**Ball vape comparison megathread** Compare your balls.

[jkeyes98]

Thank you for showing interest in my work!

I would hate to mislead anyone, so first and foremost. Yes, those are the TIODW pro and bowl.

I am an individual vape maker who is making in very low batch quantities, this puts me at two great disadvantages: Individually built units are very expensive compared to mass production, and machined parts out of titanium are ridiculously expensive in small batches. Because I did not want to use a stainless steel airpath; I decided to re-engineer the TIODW since it is a TI option that is easy to modify, and the tests I had done on its composition came back clean.

You will find that the modified vape head hits extremely differently than the original, I spent a lot of time fiddling with customized SS setups to increase the thermal capacity, while still allowing the vape to heat properly in its cradle. the final setup weighs over 4 times what the original weighs (not including the handle), and you will find that the placement of the SS enclosure does a very good job at conducting heat into the bowl and back into the rubies. This leads to an extremely even temperature hit, that lasts a VERY long time. Check out the video on my Instagram highlights to get an idea, I clear a half gram bowl, with no reheats, the temp set to 560 of the PID.

I hope to be able to use a proprietary TI head, and a bowl made by a local glassmaker in the future, but until I can produce in larger quantities I will have to make do, otherwise I would not be able to put my product out at a competitive price point.

If anyone has any other questions about The Altar, do not hesitate to ask!

Did you modify the head in any ways other than swapping the handle ring for a thicker SS one?

Sounds like the Chalice bowl is the one from B2C? because if it is I don't believe that one works with 22mm heads, only their 23mm heads. If it is the one from them I'd be careful claiming that it works with any other 22mm diffuser head. When they first came out I tried one with my Zeal it immediately got stuck and broke, when I reached out to them they said they are only compatible with 23mm diffusers that they sell.

I've heard the TIODW pro works great on the screwball bowl tho.

 

[altarvape]

Did you modify the head in any ways other than swapping the handle ring for a thicker SS one?

Sounds like the Chalice bowl is the one from B2C? because if it is I don't believe that one works with 22mm heads, only their 23mm heads. If it is the one from them I'd be careful claiming that it works with any other 22mm diffuser head. When they first came out I tried one with my Zeal it immediately got stuck and broke, when I reached out to them they said they are only compatible with 23mm diffusers that they sell.

I've heard the TIODW pro works great on the screwball bowl tho.

Thank you for this information! You have probably saved myself, and my customers from future headaches! my homie said the bowl works with his CH head, and it measures 22mm on my calipers, so I assumed it was universal. But I will update the website information to reflect your experience!

Yes, the head has been modified beyond changing the ring and handle.

I noticed that with the original head there was a hotspot at the center of the bowl, this area would always be significantly darker than the edges. this meant additional stirring to avoid an early popcorn taste. There was a lot of experimentation, vaping countless bowls with different ruby, and screen setups (not gonna lie this was a very fun part of the design process). I ended up deciding on a screen for the bowl side that slowly decreases the hole diameter and quantity as you move to the center, and omits a hole in the center completely. I found that the custom titanium screen, as well as adding a layer of 4mm rubies to the bottom, leads to a balanced draw that directs more heat towards the outsides of the bowl, greatly reducing the need to stir.

Reducing the amount of stirring necessary makes for a much nicer experience, since the added weight of the stainless steel means you can kill a fairly large bowl without needing to reheat.

 

[AndyO]

I wrote up my thoughts on the new Ruby Twist in the appropriate thread.

Spoiler alert - this thing absolutely slaps.

 

[coolbreeze]

Flower Kettle prices have come down, enjoy some premium roasting/twaxing:

KIT prices have been just been PERMANENTLY REDUCED since I now run all aspects of the company!!

Flower Kettle Premium KIT used to be $499, NOW $419! $80 Discount
Deluxe KIT used to be $749, NOW $669! $80 Discount
Master KIT used to be $849, NOW $769! $80 Discount

I'd like to personally thank you guys for all the continued and unwavering support of our little, local, American made/designed, Colorado family company!

