On Demand, Portable, Good Draw Resistance, Flavorful, Easy to Clean, Easy to Use

Title.. is there nothing that checks every box?

I've spent several days doing research and getting caught up on the current vape scene.
(Vape / use history here, skip if you want)
I owned a Purple Days when it was the new thing and an Underdog later.
I got out of it all and came back with vape pens + carts.
Now I want to get back to flower and I want something with the ease of use of a pen + cart.

So the ideal would be portable battery powered, on demand, easy draw Resistance, hard to screw up, easy to clean, and of course great flavor. It's unlikely I'll go anywhere with it so being discrete doesn't matter too much, just don't want to have to keep something plugged in while it's used. And it wouldn't be a huge hassle if it has to be charged regularly, I'm a very occasional user, so there's some concessions there.

I've run myself in circles and just when I've thought I decided on a settling with a session (Mighty or Solo 2), the cleaning really deters me and truly I know it's going to work best if it's on demand.

So now I've been digging through strictly on demand Vapes and I'm even more lost.

Can anyone make a suggestion based on the criteria I'm looking for?

Much appreciation, I've searched a ton of threads but nothing seems to be honing in on what I'm looking for.

Also really want to stress the easy to use, easy to draw.. the technique required to hit a vape pen w/ cart is about the maximum I'm hoping to find.

A number of vaporizers that are powered by torch lighters come to mind. I don't know if you're down with something like a Vapcap or one of the sticky bricks. (I just read your second post, these require nominal technique, so maybe not for you)
I use one of the 510 dry herb Vapes that attaches to an ecig box mod. There's a few of those, the iheat cartridge, the splinter, and the imp I believe. I have no doubt there are more in this category.
Milanaa and Lil Bud are popular wooden hand made on demand Vapes made by forum members.
I'm high. That's all I got.

the tinymight might check your boxes, but it just came out. people will probably suggest the splinter, although once you add the longer mouthpiece (for cooler vapor) it's pretty big. from everything I've read, on-demand vapes tend to create hotter vapor and almost always require a stir or 2 if you want to avoid uneven vaping.

I appreciate the fast reply.

I have checked out some of those torch lighter powered ones and maybe that's a possibility but the ideal would be press a button style. If it's press button, wait a few seconds and hit, that's great. Main concern is draws without results and inconsistency.

I looked at the splinter a bit but it's a little intimidating with the size. If it checked the rest of the boxes though maybe something like that could be the way to go.

I was looking into the Milaana and the Lil Bud but feedback seemed to be inconsistent in regards to some of the qualities desired.

I will certainly keep looking into those 3 in the meantime and hopefully if others have feedback in regards to the original question they'll chime in as well

Thanks again.

shadowtrap said:

I was looking into the Milaana and the Lil Bud but feedback seemed to be inconsistent in regards to some of the qualities desired.

I will certainly keep looking into those 3 in the meantime and hopefully if others have feedback in regards to the original question they'll chime in as well

Thanks again.

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Milaana and Lil Bud are great. There are haters galore when you get into the craft /b vape world. Don't let them scare you off.

If you don't mind a torch I love the Lotus and Elev8r but if your not too sure about the butane world @RogueGuy offers a vape called the smokestack that will tell you if that is the way you want to go for very little $. It's a good way to dip your toe into that scene.

I love the FireWood line. I have the 5 and saving for a 6 maybe next summer. The thing about the FireWood 5 is that you need to take a slower hit almost like a J. Draw restriction is like a coffee stirrer straw. I don't know if that's too tight for you but once you get the hang of that vape it is really good.

The only vape I have ever had that tiks every box you listed is the now endangered VapeCritics G43


You also have the Firefly, Boundless Tera ( I just bought 1 and I'm still honeymooning over it so take this for what you will ), Lamart TetraX, keep your eye on that TinyMight too. I hear lots of good things from a lot of trusted forum members.

I think you should add Timber Elite to your list to look at.

I do love the Splinter but I think it’s really a keep at home vape. If you want an out and about vape, that may not be the best choice for you. But it technically is portable so it does check all your boxes...

Thanks for the additional considerations.

I do think the draw restriction of a coffee straw would be a bit much. Ideally would be able to take relatively short draws but I know I may have unrealistic expectations.

In order of importance of what I'm looking for would be:

1. Consistent hits
2. Cool vapor / easy on 'sensitive' lungs
3. Easy draws with minimal effort
4. Great taste
5. On demand / short prep time
6. Easy cleaning
7. Portable

Absolutely wanting something that checks every box but 1 is more important than 7 for instance.

Wondering if I should just go for the Solo 2 as it seems like everything except not on demand although is fast to be ready, and maybe not great draw resistance?

But if there's something better based on my desires that sure would be neat..

shadowtrap said:

I've run myself in circles and just when I've thought I decided on a settling with a session (Mighty or Solo 2), the cleaning really deters me and truly I know it's going to work best if it's on demand.

