Portable Vape Advice For A Complete Beginner

[theduckopera]

Hi everyone,

I've been suffering from fibromyalgia/CFIDS/IBS/some other stuff for several years now, and am finally living in a country/state where medical marijuana is an option for me. I've tried some chews and things and had a positive result, but I'd much rather have a vaporizer if I'm going to be medicating long term. I've done a lot of research online, but I could really use some help from people who know their stuff!

I'm looking for something portable enough to move around the house without a big hassle, and to occasionally take on out-of-town trips/visits to friends' houses. Stealth isn't a huge issue as a result, but a little wouldn't hurt. Efficiency is a concern, as this will be exclusively for private use, and probably only a couple of hits a day at that--I really don't want to be wasting herb. As long as I know I'm investing in quality, I'm not too fussed about price. However, I have to be able to use whatever I buy, so it definitely needs to be beginner friendly.

The research I've done so far is pointing to the Arizer Solo, as it seems to be considered the best overall portable vape once you take discretion out of the equation, but I don't really know enough to know if it's exactly the sort of thing that would suit my situation. Any and all advice extremely appreciated!

 

[cawshook]

Arizer solo is your perfect match. You can get it for $160 too.

 

[CaptainDave]

I second the solo. Hardly any learning curve, long battery life.

 

[KidFated.]

Solo. Enjoy!

 

[theduckopera]

Haha, I think I see where this is going!

Well, then: where should I buy it? I'm guessing since someone said $160 that the puffitup.com deal is the way to go? I saw some for ~$120-$130 on eBay that said they were 2014 models, but I'm guessing safe is better than sorry...

 

[Stu]

Efficiency is a concern, as this will be exclusively for private use, and probably only a couple of hits a day at that

If you're only going to take one or two hoots, I would look at other options like the MFLB, Firefly and FlashVape. Those 3 only heat on demand, so you won't be cooking away goodies that would otherwise go to a better cause.

 

[theduckopera]

If you're only going to take one or two hoots, I would look at other options like the MFLB, Firefly and FlashVape. Those 3 only heat on demand, so you won't be cooking away goodies that would otherwise go to a better cause.

My noob is about to show, but what exactly do you mean by heating on-demand? As in, you can take a toke, and then turn off the device and save what's in the oven for later?

To be honest, I'm not even sure yet how much/often I'm going to have to vape to get the pain relief and sedation I'm after. I've been guessing a couple of hits, but I'm happy to be corrected on that too!

 

[chimpybits]

My noob is about to show, but what exactly do you mean by heating on-demand? As in, you can take a toke, and then turn off the device and save what's in the oven for later?

To be honest, I'm not even sure yet how much/often I'm going to have to vape to get the pain relief and sedation I'm after. I've been guessing a couple of hits, but I'm happy to be corrected on that too!

pak explains it well.

Let's get back on topic.

One consideration that escapes a lot of people is that the LB is a one-hitter style device and most of the suggestions here are session style devices.

One-hitter style means the load gets heated only when you're hitting it. All the flame-based devices are like that, so is the LB. Other battery-powered one-hitters include the Firewood, the Palm (both versions), the Volta, and my favourite, the FlashVAPE. One-hitter style devices have a learning curve and require some technique.

Session style means the heat comes on and stays on. In a portable, that means it's always cooking the load. Some of them do it less than others (the Solo comes to mind) but they all do it. They shut off after a while to protect you from draining your battery, which encourages chain-hitting, almost like a joint. They're usually not as dependent on technique.

The differences are important to me. I like to take hits whenever I want and not because my session is about to time out. I am sensitive to the deterioration in flavour that comes with constant power. YMMV.

How much will you need for your pain relief and sedation? Well, you'll have to find this through experience. Many variables effect this - personal tolerance, strain used, vape model used, vaping temps. You do need to hit the upper vaping temps (220-230 C) to get much of the sedative and pain relief effects.

