Discontinued The Oracle Infrared Vaporizer

Twanbiz said:

Hi, any ideas on how to clean the insulated chamber of the oracle. I notice that small particles are building up in there?

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Don't own a unit yet.... but is it anything that a can of compressed air could help? or maybe a shop vac?

Was thinking of the canned air but I'm not sure if it would actually be able to blow it out, maybe if I flip it upside down. The vac I tht too but I don't want to damage anything in there. Has anyone been succesful in cleaning the chamber?

Twanbiz said:

Was thinking of the canned air but I'm not sure if it would actually be able to blow it out, maybe if I flip it upside down. The vac I tht too but I don't want to damage anything in there. Has anyone been succesful in cleaning the chamber?

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I have used my small shop vac and these micro attachments which worked to clean up the stuff in the center and it worked really well to get other loose bits.
But to get the little bits stuck around the edge I recently ordered extra long q-tips to use with alcohol. I'll let you know how it goes if i have time to clean it this weekend.

Anyone having problems with the screen in the biomass bowl dropping herb into the bottom of the bowl? When this happens it ruins the bowl that is loaded. I love the machine just having problems getting the biomass bowl to work proper.

The screen is the right size and should be a good fit. Certainly some small particles will get through the screen. Installing a 2nd screen should help. You can also go to the trouble of making sure you load small pieces instead of ground herb. There's nothing new here. A screen is a screen and some herb is going to leak through, no matter what vape or smoking device it's used in.

When this happens it ruins the bowl that is loaded.

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Why?

Hi, as I said I was having issues with a little bit of material getting into the chamber but the shop vac with the micro attachment worked like a charm. The screen stays in the bowl fine for me, not sure what you are doing.

There is just something wrong with my unit is the conclusion I have reached. The screen is placed properly between the two notches at the bottom of the biomass bowl. I am getting blackened herb and burned popcorn tasting vapor less than halfway through a bag. I have the temp nob at less than half.

Anyone been in contact with Oracle recently? I have a little extra money from a bonus blowing a hole in my pocket, and want to add another vape to the collection. I know previously they were waiting on some parts, and may still be waiting on parts. Either way, this seems like a fun party vape and id like to get my hands on one.

Edit: Heard back from BM and Oracle right away. I should be squared away in a couple weeks. More to come.

If you can't wait for the seller to appear Vapornation got it with lowest price guarantee. They also sell the oracle water bubbler for 60 Which i never saw before. idk if it is new .

They also sell the oracle water bubbler for 60 Which i never saw before. idk if it is new.

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Something similar was made for the beta version, but it had to be redesigned when the final, 'for sale' version was produced. Also, Vapornation seems to be unintentionally hiding this adapter. Currently, you can only see it by clicking on "Other Brands", then the Oracle. The other Oracle links don't show it, and it's not under accessories either. I've notified them though, so hopefully it'll be rectified.

This is my first post on here (long time reader) and my review of the oracle vaporizer, which I purchased about 2 months ago. I have previous vaporizing experience using a volcano. I waited to write a review because I wanted to see how it performed after many uses and I felt accustomed to it. The first thing I can say about the oracle is that it is fast to heat up, not ten seconds fast more realistically 30 sec to a min. I have found the best way to get it to correct temp fastest is to turn it on while Im grinding up the herb. Once its ground up, turn the unit off, add the herb, add the stack and bag, turn unit on and its almost instant vapor.
A reason I was drawn to oracle was the fact that not only was it fast but the way it was described it made it seem that the herb was constantly being moved around once inside the biomass bowl. This is not the case however, the herb gets pushed to the top of the bowl against the other screen, so it not in constant motion. I lift the stack off (with machine off) and push down the herb back down into the biomass bowl.
As far as how well its built, its ok. I think since this is the first generation, the next generation hopefully will be built better. For example the screws are not flushed mounted, its so ugly and looks like I built it in my garage. Again its not that big of a deal but for $400 its kinda lame. Also my temperature knob broke, it still useable but again it seems kinda cheap; its a plastic knob with a ss knob over it. As far as the internals I havent open it up.
The vapor quality, its pretty good. I would compare it to a volcano, not better! You can make it get extremely thick vapor clouds if you turn the temp knob to the red lines but at that point (according to the directions longer than 30 sec at that point) your burning it anyway. It does not do well with small amounts of herb either.
Usability is way cool. Its awesome how you can take rips as the bag fills up, works well with multiple users.
Overall has some awesome technology, infrared heat source,(superfast heat up) I think one of the few real all glass airway(most other glass airway vapes have metal bowls), connections from bag (fits in every bong I ever tried.) awesome functionality (ability to take hits as bag fills) combined with top notch customer service. I always receive emails back right away.( I havent tested to see how well the stand behind the warranty because I havent email them about the broken knob.) However it needs some fine-tuning. Better construction, better circumduction in the biomass bowl. I think that as time goes on as long as the reliability is there the Oracle will get better and better. I hope that I havent discouraged anyone from purchasing the Oracle because in all honesty I never write reviews for anything and wanted to give an honest review. I would definitely buy again because for me it preforms better than a volcano.

