I've recently had the pleasure to order and receive a micro mod made by a Romanian modder RaduRek. His name is Radu. Here is my short review of this mod. It is pictured below with my Hellfires, and I have used it with Steam Turbine and Storm Rider and they also look great on it.
Radu makes custom mods using the client's specifications. Therefore, I'd like first to explain what I wanted to have.
Specifications.
There were the following two objectives: 1) the mod should have external diameter to get a perfect fit to the 20mm Hellfire family and other 20mm atomizers and 2) it should be as small as possible. The first specification defines the 18.5mm internal diameter to fit the 18350 AW IMR batteries which I typically use. As a result, it is a very light mod due to the very thin tube walls.
In addition to the 18350 tube of length 44mm, I ordered an ultra-short tube for new MNKE IMR batteries of the 18240 format. With this tube and switch, the total length of the 18240 mod is 39mm.
There may be reasons why a user would want a smaller mod for certain uses or occasions and this is the smallest mod I have encountered yet. Right now as far as I know, the 4Nine by Tarsius Customs and the Red Rod were the shortest mechanical mods for now - they are 49 and 46mm, respectively. Now one can say that the micro mod by RaduRek is the shortest by far. Indeed, it easily beats both the Red Rod and 4Nine. On the minus side, its tiny size makes it easy to lose, even in your pocket - this may put some people off.
Of course, strictly speaking the shortest doesnt necessarily mean the smallest. In principle, a 14500 mod can be smaller. However, problem with 14500 mods is that they're not very practical due to they can't really handle sub-ohm setups. On the other hand, the 18240 MNKE IMR battery is a high drain 6A battery with a capacity of 600mah (for more detail related to these batteries, see Wholesale 18240- China Wholesale 18240 Electronics from China ):
Thus, the mod takes 18350 and 18240 batteries and, frankly speaking, I wouldnt have any interest in using a greater battery anyway. So far I used AW IMR batteries only and they all fit with no issues whatsoever.
Body and finish.
Built with high-grade stainless steel, the mod has brushed finish for the tubes and manages silky smooth threads with a ....ing solid construction to produce a lightweight and functional casing. All the thread pitches are 0.7mm. Note that the finish for the tubes is quite similar to that of Caravela. Any 20mm atomizer would benefit from a pairing with such an aesthetically beautiful mod. It can also be completely customized with engravings the customer provides.
Here, the 18240 mod with the HF micro mega is shown together with Caravela/Rocket and GGTS/UFS (the last one plays the role of a scale bar):
Connector.
The mod is equipped with a brass hybrid connector; inner thread is 510 (M7x0.5). Works with any 510 threaded atomizer with adjustable center pin.
Switch.
I prefer the classic design of switch - first and foremost is the simplicity. The switch that came with this mod is super simple, and easy to manage. The bottom firing button is made of a chunk of brass. The SS button housing has fine threading that locks into place with no squeaks. The button is engraved with four letters R and is probably one of the best firing buttons I have come across so far on a mech mod. It is easy to press in and isn't crunchy at all. The feel of the button is nice. It's not wobbly, loose, or tight. At the same time, the button allows one to stand up the mod without firing the atty.
In the mechanical mod world, conductivity plays a decisive role in the performance of each device. A weak point of many standard switches is the sliding contact between button housing and button rod. With that in mind, I've made some minor modifications of the switch. First, the button housing and button rod were connected by thin silver wire, as shown below. As a result, electric current now passes directly from the button contact to the button housing without losses. Second, using silver solder, I soldered a 0.5mm platinum wire to the button contact to improve contact with battery. It is well known, that the contact materials should meet strict requirements, such as resistance to corrosion to prevent the formation of an insulating layer on the contact surface and the resistance to electric erosion due to melting, evaporation, sputtering of the metal or its transfer from one contact to another resulting from electric discharges and contact spot overheating. From this viewpoint, platinum is the best material for contacts while brass (and especially steel) has many drawbacks. After the improvements described, the button fires instantly and every single time it is pressed, regardless of the manner in which it is pressed. One should be very careful with the modified switch: it's easy to discharge battery below 2.75v when vaping!
Voltage drop.
The total voltage drop in a circuit is defined by the internal battery voltage drop, atomizer resistance (load) and mod resistance. The voltage drop on the mod, resulting in a lower voltage on the atomizer, is given by U*Rm/(Rb+Ra+Rm), where U is the voltage of an unloaded battery; Rb, Ra and Rm denote the resistance of battery, atomizer and mod, respectively. Thus, we should find exactly this value to characterize the quality of a mod. But first of all it is necessary to find the internal battery voltage drop. I used fresh 18350 AW IMR batteries and the methodology similar to that described by jkuro (see Mod Voltage Test Setup ). The batteries were all charged just before testing. It was found that at a 1 ohm load, the inner battery voltage is dropped by 0.28v, in good agreement with the measurements of jkuro.
Results of voltage drop test:
Coil resistance: 1 ohm
Unloaded voltage: 4.21v
Voltage under load: 3.92v
Considering the internal battery voltage drop is 0.28v and the total voltage drop is 4.21-3.92=0.29v at the same load, it's clear that there is virtually zero voltage loss on the mod.
Concluding remarks.
Overall I am very impressed with the micro mod by RaduRek. To say I'm happy with my purchase is an understatement. Thanks Radu, you did a great job. BTW, in my opinion, the price of the mod was very fair. Also, I must say dealing with Radu was great. Fast PMs, quick and friendly response to all questions, fast shipping with tracking number. I'll certainly buy from Radu again.
