The Final Count Down -- Are You Ready?

[Electrodave]

I wouldn't begin to know which of these would be good choices.

It's easy! Go to the listings and pick out a nice shiny one!

My suggestion for a good mech for non-mech users is the A-mod from SMPL. It really is easy to use, and avoids many of the setup problems associated with mechs. They have some in both brass and copper. They may be authentic. They may be clones. They're cheap, and a clone of this mod would be hard to mess up.
simpl mod | eBay

 

[Susaz]

@HigherStateD , I agree with Bronze, if you need help PM me and/or Bronze and we will help you.

IMO there is plenty of time for everyone to reach a comfort zone with acquiring gear/supplies.

This is much like disaster planning for business though on a much smaller scale. I spent a good portion of my life creating and executing disaster recovery plans for large corporations. Having a plan is your key to success.

* Check your current stash.

* Determine where you are lacking. Or where you may need additional backups. Obviously if you have a favorite atty(s) or mod(s) grab more of those. Don't forget to buy spare parts for your atty's. Just about every quality atty maker sells spares. FT has spares for many of the clones.

* Make a detailed list of what you need. There are many folks here who always know where deals can be found. @JCinFLA and @Electrodave immediately come to mind. There are many others. Pop in the Shiny or Low Budget Shiny threads and ask.

* What is your priority? Address those items first. For those who don't have nic that should be at or near the top of your list (as Rossum already stated).

* IMO everyone should consider grabbing some mechs. They are not difficult to use and with proper maintenance they will last. Mech's are safe provided obvious safety precautions are followed. And you make the time to learn/follow those. There are many people here with tons of mech knowledge and expertise who would likely help.

Collectively, at ECF, we do have great deal of knowledge to share. ECF rocks!!!

Having gone through three of these scenarios (two I had to quit vaping due to lack of money and lack of supplies). Finally this time around I feel comfortable with my stash, priotizing function over form and budget!
I have to digress about mech mods. Springs and insulators wear out just like in any other mod. The more moving parts the more failure prone it'll be.
I've had only one mod fail on me, the old Innokin MVP II. I still got Vamo 5 (2012), Innokin telescoping electronic mod (2012) and a Joyetech Evic mini (2015) working flawlessly after intensive use. And I mean intensive. Springs fail, electronics seldom, unles you bang them around frequently.

 

[HigherStateD]

Having gone through three of these scenarios (two I had to quit vaping due to lack of money and lack of supplies). Finally this time around I feel comfortable with my stash, priotizing function over form and budget!
I have to digress about mech mods. Springs and insulators wear out just like in any other mod. The more moving parts the more failure prone it'll be.
I've had only one mod fail on me, the old Innokin MVP II. I still got Vamo 5 (2012), Innokin telescoping electronic mod (2012) and a Joyetech Evic mini (2015) working flawlessly after intensive use. And I mean intensive. Springs fail, electronics seldom, unles you bang them around frequently.

I still have an Atari 2600 that agrees with this. Not saying defects font happen, and if you push the envelope with wattage, you have to be cautious of overheating the chip, but running at half to 2/3 max output shouldn't tax a well made mod.

 

[Horselady154]

The FDA can't ban batteries. But they can ban the vape devices that use them. I'm talking about removeable lithium batteries here.

I think FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security may have the authority to ban removeable lithium batteries should they deem them too dangerous for commercial sale purposes.

If that is the case, doing all this prep would be for nothing, if we couldn't get batteries to run them. Am I missing something?

 

[Jebbn]

If that is the case, doing all this prep would be for nothing, if we couldn't get batteries to run them. Am I missing something?

Pass through vape devices
I just built a prototype for myself, it works, it looks bad, so far, its not comfortable, yet. Im am working on one with another guy for our 4wd's
Batteries for my style of vaping arent needed, I only vape at home and maybe on the beach when Im fishing, hence to pass through for my 4wd.
Just nic and a few rta's.
Having said that, it would suck if batteries became a black market item. I have some cool mods I like to use.

 

[Electrodave]

Batteries are not under the purview of the FDA. That would be the CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commission) who would be unlikely to want to endure the wrath of tens of millions of users of LED flashlights.

 

[Electrodave]

Of course, it's no big deal if you have mechs. There are battery holders that hold three AA batteries, and are the size of a 18650 battery. Three rechargeable AA batteries will run at 3.6V in series.

