Aspire Nautilus X Review

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by James Bickford

Updated: July 15, 2021

Aspire Nautilus X desktop

Review Score: 84/100

Price Range:
‎$24.95-$34.99
Colors:
Black, Gold, Steel
Liquid Capacity:
2mL
Works with:
  • Eliquids icon

Pros

  • The U-tech coil head can handle thick e-liquids thanks to its large juice ports
  • The Nautilus X provides just the right amount of restrictiveness

Cons

  • When you go beyond 20 watts, the drip tip gets uncomfortably hot.

Enter the Nautilus

The vape market is full of high-powered sub-ohm devices that chuck huge clouds. Usually, there is nothing wrong with cloud chasing. However, it does seem like vape makers forgot all about the people who enjoy tight, mouth-to-lung draws. which is quite sad since they do represent a good chunk of the vaping consumers. Then, enter the Aspire Nautilus X.

VD Aspire Nautilus X Colors

A few MTL tanks did come out in the past couple of years. However, the one that clearly stood out was the original Aspire Nautilus. Recently, Aspire gave their popular MTL tank an upgrade. As a result, they rebranded it as the Nautilus X. The only question now is does the Aspire Nautilus X deliver on its promises? Is it really better than the OG Nautilus? Will it dethrone its older brother? Continue reading to find out.

What’s in the Box?

When you open the packaging, you will get:

  • The Aspire Nautilus X tank, with a pre-installed 1.5-ohm coil head
  • A spare 1.5-ohm U-tech coil head
  • A spare glass tank
  • A Small Instruction Manual

VD Aspire Nautilus X Starter Kit

It would have been better if Aspire added some spare O-rings in the package. However, since it did not come with extras, you need to be very careful when assembling the tank. Therefore, you need to make sure that you don’t pinch or rip the O-rings.

At First Glance…

Aspire Nautilus X desktop

Let’s first take a look at the tank itself. The Aspire Nautilus X is quite a stout little tank. The diameter of the tank is 22mm, which means it can easily fit in any mod, even ones like the iStick Pico. The Nautilus X also has quite a low profile; it is just 45mm tall, which is actually smaller than most 22mm RDAs.

The tank has four main pieces. You will get the top cap with the built-in drip tip and airflow control ring, the glass tube, the U-tech coil head. It will also serves as the chimney. This is in addition to the base of the atomizer. Speaking of the base, the Nautilus X screws into a standard 510 connection. Also, it has a gold plated 510 pin that is slightly protruding. The 510 pin does protrude a bit, but not enough that you can safely use it on hybrid top caps.

VD Aspire Nautilus X

The tank capacity is not that large, as you would expect from a 22mm tank. In fact, it can only hold around 2ml of e-liquid (in compliance with TPD regulations). However, since the Nautilus X is an MTL atomizer, that amount of juice will last you quite a long time. It’s true that the Nautilus X only has a three-piece construction. However, the beefy O-ring at the base can actually hold the glass tank firmly in place when you screw the top cap off.

A Closer Look at the U-tech Coil Head

Now, let’s take a look at the U-tech coils. They rate coil heads that come with the tank at 1.5 ohms. This is pretty high for vapers who like to use sub-ohm coils. However, since they made the Nautilus X for mouth to lung hits, it does not need that much power. High ohms also mean the coil heads do not need that much power to produce vapor. In fact, you only need to set your mod to 18 watts for a comfortably warm vape.

VD Aspire Nautilus X Coils

The Nautilus coils have a distinct U-shaped chamber, which is kind of a unique design. First, the air goes inside the top airflow holes near the drip tip. Then, it goes down the side chamber of the coil head, goes into the inner chamber. Finally, it goes out the chimney. This airflow design allows the air to hit the Kanthal coils twice before it goes out of the drip tip.

How Does the Aspire Nautilus X Perform?

Sure, the Nautilus X is primarily for MTL draw, with the airflow fully open. However, you can still get a good direct lung hit, albeit being very restricted. You can further tighten the draw by twisting the AFC about half-way. This way, you will get a more intense flavor and warmth. Of course, it is if you’re using the Nautilus for its intended purpose.

