IN SHORT:
RTA Cart by Arcana Mods & Pipeline
RTA Cart by Arcana Mods & Pipeline

RTA Cart by Arcana Mods & Pipeline

Commercial characteristics

  • Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: Pipeline
  • Price of the tested product: 79.90 €
  • Product category according to its selling price: Top of the range (from 71 to 100 €)
  • Atomizer type: RTA
  • Number of resistances allowed: 1
  • Type of resistors: Classic rebuildable, Reconstructible micro coil, Classic rebuildable with temperature control, Reconstructible microcoil with temperature control
  • Type of wicks supported: Cotton, Other fibers
  • Quantity in milliliters announced by the manufacturer: 4

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

Arcana Mods is a newcomer to the high-end atomizer game. And he already has a peculiarity that makes him, to my knowledge, unique: he is Chinese and he is a modder !!! There was probably (you never know…) only one and Pipeline went to find it in a country as large as seventeen times the size of France. It needs to be done !

The two manufacturers got down to the design of an RTA type atomizer that could meet the needs of Western consumers. Gathered in the design, the brands have released a Chariot RTA, archetypal of the atomizer with MTL vocation in essence but also capable of working in a light RDL or Restrictive Direct To Lung for those who have dried the Master in Acronyms of the Vape .

The result is therefore a very interesting atomizer that we will try to decipher here.

The public price is 79.90 €, a rather reasonable price for modder equipment. But don't rush now, the Chariot won't be available until tomorrow. Take out an atomizer on July 14, you had to dare. From there to saying that it is about a revolution, I ignore it but I appreciate the gesture.

That said and without wishing to presume the rest, I advise you to prepare your credit card as soon as this evening because I believe that the first batch of the Chariot should run out very quickly! The birds of prey are already on the lookout, it's going to be the Wild West, this story!

Physical characteristics and felt quality

  • Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 23
  • Length or height of the product in mm as sold, but without its drip-tip if it is present and regardless of the length of the connection: 43
  • Weight in grams of the product as sold, with its drip-tip if it is present: 71.3
  • Material composing the product: Stainless steel, PSU, Glass
  • Form Factor Type: Kayfun
  • Number of parts in the product, without screws and washers: 14
  • Number of threads: 10
  • Quality of the threads: Very good
  • Number of O-rings, Drip-tip excluded: 9
  • Quality of O-rings present: Very good
  • O-ring positions: Drip-tip connection, Top Cap - Tank, Bottom Cap - Tank, Other
  • Capacity in milliliters actually usable: 4
  • Overall, do you appreciate the quality of manufacture of this product with regard to its price? Yes

Rating of the vapelier as to feelings quality: 5 / 5 5 5 out of stars

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

The first aesthetic contact with the RTA Cart is a shock. Indeed, the atomizer is clearly inspired by Chinese pagodas bequeathed to us by the builders of ancient times. It's formidable elegance and it totally changes the competition. The Chariot is handsome, medium in size and perfectly proportioned.

With a diameter of 23 mm, it will be compatible with all modern boxes on the market and contains up to 4 ml of liquid.

At the top, there is a long and thin 510 drip-tip, which can be unscrewed from its support, which is held at the top-cap by two very well-made joints. Then, going down a little, we find the famous top-cap with fins which, not content to evoke the famous monuments of the Middle Empire, will serve to dissipate the heat but will also facilitate the gripping of the whole when unscrewing .

1/8 turn to the left and just lift the top-cap to access the two bean-shaped filling holes, well sized to accept any dropper worthy of the name. After that, if you use a bottle of wine to fill your atomizer, I can't guarantee you anything! Better still, when opening, an ingenious mechanism blocks the arrival of liquid, thus avoiding untimely flooding. It's transparent, it happens all by itself and without thinking about it. Some might take the seed!

Below we find the actual 4ml reservoir. This is available in PSU (Polysulfone), a plastic material with good chemical resistance, excellent pressure resistance, perfect temperature resistance (up to 150 ° C, enough to see your liquid boil before it breaks). This tank is certainly translucent but not transparent although the addition of liquid inside gives it some of its ability to show the level as well as the opening of the liquid inlets. If you prefer a more transparent material, no problem, there is a glass tank provided in the box.

The tank reveals a very small bell in its center, connected to a chimney and engraved with the Arcana Mods logo on one side and that of Pipeline on the other, thus officially confirming the partnership between the two entities.

One floor lower, we find the junction between the tank and the bottom cap. Here too, the emphasis has been placed on ease of operation. Just align the two points to remove the tank by pulling on it (empty please otherwise I will not answer for the condition of your pants). To close, same operation: alignment of the two points and hop, we press the tank on the bottom-cap and we turn slightly to lock. Nothing's easier.

