I only have experience with a log, but yes I think in some ways they are better than portables. After powering them on they take a few minutes (I go with 10 to be sure things are up to temp) to heat soak and get everything to thermal equilibrium, but after that they're the definition of instant on demand. Plenty of people leave theirs on 24/7, I just power mine off overnight as its rare that I can wake and bake anyway when its not a weekend.
There is also the convenience factor and money savings of not needing to charge or replace batteries. I get along fine with my TP80 by having a 4 bay charger and 5 18650s (overkill for me, probably, but if I have friends over its more realistic). I could see rotating through batteries being rather a pita for a heavier user than me, and regardless batteries have a finite life span, so while its wonderful that these are replaceable at ~$5 a battery there's a small but ongoing cost here that I don't have to pay with my log.
The one thing I haven't seen a desktop offer just yet is the ability to quickly change temps the way my TP80 can. I love temp stepping with it, but that just isn't viable with my log. Most of the time I kill the small amount I pack in a single does, but if I wanted to start at 365 then move up to 385 then finish at 405 I'd need to wait a few minutes between adjusting the voltage for things to get back to equilibrium. I don't know the desktop market in depth though, maybe someone can tell me about an option offering this that I've missed. Personally I still think having my log is worthwhile for microdosing efficiency.
Can you temp step in a reasonable time frame though? With the tp80 and similar mod-based vapes you can go from 360 to 380 almost instantly as the coils are relatively low mass. I can change the setting on my log like that, but it needs to reach thermal equilibrium at 380 before it’s really ready (e.g. the heater, cover, and in theory part of the body all need to stabilize at whatever temp they reach before they stop pulling heat/energy that ultimately comes from the air out of it). I would suspect that the arizer eq needs a few minutes to stabilize as well.The now over 10 year old Arizer Extreme Q, has a digital readout, and you can temp step. I just ordered one, as they can be found for under $125.00.
Can you temp step in a reasonable time frame though? With the tp80 and similar mod-based vapes you can go from 360 to 380 almost instantly as the coils are relatively low mass. I can change the setting on my log like that, but it needs to reach thermal equilibrium at 380 before it’s really ready (e.g. the heater, cover, and in theory part of the body all need to stabilize at whatever temp they reach before they stop pulling heat/energy that ultimately comes from the air out of it). I would suspect that the arizer eq needs a few minutes to stabilize as well.
Have always been of the opinion that the only bonus to a portable vape was portability and vape quality was always secondary to a plug in vape. Most of the good ones require leaving plugged in to achieve the on demand bit, but power wise there's no comparison. A da buddha is about 150usd so nowhere near top end, that plugged in @ temp, what portable would beat?
Yeah I can't speak to what is all out there, but that was the only point I was making--aside from portability, a big advantage that I see in some portables is the truly "instant" nature of their heat up allowing for temp stepping to be more practical. Taking a hit at temp a from my woodscents and then stepping up to temp b would mean at least a few minutes of waiting for temp equilibriumI haven’t received it yet. But like most of these, heat soaking helps. This is an old AC wall powered unit, so can’t be directly compared to a TP80, or my RBA’s, or MODPOD.
I am a flavor snob but looking for a vape that i can use straight away as soon as it is plugged in.I own a few of the top plugins and portables so I might as well say a little. I really depends on your usage OP? Are you a flavor chaser ? Or combustion line high temp vaper? What's your ideal size bowl? Do you want to take a hit and walk away or session a whole bowl? Ext.ext.
my favorite vape is my tinymight but my best vape is my VRod? Confused?!? Yes! Love my tinymight because it's basically ready when I am at a moments notice, has a very good efficiency at my preferred load size of .05 but I go up to .1 though it can do bigger loads just not super well imo. My original use was one hitters before I fell in love with temp stepping, really love the versatility and flexibility of the tinymight it's a vape that can change and evolve with your habits.
So why do I think the VRod is a better vape? It also does a great job with my preferred load and better job with a larger one. It's also flexible doing herb and concentrate excellently and equally well and great efficiency from just a dusting on the screen to a full load.
So why isn't it My favorite? Is it just the heat up time? Won't lie the convenience factor of the nearly instant vapour at any given time without having to have on all day does go a long way in why the tinymight is my favorite. Tinymight is also safer to be around so long as you practice some basic battery safety, that said I've burned myself a grand total of once with the Flowerpot so again a little common sense and precautionary approach go a long way to omit any perceived dangers. As I eluded earlier my habits are changing and how I use all my vapes has changed over time, if I were still a heavier user and needed the thickest density vapour riding that combustion line...... VRod all the way! But at the load size and temps I use now performance is very similar between the two, only the vape signature is really any different? So with such similar vapour the convenience of the tinymight wins the day for me but I'm very glad to have my VRod for when I do want to go up that next level here and there.
Hopefully you can glean some pearl of wisdom from the rambling of this madman
I am a flavor snob but looking for a vape that i can use straight away as soon as it is plugged in.
Just don’t ass-dial your home vape when you’re out with your on the go.