IAmKrazy2
Darth Vapor
UPDATED FINALLY: 11-18-09
Sorry it took so long. Have been busy, won't bore you with the details.
Let me start off by saying that I would recommend either of these vaporizers to a friend or confidant. Both do have pro's and con's, and some can vary depending upon personal preference. My second impression review should be fairly short, as these are two similar units.
Long story short, the PD does produce fuller and thicker vapor, and more of it. The difference is not night and day, but still very noticeable. It seems obvious to me, the PD runs a bit warmer then the MZ (even after switching to a 13v power supply). I personally prefer the temp of the PD. It still never burns the herb, but as many PD owners know, with very dry herb you can taste a very very very faint burnt popcorn taste (nothing like he 240 degree plus range in my E) at the end of a stem. This usually is only obvious to me with very high quality herb, the kind that just seems to keep going and going in the PD. That last hit, is not unpleasant, but for sure does not have that good taste. This can be avoided by PD users, by simply not taking the last "asshole" hit as i used to call them at the end of a combustion pipe. Except with combustion much much more is wasted in the end of a glass pipe, mixed in with the ash my true definition of the "asshole" hits. With the MZ, I have never hit this taste, even after extensive hits. I actually have had my MZ plugged into a 13v adapter instead of the standard 12v for the last couple of weeks. This improves performance IMO, to a near PD temp. The MZ is still running a little lower in temp though, which i do sometimes enjoy for a morning vape session.
The difference in the amount of vapor that is actually produced is most evident, when i plug both of the fellas into one of my two bongs. I can actually see within my bong itself the vapor, once again the PD is still a thicker producer even with the 13v plug on the MZ vs. the 12v on the PD. I would be interested in trying a 13.5v plug on the MZ also, and will order one once Rik starts to carry them via his site (which has been updated for those who haven't looked recently).
As far as stems, I have experimented a little more now. The PD stems do fit in the MZ, but it is a very tight fit. Still usable. I like the new "outtie" PD stems best followed by Rik's stems and finally by the old "innie" PD designs. The outtie designs seem to work slightly better as 14mm bong adapters, and this is the main reason for my preferences. After debating back and forth in my own mind, there might actually be a slightly stronger flavor in the PD stems, maybe. Practically too close to call, but i am also partial in the slight increased length in the PD stems while using the PD. But, the MZ with a 12v plug produces such light vapor, the extra length isn't really needed. In my personal opinion, performance is increased a lot through use of a 13v plug instead of the standard 12v. This would not always be true, to those who like a very very light vapor. The MZ on 12v seemed a bit like the first couple of hits from my LB. Very very light, and in the wrong light you sometimes almost take hits on taste and faith alone, with only very lightly visible vapor beyond the first hit. OK. Hope this helps. Any more questions, give me a shout i'll check this thread every couple of days. Good luck to all you future woodheads.
Upon another inspection spent duff in the PD is a very light to medium colored brown. In the MZ, herb tends to be very very very dark green in most spots with some light brown.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: 10-20-09 Day One With The MZ
Very nice looking unit. Rick for sure "picked" the front of the unit and spot for the LED correctly. Showcase vape. I do like the LED light. Was on the fence as to if Rick should add one or not. I think I made the right choice. It won't be to bright while sleeping, and it just scream, "I am on and ready. Come vape me!"
I have barely hit 2 hours with a plugged in MZ, but just tried my first 3 stem. Works no doubt. Will wait for a much longer warm up time before even beginning to comment on functional comparisons with the PD.
Stems are much shorter then the PD stems. The bowl diameter seems to be the exact same, but although the Zap stems work in the PD the PD stems are a little to wide for the Zap. Odd. Somehow the PD stems fit in the old softwood Zap too, but not the current MZ. I do like the Nylon though. Seems to have a very clean taste. Will try and comment on that in more detail on a later date after much more testing. Also, something mentally i like about a stem that isn't semi transparent. I do like how the PD stems stand on their end a little better. I also prefer the extra length the PD stem provides. They both seem to fit into my 14mm down stem with about the same seal, but i will also test this more later.
Screen vs. crossbar must be compared well too. I assume Tom made the change in an effort to increase airflow. If this in conjunction with other modifications worked in improving function or not is to be determined. As most PD users i never was worried of little bits falling into the heating element. But then again i developed a puffing style that i always took my first PD puff upside down to set the load from falling. This will be unneeded in the MZ. Nice as it is now my bedroom vape.
PD packaging is a little more refined. No biggie for me. I rarely defuse oil's, but the simple cap from PD vs. the butterfly defuser that come with the Zap is subjective. The zap came with a little plug to pack bowls down. I like to use this only when plugging a stem into my bong. Just rubbed in some flax seed oil in the MZ. I do prefer the buzz butter, very cool product, but i guess this could be subjective too. Most would agree. The extra stem that comes with the PD (although Rik now offers 3 stems to FC members), is almost mandatory IMO. I like having the cleaning bottle and duff bag too. I choose to have Rik give me 5 total stems and no power supplies. After a 4th stem I will say it again, I do like the nylon.
