Looking for flavoursome clouds, direct/whip with durability and extras

[Tropicanna]

TL: DR - Durable, flavoursome clouds, quit smoking tobacco now looking to vape herbs alongside my e-cig MOD, relatively easy to use, prefer direct draw or whip, unsure of delivery in terms of convection etc. Would like a multi-purpose unit that can vape dry or wet herbs as well as oils. Don't mind whether Table top or portable, but I guess I do lean on the portable side. [edit] a short to medium start up/heating time for relatively quick vaping but that's not a necessary if table top as I can just make a cuppa or something
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Hi all Hoping you can help me find my ideal vape. I hail from England and been smoking since I was 14 (now 29). I quit smoking tobacco after 14 years as a New Year's resolution and have been vaping on an iTaste MVP 2.0 - current flavour in the chamber is Banana Cookie Dough which is yummy! I'm down to 6mg now from 18mg on 50/50 mix and looking forward to cutting down to no nicotine at all.

Since quitting smoking, I've been trying to find a means to flavour herbs without tobacco. I own a glass pipe and the VaporGenie but am now looking for an electronic vape. The vapourizers which have interested me the most (but not limited to) at the moment are the EQ, HA, PnP, Solo and the PLENTY. I'm struggling to choose between them all...

My criteria are that it has to be within ~£150-£200 ($235-$334) price range, but ideally the lower end of that range so that I can total in some upgrades/extras.

Delivery, I'm mostly a solo smoker but would like to share some herbs with friends once in a while. However I'd say that 90% of the time, it will only be me who uses the device. I think a bag system is a novelty that will wear off for me after a while and since I will be using it solo, I'd prefer a direct draw/whip system. I would like the device to be able to attach to a glass bong but not a necessity.

I'm usually a low-medium user and mostly smoke during the night to help me sleep or relax after a hard day. I suffer from insomnia and the internet doesn't help my procrastination lol.

Efficiency, being an ex-smoker I'd like to be able to vape a nice flavoursome cloud. I'd like to minimize the amount needed to pack it but that's not really a necessity.

Stealth wise, since I named devices which are both portable and table top, I don't really mind how stealthy it is so long as I can get good flavoursome clouds. In a sense, I would like it to be a little portable so I can take it into the garage, but I guess that depends on how much smell there is in the cloud? I can always stand up and exhale out the window but I'd rather be lazy and toke relaxing.

I don't really mind if it's digital or analog so long as it's easy to use and built to last. I'd prefer a unit which will enable me to use both dry and wet herbs as well as oils - but I read here that you can dab some cotton and use oils that way.

Warranty, I would like a company which has good customer service and one that would be able to sort things out for clients over in EU, but then most of the e-shops here have good customer service anyway for faulty goods especially Vapefiend.

I suppose durability is a must for me as I tend to be clumsy and drop/knock things. My phone has stupid amounts of scratches but it still works, as does my iTaste.

In terms of pros/cons that I have thought about the list earlier (EQ, HA, PnP, Solo and the PLENTY):

• I think that the EQ has alot of functions and extras that may be beneficial in the long run. I like that it has glass and I don't think I'll be too clumsy since I love cooking. I also like the Potpourri feature but it's not a selling point for me. The remote control feature seems a nice function especially for lazing around on a Sunday
• The HA, I like that it can be attached to a bong (though I don't own one at the moment) but question the external pump included - is it noisy and isn't it a bit of a hassle? I like the fact they think it's durable and semi-indestructible/built to last. I find the espresso feature a little weird, and agree with some reviews that it's hard to gauge how much you smoke although I do own digital scales..
• PnP has been recommended a lot on the UK forums I frequent, but I'm a little concerned about people saying it doesn't have the flavour of the solo and other units. I think the battery life would be fine when buying an external battery charger and I like the fact that you can load quickly with the 6-bullets. I want the water bong but I see that there's a backlog at the moment and would like an alternative solution.
• Solo, I like that it's suppose to be flavoursome but curious whether it's a little bulky for a portable. I understand that you can place it in a cup and stealth it with other means as well as the many add-ons available. I also like how you can vape whilst its charging.
• PLENTY - I stumbled on this the other day and like the fact it's made by the Volcano peeps, but wonder if I'll miss out on the other features of the other units when it's purely designed for direct draw. I'm assuming because it's made by the same people, the flavour will still be plentiful.

If you read to here, I applaud you - I ramble on alot! Thank you for reading and I look forward to some insight and recommendations

 

[Caligula]

If interested in table tops then also look at log style vapes such as the EpicVape E-Nano or the Underdog, SSV, LSV, et al.

