Desktop for lifetime smoker, any price, UK

[Spaceboy]

hi there, this is my first post, i've been lurking a while trying to get up to speed on the state of the art and so on. as per the title, i've smoked for 25+ years, and when i've had herbals (which is most of that time) i've smoked that exclusively mixed about 30% tobacco, rolled up. so i enjoy the burn a lot, and yet i am starting to have medical issues from it, so really want to make the transition to vapour.

my experience so far is of a few pens, such as the Pax, and a VapourCone elite with herb chamber i got in the US which i used for a while and quite liked, but realise it was probably combusting. then it broke. and i've tried a nice log style one (i think, as it was going through a large pipe, possibly through water although i'm not entirely sure, and was sort of installed in the table, and i didn't prepare it), in Amsterdam last year. i really enjoyed the flavour there, and it gave me hope that i could switch, but i still wondered if it might be too smooth compared to smoking.

things i guess i'm looking for:

- medication. i medicate all day for creative and pain relief purposes, and also for anxiety.
- flavour and 'as-close-to-burn-like-as-is-healthy' satisfaction are about of equal importance to me.
- not a fan of bongs / pipes in general, so looking more for sipping than glugging...
- efficient. my medication costs are high.
- strictly solo home use, no need for any multiplayer features.
- less importantly, low maintenance, durability.

for this reason, the units i seem to be interested in are things like:

- MiniVap: looks well built and designed, portable is a nice bonus, maybe the straw-like attachment would help satisfy the oral addiction?
- Cloud EVO: looks powerful, maybe more aimed at bong users though? read some slightly concerning things regarding warranty and manufacture issues, this is a problem for me because electronics love to die in my hands!
- Volcano: actually have one ordered then had a change of heart. i'm just not sure about the bag coming from smoking.
- E-Nano: love the look of this one, but seems hard to get hold of in the UK... i think the straw would probably work nicely for me, it has temp control, i could always try a water pipe later... (anyone know a reliable way to get these here? how about using UK power with them? would i need some kind of thing?)

- other things i though about: the LSV (it's long! but easily available here compared to the e-nano... edit: not in stock at vapefiend atm) Solo (is it enough for full-time use?)

i worry that the Sublimator also has too many manufacture problems, and it's enormous, so i didn't include that. there were a couple more i looked into but have forgotten the names of due to just getting some mango that's rather nice.

 

[OF]

Solo is worth considering I think. A proven, solid performer with generally long lifespan, although battery replacement will become an issue in the 'few to a dozen thousand sessions' level down the road (probably somewhere between 2,000 and 10,000?).

I also suggest you consider Herbal Aire. A fraction of the price of Volcano but can also 'blow bags'. Or be used with a WT, a whip or directly. It allows you to explore various techniques and is also a very solid product. Also, by chance, made in Canada?

Temperature control is a good feature to look for in your position I think.

You'll need to deal with nicotine addiction of course, but sounds like you're up for that. You also need to plan on swearing off all smoking for a week or two to get the full benefit of vaporizing. On the positive side, you can expect your weed bill to drop to a fraction of what it is now (say 1/2 to 1/4, with 1/3 being about average?). Yes, that means if you smoked say a quarter ounce a week, expect that to last a month. Honestly.

Best wises.

OF

 

[Spaceboy]

thanks for the reply, OF. yes, i've definitely sworn off the tobacco! for good this time.

i actually managed to give up for the first time ever two years ago, and lasted around 9 months. during that time i smoked pures, but also got hold of a pen vape as an experiment and definitely liked it. i somehow failed for no good reason at all and smoked tobacco for another year. i smoked my last mixed one today, and the first of the transitional pures (which i remembered i actually enjoy more.) just got a few days of fighting the cravings but i think cold turkey works best for me.

i will keep smoking pures until i get used to vapourisation. can't wait to get up and running with a good vape, because my lungs are definitely not at their best atm.

i'll look more into the solo and herbalaire thanks, at the moment i'm slightly leaning towards the minivap just because i like to sit on the porch and smoke and contemplate things. the solo would also work well there, i guess?

 

[OF]

i'll look more into the solo and herbalaire thanks, at the moment i'm slightly leaning towards the minivap just because i like to sit on the porch and smoke and contemplate things. the solo would also work well there, i guess?

Absolutely. Solo is my favorite vape to take to the garden these days by far. More than the rest combined, actually. I'm a sipper too, as I supervise the yard and try to keep an eye on the birds and squirrels......

Hang in there on the dumping tobacco. You know the old joke, 'quitting smoking is really very easy, I've done it dozens of times....'? Smoking anything is bad (as is sticking your face in the camp fire.....), tobacco seems to be a special case of that.

BTW, in your quest be sure to get a back up vape. Not having a backup plan for the failure of mission critical gear is sure to eventually lead to making an unfortunate decision in a hurry down the road. Plan ahead. I suggest a cheap, dependable, low cost unit that's fun to use on it's own anyway. Like a Vapor Genie (I'd avoid bats) or a personal fav, Vapman?

Best to learn vaping on a temperature controlled unit I think, but once you have those skills conversion to flame powered units is easy, and kinda fun really. A backup you'll use sometimes anyway?

