage RDA and the Velocity is a maximum cloud muted flavor RDA.

What exactly do you want in from the RDA?

There are middle of the road RDAs that get good cloudage and decent flavor.

 

[DagMatt]

Thanks, @Tagi , that's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. At this point, I'm thinking flavor > clouds, but middle of the road sounds the best, as long as it's not a total PITA to build on. Which noob-friendly middle of the road RDAs do you like?

 

[Tagi]

A bit old school but the Zenith v2 is a great RDA to start with. Here is an Authentic for like 30 buck. I paid around 100 for it when it came out.

CMII - Double Cross Zenith – Local Vape- Costa Mesa Vape Shop and Online Vape Shop

The post will acomadate all basic builds and are very easy to work with.

I have heard good things about the DOTmod RDA

The Tugboat and Patriots are similar to the Zenith

Even an Igo W for like five bucks. cheap way to try dripping out. But I would not recomed if you are not able to drill out the air holes as they are not adjustable.

I would recommend the Zenith. Its a crazy great buy at 30 dollars.

These are all middle ground RDAs.

The magma is a good choice for straight flavor for a new rebuilder as it is realy easy to build a single coil for. Alot of the flavor RDAs can be tricky for someone new to rebuilding.

Some one might mention the darringer - I do not think this would be a good choice for a first RDA. It is another middle ground atty that due to its small size can be easy to short and get juice in your mouth.

Once you get the hang of building I would recommend a Marquis, and If your up for a build challenge a Veritas. These are RDAs that Maximize flavor while making a decent amount of clouds.

My king of all RDAs is my Veritas. It never leaves my side.

 

[Izan]

(Yes, I'm the dummy.) Although I've been vaping for about 1.5 years, I just last week graduated from exclusively using EVODs to my first mod (IPV D2). I'm currently using a Kanger STM, but I'd like to move into trying out my own coil building and dripping, so I'm looking for entry-level RDA recommendations. I'm happy to start with single-coil capability only, and since this is my first stab, I'm happy with clone recommendations to keep the cost low. I basically want easy and cheap to help me figure out my style before moving on to bigger and better things.

I've been reading a lot here, but there's just so much and everyone has their own preferences, so there's nothing jumping out at me right now as being the obvious choice. I have been thinking about a Magma or Velocity, based on reviews/descriptions here.

What say you, oh wise ones?

If you can recoil an Evod, almost any RBA should be a cinch.
What kind of wire do you have? Do you use silica, cotton, rayon or mesh in the evods?

Cheers
I

 

[DagMatt]

A bit old school but the Zenith v2 is a great RDA to start with. Here is an Authentic for like 30 buck. I paid around 100 for it when it came out.

CMII - Double Cross Zenith – Local Vape- Costa Mesa Vape Shop and Online Vape Shop

The post will acomadate all basic builds and are very easy to work with.

I have heard good things about the DOTmod RDA

The Tugboat and Patriots are similar to the Zenith

Even an Igo W for like five bucks. cheap way to try dripping out. But I would not recomed if you are not able to drill out the air holes as they are not adjustable.

I would recommend the Zenith. Its a crazy great buy at 30 dollars.

These are all middle ground RDAs.

The magma is a good choice for straight flavor for a new rebuilder as it is realy easy to build a single coil for. Alot of the flavor RDAs can be tricky for someone new to rebuilding.

Some one might mention the darringer - I do not think this would be a good choice for a first RDA. It is another middle ground atty that due to its small size can be easy to short and get juice in your mouth.

Once you get the hang of building I would recommend a Marquis, and If your up for a build challenge a Veritas. These are RDAs that Maximize flavor while making a decent amount of clouds.

My king of all RDAs is my Veritas. It never leaves my side.

Awesome info. Thanks so much!

 

[DagMatt]

If you can recoil an Evod, almost any RBA should be a cinch.
What kind of wire do you have? Do you use silica, cotton, rayon or mesh in the evods?

