The Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA is the much anticipated follow up to the hugely successful original and is once again designed by US Youtube reviewer – Billy aka Heathen.
The previous Dead Rabbit dripper is a multi vape award winner with many swearing it’s still the best RDA ever made.
Indeed it was/is so popular it won our EcigClick Vape Awards in both 2017 and 2018!
As to if the Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA will hit those lofty heights – we shall see in this review.
OK, Hellvape are becoming one of the most popular vape companies on the planet with pretty much the majority of their vape gear well received by the wider vaping community.
I’ve recently reviewed the MD MTL RTA and the Fat Rabbit Sub Ohm tank which is also designed by Heathen and of course the original Dead Rabbit dripper.
Along the way we’ve also reviewed the Hellvape Passage RDA – the Rebirth RTA and the Rebirth RDA – all of which got pretty decent reviews.
What Can We Expect From the Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA?
It’s a question of how you improve on an original that was damn near perfect!
The new ‘sloped’ rabbit ear style posts should make it even easier to build on.
The inclusion of both cyclops and honeycomb airflow add options.
The juice well is much deeper meaning we shouldn’t over squonk or drip.
And finally, the squonk action now features a ‘juice block’ which is supposed to channel the e-liquid to your wicks.
There’s a couple of cosmetic design changes too which I’ll go over shortly.
Right, let’s see if like that difficult second album musicians contend with, Heathen has indeed improved on what was already superb RDA.
BTW – do check out Billy’s introductory video for more information:
This was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review – direct from Hellvape – thank you.
And as always my thoughts and opinions are not in the slightest swayed by freebies…you only have to see my reviews to know that 😉
Inside the Box
A very funky box indeed with a bit of a wood theme going on.
There’s also quite a bold statement with the word Perfectus on the side!
As to if it is perfect – we shall see…
OK, inside the snazzy packaging you’ll find:
- Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA
- Spare drip tip
- Bottom feed squonk pin
- 510 drip tip
- Accessory bag
- User manual
Specs and Features
- 24mm
- Single or dual coil deck
- Dual top airflow
- Cyclops or honeycomb style airflow
- Improved rabbit ear style posts
- Barrel lock
- Deeper juice well
- Improved squonk system
- Anti-bacterial drip tip
Key Features
There’s actually a fair few updates to this new version of the award winning and now legendary Dead Rabbit RDA.
On the outside we can see the knurling has been swapped to a chain link Celtic band which is functional and dare I say pretty.
Inside sees the most amount of changes – particularly to the airflow.
We now have dual styles – the choice of an open Cyclops style or the honeycomb.
Key to the airflow is the barrel now locks in place meaning when you make adjustments – the air still smacks the coil dead centre.
Heathen says that for those of us that purge – as in blowing to get those coils hot – the airflow ports are now angled meaning the hot vapour should not hit you in the face – the original Dead Rabbit most definitely did!
As to the deck – we still have those bunny eared style posts that have now been angled.
The previous version whilst easy enough to snip the coil legs – could be a little tight to get the snips in.
These new angled posts makes snipping much easier though some have likened them to another dripper that some say ‘copied’ the Dead Rabbit…
The squonk action has been tweaked too and now features a ‘juice block’ meant to to guide the e-liquid to the wicks.
And to top it all off – the juice well is now significantly deeper which should help for over drippers and squonkers.
Design and Build Quality
The build is like most of the Hellvape products I reviewed – as in very good indeed.
The Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 is made from excellent materials and all the moving parts come apart and indeed move very nicely indeed.
Even straight out of the box, the airflow in particular was smooth to turn, but with enough resistance to stay where you want it.
Those flat screws on the post holes are, if I’m honest, a little on the soft side and I have a feeling they will strip away after plenty of use.
Hellvape has included a couple of hex screws in the accessory bag so you do have back-up.
As to the design I have to say even with the lightest cosmetic changes, the Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 looks very smart indeed.
That Celtic banding come knurling really does add a touch of elegance and does give a decent enough grip too.
The branding is kept to a minimum with just one of the iconic Dead Rabbit logo on one side.
The anti-bacterial drip tip – which I actually like – does have the Hellvape name but it’s small and certainly not in your face.
There’s also what looks like the tiniest of logos on the other side – sadly my tired old eyes even with my max reading glasses on can’t make out what it is lol – let me know in the comments ha!
Hellvape has released 10 colours so far including the blue I received – so plenty of choices for you to get matchy matchy with your mod.
How Does the Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 Perform?
As always – and with any vape device – this is the million dollar question!
The Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA has some extremely big shoes to fill.
The original was/is a multi vape award winner and for most people one of the very best drippers ever released.
Like I said – tough shoes to fill!
For this review, I used the absolutely gorgeous Papio e-liquid – a 70/30 PG/VG mix from the 12 Monkeys Origins line – very tasty!
Read more: Recommended E-Liquid
I used a pair of stapled clapton coils with a resistance of bang on 0.1 ohm vaping between a conservative 77w right up to 130w and wicked with my go to Fuzz cotton.
OK let’s start from the beginning.
Building On the Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2
If the original was an absolute cinch and joy to build on – the new sloped posts make this even easier.
