MiniVAP Vaporizer

[Ethnobotanist]

Yes, that should negate the cooking effect.
The decarb chamber will enable you to have bigger hits but the most efficient and best taste comes
from the stock unit as that also has designed in "laminar air flow" with the pure convection for best
possible taste. When you then introduce partial conduction, that impacts the laminar airflow which
is designed to perfectly/equally toast those tastey herbs to perfection.

Do you want bigger hits/quicker hits/max clouds or most efficient/ best taste ??

It's a big winner either way, just a slightly different focus

Thanks for that, didn't know about the "laminar air flow" involved. Looking forward to reading up on this in detail sometime. Plus good to know about the different pros of the two setups. Perhaps if I can get some practice and the right tools, maybe I can safely switch back and forth on the two chamber setups from time to time.

There are no Teflon coatings on the MV. To be precise theses parts with Teflon are solid pieces of pure Teflon, it's really not the same thing as the stuff you see on pans.

Teflon pans are crap, it's like some kind of weak paint, not really pure Teflon, it's full of additives to make it sprayable. I use stainless steel pans for all purpose cooking, a steel pan for high temperature meat cooking and a ceramic coated pan for eggs.

Ps : I have no idea about the exact version of my firmware.

Thanks Roger, that post definitely sets my mind at rest. The only thing I do wonder is whether the decarb chamber gets hot enough to have any negative health side-effects on the solid teflon ring above it? Still, I assume that MV wouldn't have released the new steel decarb chamber if this was an issue.

 

[stickstones]

I should probably stop being a tight-@ss and just order one.

It's very hard for a vape to break into my lineup. I had been using Herbie and the Evo exclusively for a long time with no legitimate challengers until the MiniVap arrived. I am very surprised at how much I use it. The modular design and the multitude of ways you can easily hit it make it an easy one to grab.

I can use it plugged in or just as easily as a portable. I can hit it dry or just as easily put it on a bubbler. I never worry about the load being spent because I am enjoying my meds too much. I use it when in my vaping chair, downstairs with the TV, and I even take it to bed with me. It doesn't burn me or alert others to what I am doing with noise. And it heats up pretty fast, which is big for me. I used nothing but Herbie for months if for no other reason than the instant heat up...I even became a bit of a snob about heating up. But this vape has me back to changing my routine to accommodate a warm up period because I like it so much.

I'm a fan!

 

[JJ Cool F]

@stickstones

From what I've read, the reasons for buying one are countless, and the reasons for not buying one are the price and having to send it to Spain for repair when it inevitably develops a fault.

I'm considering just going for the single Minivap (cheapest version) and, assuming I fall in love with it as other owners predict, I'll order the battery and charging dock some time in the new year. The fact that it isn't truly portable without the battery isn't a deal-breaker for me. I do most of my herb consumption at home, or somewhere near a socket.

I almost ordered a Pax last month after having tried one. Although it's a great device, it took two ovens before I felt 'medicated' and it got quite hot around the mouthpiece.

What I like about the Minivap is that your herbs aren't being heated unless you take a draw. I've read that the Mighty continues to heat (and therefore potentially waste) the herbs regardless of whether the you're drawing on the straw.

It's a shame Hermes hasn't released a bent glass straw, a la Solo, which conveniently snaps onto a flexicone. If I do get a Minivap, I'll tinker with glass straw mods like the ones I've seen buried in this awesome thread.

 

[Kommyknocker]

It's a shame Hermes hasn't released a bent glass straw, a la Solo, which conveniently snaps onto a flexicone. If I do get a Minivap, I'll tinker with glass straw mods like the ones I've seen buried in this awesome thread.

Keep in mind that glass holds heat and hot air rises.. as such I've found that my various straw setups do lend to a slight cooking of the herb(very slight) leading to some vapor escaping, at least until the glass is suitably cooled.
It's marginal if, unlike me, you don't/can't/won't hit that straw like a bong. I do indeed hit it as such and if I reload a fresh basket shortly after then the glass is still too hot to touch, this in turn will result in escaping vapor.. How very dare that sneaky mist elude my lungs!

