Best of the Underdog Vaporizer thread

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EveryDayAmnesiac

Well-Known Member
A bothersomely amateur and exhaustively wordy but nontheless earnest review for your reading pleasure.:\

This is my first review, and the UD is only the second vape I've used (after the MFLB), and second vape I've purchased (after the DBV... still waiting on that one), so, I'll be clear from the beginning that any usefulness attatched to this assesment will probably only apply to rookies who don't want to read the entire thread - veterans will most likely find little of value here.

Starting with the packaging, which is important to me; I live in a small town in a red state. It is definitely discrete. Plain USPS priority box wih a regular, unassuming return address. No one's going to have any idea what's in it. And the packaging inside the box was immaculate. It was as though my father had packed it while insatiably determined to finally teach me "the proper way" to send a package. :lol: Really, it just could not have been any safer in that thar' box. Furthermore, the shipping was as fast as a person could ask for. To be specific, I ordered it early Wednesday evening (my time,) it shipped Thursday morning (his time), and I got it on Monday - and my small town's mail goes through a few stations before it gets to me. So that was freakin' awesome.

All of this naturally falls under the customer service aspect, which in total is stupendous; I definitely felt good about buying from this company.

As far as this vape's already practically legendary efficiency goes, I found it to be true! Indubitably true! This was one of those rare occurences where something was as good as I imagined it could be... if only that could be said for the rest, or even a little more of, my life. :doh: I kept looking in my "Daily Supply" jar and wondering if I was even going to get through 25% percent of it. So far, for each individual day, I have not. Factor in the learning curve and that's pretty darn good, and getting better each day I use it. The "investment" is already paying off!


Now, I'm the type who greatly prefers small hits, as I have an embarassingly low tolerance. I'd much rather take three small hits over 20 minutes than one huge rip - frankly, I've got plenty of spare time, and around here, the days all feel like at least two days. Additionally, huge rips tend to make my chest sore and also help bring on panic attacks. So I like being able to use small amounts. But in the process of learning how to properly use the UD, I found myself taking much bigger hits than I'm used to without trying - so big hits are definitely possible if that's what you prefer, or you can use it in pretty much the same way you would an old combustion one-hitter. But uh, even after just one of bigger rips, I was hopelessly medicated. So, in my opinion, the little Dog can pack a wallop, as others have mentioned. And once I got the hang of it, I was able to take small and wicked efficient hits that kept me motivated and active without anxiety. Perfect. And just for the sake of, I psyched myself up into being ultra brave and tried moving the screen during one bowl to get hotter temps., and found it to be very easy after a few clumsy tries.
 
Another reason I was interested in the UD is because it fits in so well with my cabin home (glorified apartment), to the point where it is virtually unnoticeable; it's pretty much in camoflauge. So it's rates high in the inconspicuousness factor, if that's important to you.

I have found the warmup time for my UD to be about half an hour, as others have. So... just pop it on when you wake up, go move your bowels, drink your tea, feed the cat, and it'll be ready to go right when you need it. To me, a half hour wait first thing in the morning is easily manageable. Especially if you're a morning crapper who uses that time to "really get some thinking done."

It also comes with a buttload of helpful little tools and storage tubes that I think most people will find themselves using for more than just the UD, which is nice. I especially liked the inclusion of the corks - very handy!

I won't say what extra goodies were included in mine for using the shipping code - that might not be fair to future buyers - but the ones I received were nice and something I will actually use, instead of being merely meaningless throwaway items.

And just to stress the lovely simplicity a bit more...

The first vape I used (but don't own) was the MFLB. I liked it okay, but felt like I could never quite use it correctly. I'm an idiot with "stuff like that." I'm more of a booksmart guy with zero common sense, so my slight dissatisfaction with the MFLB I chalk up to my own woeful ineptitude. But, despite being that type, after the third session with the Underdog, I felt confident that I was using it in a near perfect mix of "the way it should be used" coupled with the style that suits my personal medication needs. I've picked it up in a way I never did with the MFLB. So, if you like that vape, you'll enjoy the Underdog as well. If you don't like the MFLB, I would say the Underdog is worth trying before you give up on vapes altogether (as I almost did). And considering it's very reasonably (relatively) priced, you won't have to spend too much to find out if it's right for you.

So, all in all, the UD is simple, relaxing, not intimidaing, and lovely to look at, as well as calming to hold. Really, I think you'll find yourself just holding it for no reason. It's very welcoming in a natural, mostly indefineable way. It just feels... right. It's wood, after all.

