charliedontsurf
Medical
My previous post has been completely nuked and rewritten based on the fact that my initial impressions were mostly all wrong.
Update: I've made a video of the vapobowl in use for the forum's use only: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glByVqeFKRg
The glass vapobowl is a European or Asian "knock off" of the vaporstar vaporizer, and is distinct in several ways. I will say here, because it's essential, that both should have their diffuser screens removed upon delivery, and both should be used with jet lighters as opposed to bic-type lighters. Bics not only work less effectively, they deposit soot and taste like shit.
Differences
-Glass versus wood bowl
-2 height position for the screen to be set at, versus one
-A more efficient diffuser IMO
-Available in 14.4 and 18.8, versus a 14.4 which also fits in a 7mm grommeted piece.
-Vaporstar can be had for about 30-35 shipped to US, vapobowl for 27-35 to US.
-Vaporstar can be found at larger, more trustworthy, less blatantly psychedelic websites, as of this post.
I have both and have found the glass vapobowl to be far superior, mostly on the basis of the first two points. There is a compete absence of wood flavor when using the vapobowl, something which bothered me on almost every hit out of the vaporstar. The vaporstar required the jet lighter be arched across the intake at a 90 degree angle, just so you wouldn't set the bowl aflame. The all glass nature of the vapobowl means you can use a 25-45 degree angle, aiming it at a deflected angle into the intake, which works far better. I can say that the GonG joint is actually very thick (if you take the time to notice or have blown glass, the actual joint qualities and thicknesses vary alot) and the bowl is expertly made, the superfluous "Vapo-Bowl" etching flawlessly applied, the ice pinches equal and even and well relaxed after they were pressed in.
Honestly, my vaporstar lives in a box now, and the vapobowl is used in a rotation with the DBV, Herbalaire, and mflb. I find that the 18.8 mm joint is now my preferred and so that is another edge over the vaporstar: my argument is that 18.8 to 14mm converters are inexpensive and mount almost completely flush, while a 14 - 18.8 is inherently more expensive and sticks out like a sore thumb.
Edit: I would no longer say definitely that the Glass VB is my "favorite vape," it still has a place but competes with the HA, MW, and Glass VG.
Drawback of the vapobowl:
- As far as I know, this is a faceless, nameless, email-ess company. We don't even have an assurance as to what the metal cap is made of, and it does bother me. We can hope for stainless steel, but who knows? Vaporstar has a big edge here.
-If you want to count it, it's as fragile as any other GonG bowl, while vaporstar is wood. The trade off in performance is so big I don't even blink at this.
Other vaporizers to consider along these lines would the Vapocane, the vaporpro, the glass vaporgenie and the elusive Cleardome flame filter.
02/11 addition :
Cold Start Instructions: I now advocate blasting the metal heat cap with the jet flame for 5 or 7 seconds without inhaling before I begin to inhale. This preheats it nicely and leaves you with a bare minimum of unnecessary air in your lungs. Unless the bowl is massive I think the material is in no danger of really vaping whatsoever while you aren't inhaling.
Update: I've made a video of the vapobowl in use for the forum's use only: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glByVqeFKRg
The glass vapobowl is a European or Asian "knock off" of the vaporstar vaporizer, and is distinct in several ways. I will say here, because it's essential, that both should have their diffuser screens removed upon delivery, and both should be used with jet lighters as opposed to bic-type lighters. Bics not only work less effectively, they deposit soot and taste like shit.
Differences
-Glass versus wood bowl
-2 height position for the screen to be set at, versus one
-A more efficient diffuser IMO
-Available in 14.4 and 18.8, versus a 14.4 which also fits in a 7mm grommeted piece.
-Vaporstar can be had for about 30-35 shipped to US, vapobowl for 27-35 to US.
-Vaporstar can be found at larger, more trustworthy, less blatantly psychedelic websites, as of this post.
I have both and have found the glass vapobowl to be far superior, mostly on the basis of the first two points. There is a compete absence of wood flavor when using the vapobowl, something which bothered me on almost every hit out of the vaporstar. The vaporstar required the jet lighter be arched across the intake at a 90 degree angle, just so you wouldn't set the bowl aflame. The all glass nature of the vapobowl means you can use a 25-45 degree angle, aiming it at a deflected angle into the intake, which works far better. I can say that the GonG joint is actually very thick (if you take the time to notice or have blown glass, the actual joint qualities and thicknesses vary alot) and the bowl is expertly made, the superfluous "Vapo-Bowl" etching flawlessly applied, the ice pinches equal and even and well relaxed after they were pressed in.
Honestly, my vaporstar lives in a box now, and the vapobowl is used in a rotation with the DBV, Herbalaire, and mflb. I find that the 18.8 mm joint is now my preferred and so that is another edge over the vaporstar: my argument is that 18.8 to 14mm converters are inexpensive and mount almost completely flush, while a 14 - 18.8 is inherently more expensive and sticks out like a sore thumb.
Edit: I would no longer say definitely that the Glass VB is my "favorite vape," it still has a place but competes with the HA, MW, and Glass VG.
Drawback of the vapobowl:
- As far as I know, this is a faceless, nameless, email-ess company. We don't even have an assurance as to what the metal cap is made of, and it does bother me. We can hope for stainless steel, but who knows? Vaporstar has a big edge here.
-If you want to count it, it's as fragile as any other GonG bowl, while vaporstar is wood. The trade off in performance is so big I don't even blink at this.
Other vaporizers to consider along these lines would the Vapocane, the vaporpro, the glass vaporgenie and the elusive Cleardome flame filter.
02/11 addition :
Cold Start Instructions: I now advocate blasting the metal heat cap with the jet flame for 5 or 7 seconds without inhaling before I begin to inhale. This preheats it nicely and leaves you with a bare minimum of unnecessary air in your lungs. Unless the bowl is massive I think the material is in no danger of really vaping whatsoever while you aren't inhaling.
My MFLB made me come up with this brilliant idea!