Looking for a first vape around $200 and overwhelmed by the choices

Budget: $200 (less is better of course)

Personal Usage Patterns: Currently smoke 2 - 3 times per week (low tolerance). I mostly smoke alone, but I would also like a group-friendly vaporizer. I am also looking for a long term unit that is flexible enough to be used in different ways as I may change my usage patterns in the future. My ideal vape would allow for low usage consumption for myself (around .1g), without sacrificing the ability to be used by a group of people.

Prior vaping experience: I tried a MFLB and that's not what I'm looking for; I want a desktop unit. I've tried an HerbalAire and found it be pretty good. I've looked at the SSV, DBV, EQ, and PD. Any help choosing a vape is greatly appreciated.

the ssv and dbv have the same heating element but the difference is the angled heater cover on the ssv. the angle means you can use hash in here too! it's lovely btw

I have my ssv and have been loving it ever since i got it! it's pretty veratile too. is use the whip mostly. but sometimes when i;m feeling fancy or my thorat is sore i will opt for water filtration!

the bowl takes about a 0.3 gram, but you can by all means use less or purchase a bowl screen made for the eq. they fit perfectly in the ssv wand (standard HC wand type) with this mod you can pack the 0.1 you are after I would just put a .3 in personally

you can get a ssv on here for about 240 i think with a FC member coupon. at least i did when i bought mine!

you can also get a blemished version off ebay from the manufacturer for about 190 i think sans the bag you would normally get.

SSV takes about 5 min to heatup before i use it.

You can never go wrong with a log vape: they are efficient, low volume consumers, and are just in your price range. typical stem pack is far less than .1g, but the vapor output is substantial.

My Purple Days has never ever been a regretted purchase - I just ordered my second. You can use them in glass, as their stems mate nicely with a 14mm joint.

It is not, in the comparative sense (imo), a great group vaporizer. because it takes a bit of time to extract all the vapor from each tiny stem back, it is not the best at getting four people UP at the same time, if you know what i mean. nontheless, log vapes excel in many categories -- check them out!

good luck!

toasty top (130), rockzap(200), supreme(200+), MFLB with power adapter (~180), used lsv/modded SSV/hakko/herb iron/magicwand (if you are decent with glass + newbies + don't mind ceramic) would be my first choice. I however do not like whips or bags.

People like the HA but I have never used one. I have a ion and it just sits around at my place.

bio, actually the Toasty Top will run you around $160 for the top with stand once you add on the power adapter and one stem. It is $120 for the Top, stand and cup. Alan, at this time, sells them a la carte.

Also the Rockzap is $185 and offered to us on FC at a discount. The discount varies and is in Rick's signature. It comes with the power adapter, two stems, and aroma therapy cup.

I am able to use my Rockzap with a couple of people, as long as we all have our own stems. It does not lose it's heat between hits. However, I prefer to use a whip style vape when I'm with more than one other person.

ohh you're right mom I stand corrected. I always forget that is the base unit.

All good bio.

For versatility I don't think you can go wrong with the HerbalAire. It does both bags and whips, and even comes with the equipment to do multiple bags at once. Runs about $250 with the pump for bags, although I'm sure you can find a better deal if you peruse the "supporting retailers" section for a discount code. Another similar vape is the Extreme Q, and although I'm not personally a fan it IS a good vape. It's slightly more expensive than the HA and the digital controls aren't much of a plus in my experience. When I was using one steadily I think somewhere between a tenth to a fifth of a gram was my usual pack.

The DBV and the SSV are also strong contenders. They will do great in groups and are said to hit extremely well, although you're limited to just the whip with those. Also I've heard that people burn through herb pretty quickly.

I think a log vape is something you need to get proficient with yourself before you're ready to share. That may have changed with some of these new models (TT, UD, RZ) running a bit hotter. My experience is that it takes practice to get good at it. With the other models I've mentioned you can teach people to use them pretty quickly.

+1 For the underdog.. My deals with no problem with any herb,concentrates.. you can get 20 load out of a gram.. concentrates as little as 0.05 -0.1 are going for 20-40 hits.. And the taste is great.. It is a vape bonging champ as well .. It makes thick milky wall.. It works fine in group of friends too.. cuz you get multiple hits off a small load.. Me and other 4 friends.. managed to get high with only one 2 x 0.05 loads.. First bowl went to 4 thick bongfulls 1 for each .. the second load was use via direkt inhalation.. and produced about 3-4 draws for each ... One of them told me that he has always thought vapes are wasting too much herb.. cuz his only previous vaping experience is with the DBV,V tower and volcano...He is claiming my dog to be more efficient than joints.. LOL i am sure all vapes are more efficient than joints... and any combustion.. but it was the dog that showed that non-believer the truth ..
I am getting so close with my dog.. I can compare it to a dog that aids a blind man to get well in the outer world..

I'd say RockZap. I've had no issue using it in a group of three or four people though it's difficult to scale beyond that unless everyone has their own stem as Mom mentioned, since you're only going to get three or four hits out of the stem worth writing home about. It's easily the most durable vape I own and people have made surprisingly versatile accessories and workflows for log vapes. It took me maybe two years of lurking here to finally trying a log vape and it was two years far too long.

My initial requirements were very similar to yours, and ended up going with the Extreme Q. Can easily be found for under $200, great party vape but also super efficient for just you when you elbow pack. Have heard only good things about the HerbalAire but honestly the Q is a great deal. All the options mentioned should leave you a very vaped camper, Welcome to FC!

Even simpler (although its not a 'desktop' vape) would be suitable for your needs would be the SS Coil Vapor Genie (with a micro torch preferably)

This little vape I can use .1 maybe a smidgin over and it hits like a champ. Over and over and over again.
The learning curve to not combust with this vape is much easier, and in IMO its hitting style is very similar to a regular pipe (for your smoker buddies)

Yes, it can be used with a lighter easily (in fact my friends prefer a lighter) but it does tend to require a bit more maintenance to keep it from looking blackened.

This, and you will still have $150 left for something else if you choose

For your usage patterns I would recommend PD/MZ for sure. You'll be happy you did.

Where are you OP? It's been almost two weeks since you asked for help with a vape decision. If you come back we'll still be here, but your thread won't. It's cleanup time. :/