Arizer Solo II

VapeWell

Well-Known Member
I'm just here to write, I love this vape.

Sure, there's a lot of techniques you can use to make it better and there are technical arguments about if or that choice by the manufacturer works. But, this is a low maintenance work-horse that can be a daily driver for most anyone's needs.

Think of it like a cannabis "beer". It's a portable, but I don't use it to take it to inaccessible places. I'll fill the stem, heat it up and go out back and water the plants all while sipping at the stem.

Huge clouds, small clouds or whatever, you can get a good extraction out of your flower and not spend a ton of time cleaning afterwards. At worst, if you were really particular, you just drop the stem into some ISO when done and rinse it before using again.

If I were to change it at all, I might like a little clock/timer that ticks down to shut-off on the face. Especially if you step the vape when using, it's nice to know where you are in time to kick up the heat or to stir if you really want the clouds.
Great minds think....
I will second your suggested change as a heat stepper upper Solo II vaper. I can’t think of any shortcomings (hell, I’m not biased) but having a “countdown timer” would be a very useful upgrade. Any readers out there that are Arizer employees? Wouldn’t it be awesome if it was just a matter of upgrading your Solo II firmware?
Cheers, and
VapeWell
 

OF

Well-Known Member
Any readers out there that are Arizer employees? Wouldn’t it be awesome if it was just a matter of upgrading your Solo II firmware?

It should be possible with some level of software upgrade, but it can't be done 'in the field'. That is at the least you'd have to send your unit in (and no doubt pay for it, since the Solo II you now own is just what the purchase contract called for). Unlike some other vapes, Solo doesn't have a USB port, right? Only a 12 Volt DC one.

A nice feature to consider for Solo III?

Regards to all.

OF
 

OF

Well-Known Member
What size screens are the right size for the solo 2 stem? 0.5”?

If you want them to lay flat. Not a good plan, IMO. Flat they foul 'right off'. If you want a slight dome, go with 5/8 inch. Fine ones are easier to bend and fit, but medium runs longer before needing cleaning. Since they are so cheap, I used to store the dirty ones until I had enough to make cleaning them (by 'flaming') more productive. Since switching to the preformed ones on EBay (which are very tough), I went to fishing them out with a bent safety pin tip (heat it until it glows and the steel is easy to bend) and flaming them, brushing the ash off, and putting them back in (takes under a minute).

BTW. the round end of a 'sharpie' pen is a great tool for making the dome

OF
 

VapeWell

Well-Known Member
It should be possible with some level of software upgrade, but it can't be done 'in the field'. That is at the least you'd have to send your unit in (and no doubt pay for it, since the Solo II you now own is just what the purchase contract called for). Unlike some other vapes, Solo doesn't have a USB port, right? Only a 12 Volt DC one.

A nice feature to consider for Solo III?

Regards to all.

OF
Just as I think my VAS is under control, you ring the bell like Pavlov’s dogs with the mention of a Solo III, and I’m salivating!
Maybe a countdown timer with digits would take up too much real estate on the Solo III digital display. A “pie” icon with slices that disappear as the timer counts down?
Arizer?

Cheers,
Vapewell
 

OF

Well-Known Member
Just as I think my VAS is under control, you ring the bell like Pavlov’s dogs with the mention of a Solo III, and I’m salivating!
Maybe a countdown timer with digits would take up too much real estate on the Solo III digital display. A “pie” icon with slices that disappear as the timer counts down?
Arizer?

I'm not sure that's true. F2 and EDGE seem to do this with little effort on a smaller display? There, they drop the 'target temperature' window once it's heated up (does nothing useful at that point) and substitute the timer counting down the session. They even 'flash' the display at the very end (15 seconds?), a nice feature that draws your attention to the pending end of session.

You could also, for instance, 'time share' with the battery level? Display each level and time for a few seconds each alternately,

Lots of possibilities to look forward to.....

Regards to all.

