Discontinued Zion vaporizer

HD Springer · Sep 18, 2017

Another way to force yourself to slow down the draw is to pack a tighter load at first. At least on a new screen/stem. Then once you start getting better results stir and loosen the pack.

This isn't the first time people have had a hard time finding the "right" technique. An early beta user needed a quick little face time I believe to get a start in the Zion.

You can over power the heater at first. There's an entire back pressure or somthing to that nature that needs to occur in order for the heater to properly run. My wording or explanation can't be 100% correct. This is all things I remember Ryan posting about somewhere.

tblast · Sep 18, 2017

Mine arrived, put it through a couple of sessions already and I love it. I have an OG milaana (raised glass, SS mesh in intake), so it's nice to have a little more power, though I'm finding i actually like it with the knob turned low. Haven't put it through the paces yet, but technique from the Mi is def helping.

pics:

I requested the green glass because to me it looks nostalgic, I love the look, but it was a hard choice on the color for sure!

AJS · Sep 18, 2017

HD Springer said:
Another way to force yourself to slow down the draw is to pack a tighter load at first. At least on a new screen/stem. Then once you start getting better results stir and loosen the pack.

Also with the Milaana people have better results with a used screen once some resin has built up. Fresh stems always give a tad bit of trouble. Same was true for me with brand new flight boxes .. I liked used ones more.

Shit Snacks said:
you can hold the button much longer here and the lower settings help keep it level so a long steady draw can yield massive dense clouds on very low temp power settings.

Mmmmmmm. One of the things I'm verryyyy excited for. Mmm. :bowdown:

upriver said:
The train has arrived! Will look forward to a maiden voyage this evening. Pleased to see that the stem I ordered from theoregonglassblower and held onto for 2 years fits perfectly:

Now THATS what I'm talking about. A pic on arrival without me asking kindly (or furiously begging .. same thing). Thank you!! My man!

Same to you @tblast awesome pics. Thanks a ton! I thought there would be more "glow" tho from being oiled and waxed. Is it? Thoughts? Looks suuuper smooth and clean though!!

I'm in heaven reading and seeing all these Zions. So fun.

Edric al-Fali · Sep 18, 2017

tblast said:
I requested the green glass because to me it looks nostalgic, I love the look, but it was a hard choice on the color for sure!

It was a tossup between green and blue. I went for green for the same reasons. The whole thing looks like it was made in the 70s early 80s. I should be vaping stems and seeds right now.
lol i used to have pet rats and I would leave the seeds in, and then give cooked seeds to my rats

vaperdog · Sep 18, 2017

vapen00b said:
Have you guys checked, if batts are fully charged and are properly inserted making good contact? Have you cranked the dial all the way up? Have you preheated at max for 5 secs, no draw? Then release and immediately re-press while beginning to draw slowly for 10-20 sec (for example)...
If you feel more comfortable, use a water tool to try this. Repeat, repeat.
You should ruin your load pretty quickly due to the raw power.
Unit should go to around 220C in 5 seconds.

Hope it's just a technique thing and you're being cautious not to go too far.

vapen00b said:
Don't draw too fast, start drawing slowly and constantly.

Try to preheat, pushing the button for 5 secs without drawing. Then repress and start taking a good, long, slow draw.

Yeah Ive used new batteries freshly charged making good contact and have been using it at 100% power with plenty of preheating. I am getting pretty good extraction but despite my best and repeated effort I cant get it to even come close to charring, a light to light medium brown is the darkest I can get it.
I dont feel like the issue is technique related, Ive had every version of the FW so Im used to drawing slow and can char on all of those with no problem. I dont know, maybe I need to get in contact with Ryan, I just hate to be a bother

AJS · Sep 18, 2017

vaperdog said:
Yeah Ive used new batteries freshly charged making good contact and have been using it at 100% power with plenty of preheating. I am getting pretty good extraction but despite my best and repeated effort I cant get it to even come close to charring, a light to light medium brown is the darkest I can get it.
I dont feel like the issue is technique related, Ive had every version of the FW so Im used to drawing slow and can char on all of those with no problem. I dont know, maybe I need to get in contact with Ryan, I just hate to be a bother

I would give him a call. It's his job to help, and normally is happy to do so. Tell him what you told us. Maybe something needs to get done.

Keep us updated!

upriver · Sep 18, 2017

What can I say... it works real well. Excellent flavor with the dial in the middle and robust heating with thick vapor with the dial cranked. Needs much more experimentation but that will take time.

