Discontinued Pax Vaporizer by Ploom

[pakalolo]

I agree with you here. Sometimes I feel like a trench from the MFLB gets me just as (if not more) medicated as a full oven in the pax.

Are the differences in efficiency the result of using conduction vs. convection?

I'm not sure what you mean here. Both the LB and the Pax are primarily conduction vapourizers. I keep telling people in this thread to read the MFLB Vaporpedia section on technique because a lot of it applies to the Pax. The Pax does have a larger secondary convection component but it is missing the LB's infrared component. I have no idea how they all balance out, but the important point is that both of them depend primarily on conduction. That means: fine grind, slow draw. Dry material is key too, but that's true for almost every vape.

Most people don't grasp how gently and slowly you should draw, this is why they complain about a hard pull. The Pax is designed for a gentle pull. Pulling hard on your Pax is counterproductive, and if you're used to a convection vapourizer or combustion, then when you think you're pulling slowly and gently, pull even more slowly and gently.

As for efficiency, the LB has instant heat-up and cool-down and performs quite well with as little as you want to use in it. The Pax wants a full oven (twice the size of a trench at least) and has a standby heating mode. Even though the temperature is supposedly below vapourizing temps, vapourization is not a binary process. A percentage of some components, particularly the terpenoids that provide flavour, is released well below the magic temperatures you see posted in charts around the net. The Pax by its nature is more difficult to use efficiently.

 

[JoeKickass]

Small amount of flower + large amount of wax/oil + small amount of flower = GREAT SUCCESS!!!

 

[Espo]

Small amount of flower + large amount of wax/oil + small amount of flower = GREAT SUCCESS!!!

I have to try some wax/oil soon, I've been working with a flower/hash/flower sandwich and boy does it get me lifted.

 

[mattstermh]

There will be no semblance of wax and/or oil entering my Pax.

 

[JDSupreme]

Out for delivery!! (USPS Tracking really leaves you hanging with how they update their shit lol)

From order to my hands will be under 48 hours!! Thx Vaporstore!!

 

[Buyola]

JD let us know what you think. I'm still waiting for the miVape but might pull the trigger on the pax.

 

[Drastic]

Small amount of flower + large amount of wax/oil + small amount of flower = GREAT SUCCESS!!!

Yup this is the way to do it. Get a much thc in there as possible and im good all day. With oil/wax I get its flavor after the herb is gone, almost turns it perfumey. Just stir a lil between sessions. And cool the load after a session and DON"T leave the pax standing on the mouthpiece as it cools.

 

[bazzles]

Mine is also Out for Delivery! Looking forward to trying this bad boy out. I've been blowing glass out back most the day, I have to keep stopping and making sure the mailman isn't around (don't want him to think no one is home even though I am, had to wait many times because of that) haha. Working on getting some bubble to try out in the Pax, might be a little bit (haven't seen any around these parts in a month or 2). maybe I'll make some oil to try out, Joe has be wanting to try that combo out haha

 

[Xchadb]

wish i had a different oven door with an extended metal backstop, so it holds my thin tiny packed down loads nice n tight, for when i want to load small bowls

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Sometimes I feel like a trench from the MFLB gets me just as (if not more) medicated as a full oven in the pax.

Ah wow, people talking about half grams in the Pax and you're saying the LB does it better? Anyone else feel this way?

 

[MoneyCheeba]

I got my Pax, came in today and she is a charging...

 

[lesvape]

wish i had a different oven door with an extended metal backstop, so it holds my thin tiny packed down loads nice n tight, for when i want to load small bowls

That is a great idea.

 

[Adobewan]

As I previously posted, my Pax light was indicating heat setting(yellow-red) as opposed to heat progress(purple pulse-green). I had been applying a small amont of pressure to the side of the mouthpiece as if I were screwing the mouthpiece on and it fixed it for each session, but would reappear the following session(clearly a contact issue of some sort).
Ellen, nice as always, set me up with a replacement mouthpiece and it just arrived. At first glance it solved the problem so all is well.
All is not well in my vape line up below though. The Pax is fighting the Solo tooth and nail for position.
It continues to impress like no portable flower vape since.... the Solo. I confess, I've used my UD desktop set up a bit less since getting it just because of the cool factor.
It's a absolute winner!!!

 

[JDSupreme]

I got my Pax, came in today and she is a charging...

Same! Still red, been about 40min or so....

Feel like Cartman waiting for a Wii

 

[kushcabbage]

hah love that south park episode, just don't freeze yourself!

 

[Slightly Medicated]

Ah wow, people talking about half grams in the Pax and you're saying the LB does it better? Anyone else feel this way?

The MFLB does nothing for me anymore. My tolerance is just too much. I have to go through like 3-5 trenches. Which is like 3-4 batteries. Personally, for my needs the PAX outperforms the MFLB in every aspect that matters.

 

[JoeKickass]

All is not well in my vape line up below though. The Pax is fighting the Solo tooth and nail for position.

Hahaha that's great, just in case he changes it:
```````````` ||
`````````````V

Same! Still red, been about 40min or so...

Don't take it off so much! But mine is yellow after a few mins...

 

[doctah]

The no2 is a conduction also,the herbs are sitting in a brass bowl.
and i have had my herbs get totally cooked when leaving the No2 unattended. and my screen is raised so it doesnt touch the bottom of the bowl.Not knocking it at all its my main vape.

Ok, I agree NO2 is somewhat of a conduction vape. From the factory the screen sits right above the copper heating bowl, so the bottom layer could get toasted. But I raised my screen also so that it essentially turns it into a convection vape. This is impossible on the PAX because the heating element is above the herbs, and the sides help heat the lid so that all surfaces touching your herb are hot at all times.