 

[Cdwhit]

I hope this is appropriate for here, but the thing that bugs me about ball vapes is that I’m a messy clutch, and shouldn’t have hot things sticking out there unprotected. I would love to find something as safe as my XQ2 or maybe a log vape. Has anyone incorporated a ball vape with PID etc, but housed in something like a small log vape so I can’t burn myself or my house so easy?

 

[coolbreeze]

I hope this is appropriate for here, but the thing that bugs me about ball vapes is that I’m a messy clutch, and shouldn’t have hot things sticking out there unprotected. I would love to find something as safe as my XQ2 or maybe a log vape. Has anyone incorporated a ball vape with PID etc, but housed in something like a small log vape so I can’t burn myself or my house so easy?

Got you:

Da Buddha

Ok, so fingers crossed it's back online 🤞. Time for a nightcap--cheers!

fuckcombustion.com

 

[SatanLovestoVape]

Oh boy, a lot has changed in the two years I've been gone. I took a two-year tolerance break from Mary Jane because my habits were getting out of control. That was before the ball vapes craze happened. I remember the Weedeater and Vrod being the kings of the desktop vapes, and then here come the ball vapes. My first ball vape was a Terp Torch; it was literally a soldering iron. It's laughable nowadays. I recently started vaping again and finally upgraded my Weedeater to an F22 with the help of Scott from Vgoodiez. The benefit of the F22 is that it is significantly lighter than my old Weedeater head. I also get the benefit of vaping at lower temps with the F22. After using my F22 for a month, I found out about wireless ball vapes. What the fuck? Here I am, jumping into this rabbit hole of VAS. VAS will never go away; it will only get stronger.

 

[Rodney]

Just seen this short

very interesting especially them saying how they think the dangers and inconvenience is maybe holding the ball vape industry back and out of mainstream. I wonder what would happen if S&B made a ball vape? or some other big company?

 

[Suki]

Just seen this short

very interesting especially them saying how they think the dangers and inconvenience is maybe holding the ball vape industry back and out of mainstream. I wonder what would happen if S&B made a ball vape? or some other big company?

I feel like vaporizers such as couchlog made a step in the right direction regarding these kind of concerns, combining the power of ball vape with the small and safer form factor of a log (plus the magnetic base)

I'm really liking the recent innovations and am eager to see what the future will bring to the dry herb vaporizing world

I feel like in a few years everyone will know what DHV are, just like what happened with video games and anime

 

[Cdwhit]

very interesting especially them saying how they think the dangers and inconvenience is maybe holding the ball vape industry back and out of mainstream. I wonder what would happen if S&B made a ball vape? or some other big company?

It’s making me hold off, and it still would if S&B sold one. Between me being a lousy housekeeper, and having a huge ctutzy dog, the last thing I need is a hot chunk of metal hanging around. While I’m interested in the Log type vapes with balls, I have been told repeatedly by those with ball vapes, that just adding balls doesn’t make it a ball vape. (I’m taking their word for it, I have neither yet.). The lack of PID temperature control and weaker heaters still separate them. Have people been lying to me?

 

[Hagbard Celine]

It’s making me hold off, and it still would if S&B sold one. Between me being a lousy housekeeper, and having a huge ctutzy dog, the last thing I need is a hot chunk of metal hanging around. While I’m interested in the Log type vapes with balls, I have been told repeatedly by those with ball vapes, that just adding balls doesn’t make it a ball vape. (I’m taking their word for it, I have neither yet.). The lack of PID temperature control and weaker heaters still separate them. Have people been lying to me?

I wouldnt worry too much if you're still on the fence about getting a ball vape. I finally got hold of a kit after thinking about these devices for maybe a year or so? I've only used it for a little over a week, so I'm definitely no expert, but I can pretty much see a lot of its best use functions, its pros/cons, and where it fits in (at least in my own vaping routines). Since it has that kinda 'latest and greatest' tag associated with it, others are always going to chime in comparing everything else to it to help justify their latest toys. And yeah, they can work really well and be a lot of fun to use, so there is that...but you have legitimate concerns...

