Arizer Solo

So I tried a solo for the first time today.

The first thing I noticed was the build quality. The unit feels solid, and though it looks like a plastic housing in pictures, it's metal. And it feels very sturdy and very well built.

It's also easy to use and heats up fairly quickly. The vapor production was pretty good, taste was lovely.

But there was a lot of draw resistance. More than the puffit, and that's pretty restrictive in my book. Because of that alone I don't think it's the vape for me. If it had more airflow I'd love it.

ZC said:

So I tried a solo for the first time today.

The first thing I noticed was the build quality. The unit feels solid, and though it looks like a plastic housing in pictures, it's metal. And it feels very sturdy and very well built.

It's also easy to use and heats up fairly quickly. The vapor production was pretty good, taste was lovely.

But there was a lot of draw resistance. More than the puffit, and that's pretty restrictive in my book. Because of that alone I don't think it's the vape for me. If it had more airflow I'd love it.

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How old was the solo you used? The lessened the draw restriction in later models, mine is a pretty easy draw even with standard stems. However the vortex and high efficiency stems provide even more airflow. There's also a fair bit of technique that can be used as far as rocking and manipulating the seal between the stem and solo manually.

It's important with the Solo that you don't pack your load. It needs sufficient air flow or you will feel a restricted draw. The Planetvape specialty stems for the Solo have added air channels on the sides for added ease while drawing. Some folks prefer the using the standard Solo stems and others like the specialty stems from Planetvape.

I have the older model Solo and it has a restricted air flow but my newer model Solo doesn't. The Solo was updated a while back. The Solo first came out in 2011.

It attaches easily to water tools with an adapter GonG, you can get those through Planetvape with a 14mm or 18mm size.

Edit
Since your unit is new @ZC this probably isn't the problem but sometimes the little holes in the oven will get clogged. You can get a needle and poke through the holes for any debris.

Also a slow and steady draw will get the job done.

This solo is less than a week old.

I did know not to pack it, everything was loose. Didn't know or think to try rocking the stem a bit, I'll try that next time.

I haven't had mine for long but I think it's all about cadence, letting it heat between vapes and balancing pressure and length of draughts, finding out what works for you. I'm packing chopped weed medium tight, preheating on 6 for a couple of minutes then turning it down to 5 before starting. This is my first machine so I have nothing to compare it to.

Buzzbomb Almighty said:

I haven't had mine for long but I think it's all about cadence, letting it heat between vapes and balancing pressure and length of draughts, finding out what works for you. I'm packing chopped weed medium tight, preheating on 6 for a couple of minutes then turning it down to 5 before starting. This is my first machine so I have nothing to compare it to.

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Try not packing it down so much, I say I pack my stems but honestly it's just a translation error (I think in three different languages but have to translate to English 95% of the time). Light tamp down is fine, and you can start getting vapor as soon as it hits 5. Hell, I'll throw it on 7 (because water tubes) and start drawing when it reaches 5. By the time it hits 7 (usually second or third hit depending on the pace) it's dumping vapor all over. You're right to think it's got its own tempo like all vapes. With time you'll be more familiar with it and you'll be able to get vaping faster if you want.

ZC said:

This solo is less than a week old.

I did know not to pack it, everything was loose. Didn't know or think to try rocking the stem a bit, I'll try that next time.

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I mentioned some pages back (or some months back...) the "new" stems seem to be made a little differently. Mostly the rim of the business-end seems to be a lot flatter now than it used to be. The old stems I remember weren't as flat and so they didn't sit as flush in the oven and didn't constrict the draw like the new ones I have. Yeah I end up tilting the stem too now with the new stems, though it's become a subconscious thing with me where I'll wrap a finger around it and that gives it the tilt to open up a little. The High Efficiency stems with the notches are even more open, and the most opened airflow you could get is a HES that is also a "turbo" stem... meaning it has no glass screen like the stock ones do, just an open bore with a small ledge to catch the screens. That plus the notches will give you a lot of airflow, but the turbo stems need a little finesse regarding how much air they can let through. At the low levels a good strong draw can overwhelm the heater.

I used the straight pipe for the first 5 weeks then started using the curved one. The straight one is loose and the curved one is still snug, is the glass wearing away? O-rings are in the mail.

Buzzbomb Almighty said:

I used the straight pipe for the first 5 weeks then started using the curved one. The straight one is loose and the curved one is still snug, is the glass wearing away? O-rings are in the mail.

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Glass isn't wearing away and all stems are different. My curved stem fell out my brand new solo since day one! The heat resistant polymer is either wearing down or "stretching" out a bit like it did when you first inserted a stem (I had to jack mine up to 7 and let it sit a bit before my strait stem would insert!

I wouldn't put an o ring in an even relatively new solo.. I'd try a different stem or just a little Teflon tape (tapes how I solved my curved stems issue). Once you go down the o ring road you WILL stretch it out more and pretty much can't go back. Its a bandaid for an issue I'm not entirely sure you have just yet.

