nonsmoker needs help buying for a friend. sneak a toke, low cost?

I don't know a lot of the lingo and haven't been into smoking for like 20 years.. I'm having trouble sifting through all the info on this site so I hope you will forgive me for just coming out and making a new thread. I need help choosing a model to get my buddy.

My friend is in his mid 60's (internet illiterate basically) and recently had an operation where they told him he has to stop smoking weed and tobacco (smoke related I was told) or he would lose his leg! I want to get him a vaporizer. He has a colorado license or whatever it is to legally buy.

He smokes small amounts from a sneak a toke throughout the day.. or a tobacco pipe. I need something concealable (he likes to keep it out of his wife's face or use outside at a restaurant for instance) and smokeless and easy to use... and if at all possible affordable. He is super bummed about this situation and I want to get him something immediately, please help. thanks! =D

Salutations Weeral1,

Sorry, i don't have much to say but i do have one question as i got a hint what the replies are going to be like: would he care using oil?...

Imo the Cera. Or cheaper MFLB or VG is he doesn't mind learning curve.

For an older person I would lean towards more user-friendly models.

I would recommend the HerbalAire as he'll be able to efficiently and easily vaporize both tobacco and cannabis. Can be found for around 170 on ebay. This is not a portable model though.

For a portable I would recommend the lotus vaporizer at 100. This vape does have a learning curve however, as do most torch based portable vapes. I haven't tried the Arizer Solo but it's popular here on FC and is a portable probably worth checking out as well.

I believe the Palm 2.0 might be something that would work for him, it's very small and concealable, not sure on the price though as its not released yet. There is also the PAX which is more money, but theres almost no way he'd get caught, even if it was found.

I'm sure theres cheaper options as well, these are just the ones i've been looking at myself.

Sounds like the MFLB to me

Thank you so much for the responses!. I'll research these models. As for oil... I would have to guess no.. older guy set in his ways.. can't even get him off of internet explorer lol.. and like Momatik mentioned he will want to use it for tobacco as well. I definitely need something that will be simple. He's not the mechanical/techy type at all. The simplest of things he has called me up to assemble them for him etc lol. I don't want him giving up on vapes because he gets frustrated. I'll be looking for the least sressfull transition from 40+ years of smoking, to vaporizers.
Thanks again. Mahalo

I really think he would like the look of this guy:
Does something so small and simple actually create vapor instead of smoke?

The MFLB is even smaller and legit vaporizer. But both MFLB and VG can combust if you do it wrong.

If he doesn't mind the slightly larger size of the solo, (its still small) i would so get a solo. Its portable, relatively easy learning curve(vs launchbox), if he doesn't want to mix weed and tobacco thats totally fine, as the glass stems are easily swapped so you can have a weed-specific stem, and a tobacco-only stem. Additionally i feel like an older fellow like your friend would appreciate a wooden stem from ed's wood stems, I've been told it gives the solo a classier look. The drawbacks i would see are not being tinny, other than that i dont see why a solo wouldn't work, but then again i might be a little biased as this morning i found my self thinking "I bet if everyone had a solo we could achieve world peace" . haha

I like the mflb, and would probably get it for myself if I needed one. I'm afraid it would be too technical and too many parts for him :/

Maybe I'm wrong but I'd hate to spend that kind of money and have him not use it lol.

lol. makes me wish I could enjoy smoking again.

As an ex smoker and someone who has lots of smoker friends, and portable being a requirement, here's what I'd recommend:

Cera? Maybe ... I haven't tried it personally but may end up being the best option. Pretty sure I'm going to buy one just because I want a vaporizer for International travel

The Inhalater Inh004 would be a good option for lots of reasons:
- easy to load
- relatively small and discrete
- produces really nice quality vapor
- easy to clean and maintain (this is a big one)

Edit:
(The Cera would have many of these benefits if not all, if it is all it seems to be ... I just haven't tried it personally so can't say for sure, and I'm sure like all vaporizers it might be better in some areas but maybe not all ... Ie. load size of INH can handle more I believe)

I know a lot of people speak highly about the MFLB but as an ex smoker, I don't think it will cut it for someone else quitting ... Just my 2c

The hammer seems to hold some appeal for this one.

blows my mind how much some of these things cost.. he will likely lose the darned thing at some point as well (oh you potheads) XD

Ha! Agreed! Problem is I've found you get what you pay for (to a degree).