On the first floor, there is therefore an airflow ring, very mobile but having a certain resistance to prevent it from turning on its own. It reveals two possibilities of choice at this level: either we choose to make three airholes appear, or six. Obviously, you can seal this ring as you wish. From 1 hole or even 1/2 hole to 6 open. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Indeed, on the plateau, we find the arrival of the airflow which naturally takes its place under the resistance. You can determine the diameter using four adjustment screws provided which will restrict the air nozzle according to the following scale: 0.8 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm and 1.4 mm. All this from a strict MTL perspective, you can imagine. However, there is an optional pack of three additional screws, 1.6mm, 1.8mm and 2mm to access the joys of a restricted DL vape if that is your need. This optional pack is available here, at a rate of 9.90 €.

As much to say to you that the possibilities are numerous to vary your airflow and very clumsy will be the one who will not arrive there. Between the end caps and the many settings of the airflow ring, it's more ready-to-vape, it's tailor-made! Obviously, if you are like 99.99% of vapers, you will only do this once, until you find the right base draw for you. The rest of the time will be spent vaping on it!

On the ground floor, there is a traditional 510 connection pin, adjustable however, which is always a plus depending on the depth of the connection of your mod support.

The quality of the whole is above all suspicion! What is screwed and unscrewed does so under excellent conditions, like butter. What snaps or unclips, ditto. The finishes are worthy of a modder. No tool marks, neither on the plate nor on the bell. Excellent work. the materials used are of high quality, 316 L steel, a low carbon steel rich in chromium and nickel to which molybdenum is added, which provides very particular resistance to corrosion. Contrary to popular belief, stainless steel is never quite so. It is, even in extreme conditions (chlorine or salt water).

In the balance sheet, it is very difficult to find the slightest criticism to make in this chapter. It is well thought out, well done, and it is more than up to the price charged.

Functional features

  • Connection type: 510
  • Adjustable positive stud? Yes, through an adjustment by thread, the assembly will be flush in all cases
  • Presence of air flow regulation? Yes, and variable
  • Maximum diameter in mm of the air regulation possible: 1.4 (2mm optional)
  • Minimum diameter in mm of the air regulation possible: 0
  • Positioning of the air regulation: From below and benefiting the resistances
  • Atomization chamber type: Reduced bell type
  • Heat dissipation of the product: Normal

Reviewer's comments on functional features

As we have already mentioned the almost infinite number of possibilities for adjusting the aiflow, it remains for us to concentrate on the essentials, the functionalities offered by the plate.

We are dealing here with a very small mounting plate, only 10 mm in diameter. This value naturally including the positive and negative plots. This means that, both the length and the diameter of the coil that you will mount on it will have to take this parameter into account. On test, I manage to mount a diameter of 2.5 mm over about 4.5 mm in length, whether in spiers glued to spaced apart. However, even if the board is small, the presence of four posts is reassuring because it allows you to never make the wrong way to make or put your coil.

The screws for the posts themselves are very small and will require a 1.3mm flat drive screwdriver. In addition, 4 replacement screws with BTR recess are provided, corresponding to 1 mm. Considering the smallness, I cannot advise you too much to opt for the latter in order not to prematurely wear out the heads of the flat screws, these being deemed to be more sensitive to friction. Even if the metal used is of high quality, an additional precaution is never superfluous.

The spaces strictly speaking to pass the legs of the coil are correctly dimensioned and will accept without flinching the simple wire in 0.50 and even the complex wire provided you have understood the purpose of the RTA Cart. Indeed, it is indicated on the box an optimal power of 18 W for a coil of 0.94 Ω and this corroborates my own experiences. Also, if you use complex wire, which is still possible in 2.5 mm coil diameter, be careful not to fall below 0.90 Ω. The atomizer is not made to operate at 45 W with a resistance of 0.3o Ω. The narrowness of the plate, the reduced size of the bell, ideal for exalting flavors, cannot be tolerated at too high a temperature. It is above all an MTL ato, which can also work in light RDL.

It is also imperative to cut the legs of your resistance after installation and possibly bend the end to avoid contact with the wall of the bell.

Finally, if all this appears complicated, it is not in fact. If we have understood the purpose of the atomizer as well as the few constraints, inherent in all MTL atos, assembly is easy and does not take much time. The right tools, a little logic and a magnifying glass for those like me who see it as a myopic mole and let's go. If I do it with my sticky fingers like Pamela Anderson in 80B, anyone can do it. Guaranteed on invoice!

Drip-Tip Features

  • Drip tip attachment type: 510 Only
  • Presence of a Drip-tip? Yes, the vaper can immediately use the product
  • Length and type of drip-tip present: Long
  • Quality of the drip-tip present: Very good

Reviewer's comments on the Drip-Tip

A drip-tip is supplied with the atomizer. I found it particularly interesting because, on the one hand, it is perfectly suited to the purpose of the Chariot: MTL, 510 connection = thin and long drip-tip and on the other hand because it can possibly become detached from its base. If you break or damage it, all you have to do is buy the delrin mouthpiece without having to buy the 510 connection, equipped with three cooling fins.

