First mech advice

[Ronslows10]

Hi guys. I've been lurking for a bit and was hoping for some advice for a first time budget friendly mech and rba. Something portable I could throw a kayfun or aspire on when I'm on the go would be nice. Right now I have a couple of Panasonic ncr18650b batteries. Would I be able to use these for a bit or should I grab a couple of sonys.?
Thanks in advance for your input.

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[PhatRon]

The most common battery that I recommend to people purchasing a mech would be some of the Sony VTC4s or VTC5s. They provide you with room to grow if you want to eventually venture into the world of sub-ohming and work well even if you aren't sub-ohming.

The Stingrays are all the rage now but I still love my Nemesis Clone that I got for around $30 and a Kayfun looks very good on top of one and I also use an IGO-W with one of the airholes drilled out because my Trident clone's positive terminal post broke on me and it produces great flavor and vapor. They can be had at most vendor websites in the states for around $10-$15.

I'm sure you will get plenty of other suggestions but that's just what works for me.

Also make sure to get a good charger (I use a Nitecore i2) and something to test the resistance of your builds and check for shorts if you don't already have an ohm meter or multimeter so you can be safe!

Edit: Check out Driving down the cost of vaping! - 101 Vape for something that catches your eye. They have very competitive prices and the shipping is very fast. (BTW I am in no way affiliated with them, just speaking from experience.)

 

[Ronslows10]

I have a nitecore 4 so I'm set there. So many good looking things out there. Thanks for the link gonna go window shopping see if I can narrow down.

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[nismoguys14]

The Ehpro nzonic v3 is one of my favorite peaces and not bad for a start my first dropper is the igo w4 good combo for little money . Ehpro kayfun lite plus v2 is a great tank stay away from aga t4 it's a waste of money.

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[StrafeMalone]

I got a Caravela Clone in 18350 (plan on getting a 18650 tube at some point in the near future). The biggest reason I got the Caravela was due to aesthetics, as I like the Stainless Steel and Gold look, I also like the Ship engraving on it as well. The best thing I can tell you is to look around and find one you like the look of, then read the reviews on it. If you want versatility on batteries you can use try to find one that either telescopes (like the K100) or has tube extensions or multiple tubes.

EDIT: Just noticed that you were also asking about RBAs. I don't know much about RBAs but, the SmokTech Caterpillar is a very nice RDA that cost around $11 to $25 and has adjustable air flow. I have used many different RDAs that my friends have owned and fell in love with the Caterpillar. Beats the Nimbus with out modifications hands down in my opinion.

 

[dripperu]

@StrafeMalone> +1

I got Caravela clone too. Is very nice mech mod, 22 mm diameter, SS + brass. I have both tubes, 18350 and 18650, but be carreful because the v2 batt does not fit. In this case, is better the telescopic mech mod, like Astro.
Another mech mod that i have is Chi You clone, brass. Very good mod, but massive and heavy - caravela is very light.

If i am forced to choose one of them, Astro is the winner

 

[Baditude]

Right now I have a couple of Panasonic ncr18650b batteries. Would I be able to use these for a bit or should I grab a couple of sonys.?

I won't give advice on a mechanical mod, but I will offer advice on those batteries.

The Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mah batteries are not really suited for any mod unless you will be using factory-built coils (clearomizers or cartotanks) only. These are hybrid batteries with their chemistry strongly weighted to the ICR end of the spectrum. They are a low drain battery, not a high drain battery which you will need for an RBA. They only have a 6.8 amp continuous discharge rating.

I'll recommend that you get the above recommended Sony VTC4s or VTC5s batteries which are high drain, with good mah capacity, and 30 amps continuous discharge rate.

 

[tj99959]

^^ +1
Expensive mechanical mod + low drain batteries = lousy vape.
Cheap mechanical mod + high drain batteries = great vape.

 

[Ronslows10]

Thanks for the info. I did mean to say rda as I'm already fooling with kayfun.

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[Asbestos4004]

Nemesis or Stingrays are great. Hate the nzonic...massive voltage drop, silly switch design....huge. I'm liking my Panzer .... for a dripper, the stillare is very nice. Listen to the advice on decent batteries.

 

[Ronslows10]

How long does a vtc5 last with moderate vaping?

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[Despraci]

I too would recommend a Nemesis, I just ordered one myself. If you go clone, make sure it's at least a decent quality clone (HCigar or Ehpro). I ended up with an Atomo v1 clone recently and I love it, so much so I am planning on getting an authentic, but it does have some voltage drop I want to try and work out on the contact pins, but even if I can't I love the short throw recessed button. If I had to do it again I would just save the money I spent on the clone and get the authentic Atomo v2 with the lock ring so it's more pocket friendly.

And of course... Sony VTC's, AW or efest 2500 IMR batteries like everybody else has been recommending.

 

[Despraci]

How long does a vtc5 last with moderate vaping?

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I use them for about 4-5 hours with a 1 ohm build before I switch them out. Lower ohms you will switch them out more often.

 

[Gutter573]

I'd have to agree that getting a set of high drain sony's should be high on the list of priorities for safety reasons first and second they last a decent amount of time at moderate vape (I can squeeze almost 2 days out of one vtc4, as long as they aren't my days off )

as for a mod my first mech was a private v2 clone from fasttech for like 19 bucks, and I gotta say it still is the most hassle free mech I own (my others are a origin, a nemesis, and a raijin). It was literally twist out the two tubes to 18650, remove switch, chuck charged battery in, screw switch back in, and tighten everything down. That was it, no messing with the switch and derlin spacer (looking at you origin), kick tubes, no little kick beauty ring to forget about, none of it. That being said I still like my nemesis most of all.

Have fun, try before you buy if you can, and vape safe! Oh yea, and welcome to your new addiction if you make the step into mechs and rba

 

[ScottiePumalate]

Gold v3 flip on it's way to me!!!


RJmod CATs and MVP 2.0

 

[yzar78]

in my OPINION only i think you need a device like maraxus or 4nine or any device have side switch, the reason is you won't need to lock it when you on computer or in your car as its not like the other devices that will be fired if you don't lock them, i have 5 mech mods and i love the maraxus just because i don't have to lock the switch as its recisset
its not the best with voltage drop but as the first one you won't even feel different also you can buy the clone of em and they are so cheap to start with

 

[Tinkiegrrl]

I love my Stingray clone. Very tiny in 18350 mode, and comes with the extensions to go all the way up to 18650. I got the black copper version, which has low voltage drop as well, and I have AW IMR batteries to go in it. I also got myself a Kick from Evolv for now, as I keep learning. Eventually, maybe just one time, I want to try a low ohm, dual coil set up on it. Not too low. Maybe .8 ohms. I have a Nimbus clone that has been collecting dust as it's a bit airy for my taste with only a single coil in it. I just want to see how it would be with a dual coil, just one time.

 

[seahawkin]

I would go with the Magnito, it is inexpensive and really well built. I was surprised how much I like it and for starting out... You got the battery advice and some nice choices here.

 

[job131]

First, I would say to get the Sonys asap if you plan on moving to mechs.
I have different clone versions of Nemesis and Stingrays which are both good. As far as RBAs go, I like the Hcigar kayfun 3.1 clone.
I reviewed and compared a bunch of mechs and rdas on my Youtube channel: Job131 Vapes
Take a look.
Hope this helps.