Something that I have noticed about vaporizing, living in Seattle, is that popular opinion on it isn't very high. I work at a pizza place with 50+ employees and have talked to most of them about vaporizing.
"I used to vaporize for awhile but then it stopped getting me high so I switched back to smoking"
"I think its sort of a fad/gimmick, nothing compares to a good bong rip"
"I tried my friend's Volcano once, it was okay"
These were the average opinions on the subject. There's also a fair number of people who haven't really tried it more than a couple of times. Probably 4 out of the 50 people own a respectable vaporizer, and I'm not sure if anyone there actually vaporizes on a regular basis (such as I) as opposed to smoking. Most people are mostly aware of 'the Volcano' and many think it's the only vaporizer worth buying.
Older people are more likely to look down on vaporization too. Of the handful I talked to (who were 35+), they all appear to be unaware of it, or aware of it but completely belittling of it. For some people, the idea of smoking and marijuana are completely intertwined and inseparable. My dad, for example, won't even take a dab of hash if offered to him. He just says "it does nothing for me, and it irritates my throat" - and then goes off to take a bong rip from his bong that hasn't been cleaned since he purchased it years ago and continues to disgustingly hack his lungs out.
Despite the benefits of vaporization being significant and blatant, I feel like people in general don't want to change. I have a theory: whatever that is more instantly gratifying is to be more popular. Food, music, smoking, whatever it is - people want instant gratification. The "buy-in" price for a decent vaporizer is too much a leap of faith for some people - or the benefits just don't seem worthwhile, even to people who use marijuana on a daily basis. Whenever I explain the concept of 'efficiency' and 'getting significantly more for your money', I get the impression that the idea goes over their head or they believe I'm exaggerating the benefits.
What are the popular opinions on vaporizing where you live?
What you say about the concepts of "efficiency" and "getting significantly more..." seem so blindingly obvious to me! I cannot for the life of me understand why several of my friends have been so slow to see the benefits of vaping. The one excuse I get that you didn't list is "well, I'm not using it for medicinal reasons..." So, what, then, you can waste YOUR money because you're NOT disabled? I personally say that's all the MORE reason to make your stash last significantly longer: you got reasons to celebrate, at least while you're still able bodied...
What really caused ME to stick to vaping was that once I'd tasted unburnt marijuana for the first time, I could never stand the taste of burnt plants again. Not ever. Not even for a social hit. I'd rather do without than combust. I don't understand why I'm affected so strongly by that taste thing and others aren't (other than me being a taste whore and all...). For me, vaping was like being hit by Vape Lightning. Others don't even seem to get a tingle, even from that first virgin hit off of a full, endlessly reproducible balloon of thick milky medicinal weed!
I will say that the Arizer Solo has gone a long way toward changing some minds, though. A couple of friends are leaning toward owning one because it's so easy to use and the taste is good and it DOESN"T cost several hundred dollars. Thus, the one reasonable excuse anyone could have for not vaping is actually the very reason one should vape: it will save you loads of money. However, it is also unfortunately true that one needs a good steady three digits of hard earned Georges to get a decent vaping device with a short learning curve. I love my MFLB, but talk about a sophisticated learning curve (that box will NEVER convert anyone. It is for the hardcore hobbyist only, imho... I love it, but I already vaped when I got it, and it was STILL hard to use...)... And the Titan 1, clone of a clone of a clone, while easy to use, will toast your weed in 30 seconds if you're not careful -- again, not an issue if you already KNOW how to vape, but a show-stopper for a beginner.
Anyone know of a good beginner's vape, in terms of proselytizing the mainstream to our viewpoint? (or would that best be found elsewhere? Don't mean to get off topic here.)
Axatal: re not craving like you used to with weed? I believe it's the other way around. We don't crave weed the same way because we ARE getting what we need with vaping, where we were NOT getting what we needed from smoking. Combustion destroys delicate chemical relationships like the proverbial bull in a china shop. Vaping is a more refined, less destructive approach to absorbing cannabinoids. Perhaps it's also much much more effective on those subtle levels at which marijuana causes healing, down at the ecs level somewhere. I don't know the science, but I feel much more alert, less burdened by my drug load (chronic pain, tmjd etc), and far less attentive to how much dope I have at the moment (ie, relaxed about usage and perceived needs being met). And no fewer than five people have commented on the changes in my presence since vaping began. Of course, it's in the spirit of "I was really getting worried about you for a while there. But now that you're vaping..." as if that's somehow a compliment. It IS feedback, though, and thus, is appreciated as such. If we listen, people tell us interesting things about ourselves. It's not always easy, but it IS important info... imho, anyway...
of course they would mention the iolite and show pictures of the da vinci. both are pretty bulky, so the pax can shine with it small size. the volcano. well, haven't seen a piece on vaporizing without mentioning the volcano, yet. the both pens featured also seem alibi choices. given the bad rep of the atmos and lacking reviews on the snoop dog pen, not the best ones. but it's nice to read that vaping gets some recognition. 
I've quit using my Cloud+ in favor of my SSV w/ screen mod, I can keep an eye on how dark my ABV gets, it only takes a pinch, and it is ready to go all evening. I'm afraid to leave my Cloud on and it takes a good 20 minutes to preheat.