You can contact Radu on the Pit ( Sign In - Vape Pit ) or on the RoVapers ( FORUMUL VAPERILOR ROMANI - Vezi subiect - Micro Atelier ).
Radu makes custom mods using the client's specifications. Therefore, I'd like first to explain what I wanted to have.
Specifications.
There were the following two objectives: 1) the mod should have external diameter to get a perfect fit to the 20mm Hellfire family and other 20mm atomizers and 2) it should be as small as possible. The first specification defines the 18.5mm internal diameter to fit the 18350 AW IMR batteries which I typically use. As a result, it is a very light mod due to the very thin tube walls.
In addition to the 18350 tube of length 44mm, I ordered an ultra-short tube for new MNKE IMR batteries of the 18240 format. With this tube and switch, the total length of the 18240 mod is 39mm.
There may be reasons why a user would want a smaller mod for certain uses or occasions and this is the smallest mod I have encountered yet. Right now as far as I know, the 4Nine by Tarsius Customs and the Red Rod were the shortest mechanical mods for now - they are 49 and 46mm, respectively. Now one can say that the micro mod by RaduRek is the shortest by far. Indeed, it easily beats both the Red Rod and 4Nine. On the minus side, its tiny size makes it easy to lose, even in your pocket - this may put some people off.
Of course, strictly speaking the shortest doesnt necessarily mean the smallest. In principle, a 14500 mod can be smaller. However, problem with 14500 mods is that they're not very practical due to they can't really handle sub-ohm setups. On the other hand, the 18240 MNKE IMR battery is a high drain 6A battery with a capacity of 600mah (for more detail related to these batteries, see Wholesale 18240- China Wholesale 18240 Electronics from China ):
Thus, the mod takes 18350 and 18240 batteries and, frankly speaking, I wouldnt have any interest in using a greater battery anyway. So far I used AW IMR batteries only and they all fit with no issues whatsoever.
Body and finish.
Built with high-grade stainless steel, the mod has brushed finish for the tubes and manages silky smooth threads with a ....ing solid construction to produce a lightweight and functional casing. All the thread pitches are 0.7mm. Note that the finish for the tubes is quite similar to that of Caravela. Any 20mm atomizer would benefit from a pairing with such an aesthetically beautiful mod. It can also be completely customized with engravings the customer provides.
Here, the 18240 mod with the HF micro mega is shown together with Caravela/Rocket and GGTS/UFS (the last one plays the role of a scale bar):
Connector.
The mod is equipped with a brass hybrid connector; inner thread is 510 (M7x0.5). Works with any 510 threaded atomizer with adjustable center pin.
Switch.
I prefer the classic design of switch - first and foremost is the simplicity. The switch that came with this mod is super simple, and easy to manage. The bottom firing button is made of a chunk of brass. The SS button housing has fine threading that locks into place with no squeaks. The button is engraved with four letters R and is probably one of the best firing buttons I have come across so far on a mech mod. It is easy to press in and isn't crunchy at all. The feel of the button is nice. It's not wobbly, loose, or tight. At the same time, the button allows one to stand up the mod without firing the atty.
In the mechanical mod world, conductivity plays a decisive role in the performance of each device. A weak point of many standard switches is the sliding contact between button housing and button rod. With that in mind, I've made some minor modifications of the switch. First, the button housing and button rod were connected by thin silver wire, as shown below. As a result, electric current now passes directly from the button contact to the button housing without losses. Second, using silver solder, I soldered a 0.5mm platinum wire to the button contact to improve contact with battery. It is well known, that the contact materials should meet strict requirements, such as resistance to corrosion to prevent the formation of an insulating layer on the contact surface and the resistance to electric erosion due to melting, evaporation, sputtering of the metal or its transfer from one contact to another resulting from electric discharges and contact spot overheating. From this viewpoint, platinum is the best material for contacts while brass (and especially steel) has many drawbacks. After the improvements described, the button fires instantly and every single time it is pressed, regardless of the manner in which it is pressed. One should be very careful with the modified switch: it's easy to discharge battery below 2.75v when vaping!
Voltage drop.
The total voltage drop in a circuit is defined by the internal battery voltage drop, atomizer resistance (load) and mod resistance. The voltage drop on the mod, resulting in a lower voltage on the atomizer, is given by U*Rm/(Rb+Ra+Rm), where U is the voltage of an unloaded battery; Rb, Ra and Rm denote the resistance of battery, atomizer and mod, respectively. Thus, we should find exactly this value to characterize the quality of a mod. But first of all it is necessary to find the internal battery voltage drop. I used fresh 18350 AW IMR batteries and the methodology similar to that described by jkuro (see Mod Voltage Test Setup ). The batteries were all charged just before testing. It was found that at a 1 ohm load, the inner battery voltage is dropped by 0.28v, in good agreement with the measurements of jkuro.
Results of voltage drop test:
Coil resistance: 1 ohm
Unloaded voltage: 4.21v
Voltage under load: 3.92v
Considering the internal battery voltage drop is 0.28v and the total voltage drop is 4.21-3.92=0.29v at the same load, it's clear that there is virtually zero voltage loss on the mod.
Concluding remarks.
Overall I am very impressed with the micro mod by RaduRek. To say I'm happy with my purchase is an understatement. Thanks Radu, you did a great job. BTW, in my opinion, the price of the mod was very fair. Also, I must say dealing with Radu was great. Fast PMs, quick and friendly response to all questions, fast shipping with tracking number. I'll certainly buy from Radu again.
You can contact Radu on the Pit ( Sign In - Vape Pit ) or on the RoVapers ( FORUMUL VAPERILOR ROMANI - Vezi subiect - Micro Atelier ).
