Looking for my first portable Vaporizer

[HobbyStoner]

Hey guys, new guy here and a complete vaping-noob.

I've never tried vaping but have smoked on and off for about 12years.
I smoke maybe a couple times a week, and have to be very discreet about it since my wife hates it.

I use a Budbomb now, as it's very stealth and can be hit very quickly without prep time or any mess.
But due to the fact that i don't really care for the smoke anymore due to sports and general health i want to get a Vaporizer.
I've been trying to read all i can on the portable ones for the last few days and everyone of them has pros and cons obviously, but the thing that worries me the most is that a lot of people are reporting that their devices are breaking down and havong to ship them back and forth and such.
I realize that electronics can break, but i really want to avoid such problems as much as possible so i need help on getting the best one for my needs.

My needs are: It has to be reliable, pretty stealth(preferably pocket friendly), easy to maintain(clean), not too fragile(will most likely be stored in a cold shed over the winter) and dry-herb friendly.

The MFLB kind of fits my needs, but it seems to be a bit troublesome to operate.
I like the Pax, Da vinci and Solo, and the Inhalator also seems preety cool but i have no idea how to choose the best one.

I'm open to any suggestions.

 

[deadheadbill]

The MFLB does sound like a good fit, except for the cold thing. Any battery operated device is not going to like to be kept in the cold.

The Pinnacle Pro is another option, it is from a proven reliable base and is discreet, pocketable. almost no maintenance and is at a good price with the FC discount atm.

 

[max]

I'm a very early adoptee of the DV and have never had any problems with it. Since Gratefulbuys is selling them for under $120 on eBay, and backing the warranty, I'm tempted to get another and use my current one as a backup. I've found it to be a very easy to use and effective portable.

The Solo is a good choice, but it's not an in and out of your pocket vape like the others you list.

 

[Meghan]

I second the suggestion of a Pinnacle Pro. As a former Pax owner, I would strongly suggest avoiding that one. Very high maintenance, and they can be prone to problems. The Solo is awesome as well, but fails a bit in the stealthy department.

 

[HobbyStoner]

The pinnacle i haven't seen before, it actually looks pretty good size-wise.
I looked a bit more into the MFLB today and i've yet to see someone say a bad thing about it so i'm kind of thinking that might be the best way to go.
The price is also very good, and for a first Vaporizer i'm thinking cheap as i can because i don't know if i'll like it or not.

I guess it's down to those two then, but i have to read a bit more on the Pinnacle.
I'm pretty sure i have a solution to the storage problem, as i've found a good spot inside to keep it. The MFLB is so small that i can keep it almost everywhere, and from what i saw at google pics the Pinnacle is pretty small too.

Does the Pinnacle have the same learning curve with the drag-patterns and all that stuff the MFLB has?

 

[deadheadbill]

No. The Pinnacle is much easier.

 

[HobbyStoner]

The one thing left that's holding me back is the fact that the Pinnacle comes with a 1year warranty but the MFLB a lifetime.
But i'm really leaning towards the Pinnacle now as i read more about it.

 

[max]

The MFLB is a very simple design, so a lifetime warranty makes sense where it doesn't for more complicated models. It does need a very fine grind (dry herb is essential) for best performance, and several different factors play into using it successfully. Battery life, both short term and long, draw speed, and connection time all determine how well it works. You have to stick with it and get the whole learning curve, and an extra charged battery or two may also be necessary, even for a relatively short trip away from home. Other pocket models will be a lot easier to master, but long term, a LB will keep right on working as long as you keep it in fresh batteries, and if it doesn't you're still covered.

 

[z9]

The mflb would fit your needs. Just keep the batteries on charge inside the house and leave the vape in the shed. No battery will perform well or for very long when its exposed to cold temperatures. Since you'll be leaving the vape outside go for one with a removable battery.

Have you considered flame powered vapes like the vapor genie?

 

[deadheadbill]

Think of the MFLB as a stick shift Honda Civic. Great product, great mileage but a bit of a learning curve and not as sexy as say a Honda Accord Coupe(Pn Pro) with an easier learning curve and more refined amenities.

 

[Caligula]

Wait... how does a Honda civic have a learning curve?

 

[z9]

Wait... how does a Honda civic have a learning curve?