Since you are worried about safety and are interested in log vapes, I would suggest you look into them more. I have several (I started with a Purple Days, but I have HIs, UDs, WSs), and I use them every day. Even with the ball vape setup sitting on the desk ready to go, I'll have one or two log vapes plugged in right beside it. I'm mostly a late night vaper and have been trying to bring the ball vape setup into the routine, but it doesnt make a lot of sense when you are lying in bed watching a movie or listening to music. I've still been keeping at it for the novely of it, but every night the ball vape setup needs to be turned off and powered down, while i finish up with my logs.

I can tell you without a doubt that even if I eventually got rid of the ball vape setup, I would have no intention of giving up all of my log vapes. I'm sure logs dont fit in with everyone's use patterns either, so I often think that those folks talking them down just havent figured out the best ways to use them. I can absolutely get huge, face-melting clouds from a log vape that rival the ball vape set-up, at least in the way that I would prefer to use it... not everyone wants to try to extract 0.2 - 0.5g, or more, in a single hit. I'm sure for some people thats fun, but its not necessary for everyone.

 

[coolbreeze]

It’s making me hold off, and it still would if S&B sold one. Between me being a lousy housekeeper, and having a huge ctutzy dog, the last thing I need is a hot chunk of metal hanging around. While I’m interested in the Log type vapes with balls, I have been told repeatedly by those with ball vapes, that just adding balls doesn’t make it a ball vape. (I’m taking their word for it, I have neither yet.). The lack of PID temperature control and weaker heaters still separate them. Have people been lying to me?

There's also the Baller Da Buddha or Silver Surfer, quite safe and extremely powerful. With the logs, the Couch Log is a wonderful vape; it's a fully-functioning 14mm ball vape. I would say its only weakness compared to a ZX or Omega is it is possible to drain the heat a bit after a few back-to-back hits but it heats right back up, it's hardly an issue. Flavor and build are outstanding. The maker just announced another round of his 18mm version, the CLXL, are in the making. He's asking for wood requests in the Couch Log thread. I haven't tried these but I understand that they are amazing as well.

 

[Hagbard Celine]

The lack of PID temperature control and weaker heaters still separate them. Have people been lying to me?

Log vapes also have a method of temp control available to them. The Couchlog @coolbreeze has mentioned comes with a temperature control dial, and frankly just about any log vape can be used with a VVPS to easily control to voltage in the same way.

Also look into the GTR log thread here on FC for another log with more thermal mass and options for 14mm or 18mm injector heads (and other unique options as well), that can be used similarly to the Couchlog (or a ball vape, as @coolbreeze pointed out).

 

[coolbreeze]

Phase 3 still has the ZXXL wireless diffuser presale open. If it's half as good as the ZXL it will be amazing indeed!

 

[fropones]

Phase 3 still has the ZXXL wireless diffuser presale open. If it's half as good as the ZXL it will be amazing indeed!

Any idea when the ZXL will be available (again)?

e: totally thought I was in the Phase 3 thread lol

 

[coolbreeze]

Any idea when the ZXL will be available (again)?

I'm afraid I don't. I feel like Ryan mentioned it in one of his last few posts. Hopefully he'll do another run--it's really good!

 

[coolbreeze]

Any idea when the ZXL will be available (again)?

Sounds like he'd need to see more interest. There's a few ZXs in stock and presale is still open for the ZXXL.

Heads up: I think there's like 5 Plug & Play ZX kits left in stock and a few without controllers; if you've been thinking about getting a ZX it’s definitely a good time to as I’m not sure if/when more will be coming.

I’ve gotten a few emails about new ZXLs, but I don’t believe there’s really enough demand to build them right now.

The 25MM ZXXL might very well be the last chapter of these zirconia desktops so consider grabbing one before they’re gone.

Cheers friends and happy vaping,

If you have any interest don't miss out on the ZX. Or the ZXXL!

 

[fropones]

Sounds like he'd need to see more interest. There's a few ZXs in stock and presale is still open for the ZXXL.

If you have any interest don't miss out on the ZX. Or the ZXXL!