The one nitpick is that the knob is slightly loose in its housing. It is fine with a gentle touch but I am afraid it could be overtorqued and knock a connection loose in theory. Probably fine, but I am a sucker for heavy-duty trim controls.

Anyway, initial impression is quite favorable.

vapen00b · Sep 19, 2017

upriver said:
The train has arrived! Will look forward to a maiden voyage this evening. Pleased to see that the stem I ordered from theoregonglassblower and held onto for 2 years fits perfectly:

Woohoooo... Now that's a sexy beyotch! An you know what? I got the same great flared mouthpiece stem - it has waited for 2 yrs. to get used

It's the PERFECT stem to get MASSIVE dry hits... It adds some slight restriction that can help you getting perfect hits due to the smaller diameter .. But you are likely to cough from the sheer potency of those lung busters. So don't be too greedy

This baby is gonna make you cry

Can't recommend this great piece of work enough. Hit Mike up, @Oregonglassblower. Fantastic quality work.

Enjoy your life-long honeymoon

tblast said:
Mine arrived, put it through a couple of sessions already and I love it. I have an OG milaana (raised glass, SS mesh in intake), so it's nice to have a little more power, though I'm finding i actually like it with the knob turned low. Haven't put it through the paces yet, but technique from the Mi is def helping.

pics:

I requested the green glass because to me it looks nostalgic, I love the look, but it was a hard choice on the color for sure!

vaperdog said:
Yeah Ive used new batteries freshly charged making good contact and have been using it at 100% power with plenty of preheating. I am getting pretty good extraction but despite my best and repeated effort I cant get it to even come close to charring, a light to light medium brown is the darkest I can get it.
I dont feel like the issue is technique related, Ive had every version of the FW so Im used to drawing slow and can char on all of those with no problem. I dont know, maybe I need to get in contact with Ryan, I just hate to be a bother

And another one... Shit! Beautiful grain and pattern... And I must confess, I really dig that green! Great fit, tolerances must have become even tighter than before.
Thanks for the pics!!!

Have fun with it.

Have ya named yours btw?

It was a fun game back then and I would like to hear some new family members' names

Just to say hi to my sisters...

AJS · Sep 19, 2017

vapen00b said:
Have ya named yours btw?
It was a fun game back then and I would like to hear some new family members' names Just to say hi to my sisters...

I've been holding onto Zina for 20 months now.

upriver said:
What can I say... it works real well. Excellent flavor with the dial in the middle and robust heating with thick vapor with the dial cranked. Needs much more experimentation but that will take time.

The one nitpick is that the knob is slightly loose in its housing. It is fine with a gentle touch but I am afraid it could be overtorqued and knock a connection loose in theory. Probably fine, but I am a sucker for heavy-duty trim controls.

Anyway, initial impression is quite favorable.

Awesome to hear. Very exciting. Honestly I'd nitpick about the dial too. As long as it works tho right? Worst case, breaks, send it in.

vapen00b · Sep 19, 2017

Just wanted to announce that RBT is gonna go live on IG now!
Tune in, if ya like. Always a good time over there. See ya?!

Modicum · Sep 19, 2017

@vapen00b can't seem to bring up RBT live.I'm on Instagram at RBT site and cannot find the broadcast. Help.

muunch · Sep 19, 2017

Folks, words from RBT via the stream: He said maybe 15% of people didn't respond to his last email, so he's sending out another soon.

Be sure to check your spam, and if you haven't heard yet, but you ordered... I'd just call him.

Chooooooooooochooo

He said another 10-20~ going out in the next little bit here

AJS · Sep 19, 2017

muunch said:
He said another 10-20~ going out in the next little bit here

*sweats profusely*

Here's a lil peek of Ryan doing some sanding and polishing! This batch looks nearly complete!!

vapen00b · Sep 19, 2017

Modicum said:
@vapen00b can't seem to bring up RBT live.I'm on Instagram at RBT site and cannot find the broadcast. Help.

Hey friend,

I'm sorry you couldn't join. Actually, the connection broke down several times for me... Maybe it was his connection? He is broadcasting on most weekdays. Hopefully, you'll be able to join next time?

See you around!

Edric al-Fali · Sep 19, 2017

vaperdog said:
I dont feel like the issue is technique related, Ive had every version of the FW so Im used to drawing slow and can char on all of those with no problem.

