RIP my Drop, 2018-2018 -- I learned an important lesson

[dom qp]

The more I read about Mech mods the less I want one.

I felt the same way for the longest time. I bought my first vape in 2013 or 2014 and managed to avoid mechs until last week.

But the more I use this the more I can't see myself going back to regulated.

The best way I can describe it is like a car. A 2018 Prius is nice and dandy. Everything is regulated with a chip behind every feature. But once those chips go, or the plastic gives up, it's time to trade it in for a newer model. A constant cycle of mediocrity.

With a mech it's like driving an old car before they added all the driver assists and stuff. There's something more raw about driving a car that doesn't have traction control, ABS, power steering, or anything like that.

You feel the engine through your steering wheel and the road through your seat. You have to listen to the machine. The result is an experience that isn't as easy, but it satisfies needs you didn't even know you had. And when something breaks down, you fix it yourself.

It's almost like how the best meat is the meat you hunt yourself. Or the best steak is one you took the hours to prepare, dry, marinate, season, sear, and rest yourself.

Using a mech goes beyond smoking cessation, and I think that's what I was primarily seeking for the last 4-5 years. It's fully in the hobby domain, and as rewarding as any other.

 

[Eskie]

The more I read about Mech Mods the less I want one.

Mechs don't maim users. Users maim themselves by getting in over their heads.

Simplicity and durability are big pluses. However, I'll admit I'll take a regulated mod first. I like my lazy cruise control.

 

[sonicbomb]

@dom qp I was a dedicated tube mech user for ages, but now I only build one occasionally as a novelty.

What I like -
simplicity and engineering grace
user serviceable
ergonomics
durability
involved
archaic

The fact is that they are an anachronism from an era when high power cheap regulated devices were unavailable or affordable. Now ~ because they can be really cheap, because they have an air of hardcore machismo (mechismo) about them, or simply because people like them and they supply the vape they want. From what I can gather from ECF at least is the happiest dedicated mech users are those who like a cooler lower power vape. This makes sense as as resistance decreases so does current and exponentially increasing electrical inefficiency. Trying to vape at or above 60 watts (true not theoretical) is an exercise in frustration, like chasing an electrical ouroboros.

For me a single battery mech OR regulated device just does not have the oomph or the runtime to suit the way I like to vape. Also I have found that I like the power delivery profile less and less compared to a regulated device. I have an NC1 dual battery series mech that hits like a train, but to be honest if I'm carrying a box, it might as well be a regulated one.

I consider myself as knowledgeable as most when it comes to mechs, but being the veteran of a couple of mishaps I know that even the most conscientious of users can be complacent even for a moment, which unfortunately can be all it takes.
I also know that there is a lot going for mechs in light of prohibition, but I have every faith that cheap chip driven devices will be available from China for the foreseeable future.

By all means use one if it makes you vape happy. But treat a mech like an electrically charged firework to be in the correct (imo) safety mindset.