For my authentic Chalice III, imported directly from the Marks Bugs, I paid R1833.00 (all included).
You can buy the clone from @kimbo for R320.00 (shipping excluded).
So, expect no mercy from my side!
The clone was provided free or charge for this exercise. As far as I know, this is one of very few atomizers developed for bottom feed specifically.
The clone is on the left. Even the indentation on the box covers are the same! Very difficult to tell the two apart. The top of the drip tip of the real McCoy is rounded. The finish (colour) on the bottom part of the clone differs slightly from the top part or the clone. The engraving of the logo on the clone is a bit shallower than on the real thing. The threading on the clone is very smooth. Does, however, feels just a bit tinny in comparison when screwing the top cap on - maybe the metal is a micron or so thinner. The clone looks a bit taller on the 2nd picture below - I neglected to insert the drip tip fully
.
The bf hole part on the authentic looks a better quality job than on the clone.
Here you can see the drip tip difference better. The rounded top of the authentic is slightly more comfortable on the lips.
To eliminate any unfair advantage, both units were cleaned in the UV bath. To avoid any confusion on my part I used the bottom of a herb infuser for one unit.
Broken down in their component parts. As close to 1:1 as you can get.
I marked the position of the internal (2 mm) air hole on the outside of the top cap. Then the position of the coil was marked on the bottom part. As you can see the air hole did not line up with the coil position. With some apprehension I followed the procedure outlined by @Xhale here. And, to my astonishment, I got it right. In the second picture you can see that line-up was attained!
All in all, a great clone. Of course, the proof is in the vape! Coiled them both with 5 wraps of 27 g Kanthal A1 on a 2.5 mm ID mandrel. Resistance measured at 0.77 and 0.78 ohms respectively. I find the Chalice very easy to coil.
Wicked with 3 mm Ceramic. Clone on the right from here.
The two Reo Minis are ready for the ultimate test. Both loaded with a layered juice well known to me - Thenancara Shinshiro.
Identical and awesome vape. I could detect no difference at all after 12 hours of vaping both. The flavour from the Chalice III is the most accurate I have encountered in any of the atomizers I have owned. Throat hit is substantial. Clouds are satisfactory.
The Chalice is known as a mouth to lung atty, but I have come across reports of peeps doing direct to lung hits too. Tried it, very easily accomplished, but I prefer mouth to lung on all atomizers.
Tried the same juice on a stock air hole Reomizer 2. For me the flavour on the Chalice is better, not by much, but discernible. The air flow control on the Chalice makes it more flexible than the RM2. And the Chalice is far prettier than the RM2 imo. The Chalice also fits the standard profile Reos.
Conclusion:
This is a high quality clone, both from a material and vape perspective. Pity about the air hole alignment, but relatively easily fixed. Of course, the quality of the material used will be tested and evaluated over time. Will report here if anything goes awry.
At R320.00 this is the least expensive of all the bottom fed atomizers I know of. It is an absolute bargain at that price. If you do not object to clones in principle, there is absolutely no reason to buy the extremely expensive authentic Chalice.
A must for all bottom fed aficionados!
EDIT: Have now received 2 reports of this clone shorting (with and without a coil in there) and collapsing the Reo spring. Might be a center pin problem. Just a heads up.
@kimbo says he is now checking all to make sure they are fine. He is also aligning all the air holes in his remaining stock.
EDIT: Some reports of the posts of the clone rusting.
You can buy the clone from @kimbo for R320.00 (shipping excluded).
So, expect no mercy from my side!
The clone was provided free or charge for this exercise. As far as I know, this is one of very few atomizers developed for bottom feed specifically.
The clone is on the left. Even the indentation on the box covers are the same! Very difficult to tell the two apart. The top of the drip tip of the real McCoy is rounded. The finish (colour) on the bottom part of the clone differs slightly from the top part or the clone. The engraving of the logo on the clone is a bit shallower than on the real thing. The threading on the clone is very smooth. Does, however, feels just a bit tinny in comparison when screwing the top cap on - maybe the metal is a micron or so thinner. The clone looks a bit taller on the 2nd picture below - I neglected to insert the drip tip fully
.
The bf hole part on the authentic looks a better quality job than on the clone.
Here you can see the drip tip difference better. The rounded top of the authentic is slightly more comfortable on the lips.
To eliminate any unfair advantage, both units were cleaned in the UV bath. To avoid any confusion on my part I used the bottom of a herb infuser for one unit.
Broken down in their component parts. As close to 1:1 as you can get.
I marked the position of the internal (2 mm) air hole on the outside of the top cap. Then the position of the coil was marked on the bottom part. As you can see the air hole did not line up with the coil position. With some apprehension I followed the procedure outlined by @Xhale here. And, to my astonishment, I got it right. In the second picture you can see that line-up was attained!
All in all, a great clone. Of course, the proof is in the vape! Coiled them both with 5 wraps of 27 g Kanthal A1 on a 2.5 mm ID mandrel. Resistance measured at 0.77 and 0.78 ohms respectively. I find the Chalice very easy to coil.
Wicked with 3 mm Ceramic. Clone on the right from here.
The two Reo Minis are ready for the ultimate test. Both loaded with a layered juice well known to me - Thenancara Shinshiro.
Identical and awesome vape. I could detect no difference at all after 12 hours of vaping both. The flavour from the Chalice III is the most accurate I have encountered in any of the atomizers I have owned. Throat hit is substantial. Clouds are satisfactory.
The Chalice is known as a mouth to lung atty, but I have come across reports of peeps doing direct to lung hits too. Tried it, very easily accomplished, but I prefer mouth to lung on all atomizers.
Tried the same juice on a stock air hole Reomizer 2. For me the flavour on the Chalice is better, not by much, but discernible. The air flow control on the Chalice makes it more flexible than the RM2. And the Chalice is far prettier than the RM2 imo. The Chalice also fits the standard profile Reos.
Conclusion:
This is a high quality clone, both from a material and vape perspective. Pity about the air hole alignment, but relatively easily fixed. Of course, the quality of the material used will be tested and evaluated over time. Will report here if anything goes awry.
At R320.00 this is the least expensive of all the bottom fed atomizers I know of. It is an absolute bargain at that price. If you do not object to clones in principle, there is absolutely no reason to buy the extremely expensive authentic Chalice.
A must for all bottom fed aficionados!
EDIT: Have now received 2 reports of this clone shorting (with and without a coil in there) and collapsing the Reo spring. Might be a center pin problem. Just a heads up.
@kimbo says he is now checking all to make sure they are fine. He is also aligning all the air holes in his remaining stock.
EDIT: Some reports of the posts of the clone rusting.
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