I find that you have to hit the Zion harder than the Firewood. It seems counterintuitive because everyone here is saying to take slow hits, but I don't think most of the people here have used the FW.

If you use a Firewood, you need to hit the Zion harder. I like to bathe the bowl in heat, but then rip it out. I feel like with the Zion you need to do a faster draw. I think it makes sense with the heater power and airflow. The airflow is the killer here. I think because of the wide and clear air path, the heat has plenty of room to spread out where in the Firewood, a weak heater has a narrower air path. Weaker, but concentrated heat that needs to be slowly dragged through the chamber.

The Zion in comparison, needs a rush of hot air quickly before it has time to cool in the larger space.

I'm still playing with it tho. I'm just giving what I experienced.

Of course, if your heater doesn't work, it doesn't work. I'd like you to still play with it. As with my bad heater on the FW3; I got so good with a bad heater that the replacement was phenomenal.

As an aside to another FW owner and maybe relevant if you replace your heater; the bad FW3 had to be bumped up to 7 on the reprogram and then only 3 and 4 got good hits, where as my replacement, now I can blacken on the first level with no reprogramming of the heater.

Philreal187 · Sep 19, 2017

It still seems a bit unreal to post this, but I got my ZION!! :buzz:

It was just over 2 years and the patience paid off! :myday:

I have been only using the zion since getting it on friday and it did not take much learning for me to get this vape to rip. I have a milaana and this is just like it but with a temp dial. I am getting about 5 stems per battery charge right now. I have no issues getting a full extraction of the herb and taking as far as I like. The craftsmanship and finish are great, I love the idea of an all in one portable with storage!

Number 92 has many more sessions to run before I will truly know it, but the name train is rolling!

I believe that waiting two years and only having reviews from two years ago left the expectations a bit high. Since technology is always growing I'm sure this was a train that was moving at full steam two years ago. Now there are options that are comparable. With that said I believe this is by far the best battery portable I have ever owned and possible used. It is quick to hit at anytime or great to sit down and have a longer session while temp climbing. I will be taking the zion with me on many adventures for a long time to come!

:peace:

I just figured out how to post pictures again :doh:

So I will be posting a ton more in the future!

AJS · Sep 19, 2017

@Philreal187
Wooo congrats man and nice write up! Great looking unit too!!

Have a question for anyone who may be able to answer. When using a lower setting, does the Zion use full power to get there, then drop off? Or does it use less power and therefore take longer to get there?

In plainer terms, does it take as long to get to a lower setting's peak point than it does a higher setting?

Is it basically just a Milaana but you get to tune it with more or less power like Ryan does when he builds Milaanas .. except with a bigger heater?

Thanks

Shit Snacks · Sep 19, 2017

AJS said:
@Philreal187
Wooo congrats man and nice write up! Great looking unit too!!

Have a question for anyone who may be able to answer. When using a lower setting, does the Zion use full power to get there, then drop off? Or does it use less power and therefore take longer to get there?

In plainer terms, does it take as long to get to a lower setting's peak point than it does a higher setting?

Is it basically just a Milaana but you get to tune it with more or less power like Ryan does when he builds Milaanas .. except with a bigger heater?

Thanks

I believe the latter, if you set it very low and held the button for minutes the temp would still climb quite high I think* (don't do this btw people)

vapen00b · Sep 20, 2017

Edric al-Fali said:
I find that you have to hit the Zion harder than the Firewood. It seems counterintuitive because everyone here is saying to take slow hits, but I don't think most of the people here have used the FW.

If you use a Firewood, you need to hit the Zion harder. I like to bathe the bowl in heat, but then rip it out. I feel like with the Zion you need to do a faster draw. I think it makes sense with the heater power and airflow. The airflow is the killer here. I think because of the wide and clear air path, the heat has plenty of room to spread out where in the Firewood, a weak heater has a narrower air path. Weaker, but concentrated heat that needs to be slowly dragged through the chamber.

The Zion in comparison, needs a rush of hot air quickly before it has time to cool in the larger space.

I'm still playing with it tho. I'm just giving what I experienced.

Of course, if your heater doesn't work, it doesn't work. I'd like you to still play with it. As with my bad heater on the FW3; I got so good with a bad heater that the replacement was phenomenal.

As an aside to another FW owner and maybe relevant if you replace your heater; the bad FW3 had to be bumped up to 7 on the reprogram and then only 3 and 4 got good hits, where as my replacement, now I can blacken on the first level with no reprogramming of the heater.