OF
 

MLBxxMLB

New Member
If you want them to lay flat. Not a good plan, IMO. Flat they foul 'right off'. If you want a slight dome, go with 5/8 inch. Fine ones are easier to bend and fit, but medium runs longer before needing cleaning. Since they are so cheap, I used to store the dirty ones until I had enough to make cleaning them (by 'flaming') more productive. Since switching to the preformed ones on EBay (which are very tough), I went to fishing them out with a bent safety pin tip (heat it until it glows and the steel is easy to bend) and flaming them, brushing the ash off, and putting them back in (takes under a minute).

BTW. the round end of a 'sharpie' pen is a great tool for making the dome

OF

Any link to the eBay ones you use?
 
MLBxxMLB,
  • Like
Reactions: OF

OF

Well-Known Member
Any link to the eBay ones you use?

Please read again, it's 'used' (past tense), I currently use the preformed ones. The last time I bought flat screens was five years back?

Searching for "5/8 screens" gets over a dozen sellers of SS ones (avoid brass), I would expect any to work fine. Pick the price, quantity and delivery that suits?

This is what I use instead now, if that's what you're asking.......


But you should know that, I posed that link a week or two back on this thread, and a month or two before that.

And a few months before:

And, of course, a lot more times on the OG Solo thread, Air, etc.

OF
 

MLBxxMLB

New Member
Please read again, it's 'used' (past tense), I currently use the preformed ones. The last time I bought flat screens was five years back?

Searching for "5/8 screens" gets over a dozen sellers of SS ones (avoid brass), I would expect any to work fine. Pick the price, quantity and delivery that suits?

This is what I use instead now, if that's what you're asking.......


But you should know that, I posed that link a week or two back on this thread, and a month or two before that.

And a few months before:

And, of course, a lot more times on the OG Solo thread, Air, etc.

OF

Not sure what I misunderstood by your statement.

“Since switching to the preformed ones on EBay”

You switched to preformed ones which you buy off eBay, hence why I asked about which ones you were talking about.
 
MLBxxMLB,
  • Like
Reactions: OF

OF

Well-Known Member
Not sure what I misunderstood by your statement.

“Since switching to the preformed ones on EBay”

You switched to preformed ones which you buy off eBay, hence why I asked about which ones you were talking about.

The subject was 'what size flat screens do you use?", right? You didn't make it clear enough you'd changed the subject, and the quote you cited from me was about flat screens. I hope you can see how I might not have understood?

The answer you evidently wanted, where on EBay the domed screens come from, remains the same as a few weeks back..........

You're welcome.

OF
 

Johnnyblaze01

New Member
Hi all, new to the forum. I just got my first vape, the solo 2, yesterday. I'm just testing and tweaking, trying to figure out what works best for me. I've been a daily smoker for 20+ yrs, so this might take some getting used to.

Regarding these domed mesh screens; there is an amazon seller who's selling a curved stem for $6 and it comes with 5 of these domed mesh screens. I think its a good deal if you need a new/spare stem.

 
Johnnyblaze01,
  • Like
Reactions: OF

OF

Well-Known Member
Hi all, new to the forum. I just got my first vape, the solo 2, yesterday. I'm just testing and tweaking, trying to figure out what works best for me. I've been a daily smoker for 20+ yrs, so this might take some getting used to.

Regarding these domed mesh screens; there is an amazon seller who's selling a curved stem for $6 and it comes with 5 of these domed mesh screens. I think its a good deal if you need a new/spare stem.


Howdy. First, welcome to the Forum. Lots of fun and good people with good advice around. And congrats on the Solo 2, excellent choice IMO. Very versatile, no 'right way' to use it. Be sure to experiment.

FWIW I tend to use 390F and medium grind with very light pack. A good starting place? Then again, you can also break off a bit of a nug and poke it in and get good results. SS screens can be easily cleaned by 'flaming'. Hold them in tweezers or something similar and use a small torch to heat them until the glow. They cool quickly and the ash is easy to brush or blow away. You can be back in business in less than a minute without ISO or big productions.

As far as that stem goes, be careful. The one I got to try not quite a year ago is slightly undersize and tends to 'flop around', twisting away from your mouth as you go for another sip. As a source of screens, it might make sense, otherwise I'd get my (official) stems from one of the usual suspects as a rule. They're not all that expensive, and if you don't let @ataxian near them they last a long time. He breaks glass, you know.

