Derringer RDA

Today, I'll be reviewing the Derring RDA, provided to me by www.MtBakerVapor.com. Let's take a look at this compact RDA, shall we?

Packaging

To be completely honest...this was the probably the biggest letdown. Instead of coming in a box, be it plastic, or display, the Derringer comes packaged in a tiny ziploc bag, with a hex key, a few Phillips screws, and the RDA itself. This isn't a knock on MBV, as I've read that this is how the v1.2 has been shipped out from pretty much everywhere. When you deal with authentic hardware, it's nice to feel that you purchased something worthy of the (often) heavy price tag - at 64.99, I expected a bit more than a plastic bag, but it's certainly not a deal breaker - just a let down. Also, Praxis....would it hurt to throw in a drip tip?! 

Build Quality

Now here is where authentic devices have a chance to shine! Immediately upon removing it from it's packaging, I was already floored- the Derringer is a looker, that's for sure. With it's ultra minimal design and incredibly compact form, this little RDA is definitely a stunner. I was initially skeptical, I had my doubts - I just couldn't get over the form factor. In person, however, it looks rather elegant, and when paired with similarly low profile mods, such as the Le Petit Gros in 18350 mode, it really shines.

The top cap sports the Praxis logo, and has a bit of heft to it. It's incredibly well machined, and slips on and off the deck with relative easy. The engravings are very well done, deep etchings, and they don't stand out - you know you have a Praxis product, but it's not shoved down your throat. It really adds to the minimal design. 

The Derringer sports a few airflow options, offering those who enjoy mouth to lung hits a ton of restrictive options, and for your lung hits, I'd say it is comparable to that of the Tobh. This is by no means a cloud chasing RDA, and to do so is downright foolish - while you can get some respectable clouds from higher gauge wire, anything super-sub ohm is just not fun. The condensed top cap and small frame lead to an extremely hot vape, if you're trying anything crazy. The inner barrel, which controls your air flow, is totally adjustable, and lets you dial in just what you want the Derringer to do - whether that be to flavor chase, or pull of some surprisingly impressive clouds (I found my go-to 7 wrap, 26g dual coil lead to fairly dense clouds, that were warm, but not blisteringly hot!)

The deck itself is incredibly well done as well. With such a small design, you'd be a fool to expect a deep juice well....right? While not nearly as deep as some of the other RDAs on the market (such as the Mutation X, Magma, Troll, etc) it is exceptional, size considered. I found myself not having to drip as often as I thought I would, but still more than I would normally. 

The deck itself is very well done, too. It features your standard three post design, and hex drive heads (When did this become a thing, and can it please stop?) The post holes are slotted, and while you may not be able to cram low gauge twisted builds into them, I was able to run dual 24g coils just fine. I've read online that the center-post tends to spin or wobble, and thankfully, after 8 or so builds, I've yet to deal with this issue. The deck can be a little tricky to build on if you're spoiled by easier to build RDAs, such as the Mutation and Plume Veil line, but it shortly becomes second nature after the initial period of adjustment...but maybe that's me, because frankly, I am no good at building on three post drippers....still...to this day!

The Derringer is constructed from US 303 Grade Stainless Steel, machined incredibly well, and all the interchangeable parts (AFC ring, barrel, top cap) come on and off with ease. I believe it retailed quite a bit more than it does currently (at) 64.99, and had I purchased it at the higher price point, I would've been satisfied with the craftsmanship. It is definitely what I'd come to expect from an authentic.

Functionality

Good construction and a respectable design can only take you so far - it must perform as well as it looks, right? In my honest opinion, in the right hands, this thing can generate INCREDIBLE flavor. The vortex airflow and condensed top cap can produce notes in a juice you either long forgot, or didn't know even existed - this is true, believe me. With the wrong build, however, the Derringer can turn into a fire chucking monster - not literally of course, but it puts off incredibly hot vapor. I prefer a warm vape, but I was able to get downright chest-caving coughing fits from this (my fault - please do NOT do a parallel 24g dual coil build. I warned you.....put that wire away!!) 

