The Aspire Kumo RDTA review and this is a collaboration with high end Germany based vape design team Steampipes.
It features innovative capillary action style ‘wicking‘ and that’s of course something we’ll take a look at in this review.
A quick look at the Steampipes website shows me the Aspire Kumo RDTA gets its inspiration from the Corona V8…it’s very similar in looks, bloody expensive, and uses the same capillary action.
The Aspire Prestige range has been a huge success with guest design teams bringing a whole new dimension to the company’s vape range.
We’ve reviewed the: Aspire Boxx – the Neeko RTA – the 9th Tank and the Aspire x NoName Zero.G kit….all of which have been well received.
What Can We Expect From the Aspire Kumo RDTA?
Innovation is key here with the introduction of the capillary action system which I’ll talk about later.
The Aspire Kumo RDTA offers a number of design and airflow options and obviously we’ll be looking at those too.
It’s a singe coil 2ml side fill, however the bung is a cinch to remove so in reality this is 3.5ml – nice.
It’s a DTL vape, however, and as you’ll see, it is more on the restricted side of things.
OK, let’s take a look at how this one performs.
For the record it was sent direct from UK Aspire Vendor – thank you – and as always my thoughts and opinions are not swayed by freebies.
Inside the Box
The usual Aspire Prestige smart packaging with everything beautifully presented and plenty of goodies:
- 1x Kumo RDTA Tank (2 ml)
- 1x Spare Drip Tip
- 1x 510 Adaptor
- 2x Spare Screws
- 1x Allen Key (1.5 mm)
- 1x Allen Key (2.0 mm)
- 1x O-rings Pack
- 1x AFC Ring
- 1x AFC Locking Ring
- 1x User Manual
Specs and Features
- Dimensions: 24 x 51mm
- Weight: 67.6g
- Side filling
- 2ml/3.5ml capacity
- Single top coil
- x2 airflow styles
- 810 or 510 replaceable drip tip
- Capillary System e-liquid conduction technology
Key Features
I guess, like me, it’s the Capillary System e-liquid conduction technology that intrigues you.
Having failed physics, my eyes kind of misted over at reading that…
However, this particular vape technology has been patented by the design team at Steampipes.
In most RDTAs the juice is carried either by steel ropes or long cotton tails.
The Aspire Kumo RDTA relies on the ‘magic‘ of capillary action meaning the juice gets to the cotton and coil without the need for that.
Aspire explains it thus:
An evolution of liquid transport system, the Kumo doesn’t need a medium to transport the liquid, which can better assure the purity of the e-liquid, to allow your every puff as fresh as the last.
In other words, the Aspire Kumo RDTA uses something known as Pascal’s Law – hit the link if you want to know more.
Aspire Kumo RDTA – Plenty Of Options
It’s a 2ml capacity RDTA, filled from the side, however the ‘bung‘ is easily removed making it 3.5ml…it’s almost as if the bung has been added half heartedly lol – great to see 🙂
The Aspire Kumo RDTA is obviously a single top coiler and it’s a bit of a faff to get to the deck initially and to swap styles – I’ll explain more in a mo’.
There are x2 styles of airflow control rings, one with slits and the other with x4 regular holes.
Add to that the option of a metal tank, and you can alter the look of the RDTA should you so wish.
There’s a few drip tip options too, with the metal pre-installed and the option of a plastic one in the box, and there’s also a 510 adaptor.
OK, let’s do a brief run through of how to get to the deck.
Aspire Kumo RDTA – Components
- Remove the 810
- Unscrew top cap ring
- Pull off main tank
- Unscrew 510 pin and remove deck
- Bung can now be removed
- Screw deck back on and coil/wick
- Fill from the side of the deck
To see the Aspire Kumo RDTA being built I highly recommend watching the video from our good friend Dean the Devil Vaper.
Design And Build Quality
I absolutely love the look of the Aspire Kumo RDTA.
It’s sleek and minimalist with a refreshing lack of gaudy logos.