They are inexpensive, offer above par flavor (some dare say some of the best?), and are powerful enough to give you smoke like vapor.

FWIW, I've tried a few table tops and I own a Solo. That being said I still prefer the E Nano unless I require something portable. The Nano has a diminutive form factor so it pairs well with bongs/bubblers, and concentrates vape up aces with it as well.

 

[as]

Get a e nano it rocks will get you smashed I a pinch of weed it will cost you about £150 delivers to uk what I paid for mine it's a table top but is very small and you can take it with you in a jacket pocket you won't get much better for £150 IMOIMO

 

[Tropicanna]

Thanks for the replies guys
@Caligula I'll have a gander at the e-nano. It looks like it can be customized to an extent in terms of the outer enclosure albeit for a price. Nice little niche to have.

@as Can I ask which website you purchased it from? If not allowed to directly link here, could you PM me? How was the delivery time?

 

[vorrange]

Be sure to check the Lotus as well. I find it very pratical for a quick toke or a long session, it is efficient and one of the best portables in terms of taste and extraction. The main issue is that it depends on your technique for the best results. Although it is quite easy to master, the quality of the experience is directly related to your technique.

It is very sturdy and durable and a great unit to bring to a friends house as it is small but delivers quite a punch.
You won't miss your table top if you have the Lotus with you.

Other than that i'd get a nano or a solo. the nano is ac powered and you need a step down transformer because it runs at 110V.
The Solo is portable as well but the taste is not as good as the other two. And there is a bit more conduction as well which will kill the flavour quicker but you can minimize that by removing the stem between each hit.

 

[Tropicanna]

@vorrange Thanks for the reply I'll have a butchers at the lotus too. One of the main reasons I'm looking towards an electronic vape is because my poor technique with the vaporgenie - I still can't get to grips with it after half a year and I go through so much butane. In a sense, I feel as though my VG reminds me of smoking cigarettes because of the butane factor and because I don't currently use pure butane i worry about the health aspects.

eta: So just out of curiosity, what makes the Lotus technique such a steep learning curve?

I like the fact that you all took into account my quest for durability. I am a clumsy git lol.

 

[as]

The e nano is hand made in USA by @ACE OF VAPE and his site is www.epicvape.com

The e nano is solid mate trust plus you get a life time warranty as a FC member plus 5% of with FCLOVE

 

[vorrange]

Not steep, i mastered the Lotus much faster then my Genie. What i meant is that it is not the same as pressing a button or positioning a knob, and pulling like many electronic vapes, so there is a higher reward when you master the technique of the unit.

As for butane, you don't inhale any lighter exhaust like in the Genie, the air path is isolated from the heat source.

 

[Tropicanna]

@as Thanks for the linkage and discount code! It does look beautiful Lifetime warranty too, damn that's saying alot!

@vorrange I just went over to their website and watched the tutorial video: it looks so much simpler than the Genie lol. I like that you have a visual of where to aim the flamethrower lighter and it seems really easy too. How is the heat from inhalation? I found the Genie really harsh at times mainly due to my poor technique. I also wondered sometimes whether I was even getting high or just inhaling hot air

eta: Can the Lotus vape oils? If not I guess I could just dab it on some ABV or just stick to bubble hash or something..

 

[grokit]

I have the best-tasting genie, the glass sherlock, and with proper technique the taste is comparable to the lotus. But the lotus is easier to master, you don't inhale exhaust, and you can use it with a breeze blowing. I keep the glass sherlock around because it's glass, and for hard-core combusters, because the experience is so pipe-like. And you can use it with a bic lighter but not with a breeze blowing, no torch required.

 

[as]

You could get a nano and a lotus for about 250 or you coul get a ev2 made by the same guy as the e nano for £90 looks like a very good vape then get the lotus as well and you got a home and on the go set up

 

[CentiZen]

I mastered my lotus in less than a few hours with the techique described in this review. Been using it hard ever since, it's a great vape if you don't mind driving manual, so to speak.

 

[vorrange]

The heat is very mild, because you only inhale clean air which needs to be lower than 230C.

The vapor from the Lotus can become very thick quickly and harsh too if you like it that way but to me, it is only harsh when i overdo it on the heating time and i get uneven roasting with one part becoming brown.

I like my hits thick but not too much, and my herbs stay green for a long time, then yellow for a long time then after becoming brown it is easy to go from brown to black. This part is the most tricky, and it is easy to get a harsher hit at this point. That is the disadvantage of manual temps, you don't have a temp limit.

As for oils, i never tried it but others have and reported great results. morocan straight on the screen, and oils with cotton. I want to get hemp fiber instead of cotton to use oils, it seems a great alternative.