Thanks for your review phant, and welcome.

Sounds like as a long time bag and volcano user, you have liked the transition to the Oracle. That is great. Also, sounds like you were still critical, and gave areas of possible improvement, also very crucial. To me, the glass on glass element is almost priceless. I have a fair amount of volcano experience, but don't own one. Need a good step up from my Extreme in the rare instances i want to use a bag.

Thanks, I really like the tip you gave to leave the Oracle on with no herb for a while to get temps heated before using. i like my temps consistent when vaping, and this seems like the logical solution to the only gripe i had with the unit in my head, no ability to preheat the unit to ideal temp. before the fan is running. This should help resolve that reservation, and when using back to back bowls the unit will already be warmed a bit for bowl two and beyond. I'll only have to do this before my first bowl.

Well, I think I need a little help here... I am hoping someone can point out the stupidly obvious thing right in front of my face preventing the Oracle I just received from lighting up...

I press the button after inserting a bio-mass bowl, about ten seconds later the pump starts filling the bag; just no light in the bowl area and no heat what so ever. I ventured to look down the hole where you stick the bio-mass bowl and no light what so ever can be seen in this area, turned on and pumping air, or otherwise.

I have tried several different circuits, tested my homes electrical system, basically stood on my head holding my breath, all while praying to the oracle; but no go.

I have contacted bmi, but it is after hours. I will be writing planetvape next; I was just posting in this thread hoping someone may be able to give me the secret code to make this thing light up.

I do notice some glass chards inside the chamber, as well as a couple of glass shards stuck to the piece of tape covering the bio-mass chamber when I received the unit. I am kind of assuming even though the shipping box was in good condition, this unit has some sort of broken lamps or some other catostrophic failure. I really hope they can mail me the parts and let me open it up and install; but I really don't know what is wrong, so that is not a likely scenario.

I'm sure it will be taken care of quickly; I just can't put into words how much I need this vaporizer(or any bag filler) at this point. I love my glass; but don't always have enough time to use it as much as needed.

thanks

Thanks for sharing your info Canna Hound. Sounds for sure like a damaged unit. Bummer. Hope you get squared away quick.

My first experience w/ VHW was kindof similar, the very first unit i had would turn on, but never heated to vape temp. I about made myself crazy trying to figure out if i was doing something wrong, or if it was the unit itself. Finally, i knew it couldn't be me. I kept my heat cover and they hooked me up with a new heating element (i kept my glass cover), and i was ready to rock. In the end i was very happy with how customer service handled the situation, and when the company owner called me directly after my stern email. Waiting longer is no doubt a bummer, but planetvape has great customer service along with bmi, either way im sure you'll get squared away. Let that VHW keep you warm while you wait.

@ Canna hound
I spoke to PlanetVape and they will issue a replacement unit today. Since our heating element is made of Quartz, there is a chance of breakage during delivery. We do our best to insulate and protect the units during delivery but sometimes incidents like this occur. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

@ IAmKrazy2
Sadly fragility is a compromise we must all accept if we choose to go all glass (considering the advantages). Like you said, customer service is very important and I believe it should be exercised properly at all times if a business expects to...well...stay in business.

Thanks for the replies... Planet Vape already has a replacement on the way. Excellent customer service all around!

I am so glad I have a really nice VHW to keep me going

Hi,

The Oracle said:

Sadly fragility is a compromise we must all accept if we choose to go all glass...

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Since "fragility" is on topic i have this question to ask:


Halogen lamps are fragile and i believe the technology used in your product is similar. So...

I'd wish to know if that particular parameter has been considered in the Oracle design:

1) Is there an anti-chock mechanism?
2) What if the lamp's shell is broken?


I understand this is a table apparatus but accidents do happen sometimes. It turns out i've seen halogen lamps crack for no apparent reason before... Is the airpath isolated from the lamp's emanations in case such a catastrophic failure would occur???

I'm very interested in the idea of infrared vaporizing, but after reading this thread I haven't found any mention on how the oracle controls the temperature of whatever you happen to have inside the bowl. Judging by the control knob, I'm guessing that temp is controlled by changing the amount of power to the IR element. Which doesn't seem like a very accurate way to maintain temperature. Could I get some clarification on this?

phant1512 said:

The first thing I can say about the oracle is that it is fast to heat up, not ten seconds fast more realistically 30 sec to a min.

