Tests and Reviews: Serpent by Wotofo ~ Le Vapelier

Commercial characteristics

Sponsor having loaned the product for the magazine: Evaps
Price of the tested product: 41.90 Euros
Product category according to its selling price: Mid-range (from 36 to 70 euros)
Atomizer type: Reconstructable compression
Number of resistances allowed: 1
Resistance Type: Classic Reconstructible, Rebuildable Micro Coil, Reconstructible Classic Temperature Controlled, Rebuildable Micro Coil with Temperature Control
Type of wicks supported: Cotton, Fiber Freaks Density 1, Fiber Freaks Density 2, Fiber Freaks Cotton Blend
Quantity in milliliters announced by the manufacturer: 4

Reviewer comments on business characteristics

Wotofo is a Chinese manufacturer whose production touches almost all aspects of vaping, from triple-battery mecha mods to drippers, including RTAs, electronic mods and a whole range of instruments to torture the clouds.

The Serpent is an RTA, a rebuildable tank atomizer. Available in black or steel, this RTA takes on a traditional 22mm diameter dress and a traditional design too. This is undoubtedly the first “peculiarity” that jumps to the eye, the fact that the Snake has not, to put it mildly, made any particular effort to take care of its look. But, this being very subjective, I will limit myself to saying that it is neither ugly, nor beautiful, just commonplace.

Where things start to get a little crispier, it is by noticing that its tray can only accommodate a single coil and it is happy, because for a few weeks, many manufacturers have started to bet on this format again, this which makes me happy. Although not at all refractory to the dual coil, I have always found the single coil vape tastier, closer to the truth of a liquid. It's personal, I'm not asking you to share my opinion, but all the people who think like me were in despair of no longer finding good atos typically single coil, especially at a consistent price.

But some atomizers have changed the game like the Avocado or even the recently released Theorem. Even if they are not only single-coil atomizers, we can see that their design started from there. So, I welcome this Serpent with a smile and happiness, hoping that the market will level out and continue to make vapor machines for every style of vape, that cloud-chasers and flavor-chasers can all find their way.

Positioned at almost € 42, the Serpent is in the middle category. On the other hand, its price places it right on the same starting line as its fiercest competitors. So the fight will be tough and this atomizer will have to be up to the task.

Physical characteristics and felt quality

Width or Diameter of the product in mm: 22
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: 51.4
Weight in grams of the product as sold, with its drip-tip if it is present: 69.5
Material composing the product: Pyrex, Stainless Steel grade 304
Form Factor Type: Kayfun / Russian
Number of component parts without screws and washers: 4
Number of threads: 4
Quality of the threads: Average
Number of O-rings, Drip-Tip excluded: 3
Quality of O-rings present: Sufficient
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? No

Rating of the vapelier as to feelings quality: 3.3 / 5

Reviewer's comments on physical characteristics and perceived quality

The Serpent is light. He's more of a viper than anaconda. Its weight remains measured even if its size is generally fairly standard for an ato in 22. Its capacity is large enough to go the distance even if its penchant for drinking, we will see later, leaves you so dreamy that you are surprised to really appreciate that Wotofo did not have the idea of adding the possibility of a double-coil ...

But, when an atomizer is light yet of a “normal” size, there is often a pragmatic reason. Either the most used material is naturally light, like Titanium. Either the material is heavy and the quantity very small. Alas, it is in this direction that Wotofo has dug. Indeed, the walls of the atomizer are very thin, the airflow ring also and the perceived quality of the whole does not pass at first glance. To offer an atomizer at 40 €, you probably have to make production choices, I can understand that. But the result is there: the Serpent makes hardware and does no honor, neither to its builder nor to its reptilian lineage. Nor to competition from the same country.

We will console ourselves with fittings (screws plus joints) of average but sufficient quality and a finish which, without being exceptional, remains correct and functional. If we of course except the pretty T-shaped tool, supplied with the atomizer and which includes the essential BTR tip to act on the screws of the studs and which is rounded after three assemblies, becoming in fact unusable.

In the balance sheet, a quality report construction / price just average.

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 mms of the air regulation possible: 12 × 1.5 mm x 2
Minimum diameter in mms of the air regulation possible: 0.1
Positioning of the air regulation: Opposite and taking advantage of the resistances
Atomization chamber type: Bell type
Heat dissipation of the product: Normal

Reviewer's comments on functional features

We will look at the four essential features of this atomizer, those that make it work:

The mounting plate: Unsurprisingly, we have a relatively wide plateau, pierced in its center by a huge airhole, overhung by a positive and a negative stud. The studs are not, as often, crowned with screws allowing the resistive to be wedged but are perforated and surmounted by internal BTR screws which therefore tighten the resistive from above.

The choice may leave you wondering, especially as the assemblies are difficult to perform, for a simple coil. The fixed placement of the holes prevents making a coil too long because the ends get tangled and overlap with the turns. This is not disqualifying but it must be taken into account, which imposes a limitation on the freedom of assembly. A more conventional choice would have greatly improved the device.

The tray is also equipped with two wells for liquid access. And, of course, each end of your capillary will slip into it, taking care, despite the presence of a juice flow regulator, not to create a plug that is always likely to block the good circulation of the fluid. A refined mustache-type cotton pruning will be perfect and the cotton should touch the bottom of the access pits.

You will notice, in the photo below, the traces of machine during the machining. They give a concrete overview of the level of finish.

The airflow adjustment: Very classic, it consists of a ring allowing to hide or reveal two large slits, allowing you to choose your vape from tight to air. It is not a revolution but a tried and tested device that works well even if we could regret that the ring is a little too “easy” to turn.

