Mod/mechanical mod difference?

[aedouglas]

Hi everyone!

My name is Ashley and I'm new to ECF. I am a student researching e-cigs. As a non-vaper myself, I have a lot to learn! I am currently working on my thesis survey, and need your help on some definitions. Obviously, I want the definitions to be as clear as possible to avoid confusion and erroneous responses.

Here are some definitions I'm working on:
mod - a device that has been modified from a standard cigarette-shaped style of e-cig with the aim of producing more consistent battery power and/or wattage

Mechanical mod - a device where the battery connects directly to the atomizer with no connecting wires

I am having trouble understanding the difference between the two. Can someone explain? Any suggestions on how to make these definitions clearer is greatly appreciated!

 

[Shawn Hoefer]

Mod is the broad definition, and can cover all manner of devices. You're partially right in the derivation of the name... mod is short for modified, but it started when vapers modified flashlights.

Under the umbrella of mod, there can be found:
Regulated mods - these use internal circuitry to allow the user to adjust the power, read the resistance, and protect the user from improperly installed batteries, short circuits, etc. An example of this would be the VooPoo Argus GT (top of mind as I just received this in the mail this morning ;-) )

Unregulated mods - these have similar protections to the regulated mods, but do not offer any adjustments. An example of this would be the Tesla Invader II (that's an old one, but the first one that came to mind).

Mechanical Mods - no circuitry at all... just a direct connection to the atomizer, and a button... often spring loaded or fitted with magnets. These can be single cell, parallel cell, series cell.. A fine example of a single cell device would be the Vaperz Cloud 11:11, but there are a lot of variations...

There's a new crop of mods popping up, too...
Pod mods (typically, these are unregulated and have a small internal battery and use prefilled pods... but there are some that have refillable pods... I do not use these at all). Examples might include the Juul.

Disposable... kinda the same as pod mods, but as the name suggests, they get tossed when either the included cartridge or the internal battery is depleted (don't use these either). I think the Puffbars are disposable, if an example is needed, here.

AIO mods are all-in-one. They have a smaller form factor than a typical regulated mod, and can be either regulated or unregulated, and can use pods or rebuildable atomizers. Examples here would include the Billet Box (regulated), the new Vandy Vape Kylin M AIO (regulated), and the DotAIO (unregulated).

I'm probably missing a category or two... but all of these are mods... does that help?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Topwater Elvis]

Now days the term ' mod ' is a misnomer.
It is a worn out completely inaccurate term leftover from a time when vapers that wanted 'more' from what vaping devices were available at the time had to modify what they had to achieve the type of vape they wanted.
It has nothing to do with shape or size.

Mod is a nonspecific descriptor for the device that provides power to the atomizer, carto, tank, pod ~ whatever.

 

[PeterKay]

Hi everyone!

My name is Ashley and I'm new to ECF. I am a student researching e-cigs. As a non-vaper myself, I have a lot to learn! I am currently working on my thesis survey, and need your help on some definitions. Obviously, I want the definitions to be as clear as possible to avoid confusion and erroneous responses.

Here are some definitions I'm working on:
Mod - a device that has been modified from a standard cigarette-shaped style of e-cig with the aim of producing more consistent battery power and/or wattage

Mechanical mod - a device where the battery connects directly to the atomizer with no connecting wires

I am having trouble understanding the difference between the two. Can someone explain? Any suggestions on how to make these definitions clearer is greatly appreciated!

Hi Ashley, it's Peter. Like Shawn Hoefer said, mod is a broader term, and mechanical mods are basically a sub-cathegory of mods, so there's no difference between the two- mechanical mods are a type of mods in simple words. Out of interest, what kind of research are you doing on e-cigs?

 

[zoiDman]

Hi everyone!

My name is Ashley and I'm new to ECF. I am a student researching e-cigs. As a non-vaper myself, I have a lot to learn! I am currently working on my thesis survey, and need your help on some definitions. Obviously, I want the definitions to be as clear as possible to avoid confusion and erroneous responses.

Here are some definitions I'm working on:
Mod - a device that has been modified from a standard cigarette-shaped style of e-cig with the aim of producing more consistent battery power and/or wattage

Mechanical mod - a device where the battery connects directly to the atomizer with no connecting wires

I am having trouble understanding the difference between the two. Can someone explain? Any suggestions on how to make these definitions clearer is greatly appreciated!

Hi Ashley. Welcome to the ECF.

"Mod" is a Slang Term. Back in the day, it was an Abbreviation used to refer to something that had been Modified.

So if someone took an Atomizer and drilled the Air Flow holes so they were Bigger allowing more air to flow to the Coil, we would call that a "Mod".

Or if someone removed the Wicking Material from a OEM's Atomizer and replaced it with a Better type of Wicking Material, that to we would call a Mod also. And the person who came up with the Idea would Name it and they would get the Credit for the idea here on the ECF.

The same thing went for if someone took a bunch of parts and built their own Vaping Device.

