Solo or LSV for first vape?

[zapit!]

Hi good people at FuckCombustion,

After reading literally hundreds of pages of your most excellent forum (thank you all!), i am almost ready to decide on my first vape.

The two vapes i have narrowed it down to are the Solo and the LSV.

My priorities concerning the wished qualities of my future vape are in descending order:

1. quality of taste
2. efficiency
3. price
4. ease of use/maintenance
5. durability
6. portability

My two choices are not set in stone- If, dear reader, a vape strikes you as just fitting my bill, please do say so! Runner-ups are the herbal-aire for efficiency and price, the dbv for taste and price, and the EQ for taste and popularity. I live in Europe so a log-vape is sadly out of the question.

Incl. discounts and shipping i can get a lsv for 210 euros, a ceramic solo 175, a ss solo for 179, a HA for 175, a dbv for 143 and a eq for 210.

As a long term heavy joint-smoker, i wish myself a vape that efficiently delivers many small tasty hits, not unlike joint, rather than huge rips. While i may adjust my smoking technique, i'd rather not have whips/balloons, fearing they won't deliver the vaping experience i crave and are more difficult to clean/maintain.

As if the decision was not difficult enough, the appearance of the VXC looms on the horizon. If this is the bee's knees i might want one, and then a good excuse of having my other vape around would be handy, like: "My solo is my portable", or "my HA is just great for blowing bags at a party".

I know: too many words, but my hope is, that you still are gonna help me!

 

[OhTheAgony]

I've never used an LSV but from what I gather here the Solo wins point 2, 3, 4 and 6, but has to yield to the LSV on taste. They both have glass parts which can of course break if you're not careful with them, but apart from that my guess is the LSV wins the durability part as well. Although I must add that the Solo probably hasn't been around long enough to give an accurate answer to this one.

 

[weedemon]

^
pointed out the main important points and i think I think you would do best with the solo

also like you said, you may get a cloud in a couple months. I think the solo would be awesome until the day you hac get a cloud for your dedicated "desktop" or home vape and use the solo for your portable needs!

Welcome to FC btw gald you joined us!

 

[OhTheAgony]

My previous post was just a quick comparison between the two vapes from the topic tittle, but I feel the need to add a little..

If it wasn't for all the problems you can read about in the Solo thread I'd definitely recommend you the Solo, a ceramic one since recent reports (it seems to run hotter and apparently has better battery life as well, although you would risk the ceramic chipping over time). I'm one of the lucky few on here that got a good one right away (so far at least *knocks on wood*) and when it's good, it's really good. It replaced my SSV completely so I have no problem recommending one as a desktop vape as well. The risks of ordering one are known by now I think, if not read the Solo thread or at least the last 10 to 20 pages. It's up to you to take the gamble or not.

Like stated earlier I've never tried an LSV so far, but I've owned and used a SSV for 8 months (daily) and used a DBV a couple of times. In my honest but contradicting opinion 7thfloor products are totally awesome, yet severely overpriced. I'd much rather recommend you a home made Hakko mod with an LSV or SSV heater cover to be honest, it would perform the same for so much less. Unless you got money to burn of course, but in that case you would have probably ordered both a Solo and a LSV already.

K, I think that's it for now. Good luck with your choice & quiting those deliciously damned joints!

 

[biojuggernaut]

I actually say lsv for a desk top unit and for personal taste, but sadly if you want to impress your friends the solo is the way to go.

 

[VaporNation]

The Solo is a great unit for those want portability and clouds of vapor in one compact vaporizer. It's battery life is swell and the glass draw stem is a nice choice for great flavor over the plastic portables. The Solo is my daily unit for on the go and even sometimes at home... a bomb vaporizer.

The Life Saber is a good vaporizer by itself, but really shines when paired with a water pipe. You can get some massive rips that are nearly comparable to smoking. I recommend the LSV if you enjoy filtering through water for that extra smoothness.

To be honest though, either way you end up going, both are high quality vaporizers from two very respectable companies.

 

[zapit!]

Allright, thank you for your qualified and valuable input. It was really helpful.

It was not an easy decision, but i pulled the trigger on a SS Solo for a favorable price.