If you respect the design, and build to it's nature, you can get an incredibly satisfying experience from the Derringer. I guess you could say that about all RDAs, but the trend lately is versatility - in my upcoming Mutation V4 review, I'll be touching on how you can chase flavor, clouds, a combo of both, lung hit, mouth hit,... it is versatile. I wouldn't call the Derringer one dimensional, but I do personally believe your options are limited if you're looking to achieve the quality that it is capable of.

Overall, I believe 64.99 is a fantastic price for this wonderful, authentic, dripper. It deserves a place in everyone's rotation, be it as a daily driver, flavor chaser, or just a nice show-piece. You just can't top the sleekness when paired with an 18350, or small box mod. It's just too sexy.

Questions? Comments? Be sure to fill out the comment form, e-mail me. I like hearing what my readers think, and I am always looking to improve my work!

Disclaimer: The opinions contained in this review are those of the reviewer, and are in no way, shape or form to be used to endorse any other products or to defame the company by any means. The company, product and service names used in this web site are for identification purposes only. All hardware and liquid reviewed were provided for review purposes, and review purposes only. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Any third party comments/reviews published on the site (whether edited or not) are third party information for which www.vapocalypticreviews.com takes no responsibility and disclaims all liability. 

Vulcan RDA

Hey everybody! Today, I'll be doing a review on the Vulcan RDA, thanks to MtBakerVapor. It is my first shot at an authentic RDA....does it stack up the onslaught of clones? Let's dig in and find out.

Specifications

Features:

• Single solid piece base construction
• Revolutionary "under-passing" juice well
• A truly functional bottom-base heat sink
• Innovative AFC side walls
• Double Laser-cut vent holes
• Red copper bottom contact pin/screw
• PEEK insulators
• 3-sets post screws out of the box
• Plastic casing doubles as an atty stand
• 22mm Base

Right off the bat, the specifications seem to put this bad boy into perspective - it features a solid base construction, the "under passing" juice well, heat sinks, PEEK insulators, and it all clocks in at under 60.00 - for an authentic. Now, I know that word gives some people the shivers, because lets face it, the clone market is exploding on what appears to be a daily basis now...however, if you build it, they will come, and the authentic market will not falter anytime soon!

To begin, let's break down the packaging.

 Packaging/Presentation

This has to be, hands down, the greatest device packaging I've ever witnessed. While it does not come in a lavish keepsake-esque box, or bursting at the seams with confetti, it is elegant and eye catching, relishing in it's authentic goodness, yet simplistic enough to not be overbearing. The Vulcan itself comes in a large dripper sized piece of plastic, with two heat sinks - bottom and top. Everything is packaged neatly within this large heat sink container, and it comes off rather stylishly. It is nice to see this, rather than the same old box. At least it's something cool to keep around, and a nice place to store the vulcan when not in use.

Build Quality

An authentic device, in my opinion, poses a few expectations. First and foremost, I do not want "mystery metal." We see this commonly in fasttech products, and the cheaper spectrum of clone devices - brass, copper, "stainless"....etc. I am not as active in the community as I once was, but I still remember the lead/brass debacle, and as such, I absolutely refuse to vape anything constructed out of brass, plated with brass, or copper.

Thankfully, the Vulcan appears to be one solid chunk of stainless steel! The deck itself is carved out of a nice piece of stainless, and it is sleek, and sexy. It sports a three-post design, with the negative posts milled into the deck. While I am a big fan of the four-post deck, the old standard has held it's age, and remains easier as ever to build on. The posts are rigid, as are the thumb screws - though they take a bit to get used to, hex screws are

also included, and interchangeable I was a bit skeptic about the thumb screws, fearing that they wouldn't tighten down well enough - well, fear not, because these suckers screw down very tightly!

The juice well is surprisingly deep, and holds a relatively large amount of liquid - I'd put it on near magma levels, at least, considering what I use daily - the doge, mutation, stillare, and mutation...neither of which offer truly deep juice wells. It's a nice change of pace to squeeze just a bit more juice out of my RDA.

The sleeve itself is nice and thick, with the logo carved into the steel, of which the "V" is the airflow. The top cap features a heatsink, and the conical design leads to an elegant looking RDA. No drip tip is included, but it will accept your standard 510. 

