RBA vs pre-built - Please explain

[DMAN]

I think mech mods were all you could get when vaping started. Folk were making them out of torches with no protection. That's where all the stories of mods blowing up in peoples faces come from. They were pretty hard core vapers!

 

[MarylinC37]

I think mech mods were all you could get when vaping started. Folk were making them out of torches with no protection. That's where all the stories of mods blowing up in peoples faces come from. They were pretty hard core vapers!

I know there's still plenty of people out there who love their mech mods so I won't diss what I don't know. I'm fascinated though what the attraction is. To me it just seems like a lot of extra unnecessary complication together with the possibilty of having something that could blow up while I've got it in my mouth.

 

[Crispycritters]

Mech mods are basically as complicated as a hammer and just as subtle.

The pros are they have no electrical components to break so, as long as they are kept clean will work - and as there is no circuitry/wiring to sap or delay the power delivery they hit instantly.

The cons are - everything else...

Because there are no electronic protections a hard short can/will make the batteries vent and spray red hot toxic chemicals.

You absolutely must be aware of Ohms Law and build accordingly - building too low can/will make the batteries vent and spray white hot chemicals. Building too high will result in a feeble underpowered vape, you must be able to put ohms Law into practice and build to a suitable resistance to suit the wattage you need for the atomiser you are using

You must be aware of battery safety and exercise it rigorously. A damaged wrap causing a short or exceeding the Amp CDR rating can/will make the batteries vent and spray white hot chemicals,

In any of the above instances yoiu will probably be holding it up to your face and you will probably get a face full of the same white hot chemicals.

They aren't safe to carry in your pocket - if you accidentally pocket fire it or if you have a problem with a torn wrap or a dented battery contact you need to get it out of your pocket as quickly as possible. If you have pocket fired you stand a fair chance of managing it - in the other two instances you will probably spray your groin with white hot chemicals.

All atomisers must have a fixed 510 - forgetting this and fitting a stock coil tank that has a floating 510 can cause a hard short - another recipe for batteries venting and spraying white hot chemicals .

The power will never remain constant as it will reduce in line with the battery voltage.

You will probably need to change the battery twice as frequently as you would in a fully regulated mod as the vape from a mech can be underpowered and insipid in a mech once the battery is below half charge.

You have to clean them constantly to ensure they work properly. Even if you clean it after use and put it on your vape shelf you will probably need to do it again the next time you use it as copper and brass tarnishes really fast.


I like mechs and have a shelf that is just mech mods - but I'd estimate I use fully regulated mods to vape with over 90% of the time.

If you're in any doubt mechs are best left alone. Although I like them I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

 

[MarylinC37]

Mech mods are basically as complicated as a hammer and just as subtle.

The pros are they have no electrical components to break so, as long as they are kept clean will work - and as there is no circuitry/wiring to sap or delay the power delivery they hit instantly.

The cons are - everything else...

Because there are no electronic protections a hard short can/will make the batteries vent and spray red hot toxic chemicals.

You absolutely must be aware of Ohms Law and build accordingly - building too low can/will make the batteries vent and spray white hot chemicals. Building too high will result in a feeble underpowered vape, you must be able to put ohms Law into practice and build to a suitable resistance to suit the wattage you need for the atomiser you are using

You must be aware of battery safety and exercise it rigorously. A damaged wrap causing a short or exceeding the Amp CDR rating can/will make the batteries vent and spray white hot chemicals,

In any of the above instances yoiu will probably be holding it up to your face and you will probably get a face full of the same white hot chemicals.

They aren't safe to carry in your pocket - if you accidentally pocket fire it or if you have a problem with a torn wrap or a dented battery contact you need to get it out of your pocket as quickly as possible. If you have pocket fired you stand a fair chance of managing it - in the other two instances you will probably spray your groin with white hot chemicals.

All atomisers must have a fixed 510 - forgetting this and fitting a stock coil tank that has a floating 510 can cause a hard short - another recipe for batteries venting and spraying white hot chemicals .

The power will never remain constant as it will reduce in line with the battery voltage.

