Herborizer XL or Minivap

[vorrange]

I'm currently considering my next buy. I recently sold my Solo, not because i was unsatisfied with it, but it was not used like it did before i got the Vaponic.

Vaping outside my house has become rare since my toking habits have somewhat changed, and when i know i'm gonna be out on the street i just use the Vaponic as it's much more stealthy.

So, to get back on track, i'm almost completely set on getting the Herborizer but i wanted to hear some more opinions to mature the decision.

The reason why i'm going for the Herbie vs MV is because:

1. The MV will problably get a V2, and the Herbo is a matured design so, and since they are slightly different in terms of their perfect setting, i think the Herbo will fill a more important niche in my setup.
The Herbo is clearly a lounge vaporizer, to have a long slow session on the weekends or when you have friends over.
The MV is an all around (i want the version with battery), that could be used on a trip but usually at someones house so portable in the sense of movable but not pocketable or stealthy.

2. It's beautiful

and

3. From what i gathered, I think the taste will taste longer and better than the Herbo.

Of course, the price is a factor as well since the Herbo goes from 260 to 360€, without/with sphere, and the MV goes from 370 to 470€, without/with battery.

I'm now considering whether to get:

a) Herborizer XL without sphere (260€)

b) Herborizer XL with sphere (360€)

c) Minivap without battery (370€)

d) Minivap with battery (470€)


I must add that i own an ehle 250ml so that would be what i would use unless i get the Sphere too. And that either way, i plan on eventually getting both units with sphere and battery, unless something else comes along who bests one or both and the investment is no longer appealing.


I'm considering option a) as the most appealing at the moment, followed closely by b).


So, i just wanted to hear your thoughts about it guys! Feel free to ask more details or justifications and say what's on your mind.

Thanks!

 

[treeman]

I would go Minivap with battery, the Herborizer does not massively appeal to me. I've not done huge amount of research on it but to me it didn't seem like a particularly big upgrade from a standard desktop vape (like a DBV or something similar) of course this is all speculation as I've never hit one.
The minivap on the other hand seems like an absolute cannon, that can also be used wirelessly! I would definitely get one if money was less of an issue. It seems to be really useful in most situations, extremely efficient and fast at processing herb. Of course if you enjoy a more drawn out, chilled, taking your time kinda' session I would imagine the herborizer to be better suited to your needs.
It seems like you think the herborizer will suit you better and you probably know best but personally I would not get one. I don't think it merits its price (again, I don't really have the right to say that as I've never used one) but I would rather get a 7th floor vape but I would much prefer a minivap over one of them.
Dedisions, decisions, the hunt for the perfect toy is never easy. I'm sure they would both be fun.

 

[Tweek]

I dunno...with the herbalizer coming out, the MV doesn't seem so appealing to me these days. If you want the portability, I can see it winning over...but for a desktop, Herbalizer looks promising and is in the price range.

Otherwise, I have always thought the spehere XL looked pretty cool. Have not had the pleasure of trying though. Just hope you are not clumsy like me...otherwise there is alot of glass to break.

 

[vorrange]

I used a DBV and although i loved it, the taste is not equal to a vape without a whip and it was easy to have an uneven roasting, although i think some of my issues would be solved if i got a SSV.
Still, if i ever got another 7th floor vape, it would be an LSV but the HI is almost the same, in terms of taste and experience, without the temperature knob and MUCH smaller.

I agree that the Herborizer as a steep price, but i always atributed that to the glass work since it's handmade.

Yeah, the miniVAP still seems like the best all-around my-only-unit kind of vaporizer.

Although i don't agree that it's on the same price range... isn't the Herbalizer close to 800$? The miniVAP is 470€, roughly 630$... you can get a log vape with the price difference.

In relative terms is closer than the difference between an 100$ vaporizer and a 200$ vaporizer, but it is a considerable difference nonetheless.

And if you consider the version with no battery, its 500USD... a 300USD difference.

As i said in the OP, my portable necessities are mostly in the stealth department and to be honest the market has produced a lot of vaporizers but few are actually good in what i consider important despite stealth (taste, taste duration and efficiency ). So, i landed on the Vaponic and to me, it's perfect although a launch box would be more apropriate at times.
To be at home i have the HI, when i'm at someones friends house, i bring the HI as well.
When i want to travel light, the Vaponic does the deed as it's intended.

So, the miniVAP would be used like 95% as a home unit and a plug-in and 4% as an in-the-house portable, and 1% as a take-with-me portable.

 

[max]

Both of these models are expensive. I think there are better alternatives for the money, but if you're in Europe the prices may be a little better. The Herbo has certainly been at a disadvantage in North America. Dealers have avoided it due to (mostly speculating here) cost (including shipping), glass, and probably availability issues, since it's not a production line model. I don't think Sabastien has been willing to change his methods in order to expand, and maybe that's a good thing, QC wise.

