Pax - All Models

[Jill NYC]

So do you use the screen that comes with it as well? Or just use the one that comes in the Pax?

I just use the pax screen, much better imo.

 

[StellarLarve]

Hi,

I purchased a Pax Plus a few weeks ago. It was totally not planned nor thought, I saw it in a shop… et voilà.

My only other vapes experiences are a Dynavap Omni XL and a Vapman that I have been using for years. I had been toying for a while with the idea of an electronic vape, despite my initial reticence, rationalizing the VAS with the idea of frequent CBD taste sessions, dog walks, hikes… I had almost decided for a TM2, but too big, too expensive, and too much for my super low tolerance.

All in all, I like it. The design is super nice in a sea of ugly plastic things, the form factor is brilliant, use is a no-brainer… But… I reluctantly have to admit I am not impressed by the performance. I am under the impression that the Pax is way less efficient than my Omni or Vapman. Broadly speaking, I feel I am half as baked with at least twice the amount of weed.

I am using the half bowl on the Pax, that seems already gigantic compared to my two old trusty companions, and sure, I can sip for a while instead of clearing the bowl in one-two hit, and the effects are there… but if I compare the effects, I feel I should be waaaay more «medicated» with that amount. It is a bit underwhelming to «waste» +0.25g of herb, to be way less baked than with less than 0.1. It will end up for CBD sessions, after all

So… is that normal/expected?

Thanks for your input.

 

[maremaresing]

It sounds like you are using and enjoying the pax plus the same way that I use and enjoy my pax 2! Half bowl lid is the way to go to get the best performance, I feel.

I think the pax gets a bad rap for being "wasteful" of herb, because of sticker shock loading so much into it, as well as people using it incorrectly. Sounds like you are using it correctly, though!

You left out a very important bit of information; what temps are you hitting and what does your abv look like at the end. The chemicals don't have anywhere to go but in the herb, in your body, or wasted puffing into the air.

I think that devices like the dynavap and vapman promote microdosing, and deliver high temp full spectrum by default. Microdosing as method can deliver surprisingly good effects off of less. Pax is not a microdoser, for sure.

Personally, I use my pax 2 on two petal setting, and let it build heat over a whole session. Abv comes out evenly dark brown. I'm usually vaping the entire .25g load in a single, long, lazy session. I'm also blowing vapor clouds for fun, puffing on it like a joint, and just generally purposely being wasteful of the CBD. That said, I feel like it gets me about as high as that same amount of CBD does in my other vapes, and extracts far more than other electronic conduction vapes I've tried.

In short, idk?

 

[Maryjanie]

It sounds like you are using and enjoying the pax plus the same way that I use and enjoy my pax 2! Half bowl lid is the way to go to get the best performance, I feel.

I think the pax gets a bad rap for being "wasteful" of herb, because of sticker shock loading so much into it, as well as people using it incorrectly. Sounds like you are using it correctly, though!

You left out a very important bit of information; what temps are you hitting and what does your abv look like at the end. The chemicals don't have anywhere to go but in the herb, in your body, or wasted puffing into the air.

I think that devices like the dynavap and vapman promote microdosing, and deliver high temp full spectrum by default. Microdosing as method can deliver surprisingly good effects off of less. Pax is not a microdoser, for sure.

Personally, I use my pax 2 on two petal setting, and let it build heat over a whole session. Abv comes out evenly dark brown. I'm usually vaping the entire .25g load in a single, long, lazy session. I'm also blowing vapor clouds for fun, puffing on it like a joint, and just generally purposely being wasteful of the CBD. That said, I feel like it gets me about as high as that same amount of CBD does in my other vapes, and extracts far more than other electronic conduction vapes I've tried.

In short, idk?

Where are you all finding CBD flower? I can't find it in the dispensaries around me in FL. I'd like to order some but I am also a medical user and prefer organic or at least a very trusted source with labs- not minute market stash.

 

[vapviking]

Where are you all finding CBD flower? I can't find it in the dispensaries around me in FL. I'd like to order some but I am also a medical user and prefer organic or at least a very trusted source with labs- not minute market stash.

You might pose this same question over here

I think mail-order CBD hemp is legal now in US. Growers have got it tasting pretty good. I admit though I've not been taken by the hemp wave, having tried the THCA hemp also available legally online.

I don't have enough experience with specific vendors to direct you to one, I'm sure someone will chime in on that other thread. Start at the beginning, it's a relatively short one.

 

[Maryjanie]

You might pose this same question over here

I think mail-order CBD hemp is legal now in US. Growers have got it tasting pretty good. I admit though I've not been taken by the hemp wave, having tried the THCA hemp also available legally online.

I don't have enough experience with specific vendors to direct you to one, I'm sure someone will chime in on that other thread. Start at the beginning, it's a relatively short one.

Thank you. When I click on the link it's giving me an error page. What's the title of the thread?

 

[vapviking]

Thank you. When I click on the link it's giving me an error page. What's the title of the thread?

Apologies, I didn't test my link.
I think I've successfully updated that link, it should lead to this:

Mail Order CBD

I ordered some hemp CBD flower from a Cali seller Troy was pimping and I'm wondering if it'd make sense to start a thread to share our experiences and recommendations. My order hasn't shipped yet. This is just a new thing and I figured we could navigate it together. I'm definitely looking...

fuckcombustion.com

 

[Maryjanie]

So damn. I got a slightly used pax 3 from potv for $109. I am pissed that I can not access the web or phone app. Didnt know that b4 I ordered. Web app is only available for MAC users now and Pax says they are reconstructing the app but has no date to expect it to work which says to me they aren't doing shit. It's gonna die. So, do I keep this 3 or trade it for a mini or a plus? I will never smoke a whole bowl this size. I'll need a half pack lid or less. Lol. I am not a baller. For those of you that have tried different models, I'm wondering if I should just keep this 3 and get a half pack lid and a new 3D screen or trade for the plus since it comes with these items anyway. Potv has them slightly used for $149 and by the time I order these extra items & pay shipping for them It's gonna cost me about the same either way. Or heck they have the mini for $95. I'm bout ready to just get a refund bc what kind of company kills an app when so many people still use this product that is supposed to last for 10 years?!!! Ugh!

 

[Razzle_N_Dazzle]

what kind of company kills an app when so many people still use this product that is supposed to last for 10 years?!!! Ugh!

The blame isn't entirely on them. The app got caught in the crossfire of the "all vape bad" campaign that happened a couple years ago. It took too much brain power for people to distinguish the difference between flavored nicotine vapes and DHVs. With that being said, if you have an Android you can download the APK I think. I don't have a 3 so I haven't bothered looking for it.

 

[Madtater]

So damn. I got a slightly used pax 3 from potv for $109. I am pissed that I can not access the web or phone app. Didnt know that b4 I ordered. Web app is only available for MAC users now and Pax says they are reconstructing the app but has no date to expect it to work which says to me they aren't doing shit. It's gonna die. So, do I keep this 3 or trade it for a mini or a plus? I will never smoke a whole bowl this size. I'll need a half pack lid or less. Lol. I am not a baller. For those of you that have tried different models, I'm wondering if I should just keep this 3 and get a half pack lid and a new 3D screen or trade for the plus since it comes with these items anyway. Potv has them slightly used for $149 and by the time I order these extra items & pay shipping for them It's gonna cost me about the same either way. Or heck they have the mini for $95. I'm bout ready to just get a refund bc what kind of company kills an app when so many people still use this product that is supposed to last for 10 years?!!! Ugh!

My connect browser still works for my wife’s pax era pro. That is the same “app” i used with my old pax3 that i sold.

 

[Maryjanie]

My connect browser still works for my wife’s pax era pro. That is the same “app” i used with my old pax3 that i sold.

The pax era pro still works. The regular era no longer works either. The pro is the only one. I found it on their website. They have literally turned the others off and I think they're lying when they say they're working on it. They just want people to buy the new ones.

