Kanger Toptank mini or Subtank mini

[dhansak]

Hi all

I'm on the hunt for a new tank, but have been away for awhile so have found a whole new world of TC and sub-ohming on my "return" - yikes. Wow - I didn't expect that rate of change! Having ploughed through you tube a bit I think I know where I'm heading.... sorta...

Current setup : 3 original MVP 2s - all failing now so have been replaced by eleaf istick 50w; more power no TC.
Tanks: iclear 30s and taifun GT clones

Now I am looking for a new tank that I can recoil, as well as buy simple replacement screw in heads/coils when I'm feeling particularly fumble-fingered (most of the time). I guess a sort of functional combo of the iclears and taifuns is what I'm after. The toptank/subtank looked good because they come with an RBA section and replacement heads are available (at 1.5 ohms which I am happy with). Also the subtank minis seem to get a lot of good reviews - haven't found many for the top tank yet.

Also a big thing for me is the design of the terminal posts on the RBAs; I seem to be getting more ham fisted with every passing month, so like the look of being able to screw the coil ends between the edge of the terminal and screw head rather than trying trap the wire under a screw. Used to able to do that easily on the GTs now it's a bit 50/50!

So given that I am going for non sub-ohming, non TC vape with the above specs are these tanks ok? Is there anything to choose between the top vs sub?


Pluses I can see: subtank comes with spare glass tank; toptank is top fill which I prefer though is not critical. I don't count the extra heads the toptank comes with as a plus per se as they are all TC sub-ohm whatsits.

Also I see that the RBA design is different (different size wicking holes) - does this make any real difference?

Also I just realised that I made an assumption about replacement heads....  are the heads (non rba) for the subtank mini also ok for the toptank?

Sigh - when I started to write this, it was all so simple in my head ...  is top tank good as subtank ..... then my brain started ticking so sorry about the wall of text lol

Thanks as always for your guidance

[dhansak]

Sorry - forgot to say (you've probably deduced it anyway) - am a mouth to lung vaper

[nanotm]

if your into the idea of the subtank then perhaps buy the subtank kit (with rba) and head over to fast tech and get the topfill clone setup ?

the subtank is a lot cleaner to refill than some other tanks around, I have 2 that I use daily (along with tfv4 crown crius mini nautilus) and am waiting on the top fill replacement top assemblies (got them the same size as the original subtank so the spare glass will fit on them as well)

that way you can decide which option suits best and roll with it

as to the coils that fit each device I read somwhere they are the same size just a different shape ?

[Pepperty]

I can confirm that the subtank mini rba deck - with the wire trapped by screw is a godsend! I too fail miserably sometimes when wrapping wire around and they are probably the easiest tank to build (that's why I have a fair few of these) I also like that you can close the airholes down to MTL usage and I too like the facility to use an rba deck or just put a ready made coil in situ, it makes them far more versatile.

You can buy ready made 1.2 ohm coils and obviously you can build to suit, as I do as I use a couple on my provari classic so am limited to 15watts and these do the trick well. I actually bought some top fill parts from Fasttech and they fit the genuine model fine, if you end up going that way. I actually use shorty top fill as it holds 3.5ml and I prefer small and carry about in my handbag a refill juice bottle, but they do normal size also

[nanotm]

and the 9.5ml beast for those 2 day trips without needing the juice bottle ...

seriously though I love the versatility of the subtank, I made the mistake of buying the stock ni200 coils and then using it in temp control mode with strawberry milk, it tastes great for about 4 days then starts tonot taste so good.... expensive waste to discover your nicest "treat" flavour tastes nasty on something so expensive, put in a standard Clapton coil with the RBA in power mode and it tastes great for a lot longer .....

[dhansak]

Thanks nanotm and Pepperty

I will order the authentic sub tank mini from FT. Also a big thank you for the heads up about converting with top fill parts. I had come across the part that Pepperty linked to but didn't understand what I was seeing! - just thought it was a straight replacement bit for the subtank - didn't twig that it made it a top fill .... doh.

Do you find that the ready made replacement heads (1.x ohms) last awhile? - I have been spoilt by the iclears 30s heads lasting months (vaping sweet 60/40 pg/vg juices)

[Pepperty]

<< One of my favourite set-ups. Mini Volt and shorty subtank mini. The 1300mAh battery lasts me a day when I'm out and about, I have a 10ml unicorn bottle in my handbag for top ups and I've a small battery pack in bag too so I can get emergency power. The external powerpack is as big as the mod!

[dhansak]

That looks mighty sweet Pepperty

Excuse me a moment - I'll be rummaging in my FT basket methinks!

[Pepperty]

As for longevity of shop bought coils, I think they are fairly decent, I get a month from mine (but I only use mod when I'm out) and I don't fill up with custards and bakery - I pick a menthol and that gives me a longer shelf life.

I still keep iclear16's in stock.... I can get a quarter year out of each one I still think they are a good starter tank and my pal has been vaping on their throwaway ones for 3 years and is very happy with costing


If you want a long lasting off teh shelf coils, you can go for the innokin isub coils << seem to have the same capacity for going on and on and on - and they are cheap. They fit Isub G and isub S (top filling version) and their cheaper non glass isub

[dhansak]

Thanks Pepperty - have just ordered one subtank mini, spare rba and 5x 1.5ohm heads - yay!

Hmmm - what are these strange Innokin Isub tanks you mention.... saw them on FT just now and found myself almost distracted from my mission lol...

The various tanks seem very nicely priced as do the heads; and they have a RBA too - though the pics on FT look really weird and unlike any rba I've seen so far (admittedly I am about 18 months out of date). Guess what I'll be you-tubing for the next couple of days...

[phatfil]

for a mtl vape could i suggest you consider getting a fasttech clone subtank base,

reason being the clone 'styled' bases have a single air in slot which is easier to close down for a tighter draw than the authentics with their 2 x base air in slots,,



the off the shelf coils can be a bit hit n miss, i have had a few dodgy ones a circa 10% fail rate..

there are now 3 x styles of off the shelf coils:
The original square heads with a pull off top that can be rebuilt fairly easily - a good how to is in the tips n tricks section..

newer square 1 piece (no pull off top), and even newer round coils which are also not easy to recoil (not seen it done yet myself.. tho that means little..)

So if given a choice i suggest you track down original 2 part top square occ coils if you can..

that about sums up what i can add here

[dhansak]

Thanks phatfil - that's great info.

Think I've found the base - www.fasttech.com/products/3023/10013440/2269601 - will order when it turns into next day shipping.

Will hunt for those original square heads - guess they will become rarer as time passes though...

I do find the Innokin Isub series mentioned by Pepperty interesting too - yes I have been you tubing since yesterday! I have ordered the isub g today just to check it out. Waiting for the isub rba to come into stock.

Comparing the subtank mini and the isub (strictly from the point of view that both rba and replacement heads exist) - just thinking out loud really......

Both have rba bases that are different enough that I may find them easier to build

Both have replacement coils but -
isub : easily rewicked with current model. Quality seems to be ok - not sure though
subtank mini: didn't know that coils could be rewicked (thanks@phatfil) but may not be easy to find; also have come across concerns about variable quality of the coils.

Hmm - all theory for me at the moment - will have to wait and see. First test will be to see if I find either one any easier to build and work from there.

Thanks again for all your help folks