Going Stealth - My Upcoming Challenge

[SunnyDaze]

Well, I'm thinking the learning curve might be directly correlated to the fact that it's battery powered. With a full charge, 2500 mAh, whatever, it should be at 380 degrees. As that charge decreases, so might the temperature of the element, creating some confusion during use.

I'd definitely get the power adapter for the simple fact that consistency would most likely eliminate the learning curve, somewhat.

Also, how easy is it to combust with the MFLB? I realize at 380, that should never happen, but, I read stories online...

 

[momatik]

The amount of smell will be most directly influenced by the size of hits you are taking. With the MyrtleZap, after going through a stem or 2 most people cannot tell I have vaped in the room. That's not the case with the VG.

I'd recommend buying the vape before buying the air purifier. You may find you don't need it. A lot of times people have come thinking I had used the oil diffuser only to find out I had been vaping some dankage. It's not as easy to "pindown" as smoke is, although this probably varies. And it certainly dissipates much more quickly.

 

[gobbly]

don't vape too hot and no one will ever really be able to tell. linger factor is zero, and what little odor there is typically isn't identifiable (many people say it smells slightly like overcooked popcorn). If you vape real hot though I could see that you might have a stronger odor, though I can't imagine it would linger much longer. Smoke permiates, and stays suspended, vapor condenses and drops out of the air.

 

[SunnyDaze]

I'd recommend buying the vape before buying the air purifier. You may find you don't need it.

Well, I'm going to buy the air purifier either way. It surely won't hurt with my allergies, either.

When you say "stem", you mean __________.

As far as being difficult to pin down, I'd rather there be nothing to actually pin down than something that is unable to be pinned down.

 

[SunnyDaze]

don't vape too hot and no one will ever really be able to tell. linger factor is zero, and what little odor there is typically isn't identifiable (many people say it smells slightly like overcooked popcorn). If you vape real hot though I could see that you might have a stronger odor, though I can't imagine it would linger much longer. Smoke permiates, and stays suspended, vapor condenses and drops out of the air.

Thank you Gobbly!

What do you use?

 

[Nycdeisel]

It would be nice if you stopped as if you already knew all about it, because like you said, or else you wouldnt be here int his thread. No offense meant whatsoever.

It actually has a lot of factors for the MFLB, not just the power source. Breathing technique is the big one for this little vape. It can also be not very difficult to combust if you are new to it. many people scorch the trench at first, just be careful, read up on it, techniques, all that fun stuff

Timing+ breathing technique is what should be very specific regarding the mflb.
The grind size is also very important with this particular unit, as it prefers a very fine grind.

 

[SunnyDaze]

Sorry. I have a bad tendency of doing that. I analyze things and spit them out without really worrying about how they translate. Factor in the internet and the douchebaggery compounds. It'd just seem logical that less power = less heat.

I usually let stuff get dry and grind it up with my fingers into a fine powder with a small bowl piece as is. That sounds like it'll work just fine for the MFLB. The technique part makes plenty of sense, as you are the fan. I'm just afraid I'd get too excited and end up torching the stuff. Patience isn't my forte!

Is the MFLB pretty conservative?

 

[Nycdeisel]

Its no problem its just that designs vary greatly between models, and the more you read this site, the more you will see how specific and meticulous many users are here, and vaping related procedures are far and wide.

Yes, I think it is, partially because it doesnt give those very large hits, as exhaling large amounts of vapor can indeed be wasteful, so in general, the more you absorb and the less you exhale, the more you are getting out of it. It also doesnt require a large amount like certain vaporizers might.


Btw a "stem" is the vapor tubes for the log vapes, these stems all look extremely similar from the PD/MZ/WDZ. a log vapes only parts are teh wood body and the vapor tube or stem

 

[SunnyDaze]

Hmm, but it does get you really blasted, right?

Other than the metallic heating element, the MFLB + Power adapter sounds about perfect. How durable is it? The screen, the pivoting top plexiglass assembly, etc...