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For the usage style you describe I think the Mighty or Solo 2 are good choices. Not on demand but ticks the other boxes, especially ease of use. The Mighty couldn't get any easier to use, incredibly simple, consistent, cool vapor. A bit more to clean than the Arizer, but you could use dosing capsules to keep the bowl tidy.

I agree, the mighty has to be the simplest vape to use, I am huge advocate for dosing capsules. You can load and unload capsules into the mighty quickly. Vapor is top notch and consistent every time. Using caps everything stays very clean in the bowl area, the cooling unit does need to be cleaned but you can run it for a long while before cleaning. The battery last a very long time too. Get the s&b dosing capsule loading kit and you can load up 40 capsules in a few minutes very convenient. The mighty is slightly large in hand, but it is very light in hand.

The ghost mv1 is another good one, portable, pure convection, excellent flavor, cool vapor, great effects, long battery life, customer service is outstanding! And it's on sale now for a great price.

The Ghost Mv1 was very intriguing for me but I read a lot of people stating inconsistent hits, lots of need to learn 'how' to hit it, pack it perfectly to get good hits, etc. Other than that it sounded like just what I was looking for..

Do you have any personal experience with it or any knowledge about those kind of qualities existing in that vape?

The mighty does sound intriguing but sometimes we like to just take 1 hit or so and chill for awhile then take another hit, not sure it would accommodate that but maybe I could just pack small capsules..

I think the Tetra vaporizer by @funkyjunky deserves a look.

shadowtrap said:

sometimes we like to just take 1 hit or so and chill for awhile then take another

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This is why I mostly use a Splinter or Splinter Z at home. Folks on the Splinter thread will make sure you get up to speed and wattage mode requires no fiddly settings of any kind while delivering great flavor, big clouds, and even extraction. When you do decide to try TC mode you'll discover the 510 devices have two distinct modes and each has its own personality.

The best budget mod that runs the optional firmware you might try later is the Wismec RX gen3 Dual.

Don't fuck with the Solo II: the draw resistance is too restricted. That and the Mighty are session vapes anyway so not ideal for just two or three hits.

A good way to get session vape simplicity with something approaching on demand user experience is to pair a smaller, faster session vape like the Fury Edge with a glass accessory. It's not truly on demand at all but you can load a small amount which let's you appreciate the flavor more often. A dome screen will open the draw resistance a bit and keep the glass screen from clogging. You'll never get a hit from any session vape like you can get with a Splinter though. Good to have one of each since the Splinter doesn't travel well while the Fury carries great and is decidedly more stealthy..

you definitely want 2 units one for session and one on demand. ghost problems I think have been solved for the most part, mine is running like a champ, the newest mv1 run more consistent now I believe. some still have the door latch problem I don't, if you do have a problem ghost will take car of it very quickly. the only negative of the ghost mv1 to me its very heavy in hand, some like that, some don't, personally I like lightness for carry. splinter z is awesome, it is desk top power in your hand, no joke. so many good choices these days, we are very fortunate. my opinion get a mighty or crafty for session, and then get a ghost mv1, or splinter z for on demand. you will be a happy camper!

david8613 said:

you definitely want 2 units one for session and one on demand. ghost problems I think have been solved for the most part, mine is running like a champ, the newest mv1 run more consistent now I believe. some still have the door latch problem I don't, if you do have a problem ghost will take car of it very quickly. the only negative of the ghost mv1 to me its very heavy in hand, some like that, some don't, personally I like lightness for carry. splinter z is awesome, it is desk top power in your hand, no joke. so many good choices these days, we are very fortunate. my opinion get a mighty or crafty for session, and then get a ghost mv1, or splinter z for on demand. you will be a happy camper!

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I’ll add to that suggestion a Fury2 or Edge instead of the mighty or mv1 to go with a Splinter (I have the v2 and not the z. I love mine and it’s much less $$$)

Kinda in the same boat as the OP. The Dreamwood Glow looks really nice and the pricing is great but how do you keep a wooden vaporizer clean? Having to replace the coils every few months sounds a bit annoying too if you never did that before .

dudeguy said:

Kinda in the same boat as the OP. The Dreamwood Glow looks really nice and the pricing is great but how do you keep a wooden vaporizer clean? Having to replace the coils every few months sounds a bit annoying too if you never did that before .

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I use the iheat cartridge and it's made of wood. I rub warm beeswax into the outside of it and that is about all. Well, I don't let it get wet. But I wouldn't want any of my vapes to get wet. Except maybe the vapcap m. Does the glow really require changing of coils that much? The mesh heater has been going forever in the iheat cartridge. The heater doesn't typically glow, though.

The iHeat uses a much larger spiral mesh heater, that @Alan designed himself. The Glow uses the smaller and more common e-ciggi style coils. They've less mass and so tend to glow up faster when dry fired, but usually the glow subsides when you take a draw and cold air flows over the coils.