The only negatives I could find aren't really negatives, and are pretty much "nature of the beast" issues, as far as I can ascertain.

One thing that surprised me was the size and weight of the power supply. When looking at all the UD's, I never really thought about the wallwort, but it's fairly large and heavy. Bigger and heavier than my UD, I think. But I don't mean to imply that it's huge - not at all. It's just bigger than I was expecting. The only issue that could arise from it is that you might have to factor it in when deciding where you want to keep your Dog - make sure there's enough space!

I did notice it was giving off a slight smell that others have mentioned the first time I used it. The smell was almost nonexistant the second time I used it and completely gone by the third. And really, it was hardly noticeable to me to begin with. So don't worry!

It does take some practice to figure out where to put your screen (and for me, HOW to put your screen!), your draw speed, etc. But, even to a newcomer with little-to-no common sense, the Underdog is soon giving very nice hits - and they keep getting better very quickly.

To my childishly wussy hands, the Dog definitely was warm, but I wouldn't say it was "hot." It was not a Twig, which I think get a little hotter, ... it definitely is noticeably warm, but i found it to be pleasantly so, I guess, especially since I was using it in the basement where it's a little chilly. I have had mine on for seven hours straight at most so far and did not notice it being any hotter than it was after only one hour. So I didn't find it to be a problem, but something to factor in, perhaps.

SO!...To put it slightly more austerely: I really, really like this vape! Affordable, simple, effective, efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and from a company obviously dedicated to superior service. I think this is going to be my "daily driver" for quite a while...

Sorry for my longwindedness!... I must crave attention or something.:shrug:

 
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underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Hey SS64 I can't find a message from you anywhere, sorry about that. Cords for the VVPS you can either make yourself if you're handy and can find the parts or you can get from us. We only have one kind shown on the website but I can probably make you whatever you need. Can you post a link to the power supply so I can see what kind of cable you'll need? I can ship you something out on Monday.

 

underdogette

one in a billion
Company Rep
So.... we have added both types of VVPS cords to the site: Lab Style and Tattoo Style, but at the moment, we have turned off ordering on the website. Anyone who needs to order something urgently, please send me or Dave a message, here on FC or on Facebook.

Not to sound like a broken record, but we are still fine tuning the server we just moved to. As you can already see, the site is much faster... We are still doing some server configurations to make it run as best as possible with our website platform.

This has broken both the email addresses that are @underdogvapes.com. The @gmail.com emails are still working just fine.

We expect to get this all taken care of tonight - and if everything goes smoothly, the website and the refresh will be up and running at peak performance tomorrow! I know all you UDs have been waiting so patiently!! Thank you so much for hangin' in there with us!

 

underdogette

one in a billion
Company Rep
If I buy a lost dog am I on a waiting list? Every log vape has a waiting list and its driving me up the wall. I'm about to just grab the solo/LSV I really want a log but I cant wait months.

Hey Blazed - just like HES said, if you see it on our website, it's available to ship out within 1-2 business days. The only time you have to wait with us is if you're ordering a custom piece (which can take a couple weeks). No waiting lists here!

Lost Dogs are ones with cosmetic blemishes that don't affect performance.

 
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underdogette

one in a billion
Company Rep
Hey UDs- I thought we had made a post, but maybe we just got too caught up and didn't...

All last year, we shipped to anywhere in the world, but as of the first of this year we're not able to do that anymore and are only shipping within the US.

We tried it all last year, and it was a failed experiment. We'll revisit this decision at a later date, but for now, we are not shipping internationally.

Thanks!

 
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underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Hello, long time lurker first time poster here.

I own a mflb, and was thinking that an Underdog would be the perfect home vape companion to what I already have. I just have a couple questions (they are probably already answered, but this thread is LONG and I could only read about 20 pages in xD).

1) What is the heat up time for a twig unit? I medicate 2-3 times a week (usually when I hit a bad spell with my depression) so leaving the unit on 24/7 is not ideal or really necessary.

2) How hot does the unit itself get? Would my rather sensitive lady friend have trouble handling it?

3) Would using the unit 2-3 times a week have an adverse affect on the reliability of it? It would not be damaging would it? I would hope that the Underdog would last me well into the future. =)

Thank you so much for the help! This forum really is quite the collection of knowledge and I would like to let everyone here know that I greatly appreciate them sharing there experiences. It has really helped with me learning about almost every facet of vaporization, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who hasn't vocalized their thanks (until now).


