The original was a massive success – eventually lol – so has the follow up the Vandy Vape Kylin RTA V2 surpassed its little brother?
Updated tank: Vandy Vape Kylin V3
I said eventually as those of you affected will remember the original Kylin RTA had severe deck leaking issues which thankfully the company quickly sorted out.
BTW if you’re ordering this new version make sure you’re not getting the updated version 1 which some stores are calling the Version 2. To keep it simple the new version II has a funky resin drip tip and is 5ml not 6ml max capacity – they could have called it version 3 to stop the confusion lol 😉
OK now that’s out of the way let’s take a closer look at what has been one of the most anticipated vape releases of the year.
I was fortunate to have reviewed the original Kylin RTA [without the leaking issues] and absolutely loved it. Vandy Vape has a pretty good track record of producing some decent vaping gear – indeed you guys voted them Best Vape Brand in our Vape Awards last year.
We’ve reviewed a ton of Vandy Vape products with most recently the Pulse X squonker and the impressive Berserker Mini MTL RTA receiving good reviews from Laura-ann and Michelle.
OK enough of me rabbiting on let’s see how this one vapes.
The Vandy Vape Kylin V2 was sent to me free of charge and as always that in no way affects my opinion.
Inside the Box
Not sure if mine is the final retail packaging so I’ll just say it’s a box and does the job well enough lol and inside you’ll find:
- X1 Kylin RTA by Vandy Vape
- X1 Bag of spares
- X1 Coily style lead guide
- X1 Bubble glass
- X1 spare glass
- X1 Resin drip tip
- User manual
Vandy Vape Kylin V2 Specs
- Length: 38.15 mm
- Diameter: 24 mm
- Outside diameter: 26 mm
- Capacity: 3/5 ml
Key Features
The latest version of the hugely popular Kylin RTA can be used in either single or dual coil and is a top fill design.
The bubble glass gives you 5mls capacity whilst the straight glass just 3ml – despite looking I can’t seem to find any reference to a 2ml EU version however I expect if buying in say the UK that’s what you’ll receive. Let me know in comments if I’m wrong lol.
The designers have certainly redesigned the inside however externally it does look like its predecessor.
The deck is the obvious change here and whilst still postless the airflow has had a major overhaul and is honeycombed under the coils.
They’ve done away with the need for the extension piece on the originals chimney at the expense of 1ml of e-liquid but giving the chamber a much cleaner look – and obviously shorter. The juice ports look a little thinner too but that in no way affects the wicking as we’ll soon see.
Design and Build Quality
It’s rare you’ll find a bad build from Vandy Vape – apart of course from the first releases of the original Kylin – leak city!
As to if I’ve had any leakage from the Kylin V2 I’ll get to in a wee while – what I can say is the build is very good indeed. The threads whilst not silky smooth are perfectly acceptable and all the moving parts come apart easily for deep cleaning.
One issue on the build I do have is the O rings holding either of the tanks. Even when screwing down tight on mine the glass still spins even changing the O rings hasn’t stopped that annoying issue.
I’ve had no leaks as the seal is good – but it’s certainly triggered my OCD and made me wary when out and about.
Design wise it looks as good if not better than the original – maybe the shorter chimney and shaving 1ml of capacity has given it a better profile.
I did mention in my review of the original the knurling annoyed me being a little over the top…not sure if I’ve mellowed or maybe it’s the different colour but it hasn’t been an issue.
The Kylin logo, whilst etched and not engraved, is low key enough [on my gun metal anyway] to not overly intrude either.
And whilst I’m not using the funky resin drip tip [clashes terribly with my mod darling] I have to say I really like it and it has a lovely feel on the lips…that’s what she said 😉
How Does the Vandy Vape Kylin V2 Perform?
The million dollar question and the reason you’re here.
OK building on this is an absolute doddle – either use the Coily style tool included OR preferably and keeping the British end up use the REAL Coily tool – both suggest 5mm which I found was perfect.
There’s plenty of room in there to get your coils how you want them – I found close to the side airflow with a nice little gap between them was the way to go…but hey you’ll find your sweet spot.
BTW I did use this in single coil for just one fill – I wasn’t that impressed if I’m honest though I wasn’t using a big badass coil…let me know how you found it in single coil mode and with what build…
Included Coils
In my first build I used the coils that come with the Vandy Vape Kylin V2 RTA and wicked using my go to FUZZ vape cotton.
BTW the wicking could be classed as a little tricky, it felt a little tighter in the wicking ports compared to the original. To that end I suggest cutting to just slightly above the base – thinning out well to allow the cotton to swell once juiced up.
I’m not the world’s greatest wicker by a long shot but nailed it first time and have had plenty of bubbles and certainly no flooding or dry hits.
Another case of more is definitely less.
I really struggled to get [i] an ohm reading and [ii] when I finally did get them settled down the flavour was dare I say bloody awful…
Don’t panic it was probably just the coils as indeed I think it was 😉
Not sure what the heck was going on but I fiddled and faffed about with lining them up and down and sideways but could I get any flavour apart from a nasty kind of burning? Nope and they ended up in the bin!
