I am pretty much in the same boat as u bikerdude and prefer flavor over clouds. I did my research and got a kayfun 5 mini clone from sxk for being a flavor tank that is easy for my first build. Its perfect for me at .5 and cant wait to try triple twisted in it. I have not had it leak even w/o shutting of the juice flow when filling, the supplied drip tip is snug , and all together i am impressed w/ this clone. In case something would to happen to it, i was debating another but i recently did grab a gemini since it was only $10. It is nice for clouds, easy to build those wild coils but the flavor is not there for me. .I do have a nice flavor dripper as well, freakshow, although the difference is there, its not that bad.
2 Likes
I really want that sxk kayfun 5 clone. A lot of people say that its just as good if not better than the original…and its a 10th of the cost!
I’d say the kayfun 5 would be a good one to consider too. I’ve had a clone for a few months (cost about 12 dollars from fast tech)and really like it. It’s kind of changed the way I vape. The restricted airflow is really good, I feel it really accentuates the flavour. At low watts you can slowly pull on it and take long puffs, and it works great. The tip helps with this too. I switch tips depending on how I’m vaping it.
I’ve also found that how you wick it affects the airflow too, more wick = more restricted, for me, so you have a bit of variation that way too.
depending on your build (I’ve had plain ss, twisted and clapton coils in it from about 0.4 to 1.2 Ω and run it anywhere between 18 and 40 w), you can def get good flavour and a very satisfying puff with low watts.
Super easy to build too.
Worth considering picking up a clone on the cheap to see how you get on with it. The one I have is the no name ss 304 clone, it’s the cheapest one on there that I’ve seen, and can’t fault it.
1 Like
Excellent input from all, I love ELR! I’ve ruled out the Cthulhu V3 and the Bellus and I’m going to research the ones you have suggested.
The thing I like about the Ammit is the auxilliary airflow holes that supposedly blow on the side of the coil.
I like the looks of the Mage and the short chimney section.
I can try that, I’m at 75VG and 3 nic now.
I really like the idea of 2 decks included and the Merlin Mini has a very short, narrow chimney which should produce great flavor.
That is exactly how I like to vape.
Back to work and looking forward to some more research this evening and maybe mix up a recipe or two at 80 VG as @CallMeTut suggested.
You could always do what I do and save a couple of bucks. I have my Griffin 25 running with 8.5 wrap 28ga kanthal at 20 watts. Flavor is just fine.
1 Like
Yes if you want flavor its hard to beat the merlin. Even though its getting kinda old im gonna write up a review just because I love it so much. Now days there are more good devices than bad so any of those that you mentioned are going to be great. With all the tested designs out there, all the customer feedback, and overall popularity of some devices, companies should know by now what works and what doesnt! Yet there are still crappy things out there lol. When you decide which one you go with, let us know how it goes!
1 Like
I was gonna say merlin mini. It’s one of my favorites. I don’t use it with the MTL pin. I only use it around 25 watts. I like to vape my Andes and other chocolate flavors in it. I also like kanger mini toptank for chocolates as well.
1 Like
Pretty impressive list you guys have going. Guess my SteamCrave is tech. a RDTA LOL, but it’s never let me down as far as demo’ing mixes, flavors, etc. Have it on a 200w Fuchai but don’t go over 35w. with two claps @ .30 ohms.
3 Likes
Maybe a kayfun 5 (or a clone) would be a good choice for you. I think it’s popularity is mostly with folk who like vaping this way. I’m puffing it as I type at 25 watts with the airflow closed and some saffron butterscotch juice. Perfect, the flavour is awesome. ss cool at 0.55 Ω.
1 Like
Are you running it single coil? I was thinking of blocking off one side of my Griffin and trying single coil Clapton on it.
I looked at pics of it but it has a lot of parts and a lot of o-rings and it seemed there were a lot of potential leakage spots. I didn’t watch review vids on it yet but I will before I rule it out.
Dual with 3mm split coils. I haven’t tried the single coil option yet.
1 Like
I have two of the authentic K5’s. They are not as complex as you may initially think. In terms of not leaking and functionality this may be the best single coil TANK ever created. Whatever decision you end up making you cannot go wrong with this one!
2 Likes
Is the K5 a mouth to lung tank only, or could it be used direct to lung? A Scottish bloke who’s hardware review I watched said it was MTL only. I did watch a teardown and build vid and yeah, it didn’t look too complex to work with. The exploded diagram is intimidating but the tank itself doesn’t have to be torn all the way down to coil and wick or fill.
In it’s native form it is not a mouth to lung tank. It is however an outstanding restricted lung hit. You can purchase reducers to make it mouth to lung if you wanted to experiment with that. I’m not really sure but the Clone versions may already come with those.
1 Like
My vote is for the Merlin mini.
With the smallest Pin inserted it’s a great MTL with bags of flavour.
I threw in a 26/40 clapton 6 wraps around .5ohms and was great at 12w for the Mrs to use MTL vaping.
Flavour was great, vapour production was great, easy to build and wick.
Worth every penny!
3 Likes
It’s down to the Merlin Mini, the Mage GTA and the SXK Kayfun V5 Mini.
2 Likes
It’s simpler than you would think, the only parts you really need to think about are the base and the top/tank. I’ve never had mine apart further than that, and the threaded top cap for easy filling.
There are loads of options though, I hope you find something that suits.
3 Likes
I can see why the Kayfun 5 is so expensive. It is marvelously designed. And the flavor is outstanding.
I do most of my builds at .25 ohms or lower but on the Kayfun 5 I have a .52 build.
Coiling is tricky but not frustrating. Wicking takes only a couple of minutes. Wide open you can do a restricted lung hit and closed is a perfect mouth to lung hit.
Highly recommend. I’m using the SXK clone version.
3 Likes
yes for sure i never remeber that one but yes the mini serpent
1 Like
Merlin Mini is my choice… Has a single coil deck or a dual coil deck…2 sized inserts for air restriction per your preference with an excellent external air flow control from the lower ring outside of the tank, so you have 2 areas to control air flow…Extremely well machined and an excellent flavor production…EZ-PZ build decks for a lot of variety in your coil selections…Juice flow control can be a bit tricky, but once you familiarize yourself, it becomes 2nd Nature…Be sure to fill tank with outer air flow control ring completely closed AND juice flow control completely closed…This eliminates leaking as you vape…and it is not expensive…
Another RTA I might recommend is the UD Goblin Mini V-3…Similar in design, but does not have the different sized inserts for air flow control, but does offer both a Single and Double coil build deck…Air flow control is excellent also on this RTA…Both decks are EZ-PZ to work on, as well…
Both have a fairly tight chamber, and short chimney, which are essential design elements to the excellent flavor that they produce, HOWEVER, these small features, still accommodate the fairly large build decks that they feature…Truly a great design…
I vape both of these RTAs in my rotation and have 2 of each…and couldn’t be happier with them…
One last important feature:… Both, when broken down for cleaning have a minimum number of parts to deal with and are very efficient to take apart, clean and rebuild…with a minimum number of O-rings to deal with, as well, and as with any RTA, just keep an eye on them, when you are in the cleaning process…
Serpent Mini is indeed an excellent vape, as well as the K-Fun mini V-3…(have them both) …only downside to those attys are that the build decks are rather limited…as well as your choice of coil configurations…Both are single coil designs…Serpent Mini is not a difficult deck to build on, however I find the K-Fun Mini V-3 to be a challenge…They both do produce excellent flavor, however…
I hope you find what you are looking for…I have found these to be beautiful vapes and with the added benefit of being fairly priced attys… 
2 Likes