Augvape, in collaboration with Twisted Messes, has released the Occula RDA. This 24mm RDA features a unique split post-less deck designed for single or dual coil builds. It promises a simplified building experience while delivering excellent flavor and vapor production through its adjustable honeycomb airflow system.
The Occula RDA aims to stand out with its innovative design and focus on user-friendliness. We’re going to dive into what makes this RDA tick, from its build quality to its performance, and see if it lives up to the hype.
Before we jump into the details, let’s take a look at the official specs from Augvape:
Features and Specifications
Diameter: 24mm
Stainless Steel Construction
Unique Split Post-less Build Deck
Designed for Single or Dual Coil Configurations
PEEK Insulator
Adjustable Honeycomb Airflow
810 Drip Tip Compatible
Gold-Plated 510 Pin
Squonk Pin Included
Colors: Matte Black, Stainless Steel
What’s in the Box?
Augvape and Twisted Messes pack the Occula RDA with a generous set of accessories, ensuring you have everything you need to get started and maintain your new atomizer.
1x Augvape x Twisted Messes Occula RDA
1x BF (Squonk) Pin
1x Extra 810 Drip Tip (Clear)
1x Coil Lead Guide
1x Bag of Spare O-rings
1x Set of Spare Screws
1x Screwdriver
1x User Manual
2x Pre-built Coils (Ni80, 0.3Ω)
1x Cotton Strip
The inclusion of pre-built coils and cotton is a nice touch, especially for those new to RDAs or who want to try it right out of the box.
First Impressions and Build Quality
Upon unboxing the Occula RDA, the first thing that struck me was its clean and robust appearance. The matte black finish on my review unit was pristine, and the stainless steel construction felt very durable in hand. The machining is top-notch, with no rough edges or imperfections.
The overall design is minimalist yet stylish. It features a simple barrel with the Augvape and Twisted Messes logos subtly engraved on opposite sides. The 810 drip tip is comfortable and fits snugly. The adjustable airflow ring operates smoothly, allowing for precise control over the incoming air.
The star of the show, however, is the unique split post-less build deck. It’s designed to simplify coil installation, a common hurdle for new RDA users. The deck is spacious, offering plenty of room for various coil sizes, and the PEEK insulator ensures heat resistance and durability.
Building the Occula
The Occula’s build deck is genuinely intuitive. The “split post-less” design means your coil leads simply slide into slots from the top and are secured by side screws. This eliminates the need to bend leads at awkward angles, which is often the case with traditional post-less decks.
Unscrew the side grub screws.
Insert your pre-cut coil leads into the slots. The included coil lead guide is incredibly helpful here for getting the perfect length.
Tighten the grub screws securely.
Trim any excess wire.
Wick your coils, making sure the cotton tails are fluffed and resting in the juice well.
I found building on the Occula to be one of the easiest experiences I’ve had with an RDA. Both single and dual coil configurations were straightforward, and the deck easily accommodated larger fancy coils without issue.
Vaping the Occula RDA
This is where the Occula truly shines. I started with a dual Ni80 fused Clapton build, around 0.15Ω, and was immediately impressed by both the flavor and vapor production. The honeycomb airflow system, with its multiple small holes, provides a smooth, quiet draw and effectively saturates the coils.
Flavor: The flavor delivery is exceptional. Even with the airflow wide open, the flavor remained dense and vibrant. Closing the airflow down a bit intensified the flavor even further, without significantly reducing vapor production. It consistently delivered a clean and accurate representation of my e-liquids.
Vapor Production: For a 24mm RDA, the vapor production is substantial. It produces thick, voluminous clouds that are satisfying without being overly airy. The adjustable airflow gives you good control, allowing you to fine-tune your preferred draw from slightly restricted direct lung to a wide-open cloud chucker.
Squonking: I primarily used the Occula as a squonk RDA, and it performed flawlessly. The squonk pin effectively distributes e-liquid to the cotton, and the deep juice well provides ample capacity, reducing the need for frequent squonking. There were no leaks or over-squonking issues during my testing.
Heat Management: Even during extended vaping sessions at higher wattages, the Occula managed heat very well. The barrel remained comfortably cool, and the drip tip never got unpleasantly hot.
Pros
Excellent flavor production
Smooth and quiet honeycomb airflow
Incredibly easy and versatile build deck (single or dual coil)
Top-notch build quality and machining
Deep juice well for dripping or squonking
Comes with a BF (squonk) pin included
Good heat management
Comfortable 810 drip tip
Cons
Only two color options (matte black and SS) – more variety would be nice
The split post-less design, while easy, might feel slightly different for those used to velocity or clamp-style decks initially (though it’s a minor learning curve)
Conclusion
The Augvape x Twisted Messes Occula RDA is a fantastic atomizer that delivers on all fronts. It combines innovative design with practical functionality, making it a joy to build on and a pleasure to vape. The flavor is outstanding, the vapor production is satisfying, and the overall user experience is top-tier.
Whether you’re a seasoned vaper looking for a new daily driver or someone new to RDAs seeking an easy-to-use option that doesn’t compromise on performance, the Occula RDA is an excellent choice. Its simplicity, coupled with its performance, makes it a highly recommended addition to any vaper’s collection.
If you’re in the market for a new 24mm RDA that excels in flavor and ease of use, the Occula RDA should definitely be on your shortlist. It truly embodies the quality and innovation we’ve come to expect from Augvape and Twisted Messes.