It has a copper pin, ensure maximum conductivity, and it has fired on every device it was thrown at, which is always a good sign. Lately I've been fighting finicky 510 pins, notably on my Herkales, so it's a nice change of pace not having to constantly adjust something.

Overall, it is a remarkably well built device. At 59.99, I'd wager it's one of the best bang for your buck authentic RDAs. You get a solidly constructed piece, with thick, sturdy posts, heat sinks, a large juice well, and a rather appealing looking device. While that's all amazing, you must be wondering...how does it vape?

Performance

To be perfectly honest, if you are looking to chase clouds, the Vulcan simply isn't built for that.  The conical design, paired with the relatively restricted airflow, affords an entirely different experience. I found that building in the lower ohm range, around .2-.5, led to very warm, thick vapor. Compared to the mutation, for instance, the same build would be relatively cool, with an exponentially larger amount of vapor. This is due to the restricted airflow - which isn't inherently a bad thing. If you know what to expect from the Vulcan, you will know that it is more a flavor-chasing device. While it does have the

capability to produce a very respectable amount of vapor, you aren't going to be fogging up the room with this - though, I'm not sure why you'd try, and it would be some intensely hot vapor!

With the higher ohm builds, on a box mod, I was able to get some seriously great tasting flavor out of this device. The heat sinks really cool the vapor down, keeping it from overtaking the flavor - while some think heat and flavor go hand and hand, such is not the case when you don't have a large amount of airflow.

Overall, the Vulcan is exceptionally versatile - it can chuck out a respectable amount of vapor, but not ridiculous clouds - though theoretically you can, I wouldn't agree with you that it is a pleasurable vape - it simply gets too warm, too fast. I found the sweet spot on a mech to be about .5, dual coils. On a box, I was running it at about .8, around 50-60 watts. If you're looking for an affordable,, exceptionally well made, and versatile device, you cannot go wrong with the Vulcan RDA.

Red Cpoper Stingray by INFINITE

Good morning vape fam! Vapocalyptic Reviews coming at you in the early morning AM hour with another review. Today I'll be going over the Infinite Red Copper Stingray. It's a sexy mod, and I'd like to give a shoutout to Jonathan at www.alluringvapors.com for the opportunity. Make sure to get on over to www.alluringvapors.com, they've got some pretty nice prices on a wide range of mechanical mods, starter kits, and tanks. Lets get to it!

This particular stingray is a beast, no doubt about it. I have owned the Brass HCIGAR Stingray, Tobecco Stingray, and even a few fasttech clones. While this version does not particularly compare to the latest and greatest release, the Stingray X, it doesn't fall too short. Though it does employ a traditional top cap, thankfully it has silver plated contacts, and an all copper construct - highly conductive, and definitely appealing. Let me break down the specifications.

22 MM in diameter

Laser etched engraving

Solid copper

Silver plated contacts

Silver plated floating atomizer pin

Magnetic button

Floating positive pin

Houses 18350, 18490, and 18650 batteries

Reverse threaded locking ring

Low profile, just 3.4 inches in 18650 mode

Pretty appealing, right? The copper construct and silver plated contacts grapple with voltage drop, as well as boasting some serious conductivity. I've got a Mephisto RDA provided to me by www.alluringvapors.com on top of it, and it absolutely rocks. It is definitely one of the hardest hitting combinations I've got in rotation! With that said, let's get on to what I liked about the Infinite Red Copper Stingray.

PROS

Hits like a train!!! CONDUCTIVE!

Buttery smooth threads

Quality, deep engraving

Awesome top cap, almost as good as a hybrid cap

No unnecessary tubes

CONS

Does require maintenance - copper gets grimy, and is soft. Without adequate cleaning, threads can seize, and it WILL patina - this is a pro for some and a con for some.

The switch. The damn switch. Stingray owners, you know what I'm talking about. If this is your first, read on.

Copper is quickly becoming one of the prized metals in the vaping community - it is highly conductive, and cheaper to produce and manufacture than silver. If I'm not mistaken, this particular model came a bit before copper overdose we're going through now, and for it's time, it definitely reigned supremely over it's competitors

. This is not to say that it does not have a place in today's world - it definitely holds up to some of the more beefier competitors, such as the Skeleton Key, Stingray X, and the Manhattan.

