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Urgently need new vape, what's a good one at $150-300?

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420engineer

Well-Known Member
I have changed the temp on mine once in 5 years, like my Volcano Classic, once it is dialed in to the ideal temp, it doesn't need to change.
 
420engineer,

vapeguy

Well-Known Member
I have changed the temp on mine once in 5 years, like my Volcano Classic, once it is dialed in to the ideal temp, it doesn't need to change.

Please read my other posts in this thread. The voltage fluctuates significantly where I live due to limited circuits so "dumb" vaporizers like this are a pain to use in my situation as the temperature fluctuates with the voltage. A vape with real temp control maintains stable temperature even with fluctuating voltage.

I'm actually now leaning towards the Volcano digit. I remember my classic volcano falling one or two times on its temperature dial with got the mechanical thermostat way out of calibration, I think it wouldn't even start heating at room temp with the dial on max. I was able to get it back to usable range but obviously can't get it back to exact like new condition so my temps were off ever since. The digit would survive such a fall without having the temperature lose calibration as there's nothing mechanical.
 
vapeguy,

420engineer

Well-Known Member
you could plug a voltage meter into a dumb-temp controlled unit like the SSV/SSS/Volcano classic, and always be sure of how much you're drawing, whilst still keeping your options open on the range of vapes you can purchase.
 

HellsWindStaff

Dharma Initiate
the chamber can expand from the smallest to the biggest chamber I would think any vape has, able to hold a tiny pinch or several grams, so it can't be beat for that.

I know you're not interested, but the HA does this as well. You can load either the crucible or the vape itself, and I think it's advertised as being able to hold up to 6 grams? And I've gotten good results with .1-.5/.6 gram amounts. You also mentioned if their is a equivalent without the pump, and I wasn't sure, but you can defniitely use the HA without the pump for DD or whip.

You also don't need to grind, I just grabbed .3 and shoved it right in the vape.

But I would recommend for you personally to get the Volcano Digit probably, that seems more up your alley if the aesthetics or form function of the bag system turns you off from the HA. Plus, with voltage fluctuation, I don't think the HA would fluctuate if you had both it and the pump plugged in and were turning the pump on and off, but I'm also not sure.

I would still give the HA a second look though. It's literally hit every point on your criteria for function and what you want the vape to be able to do, but it is certainly a bit less sexy looking. But it works like a beast! I tested the heatup last night when using it, this thread had me thinking about it, took 1:52:30 to reach 375.

To each their own though :) I'm certain it will be a good choice no matter where you go!
 

vapeguy

Well-Known Member
I actually do have a voltage meter on the circuit I use my vape on because I have a UPS that displays the line voltage on its front LCD, but I don't want to be constantly looking at the voltage thinking "The voltage just dropped by 8 volts, I need to crank up the vape, oh there is goes back up to 120, crank it back down", vaping should be relaxing.

One reason I want a bag is I really like consistency, and with a vape like the LSV it's hard or impossible to get consistent results as there are so many variables like draw speed and in my case fluctuating voltage (one draw may be too light while the next combusts). My LSV had never combusted until I moved to where the voltage fluctuates, it now combusts fairly often which hits me like a disgusting brick wall of smoke, then the smoke taste remains until it's all cleaned.

I will look at the HA again before deciding, and I know I have the option to not use the pump, I just don't want to pay for a pump I won't use or have it waste space so I'd rather be able to buy the HA without the pump, isn't that an option?

Also when you say the HA does this as well (about the adjustable size chamber), I'm not familiar with its chamber but it sounds like you're taking about filling 2 different areas based on the amount. The Volcano's chamber (in the solid valve, not the new cheap easy valve) has a telescoping mechanism that allows you to change the size of the chamber to fit any amount, so it's packed full no matter how much you use as the chamber size adapts to the amount that's in it. Is that a typo when you say it holds up to 6 grams? From a video the chamber looks tiny so I'm assuming you meant 0.6g and not 6g. The Volcano (again, solid valve only) can hold both much smaller amounts and much larger amounts (just a wild guess, but I would assume 2 to 5 grams, I think it can hold up to at least 5 times more than the max the HA can hold).

About the HA pump making the temp fluctuate, because the pump uses an insignificant amount of power it would have no effect on the voltage, but doesn't the HA have active temperature control anyway?

About the HA heat up time, I'm assuming your including hundredths of a second and it's 1 minute 52 seconds and not 1 hour 52 minutes. Anyway start up time is irrelevant to me, as long as it's not 10 minutes I don't mind.
 
vapeguy,

nicelytoasted

Vaked Chemist
@vapeguy :

The HA pump is external, and is included with the vape so that it can do bags. You only use it for the bag mode. The advantage of an external pump is that if it ever fails, it's easy to replace. I find that the HA really shines when it's directly inverted into my bubbler, but having the option of bags is ideal in group or demo settings. Not bad for ~ $150 in total, imo.

