Introduction: The Crius 2 RTA by OBS

The OBS Crius 2 RTA is a follow on from the ermm OBS Crius and sits in the Crius family of atomisers including the well-received Crius RDTA. A lot of people loved the original tank apart from a few mentions of leaking.

The Crius 2 still has the OBS style pop up refill port cover but refined airflow and deck design.

This is a single Coil RTA tank – marketed as the “Single coilers dream”.

The airflow is designed to hit the coil from the side and the bottom to get more taste.

By the way just for no reason at all Crius is the Greek Titan God of Heavenly Constellations! Useless fact of the day for you!

What’s In The Box

• Crius 2 tank
• Ni 80 pre-installed coil (3mm diameter flat coil)
• Spare glass tank
• Cotton
• O-rings
• Screwdriver
• User manual

Features

• Size: 25mm diameter, 53mm length
• Weight: 58g
• 3.5ml capacity
• Material: 304 steel and glass
• Colours available: Stainless, Black, Rainbow, Green, Orange, Blue, Red and Gold
• Adjustable airflow
• 15mm resin drip tip (included)
• Single screw – Zirconia post design

Build Quality & Design

I was sent the gold version for review and oh my it really is a looker, beautiful.

It seems very well crafted and finished.

Pulling up and down on the fill port it makes an almost “hydraulic” sound – like the sound of the struts that hold up your boot lid on the car. It is the sound of the air being released from the tank – not hydraulic assistance – however it feels so smooth you would think it is.

The chimney has a lovely engraved Crius 2 logo which again makes this feel even more classy.

One thing that instantly caught my attention – apart from it being a stunner – is the Triangle head screw! The post is secured with a triangle headed screw with a supplied matching screwdriver.

Fine if you carry the screwdriver everywhere – but not many people do I am sure? If you do then you also increase your chance of losing it – which means you will be stuck. I will look into what thread this screw is as I think if I am using it regularly I would replace this for an Allen head or slot head screw.

You can dismantle the tank completely for cleaning. The screw threads are a bit “squeaky” but they are stainless steel not plastic. Everything feels so sturdy.

The airflow ring again is so smooth and beautiful action – doesn’t creak or flap about.

How Does the OBS Crius 2 RTA Perform?

Coils and Wicking

A stock coil is already installed – so you just need to add the cotton wicking.

Try to avoid running this at too high wattage/temperature. As soon as you get a slight burnt taste turn it down.

If you can run this in temperature control mode you should avoid burning the cotton.

For a guide to installing coils and wicking read here.

Also if you would like to build your own coils we have written a beginners guide.

A few tips for building on the Crius 2…

• Aim to get the cylinder of the coil slightly forward – towards the side air intake and just above the bottom air intake.

• Always test your resistance on a resistance tester to make sure the build is safe. Essential when using mechanical mods. Our guide to volts, ohms and resistance is here.

• Cut the ends of the cotton wicking so they sit below the juice well. Fluff out the ends of the cotton.
• Push the cotton down into the slots.

• Put a few drips of e-liquid on the cotton.
• Replace the top of the tank and re-check on the resistance checker to make sure the coil isn’t touching any metal parts and shorting out.

How To Fill The OBS Crius 2 RTA

Simple fill design!

• Pull up the filling port cover.
• Squeeze liquid into the fill port
• Slide the fill cover back down.

Flavour & Cloud Production

I used the Crius 2 on the Sigelei Kaos Z Mod which I also reviewed.

I used a 80% VG E-Liquid – it’s the same one I use on all my tanks as I know what flavour and vapour to expect.

For information about VG/PG read here.

Pre-Installed Ni80 Coil 

The Ni80 coil was already installed on the tank so I thought I would give it a bash. The coil resistance was reading 0.3 ohms.

For info about coil materials and a guide to rebuildables read here.

First inhale was a nasty dry hit – this was at 50W so turned it down a bit.

At 20W – hardly any taste but loads of vapour!!

Nothing really happened until I got to 60W…

At 60W – I’m not sure if it is the cotton that was supplied or the coil but this is really on the verge of burnt hits. It is still creating vapour and taste but it’s harsh.

I gave up with this coil – it may have been an error on my part – but I really thought it was poo.

Stainless Steel Coil 

I am using a 3.5mm diameter SS316L fused Clapton coil with a resistance of 0.54 ohms when installed.

I used Muji cotton with this.

At 60W this worked lovely, great flavour brilliant vapour. No dry hits. Wonderful.

At 70W this just got better!

Moving up to 85W I was very happy – lovely taste, vapour and throat hit – this is beautiful!

At 95W soooo much flavour – this really is a lovely tank!!

At 100W I started coughing so left it there!

I feel that Stainless Steel coils really work well in this tank the flavour is incredible! I found it tasted best for me at 90W.

The airflow works so well – make sure to align the coil with the side and bottom air intake slots to really make the most of this!

What I Like

The flavour when using a good coil (not the included coil!) is incredible. The airflow hits it in all the right places!

Looks so good even in Gold which is a colour I wouldn’t normally go for!

The quality of the build is wonderful. No leaks either!

What I Dislike

If I really had to moan about anything it is the bottom airflow ring falling off when you take the deck off the tank.

Also the triangle screwdriver idea isn’t good – yes you get a good grip of the screw – but you lose that and you are screwed – oooh good pun!

Oh and take off the Ni coil which is installed – I didn’t get on well with this at all! Get a nice SS316 on there instead.

Final Review Verdict

Just buy the OBS Crius 2 RTA if you want a single coil RTA.

I am a relative newbie, I didn’t get on with the Ni80 coil which was pre-installed. I slapped on a SS Clapton and even with my crude building skills this is just amazing!

Price at the time of review – From £14.51/$18.99

Pros

• This really is beautiful – classy looking
• The taste and flavour is amazing
• Good kit –everything including coil to get you started
• Build deck is pretty simple – even for newbies!

Cons

• Would have possibly liked a Kanthal or SS coil – not personally a fan of Ni80
• Not for total newbies as you will need knowledge of coil resistance and how to build/wick
• When removing the deck section the airflow ring falls off a lot.