I gave the Herbo serious consideration some years ago, despite the price, but the miniVap's design, as far as the delivery system, never tempted me and I thought it was way overpriced. Since it's now available (at least for US buyers) at less than half the original price (Vapornation w/FC discount), I think I was right. Given an either/or choice here, I'd go with the Herbo.

 

[tepictoton]

I own a minivap, but no herbalizer. I have decent experience with 'de verdamper'models, wich seem to me to be quite similar to the herbalizer.

I think in order of performance and taste little difference will be noticed between both.In order of load size, i think i can say there is a huge difference, with the herbalizer needing more herbs, where as the minivap lets you vape as little as .05g.

When it comes to stealth, I do not think the minivap can be considered stealthy for now, maybe in the future with a smaller battery?

One thing i did not see you mention: Durability...I know the minivap has some internal stuff that might eventually breake, but I think the risc of breaking the herbalizer is immensily bigger, and kind of inherent to its design, seeing it is al glass.

@max, please try the minvap one time if it crosses your path...I think you might be pleasantly surprised

Hope you can find the solution that works best for you. So far for my

@vorrange: where are you? I have seen a ROOR vaporizer element (basically herbalizer without waterpipe) on sale in the ROOR store in Amsrterdam for 180euros...seeing you allready have a bong that might work too if you decide to go with this kind of model...

 

[max]

i think i can say there is a huge difference, with the herbalizer needing more herbs, where as the minivap lets you vape as little as .05g.

You can load .05g in any vape. It just doesn't satisfy with big hitters, and that's the difference between these two models. The Herborizer (the Herbalizer is a different model entirely) is designed for big, free flowing hits, while the much narrower vapor path on the mini gives much more satisfaction with smaller loads/hits. I haven't used either model but this holds true from brand to brand due to the design. This is my main problem with the 'Herbo or minivap' choice. They're kind of apples and oranges.

Personally, since I have glass, I'd go for the Herbo XL without sphere, and if I were in Europe, I'd be tempted by Vaposhop's price (w/FC 10% discount) of 290 for the Sphere XL, with free shipping.

@max, please try the minvap one time if it crosses your path...I think you might be pleasantly surprised

I'm always up for trying a new vape, but my location makes it highly unlikely that I'll ever get a chance to try this one. My state will likely be among the last in mj legalization, and they don't like head shops around here either. Moving elsewhere is always a possibility after I retire though.

 

[tepictoton]

Sorry meant herborizer ofcourse.

 

[PPN]

I think they are both 2 very goods vaporizers, but completly different and the more important is what you need(portability or plugs)? and what you like(glass setup and water filtration or dry hits and stealth)?

I never try the herbo but i was considering to buy it in the past because it's a wonderfull vape and i live at one hundred km of the factory but i bought the MV because this is the most advanced vaporization technologie method, it give to me really smooth dry hits and it keep the taste good the entire sesh (i got the MV without battery)
This is your choice now, good vape man

 

[vorrange]

@max, I'm from Europe so the problems you mentioned regarding availability, shipping costs, etc are not a big issue for me.

Regarding the MV price, i also thought it was too steep in the beggining, ~1000USD but the price has dropped 40% which changes the game a bit.

@tepictoton, i wouldn't get the MV if i had stealth in mind (hence my point about using the Vaponic for that reason) and of course, durability is not a significant factor in my decision since i'm comparing an all glass vaporizer to a no glass vaporizer.
Does that store you mention have a website? I'm from South Europe so i wouldn't be able to go to Amsterdam to pick it up.


I must reiterate that i'm all for all glass airpaths, pure and clean materials and i favour a good extraction process over size or stealth.

My doubt between the two is more of a "which one to get first?" than a "which one to get? Period." so i welcome your opinions as they help me think about what i miss/want the most for my next vaporizer.

I also want to add that i don't *need* a new unit, but i'd like one.

The miniVAP could potentially overthrow my HI as a daily driver, the Herbo won't since it's a more of a big hitter vaporizer as Max correctly assessed with his "apples and oranges" comparison.

Given my current daily usage, 0,07g/day which averages around 2,08g a month, the miniVAP is clearly the best fit for me.

Given my love of all glass vaporizers, and pure airpaths as well as my special fondness of the Herborizer Sphere, plus the repeated descriptions of the taste lasting so much on the Herborizer (my first priority in vaporizers), the Herborizer is a unit that i'd very much like to add to my collection.