MZ
PD
MZ on Small Tray
PD on Big Tray
Stems
Sorry it took so long. Have been busy, won't bore you with the details.
Let me start off by saying that I would recommend either of these vaporizers to a friend or confidant. Both do have pro's and con's, and some can vary depending upon personal preference. My second impression review should be fairly short, as these are two similar units.
Long story short, the PD does produce fuller and thicker vapor, and more of it. The difference is not night and day, but still very noticeable. It seems obvious to me, the PD runs a bit warmer then the MZ (even after switching to a 13v power supply). I personally prefer the temp of the PD. It still never burns the herb, but as many PD owners know, with very dry herb you can taste a very very very faint burnt popcorn taste (nothing like he 240 degree plus range in my E) at the end of a stem. This usually is only obvious to me with very high quality herb, the kind that just seems to keep going and going in the PD. That last hit, is not unpleasant, but for sure does not have that good taste. This can be avoided by PD users, by simply not taking the last "asshole" hit as i used to call them at the end of a combustion pipe. Except with combustion much much more is wasted in the end of a glass pipe, mixed in with the ash my true definition of the "asshole" hits. With the MZ, I have never hit this taste, even after extensive hits. I actually have had my MZ plugged into a 13v adapter instead of the standard 12v for the last couple of weeks. This improves performance IMO, to a near PD temp. The MZ is still running a little lower in temp though, which i do sometimes enjoy for a morning vape session.
The difference in the amount of vapor that is actually produced is most evident, when i plug both of the fellas into one of my two bongs. I can actually see within my bong itself the vapor, once again the PD is still a thicker producer even with the 13v plug on the MZ vs. the 12v on the PD. I would be interested in trying a 13.5v plug on the MZ also, and will order one once Rik starts to carry them via his site (which has been updated for those who haven't looked recently).
As far as stems, I have experimented a little more now. The PD stems do fit in the MZ, but it is a very tight fit. Still usable. I like the new "outtie" PD stems best followed by Rik's stems and finally by the old "innie" PD designs. The outtie designs seem to work slightly better as 14mm bong adapters, and this is the main reason for my preferences. After debating back and forth in my own mind, there might actually be a slightly stronger flavor in the PD stems, maybe. Practically too close to call, but i am also partial in the slight increased length in the PD stems while using the PD. But, the MZ with a 12v plug produces such light vapor, the extra length isn't really needed. In my personal opinion, performance is increased a lot through use of a 13v plug instead of the standard 12v. This would not always be true, to those who like a very very light vapor. The MZ on 12v seemed a bit like the first couple of hits from my LB. Very very light, and in the wrong light you sometimes almost take hits on taste and faith alone, with only very lightly visible vapor beyond the first hit. OK. Hope this helps. Any more questions, give me a shout i'll check this thread every couple of days. Good luck to all you future woodheads.
Upon another inspection spent duff in the PD is a very light to medium colored brown. In the MZ, herb tends to be very very very dark green in most spots with some light brown.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: 10-20-09 Day One With The MZ
Very nice looking unit. Rick for sure "picked" the front of the unit and spot for the LED correctly. Showcase vape. I do like the LED light. Was on the fence as to if Rick should add one or not. I think I made the right choice. It won't be to bright while sleeping, and it just scream, "I am on and ready. Come vape me!"
I have barely hit 2 hours with a plugged in MZ, but just tried my first 3 stem. Works no doubt. Will wait for a much longer warm up time before even beginning to comment on functional comparisons with the PD.
Stems are much shorter then the PD stems. The bowl diameter seems to be the exact same, but although the Zap stems work in the PD the PD stems are a little to wide for the Zap. Odd. Somehow the PD stems fit in the old softwood Zap too, but not the current MZ. I do like the Nylon though. Seems to have a very clean taste. Will try and comment on that in more detail on a later date after much more testing. Also, something mentally i like about a stem that isn't semi transparent. I do like how the PD stems stand on their end a little better. I also prefer the extra length the PD stem provides. They both seem to fit into my 14mm down stem with about the same seal, but i will also test this more later.
Screen vs. crossbar must be compared well too. I assume Tom made the change in an effort to increase airflow. If this in conjunction with other modifications worked in improving function or not is to be determined. As most PD users i never was worried of little bits falling into the heating element. But then again i developed a puffing style that i always took my first PD puff upside down to set the load from falling. This will be unneeded in the MZ. Nice as it is now my bedroom vape.
PD packaging is a little more refined. No biggie for me. I rarely defuse oil's, but the simple cap from PD vs. the butterfly defuser that come with the Zap is subjective. The zap came with a little plug to pack bowls down. I like to use this only when plugging a stem into my bong. Just rubbed in some flax seed oil in the MZ. I do prefer the buzz butter, very cool product, but i guess this could be subjective too. Most would agree. The extra stem that comes with the PD (although Rik now offers 3 stems to FC members), is almost mandatory IMO. I like having the cleaning bottle and duff bag too. I choose to have Rik give me 5 total stems and no power supplies. After a 4th stem I will say it again, I do like the nylon.
MZ
PD
MZ on Small Tray
PD on Big Tray
Stems
