Arizer Solo

[CarolKing]

@blackstone Welcome to the Solo fan club. As you see there are many happy owners. A lot of the different stems are personal preference.

I do have the Vortex stem and it's worth it to me to pay the extra couple dollars. I can go higher temperature wise without the vapor being harsh. It is an inch longer than the standard size. It has a turbo pocket that adds to the extra length. Also has the channeled slits along the sides to help with added air flow. A very easy stem to draw from.

The screens that @OF showed us are really good but don't fit the Vortex stems. I have those screens and like using them with some of my other stems. You can cut any screen down to fit the size you need with a pair of scissors. You mentioned your frustration with your screen falling out. Sometimes wedging the screen in will help, something slightly larger than what you might need.

You don't need to fill the bowl up. Just fill it half way if it's too large for your liking.

You might want to think about a back up vaporizer as your next purchase. You don't want to fall back into the clutches of combustion.

Edit
I had turbo earlier above and I meant Vortex, I fixed it.

 

[sickmanfraud]

When I saw one of these secondhand about 2 hours drive away, I just knew I had to join the legions of FC members who have sucked on the shiny pipe!
I might have done better buying new as these have come down I think, but that could've turned into an import duty nightmare too, maybe next time.
So it came with both standard stems, and I think the bowls are a bit too big for very regular use, fine for occasional, for me.
Looking into ways of reducing bowl size on here, I eventually splashed out on a PVHES straight shorty turbo, holy hell the things are great.
It got me and all my pals coughing mostly on settings 5-7, and I'd say some of those (combusting) pals were stunned at the strength of the vapor. Great design, but unfortunately only about two months in I dropped the stem from its protective tube on to a tiled floor while singing a little song and preparing to get high, and it is no more.

Do PV offer ANY loyalty scheme, or a system where they feel a little sorry for you if you smash a stem by mistake?!

Funnily enough I was just thinking I should buy another, possibly non-turbo model as that is what I originally wanted but they were out of stock and I didn't know that PV update their stock quite regularly.
I initially wasn't fond of the thicker turbo stem feel in the lips, but I think I grew to like it.
The other things I liked about the turbo stem are those hard hitting tasty hits, and it seems quite minimal and hence, easy to clean inside.
So now I dont know if the non-turbo shorty would even do the job anymore? or are they just as good/potent?
Are those PVHES Vortex stems worth the extra few dollars?
I need to read more about the wooden stems, they're pretty unbreakable compared to glass? Hard to clean? You dont soak these in alcohol, right?
And are they only available in a standard large bowl size?

I think if someone (or Arizer) made shorty standard stems cheaply, that would suit me. Or if I can find a way to knock 3 or 4 mm from the bowl of a standard stem!
I'm back using the standard stems now and I have the salvaged custom PVHES screen levitating halfway up the bowl, that's working out ok-ish, but could fall out and get lost easily.
I'm open to any suggestions!

I was also toying with the idea of having a custom stem tooled locally from stainless , but this must be a bad idea as I've never seen one!
Perhaps the mouthpiece end would quickly reach the same temp as the bowl ha ha!

This being a mid priced secondhand vape is great in that I can be quite careless with it and really make the most of that build quality and reliability.
It was unmarked when I bought it but now has a few dents from falling out of my pocket to the ground,
and the bottom edges are getting chipped as discussed already in this thread

Also I'm amazed how people use it only as low as setting 4.
Being a total noob, I used to do 4 or 5, then always ramp to 7.
Then I started just starting on 6, and leaving it on 6,
so I can see how gradually I could lower my temp.
Minimum recommended temp for shorty turbo was 5 and for the Vortex stems I think it's 6 or 7!

For research sake I will try two small bowls on setting 4 now, even though I'm already smashed, it's late here, and I have to be up early!
(I have one of the bowls finished while reading over my post, and yes, it does work blindingly well on setting 4 too it seems! All the way to the 10 minute mark!)
Goodnight FC!

You are in luck. In the classified add section @bravest is selling just what you are interested in.

 

[lovecrush]

So... today I will receive my brand new solo battery. Any tips on how should I charge it after swapping batteries or things like that?

 

[OF]

So... today I will receive my brand new solo battery. Any tips on how should I charge it after swapping batteries or things like that?

First off, watch 'lead dress', it's tight in there, study how the factory fit everything in under the cover. It all has to go in so there's no pressure on the cover. And be very careful putting the screws back in, be sure the cover is solidly down flush first, then put the screws in 'just snug', tightening them too much (or not uniformly) will lead to the tabs breaking off (not fatal, but not nice).

