Experienced Beginner...

Hi all,

Needing some advice.

Background - Have been smoking (combusting) herbs for the last 20yrs or so. Recently i was relocated to South East Asia, in one of the countries where its difficult to source herbs in general, forget about quality stuff. Finally got hold of some a few months ago. Quality is really low but cost is low as well. Comparably 1/10 of what i was paying.
I travel to L.A. (USA) every year, so picked up a Arizer Solo a few months ago, during my travels, in the hope that it may help in providing a good high. I LOVE IT :-)

I have 2 question -

1. Since i do not have access to buy a vape (and its associated spare parts) i have decided to purchase another one on my upcoming trip to be on the safe side (back up incase one breaks down). Was wondering if there are any recommendations?
The only thing that matters to me is Vapour Quality. Portability is NOT important, although i prefer smaller units just so it doesn't take up much place around the house. The unit will always be used at my place, i don't travel with it.

2. How do i tell the quality of the herb and the associated temp settings to vaporise with maximum effect. I have been trying different settings but feel like its a hit and miss.

Thanks in advance for reading

Cheers

Get a e nano it will last you a long time I doubt it will ever brake

It only takes a pinch of herb less Len your solo

IMO it's like a plug in solo with less restriction and more power

Very small unit that can be left on 24/7

I would suggest the Lotus! Although I really think the Solo will become the back up after a couple of days... I don't recall anyone getting it and not liked it immensely around here. It took some time but the community discovered and appreciated this little wonder. Vapor quality is just amazing! And it hits hard. I doubt the Solo will be able to get you high enough after the Lotus. I sold mine very quickly...

The Solo has some conduction so despite the temperature, the effects are more similar than a 100% convection unit.

The Lotus is great and has become my daily driver because of the excelent extraction and taste, and also for being so pratical and quick.

It uses a torch lighter so you need to master the technique for the best experience, but it is rather quick as well. The only thing is, you don't have a set temperature that you know the exact value of.

But it is easy to keep doing short hits to keep the temp at a minimum and the vapor absortion efficient.

While I own and like the Lotus. I would instead recommend a good desktop vape. The LSV(or SSV), e-nano(or another log), Vap 2(amazing taste for a low cost) or one of the other highly rated desktops.

Adding the Lotus to your Solo is not gonna give you that much different of an experience. On the other hand adding a quality desktop will diversify your portofolio and introduce you to clouds no portable can compete with.

I'm wondering if the herbs you have access to are good enough to be vaporizing?

But you say you're loving the Solo, so they must be at least decent, yes? Maybe your "hit or miss" is related to less than stellar herbage? I mean no offense, just wondering.

The only way I can tell the quality of my herbs is to first scope them on a cheap magnifying lens. If they pass that test, then I vape them. If they pass that test, then I'm good!

Assuming that the herbage is vape-quality, then I agree with @deadheadbill that you should get a lower-priced, tried and true, quality desktop. If you're only using it at home FOR SURE, then you will have a more well-rounded experience with a desktop than another portable. The LSV is a pretty safe purchase and offers some versatility as well.

If you truly want another portable that's dependable, then I agree with the Lotus suggestions, although I have never actually used one. But there sure isn't much that can go wrong with it! Neat little unit that I may pick up myself one of these days...

LSV over the Lotus all day everyday any damn day! That being said get em both!

+1 for the E-Nano if you'd prefer a plug-in unit. However, if you're living somewhere in Asia that experiences regular power cuts then the Vapman or Lotus may be more suitable

aceskace said:

Portability is NOT important, although i prefer smaller units just so it doesn't take up much place around the house. The unit will always be used at my place, i don't travel with it.

Click to expand...

+1 for the e-nano again. Have you seen how small one is?

As as stated

it's like a plug in solo with less restriction and more power

Click to expand...

Sounds exactly how I would describe it.

aceskace said:

2. How do i tell the quality of the herb and the associated temp settings to vaporise with maximum effect. I have been trying different settings but feel like its a hit and miss.

Click to expand...

Your material will even differ in the same bag, depending on where it was located on the plant. I always start as low as I can and work my way up the heat. Don't worry about the first hit, it's always the one that draws all the moisture out of the material, unless of course your material is really dry to begin with.

If it's between the e-nano and a desktop unit,
then get the desktop e-nano for 1/2 price!

The ev-2 and all ev-2 accessories are 50% off right now,
coupon code EV50
http://www.epicvape.com/index.php

Is the e nano not a desktop ?

I've never used either but from what I understand, an e-nano is a typical small log vape designed to be used handheld, while the ev-2 is quite a bit bigger so made to stay on the table and be used with a whip. Also I think the ev-2 has a glass core and the e-nano has stainless steel core. They both plug in to the wall for power, but the ev-2 supposedly warms up in 2 minutes and has a boost mode.
Here's more on the ev-2 (description is in kind of a weird place):
http://www.epicvape.com/about_us

grokit said:

ev-2 supposedly warms up in 2 minutes and has a boost mode.

