which portable vaporizer?

[s00thsayer]

Hi all...I'm looking for recommendations on a new portable vaporizer. I need something light weight, battery powered, raw herb that will be for solo use. I have been waiting around for the grasshopper vape being developed because the specs listed meet my needs but it seems like it will be a long time before they will be available for purchase and I need something soon. I hike a lot and don't want anything too heavy like the Thermovape Cerra (8 ounces titanium, 12 ounces steel) or that has glass parts that are easily broken so I've ruled out heavy products with glass like the arizer solo (8.3 ounces), firefly (9.8 ounces), and ascent (6.8 ounces). I am often at high altitides and cannot use a butane heat source because of this so I've also ruled out products like the magic flight box and iolite vapes. Ideally looking for something with a long battery life, light weight, good vapor quality, adequate warranty, and easy to use. The design on the Puffit-X (2.6 ounces) looks very portable and discreet but I ruled it out because of comments about the vapor quality and the short battery life.

Vapes I am currently looking at...

DaVinci (5.6 ounces, 2 year warranty, 90 sec heat time, up to 45 minutes of use per charge) - on the heavy side, short battery life, and has a long protruding mouth piece that can give a plastic taste so I don't think it's the vape for me.

Pinnacle Pro (3.2 ounces, 1 year warranty, 90 sec heat time, up to 45 minutes of use per charge) - The Pinnacle Pro doesn't seem to be very popular and the warranty is short...also based on reviews the hits are harsh and hot and the battery life is short so I don't think this is the one either.

Pax (3.4 ounces, 10 year warranty, 30 sec heat time, up to 120 minutes of use per charge) - I'm liking the Pax because of the long warranty, light weight, and great reviews I've read which boast the vapor quality but the cons are that it requires a lot of cleaning and can have problems with the mouthpiece connection especially in cold weather. The fill chamber also seems a bit large and people seem to pack it with .25 to .4 grams in the chamber.

Inhalater (4.4 ounces, 1 year warranty, 30-60 sec heat time, up to 120 minutes of use per charge) - An ounce heavier than the Pax and is 2.5 inches longer so it's not as portable and harder to fit in a pocket. The warranty is only a year but the battery life and vapor quality is comparable to the Pax and wouldn't have the mouth piece problem like the Pax. Design isn't as appealing or as discrete as the Pax but reviews say the Inhalater air flow is better and doesn't need stirring and it also is easier to maintain, has more temperature settings and can be used while being charged unlike the Pax. The herb chamber is a bit large for me and people recommend packing with .5 grams.

Right now it's between the Pax and the Inhalater...I'm thinking the Pax is the way to go over the Inhalater for portability but I do have some concerns about it. Are there any other vaporizers I should be looking at? Thanks.

 

[FlyingLow]

Pax sounds like it fits your needs; each one of these has its pros and cons and you need to find out what is most important to you.

Does draw resistance mean anything to you? Personally, the draw resistance of the Pax was a big enough con for me, that I just did not like it.

I am curious, why do you group the Flight Box with butane? Flight Box is a battery powered vape, and might be worth your reconsideration. Tiny, discrete, excellent vapor quality according to users (I have not tried one yet), runs on cheap replaceable batteries, works well with small amounts, etc.

 

[Lo]

I do like the Pax for travel but honestly... I have 3 so I can carry and not worry about batty life. If going hiking 1 Pax may not be enough. With a MF Box at least you can carry extra batteries and it's great for solo use once you get the hang of it. It also cools quickly and doesn't keep cooking herb as much as the Pax. I still love the Pax (even the stiff draw) but for your specificied use - it might not be the best choice.

Same with butane vapes - you can easily carry a can of butane. The Pax you are limited to one batty cycle and then you're toast if that is only option.

There is no right answer to this question honestly though. Personal preference.

 

[max]

DaVinci (5.6 ounces, 2 year warranty, 90 sec heat time, up to 45 minutes of use per charge) - on the heavy side, short battery life, and has a long protruding mouth piece that can give a plastic taste so I don't think it's the vape for me.

Weight doesn't bother me. Battery life is perfectly acceptable for a pocket portable. 2.25" is long for a mouthpiece? Not to me. Plastic taste? From silicone? Really?