1) It's going to depend a bit on the exact size of the Twig in question, what power supply you're using and the wood type as well. That all being said, many of the Twigs will heat up in <10 minutes to begin use (some users report < 5 minutes) and certainly within 20-30 minutes.

2) Again this depends on the size, power supply and wood type but I like to equate a Twig running at full temp to be akin to holding a cup of coffee or tea (that's not scalding lol). Very warm to the touch, enough that some people will roll it around in their grip and so it doesn't sit in any one spot too long (the hot potato motion if you will). Hot enough to be uncomfortable for some if you hold it at the hottest part (usually the upper-middle) but not injurious.

3) No, using it 2-3 times a week wouldn't have an adverse affect, in fact with the newer generation cores I think that would actually extend the lifespan. If for some reason you did run into a problem down the road you could always send it in for a little visit with me, the vet. :cool:

 
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SD_haze

Well-Known Member
any one out there every use oil or wax in their Dog... i don't have a nail so i moved the screen up and put in a small cotton ball w/ my dab on it and it works nice... i'm not a fan of the cotton method but i can't argue w/ results.. and i'm feelin the results:ko:... the more you put in the more dense the hits.. i'm using mine through a good size bub right now.. and it's working nice... i don't have a good camera or id put up a vid... but maybe some one else can make one? seems to keep on rippin and rippin so far for how much i put in.. its a little restrictive but i might have used just a little too much of the cotton ball.
It works, tho I've never done anything but add oil/wax to a bed of herbs.

It IS possible to add too much though, just FYI.
Past a certain qty point when the oil melts it can 100% block airflow (at least on the bed of herbs)

 

underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Sorry for the delay getting back to you guys.. it's always a madhouse around here the day or two after a refresh lol. Taking a quick breather now though and will answer a few posts:

Dave, I've never used a VVPS. To be honest, I don't like clutter and have never really felt the need to run my dog any hotter or cooler. Am I missing out on something with the VVPS?

:peace:

In your case Stu if you don't feel the need to adjust your temp up or down there's no real functional need for a VVPS. I of course have a vested interest (reduced warranty support) in as many users as possible using a VVPS if they use how I would like them to, ie standby voltage when not in use and using the lowest possible temp to get the results they want. So in your case you're getting better convenience and less clutter for the possible trade off of having a Pup need service, or need it sooner. :2c:


How much for the vvps for existing dog owners? I noticed the vvps wasnt listed on the website.

I haven't really figured out how to address all the difference aspects of this whole VVPS thing yet but the VVPSs are costing me $20/ea (incl the cable) so a break-even point for me (incl Priority shipping) would be like $25.


...When the power supply has been on for a few hours, does it get hot to the touch? :buzz:

Yeah they get pretty warm, the aluminum case makes for a good heat sink which is probably good since these don't use fans for cooling.


...The downsides of the VVPS over the wall-wart? The VVPS uses more energy (due to heat and lights). Don't know how much more (maybe someone with one of those "test your appliances energy draw" plugs could do some research). The VVPS makes a annoying humming/static/squeal noise which seems to increase in volume and pitch with an increase in voltage.

Best option? Damn, I think you need to get both! I run my Dog mostly on the wall-wart, but definitely like options and the ability to tinker.

EDIT: And on the discussion of Underdog electrical supply, I could definitely use an extension cord. 6 feet is more than enough for my personal use, but another 10 feet would be awesome when passing the Dog down the couch or to the person in the rocking chair.

Not sure if or how much more power the VVPS uses but I can test that easy enough, if I can remember. Better write down lol.

So far I haven't noticed these ones making any of those static noises you mentioned so hopefully they don't. The one I sent you was a super-cheapy from ebay vs these ones I ordered which are supposed to be of higher quality. Both are from China of course but I found the vendor who makes them and ordered a couple thousand dollars worth directly. With goods from China the vendors usually build two variants, one aiming for the lowest possible price (the cheap variant) and the other aimed at a higher quality for picky customers. In this case that means a $5 model and a $15 model. I chose the $15 variant so hopefully I got what I paid for. Only time will tell I suppose. :worms:

I do think we'll be changing the options so that people can get both if they want, gotta crunch the numbers and see how to do it on the website first though.

