@Brewervapesalot, I am by no means an expert on the vc. But I'm sure if I misspeak, others will jump in to correct or elaborate on what I said. That's the only way to learn.
While I agree with all your pluses, I beg to differ with following:
"Minuses:"
"- not stealth. At least not with a lighter/flame/torch."
True, but that's where an induction heater or 510 mod comes in.
"- I don't find the omni's adjustable air flow helpful or that it really does much."
I, too, feel this way.
For me, I don't think the Omni assembly provides enough airflow. *Note, DV is sending me a replacement omni assembly to try out as they think mine many be defective. I'll let you know if I change my opinion.
"- I get one hit per heat up, unless I rush.",
I see no problem with this. The amount of hits per heat cycle varies among users. I'd say 1-3 hits is the norm depending on:
- how one draws: how deeply you draw; the longer & deeper you draw not only takes more time, but I would suspect cools down the tip faster as your bringing cool air into the tip, cooling it down even faster.
- the length of time you hold a hit
- the tip used (ss retains more heat than ti)
- how long the tip is heated up for -- some go as far as 3 sec. past click with a lighter. *DV doesn't recommend going more than 2 sec at most so as not to damage the cap.
So all these factors combined affect the hit. I get 1 or 2 hits per cycle. My lungs are sensitive so I don't draw in too deeply so I cough my lungs out & I vary the times I hold it in.
"- Can't always hear the click. Bluetooth ear protection or headphones blocks the sound while working outside on the lawn."
Then simply not a good situation to use it in.
"- vapor is warm. Definitely soar spot on back of my throat from the heat of the vapor."
Throat & lung sensitivity differ. Feather the carb more to let more fresh air in which will reduce the thickness of vapor &, thus, the harshness or take lighter draws. Unfortunately, there are always compromises.
"- two handed operation, mostly."
Not with an IH, or when using inside with a table lighter.
"- zippo looking lighter uses fuel really quickly because the flame doesnt get very small and fuel tank is tiny. Problem is I think it's the classiest looking and most comfortable in my pocket lighter."
Personal choice of giving up efficiency & capacity for ergonomics & aesthetics. Once again, there are always compromises.
"- Have a thicker (or just really thick) cap that stays hot for a long time?"
Try a '17M ss tip which stays hotter longer. Don't know the implication of this, but a thicker cap would also take longer to heat up.
"- integrate a longer vapor path and heat sink into the stem to help cooling. Hard because need to be able to clean. But I was thinking add another tube within a tube to channel the vapor back and forth from the cap end to the mouthpiece end a couple times before it enters your mouth. Then add some fins for cooling on the stem that double a grips for your fingers."
I & the majority of users like the design of the vc just as it is. I say if it ain't broke, don't fix & if it's functioning successfully for the majority, don't change it. And as far as the physics of it what you say, someone else will have to pipe in.
"- sell small portable induction heaters. I like the idea of the heater being separate from the device. This allows some users to marry the non mechanical device with electronics. At the same time, those who don't want electronics and want a simple mechanical device don't have to marry up with an electoral cord."
This I don't understand as Pipes currently makes successful IHs, DV is coming out with one in the coming months (btw, a stealth coffee cup which goes back to your 1st minus of not being stealth because of the lighter) & you could always go the 510 mod route.
- a visual clue that the temperature is right. My Springfield 45 (handgun) has a small metal notch pop out when a round is in the chamber. It's a really nice, simple, feature. Similarly, could the cap on the omni have a small metal piece pop out when it's hot and up to temp?"
Not possible because there is no one right temperature. Temp is a user preference. There are those who don't even care much about vapor, they just want the flavor & to absorb the cannabinoids. If you look in the Best of VapCap thread, you will see several charts showing you the different temps achieved depending on where you position the heat source, for which you have to develop your own preference.
As the weeks & months go by, you will discover more ways to master & personalize your vc usage. It really has a learning curve.
Let me add that for me, like many others, the IH was a game changer. It opened the door for the those of us who struggled with using a lighter successfully. I suspect that to be a bonafide vc expert one has to master the lighter as it gives you total heating control over the cap which in the end determines the quality & quantity of your vapor production, which is what you are striving for.
Please don't stop participating in this thread. We really are a friendly, helpful bunch. Your post shows that you are one of the ones who has taken to the vc right off the bat. You'll be a asset to this thread so do reconsider.
, you can see the heat up time is quite long but i can tell ya, the vapor is taste best, better than triple or single torch.
I demand deal success for the loss of beauty sleep & the bags under my eyes. I went to bed @ 4a on the 21st & slept till 4p & I still could have slept another 12 hours!
, but, no, no heat transfer at all for the regulated 15 sec. heat cycle. You can, however, go the path of 
Just try it once. If you have an omni, just remove the condenser. If you have the omni assembly & an M, then remove the condenser & insert the mp. If no omni assembly, try it with just the M condenserless, although it is much nicer with the mp. If you hate it, so be it. I believe it was 
It might not be desireable for most, but you've shown that it is doable.; and that I'm not 
. It looks like the sweet spot for vapor production is the .5mm carb. I have to assume that you won't be repeating this setup due to your IH usage technique & your love of thick, hard-hitting vapor (If I only had as good lungs.) I could hear how hard you had to pull to get sufficient vapor.
