Well tried this thing last night after a wipe down and burn off. I will give a quick review because overall I’m pretty impressed, especially the price point I got it at. I also feel this thing is overlooked a lot.
This thing is very small IMO. Looks very nice and well put together. I am personally not a fan of the cloth, it collects extra bits of stuff particularly herb as I laid it on my tray to load it. It’s pretty, I just feel it will be hard to keep clean.
To the fun stuff. This thing just effortlessly spits vapor at all temps and seems to with varying load sizes. I don’t have many vapes to compare too, but in my opinion the oven is on par or better than the other two battery powered portables I have. I am going to compare slightly as it’s part of my learning/VAS journey. I got the Venty a few months ago, I run it at stock temps and temp step when flavor runs low. The AVLP at those same temps is way more powerful IMO. Ran my last bowl down at like 325, then stepped to 360 and finished off in the 400s for one or two hits. I felt this was closer temps as what I use my Venty at. The abv came out very dark like TM2 dark, beyond anything the Venty has ever done. I say this as the Venty helped me learn to use my TM2 in other ways. Like running the TM2 down at 2-3 on the dial for wonderful flavor and sipping. This AVLP is very versatile I believe. Didn’t get the WPA but I imagine it would blow clouds with a water piece. At the higher temps where I had my first bowl 355 temp step to 380ish then a few hits on 410 it rips through the load. Air restriction is fine for me, stock as is. I could see how some might want more.
To the “bad”. I don’t have the loading tool or dosing caps yet. I feel one or the other is probably a must and both is best. Trying to load and actually keep it in the bowl can be a struggle with the larger scoop I have (I just haven’t got a small scoop yet). The microdosing disk was frustrating, loosened it a little and then ran a bowl. Went to clean it with a brush and it spun right off into my big abv jar lol. The bowl, silicone and microdosing disk all get pretty sticky after 2-3 bowls which i only had 3 of varying sizes last night. Without dosing caps I would guess most run an iso qtip around the bowl area every few loads? Overall it’s nothing crazy “bad”. I could just understand if my memory serves me correct, how this vape got a bad rep for cleaning because it didn’t release with the loading tool or the “good” dosing caps. Still very manageable, I just feel like the loading tool will make the experience way better.
IMO this is a very versatile vape. Tons of power. Can be toned down for a sipper. Vapor is pretty tasty, definitely smooth and warm but I wouldn't say hot. Not that I use my vapes outside the house, if I did this would be my go to with dosing caps. So small, powerful and looks durable, style points as well. I think a lot of people have slept on this vape. If you can dump the load after it’s spent (which I do with all my vapes) the cleanup is not terrible. With dosing caps and/or the loading tool it’s probably the perfect on the go vape in my limited opinion/experience. I can understand people’s frustrations but to me all devices need to be emptied hot, and all are unique in cleaning. This one will probably be a little more cleaning than most, but I feel more frequent “quick” cleanings are better for the AVLP.
Now, to some questions. I don’t want the dosing disk, do I need a screen or dosing caps yet to run without it? To keep the flower in the bowl? Also what’s the consensus on the side screen before the corner and glass path? Air flow is acceptable to me so just leave it?
Can you sandwich concentrates with flower or not recommended? I do this with my TM2 in a bong upside down and really enjoy it. Or better to just use the pad or some other method like vape cotton etc and pure concentrate instead? Just don’t want to mess up the heater. For some reason I struggle to get out and use my core 2.0 rig. Just prefer the ease of something else I use frequently then getting the core out occasionally when I want a dab.
I also need to browse the manual, to change the timer and possibly see how on demand works. Then browse this thread more.
Cheers! So far very happy with this purchase. Going to pass the second AVLP to a friend and hopefully convert him from combustion. This thing seems easy enough for a new user to enjoy.
