max
Out to lunch
The Storm comes from Vapefiend.com, and is based on the X-Max V2, with some improvements. I believe it's the 1st vape here on FC brought to market by a retailer. The differences are sufficient to give it a separate thread.
The biggest difference is an isolated vapor path. It's possible that the X-Max company may adopt this feature, but they don't have it available so far, for retail purchase. If they do in the future, I imagine buyers will have Vapefiend to thank for it. Taste with the Storm doesn't seem to be negatively affected. The herb flavor comes through just fine. Hitting it low temp provides the best flavor of course. I would do a 'burn in' with any vape, especially portables. I can't say whether this one needs it, taste wise, since it was already burned in when I received it. The vapor path is short (good for flavor) but only 1 inch between the top of the bowl and your lips means a fully loaded bowl can pack a punch. With a fine grind the bowl easily holds .5g. Dump a coarse grind in and don't pack it, and it'll look full but you'll have considerably less actually loaded.
The next biggest difference would be the modified/different mouthpiece. That's not available yet, and I don't have details, but Vapefiend promises to make it available to all current Storm buyers, for postage cost only. Once it's being produced I'm sure it'll take the place of the current mouthpiece. The issue is the screen holder/restrictor plate just inside the mouthpiece. The herb, due to the vape design, gets sucked up to the plate, and the seven small holes tend to get clogged.
On similar designs, like the Flowermate and DaVinci, there's a screen above the bowl, which is more easily brushed off between bowl loads. I don't know how the redesigned mouthpiece will perform, but the current design is the weak point of the vape IMO. What works well in order to prevent the plate holes from getting plant material/residue in them is to add a screen to the top of the bowl. That works very well in keeping the herb in the bowl and the plate holes clear. I tried the vape with no restrictor plate, just a screen added in the mouthpiece, but the air flow was too free and I couldn't even tell I was getting any vapor. It also allows the herb to get sucked up into the mouthpiece (messy), where the temp is too low for vaporization. That much air flow also plays havoc with the set temp and would be a strain on the battery, constantly trying to regain vaping temp. Adding a screen to the bowl and the mouthpiece (without the plate), and hitting very light/slow, might also be an option. I can safely say that I won't try it again without either the screen holder/restrictor plate in place, or a screen added to the bowl instead. It's just too much mess in the mouthpiece.
This is my first portable with this shape. I've been using the Flowermate V5.0S. Although flask shaped, it's similar in design in the bowl/mouthpiece area and has the same one button on/off/temp change operation. I don't really like the 5 presses for on/off. I'd prefer 3, then 2 presses for setting temp, instead of 3, but no big deal. I have found (FM as well) that you have to be sure to press the button firmly each time.
Five set temps are plenty IMO, and unlike the FM, the Storm's starting temp is low enough. I've found that the 3 lowest temps normally suit me, with #2 (blue light) providing the best combo of full hits and full flavor. Hits aren't huge (but how you grind/load does make a difference) and it's more of a sipper, but that's to be expected from a pocket vape. The shape is more stealthy than with the flask shape found on some other models, and I've seen quite a few big e-cigs this size and shape. The LED lights are much better than the FM, which can give me a fit in daylight. Unlike the X-Max, no temp numbers cluttering up the housing, which is a plus IMO. The Storm also lets you know the battery charge, just after you turn it on. The FM can go longer on a full charge, but get/carry an extra battery for the Storm and you've doubled your vaping time. The supplied battery is supposed to work optimally with the 5 min. vaping time (2 min. more than the X-Max), so buying an extra bat from Vapefiend is probably better, performance wise, than just shopping for your cheapest bat. All 18650 batteries are not the same.
In addition to the battery, Vapefiend also offers a Titanium Concentrate Capsule (vs. the included steel cap) for the taste sensitive among us, a screen pack, and a few other options. There will also be a "custom made glass-line mouthpiece and a water tool adapter" available. The glass mp is an 'add on' (I'm curious about that upcoming option) that's supposed to improve air flow and is different from the current and soon to be modified mp. There's also a one year warranty, and I'm sure he'll stand behind the product, and that can be an issue for these vapes out of China.
I like this portable. It's what I've been using since I got it. It's nicer to hold than the FM and has a stealthy feel to it during use- get a casual 'what is it?' question and the answer is 'e-cig'. I'm sure I'll like it more with an improved mp. Meanwhile, adding a screen to the bowl is easy and works well. At just over $100 delivered, I think it's a really good deal for an isolated vapor path, and the removable bat is a big plus IMO. Being able to get extra screens, and/or an extra bat, etc., when you buy the vape, is a benefit, and I'm sure Vapefiend will provide top rate customer svc.