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Mine starts producing vapor in the advertised time. I've seen no need to wait longer than seconds. Also, I'm always going to load a 2nd bag, to make sure I've got the whole bowl vaped, so preheating longer wouldn't give me any significant advantage.

the screws are not flushed mounted, its so ugly and looks like I built it in my garage.

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Flush mounted screws on this type of housing would require flat head screws, and IMO, more labor on the housing to make that method look good. Vape designs need to be cost effective, otherwise you're just passing more cost on to the buyers, for little benefit. To me it's not ugly, and I'll take this model over the Volcano any day for esthetics. It's just personal opinion. Some people like red and some like blue.

It does not do well with small amounts of herb either.

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Any good vape will effectively process a small amount. This model will do it as well as any other. You'll end up with a bag that contains a lot of air and a little vapor, just like with any other bag filler. Load just a tiny amount in a full size whip vape and you could also say that model doesn't do well. What it (and bag fillers) doesn't do well with small amounts is provide thick vapor. That has nothing to do with the brand or model, and everything to do with the size of the vape. It's physics, not brand performance.

Thanks for your opinion and incite Max. I won't be pulling the trigger on the Oracle till after the holidays, but i will take a shot at it no matter what.

If i was using the Oracle, i wouldn't be worried about using small amounts. It is a bag vape, not a PD. As Max said, just a matter of physics.. science is fun kids!

Vaipe said:

I'm very interested in the idea of infrared vaporizing, but after reading this thread I haven't found any mention on how the oracle controls the temperature of whatever you happen to have inside the bowl. Judging by the control knob, I'm guessing that temp is controlled by changing the amount of power to the IR element. Which doesn't seem like a very accurate way to maintain temperature. Could I get some clarification on this?

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You are in fact correct to assume the heat inside the chamber is controlled by modulating the power of the emitter. Although this not enough to accurately apply a steady temperature due to external factors such as air temperature and spectral absorbency of the material you are using. This is why we use a thermal probe which reads the ambient temperature inside the chamber and controls the emitter's power accordingly. Since infrared has such a fast response time, this is why we can claim a high accuracy during use.

Egzoset said:

1) Is there an anti-chock mechanism?
2) What if the lamp's shell is broken?

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1. I am not quite sure what you mean by anti-chock, would you please elaborate?
2. If the emitter's shell breaks, it will no longer work meaning it would need to be replaced.

Salutations,

Egzoset said:

...accidents do happen sometimes.

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Egzoset said:

Is the airpath isolated from the lamp's emanations in case such a catastrophic failure would occur???

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The Oracle said:

...would you please elaborate?

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Well, if we agree that mechanical shocks can/do/will damage halogen lamps then here's a simple scenario: an Oracle vaporizer is installed on top of a table located in an obscure room, its owner walks in and then his foot accidently collides with a leg of that table, transmitting a significant amount of mechanical energy to the objects on it...

I wish to know if this possibility was accounted for while designing the Oracle.

Additionally, if we agree that lamps do break anyway then here's another scenario: the lamp's shell is cracked and whatever chemicals inside the bulb are released in the surrounding environment...

I wish to know if this possibility was accounted for while designing the Oracle. (idem)

Egzoset said:

Well, if we agree that mechanical shocks can/do/will damage halogen lamps then here's a simple scenario: an Oracle vaporizer is installed on top of a table located in an obscure room, its owner walks in and then his foot accidently collides with a leg of that table, transmitting a significant amount of mechanical energy to the objects on it...

I wish to know if this possibility was accounted for while designing the Oracle.

Additionally, if we agree that lamps do break anyway then here's another scenario: the lamp's shell is cracked and whatever chemicals inside the bulb are released in the surrounding environment...

I wish to know if this possibility was accounted for while designing the Oracle. (idem)

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Yes physical shock has been accounted for, most impacts such as an accidental kick should not cause the emitter to break.

The emitters are filled with a noble gas to prevent filament degradation at high temperatures. They are not poisonous and if the shell should break, the emitter will no longer work.

Excellent!

I believe this clears up the matter as far as i'm concerned.

Thank you.

I picked up the dual hookah adapter, which is a great attachment to use with a friend. I enjoy using the bubbler attachment as well, or just filling the bag and taking it to my bong, the 14mm bag piece fits perfectly. I have an issue with cleaning the biomass bowl, since we are not supposed to get the aerogel part wet. The other pieces clean easily with some grunge off. It has become the vape I use the most due to its short warm up time and ease of use.