The Nautilus X comes apart quite easily for cleaning. When you disassemble the tank, you will get a few things. First, it is the top cap with the built in top airflow control and the proprietary drip tip. Then, the glass tube held in place by a beefy O-ring, the pre-installed coil head, and the base of the atomizer.

To fill up the tank, you just need to unscrew the top cap, and then pour the e-liquid down the sides of the glass tube. Be careful not to get any liquid inside the coil head itself. To replace the coil head, you just need to disassemble the tank. Then, carefully pop off the glass tank, and then unscrew and replace the coil head.

Just like the Cleito, the drip tip of the Nautilus X does not come off. On the other hand, it does come with a plastic sleeve that will keep the drip tip relatively cool.

Aspire Nautilus X Specifications

Aspire Nautilus X
Dimensions: 45*22mm
Liquid Capacity: 2mL
Coil Resistance: 1.5ohm
Thread: 510
Tank Material: Pyrex Glass Tank
Colors: Black, Gold, Steel

Pros & Cons

The Positives

  • Sleek and compact design. Even though the Nautilus X is a tank, it is actually shorter than most RDAs
  • The U-tech coil head can handle thick e-liquids thanks to its large juice ports
  • The Nautilus X provides just the right amount of restrictiveness
  • The beefy O-ring holds the glass tank firmly in place
  • The design of the coil head virtually guarantees that the tank will not leak ever

The Negatives

  • You cannot use your own 510 drip tip
  • When you go beyond 20 watts, the drip tip gets uncomfortably hot
  • The small airflow control ring can be quite fidgety and hard to twist

Is It Worth the Price?

The Aspire Nautilus X is unlike most of the other sub-ohm tanks available these days. It does not chuck insane amounts of vapor but that is not its intended purpose anyway. The Nautilus X is a mouth-to-lung device. This means, it aims to mimic the same kind of experience that people used to get from taking a drag from a cigarette. Therefore, in that regard, this tank atomizer performs beautifully.

Are you looking for a good mouth to lung tank atomizer that performs like a champ? Then, the Aspire Nautilus X is the perfect choice for you. This is despite not having that many bells and whistles. Actually, today is your lucky day because we found the best deal online for the Aspire Nautilus X right here.

Published: May 12, 2017Updated: July 15, 2021
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James Bickford

My way of understanding the significance of vaping came not only through the disruption of smoking but its effects on society as a whole. Now I bring people to vaping and bring vaping to people. I love using new gear, writing in-depth reviews and generally nerding out about vaping to like-minded people.


Comments

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2 comments on “Aspire Nautilus X Review

  • Louis D.

    March 21, 2019 at 1:38 pm

    The tank itself isn’t terrible, but it seems that there is no quality control whatsoever in regards to their coils. I bought them online and in a variety of stores, and whatever I do, 50 % of their coils are duds, by which I mean they immediately taste of burnt and/or shoot liquid in your mouth (and yes, I know how to prime my coils and how not to flood them). For those coils that do work, their longevity is hit or miss. Some coils last for a week, some last for a single day, and that is using the exact same juice, vaping in the exact same way. Additionally, the tank and coils are made in such a way that half the time you open the tank, the coil stays attached to the lid instead of staying attached to the tank. This means you have to empty your entire tank in order to clean the area where you screw the coil to the tank. Still in regards to design, merely unscrewing the lid generates a pressure issue that makes the coil flood with liquid. Your only option at this point is to empty the tank, remove the coil and blow air down its chimney, which will make the liquid buildup squirt through the airflow holes. 2/10, would not buy again.

  • Robert

    September 20, 2018 at 12:13 pm

    I’m new to vaping and I got swindled into buying a prince stick, the best bang for my budget, the guy said. The tank dripped on me profusely, had it four days, went back to the shop for the guy to tweak it and say all was fine. Lost a few tank fulls of e-liquid, return that setup and ordered the Nautilus X, for the sole purpose of it not leaking. Since I’m a smoker the mouth to lung hits are perfect, though those vapers doing trick look interesting. Thanks for the review.