Click to expand...

I think you have them mixed up. The e-nano uses the ceramic heater that is warm in 2 minutes, the ev2 is < 5 minutes.

I just think the nano would fit him better because it is smaller, similiar size load to the Solo (ev2 takes more material), has the variable temperature control as an external unit (a screw on the bottom of the ev2 to adjust temp), and the nano is much smaller than the ev2.

i prefer smaller units just so it doesn't take up much place around the house.

Click to expand...

Not that the ev2 is a bad unit. If he can get material for cheaper, it might be quicker for 1 el-bowl vs multiple nano stems.

Tweak said:

I think you have them mixed up. The e-nano uses the ceramic heater that is warm in 2 minutes, the ev2 is < 5 minutes.

I just think the nano would fit him better because it is smaller, similiar size load to the Solo (ev2 takes more material), has the variable temperature control as an external unit (a screw on the bottom of the ev2 to adjust temp), and the nano is much smaller than the ev2.

Not that the ev2 is a bad unit. If he can get material for cheaper, it might be quicker for 1 el-bowl vs multiple nano stems.

Click to expand...

Please re-check the link I posted above:
"With a two-minute heat time the EV-2 is ready when you are."

You are correct that it has a ceramic heater; it also is the one with the glass air path.

Wow thanks for all the input.

Sounds like its a toss up between the e nano, ev2 and the lotus. Is the e nano and ev2 the same? For some reason when I google the 2, the images are fairly similar.

Also bear in mind I don't really have a fixed budget (upto $1000 ). I guess primary importance is low maintenance and high end vapour.

aceskace said:

Is the e nano and ev2 the same?

Click to expand...

grokit said:

I've never used either but from what I understand, an e-nano is a typical small log vape designed to be used handheld, while the ev-2 is quite a bit bigger so made to stay on the table and be used with a whip. Also I think the ev-2 has a glass core and the e-nano has stainless steel core. They both plug in to the wall for power, but the ev-2 supposedly warms up in 2 minutes and has a boost mode.
Here's more on the ev-2 (description is in kind of a weird place):
http://www.epicvape.com/about_us

Click to expand...

Tweak said:

I just think the nano would fit him better because it is smaller, similiar size load to the Solo (ev2 takes more material), has the variable temperature control as an external unit (a screw on the bottom of the ev2 to adjust temp), and the nano is much smaller than the ev2. Not that the ev2 is a bad unit. If he can get material for cheaper, it might be quicker for 1 el-bowl vs multiple nano stems.

Click to expand...

I don't clean my nano just let them stems get filthy only thing I would say I clean I'd sometimes a bit of bud will stick to the heater cover and I have to use the e pick to nock it off

What about build quality between the ev2 and e nano? Any issues?

What about devices like the Plenty and Firefly?

E nano is built like a tank I would assume the the ev2 is built just as well

They will blow away devices like the plenty and FF

All glass vapor path is best

Ok just realised that the enano runs on 120v, the country I live in is 220-240v.

^^ same here - you just need a step down converter

aceskace said:

What about build quality between the ev2 and e nano? Any issues?

What about devices like the Plenty and Firefly?

Click to expand...

Cant speak on the others as I've only used two desktop vapes, my friend's Volcano and now my Plenty. I like my unit a lot. The vapor is cool, dense and strong. It's not as tasty as the Solo, but still good. The amount of plastic makes it seem cheap, but it is well-made and even better designed. It doesn't seem likely to break. All parts can be removed for cleaning or replacement. Friends are confused by its looks at first, but quickly learn to respect it for what it does. The bowl is huge, so works well in groups. The liquid pad is helpful when using smaller amounts (I use it most of the time with success).

While I am very satisfied with its performance, I feel like its pricetag will keep people away from it (for good reason). Thing is, I never thought I'd pay this much for a vape, but once I got it and used it -- I couldn't imagine not having it....so guess it is worth it to me.

I wanted a larger bowl, cooler vape temps, and faster extraction compared to the Solo that I was using as a portable/desktop for a year. Once I got my Pax, I felt the portable category was filled perfectly. The Plenty is a great desktop unit, though it is funny looking. You might consider the SSV, DBV, and Cloud EVO since money isn't an issue. (first two aren't very expensive)

EDIT: I strongly considered the Nano, EV2, SSV, CLoud, and DBV before getting the Plenty. In end, I didn't want to deal with balloons, glass or long whips. Only thing left was the Plenty. Fortunately, it exceeded MY expectations.

as said:

They will blow away devices like the plenty and FF

Click to expand...

That's a pretty strong statement, have you tried the plenty or the FF ?

True I have not tryed any of them and they bouth will have there advantage

On another note, have you considered having a friend send you via say, Next Day Air or similar with some tasty bud vacuum packed flat, flat flat and sandwiched between thin cardboard, as if it were a document? Just trying to brainstorm the other side of the equation......