Either pre-snip your legs – I used the awesome Coily Tool using both 4.5mm and 5mm – both were spot on really – or drop them in and snip from below.
As a rule of thumb and when you’re tidying your coils up – make sure the centre of the airflow slot matches with a tad below the centre of your coils
Wicking the Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA
Like the build wicking this one is as easy as it gets.
You will need a little more cotton than usual as this is a very deep juice well.
Make sure it’s light and fluffy and you’ll have no issues whatsoever – it’s easy enough for me to get it spot on lol.
Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 Honeycomb Airflow
Fully open and as you might expect there’s a little bit of resistance to this one.
I’d say on a scale of 1:10 with 10 being airier than flying a kite on windy day on a hilltop – it’s about a 6.5 to 7.
I don’t like too much restriction when I’m sub ohm vaping – however this wide open is passable for me and I quite enjoyed it.
It’s a surprisingly quiet and smooth vape too…so what about the flavour?
Outstanding – it’s as simple as that.
I have of course brought the original out of retirement and hand on heart can say on this airflow setting and at bang on 100w – the flavour is phenomenal – beating it’s brother by a good few points.
As to the vapour?
It’s off the scale with deep dense billowy clouds that fog out your room in moments!
Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 Cyclops Airflow
Now this one feels extremely airy with 10 being wide open placing this in the high 8’s to mid 9’s.
I was able to push this one up to 130w with no bother and indeed I could tell it could take more.
It is rather noisy though – sure that could be my initial build – but 2 more in and I’m still getting a lot of noise.
It’s turbulent too, however whilst not quite on a par with the honeycomb airflow – there’s the merest dip in flavour – I do mean the merest!
As to the vapour?
Again absolutely mental – especially up at 130w – crazy clouds indeed if that’s your thing 🙂
Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA Squonk Action
As I’ve already mentioned – my go to squonking RDA is the Dead Rabbit – bloody love that dripper.
It’s rare I use anything else – let alone on a dual battery squonk mod.
I have used the Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA for squonking and try as I might I couldn’t see the actual squonk action in er…action.
What I can say is I have had no issues whatsoever – and the juice does appear to spread evenly over that block.
I’ve not over squonked once – nor have I had any leakage in regular or squonk mode.
Read more: Best Squonk Mods – Plus Bottom Feed RDA’s
Pros
- Dead easy to build
- Dead easy to wick
- Good airflow options
- Deep juice well
- Barrel lock
- Great build materials
- Lovely uncluttered design
- Incredible flavour
- Crazy clouds!
Cons
- Cyclops airflow a little noisy
- Celtic knurling not the ‘grippiest’
- Flat head screws not the best
- Cyclops and honeycomb ports show when closed off
Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA Final Review Verdict
I reckon young Billy has definitely pulled the rabbit out of the hat with this one!
Just like its lofty predecessor, the Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA is a magical vape to say the least.
Those little cosmetic touches are definitely an improvement but it’s the inside where things have gone from good to great.
For a start the choice of airflow is a great touch with a real difference between styles – pity the cyclops is a little noisy though!
There’s also a little niggle for those of you who are a bit OCD.
Turning the barrel to tightly closed airflow means a little of the honeycomb and cyclops shows – just a niggle 🙂
The flavour is without doubt outstanding and the ONLY reason this one isn’t replacing my favoured Augvape BTFC is the colour!
Yup – it’s that good – the vape not the colour!
Again beggars can’t be choosers – but I received the original in pink and this one in blue – I’m more of a murdered out black kind of bloke.
Buy hey – I shall be purchasing the latter once I’ve done all my Christmas shopping 😉
So nice job Billy – the flavour is awesome and as I said those clouds are just crazy!
Perfectus indeed and this one is HIGHLY recommended!
Are you currently vaping on or looking to buy the Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RDA?
If so let us know your thoughts and opinions on it in the comments below!
Just reading this review in 2022, searching for my first RDA and squonk mods, I’m a little confused as to how the comment about your preferred rda being the DR v3, was it out before the V2? Thought maybe it was a comment you added later on after the v3 was released then I read the last comment about someone waiting for the V2 to be released. Also seems the V2 had better ratings then the v3.
That should be referring to the original Dead Rabbit John, have updated.
Did you try it out in single coil mode. I’m thinking of getting one but I don’t like dual coil vaping that much.
I didn’t have big enough coils whilst writing the review – I have since tried a 3mm simple wire coil that I wrapped myself – wasn’t that impressed if I’m honest – of course that could be down to my coil! Personally I think this one shines in dual coil mode 🙂
I wanna buy this but cant you tell me which better than drop? I love my drop very much and i use for a fruit e juice and i get that flavour as well. I wanna buy c2mnt too.
Thx very much
It’s down to personal choice but having used both both Dead Rabbit RDAs are in my humble opinion easier to build and have better flavour – I have used the Drop BTW 🙂
The drop is simply outstanding and was one of my favorites.
I lost it and bought a dead rabbit RDA and RTA . Honestly i’ve never wanted to buy a Drop since then… I cant wait till the Dead Rabbit V2 is available at my local vape shop…