Regards to all.

OF
 

Johnnyblaze01

New Member
Howdy. First, welcome to the Forum. Lots of fun and good people with good advice around. And congrats on the Solo 2, excellent choice IMO. Very versatile, no 'right way' to use it. Be sure to experiment.

FWIW I tend to use 390F and medium grind with very light pack. A good starting place? Then again, you can also break off a bit of a nug and poke it in and get good results. SS screens can be easily cleaned by 'flaming'. Hold them in tweezers or something similar and use a small torch to heat them until the glow. They cool quickly and the ash is easy to brush or blow away. You can be back in business in less than a minute without ISO or big productions.

As far as that stem goes, be careful. The one I got to try not quite a year ago is slightly undersize and tends to 'flop around', twisting away from your mouth as you go for another sip. As a source of screens, it might make sense, otherwise I'd get my (official) stems from one of the usual suspects as a rule. They're not all that expensive, and if you don't let @ataxian near them they last a long time. He breaks glass, you know.

Regards to all.

OF
Thanks for the advice. Is it correct to say big clouds is not necessarily an objective? Right now im having a mental hurdle with the lack of big clouds that I've grown accustomed to with combustion.

Fwiw, i ordered that curved stem and it fits snug. Maybe i was lucky? Seems these sellers can be hit or miss sometimes.
 

ataxian

PALE BLUE DOT
Howdy. First, welcome to the Forum. Lots of fun and good people with good advice around. And congrats on the Solo 2, excellent choice IMO. Very versatile, no 'right way' to use it. Be sure to experiment.

FWIW I tend to use 390F and medium grind with very light pack. A good starting place? Then again, you can also break off a bit of a nug and poke it in and get good results. SS screens can be easily cleaned by 'flaming'. Hold them in tweezers or something similar and use a small torch to heat them until the glow. They cool quickly and the ash is easy to brush or blow away. You can be back in business in less than a minute without ISO or big productions.

As far as that stem goes, be careful. The one I got to try not quite a year ago is slightly undersize and tends to 'flop around', twisting away from your mouth as you go for another sip. As a source of screens, it might make sense, otherwise I'd get my (official) stems from one of the usual suspects as a rule. They're not all that expensive, and if you don't let @ataxian near them they last a long time. He breaks glass, you know.

Regards to all.

OF
@OF is so knowledgeable that he should teach CANNABIS consumption classes?
I only have 3 SOLO’s?
OLD TECHNOLOGY however relatively new?
If you are accepting CANNABIS 4 use RECREATIONAL or MEDICAL?
OF know’s what is useful!
 

OF

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the advice. Is it correct to say big clouds is not necessarily an objective? Right now im having a mental hurdle with the lack of big clouds that I've grown accustomed to with combustion.

Fwiw, i ordered that curved stem and it fits snug. Maybe i was lucky? Seems these sellers can be hit or miss sometimes.

Your unit is new? Count on it to loosen over time. Many new ones need to be heated to make the seals (3 'bumps' you feel inserting the stem) soft at first. With use, they will change. There was, I think, some discussion on how the maker is no doubt shooting for 'always fits easily' at the time?

Your other two points are important. Yes, IMO Solo/Air/Argo is more a sipping machine than a tool for those chasing big clouds. For that there are no doubt better vapes. Handled properly it can quickly and completely extract what you want it to. Just not all that rapidly.

There is a huge adjustment that basically we've all made here. Vaporizing and combustion are two very different things. Unfortunately you've become programed (as we 'all' did) by the nasty stuff in combustion to associate that gagging and choking and coughing with getting off. Remember Pavlov's dogs? The ones that would get fed just after a bell was rung? They soon started salivating with the bell when there was no food? There really was no association between food and the bell except in their minds.

Same with us. Our brains learned 'if you cough, you'll get off'. It expects lungs full of poison as part of getting high. And red eyes, and sore throats and all the other pleasures of combustion. Vapor, OTOH, is not easy to see and really has relatively small taste by comparison. Yet it has the THC we crave? Your brain has to learn you don't have to stick your head in the camp fire to get off. That usually takes many times, average about two weeks? Like eatables, it will suddenly hit you eventually. After that, the ugly spell is broken. Smoke will then taste and seem just as repulsive as it was when you first started smoking (remember that?).

