The Herbalizer

nigel

And shepherds we shall be,for Accuracy & Discovery
I thought about jumping on one but I think I'll wait until the gen2 herbie comes out.

I'm not sure of why you would do that. At this point, there seem to be no known issues to resolve, so you wouldn't be getting a "better unit" in so far as basic functionality goes. Most likely a new rev would have some improvements, like features added and what-not, but that's more icing than it is cake. I don't think there is any risk in acquiring this vape now, unless you really want to hold out to see if it does something like come in other colours in the future.
:)

Combusted in my unit today. Placed some overly dry material in the bowl at full blast...bleh. My fault completely, but just an FYI to those curious

Ick. (and you too @grokit ) I know that Josh went to a lot of trouble to PREVENT combustion (After some FC'ers requested a higher max temp, he did some more tests and wrote this post.). So, mildly concerning that the two of you found the "perfect storm" to combust, but it sound like even in your cases it was isolated events. I'm not worried as I never go that high in temp, but good that other people keep an eye out for it.

Like a hairdryer.

:rofl:
 

elmomuzz

That just happened...
I'm not sure of why you would do that. At this point, there seem to be no known issues to resolve, so you wouldn't be getting a "better unit" in so far as basic functionality goes. Most likely a new rev would have some improvements, like features added and what-not, but that's more icing than it is cake. I don't think there is any risk in acquiring this vape now, unless you really want to hold out to see if it does something like come in other colours in the future.


If I had no vaporizer I would really consider it as my first but since I have several really good ones I'm willing to be patient. As good as it is I'm sure once they get feedback from hundreds/thousands of users they will think of some improvements.
 

Crohnie

Crohn's Warrior
Limited edition had 14 Herbies in stock before I ordered. It's now down to 12. Hopefully, I won't have to wait too long for my Love Bug. :love:



Herbie-The-Love-Bug-550x412.jpg
 
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vtac

vapor junkie
Staff member
The control and speed this device delivers continues to impress me far beyond that which I had expected. I can still understand how a newcomer might be underwhelmed by the ability to accurately control temperature, and even more so I can see how an experienced vaporist might write it off as an unexciting achievement.

After all, nearly every vape out there can control its temperature to some degree, or be coaxed into doing so with usage techniques or mods like adjustable power supplies. Many people find a temperature that they like within their first few uses of a new vaporizer and that's where the dial stays. Eterra-style vapes have been a favorite around here for years despite their preset temperature. It really isn't that difficult to heat plant material for the purpose of boiling off desirable and delicious compounds--the creative and simple designs that many popular vaporizers use can attest to that. You can throw some herb on a heated frying pan and it will vaporize.

Sometimes you only start to understand or appreciate something after you've experienced it. For me it hasn't really started to sink in until now that I've had one of these units at home to play with for a while. @stickstones has been talking about vape signatures for awhile and for me the Herbalizer's is extremely enjoyable. In a way it's highly adjustable in 1 degree increments, and if I were to guess I'd put it at at least 90% convection. The stainless steel bowl does get warm especially after long periods of use at high temperatures, and one would think there may be some radiant heat going on with the halogen bulb, but based on my experience with other vaporizers this is the sweet, sweet signature of efficient convection in a well designed bowl. I think that the device's ability to maintain a consistent temperature also plays an important part in the sig. This is flavor country.

Those who make an effort to stretch their stash should love this vape. My tolerance was at a low level when I got the unit and I've been enjoying the low temperature spectrum down to the device's lowest at 143C (290F). At that temperature for me the effect is subtle and very enjoyable--a unique buzz that I can't remember experiencing with other vaporizers. That's not to say that they couldn't provide a similar temperature, but the Herbalizer takes the guesswork out of the equation that tends to dissuade one from experimenting with temperatures that low and instead crank it up.

Oh yeah, stretching your stash. It's a beautiful thing with the Herbalizer. If your willpower and tolerance are in the right place I have to say this vape makes it possible to stretch herb farther than any other model I've used. You can start at 143C (290F), vape for a couple minutes, enjoy the buzz, come back a bit later and increase the temperature by 20, 15, even 5 degrees at a time. The vape makes it easy since it starts up at the temperature you left off at and heats up before you get comfortable in your chair. I've gone through the entire range (143C - 229C / 290F - 445F) in 10 degree increments a number of times and each level is a slightly different experience.

It also works very well with PD size loads and providing that you don't pack tightly, cooks as evenly as any vape I've used. So if your tolerance and willpower are in check you can take 0.05 grams through nine sessions. That's 180 sessions with 1 gram. Of course not many people are going to do this, but the Herbalizer makes re-vaping easier and more enjoyable than anything else out there that I've used. The vape sig and consistent temperature control also keep the vapor in the tasty zone throughout.

No, advanced temperature control isn't necessary to vaporize--two of my three most currently used vapes have relatively crude temperature control. What it does do is open up a lot of possibilities. Experimenting becomes much easier, dosing is more reliable, and to me the experience is more enjoyable. As I see it, the Herbalizer's temperature control superiority is a combination of the following factors in a well-engineered design and software implementation.
  • Precision - Reliable and consistent temperature control. Repeatability.
  • Accuracy - The thermocouple used has a rated accuracy of 0.1% and drift of less than 0.1F per year. It's also located directly underneath the bowl area.
  • Speed - The purpose built halogen bulb is the fastest and most powerful heat source in any vape that I can think of. The thermocouple can detect temperature changes in a fraction of a second.
  • Calibration - High performance components are important, but the system must be calibrated properly for them to work in concert. Each Herbalizer unit is calibrated individually.
  • Resolution - The unit is adjustable in 1 degree increments, with a conservative stated accuracy of 2.77C/5F.
  • Feedback - The digital readout makes it easy to see where the temperature is at and how long it will take before it reaches your setpoint.
Take away one of these things and you're left with a far less capable and/or useful temperature control system. These are some of the same reasons I use my induction cooktop instead of my coil stove and a digital balance instead of spring scales. I'm having a hard time thinking of another vape that comes close in any of the above categories. The herbalAire (still what I think when I hear "Herbie") comes to mind and it shouldn't be a surprise that Josh and Co. used it as a benchmark when they started out.

I get that some people are put off or even offended at the price of this vape. Someone even ran with that and made light of the fact that the designers are former NASA engineers and the vape is being built in the USA. The reality of the matter is that it takes serious brains and money to achieve this level of product. I didn't think we'd get here quite so soon with a vaporizer, but I couldn't be more thrilled. Even when big business decides to test the waters they're going to have a difficult time finding people as passionate as Josh, Bob, and Sheila.

Having some inside information I can also say that if anything this vape is actually underpriced relative to other popular vapes whose designs have been essentially unchanged for years. There's a reason those guys are rolling in cash and Josh drives a beat up Subaru. If you can build a vape of this caliber and sell it for less I'm sure almost everyone would love to see it. I hope you have a few million lying around where you keep your rocket scientists. :)

---

I've really been slacking on the documentation part of my experiments. My lack of photography skills and equipment hasn't helped either. If I remember correctly these pictures were taken at the lowest to highest temperature settings and I don't remember the increments. The green crumbs in the last pic were accidentally mixed in from some fresher herb. I need some more test subjects. :D



Edit: Spellling.
 
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dorkus_molorkus

Well-Known Member
The control and speed this device delivers continues to impress me far beyond that which I had expected. I can still understand how a newcomer might be underwhelmed by the ability to accurately control temperature, and even more so I can see how an experienced vaporist might write it off as an unexciting achievement.

After all, nearly every vape out there can control its temperature to some degree, or be coaxed into doing so with usage techniques or mods like adjustable power supplies. Many people find a temperature that they like within their first few uses of a new vaporizer and that's where the dial stays. Eterra-style vapes have been a favorite around here for years despite their preset temperature. It really isn't that difficult to heat plant material for the purpose of boiling off desirable and delicious compounds--the creative and simple designs that many popular vaporizers use can attest to that. You can throw some herb on a heated frying pan and it will vaporize.

Sometimes you only start to understand or appreciate something after you've experienced it. For me hasn't really started to sink in until now that I've had one of these units at home to play with for a while. @stickstones has been talking about vape signatures for awhile and for me the Herbalizer's is extremely enjoyable. In a way it's highly adjustable in 1 degree increments, and if I were to guess I'd put it at at least 90% convection. The stainless steel bowl does get warm especially after long periods of use at high temperatures, and one would think there may be some radiant heat going on with the halogen bulb, but based on my experience with other vaporizers this is the sweet, sweet signature of efficient convection in a well designed bowl. I think that the device's ability to maintain a consistent temperature also plays an important part in the sig. This is flavor country.

