Iolite vaporiser

[Mrs. Vape]

Hey -- I use volcano at home and iolite when not at home. (take it whenever I travel, never a problem with airplane security btw). I tried to search this topic but didn't find anything, so sorry if it's been addressed before, but...

It seems to me that while I get high, eventually (many small hits as opposed to 3-4 big ones from volcano) the high doesn't last as long. Like only a half an hour or so?

Wondering if the lower temp (I use volcano at 6-7) means less cannibanoids or something?

A volcano high or combustion high (if I remember, it's been a few years since I combusted) lasts 2-3 hours.

 

[mycooltie]

Hello all! I would like to share my experience with the polite. I've owned an iolite for almost 2 years now. I am now on my third iolite from warranty returns. My first iolite broke down from my mistake of using ronson butane from my local convenient store. I switched to vector butane after about 3 weeks but by then it just wouldn't ignite. I tried purging the unit as well as running it until all of the butane was expelled numerous times but at that point it was no longer in working condition. After speaking with O&B, they immediately gave me a service address where i sent my iolite and i was given a new one within a month. When i received my second unit, I used it extremely frequently, 2+ hours a day easily. It was great for so many reasons, mostly because I was living in a college dorm and it helped immensely with discretion. Close to a year after daily habitual use, one day smoke began to release from the venting area of the unit. I immediately recall seeing a post on these forums about how a similar event occurred to a member and the only solution was to send it back in for repairs. I spoke to O&B and as soon as I told them this was my second unit, they immediately sent me a new iolite. This third unit has not failed me since, but in all fairness, i do not use it as habitually. I have acquired a few other vaporizers and usually rotate use between all of them just to keep things fresh. Overall, I enjoyed my experience with the iolite, although i do believe it did get a bit too hot to hold comfortably. I never had an issue with tasting butane while inhaling through the iolite nor did i taste any plastic. I can say with confidence that the iolite is a great buddy to have when you're in college.

 

[nr-cole]

Is there a newer version of the Iolite going around in addition to the WISPR? On vapornation they are listing an Iolite 2.0 and a regular old Iolite (not I-inhale) with a $40 price difference. In the pictures it looks like the box has been redesigned and the sticker on the side has a new look as well, which I think is the same as the ones advertised on the O&B page. Is this just a new look or are there performance changes as well?

http://www.vapornation.com/store/Iolite-Version-2.0.html
http://www.iolite.com/index.php/euro/catalog/category/viewsub/subcat_id/37/parentcat_id/3/

 

[Vitolo]

It is not a new version.
It is the original Iolite on the market with a more difficult to reproduce logo on it.
I think that the Wispr's hard edges.. larger size (all in all it IS larger), as well as the general look and performance was causing Oglesby & Butler to lose money in a very big way.
In an effort to "save themselves" , they reintroduced the "Iolite Classic". The V.2 just means it is the 2nd release. It has a new design on the soft plastic, that has some type of almost impossible to copy markings on it to make copying this difficult.
This is an EXACT duplicate situation of what happened to Coca Cola some years back.
They took Coke off the shelves, and introduced "improved Coke".. and lost millions of dollars.
They were fast to bring back "Coke Classic"

 

[WatTyler]

I didn't think they ever took the IO off the market?

I thought it was just a cosmetic redesign to distinguish the genuine article from the Skydaa imitation, but I may well be wrong- this was just an assumption.

 

[Vitolo]

I don't know if units all made it "off the shelves", but the implication I got from the public relations info on the Wispr was that it was here to replace the iolite.
Perhaps this was all a long term marketing plan... to bring the Iolite into the public eye!
I also make some assumptions here, based on the removal of the original Iolites from some distributors, after the "colorful cousin' came out.
Sorry if my statement misspoke.....
one little word gone makes a big difference!
"It is not a new version.
It is the original Iolite on the market with a more difficult to reproduce logo on it."

 

[Donkey]

I think they changed the bowl in the newer iolite. I don't think theres a screen at the bottom anymore, its just a metal heating chamber. Not sure though.