As an example, this eve I enjoyed some Tahoe OG through a friend's Hammer vape (butane flame-powered heat on-demand). I was impressed how quickly I felt exactly these effects you seek. The Lotus is another flame-based (butane) portable that has it's advocates around here ( @natural farmer) esp. in it's 1-hitter-ability. Not a beginner's vape though. Butane-powered is out I s'pose?

 

[stickstones]

If you're only going to take one or two hoots, I would look at other options like the MFLB, Firefly and FlashVape. Those 3 only heat on demand, so you won't be cooking away goodies that would otherwise go to a better cause.

I was thinking along these lines as another option as well. The only fear I have is the learning curve for a noob. My sister is having no luck as a noob with the mflb, and I got frustrated with too much combustion with my FlashVape.

If you really want easy then get a Solo. You can get around the efficiency issues by packing less in the bowl and removing the stem between hits if you don't think you will be finishing off the stem in one sitting.

Sometimes I get tired of recommending the Solo all the time, but it is so good at what it does!
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Also, here's a new vape that the jury is still out on regarding safety of materials:

http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/flowermate-vapormax-v.13786/

but the price is so low and it is so easy to use that it deserves mention.

 

[Delta3DStudios]

Welcome! I hope vaporizers help you find the relief you need for your ailments. You've certainly come to the right place for advice!

I purchased a vape called the Davinci Ascent because at the time, I wanted something pretty looking with an OLED screen for exact temperature control. I had seen the Airizer Solo, but didn't care for it's style.

Boy how much do I regret my decision (Still a new product, less than a year old - bugs need to be fixed, and the heating element isn't very strong). After all the feedback I've seen on this site, I'm halfway considering to buy a Solo just so I can see what all the fuss is about!

Just to add my $0.02 - the Airizer Solo does sound like the perfect option for you as a newbie. But I must also mention the Lotus Vaporizer.

It's a bit confusing to get the hang of it at first, and you need to use a butane torch to get the heat necessary to vape, but it's actually pretty cheap (in my opinion). The big reason I mention the Lotus is because it is EFFICIENT - it uses pure convection heating to cook the herb through hot air blowing over the bed of herbs. Not only that, you can literally vape as small of a load as you could want. Even 3 or 4 crumbs if thats all you want.

While a session with the Solo might take 10+ minutes, that same size session in the Lotus would be under 2 minutes.

I like my Lotus, but it can be a bit challenging to learn at first when to stop using the torch to prevent accidental combustion. But many of my combusting friends have really enjoyed the process of using the Lotus vape (reminds them of smoking a bowl).



TL/DR - Buy the Solo already! I like my Lotus, but it might not be the best option for a newbie.

 

[KidFated.]

The lotus reminds me of a torch driven solo as far as effects and taste go, except they are absolutely completely different machines.. Both are great! I like the vapman more than I did my lotus, but my lotus is still going strong with a member in this thread......

 

[CaptainDave]

Of all my vapes that I have used ,the solo is the easiest to teach someone how to use. The MFLB can be difficult to master at first with the crushing and grinding, speed of draw, and battery strength . I think it's well worth the effort but, not for a noobie that might get frustrated easy. When I introduce someone to vaping it's almost always with a solo, and then I show them other vapes and try to teach them technique .

 

[Enchantre]

I would go with the Solo, if it were me again.

Then you'll move up to a log vape for constant readiness at home...

Then you'll want a serious medical vapor machine later

Welcome to FC! A whole lot of us are just a little further up the path you are now on.

 

[as]

The jury is still out on this one regarding safety of materials:

http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/flowermate-vapormax-v.13786/

but the price is so low and it is so easy to use that it deserves mention.

You should specify that you are not talking about the solo hear as the way I read it (unless you click the link) it looks like your saying the solo has safety concerns

To the op I would get a solo its so easy to use it just works you can't do much wrong

 

[DOOM]

With IBS episodes you're gonna need something that heats up quick or something that's on 24/7, like a log vap like Enchantre mentioned.

 

[VapeVoice]

With IBS episodes you're gonna need something that heats up quick or something that's on 24/7, like a log vap like Enchantre mentioned.

I disagree. The OP wants something that can move around the house and be portable. The Solo is the way to go IMO. It heats up in less than 2 minutes... I would think that isn't a deal breaker.

