New Portable Desired - Advice please ;)

[misanthrope]

Had a thread similar to this but didn't reach a conclusion.

Reading these threads can be difficult at times because you hear the negative aspects of so many vapes.

At the moment, my portable unit is the Iolite - I've had it for years and it has served well, but I'm a bit tired of how difficult it is to draw on and worry that the rusty residue in the bowl is effecting taste (taste is another negative thing about the IO, tainted with "robot fart" is perfect to describe the taste).

I can't help but think this thing could have been vastly improved if the air inlet (wherever it is, it's a mystery) had been much bigger. It feels like trying to drink milkshake through a straw the size of a needle.

So I'm after a portable vape with a nice airy draw and reasonable level of discreet appearance - two main requirements.

A bonus would be if it didn't need electricity to run, butane is fine. If I do have mains power I would like it to last for a decent amount of time and work while charging.

The Solo is a bit less discreet, but I have heard good things about it generally (except it also has draw resistance according to some).

The VG, I own, but found I didn't like the feeling/idea of basically breathing in a lighter with every draw. Found myself wishing the stone would stay hot for longer.

I was almost sold on the Pinnacle Pro, but then heard so many nightmare stories of melty plastic mouthpieces it put me off. From what I hear, still no improvements made. Also 50 min battery doesn't sound like much.

I find myself edging towards the WHISPR 2 (despite moaning about the IO, it still works over 3 years in which says a lot) but I'm not sure if it's a genuine upgrade to the IO or just a gimmick? I'm also not sure if it draws better - if it does, I'm sold.

Any opinions on anything to do with this decision would be much appreciated, thanks!!

 

[stickstones]

What about the mflb?

 

[misanthrope]

What about the mflb?

Thanks for replying so quickly.

Don't want to seem rude but I've always felt MFLB looks very fiddly and has lots of bits to lose.

Also worry it will look pretty weird when I'm wandering around leafy suburbia, with batteries in one hand and a wooden matchbox in the other, pausing every now and again to insert said battery...

The search for the holy grail continues...

 

[grokit]

Firefly

 

[misanthrope]

Firefly

Now that looks like a nice unit. Just watched the vapelife review. Can you vape your herb to a dark brown with the firefly? Or does it remain lightish like in the vid?

 

[grokit]

Now that looks like a nice unit. Just watched the vapelife review. Can you vape your herb to a dark brown with the firefly? Or does it remain lightish like in the vid?

It depends on technique I think. I have been able to get my ff to combust so I would say yes it can get your abv as dark as you want it, maybe with a stir or two. I do use a top screen, some say that makes it run hotter, but for myself I use it that way so I don't have to clean the unit itself as often 'cuz I'm lazy.

 

[cybrguy]

I have been thinking about whether or not I NEED to have a portable and how portable it needs to be if I do. I don't think stealth is really the point for me as I am in a non MJ friendly state and ANY risk is too much, so it would really be more for portability rather than stealth. And for that I think the SOLO makes more sense. At least that is what I think today...

 

[Caligula]

Lotus. Its like a vapor genie but you dont inhale butane exhaust.

http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/the-lotus-vaporizer.2595/

 

[Patrick Hughes]

I find myself edging towards the WHISPR 2 (despite moaning about the IO, it still works over 3 years in which says a lot) but I'm not sure if it's a genuine upgrade to the IO or just a gimmick? I'm also not sure if it draws better - if it does, I'm sold.

Any opinions on anything to do with this decision would be much appreciated, thanks!!

I had Iolite's for my second and third vapes, and a wispr (v1) for my fourth. I found the main improvements to the wispr were the dramatically better ignition system, the visible butane level and the ability to set the unit down upright on a table, but otherwise it operated like the original. My wispr broke in the first week, so I was not overly impressed and moved on.

I wanted to suggest that you check out the Davinci Ascent, which I currently use for my flowers portable and am very satisfied with. It is similar to the IO original in size, shape and stealth, but in my opinion is better in every other way. The all glass vapor path helps the flavor. The unit is battery powered and can be used plugged into the wall. The temperature is user controllable, which I find I use far more than I would have expected. You can set the unit to run automatically through three timed temperature settings to really customize the experience.

I find that with both the Ascent and Iolite I tend to roast a bowl for >10 minutes rather than the shorter sessions I get with some other vapes. Same effect, but I love to puff so I usually don't mind drawing the process out.

 

[natural farmer]

Lotus for butane, Firefly for battery power...