You will probably need to change the battery twice as frequently as you would in a fully regulated mod as the vape from a mech can be underpowered and insipid in a mech once the battery is below half charge.

You have to clean them constantly to ensure they work properly. Even if you clean it after use and put it on your vape shelf you will probably need to do it again the next time you use it as copper and brass tarnishes really fast.


I like mechs and have a shelf that is just mech mods - but I'd estimate I use fully regulated mods to vape with over 90% of the time.

If you're in any doubt mechs are best left alone. Although I like them I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

Thank you. That's a really helpful post.

I built the PC I'm using right now so I know with a little research I could make it work but apart from seeking some sense of achievement I just can't see any other reason why I would want to. I've tried most things in vaping and I'm absolutely loving my new dripper but I just don't see any point and I'm more than happy with regulated mods so I won't be getting a mech any time soon.

 

[Rickster]

I know there's still plenty of people out there who love their mech mods so I won't diss what I don't know. I'm fascinated though what the attraction is. To me it just seems like a lot of extra unnecessary complication together with the possibilty of having something that could blow up while I've got it in my mouth.

I think they are the total opposite, uncomplicated and as basic as it gets, keep them clean, know what you are doing, respect them and they will last forever.

 

[Reti]

Definitely not for me then lol.

On another subject. I just tried Cotton Gods after using Cotton Bacon from day one of having this RDTA. Cotton Gods seems to have more substance to it. It springs back more easily if compressed and it's way easier to work with. I didn't need to strip any more off the length to make it fit in the coil like I often do with Cotton Bacon. It went in and pulled through the first time whereas Cotton Bacon I'll grab the end to pull it through and it'll tear and I'll have to taper the end again and try to thread it through again.
For ease of working with I now prefer Cotton Gods. I like Cotton Bacon too but Cotton Gods has the edge and is way better for working with.

As for taste/performance I can't tell the difference at all.
I'm continuing to cut the ends into a > shape (like you do with mesh coils) rather than thin them with tweezers and not had any dry hits or leaks or anything since I started doing that. It's way easier and less messing about than thinning with tweezers.

 

[wraith]

Mech mods used to be the only way you could get enough power to sub-ohm and get mahoosive clouds.

It's a bit like barbecuing now. No real need, the modern stuff is more efficient, reliable and consistent but some people (me) love an old school burnt but raw burger.

 

[MarylinC37]

Definitely not for me then lol.

On another subject. I just tried Cotton Gods after using Cotton Bacon from day one of having this RDTA. Cotton Gods seems to have more substance to it. It springs back more easily if compressed and it's way easier to work with. I didn't need to strip any more off the length to make it fit in the coil like I often do with Cotton Bacon. It went in and pulled through the first time whereas Cotton Bacon I'll grab the end to pull it through and it'll tear and I'll have to taper the end again and try to thread it through again.
For ease of working with I now prefer Cotton Gods. I like Cotton Bacon too but Cotton Gods has the edge and is way better for working with.

As for taste/performance I can't tell the difference at all.
I'm continuing to cut the ends into a > shape (like you do with mesh coils) rather than thin them with tweezers and not had any dry hits or leaks or anything since I started doing that. It's way easier and less messing about than thinning with tweezers.

I'll have to try the Cotton Gods. I've been using the Firebolt laces since I started ever since I found it so cheap on Sourcemore and went and bought a truck load.

 

[Reti]

I'll have to try the Cotton Gods. I've been using the Firebolt laces since I started ever since I found it so cheap on Sourcemore and went and bought a truck load.

I like tearing off what I need. I have 6mm laces for the mesh but using tear off for the regular coils. Wasn't sure about it at first as I'd ordered Cotton Bacon not knowing it wasn't laces and then tried to cancel the order when someone told me that it wasn't laces. They cancelled the order and issued a refund but sent the Cotton Bacon anyway hahaha.

 

[Reti]

Oh. One thing. Someone help me out with this please? It came with my coils I ordered. Obviously it's cotton. But why is it full of crap and bits? Is it some kind of recycled organic stuff or something or did the guy roll a cig over it and drop crap all over and then mail it to me? lol