Considering my first portable vape

[1337Dude]

I've been using Da Buddah for a couple of years and I think I'd really like to have a portable vape that I can bring around with me conveniently. I did a lot of research on this many months ago and came to the conclusion that the Arizer Solo would best suit my needs. It doesn't necessarily need to be discrete (weed is legal where I live), it just needs to deliver the best vapor quality and have the longest battery life for the price.

What do you guys think? Any new vapes that are better than the Arizer Solo for a similar price?

 

[Caligula]

For the price? Not unless you are considering flame based vapes... however you specifically said it needs to have good battery life so given that you are looking at electric units, the Solo is a solid choice.

 

[1337Dude]

For the price? Not unless you are considering flame based vapes... however you specifically said it needs to have good battery life so given that you are looking at electric units, the Solo is a solid choice.

I'd consider a flame-based vape if it was any good. I've just never given that type of vape much thought.

I'll raise my budget to $175, slightly higher than the Arizer Solo. Something with oil vaporization capabilities would be nice too, but not if it comes at significant cost to flower vapor quality.

 

[Caligula]

I'd consider a flame-based vape if it was any good. I've just never given that type of vape much thought.

I'll raise my budget to $175, slightly higher than the Arizer Solo.

I have no experience with flame vapes so Ill bow out on that one. Im sure others will chime in on that aspect.

I can tell you that if you don't care about ultimate stealth, the Solo is impossible to beat as far as electric portables are concerned (within it's price range) in regards to flavor, efficiency, and battery life.

Also, if you don't mind having to plug it in, I am having an awesome time bringing my EpicVapes E-nano with me. Thing is rock solid and is actually smaller than a Solo.

 

[vorrange]

I'd consider a flame-based vape if it was any good. I've just never given that type of vape much thought.

I'll raise my budget to $175, slightly higher than the Arizer Solo. Something with oil vaporization capabilities would be nice too, but not if it comes at significant cost to flower vapor quality.

Well, to be honest in terms of vapor quality i prefer the one in my Lotus than in the Solo, both in taste and thickness. Only difference is there are no fixed temps but it is easy to master.

If you consider battery or autonomy, the Lotus gives you 2 days and the Solo gives you 2 hours.

 

[stickstones]

I can't think of a better vape for you than the Solo. and if you have already done the homework and come to that conclusion yourself, go get it!

 

[natural farmer]

Well, to be honest in terms of vapor quality i prefer the one in my Lotus than in the Solo, both in taste and thickness. Only difference is there are no fixed temps but it is easy to master.

If you consider battery or autonomy, the Lotus gives you 2 days and the Solo gives you 2 hours.

Once again I will have to agree... The Lotus will give you better autonomy, better taste, better efficiency, bigger high for the same load and will probably last you long enough for your kids to enjoy in the future. Compared to the Solo.
A battery powered with similar attributes vaporizer would be the new FireFly but get ready to plug it in after every use. Same goes for the Solo about the charging but maybe after 2-3 bowls.

 

[vorrange]

Not 2-3 bowls NF, more like 10-12...

The only thing i can say about the Lotus is that it is noticeable, and it is not a good vape to bring to a public venue and use it in the open. BUT, since you can finish a bowl in less than 2min, it is great for a quick 1-2 in a secluded place and then joining the party again.

I like that trade off because the Lotus gives good flavour, good extraction, good autonomy and it is quick to use clean and put away.

Since i live in a place where cannabis is ilegal, and although people are somewhat permissive, i don't mind anymore if i can't use it where i'm at.
I know that if i really want to get high i just need to "take a piss".

 

[natural farmer]

Not 2-3 bowls NF, more like 10-12...

The only thing i can say about the Lotus is that it is noticeable, and it is not a good vape to bring to a public venue and use it in the open. BUT, since you can finish a bowl in less than 2min, it is great for a quick 1-2 in a secluded place and then joining the party again.

I like that trade off because the Lotus gives good flavour, good extraction, good autonomy and it is quick to use clean and put away.

Since i live in a place where cannabis is ilegal, and although people are somewhat permissive, i don't mind anymore if i can't use it where i'm at.
I know that if i really want to get high i just need to "take a piss".

I like to recharge my Solo before the lights get lower than 4-5 just to condition the battery better... Very good writing! I am in my dad's workplace right now and I think I 'll need to take a piss as I write this post...

 

[Caligula]

I like to recharge my Solo before the lights get lower than 4-5 just to condition the battery better... Very good writing! I am in my dad's workplace right now and I think I 'll need to take a piss as I write this post...

Pretty sure the major factor is not topping the charge off, versus not running the battery low. @OF?