I've been using a DV since the model first hit the market and have been happy with it. I wouldn't trade it for a Pax or an Inhalater if they were free. Just my

 

[nomoreflames]

Lo is right there is nor correct answer. All I can share is my experience with the pax. It is my first vap. I Medicate most every day mainly, "every night and all day in the weekends". Since the pax arrived at my house I have no felt the need to combust and I haven't in almost 2 months. For me it is a great device. Yes you have to clean it. I clean mine about once a week unless I have company or something and it is getting heavy use. And I noticed when I sprinkle a little kief in it it gets gets dirty quicker. It's no big deal to me. It takes about 10 mins to clean. And the pack size is not a big deal to me either in mostly vap with my wife and a mostly packed oven is good for two. I am sure it is not e most efficient portable but it is still better than combustion. I have not had a single mouth piece issue. As long as you clean it. The draw could be considered restricted but it is really meant to be puffed on slowly or like a cigar and it works great for me.


The big drawback would be the battery. If you want something you could take to work with you and use all day it may not make it that long. Your probably going to get 5-6 sessions tops per charge if you are heating from cold each time.

 

[Ansel]

other: the arizer solo.

 

[paytonpenn]

I vote for a T-Vape, currently available for around 119, short or long tube.

Its biggest drawback is the battery, it too gets about 5-6 sessions. But you can use while charging and it charges through micro-usb. Heat up is 1 minute 30 seconds. But if you're going to spend 250 you should buy the Inhalater, it would be foolish not to. It clearly would deliver better while providing more control and would yield easier maintenance. I hear most users say the battery last them all day, I can't imagine a user with a good XP saying they are happier with the PAX than the XP.

I would say if you want a PAX go with a T-Vape, you'll save yourself some money and don't have to rely on the fact that its so small to be discreet. Instead of buying multiple T-Vapes you could buy some extra batteries. If you are going to pay 220+ for a PAX then you should really have looked at the Inhalater more, I can't see how the PAX is worthy of being the same price, I mean sure its discreet but I only see limitations once I've awed in its small size. But maybe I just enjoy inexpensive models and convection.

 

[Mr. Gweilo 420]

Well I was also looking for a new portable. I find the pax to be a pain in the arse. It is so delicate. It takes very little to diminish its performance. Like Paytonpenn I think it is overpriced. I like the looks of INH05 but it won't be released until June. So after some research I ordered a Tvape (black. Short tube). It looks like a very convenient stealthy portable. Plus it is only $120. I just ordered yesterday but I'm confident I made a good choice. Check it out yo

 

[s00thsayer]

Thanks for the recommendations. Again I can't use butane because most won't light at the altitudes I'm often at so it has to be battery powered and the davinci short battery life and weight really won't work for what I need. My mistake on putting the mflb with the butane vapes. I have looked into it and it and don't really like the glass stem and the parts that have to be put in place but it looks like it works well, is very portable, and is definitely something I will have to give more thought. ... I hadn't heard of the T-Vape. It looks nice, easy to clean, and has a long battery life (up to 3 hours, 90 min on high) and I like that you can easily change the batteries but can't find much on the specs. I read somewhere that the short t-vape weighed 8 ounces but I'm not sure it that info is right. Anyone know how much the short t-vape weighs and how much the battery weighs by itself? I'm sure I sound crazy worrying about a few ounces but when you're carrying a 35 pound backpack of supplies you try to cut weight wherever you can. I'm also concerned about getting consistent hits out of the t-vape after reading some of the reviews. I am looking for something with good vapor production since I am a med user and need to make sure the CBD vaporizes which takes a higher temp than THC.

Still at the top is a Inhalater or Pax....maybe a MFLB but I don't like the glass piece...maybe a T-Vape with multiple batteries assuming the weight is reasonable and produces consistent vapor.
Dang this is tough.

Thanks again!

 

[Curiousone]

Well I was also looking for a new portable. I find the pax to be a pain in the arse. It is so delicate. It takes very little to diminish its performance. Like Paytonpenn I think it is overpriced. I like the looks of INH05 but it won't be released until June. So after some research I ordered a Tvape (black. Short tube). It looks like a very convenient stealthy portable. Plus it is only $120. I just ordered yesterday but I'm confident I made a good choice. Check it out yo

I don't like to waste money and consider myself very frugal. However, after buying the Pax, I have not looked for another portable. It is a bit higher than other vapes, but I find the price justified. It just works and everyone who uses it is equally impressed. When you factor in the 10 year warranty and top-notch customer service, it's a no-brainer.

My only hesitation in suggesting this vape to the OP per your needs is battery life. You'll get about 1.5 hours of use per charge. If day hikes only, this should work, but overnight might be a stretch...You could seek other ways to charge as I have...

