Mako

[Royal]

Ok,
I have had the Mako from Jason at electronicstix.com in my hands for 24 hours now.
I have both the Midi and the Maksi sleeves, along with the protected CR2s for the midi, and 14650s for the Maksi.

Here is a pic of it in the Maksi configuration with a Joye 510 atty.



I took this picture on top of my turntable, because this thing rocks.


First off, let me just say that this battery mod is not for the noob.
The reason I say this is because it does require some tweaking and a good overall knowledge of these types of devices. The reason for this being it is a very close tolerance device designed to work with a multitude of atty and battery configurations.

To make adjustments for different sized batteries, rubber o-rings are used along with some adjustments at the batteries atty connector that can also be done. The reason behind this is due to the short throw and design of the switch. Unlike most conventional switched battery mods, that use springs for battery contacts, this device is direct, and though it does have a small spring in the switch, it only allows for a short throw, which is the distance the switch travels to make contact. This is why proper spacing is important and O-rings are sometimes needed. I might note, this spring does not and is not used to make contact and complete the circuit. The spring is only used to retract the switch to the normally off position.

The initial bare kit comes with two small diameter O-rings along with the sleeve and an 801 adaptor. I also ordered a 510 adaptor for it as well.
I went with the bare kit instead of a complete kit, because I did not want the 14500 3.6 volt batteries.

About the protected CR2s,
In order to use the protected CR2s larger sized O-rings are required. Jason sells these as well.

My first configuration with this device was with the protected CR2s and a 510 atty. It did not work.
After some intial checks, I was able to confirm that proper connections were being made, but the load of the 510 at 6 volts was too much for the CR2s built in PCB and was tripping the over discharge protection circuit in the batteries.

Next I removed the 510 atty and replaced it with a Joye 302/kissbox penstyle atty and dripped. At 6 volts, on a 302, this thing is a beast, and the vapor production is off the hook, and the flavor was still very strong as it is in most penstyles.
Because of the high voltage the vapor was slightly warm, but not so that it was uncomfortable. I attribute this to the longer length of the penstyle atty tubes, which gives the vapor some time to cool before entering your mouth. I then filled a cart and tried vaping with the cart along with dripping a couple of drops. For some reason this seemed to help cool the vapor to a point that is more of the norm. Perhaps the cart is helping to keep the atty coil from not getting as hot as it may when just dripping. I was vaping a low 5mg/ml DIY blend with this configuration and I must say, the throat hit was as strong I have ever experience. I haven't tried any high nic with this configiration, but from this experience, I am not sure I want or need to. After a few minutes at 6 volts, I had one heck of a nicotine buzz with only 5mg/ml.
The atty will get very hot very fast at 6 volts, so users at this level, should allow some extra time to allow the atty to cool betwen hits, and also take shorter than normal draws.

Next I reconfigured my Mako with the Maksi sleeve and a fully charged 14650, and topped it off with my fav, a Joye 510 atty. This is where I am most impressed with the Mako. At 3.7 volts with a 14650 battery, this thing vapes and hits as well as my V1 Prodigy at 5 volts. I attribute this to the build of the Mako, as it uses no wires or solder, and everything is direct.
This battery mod is the epitome of the K.I.S.S. method. Keeping it simple, to me, means less to go wrong, and better efficiency. By design the Mako surely has less loss that is inherent in DC when passed through small wires and other connections. For me anything that reduces current flow or efficiency are bad traits, and are traits that I find in most all other battery mods.

Now, on to the overall appearance. I am very pleased with the looks and feel of the Mako in all configurations. This mod is very pleasing to the eye, and would be acceptable even when dressed in full formal attire. Yes it will go with a tux, in the formal black, or satin sliver.
The size and shape of the Mako is small compared to most other battery mods. It has a good feel to it when holding it in your hands, and the bottom mounted switch is easy to use and does not require a lot of pressure to engage.

A little about the switch. To me, this is the most important part of any battery mod. This switch was brilliantly designed. It has a locking position that when locked, will keep it from getting accidentally pressed while carrying it in your pocket. The contacts of the negative switch is designed in a way, that I foresee it being able to handle many times the amount of a load we could ever put on it. And by keeping it simple, I do not foresee any catastrophic failures with this switch. When it is engaged, it is making full contact with the negative terminal of the battery. The only two foreseeable things I can see that might ever go wrong with this switch, is the retractor spring could eventually break, or a build up of tarnish on the brass could cause a reduction in conductivity. The switch however is so simply designed, that in either event, anyone could easily replace the spring if ever needed. And a cleaning of the brass with brasso will take care of any problems that might occur due to tarnishing.

About the atty connectors.
If I had any complaints at all, it would be here. The atty connectors, though machined well, use a screw for the center connector. This to me appears homemade-ish. But when reflecting the design and principles used in the making of the Mako. I understand why it was done this way. And since these screws appear to be stainless steel. There will never be a problem with tarnishing on the postitive terminal. And like the switch at the other end, the positive terminal of the atty connectors can be eaily removed and replaced by the user if ever needed.

My overall impression.
Even though I have only had the Mako for 24 hours. With my experience and somewhat aged wisdom I have to say, this is one of the finest mods I have ever seen, and I do not foresee this ever going bad on me for as long as I can continue to vape.

I am giving this mod 5 stars, or five attys if you will, which is something I have never done before. But are there room for improvements? Yes, in anything there is always room for improvements. No thing or no one is perfect.

Vape on my friends!