What's the (continuing) attraction of mechanical mods?

[BeerGolfClouds]

I love my simple, elegant mech mods. They always work. Always. And through the art of coil building and wicking I can create whatever type of vape I'm seeking at the moment (flavor, vapor, both, hot, cool).

But I also really love building coils with twisted kanthal. To my palate, the flavor increase is very significant. I despise the ramp-up time I get with only 4.2 volts or less at my disposal. So the high-powered regulated mods have blown the door wide open for me. I double the wattage a mech would provide and it's instant vaping nirvana.

I'd recommend that any serious vaper that has entered the hobby zone own both. And I'm sure most do by now. All the options we have now compared to just a couple of years ago completely blow me away.

 

[Oberon75]

Whatever happened to people who wanted a cheap way to quit smoking? This has become a joke, blowing clouds, why is it everything has to go to the extreme. This will be the downfall of the vaping community.

If you think sub ohm and high watt vaping is just about blowing clouds, you are very mistaken. Realize that there are people on patches, gum and Chantix calling what you do a joke as well.

Sent from my HTC One M8 Harman/Kardon edition

 

[TheBloke]

OK everyone, so I'm convinced that I should own at least one mechanical.

So now, what mechanical should I buy?

I don't just want to buy a plain metal tube with a button. I already have two (soon three) decent regulated mods, all of which have dual batteries with 4000+ mah battery life and which can do 40, 50 and 80W, one of them with temp control.

So for my mechanical I want something different, something a bit special and unique. Maybe it would be a hybrid mod, giving me the ability to connect at least one of my tanks (Aqua v2) directly onto it without 510. Or maybe it would be one with a unique form factor - I was just watching a review of the Hammer for example, which looks really fun and different but unfortunately the review of the clone wasn't very positive.

You get the idea. I'm covered for basic boxes. If I buy one mechanical, I want it to be special in some way. I want to have a reason to pick it up: because it especially cool or it's an interesting shape or it's tiny or it's huge or something that really differentiates it from my standard regulated mods.

Suggestions?

 

[retic1959]

OK everyone, so I'm convinced that I should own at least one mechanical. So now, what mechanical should I buy? I don't just want to buy a plain metal tube with a button. I already have two (soon three) decent regulated mods, all of which have dual batteries with 4000+ mah battery life and which can do 40, 50 and 80W, one of them with temp control. So for my mechanical I want something different, something a bit special and unique. Maybe it would be a hybrid mod, giving me the ability to connect at least one of my tanks (Aqua v2) directly onto it without 510. Or maybe it would be one with a unique form factor - I was just watching a review of the Hammer for example, which looks really fun and different but unfortunately the review of the clone wasn't very positive. You get the idea. I'm covered for basic boxes. If I buy one mechanical, I want it to be special in some way. I want to have a reason to pick it up: because it especially cool or it's an interesting shape or it's tiny or it's huge or something that really differentiates it from my standard regulated mods. Suggestions?

How about a Congestus or a Congestus clone for the huge and different category , stacked 26650's , 8.4 volts , side mounted button . https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10008990/1796301-congestus-style-telescoping-mechanical-mod

 

[AndriaD]

This one pleases me because it *is* so different looking. Smoktech Galileo; telescopic, so it can take any size battery; as pictured, it's got an 18350+Kick, so it's the same length as using an 18490/18500. This is one of the few, if not the only, mechanical I've ever found that also has Ego threading, along with the 510. Not a huge deal since most attys these days seem to have 510, but it's nice to know that it can take any type of topper. It's a magnetic bottom switch, and works beautifully.

Andria

 

[juicynoos]

Get yourself a 'squonker', Reo Grande or Woodvil, you won't regret it

http://www.reosmods.com/index.php?o...shop.browse&Itemid=3&limit=20&limitstart=100#

 

[SteamStack]

Yeah I'd second that suggestion! I currently own 3. I bought my last just to send in my other 2 at the same time to get the new version adjustable Stainless steel 510 connections.

The newest low profile version (lp) will allow you to install any sized atty/rba.

It's a great time to grab one as rob has updated all the weak links in the design. New sub ohm contacts/button/spring and now the ss 510 connection. It should never break and be that one seriously reliable mod in your collection. Put a 1ohm coil on it or lower and you'll be kicking yourself you didn't get one sooner and like most people you'll be buying abother and another and sEllington everything else off haha.

Anyways.. check them out no doubt.

Also is coming out with a resign version shortly.

Blemished mods sell for cheaper around 110-120. If you don't see one listed call and ask.

lp super light (sl) grand model is popular. Hammer tone or raw tumbled is the most durable finish he makes.