Extension cord? >>> http://www.underdogvapes.com/accessories/electrical/extension-cord/ :brow:


I didn't see the VVPS option when I ordered the California Claro Walnut yesterday =[

I think yours was actually the first order to go through after we added the option. If you still have your order confirmation you can look at the options and see where you selected 'Standard Wall Wart'. I did get a couple confused emails though so I think some people (maybe you too?) either missed the option and answered on auto-pilot or just didn't know what to make of it and chose one randomly. :uhoh: You did get a haiku though and not everyone gets one of those.. :)

 
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underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Haha alright then, I prefer to keep my stalkers friendly so lets do this.

I've made some subtle changes to the core which going forward will allow the use of a couple new types of stems, neither of which use silicone.

The first is a stainless steel tipped nylon stem similar to the ubiquitous Zap stems that so many people know and love. These stems use a 5/16" tip that fits inside the UD core inner-tube, the core has been modified to provide a physical positive stop so the stem can only insert so far and can sit there hands free if needed. They will also work in the last Zap models (CRZs?) as well but I don't think they'll work in older Zaps or Purple Days pieces though as I think those used 1/4" tipped stems.

These will not work in previous UD models which from now on I will refer to as "classic core" models.

NylonStem1.jpg


NylonStem4.jpg


The second stem is a 14mm GonG stem with a replaceable stainless steel screen which unlike our discontinued WPB stems doesn't use silicone. Instead these stems fit loosely over the core inner-tube and use the top of the core as a positive stop to limit insertion and to allow hands free use with an UD inverted on top of a glass piece (see picture). This allows for easy one handed removal of the the UD and stirring as well. These will work on all UDs aside from the very old, extinct, 1/4" cored Twigs out there.

14GonG-Stem1.jpg


14GonG-Stem4.jpg


14GonG-Stem5.jpg


So those are your new stem options, they'll be available immediately with the current refresh and will be offered as options to kit out your UD with and as stand-alone items as well. :peace:

::edited to add:: - The refresh is now up and live. Everything on there not labeled (classic core) is compatible with the nylon stems. Again the GonG stems are compatible with all Dogs. :cheers:

 
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underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Alright guys and gals I'm back, out of order on responding to posts but back.

Thanks for the flurry of orders last night, always a fun way to start a Monday. Speaking of orders all from yesterday, last night and this morning are boxed and shipped. All messages responded to as far as I know but if not just send me a quick reminder.

@ Meghan - nice choice with the Pistachio, it's some wildly beautiful wood and unique too. It and the other ones with California in the name is actually wood that I cut myself, then milled and dried before using so I always feel a special connection to those ones. A real labor of love so glad you chose it.. :)


...I noticed some dogs come with a variable voltage power supply. But I don't see them anywhere else on the site. Are you able to sell those separate?

Also curious if the new core/stem design offers any advantages over the classic core. It appears many of the twigs come pretty small now, which is cool to see.

I've been trying to come up with a good way of selling the VVPS on the site as standalone items but haven't been able to make the numbers work so I probably won't be adding them. Reason being is that for all practical purposes a person can buy one from eBay or Amazon for like 1/2 the price I would have to charge just to break even so it don't make sense to bother really.

The new core revision has a few tweaks that are advantageous I just didn't really mention them since they're not super-duper-incredibly amazing or anything but I'll share since you ask. Reduced a little mass so shaved a minute or two off heat up times. Added a bit more insulation so hopefully that will add to the protection of the wood, this also allows slightly skinnier Twigs while keeping them holdable and not to hot to the touch.

...Can we send in an old model for an upgrade to the new core?...

Not really, unfortunately. In most cases it would be impossible to do this retrofit without damaging or destroying Dog in question.

@ thg - thanks, yeah this little kettle piece is nice.. I picked it up from an UD here on the forum. I stuck a whip in the mouthpiece and my Dog with 14mm GonG stem on top and had a nice hands-free setup the other night. :ko:

@ Stu - haha I don't recall, I think it was ZapDog. I think lots of people will like the new stems, I prefer both over the silicone now myself. The nylon ones are really nice for people looking to maximize efficiency, especially for small load/hit situations.

@ Tennstrong - that's another one of the woods I cut and processed myself this past year.. nice. :nod:

@ AA - thanks AA, glad you like the new pieces and the changes. Even though they're not major changes I think they're all nice and make for an even better experience.

Thought I had something else to say but now I can't think of it.. something wrong with my short-term memory I guess. Alright heading out to get some shop work done now, already working on pieces for the next refresh. :brow:

 
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Meghan

Well-Known Member
I went home at lunch to find my new Pup (Rustic California Pistachio Twig) waiting obediently on my front porch. And holy cow, is it beautiful. While I will always have a place in my heart for my first dog (Rustic Maple Log), this new twig is beyond gorgeous. I am so impressed by the wood and the craftmanship.