If you've ever owned a stingray, the Red Copper mod will feel familiar. It can be configured in 18650, 18490, and 18350, all without having to include additional tubes. It also comes with an additional body piece to allow for a kick. It features a floating atomizer pin, 22mm in diameter, allowing nearly all RDAS and RBAS to sit flush. I'm a big fan of the atomizer pin, as it requires very little maintenence - simply back out the switch and thread your atty of choice, and watch the magic happen - it is self adjusting. No more adjusting for battery rattle, no more fiddling with telescopic pins. Outside of the hybrid cap, it is personally my favorite design.

Speaking of the top cap, it boasts silver plated contacts, which definitely conduct well - I've got a .6 dual macro build atop it...huge coils, and this mech never once hesitates - each click of the button gets a warm glow started, culminating in a fiery display of ultra subohmie goodness.

The threads on the Stingray are buttery smooth, something I have come to expect not only from the stingray clone, but Infinite. I can honestly say outside of fasttech, I have never held a stingray with subpar threads. Each individual section of the tube screws on and off with relative ease, as well as the top cap and button. If you're like me, you don't clean your mods to often, and some are prone to seizing - I have fought my nemesis top cap and switch more than I'd like to count - I feel confident knowing my red copper stingray won't seize on me anytime soon.

So with that out of the way, let's get down to the only downfall of the design - the switch. In my opinion, JDTech went too far out of the box, and because it is a 1:1 clone, manufacturers followed suit. To be blunt, this is just not a great design. The way that the switch works is that a piece of metal sits on the base, housing the magnet. With the contact screwed in, a piece of delrin is screwed atop that, housing a repelling magnet within, and the silver plated contact atop. By design, yeah, it isn't bad - but in application, it's absolutely annoying. The threads do not properly catch, and because the quality is varies vastly from clone to clone, often the button threads itself do not mesh well with the delrin. This leads to a crunchy switch that can (usually) only fire with a dead center push - if you try off to the side, you will get nothing. 

With a bit of research, it seems that some filing, sanding, filing, and more sanding will get you a semi-passable switch. Personally THIS particular model that I received isn't too bad - I have had some that were a NIGHTMARE - but unfortunately, I could compare it to the exact same model and chances are it would be a completely different story. For starters, I would recommend

Completely dismantling the button

Scrubbing it with water and soap

Scrubbing it again with ketchup (to polish the copper and pull impurities)

Scrub the threads

Reassemble, and hope that this makes an impact.

Usually, it will, however your mileage may vary. I must note, however, I do like how you adjust the throw of the button - simply twisting the delrin either way will either lower or raise it, thus adjusting your throw. I personally find that a longer throw affords ease of us, but it is all dependent on the machining quality your particular mod has.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is an exceptionally well made device. It boasts magnificent threads, and for a copper mod (soft metal) that is a definitive plus. It has a low profile, highly conductive silver contacts, a worry free top cap, and a beautiful engraving. The switch isn't the best, but with a little TLC, it can definitely turn into a daily driver. Even though the Stingray X is out, I would definitely still recommend the Copper V2 by Infinite - it is beautiful, functional, and just an all around kick ass performer.

Pick yours up at www.alluringvapor.com for the low price of 54.99. I'd like to personally thank Jonathan for his genoristy, you are part of the foundation that Vapocalyptic rests under, and people like you are what truly turn the wheels within this community. Keep up the good work!

Be sure to check out my INSTAGRAM for my Mephisto RDA review coming soon! Follow me @_vapocalyptic and give @alluring_vapors a follow as well.

VAPE STRONG, LIVE LONG.

Magma by Infinite RDA

The good guys at 101vape sent me out a very lovely RDA, and I have to say I am impressed. The Magma by Infinite is an exceptionally well made clone, a definitive top of the line performer. Head on over to 101vape, they're in stock now but by all accounts they should be going quick!

                                  

The specifications 

304 grade surgical stainless steel

22mm diameter

dual direct to coil airflow

Air flow control (1mm, 2mm, 3mm)

no o-rings

dome chamber design

deep juice well (holds up to 40ml of juice, roughly 2ml)

two poles welded to the base for durability 

So let's get on to what I like!