 

[max]

This is an EXACT duplicate situation of what happened to Coca Cola some years back. They took Coke off the shelves, and introduced "improved Coke".. and lost millions of dollars. They were fast to bring back "Coke Classic"

I don't think it's the same situation. Coke screwed up with their 'new coke'. People clearly liked the original better. Bringing the original back as Coke Classic was them trying to fix a boo boo. O&B, according to my info, planned all all along to come out with at least one more model, thus the wispr. The 'iolite Classic' (if it happens) is their attempt to 'lose' the cheap lookalikes.

the implication I got from the public relations info on the Wispr was that it was here to replace the iolite.

The info I got from a dealer (who is clearly 'in touch' with O&B) was that the wispr is not meant to replace the iolite, but marketed to please those wanted more than the iolite could deliver (thicker hits, fuel gauge, unbreakable mouthpiece, etc.). They upgraded the iolite as far as they could without changing the housing, which were improvements to the bottom of the bowl- no screen or removeable heating pin- and the filling chamber/mouthpiece area. According to the 'plan' I heard (which could have changed since then for all I know), the next step would be to stop production of the iolite for a while and reintroduce later as the 'iolite Classic', with a different look. This would be an effort to fight the cheap iolite clones. Changing the appearance of the iolite housing (dot pattern replacing the bubble pattern) could be a stop gap measure, or it's possible that they decided to do that instead of stopping production and coming out later with the 'Classic'.

My conversations in the past, with one of the company owners, kind of confirms my opinion that the wispr is not an iolite replacement. He said they fully intended to come out with more models, in addition to the iolite. They had no plan to upgrade/update the iolite any further than the bowl/mouthpiece area, since anything more than that would mean changing the housing. And as far as production costs, that kind of change isn't a wise one as long as you have a product that works and sells. Having different models, at different price points, is standard marketing strategy, and IMO that's what's going on here. What they're going to do (or not) in the future, as far as trying to separate the iolite from the lookalike clones, remains to be seen.

I think they changed the bowl in the newer iolite.

They made several changes, as I noted above, to the bowl and mouthpiece. The changes were made at different times (bottom screen and pin first, then the mouthpiece mods) and since the changes didn't affect the basic performance of the vape (more like tweaks), they didn't use any version numbers to differentiate them. I've got an original iolite (one of the first to be shipped from Ireland), and one with the latest updates. During use, I can't tell which one I'm using.

 

[Vitolo]

I also do not notice a difference in function while using either of these, but the unit with the bottom screen and removable pin gets the ABV a bit darker.

 

[frogbmth]

'The Original Iolite' was in stock at my local head shop in June 2011, before the Wispr shipped.
'Wispr' came out in July 2011

The bottom screen version with removable heating pin went out of production in 2009.

 

[Glasshammer]

Still trying to figure this thing out. First of all I like the idea of not having to smoke to get a buzz, although I am not convinced that inhaling these vapors does not hurt the lungs.
But first things first. Do I have to fill the bowl up all the way or can I just fill it half way, I ask this because it does not seem to light easily unless the bowl is full.
Second question, if I do fill it all the way and then take say 3 hits how many times can I keep smoking the same bowl until it loses it's potency? I mean does the herb actually burn up after one use, no matter how many hits I take?
The first thing I am noticing is that I go through more herb than usual with the Iolite.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[max]

the unit with the bottom screen and removable pin gets the ABV a bit darker.

The pin shouldn't make any difference. They stopped making it removeable because it was too easy to strip the threads when screwing it back in, and being removeable wasn't much of a plus for cleaning anyway. The bottom screen seemed more trouble than it was worth too, but I think it probably adds to the convection effect.

I am not convinced that inhaling these vapors does not hurt the lungs.

Not gonna dispute that, but switching to vapor from smoke will get rid of the black lungs, and mine are much happier even after years of vaporizing.

You can put in any amount you want, up to a half gram. I almost never load it up-takes too long to finish the bowl. How much you put in should make no difference at all as far as starting up or not. You can run it empty. The vape doesn't know whether you've loaded herb in it or not.

You hit it until you get no more vapor, assuming you want to finish the bowl contents. Since the herb is sitting in a heated herb chamber, it'll mostly get vaporized if the vape is left on, hitting it or not. It'll take quite a while though, just sitting. I'd plan on finishing a bowl in around 15 minutes. You can do less, in less time, but if you'd like to get a little hotter temp out of it, leaving it going for ten min. or more will get you a little more vapor. This has a set temp, so there will be some compounds left in the ABV worth saving for edibles.

I go through more herb than usual with the Iolite.