No need for all the nasty stuff any more, your brain learns new rules, better rules. And since you're no longer burning THC up in some ill conceived fire to make heat to evaporate some of the THC before the fire destroys it too you'll find your weed bill will drop a LOT. Average is probably to 1/3 or even 1/4 of what blazing was!

Oh, yeah, you also get to live longer to enjoy it all. It's a good thing you're doing, a real favor for number one. Keep after it, great things are waiting just ahead.

Just don't let @ataxian find where you hid your glass......

Regards to all.

OF
 

ataxian

PALE BLUE DOT
Your unit is new? Count on it to loosen over time. Many new ones need to be heated to make the seals (3 'bumps' you feel inserting the stem) soft at first. With use, they will change. There was, I think, some discussion on how the maker is no doubt shooting for 'always fits easily' at the time?

Your other two points are important. Yes, IMO Solo/Air/Argo is more a sipping machine than a tool for those chasing big clouds. For that there are no doubt better vapes. Handled properly it can quickly and completely extract what you want it to. Just not all that rapidly.

There is a huge adjustment that basically we've all made here. Vaporizing and combustion are two very different things. Unfortunately you've become programed (as we 'all' did) by the nasty stuff in combustion to associate that gagging and choking and coughing with getting off. Remember Pavlov's dogs? The ones that would get fed just after a bell was rung? They soon started salivating with the bell when there was no food? There really was no association between food and the bell except in their minds.

Same with us. Our brains learned 'if you cough, you'll get off'. It expects lungs full of poison as part of getting high. And red eyes, and sore throats and all the other pleasures of combustion. Vapor, OTOH, is not easy to see and really has relatively small taste by comparison. Yet it has the THC we crave? Your brain has to learn you don't have to stick your head in the camp fire to get off. That usually takes many times, average about two weeks? Like eatables, it will suddenly hit you eventually. After that, the ugly spell is broken. Smoke will then taste and seem just as repulsive as it was when you first started smoking (remember that?).

No need for all the nasty stuff any more, your brain learns new rules, better rules. And since you're no longer burning THC up in some ill conceived fire to make heat to evaporate some of the THC before the fire destroys it too you'll find your weed bill will drop a LOT. Average is probably to 1/3 or even 1/4 of what blazing was!

Oh, yeah, you also get to live longer to enjoy it all. It's a good thing you're doing, a real favor for number one. Keep after it, great things are waiting just ahead.

Just don't let @ataxian find where you hid your glass......

Regards to all.

OF
I break more glass than most human’s own?
Hotter than the hinge’s on a boil room door on a ship at sea far from the coastline?
SOLO on bored to relief the stress of life?
CANNABIS consumption is CIVILIZATION practical substance to make manifest living or existing on the PALE BLUE DOT
Created by survivor’s before the ice age?
SOLO is a way for some to enjoy CANNABIS recreational or medical!
 

Johnnyblaze01

New Member
Your unit is new? Count on it to loosen over time. Many new ones need to be heated to make the seals (3 'bumps' you feel inserting the stem) soft at first. With use, they will change. There was, I think, some discussion on how the maker is no doubt shooting for 'always fits easily' at the time?

Yea, the unit is only a few days old. I've been perusing the thread (lots of great info!) And i saw a few people mention the oven gets loose over time. Also read about those errors and it possibly being caused by twisting the stem while inserted. I'm trying to be gentle as possible, dont want to break something the first week!

Your other two points are important. Yes, IMO Solo/Air/Argo is more a sipping machine than a tool for those chasing big clouds. For that there are no doubt better vapes. Handled properly it can quickly and completely extract what you want it to. Just not all that rapidly.

There is a huge adjustment that basically we've all made here. Vaporizing and combustion are two very different things. Unfortunately you've become programed (as we 'all' did) by the nasty stuff in combustion to associate that gagging and choking and coughing with getting off. Remember Pavlov's dogs? The ones that would get fed just after a bell was rung? They soon started salivating with the bell when there was no food? There really was no association between food and the bell except in their minds.