The lower cost and the reported higher efficiency helped sway my decision. But what really drove the choice home was the argument that the solo in the event of an expansion of my vaporizer arsenal always could find use as a good portable. Thus leaving me all options to decide upon the issue of heavy hitting-home unit in a couple of months when the vxc (hopefully!) comes to europe, whether to buy that, the LSV, or the Hakko/SSV-cover mod (Interesting! have to read about that...), or simply to realize that the Solo suits my needs just fine.

Chose the SS version to avoid the chipping problem and to get the new 4 hole stems. The only provider in europe i could find stocking these also only had the SS units, so i thought: wth. I didn't think about the lower temperatures, hope I haven't made a mistake here, seeing OhTheAgony recommending the ceramic bowl.

I hope i will be lucky to get a fume and head-ache free Unit. These repeated reports appearing have made me somewhat uneasy. God, i just hope i made the right decision.

However, Since I placed my order friday evening, i suppose i still have the chance to change my order to a LSV for 26 euros more (not terribly much more). So if somebody has pressing arguments, i suppose there is still time to bring them.

 

[weedemon]

I think you made the right decision.

vaporizer owning is a truly addictive hobby. You find there are many vapes that are especially great at doing particular things others can't: taste, delivery, stealth, potency, portability, efficiency, health, this list could go on...

my point is there are a lot more options to consider in the desktop category than there are the portable. Later on, the only other portables i would consider if i were you would be the omicon [if you have full melt hash/oils] and the mflb.(super stealth, very tasty)

the cloud cometh...

 

[OhTheAgony]

You may want to check the Solo threads last two pages to see if you don't want to change your order to a ceramic Solo while you still have the option, the temp difference seems to be even bigger then I thought @ 20 degrees Celsius.

It may be different for you of course, but I found I really need to use the higher settings to be satisfied myself as a joint smoker.

 

[zapit!]

ugh, yeah i had read the whole solo thread before i ordered but with the new temperature comparisons from vaplexus... i just don't know. I read another thread about vaporization temperatures where most never went above 200 degrees? It should be capable of that at setting 6 or 7 wouldn't it? Not enough for a jointsmoker? Very worrying indeed

Trading in for a ceramic is not that easy, since the vendor only has ss in stock and i already paid him. Seemed like a nice guy as well. But upgrading to a lsv suddenly doesn't seem like such a bad idea at all.
From what I've read most of the owners are very happy with their lsv.

Actually the 26 euros more start more looking like a bargain, which gives me a bigger temp spectrum, cleaner taste, and piece of mind concerning smell/head-ache/flaking/cool temp problems. Of course i loose the protable aspect... what do you think?

 

[weedemon]

ultimately it's up to you for what you think will best fit your needs m8.

i think id hang in there and stick with the solo for now.

 

[OhTheAgony]

Sorry about bringing more doubts, lol

But I don't think you want to me to choose for you. It took me about 30 days of research for 4 hours per night last year before I finally decided on a SSV, and in hind sight I still made the wrong decision

I just thought it was something to take in consideration, but the temp difference may not even be an issue for you at all. From what I read on this forum there aren't many people that need or like to take it as far as I do. The thing is that I didn't discover my need for high temps until I had my Solo, and the realization only came after realizing I was using much less product(up to a third of what I used before) since I turned my ABV darker with the Solo then I used to do in the SSV.
Theoretically you can do the same with a SSV (so I assume also with a LSV since they use the same heating element), but I found it a lot harder with that one because at that point you're really close to the point of combustion. I can just leave my Solo on it's highest temp and extract the goodies that make me happy for as long as I want (until they run out of course) because I know it won't combust. It may just have been my lack of technique to do the same thing with the SSV though, I think I tried most things possible but who knows? I guess you just have to start somewhere so you can discover your own vaporizing needs and preferences, and I still think a good working Solo is a great place to start since there basically is no learning curve. You just fill it up, turn it on, and it works.

I know new ceramic Solo's for sale for about the same price you're paying for the SS one btw, just so you know that if you can cancel your order and that's the route you want to go it still is a possibility. But perhaps the SS version will be all you need, or even the LSV. It's just impossible to determine right now basically, so I wouldn't worry to much about your choice since it are all good vapes you are considering you basically can't really go wrong either way. Even if it turns out that you don't like the one you buy first you can usually get a good price for one on here and move on to the next one. Of course you are right about the lesser risk catching a lemon with the LSV, but on the other hand you were already prepared to take that risk. It's all up to you man.

