Yes there is a big difference. But the blowout plug was iteration #1 and it didn't stand up to subsequent examination and test. Forgetting about the Buzz for a moment, and looking at any/all (other) mods:
- On some mods the plug might be fixed too hard, with stainless threads for example, and there may be a possibility the atomizer might blow off first.
- There is an issue with cells swelling up that was pointed out to me. When a cell fails it tends to swell, and this could block the tube. Two swollen cells is something that cannot be overlooked. It could lead to a situation where the pressure is much higher at the top of the tube. This may be what happened in one or two recent blowups.
- When a blowout plug has been employed, and has worked successfully, there was always damage to the user (2 reports). The reaction vector caused the mod to punch into the user's face with a fast, sharp shock, which caused damage. This included a cut tongue / face / broken teeth. If the mod was pointed at the eyes when this happened then an eye would certainly be lost.
- On CPF there are pictures of the damage done by an endcap blowing off a flashlight when a blowup occurred. It hit an oak door and caused visible damage. If a child had been in the way it's likely that injury would have occurred.
Admittedly a flashlight is not a PV and the issues are different, nevertheless a blowout plug is not the ideal solution to this issue. Slots fix every aspect of the problem because they provide a gas vent facility at all points in the tube (top, middle and bottom), and above all they cannot fail. They can't be short-cutted or corner-cut to save costs (as some vendors will always do) - you can look at them and see them, they can't have hidden shortcuts.
As I'm sure you understand, the implications of the current situation are massive for the electronic cigarette world, and something has to be done that is absolutely and without fail going to solve the problem - saving injury and stopping the media reports. Half-measures are no good because by the time the usual corners have been cut, the safety margin has been eroded yet again and it doesn't work.
Look, everybody hates ECF because of [insert here]. Three years later everybody is saying "The situation in [insert here] is far better now than it was, luckily", and they forgot it was ECF who 'forced' it on the community. We don't care as long as it gets fixed.