 

[Newportlocal]

Erlthron with Erlkoenigin.

 

[NealBJr]

I use both.

There have been regulated devices for quite a while, and I've used them for quite a while. Prior to the DNA 30, regulated usually meant no more than 15 watts and 1.2 ohm coils. it was like that for quite a while. That's what I call "the vamo/provariarti" days. Even though regulated would make for a nice upgrade from the EGO batteries, the hardcores used the mechanicals. Unregulated was the most popular way of going above 15 watts. The DNA 30 opened up a few eyes, and more and more people saw big clouds coming from regulated. Even still, though, mechanicals could produce even more.

The Chinese took note of Evolv's popularity and saw a demand for regulated devices. When Yihi came around, they not only equalled, but bettered the Evolv chip.. watts started going up and up.. and people were buying more and more. It almost left Evolve in the dust. Now, with mods reaching 100+ watts as a common sight, The latest trend seems to be switching to size. for most people, above 50 watts is hardly ever used. But buying a full sized box mod with two batteries is a bit clumsy to carry along. So, the mini's are coming out in full force.. and none of them offer 100W.

Where does that leave mechanicals? Well, they're still around. Mechanicals are simple, can be small, and still around for the hobbyists. With tanks coming with .5 ohm coils, rebuilding is not necessary to get some decent clouds. However, like cars, there are still some people who prefer to tinker and trick out their own build. Mechanicals are simple, and sitll able to put out some top notch clouds. You can tweak a mechanical with a dripper to suit your taste instead of working with a pre built coil. They can be small when compared to some of the 100W devices, and are durable. If you drop a mechanical on the floor, you're like "oh darn, is it scratched?".. if you do the same with a regulated, it's "oh no, does it still work?".

I think there will be a market for mechanicals for a long time. I do, however, don't think it'll be as large as it has been.

 

[Fuzzy Bruce]

Mech mods are alive and thriving! For the most part, they are elegant, dependable and can withstand a lot more abuse than most regulated mods. They can be used with most any tank style atty, drippers and some are bottom fed, the best no hassle dripping.

 

[Tagi]

If you think sub ohm and high watt vaping is just about blowing clouds, you are very mistaken. Realize that there are people on patches, gum and Chantix calling what you do a joke as well.

Sent from my HTC One M8 Harman/Kardon edition

I was a dipper and anything less that a .2 - .3 ohm dripper with 18mg nic does not satisfy. Only other build I have liked is a 1.2 ohm on running 30-50 watts but that build is only used on certain juices. And I will still have my mod cup with 4 Veritas rda running .2-.3 with 18mg nic. I am actually right now stuck on a local shops Vanilla Custard at 22mg.



I love my mechs, I have a OKL-T20 and IPV3 but the vape seems to taste better when on the mech with the same build and the regulated set to around the same voltages as the mech.

 

[juicynoos]

^^^^That's because on a mech those are 'real watts' as opposed to 'Chinese watts', on a regulated bling bling

 

[Tagi]

I always just assumed it was because of battery sag. Full power on the initial start of the pull and as the seconds go the output slowly dropping and as the wick dries slightly resulting in better overall flavor.

Just this rednecks assumption and not based on true testing.

 

[AndriaD]

If you drop a mechanical on the floor, you're like "oh darn, is it scratched?".. if you do the same with a regulated, it's "oh no, does it still work?".

In both those cases, my reaction is always "is the battery ok????" as I cringe, hoping the impact didn't cause such drastic damage as to cause a thermal meltdown/runaway/"boom".

I dropped my Vamo a few months ago; it still worked when I picked it up, but later when I changed the battery, I found that the top of my flat-top wasn't flat anymore; it was punched-in pretty substantially, so that one got retired. The Vamo still works, but the "mode 2" it has that corresponds to "RMS" doesn't work so well anymore; even at 15w it seems very weak. I switched it over to "mode 1" or "AVG" (corresponds to "Mean" I guess), and now it works fine again, though I have to set it about 1w lower than my other mods, since it's in that higher-powered mode. At least it's still functional, but dropping any mod is a really bad idea, thanks to those powerful batteries.

Andria

 

[oadslug]

For me personally, it's simply a question of simplicity and elegance. VV/VW devices just seem like way overkill to non-existent problems in my particular case. I've been vaping for 5+ years now and done with the wattage experimental phase — I vape in the moderate 15 to 20 watt range with a simple 28g single or dual micro-coil RDA build with 2 goto flavors and find it more than satisfying and very consistent. Once the voltage drop becomes unsatisfying I just swap with one of the 3 or 4 batteries I carry everywhere. If I had a VV/VW I would likely play with it for a couple of days, get bored, set it once and leave it at that setting forever. And with this kind of moderate build, battery danger is essentially a non-issue — I just build carefully, and test ohms before use. Each coil lasts for months and apart from swapping wicks is no fuss. And my goto 4Nine mod has a recessed magnetic button which is practically impossible to fire accidentally, is ridiculously simple, and has no lock switch to deal with.