Hey man,
As you're still playing with it, I can say that you definitely don't need a fast draw... not at all. you CAN but defo don't need that. Depends on style and technique. I find the Zion to be the perfect sipper, while I need more of draw to get the tubo shine I find. Try longer/hotter sessions. YOU move that heat to the load, so slow sipping is not a problem if you can do so. Just needs a bit more target temp, cause you don't pull that much of a volume then... hope this makes sense.

Also, as you mention it, your FW doesn't seem to be ok. You should not be able to char on level1. Its corresponding temp range is 299F max. I have one too, doesn't happen to me. No temp bumps,stock.

Have fun experiencing the Zi !

Philreal187 said:
It still seems a bit unreal to post this, but I got my ZION!!

It was just over 2 years and the patience paid off!

I have been only using the zion since getting it on friday and it did not take much learning for me to get this vape to rip. I have a milaana and this is just like it but with a temp dial. I am getting about 5 stems per battery charge right now. I have no issues getting a full extraction of the herb and taking as far as I like. The craftsmanship and finish are great, I love the idea of an all in one portable with storage!

Number 92 has many more sessions to run before I will truly know it, but the name train is rolling!

I believe that waiting two years and only having reviews from two years ago left the expectations a bit high. Since technology is always growing I'm sure this was a train that was moving at full steam two years ago. Now there are options that are comparable. With that said I believe this is by far the best battery portable I have ever owned and possible used. It is quick to hit at anytime or great to sit down and have a longer session while temp climbing. I will be taking the zion with me on many adventures for a long time to come!

I just figured out how to post pictures again So I will be posting a ton more in the future!

Absolute stunner!!! Really, really happy for ya to finally have yours. Next one I'm thinking of is @AJS :rockon:

Ah, btw, are you able to sip as you already have your technique down a bit? Maybe you can help @Edric al-Fali from a fresh perspective?

All the best my fellow Zionites and soon-to-be's

Edric al-Fali · Sep 20, 2017

vapen00b said:
Hey man,
As you're still playing with it, I can say that you definitely don't need a fast draw... not at all. you CAN but defo don't need that. Depends on style and technique. I find the Zion to be the perfect sipper, while I need more of draw to get the tubo shine I find. Try longer/hotter sessions. YOU move that heat to the load, so slow sipping is not a problem if you can do so. Just needs a bit more target temp, cause you don't pull that much of a volume then... hope this makes sense.

Also, as you mention it, your FW doesn't seem to be ok. You should not be able to char on level1. Its corresponding temp range is 299F max. I have one too, doesn't happen to me. No temp bumps,stock.

Have fun experiencing the Zi !

Absolute stunner!!! Really, really happy for ya to finally have yours. Next one I'm thinking of is @AJS

Ah, btw, are you able to sip as you already have your technique down a bit? Maybe you can help @Edric al-Fali from a fresh perspective?

All the best my fellow Zionites and soon-to-be's

My entire point was that you don't hit the Zion like a firewood. Comparatively, the Zion doesn't require such a restrictively slow draw. Moreover hitting the zion as slow as a firewood won't get you as good results. The fact that you even have a firewood makes me wonder why you are missing this point.
I even said that I am not having any more problems. I was giving input on a problem I literally went through because it might not be a heater problem.

Being able to blacken on the first level of a firewood can be done if you take the hit slow enough. That is the whole point of taking slower hits on the firewood, because it can't keep up. If you take them too slow, the heat will build up no matter the temperature. It's not like i'm doing it every load; it was an example.

cannabis.pro · Sep 20, 2017

Hey FC!

SHIPPING ALERT!
Ryan is missing close to a dozen replies on Zion Glass color preferences and shipping address confirmation emails. He sent out another email from another address recently to perhaps bypass spam filters. Check your spam filters and get back to him. He wants to send you a Zion!

KeroZen · Sep 20, 2017

vaperdog said:
Yeah Ive used new batteries freshly charged making good contact and have been using it at 100% power with plenty of preheating. I am getting pretty good extraction but despite my best and repeated effort I cant get it to even come close to charring, a light to light medium brown is the darkest I can get it.
I dont feel like the issue is technique related, Ive had every version of the FW so Im used to drawing slow and can char on all of those with no problem. I dont know, maybe I need to get in contact with Ryan, I just hate to be a bother

But that's precisely the beauty of it! You get tons of vapor and the ABV ends up seemingly lighter in color precisely because the design parameters make it hard to char. Why do you want to char in the first place by the way? The recurring jokes about 10% combustion were really just jokes, we're on FC!