If you're new to vaporizing, you may be chasing the smoke high. Especially with a fixed temp vape, you don't get all the compounds that you do with smoke. You'll get more of a head high with this temp vapor. If you want to get closer to smoke (you also get more toxins as the temp goes up), you'll need a variable temp vape. In general though, the vast majority of people stretch their supply by vaping. You just get more actives than you do with smoke, where some get incinerated before you can get them inhaled.

 

[Vitolo]

Still trying to figure this thing out. First of all I like the idea of not having to smoke to get a buzz, although I am not convinced that inhaling these vapors does not hurt the lungs.
But first things first. Do I have to fill the bowl up all the way or can I just fill it half way, I ask this because it does not seem to light easily unless the bowl is full.
Second question, if I do fill it all the way and then take say 3 hits how many times can I keep smoking the same bowl until it loses it's potency? I mean does the herb actually burn up after one use, no matter how many hits I take?
The first thing I am noticing is that I go through more herb than usual with the Iolite.

Any help is much appreciated.

The manufacturer recommends not to fill kore than halfway..
Nothing there should be "lighting".. other than a display on the side telling when butane is running.
1- fill chamber 1/2 way with ground herb.
2- close unit.
3- switch gas on
4- click button , and watch orange light on side glow...... and WAIT
when sound of gas stops.... you inhale... for denser fog wait longer so chamber gets warmer.
each time gas starts... let unit alone for a second... let the heat build up a bit and when it is quiet,... inhale again....
you dont wait till gas stops to avoid gas.......
you are letting the gas heat the chamber again... and waiting till it is done so your air flow is not "peeing in the wind"... or being counter productive!

 

[Glasshammer]

Ok, now i'm at least beginning to get it. Let me back up a bit as far the the instructions go. First of all the person who told me about the Iolite said the the steps are this.

Add the "herb" to the bowl.
Close unit
turn gas on
click the button
wait for orange glow (the flame?)
after glow goes out, turn gas off again
then just hit it till I get enough


When I do this even after the gas is turned off the glow (I assumed that this is a flame) keeps going on and off at least 4 or 5 times it seems, though for a much shorter time that the initial time it does it.

And sorry if I being tedious here but I am still not sure how to tell when the bowl is cashed out, I mean if I fill it halfway and then take say 3 hits and put it to the side if I come back to it the next day is there still good "herb" left? Or do I need to refill it?

 

[Vitolo]

Ok, now i'm at least beginning to get it. Let me back up a bit as far the the instructions go. First of all the person who told me about the Iolite said the the steps are this.

Add the "herb" to the bowl.
Close unit
turn gas on
click the button
wait for orange glow (the flame?)No it is not a flame, but an indicator to tell you heating is going on . when the flame is off is when you hit the unit.
after glow goes out, turn gas off again-No- you do not turn the gas off until you are finished.
then just hit it till I get enough


When I do this even after the gas is turned off the glow (I assumed that this is a flame) keeps going on and off at least 4 or 5 times it seems, though for a much shorter time that the initial time it does it.
Again.. read the link... the unit after you feel you are done will cycle.. and go on and off 2 more times (3 in older units)

And sorry if I being tedious here but I am still not sure how to tell when the bowl is cashed out, I mean if I fill it halfway and then take say 3 hits and put it to the side if I come back to it the next day is there still good "herb" left? Or do I need to refill it?
Put in the dose you wish to do. An Iolite functions at a fixed temp. It is done when there is no taste or flavor

It is all very carefully explained in the manual.
A copy of it is here... Manual for Iolite
Just follow the instructions... They same the same exact thing I would be printing for you here.

 

[Glasshammer]

Thank you very much, Vitolo , for taking the time to answer. I guess I had some bad info from the start, like I said the person who instructed me how to use it said to turn the unit off after the first time it glowed, when I asked why she said because if I didn't I would be inhaling the gas. But you say just leave the gas on until I am done huh?

I will figure it out eventually.

 

[Alan]

I am really loving my Iolite with the addition of my Toasty Tube. I tapped the stainless steel bowl (on left side of photo) so that it could replace the roasting tube on my Toasty Tube. The airflow is much better with the larger ID SS tubing attached. This is one of my old thin style glass tubes. They are a bit more elegant but also more fragile. High temp silicone tubing is the interface between the stainless and glass tubing. I really like the dense screen Iolite provides. It allows good airflow but doesn't allow much particulate. You can see how free the glass tubing is from debris. This shows how well the Iolite delivers pure vapor. The honey just condenses and collects on the glass. It is time to clean this tube.