How many "hits" or "refills" or whatever do you get from one battery, or, what do you have to say about battery life in general?

This is all great stuff.

 

[Nycdeisel]

Its a very high quality vaporizer, though the looks and price could be deceiving.

Its really the best, highest quality vaporizer for such a low price, not to mention it has the BEST warranty of ANY vaporizing on the market! I had an older model and the airflow somehow became compromised and so did the lid, and they sent me a brand new Box in 2 days flat, before I even sent in my old one(must be sent in to keep warranty on new replacement).

and yes, it can get me as 'blasted' as my other vapes .
The battery life is great in my eyes. a pair of fresh charged batts can last me 2 full trenches. But this can vary, so take my 2 batts for two trenches estimate with a grain of salt.

see edit on my last post about stems

 

[SunnyDaze]

Wow. I can't believe how specific the terminology is when it comes to this stuff!

I really appreciate the info. It looks like I've got a decision to make. I'm still leaning towards the extreme, although I'm slightly worried about how efficient it is, or, more specifically, how efficient it isn't.

Replacing the tubing every so often as you (NYCDiesel) suggested is a great idea, and would most likely combat the smell rather well.

AHH! Choices!

 

[Stu]

I love my MFLB, but if you're not going to take advantage of it's best feature (small and stealthy and extremely portable), then I'd go ahead and get a home vape. My PD hits much better than my LB, but I love the LB for what it is and will probably never be replaced in my collection.

I have the EQ, too and if you're looking to play around with temps, then I'd choose it as your home unit. Don't overthink the whip tubing. Silicone tubing is easy to buy oliine and I buy 25 feet at a time. Then you just cut off whatever length you want the whip to be and that's it. It's good also if you want to try vapor bonging.

If you weren't dead set against a fixed temp vape, I'd definately suggest a log vape.

 

[SunnyDaze]

Wow, thanks Stu.

How efficient is the Arizer? Is it wasteful or will I be alright packing it with smaller amounts of herbage?

 

[Nycdeisel]

No, whips and bags are not nearly as efficient as any of the log vapes. The MFLb comes close in efficiency to logs.

I love my MFLB, but if you're not going to take advantage of it's best feature (small and stealthy and extremely portable), then I'd go ahead and get a home vape. My PD hits much better than my LB, but I love the LB for what it is and will probably never be replaced in my collection.

I agree with this completely.

 

[Stu]

Any whip-based vape (Extreme, SSV, DaBudda, etc...) will tend to be less efficient than a log vape or LB. Having said that, you will still find that vaping in and of itself will be far more efficient with your herb than smoking.

Also, on the smell of vapor: When I tried my Extreme Q for the first time (it was my first time vaping) I was really shocked by the fact that there was virtually no odor, and what miniscule odor you might smell (if you walked through a vapor cloud in the 10 seconds that its lifespan allows) dissipates very quickly. I think you'll be plesantly suprised as well.

 

[hereatlast]

SunnyDaze, welcome to FC and it seems like you've already had some good information thrown your way. Its great that you've come to this resource and further that you've presented a problem that is often expressed in an immature light that may violate forum rules (i.e. we're not looking to help minors hide things from parents). The fact that using/holding/buying/etc. MJ may be illegal legitimizes stealth as a very adult problem IMO.

While you've got some great responses already I hope you don't mind if I try to tackle those initial questions just to add another opinion.

1) Does the smell of vapor have a tendency permeate physical barriers and "travel" similar to the way that smoke from conventional methods does?

Like NYC mentioned, vapor doesn't have a tendency to linger the way that smoke does (at least noticeably, both visually as well as olfactorily). I think this is an important point, your exhaled vapor will probably not be noticed through physical barriers nor will it "travel" the way smoke does.