It's a new battery, threat it as such. Overcharge the first time, don't run it into the mud, consider stopping the charge early for longer life and so on.

OF

 

[lovecrush]

First off, watch 'lead dress', it's tight in there, study how the factory fit everything in under the cover. It all has to go in so there's no pressure on the cover. And be very careful putting the screws back in, be sure the cover is solidly down flush first, then put the screws in 'just snug', tightening them too much (or not uniformly) will lead to the tabs breaking off (not fatal, but not nice).

It's a new battery, threat it as such. Overcharge the first time, don't run it into the mud, consider stopping the charge early for longer life and so on.

OF

Thanks a lot! I hope at the end of the day I can use my baby again after like 6 months...

 

[Bongologist]

Little brother says Cheers!

Edit to add: after seeing my own picture I immediately got out the iso and cleaned that tube. Eek!

 

[blackstone]

Glad you got on board. Solo's good gear for sure.

You might try the screens suggested by our own Sinclue a while back (for the Air, but same bowls.....):
http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/the-arizer-air.16415/page-96#post-730350

They look like this in action:

They not only reduce the load size but control fouling much better, you can go longer between cleanings since the screen doesn't foul as fast as the holes alone do.

BTW, you might want to order an Air stem or two (like the photo above) as they will fit Solo, are shorter and mate up directly with 14mm connectors on Water Tools. Ten bucks here.

OF

Those look great! I was thinking about round liquid pads but they are not really suited to the solo, these screens look just the ticket for me though, thanks
And thanks for the link, I will check it now for how to get me some
The downwards dome of these screens could hold the load to the walls and floor, in all the right places!

And are the Air stems short enough to get that "dangerously hot" vapor for "experienced users only" that stubby stem sellers warn about?
That black mouthpiece certainly looks a bit more tooth friendly than bare glass?!!
And maybe also a touch more stealthy than the solo stems.
Great idea for my low budget too, thanks!

Level 4?? When I vape dry I start at level 2, the lowest applicable level!! The taste is divine!

Vape dry, like the first vape of the day?
Sounds like a good idea! Might try that tomorrow
I'm already learning that high temperatures might get the job done quicker but can end with nasty tastes, and from my field tests last night on level 4 I was able to tell that the lower settings might prolong the nicer tastes, almost to the ten minute final whistle, perhaps longer!
Well, as a fair compromise with you guys (I lol'd thinking of that earlier today), I spent the whole day on 5 and have remained on it since! No problems very nice! Even tried a 4 again.
That's good I've came down two levels in the space of a couple of months,
if this keeps up, I wont even need to turn the thing on in the new year Haa ba dum tiss

I think it's that the material is so expensive here, I was afraid of wasting the goodness.
But keeping the temps low could also improve my ABV brownies?
And it would allow me to high temp the ABV at night to help sleep, like it says in the other threads.

@blackstone Welcome to the Solo fan club. As you see there are many happy owners. A lot of the different stems are personal preference.

I do have the Vortex stem and it's worth it to me to pay the extra couple dollars. I can go higher temperature wise without the vapor being harsh. It is an inch longer than the standard size. It has a turbo pocket that adds to the extra length. Also has the channeled slits along the sides to help with added air flow. A very easy stem to draw from.

The screens that @OF showed us are really good but don't fit the Vortex stems. I have those screens and like using them with some of my other stems. You can cut any screen down to fit the size you need with a pair of scissors. You mentioned your frustration with your screen falling out. Sometimes wedging the screen in will help, something slightly larger than what you might need.

You don't need to fill the bowl up. Just fill it half way if it's too large for your liking.

You might want to think about a back up vaporizer as your next purchase. You don't want to fall back into the clutches of combustion.

Edit
I had turbo earlier above and I meant Vortex, I fixed it.

They sound good, that turbo vortex pocket probably helps cloud production like playing with airflow, or a carbed stem does,
and if I was already impressed with their turbo model then I'm bound to be more impressed with their premium stems!
I'll just have to be a bit more careful with the next one
Is the pocket hard to clean? As I can only get 70% IPA where I'm from, and I nearly need to get in there with coat hangers to get things done!

And that's funny about not having to fill the bowl up, because I think it's drilled into me military style from reading all the manuals that say "fill chamber completely for best results" etc
I did try small amounts in the large bowls, might try it again.
But apart from any conduction or heat transfer benefits, the smaller bowl helped to control the portions (lol) and it holds a small amount steady, perhaps preventing excess trichome displacement, when capped and subjected to vibration in transit?