You won't look back for a while. Promise...

 

[cybrguy]

You guys really are not good for my finances...

Just curiosity (he said chuckling to himself). Why would one choose the 5" stem over the 6" stem Lotus? I'm not really getting why it is offered at two lengths so close in size.

 

[paytonpenn]

You guys really are not good for my finances...

Just curiosity (he said chuckling to himself). Why would one choose the 5" stem over the 6" stem Lotus? I'm not really getting why it is offered at two lengths so close in size.

The 6 inch stem protrudes out of my pocket, options are nice.

@misanthrope what's your opinion on the Hammer?

 

[cybrguy]

Well, just from reading this newsgroup over the last couple months I was all but certain that when I decided it was time to get a portable it was gonna be the SOLO. The idea of needing a flame source and dealing with butane and potential combustion and hot parts was somewhat unattractive to me, so I never really considered the LOTUS. I have to say now, that after reading much of the LOTUS thread, seeing how responsive and CS oriented they are, and reading all the positive opinions and reviews, I think as of now the LOTUS is taking over that "what's next" spot on this journey. It also makes me wonder just how infectious VAS actually is...

The 6 inch stem protrudes out of my pocket, options are nice.

Oh, I get that absolutely. I just would have expected a 2" difference or more rather than 1". A curiosity, not a criticism.

 

[cityslang]

Yes the lotus is what I'd recommend it's quick and easy to use bit of a learning curve but it's a fun one not an irritating one.

I do like the look of the firefly but it has a feeble battery life.

I have a pinnacle pro and solo but would be happy to keep the lotus over the other 2 any day of the week. It's not too good outdoors if any wind is blowing.

 

[paytonpenn]

Oh, I get that absolutely. I just would have expected a 2" difference or more rather than 1". A curiosity, not a criticism.

I feel a lot of users would note on the vapor being too hot if it was shorter than 5". Also with the flame that close to your face.

 

[cybrguy]

Right. I was thinking more on the other side of the spectrum, like 7" or 8". But it is important to note that this is only speculation as I have yet to even hold one in my hand.

 

[paytonpenn]

Those personally just sound very lengthy, if you needed it that long it would be more convenient to get J-Hook. I honestly feel the WPA is the way to go unless you need the durability or slight stealth. But after using a JHook, you'll rarely go with the default stem.

 

[Amazingkaddycap]

Just get a solo....nothing IMO comes close to it, no techniques to learn, no hyper cleaning needed to keep it functional, holds a perfect amount. All around a solid vape, I use mine everyday with my wife(along with Herbalizer and EVO) even the power of those two units can't overcome my daily desire to use the Solo , one load is enough for the both of us , in a 24 min session.

 

[stickstones]

Just get a solo....nothing IMO comes close to it, no techniques to learn, no hyper cleaning needed to keep it functional, holds a perfect amount. All around a solid vape, I use mine everyday with my wife(along with Herbalizer and EVO) even the power of those two units can't overcome my daily desire to use the Solo , one load is enough for the both of us , in a 24 min session.

Those are my vapes as well! Do you have one of Ed's wooden stems yet?

 

[duckdown]

Solo all the way, is my vote for portable

SSV for plugin

 

[Amazingkaddycap]

Those are my vapes as well! Do you have one of Ed's wooden stems yet?

I never used the wood stems, I've heard good things, I actually prefer the stock stems over the PVHS. I want to pick up an SSV eventually, I grabbed the LSV for a great price about 3 weeks ago and that is also a quality vape for a plug in.

 

[Elluzion]

I never used the wood stems, I've heard good things, I actually prefer the stock stems over the PVHS. I want to pick up an SSV eventually, I grabbed the LSV for a great price about 3 weeks ago and that is also a quality vape for a plug in.

What did you get your lsv for?

 

[Amazingkaddycap]

What did you get your lsv for?

I wanted the LSV when it was released, but the $350 price tag was to much IMO. I received a coupon for vapornation, didn't realize it dropped in price, with the coupon I paid $161. For that price I couldn't pass it up. Glad I did too, works great.

 

[Vape_genius]

Grab the FireFly, just do like I do and clean after every smoke. Its a pain but I don't smoke out of dirty tools. I mainly like it cause it feels expensive, but that's just my opinion. Also I dont smoke it til the looks like coffee grounds, think the taste is gone by then lol.

 

[paytonpenn]

I don't think he is going to be smoking with it. Feels expensive? It is expensive, overpriced too if you ask me.