The adjustment of the liquid flow: ranging from the closed position to a very wide opening, the system is well thought out even if, here too, it is not a novelty. We have a wheel system located just on the top of the tank that moves the bell of the evaporation chamber up or down. The goal is not only to allow the use of liquids of all viscosities but also to loosen a little if, by vaping 100% VG at very high power, you notice dry-hits. Be careful, however, like all similar systems, an opening that is unsuitable for your viscosity / power ratio will be liable to create too much liquid inflow and therefore gurgles or other leaks. But, no particular problem, it gets tamed quite quickly.

Filling : Childish. The atomizer fills from the top. You just have to remove the metal cap which serves as the base of the drip-tip and you have access to large openings allowing you to easily fill your atomizer. It even works with big droppers or bubble pipettes. Perfect. Be careful, however, do not forget to close the aiflow as well as the flow of liquid in order to avoid any attempt to leak your juice. I tried to do it for fun with the airflow open and the flow partially open without getting major leaks but you never know ...

Drip-Tip Features

Drip tip type: 510 Only
Presence of a Drip-Tip? Yes, the vaper can immediately use the product
Length and type of drip-tip present: Medium
Quality of the present drip-tip: Good

Reviewer's comments on the Drip-Tip

A medium-sized, metallic drip-tip overhangs the atomizer. It has a single O-ring but it holds up well. Its shape is classic, its aesthetics do not differ in the general design very banal of the whole and it is not unpleasant in the mouth.

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? No
Does the manual explain ALL features? No

Vapelier's note on packaging: 3 / 5

Reviewer's comments on conditioning

The packaging blows hot and cold.

The black cardboard screen printed with the name of the atomizer and the manufacturer in shiny red is quite simple but effective. It also has a scratch-code and a QR code below.

Inside, a fairly dense foam maintains the Snake well. You will find a bag of spare parts containing the formidable T-tool which falls apart just by looking at it, a battery of gaskets and two replacement BTR screws.

You will also find a bag containing a cotton pad and a sealed bag with a prepared and ready to assemble resistance.

There is a notice (just the name amuses me ...) comprising about 1/4 of what you need to know to use the atomizer. It's in English of course and, let's be positive, very minimalist.

An honest packaging, therefore, in which I would have preferred to find a real solid BTR key and a more talkative notice.

Appreciations in use

Transport facilities with the mod of the test configuration: Ok for a side pocket of Jean (no discomfort)
Disassembly and cleaning facilities: Easy, even standing in the street, with a simple tissue paper
Filling facilities: Easy, even standing in the street
Easy to change resistors: Easy but requires a workspace to lose nothing
Is it possible to use this product throughout the day with several vials of EJuice? 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 occurred:

Vapelier's note on ease of use: 4.4 / 5

Reviewer's comments on the use of the product

Filling if one is careful to close the valves: OK.
Airflow handling: OK.
Handling the juice flow setting: OK, it works impeccably.

Attention Houston, ready to vaper!

After a few approximations necessary to properly regulate the flow of juice, the operation of the Serpent is quite easy. The vape is very dense in taste and the vapor is not left out but will of course depend on your assembly. With a resistance in 0.6Ω and a juice in 100% VG, no problem of upset capillarity. No dry-hits, no gurgling.

We can then let ourselves be lulled by a very typical single coil vape: a lot of aromatic presence, good precision in the flavors. We are really in the major asset of this atomizer: the taste. But Wotofo worked correctly by offering us a single-coil that largely accepts to go up in the towers and generate a very dense vapor that some dual-coils would envy.

One thing surprised me, I found the hit particularly powerful on this atomizer, on a liquid that I know very well. This may benefit some and scare others away.

Good, consumption is up to par and, on this point, it largely competes with the Avocado. It's amazing how the 4mls go off at supersonic speed. It is even difficult to understand.

A second defect is to be noted. We are in the presence of a “dirty” ato. No worries, that's what I affectionately call top-coil atos in general which are often prone to micro-leaking or oozing. The Serpent, although bottom-coil, is a dirty ato and, while I haven't seen any real leaks (even with careful observation), the ato is often very oily and seems to ooze as if its walls are micro-porous. Which is not the case, I assure you. It's just that the Snake doesn't like inactivity and has a slight tendency to flee, very lightly and almost invisible, when not in use. Nothing annoying, just remember to close the airflow when you are not using it.

In short, the Serpent vapes very well. This is its greatest asset.

Recommendations for use

What type of mod is it advisable to use this product with? Electronic
Which mod model is it recommended to use this product with? The electro mod of your choice
With which type of EJuice is it advisable to use this product? All liquids without problem
Description of the test configuration used: Vapor Flask Stout / Boba's Bounty / Between 25 and 40W
Description of the ideal configuration with this product: Box mod

was the product liked by the reviewer: Bof, it's not the craze

Overall average of the Vapelier for this product: 3.4 / 5

Link to a video review or blog maintained by the reviewer author of the review

The mood ticket of the reviewer

Tasty vape + powerful hit + abundant steam = winning equation.

Yes, but.

But there is a build quality that does not match that of its competitors that it is yet ahead in price.

But there is a mounting plate that is limiting for the length of your coil and whose mounting studs are ill-conceived.

But there is an average overall tightness even if it is not catastrophic.

These are not major faults and we can largely do with them to get an excellent vape. But, at this price, we are not very far from an Expromizer, better built, better finished. We are above an Avocado, more versatile and much easier.

The Serpent would undoubtedly be a top ato for me if it showed a more polished finish, a better equipped deck and a more flattering quality of materials. But, in this case, it becomes average. I look forward to a version two, more mastered, with the same quality of vape to give it the honors it deserves.

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