So today I bought my very first mechanical mod -- the Smoktech ePipe. Along with it, I picked up a pair of 18350s, the only size of battery the ePipe can accomodate, as well as a charger and a pair of Innokin iClear 30 clearomizers and approximately a buttload of eliquid. But this review is about just the ePipe. So here we go: Pros: The ePipe is quite compact, which makes it exceptionally pocket-friendly. Even with an iClear 30 on board, which is not exactly a compact clearomizer, the ePipe sits quite comfortably in a hip pocket. I would actually recommend the iClear 30 to go with this mechanical because of the iClear 30's adjustable drip tip: it completes the "pipe" look of the mod and, functionally, makes it easier to vape. Another pro is that the 800mAh 18350s are little champs. They power this compact mod beautifully, pushing enough power to kick plumes of luxurious vapor out of the iClear 30. Heft. Some people think a device can be "too heavy." I'm not one of them. I like a device that's got some weight and, really, some solidity to it. Tells me it's gonna last. For being as compact as it is, the Smoktech ePipe has heft. You can tell this little sucker is solid. As Adelai Nizska would say, "The Smoketch ePipe is not from gossip. Is fact. Is solid." Button throw: Nice and short. I wasn't sure what to expect from the firing button on a mech, but I'm pleased to report that the button on the ePipe has a short, sure throw that won't leave you guessing. Button location: Because the firing button is on the top of the "bowl" (really, the battery compartment) the grip is comfortable and natural, and persuades the user to "palm" the battery compartment, pressing the firing button with the thumb. This is an unusually comfortable and discreet way to hold and use the mod. Cons: Sits funny on flat surfaces; this is owing to its pipe configuration, nothing can be done about it except to unscrew whatever clearomizer or cartomizer you have screwed onto it before setting it down. Pain in the butt, easier to just live with it sittin' funny. 510-only connection: If you use eGo threaded devices, this bad boy ain't havin' 'em. 510-only. 18350 batteries only: Don't hold onto fantasies about throwing 18650s in this puppy -- t'ain't made for 'em. Likewise, hold no hope of fitting at Kick in there. Also not happening. Overall: If you're looking to get into mechs with a solid yet compact little performance champion, the Smoktech ePipe just might be your mod of choice. With its unique configuration, you're also bound to stand out from the crowd. But don't look for 18650 or Kick accommodation, and be prepared for it to sit a little wonky on your desk. (Edit: For some reason, I put "18360" in there where I meant "18650". It's fixed now.) I got mine from Butt Out's Tempe location. Here are some photos: In the Phoenix area, you can get the Smoktech ePipe from Butt-Out locations; online you can get it from Gotvapes starting at $49.95.
So what is the allure of a mechanical mod over a variable voltage/watt mod? Is it because they can be "over clocked", so to speak?
Most mechanicals tend to be just the opposite, actually -- bare bones. The attraction with them is that they're generally extremely sturdy devices which, particularly in the case of this one, bring more battery life at a fraction of the size of their larger counterparts. There's another benefit to the lack of electronics, though -- when one begins to deal with dual-coil ADs (atomization devices), the electrical resistance read at the connection is split between the two coils and consequently dips down into the sub-ohm range. A battery or mod with a microprocessor in it won't always activate if it's wearing a sub-ohm AD, but a mechanical will every time. Additionally, for those who want the sturdiness and compactness of a mech but still want variable power, several companies offer separate, detachable microprocessors that can be placed inside the mechanical between the battery and the inside of the connection threads. The most well known of these processors is the Evolv Kick. There are also MCMs -- Microprocessor-Controlled Mods -- that offer these features along with the sturdiness, if not the compactness. A good example of that is the Innokin iTaste VTR.
If you're interested in getting into VV/VW devices but don't feel like laying down quite as much cash as the VTR goes for, an excellent alternative would be the iTaste MVP2. It packs both variable voltage and variable wattage functions, sports 510 and eGo connection threads, and brings 2600mAh of battery life to the table.