Cheers
I

I was using the pre-built coils in the EVOD. I have yet to recoil anything, though my plan is try out the STM first, since I already have it. I'm still doing some research before buying any supplies, but my plan is to get either 26 or 28 gauge Kanthal to start, along with organic cotton sheets for wicks.

 

[Tagi]

I was using the pre-built coils in the EVOD. I have yet to recoil anything, though my plan is try out the STM first, since I already have it. I'm still doing some research before buying any supplies, but my plan is to get either 26 or 28 gauge Kanthal to start, along with organic cotton sheets for wicks.

I get cotton from the local mall. Those Dillards\Macys\JC Penny places have those fancy makeup sections. Big bag of Shiseido cotton is 10 bucks and is available locally. Vape shops will have it (might be a different brand) but will be pricey in the long run.

For wire I would recommend Temco or Lightening vapes. A lot of shops sell wire by the foot and it ends up being very expensive to use this as your primary source. 250 feet of 28 gauge kanthal is like 8 dollars if you order it vs 1 foot for $1.20ish

But if you get the RDAs before the wire, try to find a shop that sells the 30 foot spools for 8ish dollars. I use these when I am out of a particular size and don't want to wait.

Not sure exactly on if over there the pricing is similar, Mine are based on the Dallas Tx area.

 

[DagMatt]

I get cotton from the local mall. Those Dillards\Macys\JC Penny places have those fancy makeup sections. Big bag of Shiseido cotton is 10 bucks and is available locally. Vape shops will have it (might be a different brand) but will be pricey in the long run.

For wire I would recommend Temco or Lightening vapes. A lot of shops sell wire by the foot and it ends up being very expensive to use this as your primary source. 250 feet of 28 gauge kanthal is like 8 dollars if you order it vs 1 foot for $1.20ish

But if you get the RDAs before the wire, try to find a shop that sells the 30 foot spools for 8ish dollars. I use these when I am out of a particular size and don't want to wait.

Not sure exactly on if over there the pricing is similar, Mine are based on the Dallas Tx area.

There's a Sally Beauty Supply right near my house, so I'm going to look for cotton there. If I don't see anything good, I can easily get it from Amazon for a good price. As for wire, there are loads of vape shops around, but they tend to be expensive. My plan was to order some online. You have a preferred online vendor for wire?

Edit: Looks like I can get Temco wire directly from Temco on Amazon for cheap.

 

[Tagi]

I don't think Sally's has any of the organic cotton sheets. But they do have a big box o Rayon. It will say Cellucotton on it. You do not want the reinforced one.

Rayon works great in drippers. The wick density you want is different then cotton. Cotton expands once juiced up. The Rayon shrinks down a little.

 

[Nomoreash]

I've got both a Magma and Veolcity, I don't consider the Velocity flavor to be muted at all, quite the opposite actually. To me it would come down to power. The Velocity takes more power to get it to shine. I can get the Magma to shine with flavor well under 20w on a basic single coil build where it can take around double that or possibly more with the Velocity to get the same flavor with the same build. Comparing at or near the same power level yes the Velocity will deliver muted flavor.

To me it would come down to what PV you're going to be using it on. Both are easy to build on and the Velocity is more versatile with it's airflow options and dual hole post but the Magma doesn't need as much power behind it.

 

[DagMatt]

I've got both a Magma and Veolcity, I don't consider the Velocity flavor to be muted at all, quite the opposite actually. To me it would come down to power. The Velocity takes more power to get it to shine. I can get the Magma to shine with flavor well under 20w on a basic single coil build where it can take around double that or possibly more with the Velocity to get the same flavor with the same build. Comparing at or near the same power level yes the Velocity will deliver muted flavor.

To me it would come down to what PV you're going to be using it on. Both are easy to build on and the Velocity is more versatile with it's airflow options and dual hole post but the Magma doesn't need as much power behind it.