 

[LeTchen]

I own both... and these 2 vapes are my prefered. The Minivap is the best IMO, and it's portable (with battery). The Herborizer has the advantage that you can let it hours hot without inhaling, and you don't waste herbs. If you don't need portable, buy the Herborizer, and you need portable, buy the MV............ and if you have money, buy both !

 

[vorrange]

@LeTchen, i currently only have funds for one but i'll probably eventually get both!

 

[max]

@max, I'm from Europe so the problems you mentioned regarding availability, shipping costs, etc are not a big issue for me.

I realize that. We know where all members are located, unless they're trying to hide from us. It was more for general consumption, since a lot of people aren't familiar with the Herborizer.

the Herborizer is a unit that i'd very much like to add to my collection.

I don't recall anyone regretting their Herbo purchase unless they had unrealistic expectations.

 

[Tweek]

I was really interested in the Minivap awhile back...but with time, I started to feel that it had missed it's window of opportunity. Had they priced it lower in the beginning, I think it would have had a stronger market presence. When you look at what is coming out these days, there just does not seem to be enough there to justify its current price tag IMO. Lack of any company representation on the forum, kind of irks me a little as well, but that is just me perhaps.

That was why I initially brought up Herbalizer. If you compare it with the battery version of the minivap, there appears to be much better features (minus portability) in the Herbalizer, for a $100 price difference. I understand one could buy a log...but if that extra $100 means a better overall experience, I think it's worth it. All subjective, of course. The version minus the battery can't be compared, I completely understand...but I think the portability of the minivap is one of its best features if you were considering one.

Now back to the two units you really want...if I had to choose, I think I would still go for the Sphere XL. That thing is so beautiful...

But what do I know...I do not own either one, so this is all personal opinion.

 

[mlo4sho]

I can't compare the two... I only have one. I also don't know how it compares to the HI (but i've seen this vape can produce some thick hits!). I do know how I feel about it, though. It's my second favorite vaporizer, only to the VapeXhale Cloud. They are very different beasts. I feel like the MV produces better flavor over the duration of a bowl, but the Cloud has a better flavor on the first hit. It's a very strong and pure flavor. But the MV really does a great job of preserving the flavor for the duration of the bowl... I don't taste "popcorn" unless I'm on red or the unit is really really hot. I user water filtration 99% of the time.

The Cloud wins in the department of "which can produce the biggest, thickest hit". You can literally kill an entire 100mg-200mg bowl in a Cloud in one hit (of course, many variables at play here) whereas with the MV it seems like sort of throttles the load. I get two or three "above average density hits" but with the Cloud I will get one "very high density hit" and another "average density hit". This is completely subjective, I know, but this is how I can best describe it at the moment.

The MV is much less fragile, but since I have read your latest post I will not discuss fragility. The MV has 12 minute standby mode in which it turns the unit to the lowest temperature setting if the unit hasn't been used for 12 minutes. Then, if the unit isn't used again for another 12 minutes it will shut off. This can be sort of annoying for heavy users, but with the newer electronics the unit seems to get back up to temp pretty quickly if it's still a little warm. The Cloud has the 1 hour shut-off which I find much more convenient.

These are just my basic thoughts. I am not a vaporizer expert. I have not tried every vaporizer or even a bunch of vaporizers. But this is my opinion. I have owned the DBV. I liked it. It doesn't compare to the MV or the Cloud imo. I have owned a new-style log vape (not the HI) that, again, doesn't compare to the MV or the Cloud imo. But that's okay. It's between 1/3 and 1/2 of the price. That's the point I guess I'm trying to make. Does the quality of the unit justify the price tag? I don't know. Maybe not. I would really have to think about that particular aspect. I do know that I like it, it competes with the Cloud and actually compliments the Cloud very well. If you want to ask me any specific questions, please feel free and I can try to help you the best I can.

EDIT: I also feel like I should mention temperature control. It seems the Herbo XL has a variable temperature dial which is very nice! With the MV you are limited to the four preset temperatures, which can be very binding for some users. I find the temperatures reasonable. Green is my favorite (similar to ~11:00-12:00 on the Cloud depending on how hot the unit is), though at times I wish the Green temperature was a little higher and sometimes even wish the Red was higher. I love high temps, though. So yes! Temperature control is another very important aspect in this decision.

 

[NineDelta]

Hi vorrange,
470€ for a portable Minvap? it's a good price, cheaper than last year. But I'd buy a single minivap for 370€ + 1 battery for 100€. In other words, for 470€ you have a portable and plug-in Minivap, 2x1. Very good promotion. Minivap is big for a portable vaporizer, but imo is the best taste of all portable vaporizers.