The Solo is a cheaper option that's still portable (but not as portable nor convenient nor discrete although I do love my Solo)

If you buy based on money and not your friend's personal preferences (or what you think they'll be) then he simply won't use it, won't be satisfied by it and buy another vape (or worst case ends up continuing to combust)

You do have to draw the line somewhere ... (Ie. I'd really like to try a MiniVAP but for $700+ when it's not even planned to be my primary vaporizer that's a little over the top )

Just some thoughts ...

There's really only three parts: battery(ies), charger and Launch Box. Slight initial learning curve, but its easily the most simple vape in my collection. I wouldnt say its technical, IMO its a very low tech vape. +1 For lifetime warranty.

Its also a really good stealth one hitter, which seemed important by the topic.

Edit for the record i cant imagine vaping tobacco from the same vape as cannabis

See ... like I said ... lots of people love the MFLB and are anxious to jump to its defense! ... just really not for me and I don't feel the MFLB would satisfy someone trying to switch from joints (or cigarettes). I agree on the +1 for the lifetime warranty and it's a very nicely built vaporizer that looks really slick ... but IMHO (and this is just mine ... I know lots disagree although lots agree as well) ... it just doesn't deliver like some of the newer portables do.

No worries JCat, you're not alone. You've really covered it well. I love my MFLB as much as the next guy, but can I recommend it to someone looking to come off smoking? No way.

well i appreciate all the input.. its simple enough for me to just look at every recommended model and choose from them.. at this point though i'm starting to think that i may have to involve him in the decision instead of trying to surprise him with one... which is kind of a bummer, but it is a pretty important decision. i certainly don't want to turn him off to vapes.

I would recommend including him in the decision making process, as he will be the ultimate judge if the vape is suitable for him or not.

The reasons I think the hammer is well suited has to do with you requirements. It is small and portable, it has multiple stems, so you can use one for each type of material, it also is quite cheap ($120 for FC members).

I think it is very much worth consideration. The main drawback is how it looks, you may not want to be seen using it, because I don't know what the average joe will think if they saw someone using one.

I've gotta say MFLB.
it's really easy to use,(very low tech), and does well with smaller loads. It's the the fastest to use as well,perfect for one-hitter action. Also I have used tobacco in mine,with and without mixing with weed and it works well. But it WILL leave a tobacco taste that's a bitch to get rid of....that's why I got 2!
Good luck with the search,you've definatly come to the right place! More Vape info here than any other site and some VERY smart folks to help you out.
Good luck and let us know how it works out!

From what i have seen of it the solo would probably be good for him, looks good for portability simplicity and home use.

MFLB looks like one that would need a bit of technique or practice and judging by how older people take to new technology it may not be wise but anyone who owns a MFLB feel free to correct me ^^

if he is a persistent guy, the vaporgenie is a good option for less than 60$ that can leave him satisfied.

Couple of cons of this option:

- the lighter can be noisy and alert the wife
- the pipe look could be a problem, for the same reason as above
- needs a proper technique to enjoy it fully

Another option although much more expensive is a combo of the Thermovape Cera with the Loose Leaf Cart and the VG Cart, so he can vape both cannabis and nicotine.

I think vorrange is right that the Cera would be a good option ... but with the LL and VG Cart + batteries you're looking at >$400 ... that being said ... might be best to get the absolute best suited option first as then it won't leave him wanting more (and leading to spending a lot more money in the long run anyways)