A quick personal anecdote may quell this particular fear: I live in an apartment building on the third floor (with residences hugging both ends of my unit). Vaping throughout the day or night I'm consistently in and out of the apartment (during and/or in between sessions) and will notice the (pleasant) smell upon reentering my unit. That said, this usually occurs within a short period of vaping (and I can be pretty cavalier with my vaping tools) BUT, the smell is not noticeable in the hallway. Fairly recently I smoked a string of joints with buddies in the apartment (one per session though) and after going out for a few minutes upon returning I noticed the smell of herb all the way down on the first floor (and sure enough it culminated in a strong and clear skunkiness outside my door). Point being: joints stink up the whole hallway, vaping has not.


I think the response(s) to your questions numbered 2 through 5 may benefit from something I've come to notice about the vapor-related smells (and that has already been touched upon here). While an exhaled vapor hit may be volatile and not very smelly, I have found that the vaporization process itself can give off a very particular smell.

The heating element of some vaporizers may smell familiarly like 'hot air' IMO and FWIW...as long as herb isn't coming into contact directly with the heater I think you'll be okay (keeping things clean like you've mentioned).

If you think about the dual-purpose that the Extreme serves--potpourri warmer and herbal vaporizer--there's an important difference. The potpourri dish is purposefully and obviously open to the air, the warmth is gently added from beneath and the aromas are hopefully distributed to the room. The cyclone/elbow/whip combo that the Extreme's vaporization function uses offers a closed airpath and necessarily. Still, it seems that one of the first things to be extracted from herb while vaping are those volatile and very particular aromas associated with herb. These aromas are what contribute the most smell to my vaping scenarios (I don't worry about this with the MFLB however). Those same aromas certainly do linger in the vaporizer's airpath IME (as another poster noted).
If kept clean, and certainly if kept locked away, the Extreme shouldn't be even a room stinker IMO. If you were to gently warm an Extreme cyclone bowl without the whip attached (leaving the herb exposed to the open air above) it would certainly serve as a very nice herbal aroma producer in its own right IME.

It sounds to me like you'll be fine, especially with the cautions you're taking.

I would have to side with Mom here, I would never try to clean whip tubing
Its plastic, and it shouldnt be soaked in alcohol

I would have to disagree with this personally. There are types of tubing that will be chemically ineert through an ISO rinse. SunnyDaze, sounds like you're doing your research and this is definitely not an area to do anything but play it safe IMO so I definitely understand NYC and mom's cautions. Check out the dedicated sticky to whip tubing for more info (some good data in the most recent posts I think).



Best of luck with the future purchase and I hope its soon for you.

Just generally, I think the Extreme is a good unit FWIW. I also think its definitely worth looking into the HerbalAire, doesn't always get much love around these parts but it is clearly a very, very good unit. All my .

 

[gobbly]

don't vape too hot and no one will ever really be able to tell. linger factor is zero, and what little odor there is typically isn't identifiable (many people say it smells slightly like overcooked popcorn). If you vape real hot though I could see that you might have a stronger odor, though I can't imagine it would linger much longer. Smoke permiates, and stays suspended, vapor condenses and drops out of the air.

Thank you Gobbly!

What do you use?

I use a heat gun at home, but the people who don't like heat guns really don't like them, so without trying one first, I'd not suggest it. The SSV seems to be one of the best values (and one of the better vapes) you can get for home use, fairly easy to use as well. I also have a vriptech heat wand (VHW) and I like it quite a lot as well, but it's a little delicate, and really is designed for experienced vapers (least this is what they claim, I personally think it's closer to a handheld box vape with an all glass air path, and no hard to use than the SSV).

For portables, the MFLB and iolite are really the only ones I seriously considered. I got the iolite, and have been quite happy with it, but I hear great things from everyone who has an MFLB. I picked the iolite because a can of vector will last me weeks of vaping, whereas the MFLB I'd need a small fortune in batteries to say take it backpacking for a few weeks Next $100 I have burning a hole in my wallet I might get one though. I like the iolite, but it won't make clouds like the mflb, and sometimes you just need a cloud Not sure if it'll matter, but the iolite isn't adjustable temp. It won't exceed 379f; depending on what you want to vape that might be a problem, or be perfect (for instance someone looking for pain relief might want to go as high as ~420f). The mflb (correct me if I'm wrong someone, but this is my understanding), heats when you press the battery in, and the longer you contact the battery the hotter it gets, so it might be harder to gauge the proper temps... Anyway, I think all portables have advantages and disadvantages. I'd certainly read the ultra long threads on each one you consider, see what others experiences are as well

Not to say there aren't other awesome portables, but the iolite offers something no other offers, and the MFLB is raved about so much it has gotta be awesome Other portables I've seen are all basically table vape designs with batteries and smaller form factors.