Buzzbomb Almighty said:

I haven't had mine for long but I think it's all about cadence, letting it heat between vapes and balancing pressure and length of draughts, finding out what works for you.

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So very true. There is no 'Zen of Solo', but rather individual paths to the Palace of True Enlightenment'. One of the huge features of Solo/Air, IMO, it's very tolerant of variations in technique to suit individual owners. More vapes should be like that I think.

How many other vapes do almost as well on intact buds as any grind you can name? Most are pretty fussy in this area alone.

But it's important, I think, to not get too hung up on tight/loose stems. Remember the maker doesn't consider a loose stem to be a bad thing or abnormal. In fact, it's part of the design in Solo, they do better for most guys after 'breaking in' some. The ring is not intended to make it tighter, only to keep the bent stem from rotating (not falling out). Clamping down hard enough to grip the stem is asking for broken tabs on the base. The newer style Solo calls for a different (thinner) ring or lots of sanding to fit right.

OF

The reason I mentioned it was because I pulled the looser straight stem out accidentally and it fell on the table but didn't break. Thanks nondarb fof the heads up and I'll hold off on putting an o-ring in. T-tape I have.

Buzzbomb Almighty said:

The reason I mentioned it was because I pulled the looser straight stem out accidentaly and it fell on the table but didn't break.

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Lucky for you Ataxian can help you out with that old 'glass didn't break' thing. He's so good he can break glass two time zones away.......

Don't be shy about PMing him for advice, he grumbles some sometimes but really lives to help the new guys get up to speed in the basics. Soon he'll have you breaking glass with the best of 'em.

OF

Buzzbomb Almighty said:

The reason I mentioned it was because I pulled the looser straight stem out accidentaly and it fell on the table but didn't break. Thanks nondarb fof the heads up and I'll hold off on putting an o-ring in. T-tape I have.

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T-tape made my ridiculously out of spec (OEM I may add) stem usuable! Something to consider is ed's TNT stems/Wong's, they supposedly have a tighter fit but I too fear they will stretch out a newer solo, as OF mentioned the looseness is natural, too tight a fit or seal and your airflow will suffer.

Pretty sure installing the O-ring voids your warranty as well.

OF said:

Lucky for you Ataxian can help you out with that old 'glass didn't break' thing. He's so good he can break glass two time zones away.......

Don't be shy about PMing him for advice, he grumbles some sometimes but really lives to help the new guys get up to speed in the basics. Soon he'll have you breaking glass with the best of 'em.

OF

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I ordered 4 GonG's for my SOLO.
Need to clean all my bubbler's for this type of enjoyment.

Breaking Glass is what I do!

If you had a large trashcan I could fill it with Glass Bubblers, ASH Collectors, Jhooks, STEMS not to mention all the GonG's I've broken?

If I did not break so much glass I would have even more vaporizers.

For now I use a PHVES stem in a old SOLO with a 113 seal.
I haven't broke this one for some reason?

Voids warranty? For Sale 10 O-Rings

ataxian said:

I haven't broke this one yet for some reason?

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FTFY

Stu said:

FTFY

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@Stu wax in CALIFORNIA CANNABIS is so cheap!
Load up!

Post Harvest Shatter so cheap.

Plus their is a large supply of Girl Scout Cookies?

SOLO fuel!

So stoked!
CALIFORNIA LIV'N OG will take your breath away in a positive way!

Level 4 PHVES STEM many hit's.

I have a few new waterpieces.

People talk about VAS which I am a victim!

However I suffer from GAS as well?

@Jethro I love my 113 seal?
My SOLO is 5 years old and firing fine!
A warranty on a device this cheap?

nondarb said:

Pretty sure installing the O-ring voids your warranty as well.

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This can't be true, Randy from Puffitup sent me 10 O-rings with the purchase of my Solo- I didn't even ask. I didn't know what they were for until checking in here. But Puffitup is definitely an authorized Arizer re-seller, so if the O-rings were not ok to use he definitely wouldn't send them.

For what it is worth, I don't use them. I really found I like the loose fit. Yes, you have to make sure the stem doesn't stick to your lip and fall out, but it's worth it for the draw. I bought a whole bunch of stuff to outfit my Solo, one was a replacement stem, one was an Ed's TNT stem, but the one I really like best is the stock strictly because it fits the most loose. Also the stock stem seems to be thinner glass (lending to why it fits looser) and I think it heats up the best. Still learning myself though.

When I use the high efficiency PVGonG on my water tool, I certainly can draw enough to cool it down. I'd actually like a GonG that isn't high efficiency. I have a Joda GonG coming in the next few days, interested to see how that works in the bubblers!!

I love cannabis!! Vaping some sour diesel at this moment and drinking a Guinness. Best way I know to wind down the day.

Planetvape also sells the 0-rings, IMO it's not going to void the warranty.

The Solo was made to rock and turn while drawing, it's how the Solo gets those huge vapor clouds. I don't use an O-ring I just rest my index finger on the side of my stem if I want to keep it in place, it's become a habit, but I like to move my stem around too.