 

[paytonpenn]

Thanks for the recommendations. Again I can't use butane because most won't light at the altitudes I'm often at so it has to be battery powered and the davinci short battery life and weight really won't work for what I need. My mistake on putting the mflb with the butane vapes. I have looked into it and it and don't really like the glass stem and the parts that have to be put in place but it looks like it works well, is very portable, and is definitely something I will have to give more thought. ... I hadn't heard of the T-Vape. It looks nice, easy to clean, and has a long battery life (up to 3 hours, 90 min on high) and I like that you can easily change the batteries but can't find much on the specs. I read somewhere that the short t-vape weighed 8 ounces but I'm not sure it that info is right. Anyone know how much the short t-vape weighs and how much the battery weighs by itself? I'm sure I sound crazy worrying about a few ounces but when you're carrying a 35 pound backpack of supplies you try to cut weight wherever you can. I'm also concerned about getting consistent hits out of the t-vape after reading some of the reviews. I am looking for something with good vapor production since I am a med user and need to make sure the CBD vaporizes which takes a higher temp than THC.

Still at the top is a Inhalater or Pax....maybe a MFLB but I don't like the glass piece...maybe a T-Vape with multiple batteries assuming the weight is reasonable and produces consistent vapor.
Dang this is tough.

Thanks again!

Batteries are custom and only available through SquareSmoke, you won't find a battery that will fit the oven's threading

Its about 4.25 ounces total (with my short tube) the battery is 3 ounces. Short tube 1.25, just weighed in grams and converted to ounces, rounded up. The T-Vape will have you at 420 by the third heat up according to how the oven works. But the herb shouldn't be brown nor finished.

 

[s00thsayer]

Batteries are custom and only available through SquareSmoke, you won't find a battery that will fit the oven's threading

Its about 4.25 ounces total (with my short tube) the battery is 3 ounces. Short tube 1.25, just weighed in grams and converted to ounces, rounded up. The T-Vape will have you at 420 by the third according to how the oven works. But the herb shouldn't be brown nor finished.

Thanks! The weight sounds reasonable so the t-vape is definitely something I'll consider. Looks like with battery powered devices I'll only be able to go about a day per charge so they might not work for multi day hikes without addin a bunch of batteries but it would be nice to have a good portable vape for day use anyway. Appreciate all the help everyone!

 

[paytonpenn]

@s00thsayer What sea levels are you going to be hiking around?

 

[Caligula]

Solo + @Ed's TnT wood stem. No glass. Win.

 

[s00thsayer]

What sea levels are you going to be hiking around?

In a day I can go from 4k at my home to 14k feet when hiking in the mountains nearby. I have a minor troubles lighting a butane torch flame at 4-6k feet, moderate troubles at 6-8k feet, and can never get one lit over 8k feet. Bic lighters seem to light well up to 12k ft but even they get difficult to light when you get much higher. All of the butane based vapes I have seen only work up to 8k feet.

 

[paytonpenn]

I understand, was just curious, I can understand the inconvenience if you're going to be above 10k for a very long time.

I know the Hammer guys did an official test of their torch for the Hammer at around 10k
http://www.thehammervaporizer.com/b...elebrate-reaching-10-000-feet-above-sea-level

 

[s00thsayer]

I understand, was just curious, I can understand the inconvenience if you're going to be above 10k for a very long time.

I know the Hammer guys did an official test of their torch for the Hammer at around 10k
http://www.thehammervaporizer.com/b...elebrate-reaching-10-000-feet-above-sea-level

Neat....didn't know there was a butane vape that worked at up to 10k feet. Unfortunately when hiking to mountain lakes I base camp at around 10 to 12k feet then hike higher after that but it's good to see vape companies are working on higher altitude butane vapes.

 

[paytonpenn]

Crazy idea, have you thought of a Log vape + VVPS + battery pack? I think run time would be over 2 hours with the cheapest battery solution, but I'd aim for a four hour (hopefully plus) battery pack. With a whip attached, but the Solo would probably be less of a hassle.

If battery is such a concern why do you nominate the PAX when the Inhalater delivers 7+ sessions and each PAX user has mentioned battery being its downside. Its also the T-Vape's downside too, I actually think the T-Vape may have worst battery life. I really like to think you get 6 ten minute sessions and that the battery doesn't last 90 minutes, maybe it could if it didn't have to heat up and use processing power but without software to change the firmware we won't know.

 

[s00thsayer]

Crazy idea, have you thought of a Log vape + VVPS + battery pack? I think run time would be over 2 hours with the cheapest battery solution, but I'd aim for a four hour (hopefully plus) battery pack. With a whip attached, but the Solo would probably be less of a hassle.