Those who make an effort to stretch their stash should love this vape. My tolerance was at a low level when I got the unit and I've been enjoying the low temperature spectrum down to the device's lowest at 143C (290F). At that temperature for me the effect is subtle and very enjoyable - a unique buzz that I can't remember experiencing with other vaporizers. That's not to say that they couldn't provide a similar temperature, but the Herbalizer takes the guesswork out of the equation that tends to dissuade one from experimenting with temperatures that low and instead crank it up.

Oh yeah, stretching your stash. It's a beautiful thing with the Herbalizer. If your willpower and tolerance are in the right place I have to say this vape makes it possible to stretch herb farther than any other model I've used. You can start at 143C (290F), vape for a couple minutes, enjoy the buzz, come back a bit later and increase the temperature by 20, 15, even 5 degrees at a time (Resolution is 1 degree with a stated accuracy of 2.77C/5F). The vape makes it easy since it starts up at the temperature you left off at and heats up before you get comfortable in your chair. I've gone through the entire range (143C - 229C / 290F - 445F) in 10 degree increments a number of times and each level is a slightly different experience.

It also works very well with PD size loads and providing that you don't pack tightly, cooks as evenly as any vape I've used. So if your tolerance and willpower are in check you can take 0.05 grams through nine sessions. That's 180 sessions with 1 gram. Of course not many people are going to do this, but the Herbalizer makes it easier and more enjoyable than anything else out there that I've used. The vape sig and consistent temperature control also keep the vapor in the tasty zone throughout.

No, advanced temperature control isn't necessary to vaporize--two of my three most currently used vapes have relatively crude temperature control. What it does do is open up a lot of possibilities. Experimenting becomes much easier, dosing is more reliable, and to me the experience is more enjoyable. As I see it, the Herbalizer's temperature control superiority is a combination of the following factors in a well-engineered design and software implementation.
  • Precision - Reliable and consistent temperature control. Repeatability.
  • Accuracy - The thermocouple used has a rated accuracy of 0.1% and drift of less than 0.1F per year. It's also located directly underneath the bowl area.
  • Speed - The purpose built halogen bulb is the fastest and most powerful heat source in any vape that I can think of.
  • Calibration - High performance components are important, but the system must be calibrated properly for them to work in concert. Each Herbalizer unit is calibrated individually.
  • Resolution - The unit is adjustable in 1 degree increments.
  • Feedback - The digital readout makes it easy to see where the temperature is at and how long it will take before it reaches your setpoint.
Take away one of these things and you're left with a far less capable and/or useful temperature control system. These are some of the same reasons I use my induction cooktop instead of my coil stove and a digital balance instead of spring scales. I'm having a hard time thinking of another vape that comes close in any of the above categories. The herbalAire (still what I think when I hear "Herbie") comes to mind and it shouldn't be a surprise that Josh and Co. used it as a benchmark when they started out.

I get that some people are put off or even offended at the price of this vape. Someone even ran with that and made light of the fact that the designers are former NASA engineers and the vape is being built in the USA. The reality of the matter is that it takes serious brains and money to achieve this level of product. I didn't think we'd get here quite so soon with a vaporizer, but I couldn't be more thrilled. Even when big business decides to test the waters they're going to have a difficult time finding people as passionate as Josh, Bob, and Sheila.

Having some inside information I can also say that if anything this vape is actually underpriced relative to other popular vapes whose designs have been essentially unchanged for years. There's a reason those guys are rolling in cash and Josh drives a beat up Subaru. If you can build a vape of this caliber and sell it for less I'm sure almost everyone would love to see it. I hope you have a few million lying around where you keep your rocket scientists. :)

---

I've really been slacking on the documentation part of my experiments. My lack of photography skills and equipment hasn't helped either. If I remember correctly these pictures were taken at the lowest to highest temperature settings and I don't remember the increments. The green crumbs in the last pic were accidentally mixed in from some fresher herb. I need some more test subjects. :D

NOW THATS HOW YOU REVIEW A MUTHAFUCKING VAPORIZER!

Someone give this man a promotion.

If I didnt know better Id swear you might have huffed on a vape once or twice before.

Have you ever thought of ditching this dive and starting your own website?:D:D:D
 

nicelytoasted

Vaked Chemist
The herbalmiser, I like it, toros23, and it hasn't been taken already, like "herbie" has.