I've been running my same HA for almost 8 yrs now, and found that I can cram 5-6g in there, but only because it does not need any grinding at all and works better with compressed whole nugs, yet evenly & thoroughly extracts every last bit of actives. (I've checked with my USB-microscopes). It works well with small or large amounts of herb, ime.

The HA does indeed have actual active temperature control. It is virtually impossible to combust with it. Like you, I do not like the antiquated dumb dimmer/ heater setup. I find that it heats up to temp from cold in ~ 1 minute 45 seconds to ~ 2minutes.

Hope this helps.
 

Wizsteve

Well-Known Member
I have owned a volcano for the past 15 years works like a champ really is the best money can buy.
So if your able to buy one do so you get anything else you might be sorry ..
 
Wizsteve,
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vapeguy

Well-Known Member
These types of pumps are so simple the chances of them ever failing are virtually none (they are designed to run 24/7 for several years), so you have a constant inconvenience of needing to plug 2 devices in (I only have 1 free outlet and would need a splitter), then connecting hoses from one machine to the other, it's just way more complicated than it is with any other vape. I'd much rather have to unscrew a Volcano in the virtually impossible event the pump would fail to replace it than go through all that extra trouble each time I vape.

I didn't realize it was just $150 though, the store I buy from only had the elite version which is about double that. If I can find the non digital version for around that price I may try it, but may still want to get a Volcano later on.

The only issue with the Volcano is it's double what I was planning on paying and I'd really prefer to not spend that much so soon but my LSV seems to be on its last legs, so I may give the HerbalAire a try if I decide not to spend that much on a Volcano just yet.
 
vapeguy,

Stevenski

Enter the Dragon
A strong portable like the Solo would be a great solution as well as you can make a vapor lung if you want bags.
 
Stevenski,

vapeguy

Well-Known Member
I do have a Pax and used to have a Solo (I found the chamber too small).

I am really leaning towards the Volcano Digit with the price being the only issue. Maybe if my LSV can last me a few weeks more I'll get the Volcano, otherwise the HerbalAire or EQ seem like good options.

I really liked the LSV I'm just disappointed in the build quality despite its rock solid look, it really didn't last very long and required many many repairs to last the few years I had it and this last failure it had seems unfixable (but it's still usable).

Considering how short the LSV lasted and how long the Volcano lasts (I had 2, one of which I probably used for over 5 years and still worked like new) the Volcano is probably cheaper than the LSV long term (it may be 3 times the price but without a doubt will last more than 3 times longer) which is another reason I think it's worth waiting to be able to afford another one.
 

420engineer

Well-Known Member
7th Floor products are pretty solid in my experience. my afore mentioned SSV is 5 year old now, and used daily with zero repairs or maintaining required. I think your fluctuating voltage may be the culprit in this case, but that is just conjecture.

try a Grasshopper.
 
420engineer,

Tommy10

Well-Known Member
If you want bags, and like the idea of using the HA direct draw, why not just get the HA and the pump? Every box ticked? HA will last 5 years, and it can work like a LSV + a volcano.
 

jojo monkey

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
I find the volcano amazing for groups, but boring and wasteful for one. It takes a decent amount of herb to get a satisfying bag.

IMO: A direct draw vape is superior to a bag/volcano for flavor. I have done a few side by sides and the volcano robs lots of flavor.
 

vapeguy

Well-Known Member
7th Floor products are pretty solid in my experience. my afore mentioned SSV is 5 year old now, and used daily with zero repairs or maintaining required. I think your fluctuating voltage may be the culprit in this case, but that is just conjecture.

try a Grasshopper.

The fluctuating voltage is certainly why its performance has been inconsistent, but if you're saying that's why it physically broke into pieces that's absurd, fluctuating voltage doesn't cause appliances to fall apart or wires to crack. The reason your SSV lasted so long is because it's a desktop model and therefor never moves and has almost no wear and tear, the LSV is handheld and therefor always being moved and therefor subjected to infinitely more wear and tear than a stationary desktop vape.

If you want bags, and like the idea of using the HA direct draw, why not just get the HA and the pump? Every box ticked? HA will last 5 years, and it can work like a LSV + a volcano.

I find the pump setup just absolutely ridiculous on the HA, it's like they're selling a prototype, it doesn't feel like a finished product with the pump not being built in, there is no way I'll use such an overcomplicated setup, if I do get the HA, I won't use it for bags and would probably sell the pump to a fish tank owner on eBay.