I've been using a Joyetech Batpack, which uses 2 rechargeable (or disposable) AA batteries. Battery life is pretty impressive. Their big selling point was that you could take one on the plane with no batteries, and then buy a couple of AA batteries at the next airport.

 

[FranC]

The one thing I've always refused to buy is a mech mod. Nope, you can't change my mind. I used to love regulated tube mods and it was a while before I got my first box mod. Now all my tube mods sit in boxes because I prefer my box mods. I do get them out once in a year to make sure they all still work well.

 

[Electrodave]

I'd never try to change your mind, but they do make box mechs. Some of which can hold four 18650 batteries.

 

[FranC]

I'd never try to change your mind, but they do make box mechs. Some of which can hold four 18650 batteries.

Sounds like a bookend to me.

 

[Electrodave]

6oz of batteries in a 10oz brass box. But you can vape all day and then some without changing the batteries. In parallel mode. So help me--you can also connect them in series. I cringe. 16V. There are idiots that would try it, too. Heck, I'm sure some idiots have already tried it.

Hey, did you know that two 18350 batteries will fit end to end in a SMPL mod?

 

[DeloresRose]

The one thing I've always refused to buy is a mech mod. Nope, you can't change my mind. I used to love regulated tube mods and it was a while before I got my first box mod. Now all my tube mods sit in boxes because I prefer my box mods. I do get them out once in a year to make sure they all still work well.

I used to say that too. I used to say I couldn’t see the point of squonkers, too. And I never bought a tube mod until, one day, I did. I’m greatly enjoying the variety.

Whatever works for you.

 

[FranC]

I used to say that too. I used to say I couldn’t see the point of squonkers, too. And I never bought a tube mod until, one day, I did. I’m greatly enjoying the variety.

Whatever works for you.

That's true. We all like different things. I have tried dripping and squonking but didn't care much for either. I guess after 9+ years I'm kinda stuck in my ways.

 

[Rossum]

That's true. We all like different things. I have tried dripping and squonking but didn't care much for either. I guess after 9+ years I'm kinda stuck in my ways.

Lots of us are. It's just that the ways are different. Nothing wrong with that provided the way person chooses is reasonably sustainable in the face of the adversity likely coming our way.

 

[DeloresRose]

Lots of us are. It's just that the ways are different. Nothing wrong with that provided the way person chooses is reasonably sustainable in the face of the adversity we're facing.

That’s exactly my headspace. I was very happy with a single 18650 mod and a rta, but I wanted to try different stuff in case certain gear becomes unobtainable.

I think there’s a reasonable chance that I may need mods that require other battery sizes.

RDAs seem a bit more durable because there’s no glass, no tank assembly threads to mess up. But using squonkers means it’s easier to bring along.

Knowing how to use a mech is a good idea even if that’s not my favorite thing.

It’s just a matter of eggs in different baskets.

Plus, maybe I’ll want a different style of vape down the road. I’ll try to have some stuff to cover that need.

 

[FranC]

Lots of us are. It's just that the ways are different. Nothing wrong with that provided the way person chooses is reasonably sustainable in the face of the adversity we're facing.

I am pretty confident I have plenty of everything. Not saying I'm against stocking in a couple more replaceable battery mods.

 

[mikepetro]

I would resort to a mech "if I had to", but only then. I have about 20 DNA250 boards and a dozen DNA75 boards to use as spares to avoid that fate. That should keep my box mods going a long time. If ever I run out I can "make" a mech.

 

[mikepetro]

As for nic, I did an inventory last night and calculated that the nic in that Lab freezer is enough to dilute down to a little over 75 liters of 100mgl concentrate. Thats enough nic to keep me and my wife vaping until we are 120 years old. I vape 38mg and she vapes 18mg. I guess we could always reduce our nic.... if we had to!

 

[B2L]

Thats enough nic to keep me and my wife vaping until we are 120 years old.

And thanks to vaping you have a much better chance of reaching that

I guess we could always reduce our nic.... if we had to!

Perish the thought

 

[DeloresRose]

I would resort to a mech "if I had to", but only then. I have about 20 DNA250 boards and a dozen DNA75 boards to use as spares to avoid that fate. That should keep my box mods going a long time. If ever I run out I can "make" a mech.

I probably should start focusing on replacement parts, but mod repair is not in my skill set. I’m just going with having a bunch of mods and hoping they hold up. Maybe getting chummy with people who can fix stuff, lol.