Buying a starter vape for a friend -- Arizer Solo or ???

[tagtag]

Getting my friends a housewarming gift. I have an Arizer Solo so that is the logical choice for me to provide. Decently affordable and I can tell them how to use it.

They like to have a lot of people around so I'm wondering if there is a plugin alternative that is in the same price range that I should consider.

My three priorities for this gift:
1) Budget
2) Simplicity (use and maintenance)
3) "Quality" -- it doesn't have to feel like it's made out of titanium, but should be expected to work reliably

If no suggestions will start them off with an Arizer, but somewhat hoping there's something that I've missed out there. Even better if it brings it down to $100.

Thanks!

 

[cawshook]

Oh theres a ton of better options here IMO.
One vaporizer I've always wanted is the VapirRise. Has a 4 whip adapter. You can find it for 200.
You have a desktop arizer makes which is the extreme Q. I think that's just a bit cheaper

 

[OF]

I'm a big fan of Solo for new vapers for reasons I'm sure we all understand.

While I don't like cords if there's an alternative, I suggest you consider the Herbal Aire. Same quality of design and function I think, but more powerful (it has a cord to call on rather than modest batteries), a much larger load (about 3 times) making it a 'natural' for larger groups and has lots of flexibility in use. That is you can direct draw, use a whip, put it on a handy WT (both 14 and 18mm adapters built in) and it can blow bags (a sure party pleaser) .

About the same price, same guarantee.

OF

 

[Vicki]

I'm a big fan of Solo for new vapers for reasons I'm sure we all understand.

While I don't like cords if there's an alternative, I suggest you consider the Herbal Aire. Same quality of design and function I think, but more powerful (it has a cord to call on rather than modest batteries), a much larger load (about 3 times) making it a 'natural' for larger groups and has lots of flexibility in use. That is you can direct draw, use a whip, put it on a handy WT (both 14 and 18mm adapters built in) and it can blow bags (a sure party pleaser) .

About the same price, same guarantee.

OF

I agree. I had an Herbalaire and still own a Solo. Both are great units, but the Herbalaire is a little more versatile, IMO, because it can blow bags too, like OF said.

 

[Seren]

The above are all great suggestions, but I'd also like to throw the E-Nano into the mix. I think it matches all three of your search criteria really well. It's priced really competitively. It's very simple to use, and very low maintenance in term of cleaning - you basically only need to clean the stems, just like the Solo. It also oozes quality and looks really beautiful - it would make the perfect house warming gift IMO.

Ok, so it doesn't offer the choice of bags, and IME one load is best suited to just one person, as with the Solo. But, since it's a desktop, you can just take turns with this vape to your hearts content. There's no need for a break to recharge.

I have both the Solo and the E-Nano and I admittedly love both. The Solo has the definite edge in terms of portability, but IMO the E-Nano wins hands down in terms of flavour, vapour production and efficiency.

 

[tagtag]

Thanks all! I'm going to do some reading up on the E-Nano and HerbalAire. Of course easiest to lean towards one that I know. If one is definitely cheaper that would sway me, but glad that the Solo is on your list as well .

 

[Curiousone]

Agreed based on your needs...solo, or the E-nano.

I don't think the Solo does well in groups. At least not with my group of friends...we have serious lungs. If that's the case with your friend, get something more powerful...like the 'Nano

 

[FlyingLow]

Here is why I would recommend LOTUS:

• Fits your Budget at $100-$120 for the whole kit
• While there is some technique, I find that providing new vapor users huge lung-busting hits is crucial in converting combustion smokers to vapers.
• Lotus has a vary familiar design for traditional combustion smokers. Feels just like a standard pipe, and attaches simply to any water piece, so he can use his own existing glass collection.

There are many more reasons, but I think it would absolutely be great for a new vaporer.

 

[stickstones]

Da Buddha

 

[flotntoke]

I'll add another vote for the e-nano. As has been said, you're not going to pass it around too much with the small load, but is easy to dump and reload. Almost as easy as loading snaps into a bong in the old combustion days.

 

[SiDankies]

Pinnacle Pro. Its extremely portable, easy to use (1 button) and hits extremely hard and gives great clouds.

 

[PoisonousHydra]

HerbalAire, or Da Buddha, and not just because I own, and love them both.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Solo, especially after getting a brand new one in the mail yesterday, thanks to my unit still being under warranty.

What would steer me away from it in this specific case is that you mentioned that they "like to have a lot of people around", and I have found the Solo sessions I have had with even three people to be a little lacking. I find you need to really hold onto the Solo for a bit and milk it with some slow, steady sips in order to get to where you want to be, and this is obviously not conducive to a group setting.

The HerbalAire is a great unit, it has the added perk of doing bags, and as mentioned it is very much an all-in-one package. You won't be needing any bits and baubles, or accessories for it for a long time. I've had mine for over a year, and while I admittedly only really use it in bag mode when friends are over, I still haven't even used all of the bags that came with the thing .

