i don't have any sophisticated measuring equipment and this is not a scientific test, just my observation on using my unit. when i pack about 1/4 of the normal bowl, i get about 10 hits. thing is, when i pack my arizer dome screen dbv wand, i use only about 30-40% of the 1/4 bowl and i also get 10 hits* (subjective, depends on person), good hits that really zones me out (and i use brick herb). less seems to be more, i don't know why (actually, i'm just happy with the result and couldn't be bothered). anyway, i haven't really used the normal dbv bowl ever since i got the dome screen attachment. the dome screen really ups the efficiency stakes for the dbv and allows me to use just a dash to get to me desired level. i tried using even less that this when i don't want to get too high, just buzzed.
yeah, like FLskwat and some others, we find that the dbv allows for easy mods that really ups the efficiency factor for the unit. i used to mix tobacco with mj for my joints last time to conserve but now i don't even think about reusing my avb or cleaning my wand to get the hash because i am using so little (plus, i prefer clean wands). these days, i only use the normal dbv bowl when i have friends around or when i mix 'the herb' with other herbs.
SUMMARY of the arizer dome screen mod (thank you to other mod users for contribution):
this mod for the dbv/ssv is not for everyone, some just prefer the normal style hits. of course, you can load your ssv/dbv normal bowl and take a bit, save the rest for later but it's just more fun finishing the bowl! So for those who wanna mod their dbv with the dome screen and encounter issues, please remember that there is a learning curve as well, just need some fine tuning.
issues:
1. Much easier to combust as the herb is closer to the heater - if you use normal temp like a normal wand, it will turn black/combust real fast as it is now much closer to the heater. please try vaping at lower temps. i vape using the dome screen at minimum temp, just above the opening 'click' of my dbv. you may want to slightly increase temp after a few hits.
2. The Dome screen can easily become stuck in the end of the female GG connection. Fixing this is a pain. -
for the dbv: yes, you have to use it hands free + lightly, don't push the wand in too tight (no hands free, no forcing into the hc). And the steel mesh is somewhat 'flexible' so the dome screen gets looser after a few times of inserting/removing from the wand and easier for it to get stuck in the hc. Just 'tighten' it when it is in the wand by pressing the inside of the steel mesh of the dome screen 'outwards'. this clamps the screen tighter to the wand, and will minimise chances of it getting stuck in the hc. even then, sometimes when i am high i forget and jam the damn thing up the hc!
for the ssv, pre shape the dome screen to fit the wand firmly, and only do this on standard wand! according to FLskwat, the dome screen fits even better with the SSV (edge to edge with the wand, no "separation") than the dbv (though it still works good with the dbv). Check posts #1442 to #1446 for the ssv (picture there):
http://www.fuckcombustion.com/viewtopic.php?id=3&p=58
3. packing the bowl and stirring - pack enough to cover the screen, not too much and because you are using so little herb you can pack it tight like a pancake! So, no worries about herb spilling (or even if you don't fill the whole of the screen because it is so close to the heater). and i stir once every 4 hits. so with about 8-9 hits* i stir maybe once/twice every session. stir slowly n carefully cause 1-2 pieces of herb falling out could mean 10-20% less of dome bowl load.
note that Flskwat commented somewhere "don't pack the dome screen too tight or too full, and as always with the ssv, inhale fast/hard while constantly moving the wand". no need to pack full, less is more in this case! i got no issue with the packing tight though, please try either way.
4. good for sharing between 2 people? not really, in my opinion the dome screen mod is best used solo. comparatively, 1 normal load is maybe about 3-4 dome screen loads.
5. pricing - i have seen it sold for between usd5-9 for 2 dome screens. the screen quality is good so it will last quite awhile.
http://www.vaporizerkits.com/products/Arizer-Mesh-Screen-Pack.html
here are some pics where i load about 20-25% of the arizer dome on my dbv and i think you can get about 8-10 hits* depending on how a person pulls. my unit turns on at about 7.40 so i just leave it at about 8-8.30 for the whole session. pack the herb tight like a pancake and depending on preference, stir every hit or my choice now is to stir every 3-4 hits. experiment and try for yourself.
* after using the dbv for some months now, my preferred hits are much longer so i average maybe 4-6 hits instead. note that the number of hits is very subjective and depends on the breathe & hitting technique of the individual.
how much i put into the arizer dome screen
the avb