OF

 

[Wizsteve]

volcano owned one the last 15 years works like a champ,
(find one used for half price,buy a second vape)

for second vape would be aromed 4. (all glass pathway and hot lamp is the heat source)

 

[btka]

i am also from europe you can order the nano on the epicvape homepage... and you need an converter from 110V to 230V... like this http://www.vesalia.de/e_ac-ac-230-110-45.htm (maybe you need another for the uk) ... now i am waiting for mine so can t say something about the nano in detail....

 

[grokit]

things i guess i'm looking for:

- medication. i medicate all day for creative and pain relief purposes, and also for anxiety.
- flavour and 'as-close-to-burn-like-as-is-healthy' satisfaction are about of equal importance to me.
- not a fan of bongs / pipes in general, so looking more for sipping than glugging...
- efficient. my medication costs are high.
- strictly solo home use, no need for any multiplayer features.
- less importantly, low maintenance, durability.

If money is no object, the herbalizer will meet all of your needs and then some, with virtually zero warm-up time and easy maintenance. And even though it's primarily a whip unit, it's one of the few multipurpose vapes in the volcano's league for blowing bags so you can try that as well. Just not sure about europe atm...

 

[MinnBobber]

Hi, miniVAP owner here...............
I started with an el cheapo pen and immediately knew: 1. vaping was the way to go 2. I wanted a high quality vaporizer. After extensive searching/ research I went with the miniVAP and am very very pleased with it. To me, it's the best of the desktop qualities and portable qualities combined. The taste is superb straight from the piece. It has 3 usable heat ranges and you can start at low, then med, then high and get distinctly different flavors. It has huge battery capacity- 3 hours on low and less on higher heats but still a big capacity. You can get an AC "puck" to run it like a dektop.
The miniVAP is easy to load /use. I mostly do the mini wire basket snapped into the silicon dome. Super easy to load that basket/ dump that basket and the unit stays extremely clean. I've had it 2 months and have not had to clean the main chamber yet.
I sip my hits as I'm a lightweight/ don't need much.
I would never have considered adding glass/water etc but was in Amsterdam in May and tried a Verdampfer water/vape piece and a Volcano. Both great in their own way but I like my mV more. Both those were great but sort of cumbersome in their use (bags, mouthpiece switching, BIG Verdampfer). The mVAP gives vapor of equal quality but is compact, simple, basic, straightforward.
I decided to try a small bubbler after Amsterdam as the mV flavor is spectacular but straight vapor is dry and it gave a dry feeling in my lungs, like I might need to cough from the dryness (but didn't).

Initial report for glass/water piece is that vapor is less dry and mighty smooth but some of the taste seems to have disappeared too.....

So, lot of nice options out there but very very happy with miniVAP. I think the basic battery version kit lists for an obscene $860 but VaporNation has it for $519 and they often have sales too.

 

[Mrmrmrmr]

If I was in your position I would seriously consider the enano. I'm sure if you talked with Andy he could work the shipping situation out with you. The efficiency and thick clouds entice many people and I have no doubt you could be one of them. You will most assuredly save money going from smoking to the enano.
Come to the enano side

 

[btka]

He don t have to speak with andy... of corse if he have a question he can write him a mail as i did... but if not... he can order from epicvape homepage directly...

 

[Chill Dude]

+1 Herbalizer. This one is hard to beat based on your criteria. Check it out? I believe you also stated you want to vape at higher temperatures... Herbie goes all the way to 445F for a very intense lung expanding hit.

 

[Spaceboy]

so much good information here! thanks for all your replies. clearly i need to give this a little more thought, but the glowing review of the minivap you give, MinnBobber, makes it sound like the sort of thing i'm looking for.

as regards the e-nano, i could definitely be up for getting one at a later date should i chose to get a solo for a starter (as i want to get vaping right away), due to its cheap cost, whereas i'd perhaps be less inclined to do so having invested in a minivap, and so that's something for me to chew on.

one factor i didn't mention is having a young daughter and the uk situation means a certain amount of discretion is required, hence looking away from large glass pieces and bags. these three all fit that bill quite nicely so i think that helps narrow my search. and the more i think about it, portability is preferable although not required. the herbalizer looks good in the non portable categories due to its discreet nature, but as mentioned not easy to get in the uk.

 

[Wizsteve]

@Spaceboy just make sure they can run on your voltage and hz using a inverter to downstep will void any warranties in most cases (they would blame the inverter or incorrect voltage/hz)

 

[MinnBobber]

Spaceboy, search for YouTube Vapefeind miniVAP review. He does an excellent review. IMO, he uses it on the inefficient end of the scale with big basket full and huge clouds of vapor exhaled. I never see vapor exhaled, do small loads.
Like you, I need to conserve as much as possible with my meager stash of Colorado recreational premo bud. It needs to last a long time.
Stealth/discretion--the black blends right in. I've seen the silver with a Red Bull sticker LOL. My wife doesn't object to my vaping but can start it in bathroom, grind bud, load in basket/cover, set in bedroom, shave, go to bedroom for a couple hits and she has no idea.
Minor downside is it takes 5 minutes to warm up when cold but easy to work around that. Other issue is price but it's a premium unit, medical grade, developed in Spain for med MJ study to deliver THC in best manner. Price--with another brand unit I would have likely gotten 2 different units but not necessary here as it's like a desktop and portable. Downside if you need a truly stealth portable like fit in a jacket or pants pocket.
Many great options, I just like this one a lot.

