Morning Pals and Gals,
So I got my first tube mech mod, the THC Tauren. Let me just say right off the bat that this review is more concerned with some of the things (mostly ONE of the things) that really annoyed me in the reviews because I can imagine that some people who are new to either mech mods or tube mods might be dissuaded.
By no means am I a professional reviewer and there are umpteen dozen review channels that throw A LOT of flair in their videos that will be more appealing - consider this that supplementary/addendum footnote similar to fine print on a contract.
UNBOXING
Like you may or may not have seen, the mod itself came packaged in:
Felt drawstring bag with a plastic tag, the tag itself has two stickers (at least on mine, not sure with unicolour variants) which indicate the colour you purchased, and:
Aluminimum tube with threaded ends, and manufacturer markings on said tube.
After you open up the package (probably go the thicker, top end first) you get:
Keyring
Warranty card
Mod - inside is a 18650 adaptor tube, black plastic with silver coated contacts.
The mod itself is in a vacuum-packed bag, pretty decent too. The keychain is going on my bike key for le bling
USE
Honestly there are reviewers who have done the measurements, and opened up the button system showing a clutch-esque type mechanism which is similar to the SUB-ZERO. Probably one of the things that annoyed me with the reviews was that they accentuated the "rattle" which is caused by the ball bearing in the button mechanism which I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) is necessary to allow the mechanism to work as designed but also as the ball bearing is what is making contact and connecting the circuit kind of has to be loose (therein the rattle occurs). As far as the reality of this rattle, I'm really not sure how other people use their mods, but from the action of picking it up from wherever it's located, then taking a hit, then putting it back - the rattle doesn't occur. I'm not kidding I kept myself in a silent room and spent a good 30mins TRYING to make this thing rattle under what I believed from normal conditions (pulling out of pockets, off a bench, off the couch....and on and on, and it only rattled if I picked the mod up and vigorously shook it. If it's still a con for people - so be it, but I'd like to just make that point REALLY clear for people especially if all they have is a review.
The other thing which I didn't REALLY like in the reviews I saw was a description of the firing button and the throw length. In the reviews it's described as a short throw, to put it into a context I understand it's a bit like this:
I couldn't fire the button consistently, comfortably or properly by using the knuckle joint on my pinkie finger - didn't have the natural strength (without actively trying to push it with said knuckle) to fire off and when I did, the distance I could depress the button wasn't enough to fire it. So you DO need to use a proper finger push - mostly for the distance needed to depress the button but if you do use said finger - it's very easy, for myself it's that happy medium where it doesn't just "happen" but not so stiff that you need to start applying more pressure than is possible in your finger.
PERFORMANCE
I've just gotten this mod, when I saw it I loved the simplicity of the button mechanism and it was a size that I can have without looking ostentatious. The only other mechanical mod that I've tried has been the Pulse squonk. This thing is WAAAAAY more powerful than that, I'm already in love with it. I paired it with the Drop RDA, Alien Fused Claptons coming in at 0.12ohm and a custom drip-tip from District F5VE, but I need to change out the juice I'm using - it's my own concoction and it's mulled the flavour a bit given how hard it hits (just a side note). All in all I would say this thing is (as far as build quality and presentation) a steal given the price and if you're looking for a quality built mechanical mod this is well worth your attention and consideration.
So I got my first tube mech mod, the THC Tauren. Let me just say right off the bat that this review is more concerned with some of the things (mostly ONE of the things) that really annoyed me in the reviews because I can imagine that some people who are new to either mech mods or tube mods might be dissuaded.
By no means am I a professional reviewer and there are umpteen dozen review channels that throw A LOT of flair in their videos that will be more appealing - consider this that supplementary/addendum footnote similar to fine print on a contract.
UNBOXING
Like you may or may not have seen, the mod itself came packaged in:
Felt drawstring bag with a plastic tag, the tag itself has two stickers (at least on mine, not sure with unicolour variants) which indicate the colour you purchased, and:
Aluminimum tube with threaded ends, and manufacturer markings on said tube.
After you open up the package (probably go the thicker, top end first) you get:
Keyring
Warranty card
Mod - inside is a 18650 adaptor tube, black plastic with silver coated contacts.
The mod itself is in a vacuum-packed bag, pretty decent too. The keychain is going on my bike key for le bling
USE
Honestly there are reviewers who have done the measurements, and opened up the button system showing a clutch-esque type mechanism which is similar to the SUB-ZERO. Probably one of the things that annoyed me with the reviews was that they accentuated the "rattle" which is caused by the ball bearing in the button mechanism which I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) is necessary to allow the mechanism to work as designed but also as the ball bearing is what is making contact and connecting the circuit kind of has to be loose (therein the rattle occurs). As far as the reality of this rattle, I'm really not sure how other people use their mods, but from the action of picking it up from wherever it's located, then taking a hit, then putting it back - the rattle doesn't occur. I'm not kidding I kept myself in a silent room and spent a good 30mins TRYING to make this thing rattle under what I believed from normal conditions (pulling out of pockets, off a bench, off the couch....and on and on, and it only rattled if I picked the mod up and vigorously shook it. If it's still a con for people - so be it, but I'd like to just make that point REALLY clear for people especially if all they have is a review.
The other thing which I didn't REALLY like in the reviews I saw was a description of the firing button and the throw length. In the reviews it's described as a short throw, to put it into a context I understand it's a bit like this:
I couldn't fire the button consistently, comfortably or properly by using the knuckle joint on my pinkie finger - didn't have the natural strength (without actively trying to push it with said knuckle) to fire off and when I did, the distance I could depress the button wasn't enough to fire it. So you DO need to use a proper finger push - mostly for the distance needed to depress the button but if you do use said finger - it's very easy, for myself it's that happy medium where it doesn't just "happen" but not so stiff that you need to start applying more pressure than is possible in your finger.
PERFORMANCE
I've just gotten this mod, when I saw it I loved the simplicity of the button mechanism and it was a size that I can have without looking ostentatious. The only other mechanical mod that I've tried has been the Pulse squonk. This thing is WAAAAAY more powerful than that, I'm already in love with it. I paired it with the Drop RDA, Alien Fused Claptons coming in at 0.12ohm and a custom drip-tip from District F5VE, but I need to change out the juice I'm using - it's my own concoction and it's mulled the flavour a bit given how hard it hits (just a side note). All in all I would say this thing is (as far as build quality and presentation) a steal given the price and if you're looking for a quality built mechanical mod this is well worth your attention and consideration.
