Hey guys!
Here's a slightly edited response I sent to a customer about this yesterday:
The main difference is on the manual batteries, you need to push a button to activate the atomizer. With automatic batteries, the atomizer is activated by your inhalation.
Based on that description, most people decide that they want automatic batteries because they don't want to push a button. Funny enough, the automatic units were first on the market and the manuals are the latest and greatest. Vapers wanted more control and durability.
Here are some of the cons with automatic batteries:
1) They are not sealed, so if liquid drips through the hole at the bottom of the atomizer, it will likely get into the hole in the battery which can kill your battery on an electronic switch auto (like the 510 and 401 models) or make the automatic switch sticky (stays on or won't turn on) in the mechanical switch PVs (like the 901 or 801 models).
2) Auto batteries are often triggered by strong winds or really loud music. This can drain the battery while not in use, or if the atomizer is connected, kill the atomizer.
3) In order to activate the auto battery a certain amount of suction is required. In order to get a good vape, you need to draw very gently, slow and steady. These 2 forces fight against each other, so you need to practice to get a really good vape with an automatic battery. Inhale gently enough to get a good vape but hard enough to activate the battery (usually to accomplish this, on an automatic, one focusses on the LED while they are vaping to ensure they continue to activate it).
4) With an automatic battery, vapour production begins a moment after you begin inhaling as it takes a moment to activate the atomizer and for the heating coil to heat up and begin creating vapour. With a manual battery, you can activate the battery a moment before inhaling so that from the instant you begin inhaling, you are inhaling vapour and not air.
5) Automatic batteries usually have a cutoff (sometimes you need to pulsate your inhale in order to keep it activated). Manual batteries remain active as long as you push the button.
Despite all the faults, I do feel that an experienced vapour can have times when they will want to use an automatic battery but generally don't need autos. I really don't recommend them to new vapers because I feel they are more trouble than they are worth and not really necessary.
In the end, it is a personal opinion and I believe vaping anything is better than smoking analogs!
All the best and Happy Vaping!
Jack