First off, thanks for taking the time to write such a long review!

But I'm honestly surprised that you've had your Pax for two weeks and you haven't figured these things out!

"If you turn it on for 5 min and don't hit it at all, you will burn up the entire bowl."
It's a bit wasteful for the battery if you just leave it on, but the 30s cool-down works really well if you are having a lazy sesh, just set it on something solid. BUT it won't cool-down in your pocket so just turn it off if you pocket it! Pax heats up fast so there's no need to leave it on...

"The draw."
Is how the Pax works! If it had a free-flowing draw like a convection vape you would just get a lot of hot air, try pulling with your mouth and your cheeks rather than your lungs. (If I had a nickel for how many times I've said that...) Drawing slow is especially important for small bowls.

I don't do a 5 min no-hitter, it was just for illustrative purposes. I usually start hitting as soon as it turns green, but after the first few puffs i might wait 2-3 min between puffs. I don't find that the cool-down mode works all that well. I have opened the oven lid during cool down and it is still very warm and you can actually see vapor coming off the herbs. To me, if the herbs are vaporizing in cool down mode that is wasted vapor.

 

[doctah]

Anyone have any ideas to turn the PAX into somewhat of a convection vape? Moving the screen around / modifications so that the herbs aren't sitting right on the heater the whole time?

I popped my "screen" out yesterday to start playing with this idea and realized that the "screen" is actually just a solid piece of metal! Hold it up to the light and there are actually no holes in the screen. Just a few indentations around the edges that I guess allow a very little amount of airflow.

I replaced the screen with a standard mesh pipe screen and got better draw immediately.

Next I am thinking about drilling a few small holes through the oven lid.

Still working on an idea to move the herb off the heating element directly...possible with folded pipe screens.

 

[Dammit]

I have an idea for a screen. You guys know Perfect Meatloaf Pan http://www.asseenontv.com/perfect-meatloaf/detail.php?p=299740 ? A screen with tabs up the sides would be pretty cool for flipping your oven load like a brick instead of making a mess stirring. It would also make it easier to empty the oven when your load is spent as well. What do you guys think?

 

[JoeKickass]

Why fix what isn't broken? I get dark, even abv by packing tight against the metal.

Just draw slowly, stop trying to breathe through it


Flipping does get trickier as the oven gets stickier though, I use an unbent paperclip almost the perfect size

 

[kushcabbage]

I don't know why you would want an R&D designed conduction vape, one that is made to conduct from the hot oven turned into a convection. The pax is like 60 conduction 30 perfect convection, or 80/20 the balance should be just right.. Just enough for air to move around the herb. If you drilled holes in the screen debris would get in that ss tube way to fast. The oven is going to conduct no matter what. If your unit is not getting enough airflow or is to hard to suck through, your either doing it wrong, or your screen wasn't cut right. The air flows around the edge dimples. Too much convection and your going to have hot air vapor in your mouth. I always found my t1 hits too hot.

 

[MoneyCheeba]

Ok first impressions of THE PAX: I pack a bowl pretty tight with some lemon H. you can smell it from the bottom, best way to tell, put it in a ziplock for 2 minutes and open it, the smell seeps out the bottom, haven't used it yet that will be tonight...I have a question though, does it smell when pulling on it? meaning will people know what I'm doing in public?...I have to be super stealthy...so leaving a bowl in it, in the crib is a no no...

 

[dudeeitsbrian]

Ok first impressions of THE PAX: I pack a bowl pretty tight with some lemon H. you can smell it from the bottom, best way to tell, put it in a ziplock for 2 minutes and open it, the smell seeps out the bottom, haven't used it yet that will be tonight...I have a question though, does it smell when pulling on it? meaning will people know what I'm doing in public?...I have to be super stealthy...so leaving a bowl in it, in the crib is a no no...

dude, marijuana smells. if you're smoking it in public anyone who knows what it smells like is going to notice, no device is going to mask the smell unless you blow the smoke/vapor through something.

 

[kushcabbage]

ok ploomers, my very own pax came yesterday and i've been trying to put it through its paces.
first impressions upon opening box: wow what cute little vape..
my second impressions after first use: wow wow what a bad ass little vape!!

took joe's advice on flipping the box of packed herb to stir it, I love the packed little box it makes..
I am having ZERO airflow or sticky mouthpiece problems. It flows much more free than my solo with ed's stems. Not as fast as my in004, or DV but not constricted at all like others have reported. I do prefer to keep slow deep hits, as suggested for best results and efficiency then turn it off and use it somewhere else. Most likely will keep my inh004 and solo at home use until my HI and I are aquatinted and the pax well.. everywhere out. I mean this thing is so stealthy and discrete, just cover the led with your thumb if your at movie or something. I find this mouthpiece very strange but user friendly when pushed carefully. Knew it would take a little bit to get used too from reading about it and watching Slightly Medicated's video reviews. All in all a serious contender in the portable vape market. Oh what a great year we live in. One more thing..I would like to experiment on battery life as I find it interesting how fast it looses a charge. Replaced it back on the charger after it was just green will take almost a min to get back to green, maybe that's just some kind of protection?

anyways..I'll just drop this right here.. party mode halfway through, I still don't understand..

enjoy and please forgive the sound of glass on glass contact
this would be my KushCabbage/MacGyver collaboration hydratube paired with my new no name american glass inline from cali. Don't know what the M stands for.. The "hydratube" is a broken double perc bong that I broke the bottom out of cleaning and knocked against the tub.. Salvaged it somehow and some teflon tape/teflon welding gasket, carbon/cotton filter and snipped neon electrode boot later & we have a simple pax water tube