I'm totally new to vaporizing, and want to get away from combustion. I saw the pen vaporizers and got excited because they looked like the thing for me, but my research here showed that they do not really work for dry herbs due to combustion, unreliability, etc.
I am a light user, looking to use it once-twice in the evening, mostly alone. Portability is a plus, but since I am going to use it 90% or more of the time at home, quality is most important. So I need something easy to use, clean and maintain that could also work with less herbs, since I am alone and a lightweight. Zero experience with vaporizers and I have to order them online, so no way of testing and deciding on my own.
I do not have a set budget, I just need it to be less expensive than a Volcano, which is my maximum, if need be, but I prefer to save some money on my first purchase.
Is the Volcano still the best? Does the LSV compare if not used with water? I have spent a lot of time reading on vapes in the past days and I am totally frustrated.
First, welcome to the club! Combustion is overrated anyways.
From my experience and information I've gathered, I'd say the FireFly may be perfect for the following reasons:
- Light user, FireFly bowl only holds about .15 packed up. And wow you can get lifted off that .15. Though I find that 2 bowls is really optimal, 3 if I want to get really really faded.
- Portability is a plus, but quality is most important. Out of the 3 vaporizers I own, and assorted other ones I've tried, the FireFly has the best taste I've ever experienced. I've seen some say that the flavor is comparable to a Volcano, and while i've never used a Volcano, it really is the best tasting vaporizer I've ever used. And, its portable. So its best of both worlds for you it seems.
- Easy to clean and maintain, also right up the FireFly's alley. You have the bowl on the body, which doesn't get terribly dirty as long as you kick it out after each use/brush it off. The lid has grooves in it, which is the vapor path, so that will accumulate some resins and flakes, and the stainless steel body the lid rests on also may get a little residue, but you seriously just need to brush it off after every session or two. And then maybe once every few weeks, take a Q-Tip or a cloth and wipe it down with Iso. Super easy. Tbh, the area that got the most dirty for me was the hole on the body where it meets the lids vapor path....had a few flakes stuck up in there. Nothing the picker it comes with couldn't remove.
You say you want to use it alone, and that is really what I use mine for, as a personal vape. For one, it will work better if you figure out your preferred technique, so its a pain explaining to people. At least the people I hang out with. You said one or two bowls, the FireFly battery lasts me usually about 4 bowls on average, then I need to charge it....it only takes 45 minutes to charge though, this hasn't really been an issue with me, so I'm gonna assume for yourself it probably wouldn't be an issue either
That's my .02 , but unfortunately (or fortunately if you look at it the right way) everyone has different needs/wants/desires/preferences when it comes to vaporizing. What's best for me, might not be best for you, and even then what's best for us may not be best for a MMJ with Parkinson's or something.
I do believe though based on your criteria, that the FireFly would be perfect.
If that's out of your price range, Log Style vaporizers are efficient, easy to maintain, and require little to no maintenance. Plus easily attachable to water pipes. Won't be portable, and usually they take a moment to heat up (30-40 min for best results imo), you can keep it plugged in all day with minimal downtime (I found I would occasionally have to wait a minute or two between bowls if I was using it heavy).
Hope this helps!
Don't be afraid to ask questions.