 

[JJ Cool F]

Keep in mind that glass holds heat and hot air rises.. as such I've found that my various straw setups do lend to a slight cooking of the herb(very slight) leading to some vapor escaping, at least until the glass is suitably cooled.
It's marginal if, unlike me, you don't/can't/won't hit that straw like a bong. I do indeed hit it as such and if I reload a fresh basket shortly after then the glass is still too hot to touch, this in turn will result in escaping vapor.. How very dare that sneaky mist elude my lungs!

I had no idea the glass would retain heat to the point that it would cook any herbs in the basket below the lid. Having never seen a Minivap (glass straw setup or other) for real, I'm not really sure what to expect.

I've never been a bong person, either. I figure I would take long, slow draws, or lots of small sips. I've been a habitual jazz cigarette smoker for more years than I care to count so I'm kind of hoping a Minivap will help me kick my combustion habit once and for all. Someone suggested glass to help prevent the coughing fits I see most vapists suffering from after a lungful.

I had a MFLB a few years ago when they were all the rage. I lasted less than a day before I broke out my rolling tray. Getting it to perform well was like trying to crack a safe: insert and press battery for 3 seconds, take 4 small sips leaving air between your lips and the stem, release battery for 4.7 seconds, take 5.2 more moderate sips, shake the MFLB, press battery, ... It sucked (no pun intended) the enjoyment out of the ritual of medicating, although it was cheap enough to take a punt on it.

 

[Smknbud]

@stickstones

From what I've read, the reasons for buying one are countless, and the reasons for not buying one are the price and having to send it to Spain for repair when it inevitably develops a fault.

I'm considering just going for the single Minivap (cheapest version) and, assuming I fall in love with it as other owners predict, I'll order the battery and charging dock some time in the new year.

If your in the states buy from from the same vendor most of us have. They are authorized and will handle warranty issues for Hermes. Typically that means replacement. My replacement had to be 'authorized' which to me means Hermes picks up the bill, not the vendor.

Spend the extra and get the battery version. Buy the power puck later. The Mini is meant to be carried around. I think most that own it would agree.

 

[Kommyknocker]

I had no idea the glass would retain heat to the point that it would cook any herbs in the basket below the lid. Having never seen a Minivap (glass straw setup or other) for real, I'm not really sure what to expect.

I've never been a bong person, either. I figure I would take long, slow draws, or lots of small sips.

Sorry you misunderstand me.. The heated glass creates a hot air current that will gently draw cooler air up through the intake. This air will travel through the unit being further heated by its hotter than outside innards, through the herb filled basket module stealing away with it a little of your precious vapor. This process will continue until the glass straw is cooled sufficiently.
This process more than likely occurs on a much lessened scale with the stock unit.
Also the versatility of the MV lends itself to at least trying some kind of WT. The F-Bomb is superb for this.
Just my 

 

[MinnBobber]

I had no idea the glass would retain heat to the point that it would cook any herbs in the basket below the lid. Having never seen a Minivap (glass straw setup or other) for real, I'm not really sure what to expect.

I've never been a bong person, either. I figure I would take long, slow draws, or lots of small sips.
......

Like KK said, getting a glass straw that hot takes monster hits. Hit it normally and no problem. There are multiple ways to hit it: straight with the 2" hard mouthpiece, straight with a whip tube which is longer, straight with a hybrid flex tube - glass - flex tube - glass in 2" segments which some have crafted. Each longer path gets a little cooler but you lose a little flavor too.
Then you move into another method---remove the wire basket module and place in bubbler / water piece. This can be dry with no water and then with water , for two further cooling methods.

Like smknbud said, I'd start with battery unit and then decide later if you really need the AC puck. It is a real treat to roam around with it

I have a pretty sensitive throat/lungs yet can hit it for most flavor with the 2" hard mouthpiece on red heat level (437 F). Most common is lower heats with 2" mouthpiece and then switch to water for top heat range or top 2 heat ranges.
I find it interesting that I can have it on red with 2" mouthpiece, taking BIG pulls and get the first inch of the mouthpiece so hot that I can't firmly hold it YET the vapor is very tolerable to my throat and lungs....

 

[Kommyknocker]

^^^^^
The sorcery inside makes it possible Minnbobber! Uh huh

 

[scottg402]

I'm glad I started with the battery unit.

Although now I'm looking at the AC puck too.

 

[Mrmrmrmr]

I'm glad I started with the battery unit.

Although now I'm looking at the AC puck too.