 

[Tropicanna]

@grokit I use one of those long nozzle kitchen lighters with my Genie (it's the wooden one) and I'm still scared of burning the filter. I never knew they did a glass version, it looks really nice

@as I am definitely leaning towards getting both at the moment. I assume you mean £250? Also, unless I'm too stoned, the EV2 is $250? Where is it £90?

Note to self: I have to research more on the epic vapes... See what the difference between the nano and EV2 is.

@CentiZen Strangely enough I was just reading that review! lol. I do agree with him that from my own experience of using butane vapes, I was a little apprehensive about using another when you guys mentioned the Lotus.

@vorrange I just read/watched their video on how the Lotus works and yeah, I can imagine the heat isn't too harsh because the air is drawn from below rather than with the heat source. I can relate to the browning to cindering of herbs - kind of defeats the object of vaping in a sense. The fact that you mentioned it gives good thick smoke depending on the draw is a positive for me. After years of smoking, my lung capacity has lowered anyway lol.

 

[paytonpenn]

Here's how I see, EV-2 for $125

+

Lotus or Hammer, I vote Hammer, $120

 

[vorrange]

Everyone is aprehensive about flame vapes until they use the Lotus, i did as well. I heard all the praise and i always minimized by thinking they were justifying their buy.

As for EV2 vs Nano, both have changeable temps but the NAno has a dimmer switch and the EV2 was made for fixed temp that can be changed by spinning a disk on the bottom of the unit.

The EV2 has a gong joint and was made to be used with a whip and now also has a wand. The Nano is half the size, and its shape is more like the traditional log vape like the HI or the UD, and is better to use with a water piece.

 

[Tropicanna]

@paytonpenn Hi dude Another one to consider From a quick glance, the hammer looks like a metal vape. Have you tried both Lotus and your Hammer? What makes you recommend the Hammer over the lotus? Where is this $125 price for the EV2?

@vorrange Food for thought!

So many choices out there and so many positives from each and so confusing at the same time

 

[vorrange]

Yeah dancho, you need to be really honest with what you want and with what your "restrictions" are.

And there will always be trade-offs regarding what you choose.

I came to a point of making an Excel table with the options i need, rating each vaporizer according the the variables i chose (taste, efficiency, durability, price and size), rate each variable according to the importance i give them, and then add it up to see which units have the higher score.


I did one yesterday with LSV,SSV,Enano,EVO,Minivap,Herborizer and Herbalizer. The EVO was #1, and the E-nano #2 and the MV and Herbalizer were tied in #3.
It was just for home units though.

 

[Caligula]

E Nano concentrate hits. Like a boss.

 

[as]

Forgot to give you the discount code it's EV50 for 50% of all ev2 stuff but only till he sells out and he difence is the ev2 is bigger has a bigger bowl and a glass eater cover my as like e nano all so te ev2 has to be changed temp buy the e pic or a small screw driver

I ment 250 for eano and lotus
Or
200 for ev2 and lotus

 

[Tropicanna]

@vorrange I may well take you up on that table of pros/cons! After talking to such nice people as yourselves, I'm both fascinated and confused

Frigging hell, that's a lot of cloud @Caligula ! Wow!

Thanks @as

eta: I have to say I am leaning towards a Lotus and a Epic Vape currently. I wasn't intending to buy both a table top and a portable but it does make sense in the long run

 

[as]

That vid just made me load a all kief bowl on 9 it looks like I'm smoking but its all lush vapor

 

[Caligula]

Its always good to have a backup vape anyway. Best to get two.

 

[paytonpenn]

I have yet to come across the Lotus, and my recommendations would be from personal preference.

The Hammer is very much like my Underdog and many other log style vapes due to the heatport. I like that I don't have to look at my Hammer or create a light when I am using it outside, not to say I couldn't master walking and lighting a Lotus without looking. I assume the torches the Lotus users have are pretty nice, but I've had problems with some torch lighters others have worked well though, but I really enjoy how consistent my Hammer's torch has been. I've had my Hammer since July and am on my second can of butane (bought 2 weeks ago). Still igniting on the first click.

Stems are also why I enjoy my Hammer but that goes back to the heatport. They match my UD so I can use silicone stems in my Hammer and glass stems in my UD.

 

[grokit]

The problem with the hammer is if the lighter part goes bad you're sol,
compared to the lotus where you just grab another one.
Also with the hammer it's recommended to use something called the "two-straw method" to avoid exhaust.
I enjoyed the hammer when I tried it,
but I'm not very good with refillable lighters (getting better) so I passed it on.