Using a dual 18650 regulated or unregulated box...
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If you are new, I'd recommend getting a regulated mod.
Speeds up the learning curve.
Later on you get an unregulated mod; good for backup and for reliability in the long run.
Two things to be mindfull of with unregulated dual parallel batts:
1: put the batteries in the wrong way and you'll have a bad day.
So far in my 2 years of vaping I've made that mistake twice with dual bay chargers.
All my batts are flattops.
First time it was a cheap charger and it fried the charger; fortunately I noticed within a couple seconds from the smell and stopped a meltdown.
Second time is was with a dual independent bay charger; left a battery in there for more than a day I think and occassionlly wondered to myself "what's that ERR message about that keeps popping up now and then?"; until finally I took out a battery that didn't seem to be charging and realised it was in backwards.
2: you could be running on 1 battery and not know it;
Not a problem if you don't use a coil that requires both batteries
Speeds up the learning curve.
Later on you get an unregulated mod; good for backup and for reliability in the long run.
Two things to be mindfull of with unregulated dual parallel batts:
1: put the batteries in the wrong way and you'll have a bad day.
So far in my 2 years of vaping I've made that mistake twice with dual bay chargers.
All my batts are flattops.
First time it was a cheap charger and it fried the charger; fortunately I noticed within a couple seconds from the smell and stopped a meltdown.
Second time is was with a dual independent bay charger; left a battery in there for more than a day I think and occassionlly wondered to myself "what's that ERR message about that keeps popping up now and then?"; until finally I took out a battery that didn't seem to be charging and realised it was in backwards.
2: you could be running on 1 battery and not know it;
Not a problem if you don't use a coil that requires both batteries
It will be perfectly OK to do, no problem. But there's not a lot of utility in using a mechanical mod of any kind with pre-made coils, and the Subtank, even with the build deck, doesn't offer the latitude I like when I use my mechs. I really do suggest a regulated box unless you just want to explore the world of mechs. I wouldn't blame you if you do, I have them and love them. But if so, you'll probably want a different atty as well. Let me suggest you buy a dripper to get started. I bought a Dark Horse and a Plume Veil clone dripper on eBay a couple weeks ago, both just under ten bucks each. That will give you some experience seeing how changing the resistance on your build runs the watts up and down on a mech. It's *way* different. And a regulated is far more flexible as to what can be achieved; not to mention stable once you do get it dialed in.
As an experienced vaper speaking to an inexperienced vaper, I'll follow with the others here and recommend getting a regulated mod over an un-regulated mod for safety reasons.
Regulated mods (variable voltage) use micro computers to regulate the vapor to stay consistant to what is dialed in by the user. They allow for "fine tuning" the vapor to the user's personal preferences, as some vapers prefer a warmer vape while others prefer a cooler vape. In addition, some flavors are better at a lower power setting while others are better at a higher power setting.
The voltage output from a regulated mod is not the battery voltage (like in a mechanical mod). It is converted using a combination of buck/boost and/or PWM (pulse width modulation), or pulsed DC circuitry to achieve the desired wattage.
At wattages requiring less than the battery voltage, the mod will either regulate the voltage down or more often pulse the DC voltage on and off to get the desired wattage.
At wattages requiring a higher voltage than the battery voltage, the buck/boost circuitry will boost the battery voltage up to get the desired wattage. This buck boost circuitry has some loss so it will use more watts from the battery than at a lower voltage output from the mod.
These processors have built-in safety circuitry which make them a better choice for novice or intermediate vapors because of their safety features. Regulated mods can be tube or box mods. There are newer models called "high wattage" regulated mods which have all the benefits of a regular regulated mod in addition to higher power capability to fire super low-resistance sub-ohm coils.
Mechanical mods are bare-bones tube or box battery holders with no power regulation/variable power control, and no built-in safety features. These have recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity because of RBAs (rebuildable atomizers). Because there is no computer to regulate voltage, mechanical mod depend solely on the battery's output and the resistance of the heating coil. Vape quality will gradually and progressively decline as the battery is drained during use.
The Pro's & Cons of Regulated vs Mechanical Mods:
Regulated Pro's:
Mechanical Cons:
If the mod that you choose uses external (replaceable rechargeable) batteries, you must choose the correct chemistry battery (IMR) and a box battery charger:
Regulated mods (variable voltage) use micro computers to regulate the vapor to stay consistant to what is dialed in by the user. They allow for "fine tuning" the vapor to the user's personal preferences, as some vapers prefer a warmer vape while others prefer a cooler vape. In addition, some flavors are better at a lower power setting while others are better at a higher power setting.
The voltage output from a regulated mod is not the battery voltage (like in a mechanical mod). It is converted using a combination of buck/boost and/or PWM (pulse width modulation), or pulsed DC circuitry to achieve the desired wattage.
At wattages requiring less than the battery voltage, the mod will either regulate the voltage down or more often pulse the DC voltage on and off to get the desired wattage.
At wattages requiring a higher voltage than the battery voltage, the buck/boost circuitry will boost the battery voltage up to get the desired wattage. This buck boost circuitry has some loss so it will use more watts from the battery than at a lower voltage output from the mod.
These processors have built-in safety circuitry which make them a better choice for novice or intermediate vapors because of their safety features. Regulated mods can be tube or box mods. There are newer models called "high wattage" regulated mods which have all the benefits of a regular regulated mod in addition to higher power capability to fire super low-resistance sub-ohm coils.
Mechanical mods are bare-bones tube or box battery holders with no power regulation/variable power control, and no built-in safety features. These have recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity because of RBAs (rebuildable atomizers). Because there is no computer to regulate voltage, mechanical mod depend solely on the battery's output and the resistance of the heating coil. Vape quality will gradually and progressively decline as the battery is drained during use.
The Pro's & Cons of Regulated vs Mechanical Mods:
Regulated Pro's:
- The battery power to the atomizer is controlled (regulated) to stay the same throughout the battery charge, from a fully charged battery until fully discharged.
- The power can be adjusted to increase or decrease the voltage by the user, allowing the user to change their vaping experience.
- Has built-in protective circuitry against short circuits, atomizer shorts, accidentally putting battery in backwards, and over-heating. The processor will make the mod inoperable to prevent a potential battery catastrophe.
- Has built-in battery voltage and atomizer resistance meters to check battery status and the ohm of the coil.
- Generally speaking, may not be as well made or as durable over time; electrical components may fail over time or from physical abuse.
- Unless it is a "high wattage" regulated mod, will not be able to fire sub-ohm coils.
- Generally speaking, made to be more durable and withstand some physical abuse. No electronics to fail.
- Able to fire sub-ohm coils because there is no protection circuitry or processor amp limits to prohibit it.
- Many are machined to be quite beautiful, nearly art pieces.
Mechanical Cons:
- No protection circuitry. This is a big one for beginners. The user must always be aware of the signs of a short circuit which could cause the battery to vent into thermal runaway. Must have ventilation holes and a hot spring in case you experience a venting battery.
- Most mechanical tube mods use a bottom-fire switch, which is less natural than a side-fire switch; it is also less safe as a bottom-fire button may auto-fire if it lacks a locking switch, or if you don't lock it each time you stop vaping.
- No built-in voltage or resistance meters.
- No way to regulate the battery output. As the battery drains during use, the vapor will continually decline gradually. No way to adjust the vape experience except by changing the atomizer resistance.
If the mod that you choose uses external (replaceable rechargeable) batteries, you must choose the correct chemistry battery (IMR) and a box battery charger:
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