Need A VAPE That Actually Performs Correctly.

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GnuBee

New Member
Greetings all. F.N.G. here. I'm looking for advise on buying a portable vape. The only 2 models that I'm familiar with are the Vapor Genie & the DaVinci Ascent. I was real pleased with the Ascent until I went to use it. It has been returned to the factory once before & still needs to be sent back as it wasn't repaired correctly. Unfortunately I'm thoroughly disgusted with DaVinci's attitude & customer service. I guess they just wanted my $250 & that I go away. I do not want to buy another effin electric pipe that only produces smoke.

My needs are for a portable. Prefer electric & fast warm up. I like the Ascents design & feel, just wish that it worked.

I look forward to any advise.

Thank you.
 

Delta3DStudios

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Hahaha, Yeah, I hear ya. My Davinci Ascent lasted one month of HEAVY use. Figured it died a week after I fucked combustion and couldn't stand the taste of smoking anymore!

In a pinch, I decided to buy a second vaporizer since it was a thursday night, and I knew I wouldn't see my Davinci for at LEAST another week. So I decided I need a solid reliable vaporizer which didn't rely on electricity for heat.

I ended up buying the Lotus vaporizer which really worked GREAT - though the hissing torch and heating methods don't make it extremely stealthy - *BUT* it's my off-the-grid vape - works GREAT for the price (but not easy to learn torch control!). Though since you have a VG, you probably don't need another butane vape.

I think it's going to be hard to find a portable electronic vaporizer which works reliably - it's still a new technology and most every vendor is having issues at some level.

My suggest (and I know everyone gets tired of hearing it) - is to check out the Arizer Solo - it's got quite a reputation and for good reason. The only problem is it isn't the most stealthy vape around!

Good luck on your search, I feel your pain with the Ascent! Luckily my replacement is still working (though rarely used for various reasons). I do like my Ascent, as it produces some of the best flavor of any vape I own
 

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
I second that on the Solo. It's a very reliable vaporizer. It's been around since 2011 and they just upgraded it this past December I believe is when the new version came out.

I personally like the flavor of the Solo. It's very easy to operate right out of the box with no learning curve involved. if you buy with Puffitup you will have no worries if you need to use the warranty. Also shipping to and from is free. They will do a price match if you find one under $160 from an authorized vendor.

The Solo can be used plugged in and the battery when new lasts around 2 hours. It's very easy to attach water tools to this unit. I noticed that I saved a lot on herb with this portable. It's not the sleekest and the most stealth of vaporizers, it's about the size of a can of Red Bull. It a perfect first vape.
 
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stickstones

Vapor concierge
Good point @as - the Genie is indestructible and if you know how to use it, it is a huge hitter.

@GnuBee -- give us some other hints about your budget and how important stealth is to you.

I also third the Solo as a quality vape that has shown it is durable. You can get a dud with any unit, but this one is one of the safer purchases out there.
 

Nytron

Well-Known Member
The Arizer Solo, a vaporizer designed in 2008, is somehow still the reigning champ in the portable vaporizer realm.

Nothing really comes close. The closest competition is the Inhalater and MiniVap, which are like triple the price and bigger than the Solo.

Solo + PVHEGonG Shorty Turbo + PNWT or f-BomB is the best vaporizer setup I've tried.
 
Nytron,

Ghostxyz3

Member
I'm also gonna have to recommend the Solo. I've had mine for a little over a year and I like it more than ever. I've even dropped it on cement and knocked it over numerous times. I'm on my second pair of stems but the vape itself is fine except for a little chip in the top corner.
Solo + PVHEGonG Shorty Turbo + PNWT or f-BomB is the best vaporizer setup I've tried.

Any reason you recommend the Shorty Turbo over the normal one?
 
Ghostxyz3,

lazylathe

Almost there...
Sub $200 budget i would go Arizer Solo all day!!
Wicked little portable that packs a punch!!
Quick heat up, great clouds, great flavour.
Can also pair to glass with the correct adapters!
You can also get upgraded batteries that will last longer between charges.
 
lazylathe,
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Nytron

Well-Known Member
Any reason you recommend the Shorty Turbo over the normal one?
Slightly smaller bowl size. One could argue the Shorty will pay for itself over a time.
The bowl is closer to the heating element. This aids in convection and conduction. Denser hits and less hits required to cache a bowl.