 

[Spaceboy]

it sounds pretty much perfect for my use case, the only downside being price? in which case, that's something i can swallow when it's about my long-term health. i'm just wondering if there are any advantages of the solo over this? and how would it compare to a log vape, i wonder? are log vapes just called that because they're generally covered in wood? (i'm guessing probably not, haha...)

edit: made an enquiry with vapefiend to see if he has one in stock

 

[btka]

By the way if you are an ex smoker ... it is also or was for me important that the vaping had to be similar to smoking... for example i wanted to see visible big clouds... also draw restriction was big issue for me... some vapes have a draw that is not compareable withthe draw from a cigarette... for that reason i can recommend bag vapes no draw restriction and for me it felt more like smoking... but there are off course people on fc which had the opputunity to use more desktop vapes then me i only used the volcano until now as my plugin vape... my e nano is on its way ..... and i alsu own a pax and cera but these are portable vapes.....

 

[Seren]

I own both the E-Nano and Solo, and I'm also in the UK. Both are great vaporisers IMO - each having their own specific pro's and cons. I bought the Solo first - as it enabled me to vaporise anywhere really - and therefore reduced the risk of me being tempted to roll one up. I later bought the Nano for the convenience of always having a vaporiser good to go - without the need for a charge. Now I tend to mostly use the Nano at home, and take the Solo when visiting mates or when out in the garden like OF. You say you're keen on discretion - both are stealthy in the sense that most people would buy the story that they are just aromatherapy devices - I have my Nano on permanent view - and less herb friendly family members haven't batted an eyelid when I've spun them that yarn

Good luck with choosing. All the recommended vapes are worth consideration - but at the end of the day you're the best judge of what's best for you

 

[Curiousone]

While I loved my solo and it was a great first vape for me...I hesitate to suggest it for a heavy user coming straight from combustion because you will eventually want something more powerful. it's a great starting point and a great back=up, but I believe you should really get a plugin unit based on your needs.

 

[tuk]

I doubt there is anything that hits bigger, is tastier or more weed-economical than the SSV at the same price point(£105).

Not to mention how well suited the SSV is for making the transition from combustion to vaping, zero draw resistance, massive thick clouds from tiny(0.03g) loads, you can easily combust with the SSV if that's what you want to do.

As for durability & heavy use, 7th floor have a SSV unit switched on 24/7 in their showroom...& it's been switched on for the last 8 years.

If you decide later to get another vape, the SSV will serve as a great benchmark to compare all other vapes & will be overkill as a backup(if your #1 fails) ...& can double as a dab station using the oil kit.

What are you waiting for?

http://silversurfervap.com/sale-items.html

 

[Spaceboy]

thanks again for all the suggestions. still giving this a lot of thought. no reply as yet from vapefiend, maybe should try ringing him. for that reason, currently thinking about getting a solo + mflb for backup / travel combo at least until i can figure
out more of what i'm looking for in a plugin? the solo does sound good!

done 56 hours without tobacco now, feeling better already haha

 

[tuk]

Be aware wireless vapes are generally less powerful than plugins ...in the same way that wireless drills, strimmers, shavers or anything else electrical is less powerful when not mains wired.

 

[KeroZen]

Nobody recommended you the Vapolution 2 so far, so I feel obliged to do it, it's an excellent unit and the price is very sweet with the FC coupon.

 

[grokit]

Another sweet price is the da buddha vaporizer, when it's on massdrop and it just dropped:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/da-buddha-vaporizer?mode=guest_open&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=18+_5-14&utm_campaign=Product Announcement 2014-07-02

 

[Spaceboy]

thanks again for the suggestions!

still confused, but realised i'm in less of a massive rush. my heart tells me i want the enano, but it's a faff to get it from the US, even tho it's possible.

of the stuff easily available in the UK, solo seems really safe as a starter / backup. or something pricier from the off? (cloud evo, lsv...) or the all-in-one minivap?

the good news is no tobacco for over three days now, think i could be out of the woods on that front at least. no intolerable cravings so far, been trying to roll up the same amount of herb that i would normally but just without the tobacco, and resist the temptation to use more for the sake of more burning satisfaction. these super skinny rollups don't fill me with joy in the same way a large, long doob does, but maybe that'll actually help the transition to vaping, as i'll hopefully get more vaping time out of the same material than i would burning... when i can figure out the unit to order, that is!

 

[btka]

Congratulaation for not smoking tabacco....

But i can t understand why its a hassle to order the nano from us epicvape.com ... i am also from europe and ordered one, as long as you posses a paypal account or credit card there should be no problems... if you hAve any questions i think you can write epicvape an email... and they will answer you... but as long as i didn t recive my nano its already shipped... i can t tell you more about the nano and performance of it.... good luck....