Every time a flagship device is released, the question of "how does it compare to *things we are familiar with*" comes up. Usually resulting in a thread like this. Since many people will get the device, but not everyone has all of the devices to compare to, it's a great way to aggregate actual user opinions and get a vibe check on the device.
Somebody has to actually start that thread, though.
@dimmusp did a huge favor to not only the FC forum, but also the beleaguered mods, by stepping up. They also did a huge favor pinging the relevant threads to alert users that this discussion exists. Otherwise those threads always get clogged up with "how does it compare to X" and then the mods have to step in and move posts elsewhere.
So thank you,
@dimmusp !
On topic, I have the TM2 and frolic. I won't really say anything bad about either device, and am using neither in their stock config. So take this with a grain of salt.
-The devices weigh about the same, with the weight spread out more on the Frolic. This makes the frolic feel both light and heavy, and able to be picked up and held in the fingers rather than a full hamfisted grip.
-frolic seems more durable and able to just be brought out into the world with you, where the TM2 is more of a delicate indoors situation. So I wouldn't be surprised to see a frolic on a construction site or used with gloves on a snowy hike, nor would I be to see the TM2 in some luxurious lounge with leather chairs and books and brass lamps and such. I'd be surprised to see them in reversed locations.
-frolic is easier to handle, use, and operate, but the TM2 is vastly nicer to hold in your hand (to the point of being a really nice fidget toy). So I prefer to use the frolic, and prefer to hold the TM2.
-frolic provides bigger clouds with the most wide open airflow I've ever experienced in a portable. I'm running a 9mm opening on my mouthpiece and airflow is crazy.
-heatup is faster than the TM2 by several seconds. So 5 second warmup compared with 8 seconds. Not much but it feels huge. The comment that it's like using an oil pen is very apt. The TM2 surprised me with how fast it's on demand is, where you press a button and start using it quickly, but the frolic surprised me again even with the TM2 as baseline.
-The stem loaded design of the TM2 is straight up easier than anything where you dump herb in the device. Yes, I can just scoop right into the oven on the frolic, but I can also just dig a TM2 stem into the pre ground herb to load, which is easier. I look forward to a proper high flow dosing cap solution for the frolic. It would be perfect, then.
-Battery life on the frolic feels infinite, but I haven't used it as much as others. In spite of having lots of 18650, I tend to throw the TM2 on the charger every chance I get, which leads to a lot of "range anxiety" with it. The performance drop when it hits blue LED is noticeable, and I never want to reach it and have to wait for it to top back up. FWIW, both battery caps have very fine threading that I worry about cross threading since aluminum is soft, but the frolic feels easier to screw in place and less likely to cross thread.
-The design of the frolic is more "stealthy" than the TM2. It's just more understated, though both look like a high end ecig.
-The low/no standby drain on the TM2 is awesome. You can turn it on and leave it on for an evening or day and just pick it up to hit the button. I wish the frolic had a mode where it would "wake up" when you pressed the button, instead of turning itself off after a few minutes. Future versions of the TM2 seem like they will do away with the "always on" feature, which will even the playing field.
I guess, in short, we live in a glorious time for dry herb vaporizers. People would be happy with either one, I think.