This bowl really makes sense if you supplement herb with concentrates, or if you want to have the option of packing smaller bowls. If you pack a small bowl in a regular sized Solo stem, there is a gap between your herb and the heater. With the Shorty, this gap is lessened and you can still achieve that dark brown/black cached herb color.
 
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Nytron,

virtualpurple

Well-Known Member
I'm a huge fan of the Haze. Super easy to clean, incredibly stealthy, replaceable batteries and the charger also acts as a powerbank for other USB powered devices.
 
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puddleglum

Well-Known Member
I've specifically done an A/B test of the Ascent and Solo, and the Solo was the hands-down winner.
 
puddleglum,

GnuBee

New Member
Thank you all for the replies.

As far as budget? Well that is variable. I don't mind spending good money on a "quality" product.

As far as stealth factor. That's not so important. 90% of the usage would be inside my home, but something that can be taken on the road is important. I like pocket sized gadgets, even if it requires a big pocket.

Are there any products that are 100% USA made? Or anyplace other than China. I hate supporting any company that sends jobs over to China.
 
GnuBee,
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Ghostxyz3

Member
you can still achieve that dark brown/black cached herb color.

I actually prefer my AVB lighter brown to make edibles with. Would the normal one be better for this? I just bought a PVHEGonG and the F Bomb and I'm just wondering if I should get a different adapter.

Are there any products that are 100% USA made? Or anyplace other than China. I hate supporting any company that sends jobs over to China.

I'm not sure about USA made, but the Solo is 100% made in Canada
 
Ghostxyz3,

His_Highness

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
Read up on the FC vendors and went with PIU to purchase a new Solo. Emailed PIU/Randy about a price match and he responded so fast he combusted the reply.

Got the new Solo, screens, o-rings, acrylic grinder and 2 day priority shipping for $135. Ordered Wednesday at around 4pm, got the tracking info within 30 minutes and had the package in my greedy little hands by Friday at 2pm.

Randy couldn't have been nicer and the customer experience as you can tell was phenomenal!! The only way to improve this transaction would have been to get the stuff for free, have Randy set it up on arrival and then jump up and down on my chest to inhale for me. :D

Thanks Again Randy!

I had asked Randy/PIU if it would be ok if I posted the above in the Supporting Retailers forum before I actually posted it and he was cool with it. I think it's important to support those who support us.

I have taken the Solo with me on a couple trips but for walking around the outside world I use the MFLB native because I can wrap my hand around the entire unit. I've been using the Solo as my daily driver since Oct 11th and it has performed spectacularly. The package it came in says assembled and packaged in Canada.
 
His_Highness,

Sabe

Member
If you're looking for a reputable manufacturer, go with the new Storz & Bickel portables; the final assembly is done in Germany. Mighty sounds right up your alley. It's large but pocketable. The Solo is also a great choice. Since your use would be 90% at home, look into the MiniVap. It's not pocketable, but it's worth a look if you're into attaching water tools. It also has replacable batteries.
 

GnuBee

New Member
Thanks again for the replies. I'm new to the world of vapes & don't know or recognize much of the lingo. Abbreviated models or names leave me lost.
 
GnuBee,

max

Out to lunch
The Arizer Solo, a vaporizer designed in 2008, is somehow still the reigning champ in the portable vaporizer realm.
Maybe it is to you, but really it's just very popular. And as a pocket portable, it doesn't even compete.

I've specifically done an A/B test of the Ascent and Solo, and the Solo was the hands-down winner.
Unless you're looking for a pocketable model. Even head to head, a lot of Ascent owners would disagree with you.
If you're looking for a reputable manufacturer, go with the new Storz & Bickel portables
Or pretty much any other name brand.

Thanks again for the replies.
You should probably look at threads for models suggested here, as well as other popular portables.
 
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