You have to remember that in the Beginning (2009 ~ 2012) OEM e-Cigarettes were pretty primitive. And many people "Modded" them to make them work Better.

Along the way, the word "Mod" started to be attached to OEM Devices that held a Battery and supplied power to the Atomizer. The term stuck and Today, just about any device that supplies power to an Atomizer is called a Mod for short.

A Mech Mod, or more precisely Mechanical Mod, is a special type of device. A Sub-Set of devices that has No Electronics in it to Modify the amount of Voltage that is supplied to an atomizer. Or provide any other functions. The Atomizer may be be attached directly to the Battery (a "Hybred Mech Mod"). But in Most cases, the Atomizer is attached to a thread Connector and the Connector is what is connected to the Battery.

Example:

The Key Distinction of a Mech Mod is it has No Electronics in it that Alter/Modify the Batteries Voltage Output. Or provide any Electronic Protections such as Atomizer Ohm (resistance) Limits or Battery Low warnings. Whereas when most people refer to a "Mod" in general, they are referring to a Device that contains an Electronic Board inside either Alters the Batteries Voltage. Or provides some degree of Safety Protections. Or Both.

The e-Cigarette community is Riddled with Slang, Acronyms and Abbreviations. Which to someone who is Not Involved, can make understanding things Confusing.

Below is perhaps not a Definitive guide to e-Cigarette terms. And some of the terms are a Tad Dated. But it is a decent overview of many of the Terms we use and their respective meanings.

What You Need To Know About Different Types of Vape Mods

Vaping Glossary

 

[aedouglas]

Hi Ashley, it's Peter. Like Shawn Hoefer said, mod is a broader term, and mechanical mods are basically a sub-cathegory of mods, so there's no difference between the two- mechanical mods are a type of mods in simple words. Out of interest, what kind of research are you doing on e-cigs?

Thanks for your reply, Peter! I am interested in the device characteristics and user behaviors of users with minimal history of cigarette smoking.

 

[Topwater Elvis]

There won't be any correlation between the type or charecterisitics of the device used and the users history of cigarette smoking.

The whole point of all the different options in vaping is so that the user can find what works best for them.

Completely an individual preference.
There is no way to accurately pin down why each individual uses what they do and why.

There are far too many variables in vaping to extraploate who uses what devices, who uses MTL vs DTL, at what power levels, who does or doesn't have a history of smoking, how much did they smoke & for how long, who uses 0nic & who uses 50mg/ml nic, who uses 50/50 or 70/30 or... the examples go on & on & on.

 

[Katya]

I am a student researching e-cigs.

I am interested in the device characteristics and user behaviors of users with minimal history of cigarette smoking.

Hi Ashley and welcome. May I ask what university you're affiliated with? And why are you interested in "users with minimal history of cigarette smoking"?

I've been a member of this forum for over a decade and I can assure you that most members are long-time (and now happily former) smokers.

 

[Shawn Hoefer]

Hi Ashley and welcome. May I ask what university you're affiliated with? And why are you interested in "users with minimal history of cigarette smoking"?

I've been a member of this forum for over a decade and I can assure you that most members are long-time (and now happily former) smokers.

Was thinking the same thing...

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Redbird11]

I always thought the difference between mech mods and regulated is that one can blow up in your face and make you look like a Batman villain. And the other is a regulated mod.

 

[Shawn Hoefer]

I always thought the difference between mech mods and regulated is that one can blow up in your face and make you look like a Batman villain. And the other is a regulated mod.

There have been multiple cases of regulated (or protected, unregulated) mods blowing up. Of course, those only created Spiderman villains, so...

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Redbird11]

There have been multiple cases of regulated (or protected, unregulated) mods blowing up. Of course, those only created Spiderman villains, so...

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

So basically Regulated vs Mech mods comes down to Marvel vs DC!

 

[PeterKay]

Thanks for your reply, Peter! I am interested in the device characteristics and user behaviors of users with minimal history of cigarette smoking.

Hi again, it's going to be a tough one for you. From my experience it's very rare for people who never smoked or smoked for a very short time to start using e-cigarettes, I personally know only 1 guy I currently work with who never smoked but started vaping, at first low nicotine and now vapes 0 nicotine juices. He uses a similar setup to the one I currently use: high power regulated mod with a large rebuildable tank (RTA) at a moderate power setting (90W). I smoked between the age of 19-23, then had a 5 year break and started smoking again at 28, followed by quitting 3.5 months ago (I'm 33 now). My daily average cigarette consumption was approx 20-25 strong cigarettes. That guy is 30, and started vaping 2 years ago, so we both use similar devices, similar age, but have sompletely different history related to smoking tobacco.
People who join similar forums to this one are most often:
a) Current long-term smokers who just started vaping and are looking for an advice on how to completely quit cigarettes
b) Long-term ex-smokers who at some point made the complete transition to vaping and became enthusiasts (I'd say majority here)
c) Long-term "dual users" who simultaneously vape and smoke

If you are looking for the answer to the question whether pod mods cause short-term or non-smokers to start vaping then I'm afraid you'll find very little data here to support your study.

