Getting a new mod, could use some opinions on these options...

[AdamM]

Hey everyone!

TL;DR Scroll to bottom

Here's the basic info: Last week I got a nautilus Mini. I've been using it in a mechanical mod with a protected AW 18650 battery (the black and red one that I read is discontinued).

I'm hoping to get the same performance (throat hit/draw time) that I got dripping with my old 510 low resistance bridgeless atomizers (the nautilus comes very close but I'm not getting the vapour production I was previously).

I presume this is possible if I have more control over my voltage--if I am mistaken, let me know! For example, maybe I simply won't get the draw I want because the nautilus won't wick fast enough. I can, however, chain-vape with my current setup without a dry hit, so I'm thinking there is room to move. I also am aware that I could switch to an RDA and solve almost all my issues, but I don't want to get into the rebuilding territory.

Moving forward on this presumption I placed an order just this morning for an Aspire Pegasus (Product Page: Aspire - Aspire Pegasus ) (Almost entirely an aesthetic choice but also a "aspire with aspire" choice).

Because of a delay in shipping, I have 5 days to change my mind on my mod purchase and was wondering if maybe some of you could weigh in based on your personal experience or what you've seen around.

The other three options I'm interested in at the store I'm ordering from are:
Smok X Cube Mini 75W
The Vaporflask Lite Single 75W
Kanger Kbox Mini Platinum 60W

TL;DR
Keeping in mind I'm not interested in going the rebuildable route, would all of these, including the Aspire Pegasus give me more control over my Aspire Nautilus Mini so that I can get more vapour/better throat hit?

Thanks for checking this out!

 

[Baditude]

First of all, let me recommend that you stop using a protected ICR battery in any mod. They are now considered obsolete for vaping purposes.

Battery Basics for Mods: The Definative Battery Guide for Vaping

• A popular and essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

In regards to your primary question: Yes, essentually any regulated mod will give you more control to adjust to your personal vaping preferences.

Regulated mods use micro computers to regulate the electrical current from the battery to the atomizers so the vapor stays consistant to what is dialed in by the user. They allow for fine tuning the vapor to the user's personal preferance with variable voltage/wattage, as some vapers prefer a warmer vape while others prefer a cooler vape. In addition, some flavors are better at a lowr power setting while others are better at a higher power setting. This give you additional options to improve your vaping experience.

The voltage output from a regulated mod is not the battery voltage (like in a mechanical mod). It is converted using a combination of buck/boost and/or PWM (pulse width modulation), or a pulsed DC circuitry to achieve the desired wattage to fire the atomizer. At wattages requiring less than the battery voltage, the mod will either buck the voltage down or more often pulse the DC voltage on and off to get the desired wattage.

At wattages requiring higher voltage than the battery has, the boost circuitry will boost the battery output up to get the desired wattage. This boost circuitry has some energy loss, so it will use a little more watts from the battery than at a lowrer voltage output from the mod.

These processors also have built-in safety circuitry, which makes them a better choice for novice or intermediate vapers because of their safety features. They guard against short circuits, provide reverse battery protection, provide auto cutoff after 10 - 15 seconds of firing the fire button to prevent over-discharging the battery, and provide thermal protection, all designed to prevent a hard short to the battery.

Regulated mods can be tube or box shaped. There are newer models called "high wattage" regulated mods which have all the benefits of the older regular regulated mods, in addition to higher power capability to fire sub ohm coils.

Mechanical mods are bare bones tube or box battery holders, with no power regulation or variable power adjustments, and NO BUILT-IN SAFETY FEATURES. The electrical current available to the atomizer will be strictly what the voltage the battery has available at the time. Mechanicals have recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity because of rebuildable atomizers (RBA) and sub-ohm vaping. Because there is no computer to regulate the voltage, mechanical mods depend solely on the battery's charge status and the resistance (ohms) of the heating coil to change the character of the vape. Vape quality will gradually and progressively decline as the battery is drained during use.

Let's review the pro's & cons of mechanical vs. regulated electronic mods.

The Pro's & Cons of Regulated vs Mechanical Mods: ​

Regulated Pro's:

The battery power to the atomizer is controlled (or regulated) to stay the same throughout the battery charge, from a fully charged battery until fully discharged.

The power can be adjusted to increase or decrease the voltage by the user, allowing the user to change their vaping experience.

Has built-in protective circuitry against atomizer short circuits, shorts in the 510 connector, or fire button; accidentally putting the battery in backwards; over discharging
the battery; accidentally pressing the fire button too long (auto cutoff timer); and over-heating of the processor.

Has built-in battery voltage and atomizer resistance meters to check battery voltage status and the ohm rating of the coil.​

Regulated Cons:

Generally speaking, may not be as well made or as durable over time compared to a mech. Electrical components may fail over time or from physical abuse.

Unless it is a "high wattage" regulated mod, will not be able to fire a sub-ohm resistance coil.​

Mechanical Pro's:

Generally speaking, are made to be more durable and able to withstand some physical abuse. No electronic components to fail.

