Is a 'MOD' Device Really Cheaper In The Long Run?

Status
Not open for further replies.

breakfastchef

Moved On
Feb 12, 2009
2,225
8
On several occasions, I, and other forum members, have stated that we believe the total cost of ownership of these new devices being called 'mods' is lower than an average e-cig starter kit. A mod would be a device like the Screwdriver, Prodigy, and GG, to name a few. Most often it is stated how much cheaper an RCR123a or CR2 battery is over the replacement cost of a typical screw-in battery as a cost-savings example. I was pretty much on board with this concept until this evening. The one area we often forget to count in the total cost of ownership calculation is the cost of e-liquid.

The calculations are an attempt to represent an average number of supplies needed to vape for one year plus the initial cost of a device. It does not consider that many users buy extra batteries based on the amount of vaping they do each day. Nor do the numbers reflect personal preferences like throat hit, vapor production, durability, or aesthetics. Because high-voltage vaping (HVV) devices vape through more e-liquid than a standard voltage device, I did increase the milliliters of juice needed to run a Prodigy per day over a typical DSE901.

Below is a quick MS Excel calculation comparing the first year cost of a standard DSE901 Starter Kit and the Prodigy. I randomly chose the Prodigy because it ships as a complete vaping kit. The cost difference looks to be rather substantial and in favor of the DSE901 strictly when considering cost.

Total Cost Of Ownership Calculation
CostOfOwnership.jpg


I encourage your comments and discussion on the Total Cost of Ownership Worksheet. Please point out mistakes in my calculations, correct any incorrect assumptions, or recommend other factors I may have missed. For now, I will promote those features of ‘mod’ devices that I feel are superior to the many standard e-cig models, but cannot any longer claim that they will be cheaper to operate, at least during the first year of use.
 

Attachments

  • CostOfOwnership.jpg
    CostOfOwnership.jpg
    20.8 KB · Views: 14

CaSHMeRe

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Jun 12, 2008
7,938
214
USA
Awww... I feel special you decided to put the Prodigy up against a 901 :) Blushing !!! lol

The only thing I am not so hott on ... 7ml PER DAY ?!?!?! Holy heck ... I thought I was a crazy user at about 4-5ml per day (never known a person to use more than me, other than perhaps SMILIN)

I would put the average juice consumption for the Prodigy somewhere in the realm of 3 - 3.5ml per day ... and the average 901 juice consumption around 2 - 2.5ml ...
 

breakfastchef

Moved On
Feb 12, 2009
2,225
8
CaSH: I was in no way calling out the Prodigy. It looks to be a fine device. I merely wanted to test a hypothesis. Thanks for your estimate of juice consumption. Your figures would bring the costs closer.

Awww... I feel special you decided to put the Prodigy up against a 901 :) Blushing !!! lol

The only thing I am not so hott on ... 7ml PER DAY ?!?!?! Holy heck ... I thought I was a crazy user at about 4-5ml per day (never known a person to use more than me, other than perhaps SMILIN)

I would put the average juice consumption for the Prodigy somewhere in the realm of 3 - 3.5ml per day ... and the average 901 juice consumption around 2 - 2.5ml ...
 

sMuCk_fOg

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Feb 19, 2009
377
1
Lakewood,California - u$a
and you actually keep track of money spent? haha
I've only been vaping for a few months ,
and I've topped the $4,000 mark for sure...batts,attys,juices ,chargers,carts,filler material,mods,mods,and more mods.

I don't care how many FRN's I have to spend ...
as long as I have no more use for an analog cancer stick.;)
 

breakfastchef

Moved On
Feb 12, 2009
2,225
8
When making assumptions and looking at what is average is difficult to do well without a lot of unavailable data. One assupmtion was that an average vaper might go to one of our supplier websites and buy a single atomizer and it would cost around $10. Wheter or not the ml/day of juice is accurate by ml/day on average, what is accurate is that consumption of juice is higher on a high-voltage device as pointed out below by cddz and from my personal experience.