The blame isn't entirely on them. The app got caught in the crossfire of the "all vape bad" campaign that happened a couple years ago. It took too much brain power for people to distinguish the difference between flavored nicotine vapes and DHVs. With that being said, if you have an Android you can download the APK I think. I don't have a 3 so I haven't bothered looking for it.

Android nor Apple apps work anymore. The web based app now only works for Era pro. They have disabled the Era and the Pax 3. At least for new owners anyway. I wrote their customer service and they said the web app for Era and Pax 3 only works for MAC users now which I am not. Neither of the phone apps work anymore.

 

[Pablo13]

I've had a 3 since the start of the year with no app. Read the last few messages earlier and thought why not, so took the risk and downloaded an apk. So far, it all seems to work fine. So it's there if you want it and are willing to install apps from places other than the play store.

 

[Maryjanie]

I've had a 3 since the start of the year with no app. Read the last few messages earlier and thought why not, so took the risk and downloaded an apk. So far, it all seems to work fine. So it's there if you want it and are willing to install apps from places other than the play store.

Well I had never heard of an apk but I looked it up and found the app and downloaded it!!!! Thank you soooooo much! I'm going to go set it up and play now.

 

[ApparentlyStoned]

How do the experience modes work on the Plus?
Does the temp raise over the session?
How does the temperature range they list actually work?

 

[Flotsam]

The much maligned PAX. My experience was initially somewhat disappointing but has improved. But let me share some of the improvements i have had recently.

I am stuck with my PAX Plus for daily flower consumption. I have improved my results markedly with a few key tweaks & strategies. Most of these are related to stuff i have read hear on Fuck Combustion. Here are a few:

• Keep the pack very LOOSE and use the full size magnetic back to close
• No matter what you do concentrates are messy & not worth the effort (i did buy a new Pivot so i guess there is that reason as well)
• Keeping the battery charged to nearly full helps improve vapor production after the pack has been used for a while.
• If i notice my hits have diminished a bit i will stop and examine my AVB. I find at this point the degree of finishing the AVB almost always mixed. I basically repack the PAX chamber with the last stuff i pulled out closest to the oven. This works quite well and i can get some really good hits almost immediately but i know its almost time to replace the flower. I have noticed the high is much better than when i was using the PAX before.
• I also have adopted a technique where i let the device get ready, then WAIT like 20 sec take a nice deep sip. After that i wait the same 20 sec between hits. This really kills the battery, but i am mostly satisfied. The PAX battery is pretty strong but i try not to let the battery go completely dead before i recharge. (I still want a Lobo though)
• I still love bringing my PAX w me when i go out for walks. it is very discreet

 

[maremaresing]

I think the PAX is maligned because people don't know how to use it or pack it, and it's really intended for people who want to load/vape .25-.5. Are you sure yours isn't defective? Based on your battery drain it sounds like at least the battery is toast, as my pax 2 lasts forever and delivers lots of power constantly right down to 1 petal.

My pack method is tight, because it's a conduction device. When packed loose, you don't get good hits and it seems to flow enough air to overwhelm/cool off the heater.

For a half pack lid, fill the whole oven loose, then insert the oven letting the lid compress to the perfect pack.
For the full pack lid, fill the whole oven and lid insertion area loose, then use the full pack lid to tamp/fill it down into the oven.

 

[FrankScum210]

The much maligned PAX. My experience was initially somewhat disappointing but has improved. But let me share some of the improvements i have had recently.

I am stuck with my PAX Plus for daily flower consumption. I have improved my results markedly with a few key tweaks & strategies. Most of these are related to stuff i have read hear on Fuck Combustion. Here are a few:

• Keep the pack very LOOSE and use the full size magnetic back to close
• No matter what you do concentrates are messy & not worth the effort (i did buy a new Pivot so i guess there is that reason as well)
• Keeping the battery charged to nearly full helps improve vapor production after the pack has been used for a while.
• If i notice my hits have diminished a bit i will stop and examine my AVB. I find at this point the degree of finishing the AVB almost always mixed. I basically repack the PAX chamber with the last stuff i pulled out closest to the oven. This works quite well and i can get some really good hits almost immediately but i know its almost time to replace the flower. I have noticed the high is much better than when i was using the PAX before.
• I also have adopted a technique where i let the device get ready, then WAIT like 20 sec take a nice deep sip. After that i wait the same 20 sec between hits. This really kills the battery, but i am mostly satisfied. The PAX battery is pretty strong but i try not to let the battery go completely dead before i recharge. (I still want a Lobo though)
• I still love bringing my PAX w me when i go out for walks. it is very discreet

Based on everything nothing has really changed since the pax 2/3. Though a semi tight pack is better. It's a conduction oven so the contact is what cooks the flower. I've never had any success with a loose packed bowl these aren't convection ovens. For that or hybrid type try airvape instead.

Good Moisture content flower, a tight pack not horribly shoved in. the half pack or an aftermarket pusher lid. And a cleaned vapor path are all you should really need. Once taste goes toasty stir repack take the final hits and bam.

No PAX (except era) has ever been any good for concentrate. It's a cash grab inclusion that works for low doses who like super low temp dabs. A pivot or aeris is a better choice or outright a peak or carta 2.

 

[Flotsam]

So i literally just went outside to do a short sesh. New pack and i did another rather loose pack. I'm not looking for massive clouds or anything & i am not out to impress anyone. I just want good inhale, feel full then a quick exhale. 2 or 3 spaced hits like that and i am set up for a while. Some old Maui Waui (Roll One) and i am in the right frame of mind to tackle some projects for the day. I liked these last 2 comments, i would put my favorability rating at a 3.5 our of 5 scale. It is great for my daily long walks and i think it is the most Stealth vape out there. If you showed it to anyone who didn't know they would think its a battery bank or something like that. I still want a POTV Lobo but it is ok for now. I think it really depends on the Use Case. Its no wonder then why VAS exists. There may be no Vape that is perfect for all Use Case scenarios. Not to mention certain vapes may not be ready when you immediately want them.

• My primary complaint/observation about the PAX is that if i do a really tight pack mine is almost an impossible draw, at least for me. Yes i am aware that it is Conduction style vape but that works for me keeping it a bit looser.

But i like hearing other people's experiences.

• So maybe instead of just cleaning out the oven area when i reload i will soak the mouthpiece in soapy water & then run a pipe cleaner through the vapor path. I try and run it through dry with the pipe cleaner & make sure there is no obstructions. Then add a few drops of iso to that same pipe cleaner. Then a full burnoff to eliminate the remaining ISO. Any other suggestions?
• The comment on the Puffco Pivot was spot on. I just got one a few weeks ago. It is like night and day with handling concentrates from the PAX. Any other option at the moment (eg. Dab Rig or e-Rig) just seems so involved & expensive. There seems to be enough flexibility with usage so everything i've tried with it works well. But i am also become more familiar with it too.
• The magnetic Power connector on the PAX kind of sucks, but getting a dedicated charging cradle (off Etsy) makes it 100% better.
• I have tried the so-called brick building things on Etsy as well and my experience has been poor. Thankfully i did buy a small rubber funnel and that is a winner. I just fill it and gently tamp down into the oven.
• Anyone else have a strong opinion on the freshness/moisture content/dryness works best in the PAX?

_________________________
The mention of downloading an APK up above refers to the software that gets loaded on an Android phone to fine tune some of the PAX 3 parameters. The PAX Plus which i have has no such feature.

 

[FrankScum210]

So i literally just went outside to do a short sesh. New pack and i did another rather loose pack. I'm not looking for massive clouds or anything & i am not out to impress anyone. I just want good inhale, feel full then a quick exhale. 2 or 3 spaced hits like that and i am set up for a while. Some old Maui Waui (Roll One) and i am in the right frame of mind to tackle some projects for the day. I liked these last 2 comments, i would put my favorability rating at a 3.5 our of 5 scale. It is great for my daily long walks and i think it is the most Stealth vape out there. If you showed it to anyone who didn't know they would think its a battery bank or something like that. I still want a POTV Lobo but it is ok for now. I think it really depends on the Use Case. Its no wonder then why VAS exists. There may be no Vape that is perfect for all Use Case scenarios. Not to mention certain vapes may not be ready when you immediately want them.

• My primary complaint/observation about the PAX is that if i do a really tight pack mine is almost an impossible draw, at least for me. Yes i am aware that it is Conduction style vape but that works for me keeping it a bit looser.

But i like hearing other people's experiences.

• So maybe instead of just cleaning out the oven area when i reload i will soak the mouthpiece in soapy water & then run a pipe cleaner through the vapor path. I try and run it through dry with the pipe cleaner & make sure there is no obstructions. Then add a few drops of iso to that same pipe cleaner. Then a full burnoff to eliminate the remaining ISO. Any other suggestions?
• The comment on the Puffco Pivot was spot on. I just got one a few weeks ago. It is like night and day with handling concentrates from the PAX. Any other option at the moment (eg. Dab Rig or e-Rig) just seems so involved & expensive. There seems to be enough flexibility with usage so everything i've tried with it works well. But i am also become more familiar with it too.
• The magnetic Power connector on the PAX kind of sucks, but getting a dedicated charging cradle (off Etsy) makes it 100% better.
• I have tried the so-called brick building things on Etsy as well and my experience has been poor. Thankfully i did buy a small rubber funnel and that is a winner. I just fill it and gently tamp down into the oven.
• Anyone else have a strong opinion on the freshness/moisture content/dryness works best in the PAX?

_________________________
The mention of downloading an APK up above refers to the software that gets loaded on an Android phone to fine tune some of the PAX 3 parameters. The PAX Plus which i have has no such feature.

Moisture is important for any flower vape and ideal moisture content is 58-62%. If you have excessively dry flower it's good to do a moisture boost for more vapor production but I've had ok levels of production even with dry.

When I worked for this company one of the biggest issues was bunk dried out material with callers. The support routine is entirely dedicated first to proper packing technique and cleaning. Old screens were often inserted upside down and blocked the vapor path. But as a long time vaporizer user material moisture does still play a decent enough role.

Also Good take away on the brick thing. I've never actually tried pre making bricks to load but don't think it would be preferable.

Now the loader/funnel that's the way to do it. My technique was a rough grind and packing down not fully tight but decently hard to the oven line then slam a half pack lid pressing it in a bit more. Stand it awkwardly on the oven maybe put something to balance it turn it on and the heat will make the flower fit due to shrinkage by the time it's ready. Usually thick milky clouds with good flower.

Hash plants are your friend.

 

[Spy Car]

Moisture is important for any flower vape and ideal moisture content is 58-62%. If you have excessively dry flower it's good to do a moisture boost for more vapor production but I've had ok levels of production even with dry.

When I worked for this company one of the biggest issues was bunk dried out material with callers. The support routine is entirely dedicated first to proper packing technique and cleaning. Old screens were often inserted upside down and blocked the vapor path. But as a long time vaporizer user material moisture does still play a decent enough role.

Also Good take away on the brick thing. I've never actually tried pre making bricks to load but don't think it would be preferable.

Now the loader/funnel that's the way to do it. My technique was a rough grind and packing down not fully tight but decently hard to the oven line then slam a half pack lid pressing it in a bit more. Stand it awkwardly on the oven maybe put something to balance it turn it on and the heat will make the flower fit due to shrinkage by the time it's ready. Usually thick milky clouds with good flower.

Hash plants are your friend.

The first vape I acquired (before I joined FC) was a PAX Mini.

I understand why these are not the most favored of products here, and they certainly are not "artisanal" feeling in any fashion (rather as if Apple made a vape, but the Mini--due to the discretion that comes with the size and from factor (smaller than the 3 length wise, so "palmable" for large-handed me) has a place in my collection. And the bowl size is better IMO being smaller. Reduces over roasting.

Anyway, when I saw this thread was bumped up, I thought I'd share my tips for how to maximize the PAX Mini experience, the main point being the one you just made here.

When using a PAX the herb needs to be moist in order to produce the most sweet tasting vapor. It is rather critical to my enjoyment of the device.

Using really dry herb in my PAX Mini results in a sub-optimal experience. The same herb, that has had moisture restored, is a very different experience.

And the pack should not be so tight as to restrict air-flow (as you rightly say).

The Mini (I believe uniquely in the PAX line up) does not have direct temperature control, rather it uses algorithms that boost heat based on the draw. You likely know this better than I. To maximize good flavor on the Mini it is best to "sip" (taking little puffs) as opposed to taking long slow deep pulls, which causes the heat to crank up at the expense of optimal flavor.

Use in this style the Mini has utility for me as a very small compete and discreet vaping unit.

You nailed these points, and I can independently verify that.

Well done!

Bill

 

[FrankScum210]

The first vape I acquired (before I joined FC) was a PAX Mini.

I understand why these are not the most favored of products here, and they certainly are not "artisanal" feeling in any fashion (rather as if Apple made a vape, but the Mini--due to the discretion that comes with the size and from factor (smaller than the 3 length wise, so "palmable" for large-handed me) has a place in my collection. And the bowl size is better IMO being smaller. Reduces over roasting.

Anyway, when I saw this thread was bumped up, I thought I'd share my tips for how to maximize the PAX Mini experience, the main point being the one you just made here.

When using a PAX the herb needs to be moist in order to produce the most sweet tasting vapor. It is rather critical to my enjoyment of the device.

Using really dry herb in my PAX Mini results in a sub-optimal experience. The same herb, that has had moisture restored, is a very different experience.

And the pack should not be so tight as to restrict air-flow (as you rightly say).

The Mini (I believe uniquely in the PAX line up) does not have direct temperature control, rather it uses algorithms that boost heat based on the draw. You likely know this better than I. To maximize good flavor on the Mini it is best to "sip" (taking little puffs) as opposed to taking long slow deep pulls, which causes the heat to crank up at the expense of optimal flavor.

Use in this style the Mini has utility for me as a very small compete and discreet vaping unit.

You nailed these points, and I can independently verify that.

Well done!

Bill

Fun fact all lines of pax since the first had unique heating algorithms and a mouth pressure sensor to ramp up heat when you inhale and to auto shut off when not used. This was a big reason they discouraged third party mouthpiece in the beginning as they didn't always trigger the pressure sensor. Ie early bong attachments and such.

The original form factor was often toted as if apple made a vape. It's only gotten smaller and faster heating but it's all the same as the PAX 2 imo. 3 added app and faster heating the plus is a super up 3 and the mini is a tiny version of the 2. I had hoped more innovation but hard to improve on something that outright works.

That's why storz and bickel haven't don't too much and still sell all their og models. Only improvements to make are typically faster heat up times, better heat stabilization algorithms and app support for improved control and usage data.

 

[Spy Car]

Fun fact all lines of pax since the first had unique heating algorithms and a mouth pressure sensor to ramp up heat when you inhale and to auto shut off when not used. This was a big reason they discouraged third party mouthpiece in the beginning as they didn't always trigger the pressure sensor. Ie early bong attachments and such.

The original form factor was often toted as if apple made a vape. It's only gotten smaller and faster heating but it's all the same as the PAX 2 imo. 3 added app and faster heating the plus is a super up 3 and the mini is a tiny version of the 2. I had hoped more innovation but hard to improve on something that outright works.

That's why storz and bickel haven't don't too much and still sell all their og models. Only improvements to make are typically faster heat up times, better heat stabilization algorithms and app support for improved control and usage data.

Thank you for clarifying the point about shared algorithms.

Is it correct to say the difference with the Mini is that other models allow an over-all temp adjustment in addition, where the Mini is all algorithm based?

Moist herb properly packed makes the PAX experience much better based on my Mini experience. Highly significant improvement.

Bill