The main reason I purchased a twig was because I've been carrying my log everywhere I go, and wanted something slightly more portable (mostly in terms of heat-up time). I'm pleased to report that I plugged in my new twig straight out of the box, set the VVPS to 12.4, and took my first very successful hit within 10 minutes. Hooray! This means that my log gets to chill on my night stand, always ready.

Now, the new nylon stems--I got two of them. I've tried both the silicon and the glass in the past and prefer the glass. So far (two sessions later), I'm really liking the new nylon stem design. It's absolutely perfect for conserving your material because it can only hold a tiny load. Obviously this means the sessions are shorter than when I pack a glass stem with my version of a "generous" amount of material (I should really weigh it, but I'm guessing about 0.1 grams). I'm pleased to now have go-to stem options for shorter, more conserving sessions and longer, more decadent ones. :) As far as actually using the nylon stems, I really like it. One reason I don't care much for the silicon is the way it attracts crumbs and fuzz and hairs, and how it feels on my lips--blech. The nylon stem feels very nice and clean and doesn't attract a bunch of crap when I set it down. It also seems like it will be much better as far as cleaning goes. Only time will tell.

I regretted not buying one of the new 14mm GonG stems with the twig, so I placed another order which just shipped out today. I'm really looking forward to testing that out, as well. If all goes well, it's actually hard for me to imagine buying another plug-in vape. Two Underdogs are more than enough to keep me vaping in style (well...until I buy a third...lol)! :tup:

 

underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Hey guys, hope you're all having a good weekend, we certainly are.

@ Stu - I don't have a picture but the the new nylon SS tipped stems work by inserting into the center tube (like old Zaps, etc) to a certain depth then stops when it hits a protruding section of the center tube. This keeps the stem inserted at exactly the right depth and removes any potential stress from the heating element, etc.

@ timmahsan - I think AA has summed things up nicely but I'll add to it. Pretty much any Dog offered now (with the occasional very cheap Lost Dog as the exception) will come with the option to take a VVPS at no additional charge, this includes a cable. The Dog should come with everything you need to get you up and running right out of the box. The only thing you need to do and/or decide is what kind of bubbler you want to use and then pick stems that will work accordingly. As noted by AA we don't offer an 18mm GonG but you can use our 14mm and pick up and adapter somewhere if need be. We do still have the 18mm WonG (Wood on Glass) stems so those are an option too.

Options for direct draw: silicone stems, simple glass stems, stainless steel tipped nylon stem.

Options for bubbler use: 14mm GonG stems, 18mm WonG stems

Heading out to catch up on some busy work, will be around if you guys need anything though so let me know. :peace:

 
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AdmiralAlpacha

Well-Known Member
Just grabbed my GonG out of the mailbox. I got a nice big glass of water and a lovely sativa time to test this guy out.

Pictures will come in a second. They come in a nice little container aswell.

I also got some lemon oil to try out my dogs aromatherapy capabilities, but I have to wait to try it since I left my cup and hook at my other place :(.

Anyway, gonna test out this new gong and Ill report back.

I'm very happy with the new gong stem.

Because I can see the entire load I am more prone to stirring for some reason, which means I'm getting perfectly toasted loads from this thing.

Dave said he made them to support our pups, but I wasn't sure if that was only when completely vertical. It does in fact hold my pup on its own at a 45 degree angle.

I also have to be careful about leaving my dog on the stem when I'm not taking a hit, as expected glass gets pretty hot pretty quickly, I've burnt myself with my extreme Q plenty of times to learn this lesson. If you leave your dog on it between hits, handle with care.

I tried to show how the stem fits onto my dog the best way I could think in this video.
And here is fogshot, I didn't have any stunt doubles near by, so forgive me for the lack of milk :p
I need to get in the habit of putting it back into my glass after a hit. I keep sitting it down on its end, and then I knock it over. So far it hasn't suffered any damage though.

Here are some random pictures I took, I'm no photographer.
DgnrZdNl.jpg

ryTFviPl.jpg

3RBo5Odl.jpg


Boy do I love when my sessions include something new vapor related :p
Video's are going to be a little while, this computer doesn't do much of anything quickly.

