1st vape advice wanted

[pigfoot]

New to vaporizing, not new to herb : ) I usually put a small pinch in a little pipe, and do a single hit.
I do that 2 0r 3 times a week. I decided I wanted to try vaporizing, because it's cleaner. I read a bunch,
here and on other sites, and picked out the MFLB. It sounded good because it's efficient, I don't mind a bit of tinkering, and it's for solo use.

Reading more here, it seems like the 'box is not universally loved, and I started to look at some other units.
Namely the Solo, Vapolution 2 and e-nano. So, I was hoping to get some feedback before plunking down the cash. Feel free to suggest something not on the list, if it meets the other specs.

Price: like to keep it under $200 max.
Delivery system: solo use, so just glass stem looks good, I think I'd rather avoid a smelly whip.
Efficiency: I only use a bit, have a low tolerance, so efficiency seems unimportant, but I do like simple,
efficient designs in general.
Manufacturer: I'm usually willing to go with a no name, or offshore product, if the quality and value are good, but I like how epicvape is a micro business.
Stealth: not necessary, but I would like the unit to not look like a spaceship, and be able to be stored discreetly when necessary. I like the idea the e-nano can be left out, and used for aromatherapy.
Learning curve: I'm able to figure most things out, but I don't want it to be difficult to use.
Temperature control: since I'm new, I don't know how much I would need this, but I like analog controls,
the solo sounds like it has more potential to get flaky.

Some other things not on the list: flavor is a priority, not getting much with my current system, or would with a MFLB, from the feedback on it here. Don't need big hits, but I tend to take a good sized one, then possibly come back for another. Don't have access to concentrates, but I like the idea of being able to use them. Heh - looks like I've convinced myself on an e-nano. The Vaploution just sounds cheap, but it gets such good reviews here, it must work well. Solo - probably 3rd on my list, gets bad reviews elsewhere, but pretty well loved here. My concerns would be difficulty drawing, although that's not mentioned too much here, and my perception of it as the most "technical" therefore most fragile and/ or unreliable. Thanks!

 

[Tweek]

I would say grab a solo. They are affordable, taste good and gives you the option to take fatter hits should you want to down the road. The MFLB is a good fit for you as well, but you may find it limiting should you want to experiment or share with a friend on a rare occasion.

As to the controls getting flaky, I wouldn't worry about it. They are pretty dependable.

 

[Goodlife101]

Get the vapolution im telling you, you wont regret it. The all glass is primo and makes this thing taste the best and it also produces thick vapor due to the restricted bowl size and air to vapor ratio. it's easy to clean (both heating element and bowl piece which is rare) and most importantly super affordable with the FC4LIFE coupon code making it 100 shipped with the All in Wonder Bowl which is clutch.

or i would say get a nano you cant go wrong with it either and Andy does make incredible units. I like the EV2 over the nano but that is a personal preference and both are awesome (EV2 might still be 50% off so that is also clutch brings it down to like 125. you will be happy with either of these vapes too. nano is better for solo use imo and the EV2 requires a little more material but both are awesome.

 

[Caligula]

E-nano if you don't mind a cord. If it has to be mobile, then Arizer Solo. Both are great, but the Nano can crush whole nugs in a few rips versus needing to grind your herb and vape for 8-12 minutes per stem like the Solo. Plus you can leave the Nano on 24/7 so you can vape a bowl almost instantly anytime the mood strikes you.

Of course being able to unplug the Solo and have a good 8-12 sessions out of a battery charge is also nice.

You cant really go wrong with either, however you need to determine what fits your vape style more. Basically, whats more important to you, mobility with longer extraction times or power/short extraction times on a tether?

Heres a milk vid with my Nano (I recorded this in 4k so feel free to turn the resolution up):

And heres one with my Solo (if you get bored the milk starts @ 5:00):

 

[SpruceGruve]

Well my honest opinion,I love my MFLB,but I have never tried a solo(keep in mind).

I have had 4-5 of my friends try my MFLB on different occasions,we always were using fresh batteries and really ground material.
None of them liked it,but I'm not saying they are the smartest people around,and they are only weekend smokers.
I tried to explain you need to suck ridiculously slow to get nice big cloud of vapor(like sucking a milkshake)they still sucked like a pipe and got nothing.....I took a second hoot telling them to watch me closely and count how long I hoot for,they still couldn't get it down.
If your friends are slow,or arnt dedicated stoners they won't get it or like it(being vauge here)

This being said,they have yet to try my MFLB with its power adapter,it packs a real punch....I have accidentally combusted quite a few times trying to relearn this unit(now I'm only running at50% power)
--
From what I read,the solo wins for ease of use for beginners and less chance of combustion.
But I also read it doesn't have the best battery life overall,I see people upgrading their batteries from a retailer on here.
It is also more expensive,but could be worth the extra money if it works for your situation



Edit-then I say my friends are smokers I mean it,they don't vape unless at my place

 

[grokit]

Namely the Solo, Vapolution 2 and e-nano.

These all sound like great choices,
and to point out the obvious:

If you need to use it away from an outlet, the solo.
If you want wood instead of a plastic housing, the nano.
For one-hitters at home the vapolution may be the winner.
The nano would be the most discreet to leave out in the open,
and the best to use at home with water attachments.

 

[Bouldorado]

@Caligula
What kind of camera do you have? I thought 4k was still pretty new...


Anyways to answer the OP, my recommendations are

1) lotus j-hook kit (~$117) + cheap bong (~$75). Prices include shipping
This maxes out your budget but it is an awesome setup. Great flavor and smoothness, no dependence on electricity, and very portable. It uses a torch lighter, but to be honest, spend 10 min reading the lotus thread, and you'll be perfectly fine.

2) Firewood. Great for small hits, decently quick heat up time, and good flavor. I would get this over the mflb so you don't have to deal with constantly recharging AA batteries. Manual control (you hold a button to control the heat).

3) Solo or Davinci. Both have multiple settings of electronic temp control. Both take ~2min to heat up. Solo has better taste due to cleanable glass stem. Davinci has better durability and is more pocketable. i preferred the Davinci personally

 

[Tweek]

@Caligula
What kind of camera do you have? I thought 4k was still pretty new...


Anyways to answer the OP, my recommendations are

1) lotus j-hook kit (~$117) + cheap bong (~$75). Prices include shipping
This maxes out your budget but it is an awesome setup. Great flavor and smoothness, no dependence on electricity, and very portable. It uses a torch lighter, but to be honest, spend 10 min reading the lotus thread, and you'll be perfectly fine.

2) Firewood. Great for small hits, decently quick heat up time, and good flavor. I would get this over the mflb so you don't have to deal with constantly recharging AA batteries. Manual control (you hold a button to control the heat).

3) Solo or Davinci. Both have multiple settings of electronic temp control. Both take ~2min to heat up. Solo has better taste due to cleanable glass stem. Davinci has better durability and is more pocketable. i preferred the Davinci personally

There are a few 4k options these days. Blackmagic pocket cam is one:

http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera

GoPro also sells a 4k model.

Edit: That top video is not displaying at 4k...might be that youtube is still doing its thing.

 

[vorrange]

All 3 units you listed are great to be honest.

In terms of flavour the Solo is last. In terms of efficiency it is hard to tell since all 3 are quite good.

In terms of discretion the Solo and Nano are pretty much the same size, the Vapolution is a little bigger but it is not exactly big. (A video would let you have a better feel of the actual size)

Personally between those 3 i would choose the Nano. It is the most versatile in session style and in what it can vape, except the non portability where the Solo is the logical winner being a portable.

I would also take into great consideration the suggestion Bouldorado did. I have a Lotus, and had a Solo and i also have a log vape similar to the Nano and i have to tell you since the Lotus arrived it has been used almost exclusively.

Since all the others importante variables, taste, efficiency and extraction process are pretty much even with slight advantages here and there... the other important variable you mention is stealth and the Lotus can give you stealth in a few different ways.

First, you can start vaping instantly. There is no pre-heat time, you don't need to assembly anything. Just take the damn thing out of the drawer and apply heat: You're blowing clouds in 20seconds.

Second, you can stop vaping instantly. Just make sure you don't place your fingers on the plate for the next 10sec, but the load won't keep cooking and it cools very fast.

Third, due to this quickness factor, it can be used as an on-the-move portable, provided you can be left alone for 30sec to take a hit and pocket it again.

Fourth, it is great to bring to a friends house or camping because it is small and sturdy.

Fifth, if you get the kit, you can also use it with water and have a complete setup of portable+home vape+water piece vape. (not all vapes work well or are pratical to use with water.)

PS: the last two reasons are not for stealth but they are an added advantage worth mentioning.

 

[Caligula]

@Bouldorado @Tweek

My Samsung Galaxy Note3 records in 4k as well as 1/8, 1/2 & 1/4 time slow-mo (as you can see). Im assuming the the camera is limited to 1080p using the slowmo feature however, hence why the first vid isnt uploaded under 4k.