Not sure if this overly long post was helpful at all or just more confusing, but I think sharing my own experiences is the best answer I can give you.

 

[zapit!]

FuckCombustion rocks! Thank you so very much for your advice!

I realized because of your input that i had to ponder my decison even more from what i want from my new vape. So i cancelled my order to rethink. I realised taste and efficiency (getting a lot of effect from a little material) are my top two priorities and i give myself some days (not too long to not waste any more money than necessary on combustion), to choose with these respects between lsv, solo, HA and EQ. What do you think? (... or not, in order not to be greedy, i already did get some great thoughts!)

...and thanks again for helping me out, i really appreciate it!

 

[OhTheAgony]

Oh boy, here we go again, lol

I think the LSV is more a heavy hitter than a conservative vape, but I'm not sure how the bowl size compares to the SSV's standard wand, so I may be off (anyone?).

I've read good things about the HA. It's suppose to be very good in extracting everything out of the green even when ungrounded, much like the Solo. But if understood correctly it's best at blowing bags and not so nice to use in whip mode, so you have to ask yourself if you're comfortable with bags. Not sure about it's taste btw, so again, anyone?

The EQ, idk. I've never really liked it for some reason but it has a lot of fans so it is probably safe to assume it's a good vape. Don't know anything about it's efficiency and taste, but I've read it has lot of parts so it may be less convenient to use & clean.

I think I've talked enough about the Solo already, I just want to add that the taste is only slightly less clean than that of the SSV (if you get a good one). I think many people probably won't notice it or at least not enough to mind.

But, if you say taste and efficiency and you don't mind getting only 2 or 3 hits per bowl I'm thinking SS Zap, Rockzap, or CRZ. But we can't get those in Europe yet unfortunately, unless you find a used one in the FC classifieds of course.

edit: The Herborizer may be another you want to look at, although I don't know anything about it's efficiency I've seen it phrased for it's taste numerous times here on FC.

 

[Tritono]

Hello Im living a very similar situation OP. I'll buy my first vape. I have read and studied about what vape choose for like two months and I have a similar feeling like your right now. I posted several threads asking differents questions. In this moment, Im decided for the LSV for some reasons but I love the portability of the Solo and would be my choose if I dont consider all the problems and bad things that I have read about that vape.

The most important thing for me is health. I need the most healthy and cleanest air/heath path available. The EQ is not an option for me because the air passes through the electronics parts, so instantly discarded. After reading, I understood that the cleanest vapes in all senses are the vapes with glass encapsuled elements but there arent much options available. I looked into the VRIP and I love the concept but it seems very fragile and if you break something the parts are expensive to buy. The Cloud for me is not a possibiblity because I have only $250. The last option that I know with glass encapsulated element is the Vapolution but I have read mixed reviews about the unit. I investigated all the vapes available and the LSV seems to be a good option. I think is very overpriced too but it has some advatanges:

- Not silicone tubes, all-glass transfer wand. That is very important for me because I dont trust in tubes when you are using hot vapor. And even if they are neutral and dont hurt you, I preffer glass. You can take direct hits with the glass transfer or you can use the glass transfer with a bong with water. I personally like this option because you have a longer path than with the WPA. I understand that the longer the path before your lungs, the less the possibilities of inhaling particles. I know that filtering the vapor through water is a must to prevent inhaling particles but I saw some pics of some wands with alot of particles embedded that are naturally accumulated over time and I want to do all the possible in order to be really sure to not inhale any particle. Plus you can buy the water piper adapter designed for the LSV and get the benefits of have that adapter.
- It dont has digital controls or things like that so is more reliable in that sense.
- I have read the entire LSV thread and some users reported that the LSV is very efficient, even more efficient than the PD. More efficient than the SSV or Da Buddha.
- You can use it standing up and walking around in a small perimeter.

I have an opinion about the bad side of the LSV:

- The heater ceramic element is exposed. I dont like that. If you enter to the LSV page, in the first page it says that the LSV is not a medical device, that is not tested and that they cant guarantee that is 100% healthy. Something like that. I understand that the experience of the users of the forum with the 7th Floor heater ceramic element is very good but I would preffer and encapsulated heating element 100%.
- Is overpriced.
- Its very difficult that the company answer mails. The internet customer support, considering my experience, sucks. They dont answer mails. That is an issue if you live in Chile. But I think that if you get a good unit you will not need to worry because the LSV seems to be very sturdy and a quality vape.

