Hellvape just recently has been banging out some pretty decent gear and this time I was fortunate enough to get my hands on their newest super series RDA, Hellvape SERI RDA.
This RDA is not for the faint of heart as it’s capable of running at 200W with 3 coils! Yes, that’s right I did say 3 coils!
Hellvape is based in China and was established in 2016!
Many will know the company for their Dead Rabbit range of RDA/RTA’s the likes of Dead Rabbit V2 RDA, Fat Rabbit RTA, Dead Rabbit V3 RDA and Dead Rabbit R Tank.
What Can We Expect From SERI RDA?
What I love about using RDA’s is the sheer quality of vapour and flavour production. Add in being able to use your own DIY coils – this makes the use of RDA/RTA’s a cost-effective and no brainer!
I’m not an expert by any means with running series builds, so in this review, I’ll try to explain things as simply as I can and to the best of my limited knowledge!
The SERI has a triple deck that runs coils in series; the kit comes with 3 low ohm coils, and a short circuit connector is included to allow you to run a dual series build.
Hellvape SERI RDA is not your normal run of the mill RDA and in my mind, it’s not suitable for those with limited coil building experience!
To take full advantage of SERI RDA I recommend using a high power dual battery regulated device – one that is capable of delivering at least 12 volts, like the Geekvape Aegis X.
Although most high power devices are not equal and have a safety cut off at 9v! Even the Aegis X at the full 200W with x3 coils in the Seri will not give you a true 200W vape it’s more like around 180W. Which let’s be honest is too much for even the average user!
Hellvape has released SERI RDA in 5 great colours.
Design and Build Quality
As always I’m impressed with Hellvape with its high manufacturing quality and design. This RDA is made from quality Stainless Steel and topped off with a Delrin 810 mouthpiece.
SERI RDA comes in a card box. I was sent the Gunmetal version for this review!
Extras Included
3×0.2Ω Ni80 coils, 3 pieces of shoelace cotton, a coil cutting tool, Allen key, screwdriver, a Short circuit connector along with a BF Squonk Pin, O-rings and spare post screws.
Hellvape SERI RDA – Overview
Measuring in at approximately 39mm tall and having a base diameter of 26mm the Seri comes with a black replaceable Delrin 810 mouthpiece.
The Seri will dismantle into 4 parts.
6 parts if you take into account the 510 connection pin and BF squonk pin!
Hellvape SERI RDA – Component Parts
From the top, the black 810 Delrin mouthpiece has a 15mm bore tapering to around 10mm. It is fairly tall which helps to keep heat away from your mouth.
The cap consists of 2 parts which help with further heat reduction, the outer airflow sleeve has a heat sink to help reduce even more heat and gives the RDA a decorative look!
A heavily laser engraved Seri logo is on the front of the sleeve!
Each side of the sleeve has 5 diagonal lined airflow vents.
This sleeve sits and locks over the inner airflow cap by 2 fins.
The inner cap reminds me of a layered cake! (I must be hungry LOL).
It has an embedded O-ring for firm seating of the mouthpiece and the top centre section has a slotted lock mechanism that locks together with the outer sleeve and enables you to turn the outer airflow!
On each side of the cap/barrel are 13 honeycombed airflow holes.
The lower section of the cap/barrel slips over the build deck!
Inside the barrel, it has a dome effect, for the stray liquid to drip back down to the coils!
You will also see inside 2 fins that lock to the build deck.
Hellvape SERI RDA – Base/Build Deck
On the bottom of the base, all the normal information has been printed, this RDA comes pre-installed with a gold plated 510 connection pin!
The connection threading has been turned well.
Looking at the sides of the deck you will see 2 O-rings for the barrel to slip over and 2 cutouts for the fins on the cap/barrel!
Its liquid well is a deep 6mm, so no worries about over dripping or squonking.
This RDA has a set of 6 posts that sit upon Peek insulators, the centre 2 posts are raised above the 2 outer posts.
I am not surprised by the great design and high manufacturing quality of the Seri RDA, all the materials used in its construction are top-notch!
How Does Hellvape SERI RDA Perform?
It’s got to be said, this RDA is well outside my comfort zone! Not because this is a series topper (I normally vape my Noisy Cricket v2 in series at 4.5 to 5V with dual 0.6Ω coils, my regular day to day vape with a parallel build is between 35/65W with a restricted direct to lung style), my problem is the sheer power the Seri RDA seems to require!
I’m however always up for a challenge!
So today I will be using my Geekvape Aegis X, I will also be using the 3 Ni90 coils that came with the kit!
I don’t have any decent low ohm coils to the hand of a different material, so I will bear the consequences related to my nickel allergy!
How to prepare Hellvape SERI RDA for use!
With a series build like this, the resistance of each coil will add up to the final ohms i.e. 3×0.2Ω, so should be around 0.6Ω.
A. Make your coils in the normal way or use the ones that come with the kit.
B. Pulse and strum the coils for a nice even glow.
C. Load your cotton into the coils – comb trim and tuck the cotton into the deck.
D. Dampen the coils and cotton with liquid.
Dual Build
Use the included metal Short Circuit Connector for dual builds, insert it as you would a normal coil in the centre post as below.
Reassemble SERI RDA, and enjoy!
Hellvape SERI RDA in use
Building SERI RDA is extremely easy, Hellvape even includes a coil cutting tool and recommends you cut your coil tails at 5mm.
Hellvape SERI RDA Wattage, Airflow and Flavour
I started out at 80W, wanting to bed the 3 coils in before pushing them more! I soon found that the RDA wanted its heat so I piled on the wattage to 100 and then 120W, the flavour was good and the vapour was quite thick and cloudy.
With the airflow wide open it was quite airy for me, although not turbulently so. I dialled the airflow back to about ¾ open, which seems to suit me fine!
Pushing the 3 coils to the full wattage of my Aegis X (200W) was an experience and well outside my personal comfort zone!
Of course at 200W and with the amount of vapour the Seri produces came the heat much more than I am used to! But then I very rarely vape at this high level of wattage anyway!
200W cloud from SERI RDA
Yes alright, I’ll admit it! I coughed like a banshee, my poor old micro lungs just couldn’t take the volume of vapour and heat produced!
Strangely though even at 200W, I was impressed with the flavour production. While I couldn’t toot more than a quick press of my fire button, the flavour I did get was full on!
In the main, I have been using this RDA with 2 coils at between 80 and 90W.
I will go on the record and say I get great flavour and decent clouds with SERI RDA in this dual configuration, less heat makes a more enjoyable vape for me!
Pros
+ Good quality and design
+ Solid materials
+ Deep juice well
+ Extraordinary Cloud production
+ Fairly good flavour
+ Easy to build on
+ BF Squonk pin
Cons
I don’t have any concerns with this kit, apart from the heat it produces at 200W!
Final Review Verdict
This RDA in 3 coil mode can produce an extraordinary amount of vapour, albeit with good flavour! If I had to categorise the Seri RDA I would call it a competition RDA, maybe it could be something for those hot summer weekends when you need a bit of cloud coverage lol.
Would I recommend the Hellvape Seri RDA?
As I said at the beginning this RDA isn’t for the faint of heart, if you understand Ohms law and battery safety and are competent at building safely then I’d say “Yes” go for it!
If you are new to building coils I’d recommend taking a pass with this type of topper for a while and studying Ohms law and battery safety!
Source: https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/