 

[aedouglas]

Hi Ashley and welcome. May I ask what university you're affiliated with? And why are you interested in "users with minimal history of cigarette smoking"?

I've been a member of this forum for over a decade and I can assure you that most members are long-time (and now happily former) smokers.

West Virginia University. Most research on e-cigs is done on former smokers because, as you mentioned, a large portion of users have some sort of smoking history. We're just trying to broaden the scope of e-cig research.

 

[aedouglas]

Hi again, it's going to be a tough one for you. From my experience it's very rare for people who never smoked or smoked for a very short time to start using e-cigarettes, I personally know only 1 guy I currently work with who never smoked but started vaping, at first low nicotine and now vapes 0 nicotine juices. He uses a similar setup to the one I currently use: high power regulated mod with a large rebuildable tank (RTA) at a moderate power setting (90W). I smoked between the age of 19-23, then had a 5 year break and started smoking again at 28, followed by quitting 3.5 months ago (I'm 33 now). My daily average cigarette consumption was approx 20-25 strong cigarettes. That guy is 30, and started vaping 2 years ago, so we both use similar devices, similar age, but have sompletely different history related to smoking tobacco.
People who join similar forums to this one are most often:
a) Current long-term smokers who just started vaping and are looking for an advice on how to completely quit cigarettes
b) Long-term ex-smokers who at some point made the complete transition to vaping and became enthusiasts (I'd say majority here)
c) Long-term "dual users" who simultaneously vape and smoke

If you are looking for the answer to the question whether pod mods cause short-term or non-smokers to start vaping then I'm afraid you'll find very little data here to support your study.

I had a feeling that most people who use these types of forums were from one of the three groups you mentioned. No doubt it's going to be hard to recruit users for my study. Even if there's no one here that fits my desired population, I think I'll stick around for a while. The responses I've gotten are phenomenal. It would've taken me hours to get this much detail from googling.

 

[zoiDman]

... The responses I've gotten are phenomenal. It would've taken me hours to get this much detail from googling.

And that is why So Many who come to the ECF are able to Quit Smoking.

Because e-Cigarettes supplant the Habitualised hand-to-mouth need that smokers have, Nicotine is provided in an Orders of Magnitude less harmful way, and they can receive Help and Support from altruistic ECF members.

And then some who Quit stick around to Help others after them.

Of course, the US e-Cigarette Market and the Future gains in Tobacco Harm Reduction is going to Crash in September. And an era of Hope for many Smokers who can Not Quit by others means is going to come to an end. So I am glad you were able to at least see a small portion of How the ECF works before that happened.

 

[BrotherBob]

It would've taken me hours to get this much detail from googling.

Welcome and glad you joined.
For general questions, might want to try the search function in upper right hand corner of this post.

 

[somdcomputerguy]

Hi everyone!

Welcome to ECF, Ashley. Keep coming back, it keeps getting better.

 

[aedouglas]

Welcome and glad you joined.
For general questions, might want to try the search function in upper right hand corner of this post.

Thank you! Still trying to figure out the website haha.

 

[Hawise]

For general questions, might want to try the search function in upper right hand corner of this post.

Or don't - the search function isn't one of the (many) highlights of the site. You might have more luck with a site-specific Google search. Put "site:www.e-cigarette-forum.com" in front of your search term in Google and search away.

You've received a lot of information about mechs/unregulated mods and regulated mods, but I thought I'd add a comment about the difference from a user's perspective.

First, here's a note on how batteries work. A fully-charged battery of the type we use for vaping is at 4.2 volts. As we use the battery the charge drains and the voltage drops. When it gets down to around 3.2 volts, it should be recharged.

With an unregulated mod, the battery's voltage goes directly to the coil. As it drops, the coil gets less power and the vape gets cooler and weaker. Some people enjoy the variation while others find it annoying.

You might assume that the point of a regulated mod is to keep the power at a constant level. You'd only be partly right.

In a regulated mod, the energy goes from the battery to a circuit board to the coil. The circuit board adjusts the energy and spits it out in a form that the user prefers. It certainly can keep the power at a constant level - for example, you can get keep getting a 4.2 v vape while the battery drains down to 3.2 v.

It also does a lot more. The first mods were variable voltage (VV), which meant that if 4.2 v didn't suit, you could set your mod at 3.8 v or 4.6 v or 2.1 v or whatever you pleased (well, not anything. There are limits to how far the mod can adjust the power).

Current mods are generally VW, which stands for variable wattage. This just means we set the power level by wattage instead of voltage now. The point is that with a regulated mod, you can set your mod for a hotter or cooler vape as you like as well as not worrying about changing voltage as the battery discharges.

Then there's temperature control (TC)...