7ml a day WTF are you doing with it???
$10 for a atomizer I pay $30 for 5 801 and 35 for 5 901 at TW
 

hobson

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Mar 28, 2009
114
11
Houston
Don't forget to add:
USB passthrough -- for when the batteries just don't put out -- 12.00
Kensington Power Pack - see above 40.00 (on sale)
A second model with all the fixings for those days when the 901 wants a day off and won't work for nuttin' -- 100.00

For those who are on the fence.... save yourself some money and buy the MOD model!!! I got to try a Prodigy last weekend and OMG! It was very sad when I had to give it back.
 

Zaxx

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Mar 4, 2009
246
1
Ohio
I'd say you're pretty close...

I've finally found juice flavors that I can use all day, so I buy in larger quantities.

Last order was around .18 / ml ($163 for 900ml). So there are ways to cut down the juice cost.

I was burning around 5 mils of fluid per day with my VX2/510. I'm around 6 mls now with my Prodigy.

I didn't switch to the big batt devices for a cost savings alone, but for more consistent performance.
 

CaSHMeRe

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Jun 12, 2008
7,938
214
USA
CaSH: I was in no way calling out the Prodigy. It looks to be a fine device. I merely wanted to test a hypothesis. Thanks for your estimate of juice consumption. Your figures would bring the costs closer.

haha ... I know BFC ... I do feel honored though :D

I was burning around 5 mils of fluid per day with my VX2/510. I'm around 6 mls now with my Prodigy.

8-o :shock:

you got me beat Zaxx !!! wonder what SMILIN is at these days? :confused:
 

Stormynights

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 31, 2009
3,232
200
Bristow, Ok.
When making assumptions and looking at what is average is difficult to do well without a lot of unavailable data. One assupmtion was that an average vaper might go to one of our supplier websites and buy a single atomizer and it would cost around $10. Wheter or not the ml/day of juice is accurate by ml/day on average, what is accurate is that consumption of juice is higher on a high-voltage device as pointed out below by cddz and from my personal experience.

You are so funny. How long did it take you to figure this all out? Whatever it takes for me to not smoke is priceless. :) If I ever sat down and figured out how much I spent I would probably want to go hang myself.
 
Last edited:

cddz

Supplier's Manufacturer - Offline
ECF Veteran
May 14, 2009
1,761
97
Newark, Ohio
Don't forget to add:
USB passthrough -- for when the batteries just don't put out -- 12.00
Kensington Power Pack - see above 40.00 (on sale)
A second model with all the fixings for those days when the 901 wants a day off and won't work for nuttin' -- 100.00

For those who are on the fence.... save yourself some money and buy the MOD model!!! I got to try a Prodigy last weekend and OMG! It was very sad when I had to give it back.

As far as passthroughs go, Ive never had one that did not short out in less than two weeks, heh with over 12 hours of battery life i don't need it. Pure Smokers passthroughs look like they would last a long long time with that 20ga wire though.
 

cddz

Supplier's Manufacturer - Offline
ECF Veteran
May 14, 2009
1,761
97
Newark, Ohio
I use the same amount of juice either way so I think your calculations are off on the juice. And you forgot to factor in the cost of anti-depressants using the 901 due to all the frustrations with stuck switches and inconsistent vapor and throat hit.
I think it has a lot to do with drip/no drip aswell.
 

Zaxx

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Mar 4, 2009
246
1
Ohio
I think it has a lot to do with drip/no drip aswell.

I've actually save fluid dripping. I was losing a lot in the carts (1/2 doesn't "wick"). I would load a ml into an 801, and still have to top off.

I should also add, that batteries were my biggest cost. I've only lost 1 atty since March, but have had to buy around 8 batteries a month.
 

dedmonwakin

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Apr 16, 2009
584
7
Destin,FL.
I can believe the 7ml a day running at 6v. But not at 3.7volts....but this again will vary depending on how you vape.

I know that I burn through liquid running at 6v. All though I don't typically keep an average of how much I use. I do know that I refill a 3 dram bottle twice on most occasions when running at 6v versus only using one 3 dram bottle of liquid at best when vaping at 3.7v on most occasions.

Interesting though.....but what if you incorporate those of us who cut 30-60ml 48/36mg bottles of eliquid, amplifying our total savings? It's common for many that run at 6v to want to cut their eliquid, since the throat hit is now intensified by heat......hmmm?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread