Following right on the heels of the NarTA release comes the NarBA. A super reduced single coil RDTA with single airflow (a departure for NarMods). So how does it stack up? Lets find out…
Aesthetically from the outside the NarBA is almost undisguisable from the NarTA, the one big difference is the single larger airflow slot. Both RDTAs share that same NarMods slammed trademark appearance, the NarBA has a slightly more belled top that some will be able to distinguish. The lower tank section is identical and shares the same beefy o-rings and super clean design, wall to wall tank (we love it). For the first time in a NarMods product we like the drip tip, it’s still a little hard and plastic feeling, the reduced heigh and bore are dialled in. There have been a lot of comparison to the Hobo DrifTank, but other than a similar ramped airflow they share very little. The magic is in the extreme reduced vapor chamber. The underside of the top is stepped and dramically reduces the chamber. The airflow ramp is much less of an angle (in comparison to the DrifTank), a little longer travel and a subtle curve right at the top of the ramp. We are happy to report that the top cap o-ring tolerances are a little more forgiving than the NarTA making it much easier to remove and pop on (great satisfying pop). The deck is a simple two poster that centers your building nicely. Those lovely thick big headed NarMod screws trap everything in their path. The Juice fill port is offset and easy to use. Are only really issue is the size of the wicking ports, they could be bigger and more forgiving. Even though this is a new style of atty for Nareg he has nailed yet again!
Flavour is what you expect from NarMods. Kick ass! Dense, thick, flavourful vapor is easy to acquire on the NarBA. There is a crisp and accurate quality to the flavour. This ramped airflow style needs to be adopted more readily. There is something to it, it’s like bottom and side in one, without needing a ton of airflow.
Another great fact we are happy to report, she is silky smooth and very quiet for a NarMod atty. The AFC is very versatile, going from a perfect restricted lung hit, to a rather decent MTL. Single airflow doesn’t get much better than this!
Building, now this is a question. Usually an atty has a small window of opportunity, that perfect build that brings out the best performance. Once in a while an atty comes around that can take anything you throw at and perform wonders. This is the case with the NarBA, be it with a couple key constraints. 2.5 mm ID coils are a must (for best wicking performance), and making sure you coil maximizes the width of the airflow ramp is key. But other than that go crazy, figure out the heat and intensity you are looking for and dial it in. We like anything form a simple 7 wrap, 24awg, spaced to a 7 wrap, 28/36 fused clapton (Definitive Coils). In most cases we seem to sit in around 0.6-0.7 Ohms and run at 30-35W, it gives us a warm, dense, flavourful vape.
Again we don’t know how Nareg does it. The conductivity is top notch, there is a noticeable difference with his attys. They hit hard. Anything you throw in here will perform better than it would in many other attys. Maybe it’s just attention to detail and keeping connections as clean as possible. Whatever it is, it’s great.
Juice capacity is really good for the size. Somewhere around 2-3ml, sort of depends on how much wick you set. We like our wick hanging a couple of mms below the deck. The fill port is very forgiving and will accept almost any size dropper you throw at it. There are no real tricks to this one. We do find squirting it in a series of pumps works best to keep the mess under control. But if you are using a unicorn do it however you like. As with all RDTAs don’t over stuff your wicking channels/ports and open up a little air escape with a slender tool on each wick once their wet to make for the best performance and filling ease.
We understand the sore point of how difficult it is to get NarMods products. They have extreme demand and not enough supply to satisfy it. There’s not much that can be said, and we have said this before, you need to get into the NarMods group and find out when a release is happening and F5 your hearts out. It sucks, but it’s the way it is. Nareg is a great guy and he works his ass off trying to improve each and every release. He has even as of late started asking the group what should be released next, and his amounts have been increasing as he has invested heavily in his own production facility (he also still gets help from Hoberto, Hobo Mods). It’s a game of patience, that’s all there is to it.
All that said, the NarBA might just be the best atty yet out of NarMods. If we had to choose between the NarTA and NarBA it’s a simple decision, NarBA all the way! It’s a beautifully simple, versatile, extreme performer that you will never part with. We said similar things about the NarTA, and yes it to is an amazing atty (lost ours to the wife), the NarBA is just a tiny bit better. We really hope this FDA crap gets sorted out soon, it would be a shame if we didn’t see more from Nareg, everything he designs is pure gold/fire. Do what you can and try to get one of these lovelies, you won’t regret it in the slightest.
Hi, since this site is the best for vape gear review so i just want to ask a simple question..narba or narta? 🙂
Hey Ari,
NarTA all the way. Better flavour, better wicking, and easier to build.
I’ll find myself a NarTa then, many thanks Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Great review as always. I’ve had the NarDA for a good couple of years and it’s been one of my goto flavour RDAs for squonking. I thought the NarTA was going to satisfy me but using 50/50 juice I find that fill hole being inside the deck leaks unless I stuff the deck with cotton so it never goes out with me.
I have seen the top cap and deck of the NarBA and the inside ‘ledge’ for the chimney doesn’t cover the fillhole. Under ‘pros’ you state it’s leak free; I’m wondering whether you may know if that’s the same using 50/50 PG/VG as I’m guessing viscosity plays a part in how prone the NarBA may be to the issue.
Also, can I just clarify your response, to Ari; you said you prefer the NarTA to the NarBA for flavour, wicking and ease of build but in your review you state: “Also, If we had to choose between the NarTA and NarBA it’s a simple decision, NarBA all the way”.
Did you mean the NarBA in your answer perchance?
Always enjoy reading your reviews and especially the build suggestions for each atomizer.
Hey Roy,
With any of these RDTA style tanks you will have leaking issues when tilting them. 50/50 juice doesn’t help either. I did however mean it when I said NarTA all the way, after long term use we much prefer the performance of it over the NarBA. Anything Nareg makes/designs is always great, but some are even better than others. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the response and clarification.
That does indeed help. I think I’ve been spoiled by the leak-free performance of the Wotofo RDTA. In terms of airflow though, the NarTA is a less turbulent, more refined experience while being a better flavour tank for complex mixtures.
You prefer the performance of the NarTA (to the NarBA) after long term use… guess that means you had to wrestle it back off of the wife! Cheers, I will stick with my NarTA in that case and try the NarBA if one ever becomes available.
Yep, Nar Mods products always impress in terms of design and workmanship. Really look forward to seeing what is released in the future.