• Packaging

Not much to say here; but I do like divulging. The magma comes securely packaged in a nice box sporting the Infinite logo. Inside, you will find two pre-wrapped coils, two screws, a miniature screwdriver, and the magma itself. Keep in mind, this is an advanced device, so those who are new to the rebuild-able atomizer world will have to do their diligent research as no manual is provided.

• Build quality

Now this is where the tank truly excels. First and foremost, it is a clone. The authentic version will run you upwards 110.00. I have had a chance to see an original, and I can attest to the fine tuned workmanship that went into the device. The clone is no different. The threading is butter smooth; sure to propitiate the proprietors of the original. A very precise amount of detail was put into the machining, the domed top cap being a testament. When you consider the amount of work required in supplying such a clearance in a block of stainless steel, you can't help but appreciate the effort put forth. I'd like to note that the domed cap will accept a variety of  510 drip tips, the majority of which seat securely.

Another facet I simply adore is the juice well. It is quite deep, and the manufacturer specifications list it as holding roughly 2ml of juice, or around 40 drops. For a dripper, well topped off it leaks very, very little. Those who have experience dripping will know that certain designs can leak like a sieve. Thankfully, this isn't the case. Now even with the best of wicking material and coil build, it is quite possibly a minimal leak will happen. Exercise caution when threading your wick material within the juice well, and keep a close eye when you fill. The leaks I have experienced have been quite minimal and hardly worth noting.

This air flow control ring is removable and also manufactured quite well. It slides freely in either direction, locks into place when the dome is seated, and offers a range of air flow control. I'll touch more on this later, but I do like how it doesn't stick, and it the fact that it hasn't cross threaded on me (nor shows no sign of.) I also like the fact that the holes have been drilled nicely, which will eliminate the need to re drill to a better liking.

The posts are welded to the deck and not only does this offer better conductivity, it offers a bit more reliability when working with the small enclosure that is afforded. From what I can tell, the welding was done well and it shows no signs of slack, nor does it giveaway when twisting and pulling your coils in and out.

Overall, this is a very, very well made clone. With 1:1 configurations, it is typical some facet of the design can and usually will fall through, one way or another. I've built a variety of coil configurations, tweaked the airflow control diligently, tested the threading and tried it on a variety of devices. In a side by side comparison, it would be hard differentiating. Staying away from clone ethics, this is quite a sight to behold.

• Appearance
  Another brief section, but this is a very sleek atomizer. The stainless steel construction paired with the MAGMA and PARADIGM logo compliment a stainless steel mod wonderfully. It is as if this RDA was built for the Tree of Life, as you can tell in the attached picture. Gorgeous.

• FunctionalityNow we get down to brass tacks of the review. Any RDA can evince with style; captivate with ease. A well made product can suffer a multitude of faults that compromise it's commendable structural integrity. I'm happy to say that this RDA functions as well as it looks, if not better.

First thing I would like to talk about is the air flow ring. The airflow ring is free spinning, however it has to be locked into place. When the top cap is removed and the air flow control ring has been inserted, the top cap must be screwed down to lock it into place. When this is complete, the ring will not budge. Now in order to alternate between diameters, you have to lightly unscrew the top cap, backing off just a touch. I've had trouble coming to terms with airflow control rings that can spin freely in my pocket; this is not an issue here. The airflow control ring offers 1, 2, and 3mm diameter  configurations. I settle on three, because I prefer an airy draw. However 1 and 2 are also quite comfortable to use, as I find that 2 maximizes the flavor profile, and 1 replicates a very tight draw. The airflow ring also allows you to set it up in either a dual coil or single coil configuration.

The next thing I'd like to speak about is the juice resevoir. As I previously mentioned, it is generous in size, more-so than your traditional RDA. The surrounding walls do provide a tight enclosure, so caution must be made when filling as to not to overfill or waste any juice.  It is in my experience that a variety of wicks sit comfortably within the well (something a lot of people prefer not to do) and I have yet to experience any gurgling, of any kind. Alongside the outer ridge of the well, you will notice two holes, your airflow intake. The overall design is very intuitive, as every coil configuration you make should sit directly above these holes. This maximizes airflow, sufficiently allowing air to pass through the coil as intended.