I usually turn my temp to 3 or 4 when I'm at the desired heat I insert the stem for 20 seconds then take my first draw. I usually like a medium grind. It's usually about the third draw where the vapor gets really dense. My session lasts until the Solo turns off. I gradually go up to temp 5 the last few minutes.

Planetvape sells the High Efficiency Votex stems, you can go up a heat level without any harshness, it an inch longer than the standard straight stems. That's what's so great about the different mouthpieces, you can tailor you load to fit your own personal needs.

They also have the shorty stems where you use less herb than the standard size. With the channeled air flow it makes the draw easier. They have added slits along the sides.

Whatever way is your favorite is the right way. There's is no right or wrong.

Jethro said:

This can't be true, Randy from Puffitup sent me 10 O-rings with the purchase of my Solo- I didn't even ask.

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Randys a nice guy, but read your warranty.... The general consensus is if you have any issues still covered by warranty you can remove said O ring and hope you didn't visibly strip the screws any, but that would be a little dishonest. You have to go into the solo (nothing difficult mind you, not trying to scare anyone off! But it is not the drop in part it sounds like) to install the O ring, arizer doesn't cover users going inside and monkeying around adding after market parts (for good reason).

Read the back page of your instruction booklet:
"Do not open up the unit, doing so may cause electric shock and voids all Warranties. The Warranty does not cover units damaged by dropping, tampering, unauthorized service preformed or attempted, modifying the unit, misuse or abuse."

ZC said:

This solo is less than a week old.

I did know not to pack it, everything was loose. Didn't know or think to try rocking the stem a bit, I'll try that next time.

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I actually hated the draw restriction on the solo when I first got it. I actually took a torch and made indents around the stock stem. It improved it to where I was comfortable with it. Just this weekend I busted out the solo with a stock stem and I noticed no difference between it and my notched one. The solo breaks in over time and the draw gets less restricted or least it has in my experience. My non vapeing buddies don't complain about the draw when I bust it out and all manage to get good rips from it.

nondarb said:

Read the back page of your instruction booklet:
"Do not open up the unit, doing so may cause electric shock and voids all Warranties. The Warranty does not cover units damaged by dropping, tampering, unauthorized service preformed or attempted, modifying the unit, misuse or abuse."

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I would think that simply taking the top off would not void the warranty. Taking the four screws off the bottom and opening the unit is probably what they mean.

But if you do decide to add the "O" ring, be sure to take those four screws out and put four little washers under the screws. My black Solo has no cracking on the base, on that one I added the washers as soon as I got the Solo. The silver Solo started cracking on the base, so I added the washers and the crack has not got any bigger. I hardly ever unscrew the top, the "O" rings are always installed. For me the "O" ring makes the Solo perform better.

Dr. Soxhlet said:

I would think that simply taking the top off would not void the warranty. Taking the four screws off the bottom and opening the unit is probably what they mean.

But if you do decide to add the "O" ring, be sure to take those four screws out and put four little washers under the screws. My black Solo has no cracking on the base, on that one I added the washers as soon as I got the Solo. The silver Solo started cracking on the base, so I added the washers and the crack has not got any bigger. I hardly ever unscrew the top, the "O" rings are always installed. For me the "O" ring makes the Solo perform better.

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Yes, the bottom opening is my concern. Every O-ring kit I've seen included the washers to resist the cracking/breaking you mentioned.

I'm not trying to mom anyone into doing anything, hell I'll consider using O-rings down the line as my solo ages and wears in but I am warranty conscious and just want to make sure people realize the potential issues that could arise. You mentioning the cracked baseplate is a good point, I'd taken using washers on the bottom plate forgranted..

I'm fixing to get get kiefy on a blend of Orange Kush and Odyssey Kush at level 4 now dry . The solo is so versatile!

Funny thing about the draw restriction IMO....the times I get some of my biggest clouds is when I don't fight it and actually work with the restriction. My guess is that it's because the restriction slows down the air cooling from the draw. That's the beauty of the Solo though...everyone can find 'Their Own' sweet spot.

Randy does give the full warranty on the SOLO even if its opened up (did with me), now Arizer is a different story?

lookhigh said:

Randy does give the full warranty on the SOLO even if its opened up (did with me), now Arizer is a different story?

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Yes, they are two different entities. In fact any legal claims depend on who you bought it from. That's how contracts work. Buy it directly from Arizer and the contract terms are clear. Buy it from PIU, a friend or LHS and your only enforceable deal is with them. Not Arizer. They may have something to 'fall back on' with Arizer, but you do not unless you gave them money or 'other valuable consideration' directly.

I think due caution should be used with putting rings in. In the past guys have 'read it on the web' and screwed it up big time, breaking tabs out of ignorance, really. They didn't educate themselves in the whole story, made some bad assumptions and jumped right in.

Kudos to Randy for covering this sort of stuff. It's his call to make, part of how he views his customers. I personally like the insurance buying from him. Prices to us could be even lower otherwise of course, but peace of mind has real value as well.

OF