Why Use a Mechanical Mod in 2016?

Tue 22 Mar 2016

It wasn’t too long ago that 30 watts was considered a lot of power in the world of regulated mods. If you wanted any more than that, a mechanical mod and low resistance coil build was pretty much your only option. Oh how things have changed. Today a 200 watt, temperature control box mod with tons of protection features can be bought for as little as £40. That left us at ELFC thinking: Why use a mechanical mod in 2016?

Here we take a look at the pros and cons of mechanical mods, and how they compare to their modern, regulated counterparts in the world of high wattage vaping.

Performance:

Pros:
There’s no doubt that mechanical mods can produce a lot of power. Single 18650 mods can easily achieve more that 50 watts, and double 18650 mods can push through the 100 watt barrier. However, this is no match for some modern regulated devices that can put out a steady 200w.

Cons:
Because mechanical mods have no voltage regulation, the amount of power you get will diminish as the battery drains. Most regulated mods don’t have this problem, so the vape you experience will be more consistent.

Safety:

Pros:
Circuitry and on-board chargers have been known to fail on regulated mods causing devices to melt or even catch fire. Mechanical mods have no wiring or circuitry, but do come with their own set of safety issues.

Cons:
Mechanical mods have no safety features and should not be used by beginner vapers. Having a short circuit or building a coil with a resistance too low can cause battery failure, as can over discharging your battery. Battery safety is very important when using any mod, mechanical or otherwise. Remember to always use good batteries with high amp limits, we recommend the Sony VTC4 and VTC5 batteries, the Samsung 25r and 30q batteries and the LG HG2 battery.

Looks:

Pros:
Many mechanical mods are designed with looks in mind as much as functionality, and without having to think about where to put circuit boards and wires, mod makers are free to create bespoke pieces such as the Maraxus mod and the V3tronix Flip. Regulated mod makers on the other hand do have to worry about where to put all the electronics, which is why box mods have become so popular, and let's be honest, it’s not easy to make a box look sexy.

Cons:
It can take a lot of effort to keep some mechanical mods looking their best. This applies particularly to copper mods which fade quickly and are easily scuffed and marked.

Functionality:

Pros:
Simplicity. No messing around with watts, voltage or temperature, mechanical mods just provide whatever power the battery has.

Cons:
The only way to adjust your vape experience is with the resistance of your coil, and unlike regulated mods, mechanical mods are limited to a maximum 4.2 volt output.

Reliability:

Pros:
Provided that a mechanical mod is looked after, there’s no reason why it couldn’t last forever. However, we know from experience with mobile phones, TVs, laptops, stereos etc that electronic components do not last forever, which is why even the most expensive regulated mod will eventually stop working.

Cons:
Mechanical mods require maintenance. To keep your mod performing well for months and years, contacts and threads need to be cleaned regularly.

Here at ELFC we love our mechanical mods, but with so many regulated mods on the market, and with the quality of regulated mods getting better and better, only time will tell if mechanical mods can maintain their place within the vaping community. In the end, the choice is up to you, and as always, it doesn’t matter what device you’re using, as long as you’re staying clear of tobacco cigarettes.