About the Solo, like I mentioned, I would choose the Solo very happy because is all I need. But I have read several things about the vape and I cant play russian roulette with this situation. The portability side of the Solo is a very great thing. But I think more important is the health and the reliabily of the product. Plus Arizer support dont seems to be very transparent.

Right now Im waiting that some vape store get the 220v version of the LSV to buy it because the reasons that I mentioned. They are suppouse to arrive like for christmas or something. I wish to have it right now because I dont want to inhale dirty smoke anymore. But, like I mentioned in my first words, Im not 100% confident on my decision because its very complex to buy something that you cant try it before to buy.

That is my opinion about. Sorry for my english. Im subscribed.

 

[OhTheAgony]

My french totally sucks, but 'en solde' means 'in stock', right?

click

I'd still rather make one myself then shelling out that kinda cash for it though, but that's up to you guys.

I've been reading good things about the Vapolution recently as well btw, mostly from Max but he seems to know what he's talking about. If I had read that a year ago I would have bought one instead of my SSV probably.

 

[Tritono]

Im looking for a market vape because the vape will be used for my mother too and I live with 8 cats inside. I need to take care of security issues and bring something easy to use and safe to the house. About the Vapolution, I understand that you can get a 100% glass air/heath path with the AIW glass part. But can you use the vapolution with the AIW and with a bong or something? can you turn it down in order to use water filtering and the AIW at the same time? I have read that is difficult to pack, that the herb goes down and combust and other things.

I can get the LSV for 225 with the new WPA included. I consider that a good price. For that money I think the LSV is the best option considering my actual knowledge. Someone thinks different? for the OP and for me all opinions are welcome

 

[darkrom]

For taste and efficiency (and a vape without health concerns) I suggest a log vape. Never before have I gotten such powerful hits using less bud than my magic flight launch box. Any log vape is probably fantastic but I use the Underdog and it is hands down the best of a dozen or so vapes I've used. Other ones that people LOVE are Purple Days and the Zap. Very nice style of vaporizer that I rarely if ever have heard negative things about.

 

[max]

I realised taste and efficiency (getting a lot of effect from a little material) are my top two priorities

IMO (an opinion shared by many) you can't beat the log vape design for stretching your supply, and if you want more vapor quicker, just add glass. You're going to end up using more herb with a big hitter, and that also includes the HA, in my experience. herbie does a great job of extracting everthing from a bowl load, even without grinding, but you'll tend to use more with bag fillers. You can certainly use small amounts in big bowls, but the satisfaction level isn't there. Efficiency isn't all in how the hardware operates, it's also in how the particular hardware urges you to use it. Ever try to drive a fast car to maximize the gas mileage? The satisfaction level hovers around poor to frustrating.

Any log vape is probably fantastic but I use the Underdog and it is hands down the best of a dozen or so vapes I've used.

I'd have to see what's currently being used in this model as far as construction materials, since previously glue was being used in more than one area. With this style I'd have to go with the Toasty Top or new Rockzap.

If you want a big hitter then the LSV is a good choice. If you're going to use bags then the HA or E are your best choices. But don't expect any of these models to limit your use the way a log vape can. Even the LB, which can be very efficient with your bud, can also vape it away quickly since it's up to you to control the temp. And if taste is important you may have an issue with the Solo. It certainly appears to depend on the person, but this model does have taste issues for some.

 

[darkrom]

Glue is only used on vapes with multiple pieces of wood, and I really don't think it is even possible for it to be getting into the airpath at all, not to mention the type used etc. But that being said an Underdog single piece of wood model would put that completely out of mind anyway. Nothing against the others, but I am deeply in love with this Underdog. It gives hits that put other vapes to shame, while using less and less bud. I've also dealt with good companies and bad, but Dave (the owner) is the only one I can just shoot the shit with. Factored into his prices are a PERSONAL level of support that I am yet to see from any other company. MFLB has a great warranty and support and I could never complain, but with underdog it is just Dave to deal with every time with any issue.

I am a huge fan of the log style, and an even bigger fan of the Underdog experience. I'd love to try the top or a RZ, but I don't have the luxury of supplementing my perfect log vape with another just for kicks....right now anyway.

