Fasttech Ithaka RBA clone .. is it worth a punt?

[Deleted]

I have been considering buying this as my first RBA. It has had rave reviews on FT as being an exact copy of the GG original.

www.fasttech.com/products/0/10005183/1407800-ithaka-adjustable-rebuildable-atomizer-4-0ml

I currently use iClear 30s and 16s, a Vision Aurora BFT and an IGO-L RDA and I have quite a bit of experience recoiling the IGO-L and various evod heads for family members so building coils, even non res/res/non res does not faze me. I don't want to spend a lot of money on something I might not take to so I thought that at £23 delivered it might be worth a punt.
I would like the opinions of more experienced RBA users (particularly those with experience of this clone or the Golden Greek original) as to whether this would be suitable as a first proper RBA and if this clone is worth getting at this price. I have watched both the Todd and Scott video reviews and feel confident that I could build it without too much difficulty. All opinions appreciated and thanks is given in advance.

[xs2man]

I hope so. I ordered one a week or so ago...

[jeffc]

@freefromsmoking &xs2man Yes they are excellent value for the money, alittle more complex than other atty`s, hence the following statement:

GET SOME PRE-MADE NON_RES_RES WIRES FROM GREYHAZE, they will make the setting up that much easier.

Watch the video`s very carefully, and be aware of the dual coils low ohms set ups.

Wash & clean these atty`s before you set them up (Important to remove oils etc)

Good luck to you both

[punisher]

i just received a choddy
chines oddys clone
first impressions tight draw used a 1mm drill and ther must have been some swarf inside as the drill did not go strait through now its better still a little tight for me
secondly building the coil was a easy only thing i found was when i trap the earth wire in the larg ring it allowed juice to enter the coils not closing off fully so now i have coiled it difrent jaming the no res wire under the positive post (under the grommet so it earths on the body)
apart from that im a big fan i think this is the same thing just not polished
www.vaporbreak.com/en/home/249-ithaka-rebuildable-atomizer.html
and cheaper

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2013 11:10:09 GMT xs2man said:

I hope so. I ordered one a week or so ago...

10 days to ship at the minute xs2man plus Chinese national holidays 17th - 19th Sept and a full week in October .... let me know how you get on with yours when it arrives for Christmas 

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2013 11:29:41 GMT punisher said:

i just received a choddy
chines oddys clone
first impressions tight draw used a 1mm drill and ther must have been some swarf inside as the drill did not go strait through now its better still a little tight for me
secondly building the coil was a easy only thing i found was when i trap the earth wire in the larg ring it allowed juice to enter the coils not closing off fully so now i have coiled it difrent jaming the no res wire under the positive post (under the grommet so it earths on the body)
apart from that im a big fan i think this is the same thing just not polished
www.vaporbreak.com/en/home/249-ithaka-rebuildable-atomizer.html
and cheaper

You are right Punisher that is a good price at vapour break even taking into account shipping costs but I have a few dollars in gift vouchers with FT for stuff I cancelled
so I may as well use them.
One of the things that I like about the Ithaka is the adjustable airflow as I prefer a tighter draw than most people seem to like.

[xs2man]

Ha ha ha FFS.

I actually originally ordered it about a week ago, but yeah, not expected to ship until the 25th. So hopefully leave China before their week off, lol.

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2013 11:28:04 GMT jeffc said:

@freefromsmoking &xs2man Yes they are excellent value for the money, alittle more complex than other atty`s, hence the following statement:

GET SOME PRE-MADE NON_RES_RES WIRES FROM GREYHAZE, they will make the setting up that much easier.

Watch the video`s very carefully, and be aware of the dual coils low ohms set ups.

Wash & clean these atty`s before you set them up (Important to remove oils etc)

Good luck to you both

jeffc

One thing that I am curious about  .. in one of the videos (Scott's I think) he uses the X formation and effectively places one coil on top of the other.  Do the 2 coils touch? .. if they do is this ok? .. if they don't touch there must be enough room in the ceramic?  ???

EDIT: Romelee has answered this question below  ... sorry to have disturbed you jeff.

[Super-Shiny]

Sept 15, 2013 11:46:53 GMT @freefromsmoking said:

One thing that I am curious about  .. in one of the videos (Scott's I think) he uses the X formation and effectively places one coil on top of the other.  Do the 2 coils touch? .. if they do is this ok? .. if they don't touch there must be enough room in the ceramic?  ???

They do touch and it's not a problem, just make sure the coils do not touch the Juice Control Drip Tip.

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2013 12:47:41 GMT Super-Shiny said:

Sept 15, 2013 11:46:53 GMT @freefromsmoking said:

One thing that I am curious about  .. in one of the videos (Scott's I think) he uses the X formation and effectively places one coil on top of the other.  Do the 2 coils touch? .. if they do is this ok? .. if they don't touch there must be enough room in the ceramic?  ???

They do touch and it's not a problem, just make sure the coils do not touch the Juice Control Drip Tip.

Thanks Rom  .. I guess that explains how Mark is able to squeeze 4 coils into the Kayfun. Is there any real advantage using the x formation rather than 2 in parallel since both coils are still above the air hole?

[Super-Shiny]

Sept 15, 2013 13:06:20 GMT @freefromsmoking said:

Thanks Rom  .. I guess that explains how Mark is able to squeeze 4 coils into the Kayfun. Is there any real advantage using the x formation rather than 2 in parallel since both coils are still above the air hole?

When i done the parallel version the vape was good but not as good as the X version, plus the throat hit with the parallel version was a bit too much.

Plus with the parallel version the wicks ain't directly above the hole in the middle, bit like the Kayfun wicking, wick as close as possible too the hole in the middle.

EDIT: I am far from mastering it as i am still myself experimenting with it so my advise might not be 100% accurate

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2013 13:14:16 GMT Super-Shiny said:

Sept 15, 2013 13:06:20 GMT @freefromsmoking said:

Thanks Rom  .. I guess that explains how Mark is able to squeeze 4 coils into the Kayfun. Is there any real advantage using the x formation rather than 2 in parallel since both coils are still above the air hole?

When i done the parallel version the vape was good but not as good as the X version, plus the throat hit with the parallel version was a bit too much.

Plus with the parallel version the wicks ain't directly above the hole in the middle, bit like the Kayfun wicking, wick as close as possible too the hole in the middle.

EDIT: I am far from mastering it as i am still myself experimenting with it so my advise might not be 100% accurate

Seems like good advice to me Rom .. ta muchly

[Promethian]

I've had these on order since Aug 23rd.... no sign of them shipping yet... just raised a ticket

[jeffc]

Super-Shiny Top notch Rom could not have explained it better.

Now not only a Super Star Vape God, but technically giver of good advice.

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2013 13:34:37 GMT Promethian said:

I've had these on order since Aug 23rd.... no sign of them shipping yet... just raised a ticket

Jeez ... that's a heck of a lot longer than the 10 days they are quoting. Maybe xs2man won't get his till Christmas after all and I will probably get mine around Easter