Background: I am a consumer & vape enthusiast with no affliations to retail shops, vape brands etc. I have been vaping for about 3 years - have switched exclusively to vaping for the last year and completely quit smoking. I only use herb, no oils, concentrates etc.
Executive Summary: If you are looking for a portable, seriously consider the Inhalater (INH), it is a great little vape. I have used it for 3 weeks now.
The goods:
- Great "pure" taste. When used with the hygeneic tips provided, the INH produces cool, tasty vapors
- Very "clear" medication, great sense of elevation.
- if you like vaping in low temps, as I do, the adjustable temp is great since it starts low with precise adjustable temp settings (temp range 284F - 410F per othersidevape, I have the 10 knob settings version). Each setting has a unique taste, cloud size etc. I can only get cloudy vapor starting at 6-7, but still works and tastes great at lower temps. After experiencing this, hard to go for vapes that don't have temp controls.
- The ABV is awesome - looks even, brown and baked. This is one of the best features of the Inhalater.
- Easy to use. Pretty much one dial to operate & no special draw techniques. Will work for even a beginner. Hygeneic tips provided can help you share with others
- Std micro USB charging. Practically can be charged anywhere in the world due to ubiquity of micro usb devices. Have not run battery down all the way, but seems like it will cover a day's worth of moderate/heavy use (6-7 full loads). Due to the std nature of the charger, you could presumably use a std mico usb external battery pack you would use to charge cell phones ($25-30 on Amazon). Some of these also come with solar charging (for camping situations). That would possibly cover 2-3 days worth with no power outlet. That should be plenty for most practical circumstances.
- The outside of the unit runs quite cool to touch even after doing a few back to back sessions
- Load size is quite big. Scales downwards well i.e., can load 1/4 or 1/2 loads as needed
- the herb capsule can be soaked in ISO, cleans fairly well. But not like new. The inside chamber can be easily wiped down with q-tip soaked in ISO alcohol
- Form factor is like a big cigar or e-cig. Sturdy and not cheap looking
- Seems like adding a water pipe would be simple with some tubing and std adapters. I was able to get my 10$ acrlylic water pipe to work easily.
- Is as large as an oversized cigar. So cigar cases that fit it were hard to find. But, flash light holsters may work work. There are many options/sizes available on ebay ex: if you want tight fit or extra room to hold additional capsule, cleaning tips, herb storage pill-case-tube etc., I have ordered a flash light holster and will report back
Could have been better:
- No battery meter to tell how much juice is left
- No spot light in the temp dial for operating at night
- The 6 min auto shut off seems too short for me. It takes me 2-3 cycles to finish a full load at a relaxed inhaling rate. It is ok if you want to take a break and split a full load into couple of sessions. Also, when it gets shut off in the middle of a full load, you have to turn the dial all the way off and then back to the temp setting you want. A single click restart would have been much better.
- The capsule needs replacement possibly every 1-3 months. The overhead time & cost to keep up with this could be a hassle.
- The temp dial can be accidently turned, a little care is needed. Should be ok, if you dont put down or touch the bottom. A lock in position design would be better.
- Not as stealth as the MFLB. I think the MFLB due its size is the only truly stealth vape out there that I could completely conceal in a closed fist.
- Cannot be cleaned completely like new, could be an issue if traveling internationally etc. Also, the herb capsule is made of the polyimide sheet wrapped around into a cylinder, creates a little overlap gap where the herb and gunk can accumulate, this is a narrow area, little hard to access. I have gotten better at loading the capsule from the non-overlapping side, thereby minimizing fine herbs getting stuck in the overlap gap.
How it compares to other vapes I own:
- VG Coil: I really didnt get the full hang of this. There is technique to learn, very unpredictable due to many variables involved. Can also combust if not careful. Verdict: INH is much better
- Iolite: INH has no noise, has temp control. Verdict: INH is better
- NO2: The INH is smaller, less clunky version of the NO2 while maintaining NO2's great benefits, particularly the adjustable temp control. Also, the INH taste is purer and medication is clearer. Verdict: INH is better
- MFLB: No vape can beat the MFLB in stealth. Also, I use 15 min rapid chargers for my batteries, so my MFLB pratically has infinite battery capacity. I have about 12 spare batteries for a trip etc. However, the overhead of managing all of these batteries goes away with the Inhalater. The INH does not need any special techniques to draw, which takes some learning in case of the MFLB. The temp controls in the INH and the associated taste/vapor control trumps MFLB's. Verdict: Tie, actually one is better than the other in different circumstances
Why I chose the INH over other portables in the market. I have *not used* these protables myself, but have researched info available on FC before choosing the INH:
- TV-1: The battery management for the TV-1 was not exciting. Also due to not having a temp control, technique is important. The INH is more fool proof to technique.
- Da Vinci - Seemed to have some bugs that are getting addressed ex: the door design, running too hot, battery life etc. Will probably try the next version if the bugs are fixed.
- Pax - The prefixed temp settings seemed on the higher side for me. I like the 350F range for taste. Also, the ABV looked uneven in SliM's videos and even burnt, Feel like I may combust in this one. The non std charger has its associated disadvantages. Not sure how to add water pipes if you like cool vapors.
- puffIt - I prefered the e-cig form factor of the INH to the medical device look of the Puffit. It looked a little somber and dorky for my use. Not sure how to add water pipes if you like cool vapors.
- Solo - The external glass stem is a maintenance hassle. If the miVape ever comes out, it may give a more easy-to-maintain glass (airpath) portable vape.
Conculsion: Netting out the bads from the goods, I find the INH a great device due to - "pure" taste, "clear" medication, no special technique to use, and simplicity of device.