The biggest difference is an isolated vapor path. It's possible that the X-Max company may adopt this feature, but they don't have it available so far, for retail purchase. If they do in the future, I imagine buyers will have Vapefiend to thank for it. Taste with the Storm doesn't seem to be negatively affected. The herb flavor comes through just fine. Hitting it low temp provides the best flavor of course. I would do a 'burn in' with any vape, especially portables. I can't say whether this one needs it, taste wise, since it was already burned in when I received it. The vapor path is short (good for flavor) but only 1 inch between the top of the bowl and your lips means a fully loaded bowl can pack a punch. With a fine grind the bowl easily holds .5g. Dump a coarse grind in and don't pack it, and it'll look full but you'll have considerably less actually loaded.
The next biggest difference would be the modified/different mouthpiece. That's not available yet, and I don't have details, but Vapefiend promises to make it available to all current Storm buyers, for postage cost only. Once it's being produced I'm sure it'll take the place of the current mouthpiece. The issue is the screen holder/restrictor plate just inside the mouthpiece. The herb, due to the vape design, gets sucked up to the plate, and the seven small holes tend to get clogged.
On similar designs, like the Flowermate and DaVinci, there's a screen above the bowl, which is more easily brushed off between bowl loads. I don't know how the redesigned mouthpiece will perform, but the current design is the weak point of the vape IMO. What works well in order to prevent the plate holes from getting plant material/residue in them is to add a screen to the top of the bowl. That works very well in keeping the herb in the bowl and the plate holes clear. I tried the vape with no restrictor plate, just a screen added in the mouthpiece, but the air flow was too free and I couldn't even tell I was getting any vapor. It also allows the herb to get sucked up into the mouthpiece (messy), where the temp is too low for vaporization. That much air flow also plays havoc with the set temp and would be a strain on the battery, constantly trying to regain vaping temp. Adding a screen to the bowl and the mouthpiece (without the plate), and hitting very light/slow, might also be an option. I can safely say that I won't try it again without either the screen holder/restrictor plate in place, or a screen added to the bowl instead. It's just too much mess in the mouthpiece.
This is my first portable with this shape. I've been using the Flowermate V5.0S. Although flask shaped, it's similar in design in the bowl/mouthpiece area and has the same one button on/off/temp change operation. I don't really like the 5 presses for on/off. I'd prefer 3, then 2 presses for setting temp, instead of 3, but no big deal. I have found (FM as well) that you have to be sure to press the button firmly each time.
Five set temps are plenty IMO, and unlike the FM, the Storm's starting temp is low enough. I've found that the 3 lowest temps normally suit me, with #2 (blue light) providing the best combo of full hits and full flavor. Hits aren't huge (but how you grind/load does make a difference) and it's more of a sipper, but that's to be expected from a pocket vape. The shape is more stealthy than with the flask shape found on some other models, and I've seen quite a few big e-cigs this size and shape. The LED lights are much better than the FM, which can give me a fit in daylight. Unlike the X-Max, no temp numbers cluttering up the housing, which is a plus IMO. The Storm also lets you know the battery charge, just after you turn it on. The FM can go longer on a full charge, but get/carry an extra battery for the Storm and you've doubled your vaping time. The supplied battery is supposed to work optimally with the 5 min. vaping time (2 min. more than the X-Max), so buying an extra bat from Vapefiend is probably better, performance wise, than just shopping for your cheapest bat. All 18650 batteries are not the same.
In addition to the battery, Vapefiend also offers a Titanium Concentrate Capsule (vs. the included steel cap) for the taste sensitive among us, a screen pack, and a few other options. There will also be a "custom made glass-line mouthpiece and a water tool adapter" available. The glass mp is an 'add on' (I'm curious about that upcoming option) that's supposed to improve air flow and is different from the current and soon to be modified mp. There's also a one year warranty, and I'm sure he'll stand behind the product, and that can be an issue for these vapes out of China.
I like this portable. It's what I've been using since I got it. It's nicer to hold than the FM and has a stealthy feel to it during use- get a casual 'what is it?' question and the answer is 'e-cig'. I'm sure I'll like it more with an improved mp. Meanwhile, adding a screen to the bowl is easy and works well. At just over $100 delivered, I think it's a really good deal for an isolated vapor path, and the removable bat is a big plus IMO. Being able to get extra screens, and/or an extra bat, etc., when you buy the vape, is a benefit, and I'm sure Vapefiend will provide top rate customer svc.
