A bit of a criticism post incoming while still appreciating how great this vape is. I know some of these gripes have been talked about but I don't think I've chimed in much here.
I love the performance of the XL, but i will say, the stock stem system isn't a great experience in my opinion.
Having to put on a top basket to make a seal, when the entire purpose of the stem is clean glass airpath, is just odd for me.
It's another hot piece to handle as well, and just invades the airpath. Doesn't look pleasant either for those who want a clean, simple vape setup without added pieces.
Also with that, it doesn't make a perfect seal for me. There is play and wiggle, and requires the right angle/pressure to make sure it's actually on straight. As someone who wants repeated variables (as most vaporists do), that's not ideal for me.
I would have preferred just simply an O-Ring around the heater, that the glass presses up against to make a seal. No need for the extra basket.
Not sure why deviate from the original E-Nano setup, that stem system was fun to use.
On top of that, the SonG as a WPA goes against the theme of the E-Nano glass experience imo. Not sure why it's not just a stem that led to a glass 18mm/14mm male end.
Using E-Nanos since 2015, I really can't believe they'd throw Silicone into the vapor path without an alternative choice for water use. Think they said they're waiting on finding a good supplier for glass.
The vape itself is fantastic, there's no doubting it.
@Ed's TnT WonG fixes almost every issue in terms of performance. It lets the E-Nano stand up straight on bubbler with no tilt. It creates a very easy seal against the heater, and is all around a more pleasant experience that feels natural to the E-Nano.
Positives of Ed's setup that E-Nano misses out on
-Little to no wobble of the E-Nano on the bowl
-Great seal
-Beauty of the wood and craftsmanship
-Removes the silicone from the vapor path for WPA
-Removes the extra basket setup and leaves it very clean
-Smaller Inner Diameter - thins the air path to leave less added play to how the heat travels, which also condenses the space for the flower
-Adds heat soaking/conduction which can be great
But for me...
-It leaves the screen un-adjustable (for the most part, some possible tweaking can be done but with added inconveniences)
-Requires a certain usage style/heat because of the depth of the screen.
-Screen clogs a bit easier in my experience
-Wood is not as easy to clean and holds more smell compared to glass
*Requires you to remove the metal stem from the wood to clean the screen and then reassemble, instead of being able to toss everything in ISO with a quick shake.
-Wood won't sit as sturdy as glass in a piece ime. With it being Ed though, the fit is snug and fantastic and drops in easily, as Ed put in a ton of work into making the fit great, but it won't drop in and pull out quite like glass. (that's just personal preference at this point, some prefer how wood interacts with glass).
-Can't be used quite as well as a "stem" in my experience as the vapor path is short with a wide opening, leaving it hot (not it's purpose though, so all good).
What I think would help both Ed's stem as well as E-Nano for myself personally.
E-Nano stem
-Finding a solution to creating a better seal without the need for a top basket (o-ring seems simple solution)
-Reduce the inner diameter of the stem to reduce play when on the heater, would also help create a seal against an o-ring if added
E-Nano WPA
-Remove the SonG and create a male end glass adapter as standard for most WPA's
-Shrink the inner diameter to leave less wiggle
-Hopefully have it be able to stand up on its own
Ed's WPA
When it comes to Ed's WPA for the XL, the magic is in the
SS tube. This is what transforms the XL. The wood is just a means of attaching it to glass and a shelf for the screen (aside from the beauty and feel).
(Ed's WPA is pretty much perfect performance, these are just some things I'd like to see)
-Take that SS tube, and create a sleeve or alter a side of it to allow it to fit in the XL WPA SonG. This way, anyone who already has a SonG and wants a cheap alternative, can just buy the SS Tube at a much lower cost without wood, slide into the SonG instead of the glass tube, and completely replace the XL WPA.
-Take that SS Tube, and have it slide into a glass WPA as well. Same performance, but with glass for those who want that option. Would most likely be less expensive option as well.
-Some way for an adjustable screen in the SS tube. Possibly a flared screen like the standard glass XL screen that can slide, or grooves in the tube for a flat screen to slide into at varying levels.
Hope this didn't come off as mean. I truly love the XL and I think as a vape, it's better than the original E-Nano in almost every way. Just wanted it to feel a bit more seamless when in use.
Thankfully though, Ed's adapter came out so quickly and was pretty incredible.