Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Team Spinfuel
528 Customs Goon 22 RDA
If you’re a building aficionado or enjoy installing coils in your favorite Atomizer, I’d be willing to bet you’ve heard of the Goon at some point in your journey. 528 Custom Vapes collaborated with Coil Architect BlueEyedGoon83 (originator of the Alien Clapton) releasing the Goon 22 RDA earlier this year and since has become a staple throughout the vaping industry. Most known for the Gold-plated bridge-post and clamping system that allows for unlimited options of massive or intricate to simple and easy coil setups. The Goon 22 RDA is customizable on so many levels from different colored deck tubes to a variety of matching drip tips to personalize each version to your specific style.
The Goon 22 RDA In Detail
Isn’t a 24mm RDA better than a 22mm? Why would you want to downgrade from the more superior 24 to the 22? A couple questions I’ve heard a lot of recently since 528 Custom Vapes released the Goon 22 RDA. The original Goon 24 is one of the best Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers to ever be released (in my honest opinion) so why come out with a new variation? The Goon 22 is directed towards those smaller Regulated Box Mods and Mechanical Mods that accept a smaller Atomizer or you’d have to live with fitment issues; aka the dreaded overhang. I’m one of those vapers that if I have a Mech Mod that’s 22mm, I need to have a 22mm Atomizer attached to it or something doesn’t feel right. And with an adjustable Brass 510 pin, running the Goon on any style Mech Mod is safely doable.
The 528 Customs Goon 24 RDA has been in my vape collection for months so I’m grateful I was able to review the smaller Goon 22 and share my experience between the two. Rumors and hearsay that a 22mm RDA provides more concentrated flavor than a 24mm, in some cases might be true, but side by side I couldn’t tell the difference that 2mm makes between the Goons. With a large selection of RDA’s out, the Goon 22 RDA still has its stamp in the vaping industry, even in a smaller more compact frame.
The Goon 22 RDA comes in a well-made Black-suede drawstring pouch with the 528 Custom logo embroidered on the front; definitely an awesome presentation especially when spending close to $50 ($49.95 at Element Vape) on an RDA. The Goon 22 is just a millimeter or two shorter than the original with a total of 16mm of internal build space. I’ve been vaping the Black ($50.95 at Element Vape) and Stainless Steel ($49.95 at Element Vape as well) versions and are also available in Brass and Copper. Visiting 528custom.com, you can order Blue, Red, Pink or Purple-colored caps to further personalize your Goon 22. Immediately out of the pouch, you’ll see some deep, intricate engravings on the top cap, around the base and even on the bottom showcasing 528 Customs focus on even the smallest attention to details.
The Bridge and Clamp-style deck have two 4mm thick Gold-Plated blocks (serves as the posts) that have a Gold-plated clamp attached by two Philips screws in each one. Unscrew the four screws, insert your coil leads (2.8mm x 2.8mm gap when screws are loosened) and tighten down the clamps. The Gold-plated surfaces ensure a solid connection while holding any size leads down strong and secure. With the ability to change out the Positive or Negative block, you essentially have an RDA that can be structurally rebuilt if something were to break or wear out. Unscrew the Philips screw located on the bottom of the build deck to remove the Negative block and remove the Brass 510 pin to remove the Positive. Not only are the blocks interchangeable but can be removed for a more in-depth cleaning or exchanged for different styles (Titanium Post Kit) if you’re the meticulous, OCD type of vaper like me!
There is a learning curve with building on the Bridge and Clamp Goon-style decks. Even though you have ample room to insert your leads, maneuvering dual coils to fit properly does take some practice if you’re not familiar with this building method. You’re able to install any wide, flat or thick-gauge builds due to the vice-style clamping action since the leads don’t twist when tightening the clamps down versus the twisting a side-tension screw on most Velocity decks causes. You’re only limited with the Goon 22 based on your experience and technical ability. It’s amazing to see some of the artistic and creative coil builds that can be built in these Goons!
Another fantastic trait about the Goon 22 RDA is the adjustable airflow. Consisting of eight 3mm round airflow holes, three on each side for dual coils or two holes for single coil configuration (the original Goon 24 has three holes for single coil builds), the amount of airflow you can provide your coils is definitely sufficient. The airflow can be adjusted by spinning the top cap (very smooth and easy to do) in either direction giving you plenty of airflow options to fit your style. The airflow is very smooth and airy which gives you a satisfying vape time and time again. When closing the airflow down, I have noticed the base and tube get much hotter so I personally leave the airflow wide open with all the builds I’ve put into the Goon 22.
Everything from the fitment of the deck tube over the base to the top cap section, clearances and overall machining is top notch. The top cap has an O-ring embedded above the airflow holes that creates an excellent amount of tension when pushing or pulling the top cap on and off. Double O-rings surround the build deck so popping the entire top half of the Goon to re-drip, especially once lubricated with some eJuice is an easy task. Personally, I remove the drip tip and drop my eJuice right through the bore in the top cap which has plenty of room to do so. Be careful not to over-drip or you will get some leaking from the airflow holes.
The 13.5mm Delrin drip tip gives you a wide open 10.4mm inside diameter bore straight through to your coils. There’s an O-ring built into where the drip tip inserts (but can be changed out) since the drip tip is tension fit versus most Atomizers with an O-ring around the base. This system takes some serious skill to execute and with 528 Customs doing just that, there’s very little maintenance needed or potential O-ring failures. If you purchase the Black Goon 22 (which also included Gold screws versus SS screws), a gigantic 18.5mm Chuff-style Black Delrin drip tip that also fits the original Goon and others like the Kennedy RDA, is included. I’ve been using this Chuff cap ever since I received it and prefer it over the standard Goon drip tip. It dissipates heat much more efficiently while still remaining comfortable to vape high-wattage builds on. If you purchase a different color Goon 22 and want to pick up the Chuff cap, 528 Customs does have it available as an additional purchase on their website.
From a single Alien Clapton to a basic dual 22-gauge build, the Goon 22 RDA can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. There’s plenty of room to tuck your cotton especially when you align your coils to the height of the airflow holes. The only negatives I can come up with is the deck tube can get very hot at higher wattages (100W+) but with the ability to drip right through the top cap, this issue can be remedied easily. The flavor is unbelievable and the clouds produced are equally impressive. The 528 Customs Goon 22 is a solid performer that’s proven itself on all spectrums of vaping and a must have for anyone that enjoys the art of dripping. If 22mm isn’t enough to get you out of bed in the morning, spring for the original 24mm Goon RDA ($49.95 at Element Vape as well) as both are equally satisfying.
Final Grade – A
“The $49.95 price tag over at Element Vape is very fair compared to the similarly priced high-end drippers. For only a dollar more, I’d aim for the Black with the included Chuff-style drip tip. With other Atomizers being released with a clamp-style system, nothing compares to the 528 Customs Goon 22 RDA! It’s often imitated but never duplicated.”
Team Spinfuel
