Today I’m taking a look at the new Digiflavor Drop RDA V2.
Well, well, well. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had the pleasure of going over an RDA.
Is it me or are there fewer and fewer being released these days?
.. Never used to be the case.
From 2014 onwards rebuildable drippers were extremely popular among hobbyist vapers. That passion for alternative build decks, post design and airflow structure would project into the years that followed.
In 2017 and having already been established by Geekvape, Digiflavor released the original Drop RDA. A rebuildable in partnership with Brian from The Vapers Chronicles Youtube channel.
Delivering fantastic flavour, it became an overnight success. The way the coil legs simply dropped into the post holes was inspirational and opened the door to aspiring builders.
The Drop 1.5 would follow with an altered airflow configuration while retaining the post design of the original.
Our Neil Humber described the original Drop as ‘close to perfect’. Fellow reviewer Kevin Jeffrey couldn’t ask for more when testing the Drop 1.5.
Does the gush fest continue with the Digiflavor Drop V2? Let’s find out.
What Can We Expect From the Digiflavor Drop RDA V2?
The Drop RDA V2 retains the same 24mm diameter as its predecessors so we get the same build deck area to play around with.
The same four post / dual coil configuration also means some rather chunky builds can be laid down.
.. Or dropped down.
It’s all metal which means optimal and efficient conductivity with the coils and the airflow arrangement has altered from a predominant honeycomb structure to a horizontal, linear style.
So expect a broader range of airflow options for direct to lung (DTL) through to restricted direct lung (RDL) use. We tell you what these terms mean in our Guide To Vape Styles.
Probably the biggest difference is the shape of the barrel itself. Digiflavor refer to it as the space capsule design.
As a consequence the Drop RDA takes on a completely different appearance.
A squonk pin is included so as not to upset the squonkers among us.
In fact, Digiflavor has been quite generous. A tri tool, spare grub screws, rubber washers and four coils/cotton aglets all make it into the box.
I’d have ditched the silicone gel bag for a coil trimming tool, any day! 😉
So the Drop RDA V2 comes in six diverse colour schemes. Pick from Silver, Gunmetal, Black, Blue, Rainbow or Violet.
Kit Contents
- Drop RDA V2
- 4 x Feather cotton
- DF triangular tool
- BF pin (squonk)
- 4 x Ni80 fused Clapton coil (0.4ohm)
- Spare parts pack
Digiflavor Drop RDA V2 Specifications
Digiflavor Drop RDA V2 Specifications- Dimensions: 24.4 x 35.2mm
- Dual coil configuration
- 4 post design
- Squonk 510 pin compatible
- Multi adjustable side airflow
- 810 drip tip
Digiflavor Drop RDA V2 – Design and Build Quality
Starting at the top we’ve got a low profile 810 Delrin drip tip. In keeping with the airflow structure its a wide bore, tapering down to 8mm inside.
It fits snuggly inside the catch cup, reliant on a single O-ring of decent tolerance.
It can be swapped for ones of your own but some will fit better than others.
Drop V2 RDA – Exterior
The area directly beneath the drip tip is how the Drop V2 gets its space capsule moniker. I do think it breaks up the aesthetical, unbroken appearance of the original. It looks like a removable top cap but it’s not.
It serves another purpose.
Knurling around the perimeter provides grip for making the finest of adjustment to airflow.
Turning counter clockwise will gradually open the lower tier, followed by the upper. Continue turning and both tiers start to close simultaneously.
I have to say the turning tolerances are on par and as silky smooth as it gets.
So the actual diameter of the Drop V2 RDA is 24.4mm but tapers down to 22mm at the very base. It never quite feels like its sitting flush on a Mod – but of course, it is.
Digiflavor branding resides on one side with the now familiar DROP logo on the other.
A protruding gold plated 510 pin on the base makes connection with a Mod of choice. It’s mech Mod ready but can also be replaced with the included squonk pin if that’s your bag.
Drop V2 RDA – Interior
Double O-rings encircle the outer perimeter of the build deck. Initially they feel quite tight when removing the barrel. E-juice lubrication and time will soon solve that minor issue though.