 

underdogette

one in a billion
Company Rep
Also - for those of you who've been asking how we like to replace the screens in the 14mm GonG stems, we made a quick little video:


 
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underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Happy to see most everyone enjoying their new GonG Stems, not to mention the nylon ones as well. I guess I should mention that we can also make glass stems like the GonG Stems but without the GonG joint for those who want them in that style. We can also make them (or the GonG stems) with a customized distance to the screen pinch for you, so if you want ones with a longer (cooler) or shorter (hotter) distance we can do that. :peace:

Just got a chance to try out the new GonGs this evening...

Holy crap. Did not expect that amount of airflow. That space is frickin' huge! Definitely a must-have accessory, as others have said.

I just figure I'm important (and sexy) enough that it's a big deal if I repeat it. ;)

Lol glad you like the new GonGs man, they are indeed airflowy. :cool:


I was looking into getting a UD but I had a couple questions:
1. I tried vaping before but I didn't get as buzzed as I do with my bong. What extension should I get if I wanted to attach it to my 1 footer? It has a regular piece like most bongs.
2. I noticed on the website they market it as aromatherapy. How good is the oil when used with the UD?

If your bong has a 14mm female joint then you would be all set with just our new 14mm GonG Stems. If you have an 18mm joint or male joint of either size you'd need an adapter. I'm probably biased of course but I think the aromatherapy cup works great and is a nice way of keeping a room smelling nice.


I find that lightly stamping my loads (WonG) with the wooden dowel, my hits produce a heck of a lot of fog. It seems to hit harder than a non-stamped stem. Your mileage may vary.

I tend to have to use a bit more product or crank up the VVPS for a like affect in the GonG. I'll continue testing. For science!

Yeah I think anything that slows the airflow down a bit (like slightly packing a stem down) will result in thicker/foggier clouds. :tup:

 

underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Hey Meghan, it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Take the screen and flatten it out as good as you can and then press it flat against the opening (not sideways) and try to get it to 'pop' in to the stem tip a bit. Once you get that done you should be able to very gently use one of the dowels to push it down until it is seated against the protruding 'rib' in the stem tip. Don't push it too hard once it gets there as you'll likely just push it past the rib or flip it sideways again and it doesn't need it anyways. This might sound confusing or hard but after you manage it once it should all come together and be easy after that.

If you still can't get it seated with the above suggestions maybe try a different screen (you have spares?) and/or let us know so we can advise more if needed. :peace:

 
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underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
So I'm trying to understand the pros/cons with the power supply options, I apologize if this has been discussed before. I read on the website that the vvps can extend the lifespan of the UD, does that mean the standard wall-wart is bad for the unit in some way? What temperature does the wall-wart generally vape at? Is there any reason not to get the vvps? Thanks for your time!

It's really just a matter of wear and tear. The standard wall-wart runs the UD at about 90% max power which really adds up (wear and tear) over time. For most users this equates to the UD sitting there idle most of the time, engine roaring away at 90% power, beating things up for no real reason other than to be ready to go at a moments notice. The standard wall-wart outputs approximately 13.5v while running an UD.

A VVPS by comparison allows a user to run an UD at a lower standby voltage between uses, say 10v, and then boost it up to whatever operating temp they want to vape at then lower it back down when done. This eliminates much of the wear and tear on the UD which has the potential to significantly increase it's lifespan. Alternatively one can leave the UD turned off between uses and then use the VVPS to boost up to operating temp in a matter of minutes (typically <5 min) and use as needed, this also reduces the wear and tear as the UD is running idle all the time.

So, choice in power supply is largely a matter of what works best for a given user. Some people are better off with a standard WW with no settings or anything to fiddle with, no forgetting to raise or lower the voltage when needed, etc. For these users it's probably worth the added wear and tear. Some users like to fine tune things, to tinker with them and/or want to really maximize the UDs lifespan.. for them the VVPS might be a better option.

Hope that helps.. :peace:

 
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HighlyEducatedScholar

Student of Vapor
My question is, what is it like smell wise? While you're vaping and the plant matter is in the tube, is it passively super smelly since the plant is close to the heating element? Does the smell disperse a lot in between hits etc? I would be taking the usual precautions like window open, sploof etc, so it's not so much the exhaled vapor I'm worried about as much as any passive smell from heating the plant matter.

There is definitely still a smell while using basically any vape with MJ. i used the UD in my dorm room last year and found that the smell mostly was due to the process of taking out the MJ and grinding it up. of course it will also smell with exhaled vapor but a sploof and a window with a fan blowing out would definitely help the smell situation.

