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The Timesvape Diesel RTA
The Timesvape Diesel RTA
It’s very rare for me to get two RTAs to review in the same batch, so when it happens, I tend to glow about them — maybe more than I probably should. But THREE rebuildable tank atomizers in one shipment? Well, that’s the unicorn. And after an excellent 1-2 punch of the Augvape Intake and Squid Industries Peacemaker, any RTA that followed would have to be pretty awesome to compare.
Well, unfortunately, the Timesvape Diesel RTA doesn’t QUITE hit those lofty marks. There’s plenty to like here, to be clear. But there’s also some quirky weirdness that doesn’t sit right with me.
Let’s dive in and see what’s up. Here’s the official word.
The Timesvape DIESEL 25mm RTA is the result of innovative and collaborative efforts between Timesvape and AmbitionZ Vaper. The result of which is a 25mm elevated postless build deck, dual coil configuration, and impressive airflow system. This RTA is sure to set this rebuildable tank atomizer apart from the rest of the atomizers entering the competitive market segment.
Construction of the Timesvape
Hewn from superior stainless steel construction, the DIESEL RTA combines an impressive gold-plated build deck for improved conductivity. Situated at the epicenter of the build deck is a set of four terminals that can accommodate beefy coil leads and exotic coil configurations in a dual coil layout.
Airflow
The internal airflow system draws airflow from the dual slotted adjustable top airflow ring, enhancing the vapor production by gusting inlet airflow through a 48-hole dual halfpipe structure, creating massive clouds that are throttled through a conical flavor cap that concentrates the flavor for enjoyment by the taste buds.[
Timesvape Diesel 25mm RTA Features:
- Collaboration with Ambitionzvaper
- 25mm Diameter
- 27mm Widest Point
- 5mL Bubble Glass Capacity
- 2mL Standard Glass Capacity
- Pyrex Glass Reinforcement
- Superior Stainless Steel Construction
- Threaded Top Refill System – Dual Fill Ports
- Dual Slotted Top Airflow Control Ring – Leak-Proof
- Elevated Gold-Plated Postless Build Deck – Terminals on Floor of Build Deck
- Side Secured via Flathead Screws
- Dual Coil Configuration
- PEEK Insulator
- 48 Hole Build Deck Airflow – Half Pipe Shaped
- Domed Flavor Cap
- 810 Widebore Drip Tip
- 510 Connection
- Available in Stainless Steel or Black
Timesvape Diesel 25mm RTA Includes:
- 1 Diesel RTA
- 1 Spare 5ml
- 1 User Manual
- 1 Spare Parts Box
Impressions/Aesthetics of the Timesvape Diesel RTA
My mother always warned me that looks can be deceiving, and that’s exactly what happens here. Because when you open the box, you’ll immediately think the Diesel is a much bigger, more capacious atomizer than it actually is. At the base, the Diesel measures a very normal 25mm. However, the default bubble glass section extends the diameter well beyond that number (don’t be fooled by the specs — this thing far exceeds than 27mm at its widest point).
BUT (and you knew there’d be one) the Diesel loses a lot of real estate to its enormous, gold-plated build deck. So much so, that the straight glass piece limits capacity to a TPD-compliant 2mL, with the bubble glass “only” hitting 5mL at its fullest. So, despite the Diesel making a commanding impression on any mod, know that there’s a little smoke and mirrors involved once it’s all built.
But “commanding” is the proper word to describe the Diesel RTA. The matte black exterior is downright mean looking when paired with a similarly styled mod, and the heavy knurling on the top cap and adjustable airflow control only deepens that aesthetic. Some reviewers like color and variety in their devices. Me? Give me a mean-looking, tough, gritty exterior any day.
(I should also mention that the AFC ring is top-mounted, so there’s little concern of any leaking. Tough doesn’t have to mean messy, after all.)