 

[weedemon]

@SunnyDaze]

1) Does the smell of vapor have a tendency permeate physical barriers and "travel" similar to the way that smoke from conventional methods does? This really comes down to the dankness of your buds i think. certain strains just opening up the jar and my room reeks. not even talking about busting it up yet! regarding vapor it has more of a baked goods smell than the typical combusted pot smell. but it's still there.

2) How long does the smell from herbs being vaporized linger in a room? If I dedicate this room as my vaping room, will it wreak one week later as my smoking room does? vapor dissipates very quickly imo. after 1 hour i think you should be relatively safe. in fact im am surprised to hear you say smoking = 1 week later and the smell is still detectable.

3) Assuming that I use top-notch herbs, how pungent is the smell created by a vaporizer? I.e., is it something that one would smell immediately identify with our beloved herb? It's a baked goods smell more so than the smoked smell. if ther person is familiar then yes i think it's identifiable. it's still very different from smoke smell though so you could pull a fast one depending on the person.

4) Does the "vaping" process itself create an odor, or is the vapor that is exhaled what carries the herbal smell, if there is any? as in the machine off gassing a scent? If this ever happens i would stop using that vape immediately and question it's safety. oh rereading your q it is the vapor itself that has the smell, but once your equipment becomes dirty (the tubes turning golden colour) that will produce a smell too. i put my whips in mason jars to lock away any scent.

5) Does anyone have any experience with the Arizer Extreme Q 4.0 in terms of how much of an odor it generates when being used? sorry not used the new one, but i would imagine it's about the same as comparable vapes (other whip or bag blowers.)

If i could recommend vapes to you it would be:

for on the go: the mflb [magic flight launch box] (stealth, tiny, no lighter, lifetime warranty power adapter upgrade an option if you like)

for at home: the SSV [silver surfer] (big hitter thick rips that taste great! does hash and conentrates well too!)

 

[wilf789]

My flatmates can always tell when I've been using my SSV in my room, it produces rather large clouds compared to many other vapes and so likely produces more smell as well. It does have the option of the aroma top for oils etc though.

I really wouldn't worry too much about the ability to digitally read the temperature, many have said before on the forum that the read-out is not totally reliable, and to be honest it doesn't really matter. For example with the SSV you figure out very soon where you want the temperature dial to be positioned (low or high depending on your preference, each works), or with the MFLB after a brief learning curve you figure out how to control it with your breath intake, although the power adapter certainly makes it easier.

From what I've read about your needs and these vapes, I would recommend one of the log vapes too. Extremely efficient and not as obvious as the SSV or the EQ, both in looks and odour (plus the custom wooden 'stems' you can buy are absolutely gorgeous). Followed up by a power adapted MFLB a month or two down the line once you get the hang of vaping in general.

Edit: Also, they will all get you ripped don't worry, but IMO in slightly different ways, e.g. I quite enjoy an MFLB puff or two after an SSV session as the high is somewhat 'lighter' (similar to having a joint after a blunt), however this is purely individual speculation and again is something you will come to have your own opinion on once you start vaping.

