long or short air path, which do you prefer?

ReggieB

ReggieB

Well-Known Member
I was sitting here thinking about how vapes and added glass work and was wondering how the length of the vapor path might affect things? I'm thinking a shorter path = more content getting where it's supposed to be? If you could put all the aesthetics aside, shorter vapor path should be better, what do you guys/gals reckon?
 
lwien

lwien

Well-Known Member
ReggieB said:
I was sitting here thinking about how vapes and added glass work and was wondering how the length of the vapor path might affect things? I'm thinking a shorter path = more content getting where it's supposed to be? If you could put all the aesthetics aside, shorter vapor path should be better, what do you guys/gals reckon?
Click to expand...

Don't confuse "air path" with "vapor path". You seem to be using both of these terms in the same context, but they're different.

For me, the air path to the heater doesn't make a difference as far as how long it is as long as the air path is a clean one.............like mostly all glass.

In regards to the vapor path, I prefer a longer one to help cool things down but a longer vapor path can be accomplished in a lot of different ways.............see the new SideKick and the S&B portables.

Do I loose a bit of the goodies due to condensation with a longer path? Yup, but I much prefer that versus coughing due to constantly irritating my lungs with vapor that is either too hot and/or too dry.
 
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Seek

Seek

Apprentice Daydreamer
Shorter vapor path will also hit your mouth/throat with unfiltered particles and can get very hot especially for powerful convection vapes.
I think the vaporpath should have at least enough complexity to catch particles and lenth to cool down to comfortable level. That would be ideal, then adding any more length could only slightly increase the condensation of the good vapor.
 
L

LarryYo

Dab connoisseur.... I just like dabs.... a lot
I personally like the shorter vapor path i feel i get a better flavor and i prefer the warm vapor as opposed to the cooler vapor. With the warmer vapor i feel i get a better taste and a more satisfying hit. I would also assume that the longer vapor path would make minimal difference in concentration. it would have to be a very long narrow mouth piece to cause any issues.
 
ReggieB

ReggieB

Well-Known Member
@lwien I definitely meant vapor path, I thought I was careful not to mention the air path because it's not particularly important to this question and then I looked at the title of the thread... duuurp :)

@LarryYo I'm with you on the shorter vapor path, at the moment I prefer it

@Seek I don't think the length has any bearing on filtering, but good call on the complexity, I'd assume that would be simple things like bends/pinches in glass.

I'm asking partly out of curiosity and partly because I'm thinking about upgrading the micro bubbler I got with my portable.

I started to read up and I see lots of fancy glass parts, some really good looking bits of kit but ultimately left thinking 'yeah, looks nice but what does it all actually do, how much of that do I really need?', I'm not knocking anyone for enjoying their experience, just working out how I want to enjoy mine :)
 
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MinnBobber

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
Depends what temp I'm vapin' at.

I like shorter, direct, no water at lower temps for max flavor and max effects. I'll often switch to a longer vapor path / add a bubbler at higher temp for some cooling and humidifying of the vapor. Slightly more condensation loss thru the bubbler but this can be minimized with warm water (less condensing out).
 
Hippie Dickie

Hippie Dickie

The Herbal Cube
Manufacturer
I like expanding volume, rather than just longer vapor path ... my initial configuration was coming out of the 12mm diameter "bowl" into a tube 12mm dia by 100mm (4") long. i liked the small size - more convenient - but now i use a 16mm dia by 150mm (6") draw tube. when the vapor hits the larger volume, it cools - i see water condensation inside the tube if the herb is (still) damp. even more pronounced effect when using the 25mm dia (1") by 150mm long tube ... feels like a bong.
 
LeafyGreens

LeafyGreens

Member
I'm not too fussed, I'm more focused on getting it at a temperature that feels comfortable. A little bit of lost vapor is okay. I'm using a pretty standard water tool attached to my TonG for my Herbalaire but am thinking of upgrading to a bubbler for even more cooling.

So I guess a little bit of a longer path is good for the added cooling.
 
CuckFumbustion

CuckFumbustion

Lo and Behold! The transformative power of Vapor.
I do take things into consideration like inside volume, telescoping, pinching, etc. The I.D. of the vapor path is also a consideration for me.
For portables, I do like at least a 3" straight pathway like the Pax or Summit.
Desktop EQ. As for the length of hose. A compromise between as short as necessary and the convenience of putting up or down whatever end I'm using at the moment.
 
CarolKing

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
If I have a longer air path I can use higher temps. Sometimes I need heavy duty pain control. I use the Vortex stem with my Air and with my Solo, it's an inch longer than the standard stems. I like to switch my stems around, not always using the same method. Also a water tool at night before bed sometimes. i have the D020 or the D022 bubbler I hook up to my Enano or my Solo. A shorter air path can irritate my lungs depending on the product I'm using.