Now with the magma, you can only work with two posts, so this might be off putting to those who are fond of intricate coil designs. I myself run it dual coil most of the time and have had no trouble installing a .5 ohm dual coil, using 30g kanthal and cotton. I like that the posts are secure and a good distance above the air flow holes. Due to it's nature, the welding provides an additional layer of stability as well as security when working on the deck. The aforementioned screws fit snug and secure, however they are incredibly small so keep on a close eye on them when you're working on a new build.

The domed top cap provides a vape I have yet to experience; as it fills with smoke it puts out a distinctively unique draw. It is hard to explain, but instead of your typical "sucking" it is as if you can tell that the air is spinning around. I found it difficult going back to standard atomizers, due to this unique offering.

Due to the posts being welded, attaching coil configurations is a breeze. I have hard trouble in the past with various devices, yet I am able to recoil this within seconds. It is nice knowing that if I am in a pinch and have the tools handy I can bust out a nice coil without sinking too much time or effort into the affair.

This RDA is 22mm in diameter so it is a flush fit on a majority of mechs.

•  Performance
  This RDA affords me a luxury I did not think possible. Without a doubt it is as close to providing a "perfect" vape, both in it's function and performance. My standard build is a .5 ohm 30g kanthal dual coil configuration. After I installed my coil of choice, set the airflow to 3mm, threaded the top cap and installed I was blown away.The flavor production is IMPECCABLE. So much so that I was tempted to rewick it and try out every juice I own! I was even inclined to drip juice I do not like, just to see if I could get a better profile. With coils that sit above the airflow holes, as well as a domed top cap, it provides a performance you will be hard pressed finding elsewhere. The way the vapor converges in the dome leads to entirely different experience; I truly believe today was the first day I have ever TASTED MY JUICE! It is worth noting that I retain the same reception running a single coil configuration, so to all those out there who prefer that, have a go! It is truly second to none, I say this as a variety of tanks sit on my desk. Sit in shame, I say! You can keep your kayfuns, your patriots, your nautilus, your aerotanks, just leave me my MAGMA.
  
  Alongside the wondrous flavor, I was also anticipating quite a plume of vapor. This should be expected at the sub ohm level, and this RDA delivered. A three second draw was almost debilitating, I would not recommend taking a direct lung hit. As my lips broke away and my eyes focused to the cloud before me, I was giddy with glee.
  
  Now to those out that who do not subo hm, I was also able to achieve noteworthy performance using a 1.5ohm dual coil, as well as 1.5 ohm single micro coil. Though the vapor production is decidedly less, the flavor production does not falter whatsoever. I would definitely recommend this dripper to those who shy away from coiling building, as I'll admit I saw very little point when deviating from the sub ohm realm. Thankfully the magma corrected my poor perception, and I believe it will entice others with it's wide range of capability. 

Now, I will get on to what I do not like

•  510 connection length
  The 510 post is incredibly long, and unfortunately can give trouble in mechanical mod pairing. I personally do not own a mod that has a problem with it, however I do know that the caravela requires quite a bit of adjustment, and that the nemesis suffers from a very slight gap. I presume this will be an issue with those who have an extensive assortment of mods, so it is best pairing it with something befitting.

• Dome cap juice pools
  When you use a wick that is within close proximity to the domed cap, juice can condensate within it's walls. I find that this can also happen if you lay your RDA on it's side, or constantly change it's positioning. When this happens, the juice has a tendency to funnel down into the decks air flow openings and leaking outside the airflow control ring. It can also leak when removed, dripping all over the ring and down the side of your device.

Overall, I am impressed overall. The Magma Paradigm, cloned by Infinite, boasts superior craftsmanship, innovative design, and delivers divine flavor production and sizable clouds of vapor. I am in the process of phasing out numerous tank systems, anticipating another Magma purchase or two. I would like to thank 101vape for giving me the opportunity to review the device, and as well as the creators of the Magma. It was a pleasure working alongside 101vape and I will continue to throw copious amounts of money at them. 

Questions or concerns? Feel free to fill out the box to your right or add me on facebook. I'd love to hear back from the community. You can also follow me on twitter @_vapocalyptic, or find me on the electronic-cigarette-forum, @vapocalyptic. As always, vape strong and live long!