I won't lie it's nice to have both
Now the dilemma is wanting to buy an additional power cord to charge a battery and use the mini at the same time. My wallets hiding from me again

 

[Kommyknocker]

Now the dilemma is wanting to buy an additional power cord to charge a battery and use the mini at the same time. My wallets hiding from me again

Yeah me too! I found that when I do run out of battery juice and go to muthapuckah mode I get far too trashed to remember and dock my batt Damned THC!!

 

[Smknbud]

It's very hard for a vape to break into my lineup. I had been using Herbie and the Evo exclusively for a long time with no legitimate challengers until the MiniVap arrived. I am very surprised at how much I use it. The modular design and the multitude of ways you can easily hit it make it an easy one to grab.

I can use it plugged in or just as easily as a portable. I can hit it dry or just as easily put it on a bubbler. I never worry about the load being spent because I am enjoying my meds too much. I use it when in my vaping chair, downstairs with the TV, and I even take it to bed with me. It doesn't burn me or alert others to what I am doing with noise. And it heats up pretty fast, which is big for me. I used nothing but Herbie for months if for no other reason than the instant heat up...I even became a bit of a snob about heating up. But this vape has me back to changing my routine to accommodate a warm up period because I like it so much.

I'm a fan!

This really speaks volumes when a dedicated connoisseur Vaporist as yourself, who we all know pretty much has access/privilege to probably all the newest vaporizers, speaks so glowingly of the Minivap. Your endorsement means more than you may think, at least to me it does (that's all the brownie points I'm handing you ). I'm a big fan myself.....more than I thought I would be.

I had to snicker at your 'vaping chair' comment....it rings so true. For me it's a couch though, and I gravitate to it 90% of the time. I think most of us have a favorite spot at home. Haven't brought it to bed though....I'd probably leave it on the night table and knock it over and trash it.

 

[stickstones]

Yeah, you gotta be careful taking a vape to bed. But this thing is perfect for nightcaps with its auto shutoff and, more importantly, the way it doesn't cook your load. Nightcaps are where I get most of my scorched herb due to user negligence!

I am hoping the adapter you and I @Smknbud are getting fits well. I envision keeping it on the cap full time and either mounting it to a bubbler or using the vxl dry tube on top of it so I don't have to hold them together. That's the one place I see for improvement with this vape...dry delivery. I could see Hermes making a one-piece, solid cap that has a gong or song or pong on top of it. With a gong mouthpiece to go with it, we may have a solution. (I'm gonna have to take some pics of our setup for this one.) Other than that, I love everything about it. And the HITS!!!

 

[JJ Cool F]

Sorry you misunderstand me.. The heated glass creates a hot air current that will gently draw cooler air up through the intake. This air will travel through the unit being further heated by its hotter than outside innards, through the herb filled basket module stealing away with it a little of your precious vapor. This process will continue until the glass straw is cooled sufficiently.
This process more than likely occurs on a much lessened scale with the stock unit.
Also the versatility of the MV lends itself to at least trying some kind of WT. The F-Bomb is superb for this.
Just my 

Ah, I gotcha.

If your in the states buy from from the same vendor most of us have. They are authorized and will handle warranty issues for Hermes. Typically that means replacement. My replacement had to be 'authorized' which to me means Hermes picks up the bill, not the vendor.

Spend the extra and get the battery version. Buy the power puck later. The Mini is meant to be carried around. I think most that own it would agree.

I'm not in the States, but if the best deal comes from a US vendor, I'd be happy to purchase from them. I'll keep digging around.

I'm definitely interested in the portability aspect of the Minivap, but as I said I'm not seduced enough by it to spend the extra money on the battery and dock on the off. I'm either in my office at home, on the couch, or in bed when I'm medicating - never more than 4 ft from a socket. It suits my needs better to plug something in rather than remembering to keep it charged. There's no doubt I'll spring for a battery at some point, just not initially. Your advice is appreciated though.

Like KK said, getting a glass straw that hot takes monster hits. Hit it normally and no problem. There are multiple ways to hit it: straight with the 2" hard mouthpiece, straight with a whip tube which is longer, straight with a hybrid flex tube - glass - flex tube - glass in 2" segments which some have crafted. Each longer path gets a little cooler but you lose a little flavor too.
Then you move into another method---remove the wire basket module and place in bubbler / water piece. This can be dry with no water and then with water , for two further cooling methods.