Stick shift... Learning curve

 

[HobbyStoner]

The MFLB is a very simple design, so a lifetime warranty makes sense where it doesn't for more complicated models. It does need a very fine grind (dry herb is essential) for best performance, and several different factors play into using it successfully. Battery life, both short term and long, draw speed, and connection time all determine how well it works. You have to stick with it and get the whole learning curve, and an extra charged battery or two may also be necessary, even for a relatively short trip away from home. Other pocket models will be a lot easier to master, but long term, a LB will keep right on working as long as you keep it in fresh batteries, and if it doesn't you're still covered.

That's pretty much why i didn't go for the MFLB right away, i kind of just want something that works right away without any hazzle.
But on the other hand everyone who has it and mastered it absolutely love it, and the fact that it lasts you a "lifetime" is a huge plus.
I'm thinking about going for it, as it is the cheapest one, and if i don't like it i can always just get another one.

Have you considered flame powered vapes like the vapor genie?

Not really, i've seen a few that looked nice but i really want to get rid of the whole flame thing and keep things as simple as possible.
But i'm open to the idea if you have some good tips/info on it

 

[hoptimum]

Pinnacle Pro is pretty new and for me that raises red flags. I like to see how they hold up over time before I sink a couple hundred bucks in a vaporizer. The Ascent was the next big thing until it wasn't. MFLB and Solo have fairly long track records and seem very reliable. Plus they are relatively innexpensive as portables go. Since youre a smoker you might also look at the several variations of the Vapor Genie. They can deliver nice hits and have only a modest learning curve and also seem quite durable and pocketable. Though lighter powered they won't combust if used properly. Like the MFLB, theyre nice little one hitters and pretty cheap.

 

[HobbyStoner]

The VaporGenie actually seems quite nice, but how does it hold up against the MLFB regarding quantities used? I'm having a hard time phrasing this(english not first language), but what i mean is do i get the same amount of hiiiii out of my herb or does one of them waste a bit more herb than the other?
As in, would i get equally high from 0.1 with both?

 

[max]

how does it hold up against the MLFB regarding quantities used?

The Genie can be loaded with a very small amount, as can any model, but you'd find it frustrating to use that way. You wouldn't know you've gotten a hit until you waited for the the effects. It's really more of a big hitter and designed to be loaded up. The MF can also be loaded up and provide big hits, but you need to grind very fine and also allow the heat to build up. For the most part the Genie is easier to use for 'getting there' faster, while the MF is better for smaller hits, even micro hits.

would i get equally high from 0.1 with both?

If one vape takes many, smaller hits to use .1g, while the other can easily provide huge hits, the equal high won't be there because the one taking longer to use that much won't give you the same 'effect'. Big hits obviously give you a lot of vapor all at once and it's going to be a different effect than stretching the same amount out for a longer session. In many cases you'll stop before using that much. You won't be slammed, but you'll be high enough so you won't be interested in reloading or stirring and hitting it more. It's the same principle as taking several shots of liquor all at once, vs. consuming the same amount of alcohol via beer, which will take quite a bit longer unless you're doing a chugging contest.

 

[HobbyStoner]

The Genie can be loaded with a very small amount, as can any model, but you'd find it frustrating to use that way. You wouldn't know you've gotten a hit until you waited for the the effects. It's really more of a big hitter and designed to be loaded up. The MF can also be loaded up and provide big hits, but you need to grind very fine and also allow the heat to build up. For the most part the Genie is easier to use for 'getting there' faster, while the MF is better for smaller hits, even micro hits.

If one vape takes many, smaller hits to use .1g, while the other can easily provide huge hits, the equal high won't be there because the one taking longer to use that much won't give you the same 'effect'. Big hits obviously give you a lot of vapor all at once and it's going to be a different effect than stretching the same amount out for a longer session. In many cases you'll stop before using that much. You won't be slammed, but you'll be high enough so you won't be interested in reloading or stirring and hitting it more. It's the same principle as taking several shots of liquor all at once, vs. consuming the same amount of alcohol via beer, which will take quite a bit longer unless you're doing a chugging contest.

Good reply, thank you!

I'm going with the VG, ordering tomorrow and hopefully vaping by the end of next week!
Thanks for your help all, it's greatly appreciated!

 

[deadheadbill]

Good luck dude. That is one of the few vapes I haven't tried. Let us know what you think.