 

[natural farmer]

I don't take everything OF says as a rule… I have read a lot about batteries at the battery university site and what I got from this was not to let lithium batteries go below 60-70% as that counts for a power cycle. Batteries have standard power cycles in their lifespan. from 300 to 1000 or more. The more power cycles you get them through the weaker the battery gets and that is also backed by my experience so far. I am leaving my laptop plugged in as much as I can and my battery has lasted for more than 5 years now and is at 74% capacity. My first one died in a year when I let it go through power cycles (more than 500)… Thank god for that replacement program…

 

[OF]

Pretty sure the major factor is not topping the charge off, versus not running the battery low. @OF?

Yes, that's my understanding:
"Most Li-ions are charged to 4.20V/cell and every reduction of 0.10V/cell is said to double cycle life. For example, a lithium-ion cell charged to 4.20V/cell typically delivers 300–500 cycles. If charged to only 4.10V/cell, the life can be prolonged to 600–1,000 cycles; 4.00V/cell should deliver 1,200–2,000 and 3.90V/cell 2,400–4,000 cycles. Table 4 summarizes these results."
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries

This is also a factor in storage (or standby), they degrade faster at higher charge levels just sitting there.

I don't take everything OF says as a rule… I have read a lot about batteries at the battery university site and what I got from this was not to let lithium batteries go below 60-70% as that counts for a power cycle.

You should not take anything I have to say as any more than my honest experience and advice, I make no claim to be an authority but rather back up as much of what I say as I can. That's what you should depend on, the sources I cite. Like the above 'Battery University' page on the subject. I see nowhere in it information to back up the idea that constant charging to full voltage is a good thing. In fact, the opposite.

Or that depth of discharge (to say 3.0 Volts?) is a significant factor.

The math seems simple enough to me. Normally you get 300 to 500 cycles (depending mostly on temperature). Reduce the charge by 10% and you double that number., and 80% improvement in total useful capacity. Do that again, give up 20% per cycle by going to 4.0 instead and you again double the number of now 80% cycles. Four times as many times .80 is 320%, over 200% improvement, more than triple the number of sessions over the battery life time. Some will see that as a good thing.

This idea is also backed up by the Military specifying exactly this. For gear they want very long battery life in (don't want to deal with battery failure) they specify a charge under 4.0 Volts to force the makers to use more battery capacity (charged to lower voltages) to give that lifespan, despite the cost and weight increases:
"Lithium-ion is charged at approximately 4.2 ± 0.05 V/cell except for "military long life" that uses 3.92 V to extend battery life. Most protection circuits cut off if voltage greater than 4.3 V or temperature greater than 90 °C is reached. Below 2.50 V/cell the battery protection circuit may render the battery unchargeable with regular charging equipment. Most battery circuits stop at 2.7–3.0 V/cell."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery

Thanks to Al Gore inventing the Internet, each guy can do the reading and make up his own mind.

OF

 

[1337Dude]

I like what I see regarding the Lotus. I definitely recognize the downfall in building a vaporizer around a non-interchangeable battery. But what about torch lighters and fuel? You don't find yourselves burning through it quickly? What would be the best torch to use with it?

 

[natural farmer]

Yes, that's my understanding:
"Most Li-ions are charged to 4.20V/cell and every reduction of 0.10V/cell is said to double cycle life. For example, a lithium-ion cell charged to 4.20V/cell typically delivers 300–500 cycles. If charged to only 4.10V/cell, the life can be prolonged to 600–1,000 cycles; 4.00V/cell should deliver 1,200–2,000 and 3.90V/cell 2,400–4,000 cycles. Table 4 summarizes these results."
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries

This is also a factor in storage (or standby), they degrade faster at higher charge levels just sitting there.



You should not take anything I have to say as any more than my honest experience and advice, I make no claim to be an authority but rather back up as much of what I say as I can. That's what you should depend on, the sources I cite. Like the above 'Battery University' page on the subject. I see nowhere in it information to back up the idea that constant charging to full voltage is a good thing. In fact, the opposite.

Or that depth of discharge (to say 3.0 Volts?) is a significant factor.

The math seems simple enough to me. Normally you get 300 to 500 cycles (depending mostly on temperature). Reduce the charge by 10% and you double that number., and 80% improvement in total useful capacity. Do that again, give up 20% per cycle by going to 4.0 instead and you again double the number of now 80% cycles. Four times as many times .80 is 320%, over 200% improvement, more than triple the number of sessions over the battery life time. Some will see that as a good thing.