Evaluation of the packaging

  • Presence of a box accompanying the product: Yes
  • Would you say that the packaging is up to the price of the product? Yes
  • Presence of a user manual? Yes
  • Is the manual understandable for a non-English speaker? Yes
  • Does the manual explain ALL features? Yes

Vapelier's note on packaging: 5 / 5 5 5 out of stars

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

The packaging is up to the event. It consists of a beautiful hard cardboard box, black and green, in the color of Arcana Mods and Pipeline.

The box contains:

  • The atomizer, of course.
  • A bag of spares: complete set of gaskets, 4 BTR screws for the posts and 2 additional Philips screws for removing the bottom or the positive part of the plate.
  • The 4 screw-on airflow reducers.
  • A complete user manual, in French please.

A suitable screwdriver will be added to the kit in order to easily proceed with the assembly.

Appreciations in use

  • Transport facilities with the mod of the test configuration: Ok for an external jacket pocket (no deformations)
  • Easy to dismantle and clean: Easy but requires a workspace
  • Filling facilities: Super simple, even blind in the dark!
  • Easy to change resistances: Easy but requires a workspace to lose nothing
  • Is it possible to use this product throughout the day with several vials of e-liquid? Yes perfectly
  • Was there leak after one day of use? No
  • In the event of leaks during the tests, descriptions of the situations in which they occur:

Vapelier's note on ease of use: 3.5 / 5 3.5 5 out of stars

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

As soon as you respect the instructions for use, the Chariot RTA will only bring you happiness.

Easy to assemble despite the narrowness of its top, the multitude of airflow adjustment possibilities will quickly convince you. You will find your favorite draw in a few minutes and, by being modest on the power, you will be able to take advantage of the capacity of the RTA to perfectly restore the flavors for a vape that is certainly quiet but tasty.

Collateral effect of any good MTL, it will show itself rather Camel than Depardieu in terms of its consumption of liquid, which is always won.

No leaks to report, the liquid inlet lock system is effective when opening the top-cap. The filling is easy. The cotton is well explained in the manual and is easy to set up and cut. You just have to follow the explanatory diagram, I have nothing else to add on this point. Just be aware that it is rather user-friendly and will not require multiple iterations to find the right amount of cotton.

I will advise you to use the RTA Cart with 50/50 e-liquids with a PG / VG ratio. It can accept a little more (40/60) but it will be more comfortable with juices of lower viscosity. Which is rather good since in general, this ratio is imperial for a balanced flavor / vapor rendering.

Used with Tribeca, therefore a mild tobacco, Pipeline Blend, therefore a subtly gourmet tobacco, Old Nuts, an unrepentant gourmand, Sunny Ricardo, a fresh anise or Lemon Tart from Beurk Research, therefore a fruity gourmand, it is at ease in all areas of the game. It faithfully transcribes the flavors and gives a rather round and precise result. All the aromas are there, the Chariot is a hit.

Recommendations for use

  • What type of mod is it advisable to use this product with? Electronic
  • With which mod model is it advisable to use this product? A Pro Side Pipeline for the beauty of the set-up obtained.
  • What type of e-liquid is it recommended to use this product with? Liquids not exceeding the viscosity grade of a 50/50
  • Description of the test configuration used: Pipeline Pro Side. Various liquids of different viscosities. Kanthal resistors (microcoil and spaced coils) and complex wires
  • Description of the ideal configuration with this product: A very precise mod and liquids in 50/50

Was the product liked by the reviewer: Yes

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 4.7 / 5 4.7 5 out of stars

The mood ticket of the reviewer

Overall, the Chariot RTA is an excellent surprise.

New, very beautiful and filled with technologies designed to simplify the life of the vapoteur, it immediately takes pride of place in the hierarchy of the great reconstructables MTL. Easier to live than a Berserker, tastier than an Arès, it elbows and easily climbs on the podium in its price category.

Undoubtedly less versatile in RDL than a Precisio for example, it is at least comparable to it in MTL in the transcription of flavors. And he hits him a nice knockout in the round of originality, finish or elegance.

The Chariot RTA is therefore a rebuildable atomizer that we will have to rely on in the future. And then, between us, what a devastating look and what a finish!

I therefore give it a Top Ato and, friends who love discreet and tasty vape, I can only advise you to throw yourself on it, you will not risk disappointment!

 

(c) Copyright Le Vapelier SAS 2014 - Only full reproduction of this article is authorized - Any modification of any kind is totally prohibited and infringes the rights of this copyright.

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About the Author

59 years old, 32 years of cigarettes, 12 years of vaping and happier than ever! I live in Gironde, I have four children of whom I am gaga and I like roast chicken, Pessac-Léognan, good e-liquids and I am a vape geek who takes responsibility!