I find the volcano amazing for groups, but boring and wasteful for one. It takes a decent amount of herb to get a satisfying bag.

IMO: A direct draw vape is superior to a bag/volcano for flavor. I have done a few side by sides and the volcano robs lots of flavor.

That's exactly why I resold my Volcano (because it needs a decent amount, not because of flavor), especially as I got extremely poor for a few years so I needed a vape that could work with smaller amounts. By the way is your Volcano experience with the new crappy easy valve or the original solid valve, it basically becomes an entirely much worst vaporizer with the easy valve, the solid valve does allow you to use either much smaller or much larger amounts than the easy valve, but it's true it works best with not so small amounts. If I remember my Volcano days correctly, I think I would load quite a bit but it would last me for 2-3 days because it can hold so much.

Anyway last night I saw how cheap the EQ is now, I'm now thinking the best option may be to get an EQ for now until I either save for a Volcano or decide on another model, or maybe even just keep the EQ if I like it enough (I had an EQ and hated it, I can only assume it was defective but I'll never know until/if I get another).
 
vapeguy,

RUDE BOY

Space is the Place
I would think using a fully digital unit with your power problems would be a mistake and what you call a "dumb" unit your best bet if you want the vape to last, that's been my experience with other electronics at least... analog electronics deal with power fluctuations and spikes a whole lot better then digital circuits.

:2c: ... :peace:
 
RUDE BOY,
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Tommy10

Well-Known Member
Fair call, buts it not a hard set up to live with, I don't use the pump but I also don't like bags. For consistent bags it works a treat. Remembering it is a "handheld unit" as well as a desktop, if you Vapor bong, whip or direct draw much more than bags, I think the seperate fan is better. Other wise it ends up bulky like a Q tower, HA is more like the LSV direct draw, but it actually can sit on the table.
 
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Tommy10,
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vapeguy

Well-Known Member
I would think using a fully digital unit with your power problems would be a mistake and what you call a "dumb" unit your best bet if you want the vape to last, that's been my experience with other electronics at least... analog electronics deal with power fluctuations and spikes a whole lot better then digital circuits.

:2c: ... :peace:

About everything else on this circuit is digital (PC, modem, router, laser printer, projector, etc.) and never had the slightest issue. The power fluctuations are normal for appliances on the same circuit as a space heater, the voltage drops from about 121-122 volts when the space heater is stopped to about 112-114 volts when it's heating. also everything is on a surge protector or UPS (which includes a surge protector).
 

vapeguy

Well-Known Member
I'm now quite certain I'll go with the Volcano Digit but will delay my purchase due to the price to save up a bit, I hope to be able to buy it within a month.

However, I was wondering if there are log/whip style vapes that don't cost too much (ideally $150 or less) that would be worth having in addition to the Volcano, and for this one I wouldn't mind "dumb" temp control like the LSV. I think having a good whip style vape in addition to a Volcano is a better choice than trying to find one that does both jobs but not as well.

I just found an "Easy Vape Digital" for only $90 CAD, that's so cheap I'd buy one now to replace my LSV if it's worth it, but if there's something clearly better for $50 or so more I'd be interested.

Thanks
 
vapeguy,

Hashtag46&2

Trichome Technician
What about a Lotus or Vapman , no electricity required to give you ample time to save for the Cano?

Plus you'll have an off the grid Vape in case Zombieland comes to fruition.
 

hoptimum

Well-Known Member
I'm now quite certain I'll go with the Volcano Digit but will delay my purchase due to the price to save up a bit, I hope to be able to buy it within a month.

However, I was wondering if there are log/whip style vapes that don't cost too much (ideally $150 or less) that would be worth having in addition to the Volcano, and for this one I wouldn't mind "dumb" temp control like the LSV. I think having a good whip style vape in addition to a Volcano is a better choice than trying to find one that does both jobs but not as well.

I just found an "Easy Vape Digital" for only $90 CAD, that's so cheap I'd buy one now to replace my LSV if it's worth it, but if there's something clearly better for $50 or so more I'd be interested.

Thanks

A "blemished" da buddha will set you back $135..... http://7thfloorvapes.com/index.php/...ic-seconds/blemished-da-buddha-vaporizer.html
 

paytonpenn

Level 30 Nature/Healer
but also has a ridiculously short 3 minute shut off time which ruins it for me.
It's not a 3 minute timeout? More like 3 minute at the most heat up. ...Still heat up is closer to 2 minutes max. I think it might be 15 minute shut off. Otherwise the unit actually does stay on and will just say its asleep and needs a simple press on either + or - to be woken back up.
 
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paytonpenn,
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