A quick look at the build deck shows how the four post arrangement differs from the previous two versions of the Drop.
These posts are solidly built and there’s no way of trimming coil legs from below once dropped in.
In fact, although the height of the posts measure 12mm the coil leg drops in around half way.
So more care and attention will be needed when finding the perfect height for the coils.
The post holes measure 4mm x 3mm meaning you’ll be able to put some pretty exotic builds in. They’re tightened down on the sides by flat head grub screws.
Not my favourite – take care not to over tighten them. Although spares are included they can strip quite easily.
The juice well is around 5mm deep so you should get an adequate number of toots between dripping.
The airflow barrel spins freely inside the main chamber and various cut outs dictate the shape and passage of airflow as it hits the coils side on.
There’s also a degree of doming for airflow travelling up towards the drip tip. That usually helps to boost flavour.
Quick Start Guide
How To Build On the Drop RDA V2
The first thing to do is remove the barrel from the deck. To do this, screw the RDA onto a Mod or atomiser stand (as shown) and pull the barrel off the build deck.
Using the included tri tool, carefully unscrew all the flat head grub screws by turning counter clockwise.
Keep an eye on your progress while doing this. Don’t loosen them to the point of falling clear of the post. Unscrew them to where they’re flush with the inside of the post.
This will ensure adequate clearance when dropping the coil legs inside. Speaking of coil legs the ones supplied are far too long.
So they need to be snipped to size. As a rough guide cut them to half their original length. This should provide enough depth to seat and position them.
Drop the coil legs into the post holes as far as they’ll go. Use the flat of a finger to hold the coil in position and carefully tighten down the grub screws.
Finger tight!
Don’t force the screws. You’ll feel them biting down on the coil legs as you tighten.
Don’t worry if the coils take on a distorted shape. The next stage is correcting and positioning.
A screwdriver or equivalent is all that’s needed. Manipulate the coils into their correct position on the build deck.
It’s trial and error. You want the coils to look symmetrical. Like a mirror image. Both pushed slightly over into the deck and at the same height.
Allow a gap of at least a few millimetres between them.
Now’s the time to attach the build deck to a Mod.
Begin by setting the wattage output of the Mod quite low. Around 20W is a good starting point. Gently pulse the coils with rapid presses of the fire button.
As the coil responds by heating up, check for hot spots. If you find any, gently stroke the coil with the head of a screwdriver. That’s usually enough to remove them.
Also pay close attention to the resistance of the coils. To begin with it’s likely to be bouncing around but eventually they should settle in at a solid 0.2ohm or thereabouts.
Take one of the included cotton aglets and cut it in half. I found one aglet enough for both coils.
Feed one end through the coil, making sure the length is even at both ends.
Trim the ends of the cotton but leave enough length to drop down into the juice well of the deck.
Gently rake the cotton. This thins and removes any inconsistencies. Then gently fold it down into the juice well. Try not to cram or stuff the cotton in.
Now’s the time to apply E-liquid directly onto the coils and cotton. You can be quite liberal at this point. Saturate that cotton!
After doing this you may want to test fire the RDA – my favourite step!
If everything is good, you’ll notice spits, crackling and major cloudage. Not to mention a heavenly flavour aroma!
The final step is pushing the barrel back onto the deck and clicking it into place.
Job done!
How Does the Digiflavor Drop RDA V2 Perform?
I partnered the Drop RDA V2 with the SX Mini SL Class V2, not only for aesthetic appeal but because the Yihi SX730J is an extremely reliable chip.
The included Ni80 fused Clapton coils were used and after pairing, came in with a resistance value of exactly 0.2ohm.
Flavour Replication
Fantastic! I ran a few different flavour profiles through the RDA and they all delivered the goods.
Strawberries and cream were very realistic with the fruit projecting plenty of natural sweetness. It felt just like biting down on the real thing.
Being able to vape at 65W meant that the cream was warm and inviting on the exhale – Just like a full blown dessert should taste.