Also, this should be worlds apart from my mflb right, like infinitely better?

I own both the MFLB and the UD, which are my only vapes. they both do a great job for their intended use so i wouldn't really go with the word 'better' but yes they are worlds apart. the MFLB works great on-the-go and my UD is my irreplaceable home-vape. i think you'll find that they compliment each other very well.

Stems: Is there any reason to not get 2 GonGs when I order it? Seems like they are nicer, don't have any plastics/silicone to weird me out, etc - fragile, but I'm careful with all my stuff. I don't have a water pipe, hopefully it's in my future but given that I am student and don't have a ton of funds/water pipes are usually not the most discreet, I probably won't have one for a while (side note: can anybody recommend any of those short, super simple bongs? I've seen them and think they're really cool but can never find any). Also, have I misunderstood something and the GonGs are only for use with bongs, not direct draw?

I'm not completely sure but from what i've come to understand is that the GonG's are only for the use with water pipes. the silicone that Dave uses with his stems are made with high temp. food-grade silicone which can be found in commercial cooking products, similar to this product.

My recommendation for a short, simple bong that is affordable but still made with quality are the Travel Tubes made by SoulShine Familly Glass. They're a great company and have a good rep here on FC.

Finally, power supply/temperatures: I find I like to vape pretty hot because I am mainly an indica person/vape primarily for bed and I like the heavier feelings then - is it easier to get higher temperatures by just drawing slower and having it heat the plant matter for longer/less cooling because of less airflow etc, or do you have to have the vvps to get to higher temperatures? Or is this where you use the 'bowl distance' to adjust temperature? Is it still variable with a glass stem?

You can achieve hotter/cooler vaping temps depending on the draw. you can also change the distance of the screen to the heat port to additionally 'hone' in your desired temp. a VVPS isn't necessary but i definitely it to more easily vape at the temps that I like and to prolong the life of my UD. not sure if the bowl is variable on the glass stem, someone will have to chime in on that.

Is there a functional difference in the various designs, or is it purely aesthetic?

With the new UDs that Dave has been making, there is no functional difference with the various designs. except, i believe the nylon stems can only be used with the newest cores and not the classic ones. only thing i would be aware of is that some of the UD's are "Big" UD logs and maybe too big to make the clearance on certain tems of water pipes. however, this is not very common.

Also, customer service seems pretty amazing.

It is but there's only one way to find out :cool:

 
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shredhead

Specialist
Ahhh the age old' question. Been hearing this a lot lately. It breaks down like this
UD
- resistor heater
- custom( not one like the other)
- good for small snapper hits on command ( tho I only use wal wart right now) gets me thoroughly medicated with ease and speed. Can still put out massive amounts of vapor that make ny hardcore vaper/ smoker cry from within

Enano
- ceramic heater
- all same shape and size, tho custom laser etchings are required
- good for big lung collapsing hits and taste testers, nice easy temp change

Ev2
- ceramic heater
- bigger bowl allowing for more " players" to be involved
- more along the lines of a v-tower or SSV

But all in all I love them both. My buddy has an ev2. All great vapes. I gotta say tho, if you want something dear to your heart and a rock solid product with rock solid service. Go with UD. Never a bad choice. And hey no one said you couldn't have both?
IMAG0142.jpg


 
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underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Hey everyone! I'm thinking about getting an UD with the VVPS and 14 mm GonG stems, so I can hook it up to my Pinnacle Hydrotube. I have a couple quick questions though:
1) What's the difference between normal UD's and ones with a "Classic Core"?
2) How easy is the VVPS to use? Like is there a chart for what voltage equals what temp?
3) What's the recommended voltage to leave it on 24/7 to extend the UD's lifespan?
Thanks and sorry if any of these are repeat questions!

1) The 'Classic Core' pieces have our previous generation core in them and won't accept the new Nylon Stems. Pieces that don't say anything are all using the newest core that does accept them.

2) VVPS is very easy to use and comes with a sheet that has some general voltage range suggestions, as ogcook noted you'll find your own sweet spot and what works best for you with any given setup.

3) That's a hard question to answer since there's no definitive answer.. that being said the lower the 'standby' voltage the better. I like to recommend a voltage of 10v (or less) for 'standby' to reduce wear and tear on the UD itself. I've found in the past year that even lower voltages will go a long way to reducing wear and tear on the VVPS as well. Users who can do so will find best longevity by turning the power supply off altogether between uses but I know some users use schedule doesn't allow that. :peace:

 
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SD_haze

Well-Known Member
Here it is!
I love the lighting in the early clips.
(All 5 minutes were from the same bowl!!)
[Sorry for the banner ad, had to use youtube editor)

 

hellomyfrients

Well-Known Member
Well, I promised Dave I would let him know what I thought of the Underdog, and it looks like I'm finally getting around to keep my promise.

