Mechlyfe Ratel Rebuildable Pod Kit Review
The first rebuildable pod system powered by replaceable 18650 batteries is now a reality! Mechlyfe just launched the Mechlyfe Ratel, an all-in-one sort of pod mod that can reach a maximum output power of 80W.
With so much to offer regarding pod systems out there, manufacturers have been trying to stand out by bringing further innovation. The question is, aren’t we changing the concept of pod mod when trying to add more value? We will try to answer this question in this post, but first, let’s unbox this big boy!
Unboxing the MechLyfe Ratel
The Mechlyfe Ratel Rebuildable Pod Kit comes in a black rectangular packaging and it includes the following items:
- MECHLYFE Ratel Rebuildable Pod
- Two MTL fused clapton coils
- USB charge
- Screw driver
- Four screws
- One bag with o-rings
- One organic cotton ball
So basically this kit includes all you need to use this mod, and you just need to have a spare 18650 battery at home as this is the only thing not included.
Price of the kit: $80. There are 5 colors to choose from: Carbon Fibre, Resin Red, Resin Blue, Resin White and Resin Green.
Mechlyfe Ratel 80W Build Quality
The Mechlyfe Ratel is marketed as the first rebuildable pod system powered by single 18650 battery. However, many will argue this by saying this is actually a AIO (All-In-One) kit.
The Mechlyfe Ratel consists of a box mod made in aluminum with resin or carbon panels on both sides. The Ratel is quiet bulky for being a pod mod (104mm x 42mm x 26mm) but it does not feel too heavy in hands.
The Ratel is monitored by small OLED screen. There are 2 buttons located right under the screen to change the settings. The fire button is nice and clicky and it is located above the screen. At the bottom, we find the USB port. As you possibly know, it is better to charge the 18650 batteries in a external charger. But having a USB port for software updates and charging is always handy, isn’t it?
The resin panels are magnetized and they are attached to the mod body firmly. When taking them off, we can see the battery compartment and the pod section. On top, we have a 510 drip tip.
The Ratel chipset allows you to reach a maximum output of 80W which is more than enough for a pod mod. This chipset has 4 vaping modes: bypass, VW, VV and TC. It can handle any coils reading between 0.05 and 3.5 ohms.
The Ratel Pod
The Ratel Pod is available in 2 versions: 4 ml and 2 ml (TPD). The RBA section can be unscrewed so you can build on it. This RBA section is only suitable for single coil and it has an adjustable inner airflow that you can close and open depending of the vaping style you want. In addition, there is an extra adjustable airflow ring for further customization. The design of the mod includes a window in the resin panel so you can see the liquid level from outside.
Thumbs Up and Down
Pros
- MTL and DTL compatible
- Replaceable side panels
- Good performance
- Plenty of customization
Cons
- It does not include any pre-made pod for those that don’t want to build
- You need to take off the resin panel to refill the pod
Mechlyfe Ratel Rebuildable Pod Kit Video
Final Thoughts
This looks a great kit and could appeal to some people who think of pod mods as low power and wasteful! Will you be saving up for the quite pricey Mechlyfe Ratel Rebuildable Pod Kit? Let me know in the comments below!
Alfonso Melero
Content creator and marketer. Originally from Spain, I lived a few years in Scotland and China where I started to work for the vaping industry. Vaping is not only a profession for me but also a passion. I quit smoking thanks to vaping almost 3 years ago. I helped many smokers to switch to vaping since as I am convinced vaping is a much healhier alternative to tobbaco smoking.
