Got my new Absinthe Green Haze 2.5 a few days ago, and I think I have a good enough handle on it now to give my first impressions. I already own 3 portables - an MFLB, Titan, and NO2 - but I think the Haze is in an entirely different class.
First off, it's got a great form factor - small and solid feeling. Easily put in a pocket. For the amount of functionality this unit provides, it's remarkably tiny. I'd even say it is more portable than my MFLB since it's completely self-contained, and with the 2 separate ovens that can be pre-loaded in covered cans, it is by far the most convenient of my portables.
I also purchased one of those
fantastic 5-can containers from @Ratchett at Delta 3D studios, as well as a couple of extra cans, and now I can go anywhere and have 4 entire loads ready to go. Wow, just wow.
But how well does it vape?
Having read this FC thread, I went with the closed cans with herb on level 3 (390F) for my first try. Fairly quick heat up time, and quick to start vaporizing. The vapor was quite thick, but yet not hot. I loaded it full, but not packed, and I think I got about 8 good tasting draws before it started tasting a bit burnt. This is almost exactly the performance of my NO2 on 390F - and it's what I do during the day when I need a quick vape for pain and don't want a leisurely 10+ min session. 5 minutes and done.
Next I ran the second can at level 2 (375F). Took a few extra draws and maybe an extra minute to get it going, but once it did, it vaped for a deliciously tasty 8-9 mins. Lighter vapor, but very smooth. This is what I want for those more laid back sessions when I have the time to appreciate the vapor. Towards the end, instead of tasting burnt, it just starts getting very wispy, so I click it up to 3 (390F), and get about 3 good clouds, and done.
I also tested out the convection and conduction screens, and agree that they are not as robust as the cans. They work, and were quite tasty, but not as much vapor. In any case, having filled, emptied, and cleaned all the dry herb options, those little covered cans not only seem to work best, but they keep the main unit really clean. Since the cans work best, and it was the cans that really led me to the Haze in the first place, I am quite pleased.
I haven't tried it yet, I am planning on getting some wax. This would be my first vape that handles concentrates well, and based on comments here, I think I am going to like it
Other observations..
Battery Life - very very good. I did 4 sessions yesterday on the same battery and it was still going when I switched it out for the 2nd battery. That's really all I needed, and I suspect it had at least 1 more session in it.
Load size - I think you give up some load size when using the little cans - probably 20% less than what you could fit into an oven without the can/cover, but the convenience more than makes up for it. I find it to be IDEAL for my purposes. I vape for pain throughout the day, so I want small but frequent sessions, and usually by myself. I have shared a session with my wife - who usually wants me to fire up the second bowl for her in the same session. Fortunately, with the Haze, that is no problem at all
I would not call the Haze a "group" vape, but unlike my NO2 or Titan or MFLB, loading a second bowl with pre-loaded cans ready to go, means that I CAN get a small group of 3-4 people well medicated with minimal effort. It might take 3-4 cans, but I can do it. (It's surely not like a desktop, but if I want to get 10 people baked in one session, I just pull out my Rise and a few hoses)
Ergonomics - Opening the oven door is super easy - but it does take technique. It's one of those things that's simple once you figure it out. Those little cans are so friggin little that I wish I had smaller fingers with nails...heh. The included tweezers work well, but so do fingers with a bit of practice. I also need to change my setup a bit to load the cans more easily.
The battery door scares me. If I don't get it pushed in right, it can pop open, and did pop open a couple of times before I figured that out. If I had to pick a single point of potential future failure, it would be that battery door. If it didn't have a 10 year warranty with an excellent company, it would worry me.
Cleaning - Everything cleans easily with the exception of the central airway - that takes some delicate effort, but I don't think it will need that frequent of cleaning. I have already run into the "sticking mouthpiece" problem - the steel MP is much better cause it can enough weight to un-stick itself. One solution to a sticky MP is to let is heat completely up - that warms the airway and the steel MP pops out more easily. Overall, it's more to clean than my NO2, but less to clean than my desktop Rise.
Conclusion -
Although I it's a portable, I actually don't take it out of my house. I vape for pain, and have times when walking is a problem. Being able to pre-load multiple sessions at my work table in the morning (where I can see what I am doing and not make a mess), and then take it to my recliner and have 4 sessions without having to get up -- it's really a godsend for those bad days. I have also been looking hard at a device to do wax since it's recently become available to me and has been recommended to me specifically for pain management. I've solved both of these challenges with one brilliant device.