Same with us. Our brains learned 'if you cough, you'll get off'. It expects lungs full of poison as part of getting high. And red eyes, and sore throats and all the other pleasures of combustion. Vapor, OTOH, is not easy to see and really has relatively small taste by comparison. Yet it has the THC we crave? Your brain has to learn you don't have to stick your head in the camp fire to get off. That usually takes many times, average about two weeks? Like eatables, it will suddenly hit you eventually. After that, the ugly spell is broken. Smoke will then taste and seem just as repulsive as it was when you first started smoking (remember that?).

No need for all the nasty stuff any more, your brain learns new rules, better rules. And since you're no longer burning THC up in some ill conceived fire to make heat to evaporate some of the THC before the fire destroys it too you'll find your weed bill will drop a LOT. Average is probably to 1/3 or even 1/4 of what blazing was!

Oh, yeah, you also get to live longer to enjoy it all. It's a good thing you're doing, a real favor for number one. Keep after it, great things are waiting just ahead.

Just don't let @ataxian find where you hid your glass......

Regards to all.

OF
Man you really are a wealth of information. Thanks because this is really helpful to hear when you're trying to make the switch and break a life long bad habit. I have been Pavlov's dog about the big clouds and the cough etc. Like you said, it's the high that matters most. I've only been vaping 2-3 days now, but boy has it been amazing. A nice mellow high that lets me stay productive. The flavors are delicious (especially the first couple of hits). No coughing, no stench.

You can try the screens , personally I have never felt the need. Get a WPA and some glass and you can take it to a whole new level. Have fun
I tend to smoke/vape alone, so my primary objective with the domed screen is to reduce the size of the load. Any other methods i can try?
 

OF

Well-Known Member
I tend to smoke/vape alone, so my primary objective with the domed screen is to reduce the size of the load. Any other methods i can try?

A couple worth trying. First off there's no real need to exhaust the load, you can pull the stem out and draw a false hit through it to quickly cool it below 'magic temperature' then, next time, you can put it back in and continue to work on it. The flavor will be mostly gone, of course, but the potency remains. Many guys do this, even if not all the time.

You can also partially fill the stem with ABV ('Already Been Vaped' herb from a prior session) then top it up with fresh. Some guys use cotton for this 'filler' function, cotton is very stable at vaping temperatures. I think ABV conducts heat better, but have never tested the idea.

Overall, I'm a big fan of the domed screens, you start each session fresh and at the same point.

One of the advantages to domed screens (even 'dome down' so the volume is about the same) is t here's a lot more area to foul before you need to clean it. An additional tip on fouling, if you let your herb dry out some before you use it you lose a bit of flavor (none of the potency) but the fouling is way way down. It seems fouling comes mostly from the moisture condensing first and that old 'oil and water don't mix' thing taking over. We discovered this years back in the early days of the Magic Flight Launch Box (another excellent vape BTW). With the LB you can't get under the screen to clean fouling, but if you keep it dry going in the fouling drops to nearly zero.

Regards to all.

OF
 

vctr

Well-Known Member
^ no need to fill up the stem if you want a smaller bowl. Works just fine by loading less in. It even works with 0.025 load.

Also I don't get the sipping vape thing. I draw big hits. I used to use vapexhale evo so I think I know what a big hit is ;D I use high temps though, and I would recommend 195-205c for someone who's used to smoking.
 

Johnnyblaze01

New Member
^ no need to fill up the stem if you want a smaller bowl. Works just fine by loading less in. It even works with 0.025 load.

Also I don't get the sipping vape thing. I draw big hits. I used to use vapexhale evo so I think I know what a big hit is ;D I use high temps though, and I would recommend 195-205c for someone who's used to smoking.
If you're not filling the stem, won't the bud fall out into the oven? Or do you press it firm against the four holes? But if you press it against the four holes will it be too far away from the oven?

Domed screen has been working nicely for me, but I'd love to learn other techniques to see what works best.

I'm loving this thing so far. Have not picked up a lighter in 6 days!
 
Top Bottom