I really do need to start a thread asking for direction in the sea of modern vaporizers, to find the next one to save up for.
I could never really see myself using tobacco again, but I've been tempted recently to just use a pipe and lighter for herb, so that's proof that I might need some quality units around here! Thanks for the advice!

You are in luck. In the classified add section @bravest is selling just what you are interested in.

My word, what an arsenal that is! I would definitely love at least three of those. Thank you for that tip.
Only problems I can see are that I'm a couple of thousand miles away from anywhere that uses dollars, so I'd need to check if he could ship BUT, the other problem,
I promised myself I cant spend much more on myself for a while, until I have a little spare cash again.
So I will keep them in mind for this week, thanks again for the heads up on it!

 

[Eindjedegekste]

hi everyone, got my Solo in October 2012, after three years still going strong and giving excellent vapor. guess one of the most durable vapes out there, have no other for comparison though

 

[CarolKing]

@blackstone I thought the Vortex stems would be difficult to clean but that wasn't the case. You remove the screen and use a q-tip, it fits in there OK.

Don't go back to combusting, check out the Arizer Air, awesome little vaporizer. A nice log vape might be good to add to your vaporizing collection. Also a vapor genie might be something that you might like too, it's like a pipe.

You will have to do some reading since this is the Solo thread. I don't want to be disrespectful to the Solo. You could always buy another Solo.

 

[lovecrush]

So... I couldn't really remember how GOOD the solo was. I should had purchased that battery since the day the unit died.

 

[goofygreen]

I'm going to have to get an arizer again. I will look into the differences between the solo and the air first. I've had the EVO for a good few months now, but I miss my solo that died on me. I liked its size and ease of use. Really produces quality vapor as well.

 

[ataxian]

I'm going to have to get an arizer again. I will look into the differences between the solo and the air first. I've had the EVO for a good few months now, but I miss my solo that died on me. I liked its size and ease of use. Really produces quality vapor as well.

I haven't used my SOLO lately!
However today before my glass of OLD VINE ZINFANDEL I had a stem with a CHILLUiM tip full of GSC!

To be without a SOLO?

 

[TheWhisper]

I accidentally just chipped the inside of the bowl, by the lip, on my PVHE stem. It's a pretty decent sized chip. Is it still usable, or do I have to toss it? I'm thinking there could be glass dust/particulates that will arise from the chipped area. It's definitely a bit sharp if I run my finger over it.

 

[OF]

I accidentally just chipped the inside of the bowl, by the lip, on my PVHE stem. It's a pretty decent sized chip. Is it still usable, or do I have to toss it? I'm thinking there could be glass dust/particulates that will arise from the chipped area. It's definitely a bit sharp if I run my finger over it.

If there's no other cracks, you might be able to salvage it by 'fire polishing the raw surface. You need to heat the glass past the softening point, but shy of the 'slump' point (so it doesn't loose shape). The edges, since they are more exposed, will heat first. Once they soften let it solidify again, you end up with a surface like the PVHES has on the ends (it's fire polished), smooth, stress free, with a bit of a 'bead'. Like the rim of a fine wine glass (also fire polished).

In practice it's usually controlled by color, you get yellow coloring to the flame as Sodium becomes available with most glasses. I suggest a bit of research on it (there are no doubt some great videos on the web.....) and going after it with a small torch type lighter (1300 degrees is plenty for this).

OF

 

[CarolKing]

Have you hugged your Solo today.

It pairs nicely with so many mouthpieces and water tools. I like to have 2 Solos that I switch off every now and again. Saves on wear and tear. I expect many years of use from my Solos. Unlike some vaporizers that are similar to something that would be classified as a throw - a - way vape.

Always remember toooooo Fuckcombustion!!!!!

 

[KidFated.]

If there's no other cracks, you might be able to salvage it by 'fire polishing the raw surface. You need to heat the glass past the softening point, but shy of the 'slump' point (so it doesn't loose shape). The edges, since they are more exposed, will heat first. Once they soften let it solidify again, you end up with a surface like the PVHES has on the ends (it's fire polished), smooth, stress free, with a bit of a 'bead'. Like the rim of a fine wine glass (also fire polished).

In practice it's usually controlled by color, you get yellow coloring to the flame as Sodium becomes available with most glasses. I suggest a bit of research on it (there are no doubt some great videos on the web.....) and going after it with a small torch type lighter (1300 degrees is plenty for this).

