For those considering a first Restricted Direct Lung or Mouth to Lung RTA, I wanted to cast down my thoughts in my first-ever (and most likely last-ever) review! I just wanted to review this unit a bit because I don’t believe I’ve seen one yet on VC, and I don’t see myself getting into regular reviews, but I have high hopes for this particular RTA. I freely admit that I plagiarized @SessionDrummer’s review format, and I hope he will forgive me as he’s perfected a great format, and sincerely - imitation is the greatest form of flattery. OK, here we go…
Specs:
- Stainless Steel construction
- Two 510 Drip Tips – MTL and Wide Bore
- 2 ml Straight Glass
- 4 ml Bubble Glass
- Easy twist to choose between RDL and MTL
- Wide range of airflow options
- Screw-top access to fill
What’s Included:
- 25 mm RTA w/ 4 ml bubble glass and MTL drip tip installed
- 2 ml Straight Glass
- Spares kit with o-rings, grub screws, hex key, wide-bore drip tip
- Shoelace cotton and one Ni80 0.8 Ohm 2.5 mm ID, 6 wrap dual core fused clapton coil
- Instruction manual
I chose the Stainless Steel finish and it seems to me that the Oxva branding blends in better and doesn’t stand out as much as the other finishes (Black, Blue, Gunmetal, or Rainbow).
The package:
What’s in the box:
The Oxva Arbiter Solo with spare glass:
Next to the Oxva Arbiter 2:
The main parts:
I don’t think the internal rotating airflow selector comes out?
Pretty good size kidney holes and notice the keyed receptacle for the rotating cap to engage:
The main event – rotating airflow selector cap:
It’s keyed to insert into and turn the airflow selector:
The deck – decent size wick ports for a single coil unit:
Side airflow for RDL mode:
Central MTL airflow:
The WireOptim 26 gauge SS316L wire that also just arrived:
A 2.5 mm ID 10 wrap that initially comes in at 0.60 Ohms:
The grub screws are smooth:
Coil mounted:
Glowing like a champ:
Wicked:
Juiced and ready to go:
Some of Wayne Walker’s finest – I mixed this at 60:40 PG:VG, instead of my usual 70:30, to help the wicking along:
On my Lost Vape Thelema Solo DNA100C – I think it looks killer:
Test Results:
The unit comes with everything you need to get started. The fit and finish from Oxva seems excellent.
RDL Mode:
I went to this first because this will likely be my primary usage. Since I’m seeking that dense, saturated, flavorful vape, I started with the following settings:
- Selected RDL mode for the airflow
- Opened the airflow fully
- Selected Wattage Mode and started at 12.5 W
- After wicking and soaking the coil now registers at 0.75 Ohms
Results: My first attempt was a fail, as the tank had flooded, so I emptied the tank and re-wicked, trying to use more cotton, without thinning the ends. 2nd Attempt: At 12.5 Watts, my device is pushing about 3.1 V, and the vape seems a bit too cool and wispy. At 15 Watts the vape is becoming more dense and flavorful. At 17.5 Watts we are definitely getting there! At 18.5 Watts warmer and better. From here I started to neck down the airflow, and I shut off the single, large Cyclops port, and raised to 20 Watts – this is definitely hitting the flavor zone now, and the coil is now registering at 0.66 Ohms. At 22.5 Watts I’m really starting to enjoy the Arbiter Solo! I closed off another airflow hole, and the vape is really enjoyable – dense, saturated, and flavorful.
RDL Mode – Temperature Control:
I selected SS316 mode on my Lost Vape Thelema Solo DNA100C, set wattage to 22.5 W, and set Temp to 325 degrees – this is too cool. Raised to 350 degrees – better. Raised to 375 degrees – even better – I think I can fine tune it from here, but I’m still getting some raw juice spit.
I decided to empty the tank, I added 1 gram of VG to the remaining 8-9 grams of the 60:40 juice that I mixed, and re-filled. The wicking is now better, and at 22.5 Watts and 375 degrees, I’m getting a great vape.
RDL Mode – Replay:
Replay mode with similar settings (22.5 Watts) is providing a great vape nearly identical to the Temp Control mode.
MTL Mode – 2nd Attempt:
With thicker juice in the tank I wanted to try again, as I think the potential is there for this RTA.
- Selected MTL mode for the airflow
- Opened the airflow fully
- Selected Wattage Mode and started at 20 W
- The coil still registers at 0.66 Ohms
Results: MUCH better. The thicker juice was just the ticket, and necking down the airflow to 4 smallest holes open is providing a thick, dense, warm vape with a decent throat hit. I then rotated the airflow around to try the single hole opening on the largest single hole, and it just keeps getting better – I may actually vape MTL a bit in the future. I necked it down again to the third smallest hole and the draw is now very restrictive, and the throat hit is even more pronounced. The smallest hole is still usable for those who enjoy that extremely tight draw.
Pros:
- Excellent flavor and wide variety of airflow choices that worked well once I fine tuned my e-juice.
- Very classy looks in stainless steel that blends in the branding.
- Works well with a 2.5 mm ID coil
- Performs very well in both temperature control and replay modes on a DNA unit.
- Everything you need to get started in the box.
- Two post design captures wire easily and simple to build on.
- Single coil unit uses less power and a battery can last quite a while.
Cons:
- Two post design means clockwise coils – counterclockwise coils mount upside down and may fall below the RDL airflow.
- Large juice wells may permit flooding with thinner juice?
- They’re getting hard to find!
Conclusions:
Excellent flavor that performs well in both RDL and MTL modes, and I may be a part-time convert to MTL. The unit has definitely piqued my interest, and I see myself already using the Oxva Arbiter Solo as part of my everyday rotation – it may have just gone to the top. The only other single coil RTAs I own are Steam Crave Aromamizer Supreme V3s, and I usually run those with the dual coil postless deck. The Arbiter Solo is providing flavor that is on par with the dual coil units, and I think I made a good choice when seeking a unit that is tailored to the RDL draw I like. The wicking issues were my own fault and the unit is functioning perfectly now. If you are interested in an RTA that does both jobs - RDL and MTL – the Oxva Arbiter Solo can be an excellent choice. Thanks to all for listening.