As you say yourself, you get pretty good extraction. Isn't it all what matters? I get darker ABV in my conduction vapes but I find I get more medicated and faster with the Zion. Keep in mind that color seems to be a poor indicator of extraction state.

And that taste! This is where it shines. It takes a single error in the MVT, Milaana or Firewood to get a little charring, and afterwards you never get that pristine taste back, it's tainted for the remaining of the bowl (and it falsely gives you the impression that the load is spent when it's clearly not)

My sessions are longer in the Zion, I like it laid-back at 75% on the dial or lower, but the taste is so good until the very end. None of my other vapes can do that. To me that's the main quality of this vape.

upriver · Sep 20, 2017

Last night I took the Zion (no cute name quite yet) with me to warm up before a sitar/overtone singing concert. While not as truly portable as some rigs, it was no problem to bring and the self-contained nature of the whole kit is quite nice. I am in a legal state but I nonetheless felt discrete as I took a few 80% dial hits and was glowing for the whole performance, no muss no fuss.

The concert was truly transcendental on its own merits, but the Zion put me into that receptive state where time and space were doing their things without typical restrictions. The music was visible and the cares of the outer world were unable to pierce the temporary zionic bubble.

I'll have to get back into the battery habit, but I can see this thing displacing my Silver Surfer as my bedroom standard. I never really liked the whip system, and this hits just as hard and warms up even more quickly. Very nice work, and a shame these will never see commercial light of day.

HD Springer · Sep 21, 2017

upriver said:
Last night I took the Zion (no cute name quite yet) with me to warm up before a sitar/overtone singing concert. While not as truly portable as some rigs, it was no problem to bring and the self-contained nature of the whole kit is quite nice. I am in a legal state but I nonetheless felt discrete as I took a few 80% dial hits and was glowing for the whole performance, no muss no fuss.

The concert was truly transcendental on its own merits, but the Zion put me into that receptive state where time and space were doing their things without typical restrictions. The music was visible and the cares of the outer world were unable to pierce the temporary zionic bubble.

I'll have to get back into the battery habit, but I can see this thing displacing my Silver Surfer as my bedroom standard. I never really liked the whip system, and this hits just as hard and warms up even more quickly. Very nice work, and a shame these will never see commercial light of day.

Couldn't agree more as far as wanting the Zion to be an actual production model. It's too good of a working vaporizer not to be.

Dramma Lamma · Sep 21, 2017

KeroZen said:
But that's precisely the beauty of it! You get tons of vapor and the ABV ends up seemingly lighter in color precisely because the design parameters make it hard to char. Why do you want to char in the first place by the way? The recurring jokes about 10% combustion were really just jokes, we're on FC!

As you say yourself, you get pretty good extraction. Isn't it all what matters? I get darker ABV in my conduction vapes but I find I get more medicated and faster with the Zion. Keep in mind that color seems to be a poor indicator of extraction state.

And that taste! This is where it shines. It takes a single error in the MVT, Milaana or Firewood to get a little charring, and afterwards you never get that pristine taste back, it's tainted for the remaining of the bowl (and it falsely gives you the impression that the load is spent when it's clearly not)

My sessions are longer in the Zion, I like it laid-back at 75% on the dial or lower, but the taste is so good until the very end. None of my other vapes can do that. To me that's the main quality of this vape.

If people are reporting max temp is not enough to char or combust that is a big issue to me.
How is it ever going to get to a sufficient temp for hash, wax or other concentrate?

I bought a manual device for a reason, so I can turn it as high as I damn well like.
To me personally max should combust, just like heavy handing a milanna does, or a LSV or a nano, underdog ETC.

Sure it sucks to burn a nice fresh load with the Milana on hit one. But the entire appeal to the zion is that it is supposed give you that same power. But now you have a handy little dial that takes a lot of that guess work out of the equation, like a log.

We don't want something like maxing out the mighty's temp extracts evenly. We bought a device which was really advertised to be more and well, we want more. I really don't think something repeatedly touted as " basically a portable log" should be allowed to fail to combust.

Quite troubling, Ill just leave that as my 2 cents until I get mine. Which from speaking with ryan I'm gonna be one of the final ones.

Discontinued Zion vaporizer

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Looks like a job for!