Diesel RTA Build Deck
The build deck is an interesting one, to say the least. The gold plating is awfully nice, but the curved “halfpipe” style limits coil building and positioning. Not that we’re dealing with stupid builds here, but I generally like to space them a little further apart than the Diesel would allow. So the resulting vapor was properly concentrated, but ridiculously warm, even at regular wattages.
I also need to mention the build screws, which are standard flatheads that don’t seem to “lock in” quite as well as most. With thicker wire coils, it wasn’t a problem keeping them in place. But older-fashioned gauges (think 26mm or thinner) have some trouble staying put, leading to several rebuilds and misfires.
Also, the deck/halfpipe contains a litany of tiny airflow holes, which would have been considered “wide open” in 2015. Today, it makes for a downright restrictive vape, even with the AFC left wide open. Because of this, I actually had better luck using this behemoth as a SINGLE-COIL RTA, rather than its intended dual-coil configuration. In this setup, the flavor was more pronounced, and the slip-ups were drastically reduced.
Vaping the Timesvape Diesel RTA
Once I settled on a simple coil build, I got into the quirky practice of wicking this beast of an RTA. Because, despite the mammoth diameter of the build deck, the cotton ports are surprisingly limited, making it all too easy to clog juice flow, leading to dry hits.
I eventually reverted to my fallback method of wicking, which is to fold the cotton ends underneath the coil so they sit on top of the ports, barely covering them.
This method usually allows for adequate juice flow, even if cotton doesn’t extend all the way to the base. The only downside to this approach is that the cotton can easily shift, leading to gurgling and spitback, or even a flooded deck.
Thankfully, that didn’t happen here, but I still wish the company provided a pre-cut wick or two to set a good template for future builds.
Once built, I attached the Diesel to my current favorite mod, the Voopoo X217, and started vaping. Almost immediately I noticed the restrictive airflow, even with a wide-open AFC. While it wasn’t quite “restricted lung vaping,” and still produced an ample cloud, this was definitely NOT the room-fogging experience I was expecting from such a large atomizer.
The positive side to this airflow? Flavor, and bunches of it. Nuanced, bright, deep flavors that make your juices sing when you nail down the right coil and power settings. It’s not an “instant” gratification like you get with prebuilt sub-ohm coils, but when you hit that sweet spot, look out.
Unfortunately, flavor alone can’t cover the experience. And the Diesel RTA has a few annoying quirks. For starters, it gurgles when wicks aren’t PERFECT. And they rarely will be, kids. So, unless you find that ideal balance of cotton and juice levels, the Diesel usually lives up to its namesake, producing an ungodly amount of noise when vaping.
Also, the AFC ring is far too snug and crunchy for my liking, with each turn requiring more muscle than finesse. Thankfully, it’s top-positioned, so we didn’t need to close it when filling, but it was still annoying as hell when trying to make adjustments.
Finally, even at lower wattages, the Diesel swallows e-liquid like Roseanne swallows offensive Twinkies. I get that juice flow is key to performance, but a single coil, straight Kanthal build at 55 watts shouldn’t require refills every half hour. Unfortunate, to say the least.
Timesvape Pros:
- Gorgeous matte exterior
- Leak-free top airflow ring
- Durable build quality
Timesvape Cons:
- Huge size isn’t proportionate with capacity
- E-liquid consumption is off the charts
- Limited build space due to build deck design
Spinfuel VAPE Recommendation
Like I say too often, I really wanted to love the Diesel RTA. Not only to complete this month’s awesome RTA trifecta, but also because I loved the way this monster looked on my mods. But there’s too many quirks beneath the surface that get in the way. From the oddly restrictive airflow, to the narrow wick ports, it’s tough to hit the proverbial “sweet spot” on the Diesel. When you do, it’s amazing… but it takes far too much effort to get there.
More Inside Spinfuel:
Suicide Mods ETHER 24mm RTA Review
Hellvape Dead Rabbit V2 RTA Review
Steam Crave Aromamizer Lite V1.5 RTA Review
Vaperz Cloud Trilogy 30mm RTA “this is big”