 

[delta 9]

I have a woodeez log vap and i am in ireland , i had to get the 12 volt power supply myself, very common and easy to get hold of. I asked him via email and he agreed to send it less power supply , i also got a glass stem and its great to cool down the vapor a bit.

 

[max]

Glue is only used on vapes with multiple pieces of wood, and I really don't think it is even possible for it to be getting into the airpath at all......

Hate to burst your bubble, but you'll find pics on page 32, and despite the redesign, I'm not convinced that all glue has been removed from the interior of the vape.

an Underdog single piece of wood model would put that completely out of mind anyways

So you've personally taken one of these vapes completely apart? Pardon me but I feel absolutely certain that I know more about the guts of this model than you do.

Each person has to make his own decisions on safety, but I'm not sold on all the materials used with this one, and that includes a glued together housing.

 

[darkrom]

Glue is only used on vapes with multiple pieces of wood, and I really don't think it is even possible for it to be getting into the airpath at all......

Hate to burst your bubble, but you'll find pics on page 32, and despite the redesign, I'm not convinced that all glue has been removed from the interior of the vape.

an Underdog single piece of wood model would put that completely out of mind anyways

So you've personally taken one of these vapes completely apart? Pardon me but I feel absolutely certain that I know more about the guts of this model than you do.

Each person has to make his own decisions on safety, but I'm not sold on all the materials used with this one, and that includes a glued together housing.

I was under the impression that the new cores were glue-free. Hopefully Dave can come comment because it is very possible that I understood wrong. I definitely did not take mine apart but I also didn't imply that I did haha. I hope he can come answer because I was hoping my new model would be solid wood and therefore glue free. Either way how do you personally feel about the safety of the kind of glue used in this vape? Dave did state that it was the appropriate glue used to keep everything safe. I just want to be more informed.

 

[max]

I was under the impression that the new cores were glue-free.

My info said glue was used in more than one area. It's possible that one particular unit had some 'repairs' done to save it, but any glue, anywhere in or on a vape, makes me nervous, and I have no issues (as some do) with steel, aluminum, whip tubing, etc. used on current name brand models. There's no need, on the vape user's end, to deal with any kind of adhesives, with the wide range of vapes available in today's market. IMO all manufacturers should build 'on the safe side'. There's nobody testing these products for safety, and when it comes to inhalation from them on a daily basis, it pays to be cautious.

I definitely did not take mine apart but I also didn't imply that I did haha.

No, but my point was that to be certain, you would have to be able to see all components and how they're secured. As for safe glue, I'd rather not have to worry about whether it's safe or not. If a particular glue type has been cleared by some official and/or independent testing agency as 'safe to sniff', I'd be somewhat reassured. But in view of all the products that have been 'cleared for safe use' at one time or another, and turned out to be not safe at all, I can't say that would do the trick for me. If someone was determined to worry about the safety of tubing, even the high temp rated silicone variety, the best answer for complete reassurance is to just use a vape that doesn't need tubing at all. A 100% all glass vapor path is available for as little as about $120 for an AC model, so vapor path safety and affordability are not incompatible. We all have to make our own decisions in this totally unregulated market, and in the case of glues or adhesives, I prefer to avoid them completely at this time.

 

[underdog]

Glue is only used on vapes with multiple pieces of wood, and I really don't think it is even possible for it to be getting into the airpath at all......

Hate to burst your bubble, but you'll find pics on page 32, and despite the redesign, I'm not convinced that all glue has been removed from the interior of the vape.

an Underdog single piece of wood model would put that completely out of mind anyways

So you've personally taken one of these vapes completely apart? Pardon me but I feel absolutely certain that I know more about the guts of this model than you do.

Each person has to make his own decisions on safety, but I'm not sold on all the materials used with this one, and that includes a glued together housing.

@ max - you are correct in that all adhesives have not been removed from the vapes. There is still a dab of silicone applied to the bottom of the core (outside the airpath) to hold the wires where I want them. There is of course still glue in the vapes made from multiple pieces of wood, this glue is FDA approved for food contact but like you state nothing will be approved for 'sniffing'.

I have to wonder max and maybe you can clear this up for me, but which one of my pieces have you seen the insides of? How are you 'absolutely certain' you know more about the guts of one of these than someone else might? You also say "It's possible that one particular unit had some 'repairs' done to save it, but any glue, anywhere in or on a vape, makes me nervous", which piece is that, please explain?