I'm starting with an IPV D2, so my max power is 75w. You think that's enough for the Velocity? Are there any other drippers you'd recommend for a beginner on that PV?

 

[Tagi]

Probably more then enough. Depends on the build.

Battery life will suffer the higher you set it. Also you will go through Juice like you have never known. IE 30ml+ a day if this is the sole device you vape all day.. My 80w fog machine gets 1 pull for 8 drops.

Keep in mind when a flavor chaser says that an RDA has muted flavor. It does not necessarily mean that is tasteless, or even light tasting.

Take a juice that taste great in a Cloudy RDA and load it up in a Flavor RDA - you will either taste things you did not before, or find that it has now become over flavored and gross. (I water alot of my premade juices down with unflavored)

The Velocity is a cloud chasing RDA. Probably not the best recommendation for a first RDA.

 

[Baditude]

My first RDA was an inexpensive (under $20) IGO-W. It has three posts for either single or dual coils. The air holes in the cap are tiny and should probably be re-drilled larger if you know someone with a power drill. I drilled mine out to 2 mm. The low cost of the IGO-W will allow you to get your foot in the door with rebuilding, and then you can use that experience to decide what features to look for when you upgrade to a more expensive dripper.

Information Resources for Your First RBA

 

[Tagi]

My first RDA was an inexpensive (under $20) IGO-W. It has two posts for either single or dual coils. The air holes in the cap are tiny and should probably be re-drilled larger if you know someone with a power drill. I drilled mine out to 2 mm. The low cost of the IGO-W will allow you to get your foot in the door with rebuilding, and then you can use that experience to decide what features to look for when you upgrade to a more expensive dripper.



Information Resources for Your First RBA

+1

Local Vape has these for a whole 5 dollars right now.

IGO-W – Local Vape- Costa Mesa Vape Shop and Online Vape Shop

 

[Mooch]

+1

Local Vape has these for a whole 5 dollars right now.

IGO-W – Local Vape- Costa Mesa Vape Shop and Online Vape Shop

+2 on that recommendation.
$5?!? Wow, I paid twice that and still thought it was a great deal!

 

[Tagi]

Check the site out. They have some good deals right now. Edit - Totally left this out... They have a Zenith 2 for $30, I spent a little more then three times as much for mine.

 

[Nomoreash]

I'm starting with an IPV D2, so my max power is 75w. You think that's enough for the Velocity? Are there any other drippers you'd recommend for a beginner on that PV?

That should be plenty with the Velocity for single coil and straight dual coil, start getting into claptons and other more complex builds and you might need more. All I've got right now are DNA 40 devices and with a single coil and it performs great with them but I do have crank the DNA 40 almost the top of it's range to get there.

As far as other recommendations, I'd say overall to start with 2 post RDAs, they are the easiest to get up to speed on and I personally prefer them over 3 post. I'd also recommend the Stumpy which is another 2 post design, it's a smaller RDA designed for flavor but still cranks out some serious vapor depending on how your running it.

 

[DagMatt]

You are all awesome. Thanks so much for the input. I'll probably grab a couple of different inexpensive options to play around with and figure out what I like.

 

[Monotremata]

I wouldnt say a Derringer is any harder to build than a Magma, theyre probably just the same level of difficulty. The Magma was my first RDA, the Derringer was my second. If anything the Derringer is easier to build without it dripping out of the airholes, which are underneath the coil in the Magma. No matter how far back Ive moved my coil and wick from it, thats all my Magma does is leak. It is great for flavor though.

The big difference between the two would be HOW you vape though. The Magma doesnt really have enough airflow for big lung hits or high power. Go to far over about 20w and it starts getting hot fast. The Derringer is made for big straight lung hits, although Ive seen people around here say they do mouth to lung hits with it, but theyve usually put tape or something over the airholes. Honestly once you have the right combination of airflow and power, lung hits arent as gnarly as they are if you try em on an Evod, or something like a Kayfun, but it all depends on how you like it.