I've had the PAX since Aug 1st and here are my impressions. First, this is a fabulous device and works beautifully. I clean the PAX after 2-3 loads and have had a minor sticking problem but not significant. It disappears after a cleaning.
Someone asked why they put a screen image on that piece of metal at the bottom of the oven. If you look at it carefully, the metal piece is not entirely flat, it goes up ever so slightly. That's how the vapor enters into the mouthpiece. So, it's important to clean it thoroughly top and bottom and replace it with the 'screen' side up. As has been pointed out in another post, if you bend the metal more, the draw would increase but then you'd probably suck in some particles which could also get stuck in the mouthpiece pathway. That brings up another point. Although some people suggest finely grinding up the herb, the risk is that particles will be sucked into the path of the tube and block it up. If the mouthpiece gets blocked up, it's hard to clean as the pipe cleaner doesn't go all the way through the opening in the mouthpiece.
Regarding flow of the pull, I think the PAX is perfect and the bend of the metal has probably been calibrated to get just the right amount of vape per pull. It should not be compared to a free flowing Vape like the Volcano. As other have said, if you pull on it like a joint filling up your mouth and breathing it in, it's perfect.
What works well for me is to use ground up herb with a standard grinder, load up the oven, pack it down and toke. I'm able to go 3 sessions on one load. That's about 4-5 pulls per session. I will stir it only after the second session and I always use it on Medium. Sometimes my session can be the same day or often the next. Although I've been smoking regularly since the 60s (yes I am an original), I'm a relatively light user in that I use it till I get medicated and don't go beyond. (I believe most people use much more than they need.) However, if you're a huge user and go through an ounce per week or two, then you'd probably be best served using a Volcano or some other industrial table top.
I like the PAX more than my Solo and I've only taken the Solo out once since having the PAX just to do a comparison. The PAX holds more than the Solo and its ease of use is not in the same ball park. I was at a play with my wife over the weekend and prior to opening curtain, I was sitting outside in the open air lounge. There were a few tobacco smokers and others taking in the evening. I pulled out my Pax, toked on it a few times and no one even glanced at me. This is so stealth that I would feel comfortable using it anywhere. If I had pulled out a joint and lit it up, you can imagine the reaction.
Every time I clean the PAX which I actually really like doing - it's like cleaning your new car or bike or toy - I fill it up, pack it in and put it on it's charge stand. The next time I'm ready (usually the next day), it's ready and waiting with it's green eye looking seductively at me.
By the way, someone brought up a great point. After using the PAX, make sure it cools down completely before inverting it for charging. This eliminates the possibility of any oily by-product making it's way up the mouthpiece air pipe.
Treat your PAX as you would a relatively delicate electronic unit. If we take care of it, it should never let us down. If you're more into massive usage and don't want to bother keeping it in tip-top shape, then the PAX may not be for you.