This idea is also backed up by the Military specifying exactly this. For gear they want very long battery life in (don't want to deal with battery failure) they specify a charge under 4.0 Volts to force the makers to use more battery capacity (charged to lower voltages) to give that lifespan, despite the cost and weight increases:
"Lithium-ion is charged at approximately 4.2 ± 0.05 V/cell except for "military long life" that uses 3.92 V to extend battery life. Most protection circuits cut off if voltage greater than 4.3 V or temperature greater than 90 °C is reached. Below 2.50 V/cell the battery protection circuit may render the battery unchargeable with regular charging equipment. Most battery circuits stop at 2.7–3.0 V/cell."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery

Thanks to Al Gore inventing the Internet, each guy can do the reading and make up his own mind.

OF

Charging plays a major role based on what the bat uni says but so do power cycles, discharging and discharging depth… In my experience, I have been able to prolong bat life by keeping the charger attached as much as possible and by not allowing deep discharges. I think I am in line with the bat uni with what I say… From the bat uni page: "A partial discharge reduces stress and prolongs battery life. Elevated temperature and high currents also affect cycle life."

I like what I see regarding the Lotus. I definitely recognize the downfall in building a vaporizer around a non-interchangeable battery. But what about torch lighters and fuel? You don't find yourselves burning through it quickly? What would be the best torch to use with it?

A butane filling for the standard lighters lasts a day of full use, refilling takes 3-5 secs… Come over to the Lotus thread for questions. This might not be the proper thread…

 

[1337Dude]

Well, I've got those details figured out now. I suppose I'm still slightly on the fence. I read a couple negative reviews about the Lotus saying that they personally found the process of taking a hit being annoying after awhile compared electric portable vaporizers. Is it really all that annoying? They say they feel like they're going cross-eyed trying to focus on the heat-spot. Does the size of the stem influence this maybe?

 

[natural farmer]

Sorry about the proper thread comment... I was half asleep yesterday! lol

Yes, the truth is that with the shorter stem some people might find it harder to focus on the hot plate. That's why the manufacturer also has the longer pipe. Most people get the long one I think, as it also cools down the vapour slightly better.
Where did you read those reviews?
Not only it's not annoying hitting the lotus but it's a quite a relaxing and personal experience. It's very close to smoking a tobacco pipe... You feel like Gandalf somehow! Especially with long Sherlocks/jhooks attached to the WA! lol
Annoying is having to recharge all the time and when you need it the most find yourself with an empty battery cause you were too high to remember to plug it in... Long, slow inhales that hurt your throat are also very annoying with most battery vapes!
And the only one that can really compare to the lotus right know in taste, speed, vapor production, vapor quality, efficiency and effects is the Firefly. You just have to have a plug available all the time...

 

[1337Dude]

I'll take you on your word and purchase it. I'd love to justify getting the bong attachment but I don't have any bongs anymore since I've moved onto vaporizing. I was just going to get the kit + the scoop. Hope the shipping isn't slow.

 

[natural farmer]

Scoop is not necessary imo. The stem makes the best scoop ever! Just get the vapor cap, the long pipe and a ligter or two and then order a dozen torches to have as back ups from dx.com. They cost less than 2$ over there and it's a steal.
I prefer the pipe from a bong as well. You don't loose taste and potency this way. Water holds some stuff back. Not necessary with the lotus though. It's already pretty smooth when you get the hung of it and keep hits hot and short! Maybe also get a nice Ryot Packratz pouch to hold everything safe instead of the awful Lotus pouch. The big version fits the Lotus great! You won't regret it mate! Best spent cash ever!

 

[1337Dude]

I won't really travel much with it so I'm sticking with the standard pouch for now. I decided that you're right, the scoop isn't necessary. Can't wait for the arrival.

 

[Caligula]

Be sure to let us know what you think after you get it!

 

[elevation]

I just wanted to say that i personally enjoy my original Davinci vaporizer a LOT more than my Arizer Solo.
The fact that it has a bigger bowl, a much less restricted airflow and that it can be used while charging makes this my favorite vaporizer.

A lot of people here like the Solo more, but i just wanted to throw something else on the table in case you haven't thought about it.

 

[vorrange]

I see you already chose the Lotus, you won't regret it.

One word about hitting it: I don't find it awkward or difficult to focus on the flame with the short stem and, like NF said, it is quite confortable to hit and hold.

I like that you can hit it and leave it for a while, and hit it again after 10min and know that none of it has gone to waste.
That coupled with the ability to extend the session for half an hour or kill it in 2-3 hits makes it perfect for me since it is much more versatile than most vaporizers, portable and stationary.