I've since picked up a ZX, so even more interested in the ZXL now

 

[coolbreeze]

Just got this cool new stand, the Hot Hole by Herbaltherm. I think the wood is done by Futo; I'm not sure what kind it is but it's gorgeous with a strong cat's eye effect. I got it to travel with, to use on the porch in the cooler months, and to use on the table in front of the A/C. It's much more stable than the usual stand and pretty well protected from brushing against. You'd bring your own coil: this is a 20mm but a 25mm will fit too. The fun thing is that it comes with its own vape, the lovely glass 1MT. Haven't tried that yet, it's this evening's adventure.

Edit: Ok, here's the actual ball vape, the 1MT, warming up:

I'm not sure how long it will take to heat and if the herbs will hold up in the meantime, or if it should (or can) be loaded hot. Experimentation lies ahead. But it does remind me of another glass vape, the Lamart FLAM, which also uses the capped joint as the chamber, with a diffused heat intake in place of this one's ball chamber. That one's pretty awesome. This one looks like it will be too.

Edit2: Heated at 450F for 10 mins, got a very, very tasty light-ish hit. the handle is cool near the end but otherwise pretty hot; the joint is cool enough to lift and hold the vape. I will probably need to run it a bit higher but so far it's really very nice, quirks notwithstanding.

Edit3: finished the bowl over several very tasty hits. It's warmed a bit so it's roasting a little more aggressively. I've turned it up 10 degrees and I'm going to reload the hot bowl...

Edit4: The hot reload is no big deal. You may need a scoop or funnel and a safe wooden place to set it against when resealing it, but the bowl end is cool, the basket's cool, the handle is ok too.

 

[TedJones]

Just got this cool new stand, the Hot Hole by Herbaltherm. I think the wood is done by Futo; I'm not sure what kind it is but it's gorgeous with a strong cat's eye effect. I got it to travel with, to use on the porch in the cooler months, and to use on the table in front of the A/C. It's much more stable than the usual stand and pretty well protected from brushing against. You'd bring your own coil: this is a 20mm but a 25mm will fit too. The fun thing is that it comes with its own vape, the lovely glass 1MT. Haven't tried that yet, it's this evening's adventure.

That’s really sweet! I was eyeing it over on their thread. What’s the approximate length & width? Thinking of setting/mounting on top of the pid CC supplies (~ 5 x 3 1/4”) .. maybe.

 

[coolbreeze]

That’s really sweet! I was eyeing it over on their thread. What’s the approximate length & width? Thinking of setting/mounting on top of the pid CC supplies (~ 5 x 3 1/4”) .. maybe.

It's about 3.75" x 5.25", so a little bigger. But you could maybe make a wooden box the same size to fit the PID in and set this on top of?

 

[TedJones]

It's about 3.75" x 5.25", so a little bigger. But you could maybe make a wooden box the same size to fit the PID in and set this on top of?

Heck ya, hobby store! I do like being able to grab the supplied Omega stand, coil, and baller all at the same time to move it with just the power cord to pay attention to

 

[coolbreeze]

Heck ya, hobby store! I do like being able to grab the supplied Omega stand, coil, and baller all at the same time to move it with just the power cord to pay attention to

heck, yeah! diy portable desktops ftw!

 

[fropones]

decided to pull out a few different ball vapes to compare and pare. DC-ELEV8R with rubies, ceramic tiodw with rubies, B0 with gem cut cz. So far I've concluded that they all rip. I'm leaning towards keeping the ceramic to complement the ZX and epitome (with 2.5 cz and 3&4mm rubies) that I've gotten recently.

 

[fropones]

decided to pull out a few different ball vapes to compare and pare. DC-ELEV8R with rubies, ceramic tiodw with rubies, B0 with gem cut cz. So far I've concluded that they all rip. I'm leaning towards keeping the ceramic to complement the ZX and epitome (with 2.5 cz and 3&4mm rubies) that I've gotten recently.

That ELEV8R is a sleeper, though. I don’t think I’ve pulled it out in years, but it hits just as hard as the other ballers, if not harder at lower temps