Custard based vapes were equally as impressive. Vanilla was the lynchpin throughout and all the complex dairy notes blended perfectly. No flavour nuance seems to get overlooked.
Added warmth to the inhale only helps to heighten the overall enjoyment.
Fruit vapes are vibrant and punchy. They taste very clean and when factoring in Menthol or Aniseed, don’t lose any clarity. Cooling vapes are just that. They act more to complement the flavour as opposed to engulfing it.
A clear example of this is when the airflow is positioned wide open.
I’ve mentioned flavour blending and no more an accurate representation can be found than when testing Tobacco based profiles.
Whether nutty, woody, musky, containing vanilla or hints of caramel – they’re all traceable and work together. It was easy to separate mediocre e-liquids from those more complex.
Nothing seems to escape this RDA!
Vapour Production
As good as it gets.
The Drop RDA V2 isn’t exactly shy when it comes to vapour production. Inhaling for a few seconds soon produces a warm thump to the throat – so you know it’s going to be a cloud fest!
That warmth remains throughout the entire vape – very pleasing to dessert lovers like myself.
You might want to take stock of your environment too. Those clouds will start hanging in wavy lines without adequate ventilation.
.. Always the sign of a sound airflow structure!
Airflow
There’s no stopping it. Primarily because the bottom slots are permanently open. If you opt only for those, expect the perfect restrictive lung hit.
Even with just one of the adjustable airflow slots open that restriction isn’t lifted much. It’s my preferred setting so I was in my element from the get go. In other words it took seconds to find my personal sweet spot.
There’s no fiddling around with this RDA.
Opening the airflow further produces a direct lung vape with around 20% overall restriction. The clouds are starting to thicken but there’s no rain in sight!
Oddly enough there’s still just a smidgen of restriction when set wide open. I’d say 5% – 10% but cloud lovers will undoubtedly be in their element.
And of course it’s where the coolest vapes can be found. Great for sweet and fruit profiles, detrimental to my beloved dessert based flavours.
..You can’t have everything!
Regardless of airflow constraints the Drop RDA V2 consistently delivers flavour. Admittedly it’s more concentrated on semi restrictive settings but still great across the board.
Wide open airflow does tend to produce a partially diluted, broader flavour so maybe worth considering if you want to space out sweetness levels. Or for when other settings produce too much flavour intensity.
Turbulence
None whatsoever. The Drop V2 produces one of the silkiest, smoothest inhales I’ve come across in an RDA. In fact it impressed me as much as the flavour and vapour production.
No whistling, no fluctuation and no spit back. Doming inside the chimney no doubt helps and it certainly plays a role with flavour intensity. Very impressive.
Pros
- Excellent flavour and vapour production
- Silky smooth airflow
- Effective semi restrictive or direct lung vape
- Turning tolerances on the top cap
- Easy to build on
Cons
- Tapering at the base may be an issue for some
- Doesn’t carry aesthetic appeal of the original Drop RDA
- Can’t snip the coil legs from beneath posts
- Flat head grub screws may be prone to stripping
Final Review Verdict
If you’re after a true semi restrictive lung hit simply rely on the permanently open airflow slots. It’s as simple as that. No further adjustments need to be made.
I was highly impressed by the results straight out the gate.
The flavour was clean, the airflow smooth and vapour production immensely satisfying.
So the Drop V2 is an RDA for those that appreciate subtle flavour notes, complexity and depth from their vapes. It leaves nothing to chance and all the hard work some of these juice manufacturers put in really gets the chance to shine.
Of course a direct lung vape is also possible to open out the spaces between Menthol and sweet based profiles.
One final note. As expected, the O-rings around the deck soon loosen up in the presence of E-liquid. Removing the barrel becomes an easy task.
The turning tolerance around the knurled top cap remains exceptionally good.
I’m actually torn between what’s better. The silky smooth airflow or jaw dropping flavour.
Is it perfect? Yup. Could I ask for more? Nope.
I think the Drop V2 RDA is a humdinger of an RDA!