OF

Safety glasses please. Can't replace eyeballs!

 

[biohacker]

I'm going to have to get an arizer again. I will look into the differences between the solo and the air first. I've had the EVO for a good few months now, but I miss my solo that died on me. I liked its size and ease of use. Really produces quality vapor as well.

You too? I've bought and sold many Solo's since the day it came out. I'm pulling the trigger again! I just miss using it with a gong too much. Give it a bit of a heat soak, and POW instant thick SUPER TASTY CLOUDS!

I also had the Air, but much prefer the Solo...however I keep it in the house so no need for real portability. I just found that the Air had a bit too much airflow in comparison and diluted the clouds, which is great for someone with lung sensitivity. I don't like the pvhes stems for this reason either.

Looking forward to Re-joining the Solo family!

 

[1DMF]

I couldn't wait, having enjoyed my Da Vinci Ascent with my bubbler so much, and put off by the GH issues, I just ordered myself a Solo as my backup vape along with 18mmm water tool adapter

I've been bitten by the bug

 

[lookhigh]

I just found that the Air had a bit too much airflow in comparison and diluted the clouds, which is great for someone with lung sensitivity. I don't like the pvhes stems for this reason either.

I find the opposite?????
SOLO more airflow, The newer model anyway.

 

[OF]

I couldn't wait, having enjoyed my Da Vinci Ascent with my bubbler so much, and put off by the GH issues, I just ordered myself a Solo as my backup vape along with 18mmm water tool adapter

I've been bitten by the bug

I think you made a wise choice. You've 'bought into' a solid unit with a long history of excellent performance. Very very few problems past wearing the battery out over a couple of years? Noteworthy taste.

GH, OTOH, might be seen as 'buying into a peck of trouble'. I'm watching, if it ever gets to the point where you can buy one with a high expectation of it working for you in a week or so at a reasonable price, I'm there......until then I'm enjoying my Solo nearly every day......

Soon, I suspect, so will you be.

Regards,

I find the opposite?????
SOLO more airflow, The newer model anyway.

Solo, I think, has more potential to change over time. The single seal 'breaks in' and allows air past which can be controlled by the stem tilt.

Air, OTOH, has 3, more solid, seals (they are ribs, technically, not rings?) so it doesn't tend to add a lot of air to the system that way. That is, draw resistance doesn't lessen over time with use like in Solo.

New/old versions are an offset here, eventually the stem seal loosens up in both, the new version simply starts our easier on the draw (and gets easier still over time). This is masked, I think by most folks 'checking it out' when new, they don't take into account the shift later in service life?

OF

 

[biohacker]

I find the opposite?????
SOLO more airflow, The newer model anyway.

I had the newer model as well, and the first thing I noticed was through a water tool with a gong (not pvhes one) the vapour was noticeably diluted. I thought this was the general consensus here that the Air has more airflow than the Solo, I guess it is just me!

 

[Dizzie206]

With my E-nano temporary out of service I had to go back to the solo, I was worried it wouldn't get to where I want compared to my enano I was wrong! For me when I putting it through a bubbler I had to remind myself to use a slower lonnnger draw and boom and this took me for a ride! I have to cycle around my vapes more often

 

[biohacker]

I think of the Solo as a portable Nano. I used to own a Nano, and can live without it...not so for the Solo. Perhaps you are getting the conduction component...vape signature is awesome!

 

[CarolKing]

I've thought of the Solo as the Log Vape of portables even though it's not made with wood. It similar to the Nano in how it produces. The Nano is heavier duty. The Solo is so nice because we can leave the cord behind and it heats up quickly.

With the price of a $150 and an awesome warranty you really can't go wrong. It will hold up over time and like @OF stated you may need to even buy a new battery after 2 years. Some vaporizers in the market, when the battery is toast so is your unit. Not the case with the Solo. It's suppose to be very easy to change out for a new one.

 

[ataxian]

I've thought of the Solo as the Log Vape of portables even though it's not made with wood. It similar to the Nano in how it produces. The Nano is heavier duty. The Solo is so nice because we can leave the cord behind and it heats up quickly.

With the price of a $150 and an awesome warranty you really can't go wrong. It will hold up over time and like @OF stated you may need to even buy a new battery after 2 years. Some vaporizers in the market, when the battery is toast so is your unit. Not the case with the Solo. It's suppose to be very easy to change out for a new one.

The SOLO I use the mòst!

GDP
before Slèèèeeèp WOW!