Dead Rabbit V3 RTA

Clone & Genuine

"A forgiving tank that works beautifully across a wide range of toke strengths in dual or single coil mode. Very highly recommended - but avoid clones, buy genuine models if possible"

Intro

I do appreciate simple, gimmick-free kit that works well without gotchas. IMO this describes the Dead Rabbit V3 RTA almost perfectly. It's straightforward to set up, works brilliantly in single or dual coil mode, has a wide useable range of toke rates, good availability (from UK at least), imo a very lovable tank all-round. It has one or two minor niggles, but nothing preventing it getting a huge thumbs up from me.

There are currently 4 versions, shown below. Differences are largely cosmetic, with the honeycomb airflow ring style being the only non-paint variation. Each also has a TPD sub-version which is identical apart from a thicker glass, which restricts capacity to a specified 2ml. The TPD "glass" is (according to vendor sites) made from PCTG, frosted (reportedly staining after some Dimitri use), and available as an after-market accessory, here's one (in stock at time of writing)
Note, a Dead Rabbit V3 RDA (not RTA) is also available. I'm sure it's a great atomiser but it's not what we're reviewing here, so be wary of unintentionally purchasing

The 4 versions, differences appear largely cosmetic. From L->R Dead Rabbit V3 , 6th Aniversary Edition, 2024 Edition and J (Joker) Edition

Standard (left) and TPD capacity-restricting (right) straight glasses, supposedly a heat & chemical resistant plastic PCTG - polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (if you can pronounce that!)

Careful of accidentally buying the Dead Rabbit RDA, it's the RTA we're reviewing here, not this

Genuines include a "coily" coil leg measuring tool. Spare grub screws are hex-headed, not flat head as fitted. Coils are Ni80 28x3+36 0.37Ω 4.5 turns. Glass options depend on whether it's a TPD edition. 2024 edition includes an extra plain short driptip.

Clone Versions

Clones are available but from my own experience, I can't recommend them. Genuines are currently in good supply at bargain prices, so IMO worth going for the better quality assurance, extra accessories, and (to my eyes) utterly stunning finish.

If you can only source a clone, then I suggest considering (if available) a genuine Arbiter 2 instead, which is functionally almost identical, with just 0.5mm less terminal gap space.

My own DR V3 clone worked well for a while, before refusing to screw together. The problem was the low mouting height of the build deck in the base (see pic). I did manage a repair (by inserting a thin stainless steel packing washer over the lower deck protrusion) but purchasing a genuine would have avoided this hassle.

Why my clone died. The deck to base interference fit held the deck too low to allow sufficent threads to engage with the tank upper body

Suggested Setups

Single-coil: Most will find a single-coil setup to be perfectly adequate and with the correct toke rate/duration, should be easily capable of reaching L3 in a single toke (see here for the intensity levels).
I suggest 6 (strictly speaking 5.5) turns of 26x2+36, inner ⌀3.0mm fused clapton fits nicely (see pic) with a useable inter-wrap spacing (see WireBuddy for other examples). I'd feel confident using this up to ~22-24 ish Watts with a 1:4 mix or 1:3 (60PG/40VG) if more single-toke potency is needed. Airflow can be set for a moderate restriction, which may be achieved by opening the airflow ring just a few mm from fully closed (same restriction/toke rate as described for the Destiny in my video)

Important: Ensure sufficient thickness of cotton & that it's spread evenly in the juice well openings, as they're sized to accommodate cotton from two coils, not one. Insufficient cotton will result in leaking (when turned on side), gurgling and possible juice ingestion upon toking.

Note: If you choose to use the included coils (28x3+36, 4.5 turns), then I suggest a max of ~20W (give or take) on these with toke rates/mixes described in the video

Single 26x2+36 setup example: Offset legs are simpler, self-centring the coil between honeycomb air holes

Dual-coil: A dual coil setup permits a much greater heating surface area, and therefor a higher upper Wattage handling capability, and (if additional wattage headroom is utilised) a safe, smooth and relatively foolproof way of gaining unimaginably potent vapour, with effortless single-toke L4 punch.
The pic shows two 26x2+36 coils of 5 turns each (inline legs), inner ⌀3.0mm spaced evenly to fit the deck. This'll be good for as low as 30 ish upto possibly 40W and maybe slightly more if the coil/wick has been properly installed. A 1:4 or even 1:5 mix with 60PG/40VG will generally work well. Note that a slightly harder toke rate will likely be needed than for a single coil setup, so I suggest experimentation.

Dual coils can endow massive smooth potency, but can also be alarmingly juice-thirsty.

Pros

Performs extremely well in both dual & single coil mode across a wide range of toke rates. Very simple/rewarding to get the best from. Very highly recommended.
At time of writing, good availability of the genuine models
Spare glasses & O ring kits available from Aliexpress (from UK at least)
Has the dual coil option, easy to achieve safe & massive Dimitri potency with a much raised max Wattage limit
Top cap and base are very easy to grip for manual removal without tools (unlike the Zeus X)
TPD glass available, which restricts juice capacity to a more suitable quantity for my tastes (see diags below)
Clones are available, my own worked as brilliantly as the genuine (until it broke). However I suggest genuine models instead for reasons of quality assurance & included accessories

Cons

Without the TPD glass, has a higher juice capacity than I'd prefer for Dimitri
TDP glass is frosted, difficult to see through and easy to stain
(As is common to this design) it uses the base as part of the juice reservoir, so the level disappears from sight when there still may be useable juice remaning (depending on how it was wicked). Personally I'd rather it was like the Destiny or Mini V2 in this respect where the entire reservoir is easily-visible.

The "coily" coil leg measuring tool included with genuine DR V3s. The undulating curved profiles make it IMO far superior to the flat ones available on retail sites. Marked at 5mm for the DR V3 terminals. Nice one Hellvape!

Cheap but IMO not worth the cost saving.The clone's minimalist accessories. Dismally, only 3 spare O-rings and lacking the one for the inner airflow chamber. Plus, it broke after a while ☹️

Non-swivelling, dual coil build deck, airflow seems ideally balanced for both single & dual coil config

Out-of-the-box 510 showing probably the best finish I've ever seen on any RTA, genuine or clone.

Top cap, removed by a quarter turn.

Cap removed showing decent sized fill ports (the kidney-shaped slots on the edge). Noobs - don't pour juice down the centre hole!

Non-TPD standard straight glass juice capacity

Juice capacity with TPD frosted "glass" fitted. Great - but how I wish they'd just made it fully transparent!

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