Like smknbud said, I'd start with battery unit and then decide later if you really need the AC puck. It is a real treat to roam around with it

I have a pretty sensitive throat/lungs yet can hit it for most flavor with the 2" hard mouthpiece on red heat level (437 F). Most common is lower heats with 2" mouthpiece and then switch to water for top heat range or top 2 heat ranges.
I find it interesting that I can have it on red with 2" mouthpiece, taking BIG pulls and get the first inch of the mouthpiece so hot that I can't firmly hold it YET the vapor is very tolerable to my throat and lungs....

I wonder why Hermes haven't made a piece of glass in a similar mold to the 2" hard mouthpiece, only a little bigger. In terms of flavor and vapor temperature, wouldn't that be better than the existing hard mouthpiece, or indeed better than the long silicon tube?

The portability aspect of the minivap is the 'luxury' for me. I really want the top half of the Minivap. How it draws its power isn't too important initially. When I have some disposable income, the battery will be next on the shopping list.

 

[stickstones]

I have only used mine at home to date, and I mostly use the plug. I use the battery when going anywhere other than my vape chair. It's a luxury to use the battery at home, but by no means a necessity.

 

[JJ Cool F]

Snap.

 

[stickstones]

wootwoot!! I just got the DonG (Delrin on Glass!) adapter and it fits great! I'll probably use it every time I use the vape and will get started tonight. If it's as pimp as it looks I'm gonna have to push Hermes to make a cap like this.

 

[Mrmrmrmr]

Thanks @stickstones , one more thing I need to get

 

[Stu]

I just got the DonG

 

[Mrmrmrmr]

Looks like we have a similar sense of humor

 

[Smknbud]

wootwoot!! I just got the DonG (Delrin on Glass!) adapter and it fits great! I'll probably use it every time I use the vape and will get started tonight. If it's as pimp as it looks I'm gonna have to push Hermes to make a cap like this.

My tracking says it will be waiting for me when I get home from work. I just knew @mestizo was going to do us right.

If you happen to take a picture of it with the vapexhale mouthpiece I wouldn't be disappointed at all......mine is still in route from vapornation. I'll use mine with my bubbler till then.

 

[stickstones]

Here's the setup before I use it. The shots don't show the adapter by itself, just the rig. DonG was a fun one to come up with!

 

[jivebuggered]

It's very hard for a vape to break into my lineup. I had been using Herbie and the Evo exclusively for a long time with no legitimate challengers until the MiniVap arrived. I am very surprised at how much I use it. The modular design and the multitude of ways you can easily hit it make it an easy one to grab.

I can use it plugged in or just as easily as a portable. I can hit it dry or just as easily put it on a bubbler. I never worry about the load being spent because I am enjoying my meds too much. I use it when in my vaping chair, downstairs with the TV, and I even take it to bed with me. It doesn't burn me or alert others to what I am doing with noise. And it heats up pretty fast, which is big for me. I used nothing but Herbie for months if for no other reason than the instant heat up...I even became a bit of a snob about heating up. But this vape has me back to changing my routine to accommodate a warm up period because I like it so much.

I'm a fan!

Howdy stickstones I have had discussions with you on the Herbi posts. Im the one from Aussie pissed off with the inaction for a Herbie export model but am starting to look at that as a lost cause. Its to dicey to take the risk of just a step down transformer. Im told that the miniVap is really good? Thick and tasty clouds? Cool vapor? Where did you get that adaptor for adding a long hose? As mentioned my diaphram cant handle the high ratio of air to vapor type vaps eg CERA, Plenty where you gotta take a deep "primeing" breath to get going. My fav is the Solo because the bitey vapor is there more or less straight away. From what I have said do you think the miniVap would suit me? Thanks

Here's the setup before I use it. The shots don't show the adapter by itself, just the rig. DonG was a fun one to come up with!

Also what would be your top three vaps? Also why do you think the vaporcritic has not tested the miniVap? His reviews are usually good

 

[JJ Cool F]

Also why do you think the vaporcritic has not tested the miniVap? His reviews are usually good

I've been wondering the same thing. In fact, other than @VapeFiend.com's review and @Roger D's super double Minivap setup, there are so few Minivap videos on YouTube.