If you're similar to ol' EDA, then you'll want to save this post for while you're on the crapper first thing in the morning. It'll fit right in...
Cause it's a big pile of shit, see?
ESV or FF ?
Here's the short version: Firefly for (mostly) at home, and ESV for (mostly) on the road. While plenty of crossover is possible, home use plays to the FF's strengths, and away-from-home use plays to the ESV's strengths, IMO.
So... both.
Yeah, I know. Pretty weak.
But this is somewhat an apples-to-oranges comparison here, even though they're both high-end on-demand convection dry herb portables. But I think they've been designed for rather different purposes.
I am fond of both of these devices - wouldn't be able to pick one or the other because they work pretty well as a team. I appreciate and enjoy the differences. Now I have the FF to meet my (mostly) daytime portable needs at home, and the ESV to do the same on the road. And a Solo to finish off all the ABV...
They both offer serious efficiency. I mention this early on because if you're like me, then the 100 % legal herbs that you seek cannot just be found down at the local store. Or even at a bordering state's local store. I'm lucky if my legal herbs even have a name. So... literally, EVERY toke matters when you find something good. It really does. I can't afford to let material drift away to conduction until late at night when I'm reusing ABV.
Okay, comparison time.
Taste
In my mind, this one is pretty obvious. When you want to savor flavor, the FF is the way to go, IMO.
I've certainly never seen Blueberry Diesel, or even know what it is, and am definitely not enjoying it right now with a very smug, satisfied look on my face, but if I were, I would imagine that it would taste fucking exquisite in the FF.
The ESV flavor is pretty darn good too, but I think the FF gives a bit more of a pure flavor. But for usage away from home, the flavor the ESV has to offer is great and won't feel like a compromise...
Looks
Again, to me, this one is pretty obvious. The FF is sleek and eye-catching and you want to show it off. It screams class and elegance. The ESV is... a black metal box. Plain and blah. It doesn't scream anything. Makes it perfect for using while you're on-the-go. And the FF can stay at home on the fireplace mantle or coffee table for when you get home...
Ease of Use
This one probably goes to ESV, due to its adjustable heat settings and lack of leaning curve and no heat button to press. Although when "mastered," a FF can offer a more unique experience, IMO.
You have to stir more with the ESV over the FF, IME. Often, if I grind, I don't have to stir at all with the FF, and it gives an even burn with a little shaking. The ESV will not give an even burn without stirring, and even with stirring I didn't find my ABV to be very even. Shaking seems to help it a little bit.
Trying to get the chamber open AND stir while on the go can be a serious pain in the ass with the ESV. With the FF, it's less difficult, but probably less stealthy.
Nevertheless, the ESV is certainly the more portable of the two, and more pocketable. The ability to charge it easily from an external battery pack is really nice.
With the ESV, you can at least check the battery level by hooking it up to the comp. Although, if your experience is similar to mine, you must supply your own cable! With the FF, you start to learn how long a battery lasts for your own particular usage.
Both, IME, benefit from a little "priming." Although, without priming, very tasty!
Neither give you many extra screens to work with. Lame!
For both, the ABV can be deceptively light, with the ESV ABV more prone to have little dark bits mixed in with light bits. Putting the material in the Solo will yield some wispy vapor, and turn the material much darker, but will have very little actual effect, IME.
Smell
Both units are NOT smelly, IMO. They ain't smell-free, but I wouldn't think twice about walking around with either in my pocket. If you pack them away and zip them up and then open it up later, some aroma will come out, but nothing worth worrying about unless you're not vaporizing 100% legal herbs and are opening up your case in the middle of a police station directly under a well trained police officer's nose in a room free of any other smells whatsoever.
Convection! Never again will I buy a conduction portable....
Stealth
ESV, all the way. I sat there today in a busy public place on a bench with the ESV and it could not have gone smoother. Now, I had nothing to worry about, as I was vaporizing 100% legal herbs, but I was worried people might think I wasn't. Luckily, there was virtually no smell created, so people knew I was a good, decent, honest, law-abiding citizen, and not some sort of weed degenerate.
Battery
Well, depends on how you look at it. The ESV, IMO, offers fantastic battery life, all things considered. The amount of power it can give off for how long it can give it off is impressive. But you will have downtime. And depending on your connection, it can charge pretty slowly. And, AFAIK, the batts are not replaceable? The FF battery life ain't great, but are designed to be changed in a second. They charge much faster. With the external charger and extra battery, you're never waiting. But you have to pay for that luxury.
I just like to have the ESV fully charged and packed and ready to go by the car keys. And with my FF, I just use it until the battery goes dead then switch it up and charge it up.
Loading
Slight edge to FF because it's so much easier to open.
Heat Up Time
Slight edge to ESV. But we're talking SECONDS here. Hard to believe, isn't it?
Cleaning
Slight edge to FF, because it's so much easier to open and get to all necessary areas. But, with some little effort, the ESV cleaning might be a little more thorough. Maybe a tie?
Airpath
This one goes to FF, and is reflected in the flavor quality, IMO. Plus, I've seen the entire airpath of the FF.
Build Quality
This one goes to the FF. My ESV had glue spills and scratches and a flaky temp level button right out of the box. My FF was perfect, and still looks incredible 9 months later. My ESV already looks beat up.
Conversely:
While the FF is built tough, the ESV seems specifically built to be thrown around and take a beating - except for the temp level switch.
Maybe another tie?
Grinding
This one matters to me, because I hate grinding. A no-grind / no-tear technique (whole nugs of 100 % legal herbs
) using the FF takes a while to master, but resulted, for me, in the best flavor I've ever experienced. I have been unable to repeat this effect with the ESV. I think the ESV GREATLY benefits from grinding. Good thing I have that gigantic Space Case laying around...
Price
With a 20% off Vapor Nation code, the edge here goes to ESV.
EDA's Final Thoughts...
At the end of the day, I like my FF more, due to my "Master's" technique and to the remarkable flavor it can give. Maybe that will change? I prefer the FF design and its style. And it just feels like a higher quality product .
I feel like the Monopoly Man when I'm using it. Like I just struck millions of gallons of oil and I'm celebrating with a vape session instead of a cigar. I am an Oil Man! It offers a luxurious experience all its own, weighing in heavily on the vape signature scale.
But the ESV seems like a solid product that is great for use away from home, especially for lightweights and the one, two, three hits and quit type of user. I think it offers a more predictable experience, which helps it be such an effective portable. It is definitely a no-brainer with excellent flavor. The USB cable connection is a real plus. And the idea of software upgrades is exciting. The ESV has oodles of potential.
I must say that I did not expect to like my ESV as much as I do. Even though it's not quite as easy to use on-the-go as I'd like, and I have plenty of "Why didn't I get any vapor?" moments, it's the easiest that I've used away from home. I don't think I'll ever use it much at home, but I can see medical patients who need instant relief at regular high temps using it there...
It's also nice to keep next to the bed at night. But I actually prefer the FF next to the bed. At night, I love to take one or two tokes of 100% legal herbs and just let that flavor be in my thoughts as I fall asleep. Blueberry or Strawberry or Pineapple as your eyes close .... mmm. It's also perfect for first thing in the morning.
So yeah. FF at home, ESV on the road.
The FF is a showpiece; the ESV is a "sneaker."
And if the FF is a musical instrument, then the ESV is something out of the toolbox.
), but I am having a lot of fun with it. If the level of success continues, this ESV will be my on-the-go vaporizer while my FF can stay safe at home...