Don't own a Glow myself, but have constructed my own 510 portable along its lines, using a base that'll accept off the shelf mesh heaters. They too need replacements once in a while, but it's an easy and straight forward procedure.

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions. It sounds a lot like the Splinter is very well recommended. Only concerns based on my research would be claims that the vapor comes in hot and unpleasant from the short stem and extra dry from the long stem.
Anyone have different experiences with that?
It sounds like it's known for really ripping and with how little I partake I probably don't need something that powerful but maybe it's still the way to go.
Definitely feeling the on demand route and exploring all the options there.
Will probably fall back on a fast heat up session like the Mighty if all else fails.

But I have a lot of research to do based on the recommendations.

Thanks again.

shadowtrap said:

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions. It sounds a lot like the Splinter is very well recommended. Only concerns based on my research would be claims that the vapor comes in hot and unpleasant from the short stem and extra dry from the long stem.
Anyone have different experiences with that?
It sounds like it's known for really ripping and with how little I partake I probably don't need something that powerful but maybe it's still the way to go.
Definitely feeling the on demand route and exploring all the options there.
Will probably fall back on a fast heat up session like the Mighty if all else fails.

But I have a lot of research to do based on the recommendations.

Thanks again.

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I’m pretty new to the Splinter and have never found it hot and I have only used the short stem and XL8R short stem. I find the taste muted because it’s so cool and works best with a slow draw.

The taste does go south if you try to pull a spent basket. That’s just learning how many pulls you get from a fresh basket.

I’m really happy with this vape...so much so that I just got a backup!

Have you looked into Dynavap? That vape gets tons of love. And you can get your feet wet for not much $$$. With that one, I think you’d be happier with one of the induction heaters. But it really sounds like you’d be happier with an on demand vape (that lets you use it one-and-done) rather than a session vape.

shadowtrap said:

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions. It sounds a lot like the Splinter is very well recommended. Only concerns based on my research would be claims that the vapor comes in hot and unpleasant from the short stem and extra dry from the long stem.
Anyone have different experiences with that?
It sounds like it's known for really ripping and with how little I partake I probably don't need something that powerful but maybe it's still the way to go.
Definitely feeling the on demand route and exploring all the options there.
Will probably fall back on a fast heat up session like the Mighty if all else fails.

But I have a lot of research to do based on the recommendations.

Thanks again.

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The Mighty is slow to heat up compared to newer session vapes like the Fury Edge and not a good candidate for the use case I described previously where you turn it on for just a few hits with plans to come back later.

The Mighty isn't competitively priced either: you could get a Splinter V2 with a Wismec rx gen3 dual and a pair of batteries AND a Fury Edge with the free bent stem or WPA for less than the cost of a Mighty alone.

It might be true that you're a pretty lightweight user who doesn't need the big rip potential of a Splinter. My first vape was the Fury 2 and just .05g loaded in the bent glass stem would be a cheap, easy way to get started. It's unlikely you'd have any qualms about flavor, vapor quality, efficiency, or effects if you just went with a Fury Edge or even a discounted Fury 2. No shame in that since you've been out of the game.

Typically every new Splinter shopper frets about all the setup hassle that makes 510 devices less of a turnkey/idiot-proof solution. Really you can just walk in the footsteps of the folks on the Splinter thread: buy the Splinter, mod, and batteries everyone already uses and screw the Splinter into the mod, set it to 34 watts or thereabouts and Bob's your uncle. It's always gonna look weird compared to a session vape and it's never gonna travel as easily as an Edge but the flavor and on demand performance are peerless for the $120 or so it costs to put one together.

To your questions about harshness: I personally don't care for the included short stem so I'd recommend the XL8R combo right from the start. @Mr. Me2 is correct that the dimpled stems mute the flavor a bit but the concern that you'd have to choose between harsh and dry is unjustified. With the Splinter and Splinter Z the large surface area heater and precise on demand heating deliver first rate convection vapor. The things you're reading as you research your purchase are more details for the connoisseur. Also one hit from a Splinter extracts as much as two or three hits off a session vape so harshness is mitigated by fewer total hits for equivalent extraction. The effects from on demand convection vapor at this level are exquisite as well.

I'm similar to OP and just recently picked up both a Dynavap and Splinter Z. I'm in love with both and haven't smoked since the Dynavap came in the mail. I do prefer the Dynavap myself, but the Splinter Z is a close second. I'd really look into that one OP. I doubt you'd be disappointed with it. I use TC mode and it's easy to set up and gives consistent hits

ETA I don't rip the Z even though it's capable of it. I sip it. Performs great for whatever sized hit I'm after at the moment.

BestBuds said:

Milaana and Lil Bud are great. There are haters galore when you get into the craft /b vape world. Don't let them scare you off.

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That's how it is!
I would vote for the Splinter Z or Lil Bud Elite.

Alright I think I'm sold on the splinter. Just checked and there was a great deal on one but looks like it's sold out now.

Is there a particular model I should look for? Z vs V2 ?