So, functionally at least, mechanical mods are similar to the beginner kits like I have? Just a battery and coil as far as electrics go? Presumably, sub-ohm coils means more heat and thus more vapor? Oooooooh, me likey! It looks like a steampunk walkie-talkie! I'm not sure I understand the difference between an MCM like that, and a regular variable watt/voltage set up?
Exactly, but typically sturdier and more flexible as far as how taking more than one size of battery. See, the one I have is something of a rarity in that it accepts only one size of battery. The majority of mechanicals come equipped to accept batteries of different sizes by virtue of coming either in kits with multiple battery compartment tubes, or coming in "telescopic" form, where there are actually two tubes with threads, so that the battery compartment can be lengthened or shortened. Generally, yes. However, one accessory you're going to want if and when you get into rebuildable atomizers is an ohm-meter with a compatible 510 connection. You always want to test a coil, especially sub-ohm coils, before using it. And I wouldn't recommend using a sub-ohm coil on an eGo battery. They're the same thing; MCM (short for Microprocessor Controlled Mod) is just a shorter catch-all way of saying it, like AD (for Atomization Device) is a catch-all term for cartomizers, clearomizers, RDAs (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers) and DDAs (Disposable Dripping Atomizers).
So I got my second mechanical in the mail on Monday. It's the Kamry K101 - this little badass right here: This one, unlike the e-Pipe, is telescopic, meaning it can accept 18350, 18490, 18500 and 18650 batteries. It's Kickable with everything up to the 18500s. Connection is 510-only, although it will take some recessed-connection ADs like the iClear16. Performance-wise, (without a Kick, since I don't have one yet) it's really extremely good for a mech in its price range ($33-40). There is slight power falloff toward the end of a battery charge, but it's so near the end of the charge that the falloff is more a warning that it's time to change batteries than a lingering nuisance that you deal with until the battery dies. Build quality is rock solid, too. From the firing button's locking ring to the top tube, the threads are smooth. Additionally, Kamry thought of the user and, while the outside of the bottom tube is anodized, the insides of the tubes aren't -- that's important because contact with an anodized finish can prevent a Kick from functioning properly.
I was thinking about upgrading to a variable volt set up, but will still fit in a shirt pocket, and was thinking one of these eGo Winders. Any thoughts? BTW, Madvapes just opened a store a town over from me.
If you're thinking shirt pocket, you can do better than an eGo -- not just on power and battery life but on form factor. The MVP2 is really your best option, since variable wattage is a lot more convenient than -- and provides all the same benefits as -- variable voltage. Let me take a second to tell you why: Variable voltage is static. You set your device to, say, 4.4 volts while it's wearing a 2.0 ohm AD, and you'll get a perfect vape. But now let's say you take the 2 ohm AD off and put a 1.5 ohm AD on. That vape is gonna be hot and potentially carry a nasty flavor of burnt eliquid. You have to manually adjust the voltage to fit the resistance of each different AD. But now let's talk variable wattage, which is dynamic rather than static. You set your device to 10 watts with that 2 ohm AD. Perfect vape. Now you take the 2 ohm AD off and put the 1.5 ohm AD on. Still 10 watts -- but even with a different resistance of coil... still a perfect vape. I'm not an electrician or nothin', so I can't articulate exactly how it works that way -- from personal experience, though, I can tell you that it does. Variable wattage > variable voltage. Now when it comes to VV/VW devices, I would say the VTR, except for one thing -- it's been noted in every review I've seen of it to be uncomfortably heavy. That might be fine for the hand; not so much for a shirt pocket. Let's look at what Madvapes could potentially have for you in a B&M: Here's my pick. As I noted upthread, the MVP2 offers variable voltage and variable wattage, sports a connection with 510 and eGo threads, so there's almost nothing you can't use on it, and with 2600mAh, it'll last you from morning coffee to lights out without needing a recharge in between. Am I biased in favor of the iTaste series? Sure. I've used them, and I love 'em.