I have never heard of anyone being disappointed with a 7th Floor Product (Da Buddha, LSV, or Silver Surfer). Consider ordering a blemished Da Buddha unit straight from 7th Floor themselves. Keep in mind, this means that the unit will have a small dent, scratch, or chip. Mine has a small scratch on the top of the housing, but I assume the main reason it didn't pass quality control is because it is a little wobbly. Fear not: the unit is hefty and it isn't going anywhere. In spite of these units being "blemished" they still have the same 3 year warranty as a new unit would, and mine honestly makes my HerbalAire look like a cheap piece of plastic when they are sitting on the same surface (which I no longer allow). Sadly, it cannot do bags, and it might be a little less party friendly, but I would say that it was overall a better investment. Considering that it uses convection verus conduction, this means that you are not wasting herb while it sits in a hot steel bowl, and the all-glass flavour is hitting in a league above the metallic (plus plastic if using bags) taste of the HerbalAire.

Truth be told, you'd be happy with all three, although I would worry about not being able to savour the Solo fully if it is being passed around too much, as mentioned. I would also suggest the E-Nano on hearsay alone, as I have no personal experience with that unit. The Underdog is also a beautiful unit which is very similar to the E-Nano. I would also ideally suggest perhaps taking a look at the Pax, or the Plenty, but I feel that both of those would probably be out of your budget, although you didn't put a hard cap on it as far as I can tell .

 

[VapeVoice]

If you have vaped with your friend using your solo and he liked it then the Solo is a no brainer IMO. I feel it is the perfect vaporizer for a new vaporist. And you can't beat the prices going around on them right now.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

I wish I had a friend like the OP.

None of my friends buy me shit.

 

[Abysmal Vapor]

I think the vapor brothers original can be found for good money ,check fc discounts !
Whip vape is best for group IMO, better than bags.. cause it deliveres more of knock of your sock high... DBV was my first... I just didn't like the breakage issues with the heater covers just not my angle...

 

[weedemon]

the LSV (made by 7th floor, makers of dabudda, and the silver surfer) is another good option to consider. it does very well in groups and if they already own a GonG style bong then they can jsut use that.

all in all the solo is a great vape, but it doesnt do well in crowds imo.

 

[grokit]

all in all the solo is a great vape, but it doesnt do well in crowds imo.

Hence the name

 

[HillaryClinton]

Hence the name

They should make a slightly bigger one and call it the Multi and make it hold four times as much :-D.

You can send me my idea cut check now Arizer!

 

[weedemon]

Hence the name

heh, I was kind of thinking the same when i posted it

 

[flotntoke]

They should make a slightly bigger one and call it the Multi and make it hold four times as much :-D.

You can send me my idea cut check now Arizer!

They kind of do.... but they call it the Extreme Q!

Seriously tho, they'd need quite a redesign to pull something like this off. IME the solo sometimes has enough trouble keeping the heat up when only being used solo. 2 people isn't too bad if you stay aware of heat level. 3? You'd better be ready to be patient. 4 or more I'd think you better settle in for a pretty long sesh. I'm anxiously awaiting something portable than can easily handle more than a person or 2, but don't think we've seen it yet.

Think the OP is right on track asking about a corded alternative. Many great suggestions here!

 

[HillaryClinton]

I think the vapor brothers original can be found for good money ,check fc discounts !
Whip vape is best for group IMO, better than bags.. cause it deliveres more of knock of your sock high... DBV was my first... I just didn't like the breakage issues with the heater covers just not my angle...

Love my Vapor Brothers, worth it to me, look into it, :-D!

 

[RUDE BOY]

My 2014 solo never seems to lag behind while hitting and the heat indicator lights never really drop much either.

Is mine especial or something ?

 

[PoisonousHydra]

My 2014 solo never seems to lag behind while hitting and the heat indicator lights never really drop much either.

Is mine especial or something ?

Now that I own a 2014 Solo, since mine from 2012 was just returned under warranty, I have to admit that it seems like a much more refined device (as I have over in the Solo thread). Please take my above comments about the Solo to be an indicator of group performance as far as the 2012 model is concerned.

I admittedly have yet to try my 2014 Solo in a group session, and won't likely be able to soon, as I have lost touch with most of friends who partake in vapour.

My initial impressions of the device are that it is a much more refined piece of electronics, seems to run a little warmer on the same setting (which most people attribute to a difference in airflow with the newer models) and a little more sturdy and well put together. I am going to surmise that a more robust device in general will allow for a more enjoyable group session.

I would be willing to wager a guess that many of the people on here complaining about the Solo being ineffectual in group sessions do not own 2014 models. Please correct me if I am wrong, but, until such a time, I must retract my previous position, and climb over the fence onto the side shared with @RUDE BOY. Hey, is it just me or is the grass really green over here....

Postscript: Apparently the heater LED has been redesigned to the extent that it no longer directly indicates the action of the heater, but is more of an indicator of when it is running at full blast. In other words, the Heat LED will not flash nearly as often on any newer Solo because of this. I think people (like me) got annoyed with the almost constant in-your-face blinking of the older models.

 

[RUDE BOY]

I've only used mine with two other people at once and it did keep up with the three of us, still with the bowl size we had to do a few stems. I think it's a fine vape to share between 2 people and use once in a while with 3-4 but as it's already been pointed out it is the 'Solo' and like most portables is a "personal" portable vaporizer and not designed for a big pleasing group session.

 

[cybrguy]

I wish I had a friend like the OP.

None of my friends buy me shit.

I have a suggestion for you. Start buying your friends shit. They are more likely to reciprocate than start up on their own...