But apart from that the biggest advantage for me is just size. I vape everywhere — and really want to have the smallest, stealthiest and lightest vape I can find. Most of the time this means a 18500 battery, which is a good compromise of size, power, weight, and duration. But when doing something more athletic (bicycling, rollerblading, snowboarding, etc.) or a need to be particularly stealthy I opt for the 18350, which total height including tip stands at 3.5 inches tall and weighs next to nothing (4Nine with magma or marquis RDAs, or Kayfun Mini 2.1 in half-height drip mode).

Then of course there's the design factor. Mods (some mods) just look and feel nice in the hand (others of course look absolutely ridiculous) — simple, well crafted, and elegant. Something about sticking a big box in my face just doesn't have the same appeal and feels a bit desperate somehow.

So with all that said, I have a Vapor Shark DNS 40 on order! What's interesting is the heat sensor — never torching liquids, coil, and wick sounds killer — for taste and health — definitely worth investigating. And the thing looks pretty slick and stealthy from what I can tell. Hopefully (assuming it works at all) they'll release the same chip in a kick, or even better a 22mm 3/8" thick inline mod component with display, which I've always wanted to see!

Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that protected VWs exist — trust me, I have many a close friend that would likely set themselves on fire with a mod. The cons just always outweighed the pluses for me (until now possibly).

 

[SteamStack]

You want small tiny mod that you can put a rba atty one and vape at like .8 -1ohm on try a Original 14500 battery Reo mini mod. Bottom fed and with the new AW 14500 10 amp batts out one can put a sub ohm atty on that tiny mod that would fit in ones shirt pocket and be totally hidden in there hand.

I hear there going to be making another run of that original style 14500 batt mini reo.

I've owned 2 mini years ago and was so cool and small but at the time useless with that size bat for rebuildables unless you kept the coil at 1.5ohms. Now all that's changed with the newer AW 10 amp 14500 batts.

I'll be sure to pick one of those up when it happends for the wife.. but i'll like to play with it as well hehe.

 

[pmadden]

I can say I have been asking myself the same question. I will agree some of them look very nice however at my local shop I have seen quite a few people switching over to VV/VW mods now.

I love the simple elegance of my mech mod, besides the fact it's a beast. Two 18650 batteries and a dual charger, one battery active, one charged and ready. The vapor production is cloudy and not fit to use in public, just massive clouds and flavor. My main device is a vaporshark rdna40 with a Kanger sub ohm mini., but I still love the raw, unregulated power of the copper tube with an RBA. And yes it looks cool, and there going to be outlawed someday, so get one while you can!

Now to comment to oadslug he wrote:

So with all that said, I have a Vapor Shark DNS 40 on order! What's interesting is the heat sensor — never torching liquids, coil, and wick sounds killer — for taste and health — definitely worth investigating. And the thing looks pretty slick and stealthy from what I can tell. Hopefully (assuming it works at all) they'll release the same chip in a kick, or even better a 22mm 3/8" thick inline mod component with display, which I've always wanted to see.

Oadslug, your going to love it. You know it protects the Nickel builds, but I swear its not frying my Kanthal builds either. With Nickel you can vape it to dryness, it's that good! Vape on my friend!

 

[SteamStack]

To the original poster.. Mechanical mods are smart cause if one day the government says nope.. no more vaping what is one going to do when there electronic vaping device takes a crap??? You cant get ahold of the maker anymore to fix it cause everyone is out of business!

Mechanical mods are made to last.. well a good solid built one built like a tank that's made to never break down.. but even others one can just replace a spring or what not with parts commonly found at a hardware store.

One can build there own coils on a rba that will match there wanted wattage with a good 3.7v battery that they should always be able to buy in the future no matter what. Batts and coil and wick will always be out there.. one can even make there own juice if they wanted.

 

[Ryedan]

^^^^That's because on a mech those are 'real watts' as opposed to 'Chinese watts', on a regulated bling bling

I didn't know ProVape was a Chinese company


Sorry, couldn't help myself

 

[Adee]

In reply to the original post for me it's all about simplicity. I like having a basic kit with everything I understand. I know nothing about circuitry and wires. If something's breaks I'd like to apbe able to fix it there and then. I can't go wrong with a metal tube and springs/magnets.

Having said that im sure one day I'll get a nice small box mod as a back up but as I type im more than happy with my 3 mechs