Also my highest rez monitor is still only 1080P (lol) at the moment. However there are some very nice Dell and Asus 4k monitors (28") coming out soon @ a $700 price point. I think imma snag one.

Irony here is that unless you can pull down 100mbps you cant stream at 4k rez without major issues.

 

[Tweek]

@Bouldorado @Tweek

My Samsung Galaxy Note3 records in 4k as well as 1/8, 1/2 & 1/4 time slow-mo (as you can see). Im assuming the the camera is limited to 1080p using the slowmo feature however hence why the first vid isnt uploaded under 4k.

Also my highest rez monitor is still only 1080P (lol) at the moment. However there are some very nice Dell and Asus 4k monitors (28") coming out soon @ a $700 price point. I think imma snag one.

Irony here is that unless you can pull down 100mbps you cant stream at 4k rez without major issues.

Not to derail too much, but that is the big issue with 4k at the moment....the cost of storage, a new display and a system capable of handling large amounts of 4k media, is prohibitive for most folks.

Pretty cool the note3 can record 4k though.

 

[Caligula]

Indeed it is. I shoot everything in 4k though because I know at some point it will be mainstream like full HD is now. Will be nice to have it not look so dated when my daughter is old enough to watch family videos and stuff (she's 2).

This is for sure the next evolution though unlike that whole 3D debacle.

Edit... I honestly only want a 4k monitor to game on. Heh.

 

[pigfoot]

Whew, lots of info - too many choices! Thanks for taking the time to write all that. I've seen the Lotus get some great reviews, but I want to go flameless for now : )

 

[pigfoot]

Got the MFLB, 1st vape session last night, it was great! I'm not too crazy about grinding the herb so fine though, I may keep it as a backup. I'm thinking one of the above 3 would be better at using small amounts. Which one of them has the smallest bowl?

 

[vorrange]

I think the most efficient is the nano but the smaller bowl is likely the vapolution.

Dont quote me on this since i have the solo only.

 

[pigfoot]

But with any of them I can push in a small screen to reduce the bowl volume, right?

 

[vorrange]

The best way to reduce volume and maximize extraction is by reducing the bowl radius, but with these units the bowl is so small, i dont think there IS much point in trying to further reduce it.

 

[pigfoot]

The best way to reduce volume and maximize extraction is by reducing the bowl radius, but with these units the bowl is so small, i dont think there IS much point in trying to further reduce it.

Cool, that's the range I want to be in - thanks! I'm about ready to order an e-nano........

 

[Caligula]

The Nano can literally do under 0.1g

 

[RUDE BOY]

@pigfoot the MFLB Is as conservative with small loads as the e-nano you can put as little herb in the trench that you want. Owning more then one vape is fun but not necessary if you own the right tools to start with and the Launch Box serves many people well as their only vaporizer.

 

[pigfoot]

@ RUDE BOY So far I have only tried it like the instructions say, with a 90% full trench. Probably Definitely led to me doing more than necessary. I just tend to want to finish a load. I will try it with less. The need to grind the herb so fine is one thing I don't like. But, yeah - this thing definitely works, I could be satisfied with it.

 

[max]

I think the most efficient is the nano but the smaller bowl is likely the vapolution.

Dont quote me on this since i have the solo only.

Yes the Vapo bowl is smaller. I don't know of a vape with a narrower bowl. There's some depth to it though.

 

[vorrange]

Yes the Vapo bowl is smaller. I don't know of a vape with a narrower bowl. There's some depth to it though.

As long as it's narrow the depth is not important if you want to save right?

IMO, The depth is more of a problem for someone who wants to save, when you have a large bowl area and a large vapor pathway.

ALthough the large vapor pathway is more of a problem in hit thickness that tend to leave people unsatisfied if they don't load enough.

The Nano can literally do under 0.1g

It can literally go under 0,05 don't it? My HI does, i don't see why the nano wouldn't.

 

[Caligula]

@vorrange Probably but my scale cant weigh under 0.1g so I have no idea how much it actually is, heh.

 

[DDave]

I would say grab a solo. They are affordable, taste good and gives you the option to take fatter hits should you want to down the road. The MFLB is a good fit for you as well, but you may find it limiting should you want to experiment or share with a friend on a rare occasion.

As to the controls getting flaky, I wouldn't worry about it. They are pretty dependable.

I've got to back this suggestion! Just picked up a Solo and it is simply awesome!