I am in a habit of refilling with butane before each use. This gives me the highest pressure and best chance of getting the spark to ignite.
Check to be sure it is getting warm because I can't always see the light. May need to spark it a couple of times. Always use the purest butane you can find even if it costs more.
The main butane tank is controlled by the switch on the side. The secondary butane tank is controlled by a thermostatic valve. The secondary tank will continue to provide butane and cycle off/on after the primary tank is shut off.
Always wait until the burner shuts off to inhale. That will minimize the taste of combusted butane. I will even stop inhaling if the burner starts while I'm taking a hit.
As the oil is vaporized from the herb, it will shrink in volume. This leaves a little more space in the stainless steel chamber. I like to snap the plastic case in the location of the bowl with my finger. It kind of shakes up the herb inside to expose more herb to the airstream. It is not always practical to open up the unit to stir for more complete vaporization. The spend herb has little structure left and collapses on the screen which starts blocking airflow. I milkshake draw may be necessary towards the end.
I install one of the retaining rings into the empty stainless steel roasting chamber. This will leave some space behind the screen to improve airflow. Then I install the screen without installing another retaining clip. This makes the screen very easy to remove for cleaning. A clean screen is very important.

Here is a photo of the glass tube installed on the Iolite.

 

[Glasshammer]

Ok here I go again, sorry. Does vaporizing ever give you a sore throat? Maybe it's just coincidence (or maybe it's because I was using it wrong) but I seem to be getting a sore throat. Can the vapors do that to you?

 

[Alan]

Ok here I go again, sorry. Does vaporizing ever give you a sore throat? Maybe it's just coincidence (or maybe it's because I was using it wrong) but I seem to be getting a sore throat. Can the vapors do that to you?

The vapor delivered from the Iolite can get a bit hot near the end and can irritate the throat. I tend to angle the tube into my mouth so the airstream hits the side of my mouth first to give my throat a bit of a break.
I do find water filtration does not irritate my throat as much.

 

[WatTyler]

I used to find the Iolite slightly irritating on the airways, but then I added a silicone whip and not any more. For me it does seem related to heat- I've a few vapes that are slightly more irritating than others, and it seems due to the short vapor path - MFLB, Solo, Iolite, PD - and they're all much smoother with a longer whip, tube or whatever.

Loving that toasty tube Alan! Shame it needs the Iolite bowl re tapped, and so isn't a household mod. I'd make one too otherwise!

 

[max]

I am really loving my Iolite with the addition of my Toasty Tube.

Nice. Do you have any plans to sell something like this for the iolite and wispr?

Does vaporizing ever give you a sore throat?

Sore throat is normally thought of in relation to illness. Dry throat yes. You're getting quite a bit of heated air with this model, and it can easily dry out your throat. Rehydration should be all you need though. If you want to limit the effect, slow down your draw. That should increase the vapor and decrease the amount of air you're getting.

 

[WatTyler]

I am really loving my Iolite with the addition of my Toasty Tube.

Nice. Do you have any plans to sell something like this for the iolite and wispr?

+1

 

[Alan]

I am really loving my Iolite with the addition of my Toasty Tube.

Nice. Do you have any plans to sell something like this for the iolite and wispr?

I have been thinking about maybe making a mod kit to sell. Something to hold the stainless steel bowl firmly so that the hole can be re-tapped with a provided. Would be nice if Iolite just tapped them for 1/4"-28 threads.

The real crazy thing is that the Iolite threaded mouthpiece still threads securely into the re-tapped hole so you haven't ruined anything by doing the mod. The hole in the Iolite mouthpiece is 3mm ID. The hole in the Toasty Tube mouthpiece is 5mm ID. This is a fairly significant increase in diameter and airflow.

Does the wispr have the same connection to the stainless steel roasting chamber? I haven't seen to much detail on it yet.

 

[Glasshammer]

Thanks again.

 

[Vitolo]

Go to top of page post #3501
add a tube for distance... and also add a mouthpiece to restrict flow at the suction end..( increrasing "draw at the chamber!)
This will make the vapor cooler.
The Iolite is warm on the throat, with no extension.
They sell official extensions also.