PS, there is a Solo package for sale in the classifieds section.

 

[theduckopera]

Thank you so much to everyone for your help! I am feeling increasingly learnèd. I went with the Solo in the end, because most people seemed to think that was the best for someone without a clue; I figure I can always branch out into things like the Lotus (which does look very interesting) once I've mastered Vaping 101. Either way, it's lovely to know there are friendly bamf communities like this out there to to help me find my way!

 

[hoptimum]

Thank you so much to everyone for your help! I am feeling increasingly learnèd. I went with the Solo in the end, because most people seemed to think that was the best for someone without a clue; I figure I can always branch out into things like the Lotus (which does look very interesting) once I've mastered Vaping 101. Either way, it's lovely to know there are friendly bamf communities like this out there to to help me find my way!

Great choice, I hope it helps you

 

[tiukauleh]

i'm not sure if you've put in your order yet but this flowermate is getting good reviews, except that i'ts airpath has not yet been investigated by FCers. As for the Solo, though many never seemed to be bothered by the pull resistance, i always felt using the Solo was like sucking through a damn thick milkshake, too much for me.http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/flowermate-vapormax-v.13786/

 

[VapeVoice]

i'm not sure if you've put in your order yet but this flowermate is getting good reviews, except that i'ts airpath has not yet been investigated by FCers. As for the Solo, though many never seemed to be bothered by the pull resistance, i always felt using the Solo was like sucking through a damn thick milkshake, too much for me.

You get the best hits from a slow steady draw, which the solo forces you to do. It is perfect for a newbie. If you feel the resistance is too great there are fixes. PVHES stem, lift the stem off the bowl slightly, ed's wood stem etc. Solo is hands down the best portable (or really any) vaporizer for someone making the switch from smoking IMO.

 

[RUDE BOY]

My new solo with the stock stem has very little draw resistance compared to a friends 3yr old solo with pvhes. With one of Ed's or PVs stems I bet there is so much less that only a very tightly packed load would cause that problem now.

 

[Enchantre]

I'm still having portable issues and I am thinking about getting a solo for myself one of these days

 

[tiukauleh]

you can also get a slow steady draw by doing a slow steady draw, not because you were forced to suck for your life. like i said, some aren't bothered by it, i was (in fact, some may actually like the resistance). and some newbies may prefer to operate the vape out of the box rather than mod it, y'know. if the new models have less resistance than the old one, then that's good. though personally IMO, nothing beats the Lotus vaporizer for a combuster who wants to switch to vaping.

 

[VapeVoice]

you can also get a slow steady draw by doing a slow steady draw, not because you were forced to suck for your life. like i said, some aren't bothered by it, i was (in fact, some may actually like the resistance). and some newbies may prefer to operate the vape out of the box rather than mod it, y'know. if the new models have less resistance than the old one, then that's good. though personally IMO, nothing beats the Lotus vaporizer for a combuster who wants to switch to vaping.

My point is that someone new to vaping may not know that you need a slow steady draw. Your friends that you share with may not understand it either. With the resistance the older models have (have not tried anything newer than an m105) it makes it easier to get good vapor because the draw is restricted and forces you to draw slowly. I have no experience with the Lotus, but I have heard wonderful things and hope to try it for myself soon. I have extensive experience with Solo's however. And out of all the vaporizers I have used, and there have been many, I have to recommend the Solo.

 

[hoptimum]

i'm not sure if you've put in your order yet but this flowermate is getting good reviews, except that i'ts airpath has not yet been investigated by FCers. As for the Solo, though many never seemed to be bothered by the pull resistance, i always felt using the Solo was like sucking through a damn thick milkshake, too much for me.

for many vaporizers, the best technique is long and slow, contrary to smoking a joint or hitting a bong where the technique is to pull like your life depended on it. With vaporizing it's the opposite. Long, slow, sipping draws, which might be counterintuitive to smokers. The Solo draw doesn't bother me one bit, as I recognize that it is designed for a higher vapor to air ratio.