If battery is such a concern why do you nominate the PAX when the Inhalater delivers 7+ sessions and each PAX user has mentioned battery being its downside. Its also the T-Vape's downside too, I actually think the T-Vape may have worst battery life. I really like to think you get 6 ten minute sessions and that the battery doesn't last 90 minutes, maybe it could if it didn't have to heat up and use processing power but without software to change the firmware we won't know.

Log vape and all is a good idea but sounds heavy and a arizer solo would be easier I think if considering that route. I was going off the specs and what I read from comments and thought the battery life between the pax, inhalater, and t-vape were comparable, each around 6-10, 10 min vape sessions per charge...but who knows. I think I'm going to have to get a day battery vape and continue to use a pipe after it runs out.

Do the liquid concentrate pens last longer than the portable herb vapes? I don't really want to mess with making concentrates but if the concentrate vapes last considerably longer then it's something I should consider.

 

[paytonpenn]

Not including the two short wiring cables my VVPS is 3.2 ounces, my UD is slightly more than that but less than my T-Vape, my scale only goes to 100g and I was able to just do the T-Vape parts separately, cant speak for the battery but I imagine it would be around 100g.

You can definitely get a lighter dog and mine is a classic core so I think that adds slightly more weight as well.

My O-Phos (2.1 ounces) has been lasting all day, with many puffs taken, because of it not consistently heating or using a lot of power to contol internal settings I would imagine concentrate pens to last quite longer. You'll probably also need less hits from it.

How are you going to use a pipe if lighters wont ignite, why not get a VG rather than resort to smoking with a pipe, the coil (2.5 ounces) is only 35 dollars, I personally get huge clouds instantly without the need of a torch.

 

[grokit]

The vape for ultra high-altitude camping, no batteries or butane necessary:

Just add a campfire (or a propane torch). Not so much for hiking though!

 

[turk]

....have a pax...have a ascent...like the ascent better...but I'm going to tell you...thus is highly subjective ...and sometimes that subjectivity does not translate...

 

[s00thsayer]

Not including the two short wiring cables my VVPS is 3.2 ounces, my UD is slightly more than that but less than my T-Vape, my scale only goes to 100g and I was able to just do the T-Vape parts separately, cant speak for the battery but I imagine it would be around 100g.

You can definitely get a lighter dog and mine is a classic core so I think that adds slightly more weight as well.

My O-Phos (2.1 ounces) has been lasting all day, with many puffs taken, because of it not consistently heating or using a lot of power to contol internal settings I would imagine concentrate pens to last quite longer. You'll probably also need less hits from it.

How are you going to use a pipe if lighters wont ignite, why not get a VG rather than resort to smoking with a pipe, the coil (2.5 ounces) is only 35 dollars, I personally get huge clouds instantly without the need of a torch.

I have a VG but it kills my throat for some reason worse than combustion does so I don't use it anymore. Maybe I'm allergic to the wood in mine or something. Bic lighters with flint work fine for me up to 12k feet, sometimes more but the flame gets really small and weak. The spark ignite butane lighters that burn blue are the ones that don't at all in the mountains. When Bics don't work I can always use matches if I can get protection from the wind. Thanks for the info on the concentrate pens. I think making concentrates are a pain but it may be worth doing for long trips. For day use one of these electronic herb vapes will do just fine and since weight isn't as much of a concern on day trips I can go with something a little heavier like the davinci if I need to.

....have a pax...have a ascent...like the ascent better...but I'm going to tell you...thus is highly subjective ...and sometimes that subjectivity does not translate...

Thanks for sharing your opinion. I'm starting to think the pax might not be worth the price or the fuss but I like how easy it is to use and how compact it is. I'm not really into vapes that take a while to develop a technique so probably not going for the mflb or t-vape. Looking more into the davinci and ascent now...still thinking on the inhalater.

 

[turk]

....they ALL work...so the devil is in the details...all portables have some cons....

 

[Caligula]

I have a VG but it kills my throat for some reason worse than combustion does so I don't use it anymore. Maybe I'm allergic to the wood in mine or something. Bic lighters with flint work fine for me up to 12k feet, sometimes more but the flame gets really small and weak. The spark ignite butane lighters that burn blue are the ones that don't at all in the mountains. When Bics don't work I can always use matches if I can get protection from the wind. Thanks for the info on the concentrate pens. I think making concentrates are a pain but it may be worth doing for long trips. For day use one of these electronic herb vapes will do just fine and since weight isn't as much of a concern on day trips I can go with something a little heavier like the davinci if I need to.

IIRC the VG doesnt bypass the butane exhaust from the torch. The Lotus does, however. Id be willing to bet thats your issue and the Lotus would solve it. Just a guess tho.