If you choose Herborizer do not buy sphere bong, it's not ideally for its use. I'd buy other bong or the tube bong by Herborizer

 

[mlo4sho]

Hi vorrange,
470€ for a portable Minvap? it's a good price, cheaper than last year. But I'd buy a single minivap for 370€ + 1 battery for 100€. In other words, for 470€ you have a portable and plug-in Minivap, 2x1. Very good promotion. Minivap is big for a portable vaporizer, but imo is the best taste of all portable vaporizers.

If you choose Herborizer do not buy sphere bong, it's not ideally for its use. I'd buy other bong or the tube bong by Herborizer

Don't you still need the base to charge the battery, though?
http://www.minivap.com/usa/accessories/base-minivap.html

 

[tepictoton]

yes you do

 

[NineDelta]

Don't you still need the base to charge the battery, though?
http://www.minivap.com/usa/accessories/base-minivap.html

ups, you're right, I forgot it. + 59€ for a base to charge the battery.

 

[vorrange]

I have to thank all you for the great answers and insights you gave me.

@mlo4sho, i'd like you to answer if the Cloud and the miniVAP are worth their price or now that you've used them, and compared with your log, i'm guessing it's the Nano, how do you feel about it?

I'm leaning more towards the Herbo XL without bong, for now, due to economy reasons. I think it would be wiser to wait for the 2nd minivap version before investing 370€, or 470€ for the complete version. Considering that the base versions of the Sublimator and Vapexhale EVO will retail for 400€, it's not unreasonable to do so.

Another member also said he prefers the Heat Wand over the miniVAP considering overall taste which triggers my curiosity since i'm a sucker for flavour, and at 230€ it is one to consider.

 

[mlo4sho]

Hi @vorrange , that's a very good question. To me, the Cloud was well worth the money. You pay more than a "standard" priced vaporizer but I find the taste and vapor density unrivaled. I would gladly buy another one before I pay $150-$250 for all of the other vaporizers I've tried because, in my opinion, it's just that much better.

When you ask about the MiniVap, that's a slightly different story. I would consider the MiniVap a vaporizer that one would "want" rather than "need". When it's all said and done, it's going to cost around $570 USD for the complete kit: MV, wall adapter, battery and base to charge batteries. That's a lot. I wish the MiniVap was priced a bit cheaper so more people would try it. I think a fair price for the home unit would be $300, the complete kit with battery and wall adapter should be around $400-$420 with the battery only unit costing somewhere in between the two. That's just my opinion from using it and other vaporizers of different price brackets. I don't want to say it's not worth it but at the same time I'd have a hard time justifying the cost. Kind of a cop-out, I know, but it's a tough situation. If you have the money to spend it's worth it.

As far as my thoughts about my log vape and how it compared to these two vaporizers, I don't find much of a comparison. It's just like when people ask to compare the MV to the Solo. There is nothing at all wrong with the Nano, it just wasn't as good as either of these two. That's how it should be. They're 2x the cost of it or more. The Nano will put out similar vapor to the Cloud/MV but it doesn't match in terms of flavor and evenness of heat distribution. I can hit the Cloud/MV as hard and long as I want and won't get spots that are more cooked than others. This really helps the flavor a lot when everything is being browned evenly.

I do not know of a new MiniVap version so I can't comment on that. All I have heard is they're planning on releasing a new battery by the end of the year. I can't imagine what changes could be made that would warrant a new version. They tweak the electronics from time-to-time but that just results in a new firmware, which can be upgraded by sending your unit in. I would be interested in hearing more information if there is any. If that's the case then I, too, would wait for the new version.

The Cloud and the MiniVap are both great, but they are different. The MiniVap does not fog up a tube the same way a Cloud does. The vapor is smooth, almost light, on the inhale but when I exhale I get similar density to hits from the Cloud. This would be great for people who have asthma or lung troubles because you still get a thorough extraction of cannabinoids but never have the harshness that high temperature vapor can cause. The herb only turns a light brown color but there is very little left in it! I've thrown ABV from a bowl on Green in the MV into an ELB @ 1:30 on the Cloud and was only able to produce a very small wispy hit. With that said, I find the Cloud does a better job at providing a full effect - body and mind - where the MiniVap really makes a better daytime vape. Of course, you can use it on red for a higher temp vapor that will help extract more of the CBD, but for the sake of simplicity I like the MV for an "up" medication and the Cloud for when I need to get a full range of effects.

That's all I have for now on the matter. Please remember, these are only my thoughts and my opinions and I am not an expert. Also, when I talk about using any vaporizer - I am talking about using it with glass. I use my vaporizers 99% of the time with glass and only rarely go dry. I also like medium-high temperature vapor. Flavor is very important to me, too, so I like just enough heat to provide thick hits but still be able to preserve flavor. Just something to keep in mind when considering my thoughts on each vaporizer. I hope this helps you a little bit.