The fact you can change the look is a big bonus, and with its full metal jacket on, it looks bloody gorgeous.
Given there’s quite a few moving parts, it needs to be machined well, and it really is very well made indeed.
I’ve taken this apart umpteen times now and never had an issue – just be careful you don’t lose the deck posts when taking it apart for cleaning, or taking out the bung.
Both styles of airflow have a perfect resistance to them and once set stay in place with no worries.
Of the two set-ups, I prefer the clear tank option, if only because I can see the juice level, however, and as I said, looks wise, the full metal jacket style is badass.
It’s available in: Stainless Steel – Black and Satin.
How Does the Aspire Kumo RDTA Perform?
First up the build and wick of the Aspire Kumo RDTA.
Despite all the faffing around initially [to remove the bung] it’s actually not as complicated as it looks.
I didn’t bother looking at the instruction manual, and if I managed to figure it out, most of you will too.
Once the bung is removed it’s a simple case of pulling off the main tank and getting to the deck.
Drop in your single coil and then wick as you would a dripper – easy!
OK, I’ve used a 2.5mm basic coil, but have much preferred the vape from the 0.5ohm Clapton – it will take a 3mm with no bother at all.
Aspire Kumo RDTA Flavour and Clouds
After settling on the 0.5ohm Clapton coil, let’s see how the flavour and clouds are using both airflow options.
For the taste test I’ve used an old favourite vape juice of mine, Dinner Lady Lemon Tart 70/30 PG/VG.
Pre Installed x4 Hole Airflow Option
This style looks like a familiar AFC ring.
Wide open and this is airy but with a nice bit of a resistance.
It’s almost an RDL vape, so close you’d get away with calling it that.
On a scale of 1:10 with 10 being the airiest, this is a mid 7.
Obviously the more you dial it down, the tighter it gets.
With just one hole open it’s almost a loose-ish MTL vape – just a little too warm.
It’s not a turbulent vape, however there is the slightest amount of whooshing, which can turn to a low hum when closed off… a little annoying but not mega noisy.
Flavour wise and yeah it’s good, not amazing, but certainly a flavourful vape with plenty of vapour.
Aspire Kumo RDTA – Slits Airflow Option
I really do like the look of this AFC set-up.
Flavour wise and there’s no difference at all – a decent taste just not mind blowing.
It goes without saying that flavour and of course clouds, will depend on your build.
There’s a bit of turbulence though, and that’s reflected by the return of the woosh.
This time it’s a little noisier wide open, and closed off I think I was calling all the dogs in the neighborhood!
For that reason, I much prefer the regular AFC ring – which is a shame as those slits really do look great.
Pros
- Decent flavour
- Great clouds
- x2 airflow options
- Very smart design
- Style options
- Dead easy build
- Innovative wicking system
Cons
- Pricey
- Noisy – especially using the slit AFC ring
Final Review Verdict
It’s great to see a bit of innovation in the world of vaping and the Aspire Kumo RDTA is certainly innovative.
It’s also good to see RDTAs making a come back – I’ve used many and tended to enjoy most of them.
I love love love the look and it’s a shame the slits AFC option makes so much bloody noise.
As stated, the build quality is very good indeed and matches the high end look.
Whilst the flavour is good, it’s only just in the tasty category – yes it could be my builds, but I’m not blown away and an 8 is a very generous 8.
As to the price, I’m guessing that’s reflected in the high end design team input…it is pretty expensive, but you do get a lot of stuff in the box.
Hobbyist Vapers and Builders Rejoice!
I reckon the proper builders out there will love fiddling about with the Aspire Kumo RDTA, and I’m sure they’ll get the very best out of it.
For me, and a vaper of more simpler tastes these days, and despite this one being an easy build, it’s not a tank I’ll be using daily.
But hey, as I said, I’m a simple vaper these days and I reckon the hobbyists will love it.
So…
Is this an RDTA you can’t wait to try?
Please let me know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