Build Number 2
This time I used a pair of my current go to Wotofo Quad Core Fused Claptons which ohmed out at 0.14ohms and I’ve been vaping at an easy 73w which for me delivers a warm cloudy tasty vape.
The difference in the vape was astonishing to say the least…however…Even after running a couple of tank fills of my go to e-liquid the flavour whilst obviously better than the first build was good – bordering on great but not amazing.
Don’t get me wrong IMHO this is a superb tank chucking clouds for bloody days but the flavour is a tad less than I had hoped for – BUT definitely better than the original so well worth the upgrade.
In the interests of fairness whilst I’ve had this 3 weeks and used it every single day – I did get man-flu followed by an ear and throat infection which is clearing up – so maybe just maybe my taste buds were affected this last 8 days or so – but I doubt the whole 3 weeks I’ve tested it…who knows.
Airflow On The Kylin V2
Just a quick mention of the airflow – it’s once again bottom fed and Vandy Vape is calling this bevelled with a cambered deck…ooo fancy lol.
Experience tells me the honeycomb will give a smoother – quieter and less turbulent vape and this is certainly the case. Whilst not silent it is quiet and a very smooth vape indeed.
It’s airy too with wide open being just about OK for me and I do like an airy vape. However I have found closing it down just a touch is preferable for my style of vaping.
BTW I’ve had no leaking whatsoever despite my paranoia about the spinning glass…
Pros
- Good flavour
- Plenty of clouds
- Good build quality
- Single or dual coil
- Easy to build on
- Great airflow control
- Choice of colours
Cons
- My included coils were poor
- Glass on mine spins even when screwed down tight
- Wicking may be an issue for less experienced
Final Review Verdict
The Vandy Vape Kylin V2 has been a highly anticipated release to say the least and one I’ve been looking forward to given I really enjoyed the original.
So has it ticked all the vaping pro boxes for me?
Yes pretty much, however, I will maybe more positive about the flavour once I shift this damn man-flu lol.
However I have to stress I used this 2 weeks prior to getting it and still felt the taste whilst bordering on greatness was just not quite reaching those giddy heights. And at the time my RDAs all tasted fine so make of that what you will!
Other reviewers out there suggest this is the RTA release of the year…I’ll keep my powder dry on that claim for now…but still a great RTA and one I’d definitely recommend as both an upgrade for users of the original and newcomers to the Kylin RTA.
Just received my Kylin 2 from amazon UK andf it came with a separate Bubble glass in a small cardboard box and also a frosted glass 2ml straight piece.
Have used the supplied coil in a single coil and find the fflavour is a little muted but have some coil wire coming soon so hopefully like the reviewer found, with a different coil the flavour will be better.
It was certainly a much better flavour with a different coil/build – hope it’s the same for you 🙂
Buying in the UK I got it with the 2ml glass, a normal straight glass and a bubble glass, both extra glass pieces free. The shop I go to is really good and is independent so that might be why they were free.
Me and my mate both brought the v2 and are both having the same problem both tanks are faulty due to the top seal getting caught after filling ,I can’t see anyway of replacing it for a new one but the question is why should I need to change after only using it for a week
I didn’t have that issue and haven’t seen any other reviews reporting it so it sounds like a bad batch…I’d take it back to the shop or return it mate
I have the same exact problem. I cut the piece of the top seal off, the only downside now is that the top cap is a bit loose. Next to that, I have some major leaking issues from the day I got it… Till dangerous amounts that get caught up on the battery wiich can lead to a short. Using a wismec relaux rx gen 3.
Waiting on my Brunhilde now to get rid of this leaky mess.
Hi, I picked one of these up today from a local vape shop and it came with a 2ml TPD compliant pyrex/glass.. that is completely unusable. It is so narrow and tight against the chimney that the juice doesn’t flow below the tip of the chimney. To make matters worse this is the ONLY glass supplied with it. It is completely unusable as it is.
I have exactly the same issue. My vape shop said “I wasn’t wicking it properly”. I took the wick out completely right there on the counter. With no resistance the fluid should find its own level. Didn’t happen. The shop are going to supply me a bubble glass. Apparently its not in the UK model because of tank volume laws.
Your shop screwed up then! Yes it comes with a rubbish 2ml plastic tank installed, and yes a bubble glass is available for separate purchase, However, the RTA is meant to be supplied with a straight 3.5/4ml GLASS in a separate white box, in the same way that the pulse x and recurve squonkers come with a crappy 2ml silicone bottle installed that’s impossible to squeeze, but come with the REAL 7/8ml bottle in a little separate white card box. This is because current laws prevent it from being inside the main package, problem is, some stores have staff, or owners that forget to vive them to customers when they buy the tank/squonk, whilst the majority of store/websites are absolutely clueless and have no idea that the those little white boxes they received with their delivery of tanks/squonkers, are actually meant to be supplied together. To be fair, they probably don’t know what goes with what because these separate white boxes do not state what device they are to be used/supplied with…..even though it’s not exactly rocket science!