On opening the box, my first impression was surprise... there were certainly a lot of goodies, and the device was much tinier than I was expecting! I pulled it out and caught a whiff of that deep and familiar finished maple smell. Did you know Ambrosia maple gets its patterns from an infestation of beetles boring tunnels in the wood? I think that adds a really cool dimension/story to the piece, and the pattern is absolutely gorgeous. Got some free stash jars and UnderButter from the coupon code, which has been very nice to keep the unit shiny. Shipping was great, it came less than a week after I ordered to the East Coast.

Anyway, the first run of the pup was about two hours later, after I had just gotten off a plane from Europe on about 48 hours of no sleep. At a party no less. 25 minutes after getting plugged in and set to 13.3, we were all disappointed. Surely this light browning was not all the vape had to offer. It took another 20 minutes to heat up fully, but by that time we were all sold, going through quite a few stems on the 1 foot silicone over the next six hours. I figured I would get the 1 foot and cut it down if it was too long, easier than regretting the hot vapor of too short a stem. My intuition was correct, and I cut the stem into two pieces: one ~8", one ~4". A good balance of warm and cool vapor options.

The real reason I bought the Underdog was for the glass on glass. In that area it shines, fogging up anything I throw at it. It's quite an enjoyable experience that can even be overwhelming at first. You don't expect one or two tiny stems to have such a sedating impact, but this is a powerful device, make no mistake.

One night I fell asleep in the middle of the day (jetlag) and woke up to see the VVPS running at 16.8V. It must have been like that for two hours and was very hot to the touch. I was super apprehensive about this... the manual claims that merely leaving the device at 14 for over 5 minutes may create permanent damage. I unplugged the device, let it cool and rest for a few hours, and started it back up at 12.6V. Performance since then has been fine, and I even feel like that accident "broke in" the device and eliminated a bunch of its quirks. Do not recommend though... ;)

I got the classic core because I loved the look of the piece. Was not disappointed, I will not miss Nylon stems. I pretty much exclusively vape glass on glass, and the silicone and my other vapes will be fine when I have no access to glass.

The only flaws I can see are the heatup time (20-30 mins) and the fact that, for the first few days, the brand new dog let off a strong smell of toasty wood. Especially at 13V, it overpowered the vapor smell it produced (which is saying something as the vapor is dense). After my incident running at 16.8 this was strongly diminished. Weeks later, the smell is present but faint. It tingles my nostrils if I inhale near the heating element.

The VVPS is a great tool... temperature control is very flexible, from the low end (~12V) which can extend the lifespan of a bowl to the high end (~13.8V) which can really blacken bowls. My routine is 9V when idling, 12.9-13.4 vape temp, depending on mood.

If you have not cleaned your screen in a while and notice draw restriction, do it. As with all vapes that use this style stem this is the single best step you can take to increase efficiency, potency, and airflow. I say clean every week, it takes two minutes to swirl the screen in some iso and alternate iso soak with hot water draining through it over a sink. Two minutes, good as new.

And so that's how I've been passing the nights and days- in a haze of work and contented relaxation, getting to know my new dog and getting ready for Fall to come. I hope you guys have all had a good night, I'll show you some nice pics I took of the fellow. Cheers :)

rNbX3kj.jpg

UGCmKUV.jpg

 
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underdogette

one in a billion
Company Rep
Hey UDs - In case you didn't know, the guys over at Vapor Review Blog are running a photo contest where the prize is an UD Lost Dog Vape - Check it out!

This photo does not satisfy the contest rules, but I had to share anyway! The four-legged UD is the king of pillows, as he absolutely must have nice pillows for nap time! I wanted to share this pic of him bogarting the bed ;)

UD_Pillow_Napping_PA094733.jpg


 

underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
...Got to try one of the new cores at a buddy's house. Very nice! What is the function of the metal C-clip at the top of the core? My Tineo twig doesn't have that. Also, really beautiful work as always!

I've reduced or eliminated the high temp silicone that was being used to help securely but flexibly anchor the core to the wooden body, the c-clip is doing that job now instead. Functionally there's no real difference. :peace:

 
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