The herbalizer looks like a winner, but c'mon peeps, you've got a really good vape on your hands. To be modeled after the herbalaire is one thing, but to steal it's nickname as well? Let's see some originality here, please....
 
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Excellent review, @vtac. Really makes me want to explore the "uplifting" range more. I haven't gone lower than 325 or so. Is 290 even high enough to start volatilizing THC? How about the versatility in delivery methods? Which has been your preference so far?
 
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letter never sent,

Vitolo

Vaporist
The herbalmiser, I like it, toros23, and it hasn't been taken already, like "herbie" has.

The herbalizer looks like a winner, but c'mon peeps, you've got a really good vape on your hands. To be modeled after the herbalaire is one thing, but to steal it's nickname as well? Let's see some originality here, please....
Just because there has been another person named Vitolo that is called Vito does not mean I can not have my friends call me Vito...
I won't force Vitomeister or Vitolito... Vito it is!
I do not know about anybody else...
My Unit is HERBIE.
Period.
To be modeled after the herbalaire is one thing, but to steal it's nickname as well?
1- who trademarked the nickname so it could not be used by a better vape?
2-anyone that believes the Herbalizer in ANY way was modeled after the Herbalaire obviously has not seen an Herbalizer (Herbie) in person.
 

CentiZen

Evil Genius in Training
Accessory Maker
Just because there has been another person named Vitolo that is called Vito does not mean I can not have my friends call me Vito...

A great point. I think the nickname herbie could be shared happily by both vapes. However;

2-anyone that believes the Herbalizer in ANY way was modeled after the Herbalaire obviously has not seen an Herbalizer (Herbie) in person.

I think the word "modeled" here is being used in a broad sense, more as inspiration than an actual physical model. The team behind herbalizer has made it pretty clear from the start the herbalaire has been one of the vaporizers they used most as inspiration for it. To quote VTac's last post even:

The herbalAire (still what I think when I hear "Herbie") comes to mind and it shouldn't be a surprise that Josh and Co. used it as a benchmark when they started out.

Even with this in mind, I think there's going to be an initial period of confusion if both vaporizers are going to be known as the Herbie. I think it's important that we don't react to that by devolving into comparisons or professing which of the two are "better", rather to just let it ride and become a part of the vernacular.
 
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ResonantOG

Well-Known Member
I must say... the difference between 375f and 395f is... INTENSE :whoa:

LOLCATZ

Yes. Its amazing how much temp matters now. Herbie will get you from buzzed to faced over about 10 degrees.

Is it possible for a vape to overmedicate us?
Seems too easy to achieve with the Herbie, even after a month of SOLID testing.
She blows through whatever tolerance i thought i had everytime...

I gotta say, yes. I am only just now getting a handle on this. Herbie also brings out more of the strains character... so I have had to re-evaluate what I use, when.

Also, you people and Herbie have ruined me. I haven't smoked one single time since I got the Herbalizer, and now I don't even like to vape above say, 405!! I am a vapor-snob.

I don't even want dark ABV, I just get it MOAR GOLDENER!!!
 
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Vitolo

Vaporist
A great point. I think the nickname herbie could be shared happily by both vapes. ..
I own 2 HerbalAire Units (HerbalAire H2.2). They are out in the community, used as loaners for patients without a vape.
I used them both in the past, and had no issue with medicating with them, when it was "their turn".
I just never thought of... or referred to my HerbalAire as "Herbie".
Like other Vapes I own, I never gave it a nickname at all.
My "Herbie" is actually the first Vaporizer that has endeared itself to me enough for me to use a nickname.
(My Canes all have nicknames!)
I was going to call Herbie "Vito".... but my wife pointed out that this name was already being used by someone in the house, and that it might confuse the dogs.
Time to Herbalize... but I'll be back.
 

Slightly Medicated

(SliM) Iron Lungs
If I had no vaporizer I would really consider it as my first but since I have several really good ones I'm willing to be patient. As good as it is I'm sure once they get feedback from hundreds/thousands of users they will think of some improvements.

I think you will be waiting a very long time for a 2nd generation. They spent a long time getting this first generation how they wanted it... over three years to be exact. I would imagine that they will stick with the first generation model for quite awhile. They still have to iron out all the processes of being a company now (manufacturing time, customer service, and logistics) before they focus again on improving the product. I don't see them going down the vapor blunt path... creating product after product and upgrading/changing units hoping something will hit big.