Mechs are able to fire sub-ohm coils because there is no protection circuitry or processor amp limits to prohibit it.

Many mechs are machined to be quite beautiful, nearly art pieces. Many are manufactured in a limited run, in limited quantities, and inscribed with the number on the mod. To see a few examples of these beautiful mechs, go to the very end of this blog.​

Why do people choose a mech over regulated?
Mechanical Cons:

No protection circuitry. This is the big one for beginners. The new user must always be aware of the signs of a short circuit, which could cause the battery to vent into thermal runaway. The mod must have ventilation holes in case you experience a venting episode and which should prevent your mod from becoming an exploding pipe bomb.

No voltage regulation of the battery. As the battery drains from use, the vape quality will diminish.

Some mechanical mods allow the use of a drop-in processor module often known as a "Kick". A Kick converts a mechanical mod into a regulated mod allowing for power regulation and some protection features.​

 

[Susan~S]

+1 to what @Baditude wrote.

Keeping in mind I'm not interested in going the rebuildable route, would all of these, including the Aspire Pegasus give me more control over my Aspire Nautilus Mini so that I can get more vapour/better throat hit?

Yes, all of them will.

And with a regulated mod there is no voltage sag. The mod *boosts* the voltage so you always get whatever you set the mod at. When I used a nautilus I ran it at between 14-17 watts.

Running the nautilus on mechanical (with a fully recharged battery) you are getting between 9.8-11 watts (depending on the Ω of the coil). And as the battery drains so does the voltage/wattage.

An additional benefit to a mod that offers temperature control -- no more dry hits -- when the mod is set up correctly. You just need to make sure you only use NI200 or titanium coils in TC mode.

 

[AdamM]

Baditude, thanks for all the information! I went straight from a crappy 510 starter kit in 2010 to the Silver Bullet, used that for a few years, and then threading went. I partly want to get a new mod so that I'm not taking any chances, as my current mod does not have vents. I've taken every other precaution I can, but it still worries me.

 

[AdamM]

+1 to what @Baditude wrote.

Yes, all of them will.

Excellent!!!!

 

[AdamM]

Excellent!!!!

I guess I can rephrase my entire post now:

Anyone have experience with both the Aspire Pegasus and the Vapeforward Lite? Are they the say thing essentially?

 

[AdamM]

New batteries LG HG2 INR18650 3000MmAh Are on the way

 

[IMFire3605]

The Pegasus is fine. Nice and asthetic in look as has more than the ample power to get you Nautilus Mini to really wake up. The Nautilus coils really wake up in the 12 to 15watt range, upper limit depending on the liquid is about 18watts with 50/50 to 60VG/40PG liquids, 70VG/30PG about 15watts is what is capable enough to keep up wicking properly. So any of those mods listed will also work just fine, just remember the Nautilus will be the restrictive point for you.

 

[viking**]

Baditude, thanks for all the information! I went straight from a crappy 510 starter kit in 2010 to the Silver Bullet, used that for a few years, and then threading went. I partly want to get a new mod so that I'm not taking any chances, as my current mod does not have vents. I've taken every other precaution I can, but it still worries me.

I have 3 mods that I recently retired because I purchased a Presa TC 75W by Wismec ,I love it,it;s got all you want in a great package,feels great in the hand,at a price you can't beat,I also have a couple of Subtanks,rebuildable,but lately I have been staying away from them also,I mostly use Protank2 with add on Airflow Control Valve,the protank is just like smoking.

 

[pokemom]

I guess I can rephrase my entire post now:

Anyone have experience with both the Aspire Pegasus and the Vapeforward Lite? Are they the say thing essentially?

I held the vape forward lite the other day and it is beautiful. Feels like a quality mod, can do TC (the mini triton coils fit the nauty mini and they come in Ni, SS, and Ti), and looks great.

I don't know about the Pegasus.

 

[Bad Ninja]

Prebuilt coil heads with cheap rubber grommet insulators paired with a mechanical mod that has no protection is a recipe for disaster.
They are not meant to be used with mechanicals.

If you use a mech, use an atty with an rba deck.

 

[crxess]

Some mechanical mods allow the use of a drop-in processor module often known as a "Kick". A Kick converts a mechanical mod into a regulated mod allowing for power regulation and some protection features.

Why is this a Con?

 

[AdamM]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the helpful input!

I'm trying to decide between the Aspire Pegasus and the Vape Forward Vapor Flask Lite. I like the looks of the Flask better, and it does seem that it would be more comfortable to hold.

I held the vape forward lite the other day and it is beautiful.

Pokemom: Did the fire button make any sounds when pushed? I read that the Pegasus is 'clicky'. If the Flask button was silent, then unless there is something about the electronics in either mod that I'm unaware of, then I'm going to change my order to the Flask.

Adam

 

[Baditude]

Why is this a Con?

It's not a con. I included the little tidbit about the Kick because I had just discussed that a mech doesn't have protection circuitry nor voltage regulation, but adding a Kick provides both to a mech.