I like the length and the durability of the Enano stems.
 
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ReggieB

ReggieB

Well-Known Member
I've got an ecapple iv-1, the mouthpiece on it is 12mm diameter, 32mm long in total, with the main part of it being 20mm long, it's fine at lower temps and comes with a short 10cm bubbler to tame things if you need it but it's not quite what I'm looking for, it works but getting the water level right is a mini mission every time and it's too easy to draw up drops of vape water, if I can get the right mini bubbler it'll be perfect.
 
AJS

AJS

Calm Consistency
As uniquely as everyone puts it, I believe it all gets narrowed down to something sort of like...I want something that maintains flavor and satisfaction with as little irritation as possible...but I'm willing to sacrifice both at times to switch it up ;)
 
hoptimum

hoptimum

Well-Known Member
ajsitkowski said:
As uniquely as everyone puts it, I believe it all gets narrowed down to something sort of like...I want something that maintains flavor and satisfaction with as little irritation as possible...but I'm willing to sacrifice both at times to switch it up ;)
Click to expand...

Well said
 
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ReggieB

ReggieB

Well-Known Member
ajsitkowski said:
As uniquely as everyone puts it, I believe it all gets narrowed down to something sort of like...I want something that maintains flavor and satisfaction with as little irritation as possible...but I'm willing to sacrifice both at times to switch it up ;)
Click to expand...
For me it's about the irritation, I'm fine with the short path on lower temps, I get the flavour early on as expected, always feel satisfied but higher temps towards the wrong end of the bowl are a bit meh, so I really just want to tame the irritation.

I think I'm going to go for something between a better quality hydrotube and a small bubbler.
 
howie105

howie105

Well-Known Member
ReggieB said:
I was sitting here thinking about how vapes and added glass work and was wondering how the length of the vapor path might affect things? I'm thinking a shorter path = more content getting where it's supposed to be? If you could put all the aesthetics aside, shorter vapor path should be better, what do you guys/gals reckon?
Click to expand...

Its that preference thing, I use a short dry stem for an LSV and an E-Nano and I happy. On the other hand I have friends who need/want the whole big can, high diffusion glass piece. For that set up I don't worry about potency loss in the longer and wet vapour path for them, I just add a little more MJ to compensate.
 
F

FavorVapor

New Member
Somewhat off topic but didn't want to start a new thread

Ice and very cold water causes a slight decrease in potency but what are experiences with the cooling coil you could put in the freezer? I feel they could produce some smooth vapor. But I would not want to use if the cost is potency. Would a high diffusion rig be better overall if cooling/smoothing the vapor is a requirement ?
 
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Vape-Nation

Vape-Nation

Well-Known Member
I enjoy a long path as I find it slightly less harsh and dry on my throat.

Using something short like the Arizer Air, Crafty or Mighty is a little hot at times. Something like Herbalizer, or definitely a Volcano, has enough distance on it that it's not as hot and harsh when it hits my mouth. But it can still be super strong!

Good comments here, interested to watch this develop.
 
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howie105

howie105

Well-Known Member
ReggieB said:
I was sitting here thinking about how vapes and added glass work and was wondering how the length of the vapor path might affect things? I'm thinking a shorter path = more content getting where it's supposed to be? If you could put all the aesthetics aside, shorter vapor path should be better, what do you guys/gals reckon?
Click to expand...

I think I would need a relatively long airway to substantially reduce the effect of the bud, however that might be my lack of sensitivity or perception. On the other hand, I do like short dry stems for big hits and ease of maintenance.
 
howie105,
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CarolKing

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
It's finding something that's going to fit your needs and comfort level yet not take away from the flavor of the cannabis. Some folks have more sensitivity in their throats and lungs. We have so many options with some vaporizers as to mouthpieces and water tools. We can use trial and error and find what works best for us.
 
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Amoreena

Amoreena

Grown up Flower Child
I'm very much into simplicity and used my herbalAire for 14 months with extension straws provided. It was a short, dry path. Last month, discovered I prefer using the mouthpiece w/o extensions -- shorter by 2¾ inches. Mouthpieces go a few days longer before needing to be cleaned since eliminating extensions. I'd have expected the opposite. :shrug:
 
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N

Nok21

Well-Known Member
Out of the vapes I've tried (Listed in my signature), I'm gonna say I like a long vape path. Be it waterpipe, whip, or a very long mouthpiece, I just prefer the smoother hits.

When it comes to my nicotine-only vaporizers, I prefer a short vapor path for maximum flavor.

I'll comment more once my bronze sherlock VG arrives.. Hopefully any hour at this point. I'm hoping it will be smoother than some of my other vapes and also have that sexy bronze look.
 
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