 

[djonkoman]

4) Does the "vaping" process itself create an odor, or is the vapor that is exhaled what carries the herbal smell, if there is any? as in the machine off gassing a scent? If this ever happens i would stop using that vape immediately and question it's safety. oh rereading your q it is the vapor itself that has the smell, but once your equipment becomes dirty (the tubes turning golden colour) that will produce a smell too. i put my whips in mason jars to lock away any scent.

my pd gives off a warm wood-smell when I hang above it with my nose(maybe with some olive oil-smell because I rub it in with oliveoil sometimes)... doesn't seem dangerous to me
if it's a plastic/chemical smell, yes, then you should be worried

the smell of vapor is indeed much less then smoke, and I myself can't smell it(altough maybe I did the day before yesterday, blew a big cloud with my pd and either I smelled it or the taste lingered longer then usual inside my airways)
but once when using my vaporgenie on a terrace in the city a friend sitting next to me said he could smell it
and my vaperoom is said to have a background smell of weed, but that could also be from the drying of outdoorharvests, the ocassional smoking, the weed present(in jars mostly) etc

 

[weedemon]

oops i forgot about the wood smell from the pd most vapes are made out of plastics/metals though. This is what I was thinking about when i typed this.

that's one smell i would not be worried about either. I love the smell of wood.

 

[Rico420]

I've lived with those that have not known about my vapor usage for 4 years. Every day toker, keep it super stealthy by always having the two windows in my room cracked. NEVER becomes detectable with a slight breeze keeping things circulating. With esp. smelly strains or heavy cloud-age i sometimes just light some incense. Never been detected this way, and i assume having an air purifier will only make your chances better.

IMO, vapor is only really detectable if you let it build up to ridiculous levels, or if the person smelling it has vaporized before and know that smell. Its much different than the smell of smoke, bec. 90% of people don't even know what a vaporizer is, let alone what it smells like. Also strain will determine alot of your smell, some strain's vapor don't smell at all, some are ranky after a few clouds.

BTW- I use a log vape daily with a small 12" mushroom-perced bong. Great combo and having water filtration does seem to cut down on some of the smell imo. I can also hook up my mflb if i wish, but break out the PA if i do. If you decide on a MFLB, and plan on using it mostly indoors, just get the PA and forget about having extra batts. I used to use 8+ batts. a day before my PA (lol), and before i eventually replaced that solution with a log vape. Having the PA makes it 1000% times better & more convenient. Always "charged", and variable temp with a more elegant on/off switch that's easier for my friends bec. they don't have to remember to pull the battery out.

Either way, with some decent glass and technique, a log vape or the box is going to become a very appreciated solution over time.

 

[SunnyDaze]

Well, after 24 solid hours of consideration, I think I've decided. I'm just going to give it up altogether. I've reached that point in my life where it's........

.........okay, kidding, kidding.

All things considered, I think that I'd be better off going with the MFLB + PA. Honestly, the learning curve is something that I can cope with. I'll use it at my friends house until I get the hang of it. It's small, it's relatively odorless, and apparently it gets you pretty toasted. I can store it in a large jar with my herbals. Or in a small jar by itself.

If anyone here feels that this would be a poor choice for a daily driver, speak now or forever hold your piece. I have some durability concerns. I understand the lifetime warranty and such, but, do you good folks think that it'd withstand day in day out herbalization?

Also, does anyone know the shipping time on the PA?

Thanks again everyone!

SD

 

[Stu]

PAs come pretty quick, so don't worry about that. I have one, however I don't use it often as I prefer to use my home vapes at home, and really only use it when I'm traveling (great for hotel-in-Vegas use).

I don't think you'd be disappointed with your choice, but if I were in your shoes, I'd probably go with the PD or Zap.

 

[SunnyDaze]

Well Stu, I'll ask you... As compared to the EQ, how rocked does the MFLB get you? Or am I comparing apples to oranges? Honestly, the best working conventional piece I own is a small glass pipe that holds maybe 3-4 good hits, max. Combustion boils down to volumetric efficiency. That much I do know. I'd like to imagine vaporization obeys the same rules, but, I just don't have the experience with them.

Anyhow, would you recommend just getting the EQ and keeping it clean, or in your opinion, is the MFLB suitable for "home use" with the PA?

Also, if used conservatively (smaller amounts of herb in the elbow / cyclone), can the smell of the EQ be kept down to levels that rival that of the MFLB? Is the MFLB indeed that "stealth" in terms of how much it does (or doesn't) smell?