On another note: One thing that has been amazing me is how clean my water pipe is staying. I am able to use the water way longer then other vaporizers and it will stay clear/clean. Most other vaporizers make the water turn a little brown over time. Also the sides of the glass stay cleaner... not nearly as much orange oil/resin deposits. It makes me thing the vapor is not condensing on and inside the water pipe as much. Now I can tell I need to change the water because the hit will get overly harsh and make my throat tingle... otherwise it is still pretty clear water. Very interesting stuff.
 

nicelytoasted

Vaked Chemist
1- who trademarked the nickname so it could not be used by a better vape?
2-anyone that believes the Herbalizer in ANY way was modeled after the Herbalaire obviously has not seen an Herbalizer (Herbie) in person.

1 - A better vape?? Perhaps more refined and updated, but better, maybe to you, but not everyone, especially at 4-5 times the cost.

2 - or used an HA properly or at all, and doesn't understand the science behind the inner workings of vapourizing in general.

Yes, Centizen it was used in a broad sense, and I was happy to see the HA get some kudos, since it gets little to no love in here, overall.
 
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Quetzalcoatl

DEADY GUERRERO/DIRT COBAIN/GEORGE KUSH
In casual talk a while back he threw out 4 years for Herbalizer 2.0. I'm not sure if he was kidding but it seemed reasonable to me after using it. Even back then before production (he listed off some tweaks back then that were in the works) I wasn't thinking about Herbalizer 2.0 because I couldn't think of anything substantial to add to it. If anything there will be incremental upgrades. I'm positive they'll try to work around everything because modifying the existing unit seems harder to me than modifying accessories.

I too would rate the Herbalizer better than the HerbalAire in probably every way except durability. But I'm not the kind of guy to purposely test durability of my toys ;) Herbalizer does subjectively best HA in every way I can imagine, performance-wise. Cost does factor in but I think Vito meant from a performance perspective. I try to stay away from making broad subjective statements as everyone is different and situations change.
 

nicelytoasted

Vaked Chemist
I too would rate the Herbalizer better than the HerbalAire in probably every way except durability. But I'm not the kind of guy to purposely test durability of my toys ;) Herbalizer does subjectively best HA in every way I can imagine, performance-wise. Cost does factor in but I think Vito meant from a performance perspective. I try to stay away from making broad subjective statements as everyone is different and situations change.

How about complete penetration/extraction of the goodies with non-ground, compressed buds- don't think so, and, of course, reliability & track record. Keep in mind that the HA-herbie has been out for 10 years, and was far ahead of the curve, especially with its unique turbulent air flow design. Only time will tell with the herbalizer-herbie, but it looks like a good design, well built, and properly tested & QA/QC'd unit, that has great potential, long term.

I too, try to avoid the broad subjective statements, but will respond to (and challenge)those who do, especially when I believe that they are incorrect.

And I actually like what I see in the herbalizer-herbie quite a bit, overall, so far.
 
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Quetzalcoatl

DEADY GUERRERO/DIRT COBAIN/GEORGE KUSH
Meant durability out of box, physical durability, not longevity. I apologize, I should have been clearer. I don't keep track of everything in every thread, so forgive me for asking if the answer is yes, but do you have an Herbalizer?
 

Vitolo

Vaporist
Herbalizer has done well here.
100% of the folks that have been over to visit it are joyful over their visit.
I can count the times I have used the bag on one hand... but I enjoyed it.
I have been having a very pleasant time medicating since I have had this unit, and find myself making excuses to use it.
Perhaps share some of that HA love in the HA thread!
 
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Quetzalcoatl

DEADY GUERRERO/DIRT COBAIN/GEORGE KUSH
Vito, you were the one that mentioned "better." Why move the conversation elsewhere when it's fine here? Comparisons for the sake of crapping all over a device maybe not but why not compare here?
 
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Vitolo

Vaporist
I feel it is fine to speak your opinion in another Vaporizer's thread..... ONCE.
when it gets around to more than a comment in a certain direction, it begins to feel like a rebuttal.
That has been the feeling I personally have gotten over the past couple of posts.
I feel it would benefit the "other" thread for some love to be shared there... it does not get all that much... and is falling on deaf ears here.

Edit: I went over to the HA thread to have a peak, and I see that the HA fan among us is already there trying to revive that thread which although having opened in 2008 has a very humble 58 pages.
My apologies.. I guess I did not have to recommend going there!
 
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