Portables: Which one is right for me?

[LeeNailon]

A question for the grass gurus here - which portable should I buy for home use?

I have a Grasshopper on order, which will be my on-the-go vape (provided the damn thing works as advertised), so I'm really just looking for something to use around the house without being tied down to a Q or Volcano, and throw into a bag as a worst case scenario. My main interests are:

Firefly
PAX
Ascent
Arizer Solo

I'm not looking for a vape to get me retarded, for that I'd rather smoke a blunt. I'm just looking for that nice enhanced feeling. I'm a pretty light user, I like to load up .1/.2 at a time and take two or three draws a few times a week. Price isn't really a concern since this is a long term investment, but it's still worth considering.

I've used a Solo and a PAX, and love them both. The Solo seems to give better hits and requires less cleaning, and costs less. Sacrificing a little portability in this situation is OK with me, but I'd still like to hear what y'all think. I don't know jack about the Ascent or the Firefly aside from what's said in the forums really.

If anyone has used all four, what do you think? If you're familiar with one or two of them, which do you think I should buy?

Thanks in advance for the help FC.

 

[Trever]

A question for the grass gurus here - which portable should I buy for home use?

I have a Grasshopper on order, which will be my on-the-go vape (provided the damn thing works as advertised), so I'm really just looking for something to use around the house without being tied down to a Q or Volcano, and throw into a bag as a worst case scenario. My main interests are:

Firefly
PAX
Ascent
Arizer Solo

I'm not looking for a vape to get me retarded, for that I'd rather smoke a blunt. I'm just looking for that nice enhanced feeling. I'm a pretty light user, I like to load up .1/.2 at a time and take two or three draws a few times a week. Price isn't really a concern since this is a long term investment, but it's still worth considering.

I've used a Solo and a PAX, and love them both. The Solo seems to give better hits and requires less cleaning, and costs less. Sacrificing a little portability in this situation is OK with me, but I'd still like to hear what y'all think. I don't know jack about the Ascent or the Firefly aside from what's said in the forums really.

If anyone has used all four, what do you think? If you're familiar with one or two of them, which do you think I should buy?

Thanks in advance for the help FC.

Also consider the Firewood. Ive been following the FF thread for a bit and it is a definate consideration. Also the solo is always a great choice. Im all for a mostly convection portable unlike pax and ascent they just waste to much and the flavor never lasts or is as good as a mostly convection portable

 

[Fiend138]

I'm a pretty light user, I like to load up .1/.2 at a time and take two or three draws a few times a week. Price isn't really a concern since this is a long term investment, but it's still worth considering.

I've used a Solo and a PAX, and love them both. The Solo seems to give better hits and requires less cleaning, and costs less. Sacrificing a little portability.

Count out the Pax for these reasons. Solo feels like the best fit for what your looking for in my opinion. I have no experience with the other two.

 

[kahlilhc]

Solo FTW

 

[Caligula]

Solo.

 

[LeeNailon]

The Solo support is loud and clear. I think at this point it's between the Solo and Firefly.

How much material can the Solo hold at its max? And what's the bare minimum you can get a nice draw from? Sounds like the Firefly does 0.1 - 0.2 perfectly, which is right up my alley.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

If you can afford it, I'd go Firefly. The Solo sounds like it'd be good for you, but if you got the extra coinage... Well, using this FF, once you have the technique down, is like this:

My other portables at this point feel more like:

But yeah, the Solo would do ya' just fine as well... it's a great vape at a good price with lots of versatility and is tried and true.


Here's a very long random rambling post I made in the FF thread that you might find helpful (at times):

Yeah, these seem like the most high profile of the new flower-friendly ports. Maybe the PnP and Pax would be in there as well.

Generally, I'm the type of user who likes to take just one hit about every 15-20 min or so, if possible. So that makes the Firefly just perfect for me since, as you know, I can just get that one hit and not heat any herb I won't be using ya know? For personal use, for flowers, the Firefly is just divine. When I'm hitting it normally, I'm getting the perfect hit - enough vapor to confirm that I definitely got a good amount in my lungs, but not so much exhaled vapor to be wasteful. If you have enough privacy to use a smokebuddy, the amount of smell is really stealthy.

The Ascent warms up really fast, so that's not an issue there. But knowing that I'm using its battery to get it going when I just want one hit makes me think the battery won't last long (love knowing that I can replace the FF battery!), so I end up taking two hits and then turning it off and taking a third just so product isn't going to waste as the Ascent cools down (takes a while) and that the battery power was worth it. At that point, I am usually more medicated than I need to be with plenty of smell all around me. It's a stinky one, in my opinion. If I use it in my car, man do people know it. Just the device laying around after it's heated your herb once is stinky. The Firefly does not have that problem.

When I keep the Firefly in my bag and then open up its compartment after an hour or so, there is barely a smell. There is smell, but not enough for anyone around me to notice. When I did the same with the Ascent, the smell just came FLOODING out even worse than an MFLB that has tons of resin built up in it.

However, the Ascent does work great when you just want to pack it up, not use any technique, and just keep toking really simple-like. It's great around the house. I've had great success passing the Ascent around with friends who don't vape and they've done quite well. I also prefer to use the Ascent when driving, as using the FF while driving is NOT stealthy, that's for sure.

I also get more even burning with the Ascent. I have never seen ABV as uniform as after it's been through there at 430. It's gorgeous, the ABV. I LOVE using the Ascent with water. Its taste is even better than the FF, I think.

Plus, you can use it while charging. That's nice. And its battery life is great. If I were to go hiking for the day, I could just pack the Ascent full and it would be all I'd need. With the FF, I'd need an extra batt or two and extra herbs.

After using the Ascent, I usually feel STONED no matter the temp. After using the FF, I feel HIGH, but I can get the STONED feeling if I want to.

So, I think the Ascent really shines as a session vape with water, as it's meant to, but its smell really prevents it from being stealthy out in public.

The problem with the FF as a portable is that it's so expensive and beautiful I don't like it leaving the house! It actually makes the beautiful Ascent look a little clunky and outdated. Damn, it is pricey though, once you add on extra batts and the external charger...

The FF does take some technique, maybe a little more than the Ascent?

Will post more as I think of it. If anyone has a specific question, just ask.

 

[thesoloman]

the solo will pack .1 to .2 just fine and has been around for a long time

 

[Caligula]

Doesnt the battery life on the FF suck a fat one though?

 

[stickstones]

Solo

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

Doesnt the battery life on the FF suck a fat one though?

It would be fine for him, if he's using it as little as he says!

But yeah, overall, the FF comes up a little short in the battery department if you're going to be using it a lot. Needs extra batts and the external charger. I couldn't afford it then and can't now!

But damn, I'm keepin' it.

 

[stickstones]

Actuality, a FF may be better for him with its instant on and off capabilities. He could come back to the same bowl better than with the solo

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

Actuality, a FF may be better for him with its instant on and off capabilities. He could come back to the same bowl better than with the solo

Yeah it sounds like a perfect fit... if he's got the cash and doesn't mind taking a little chance with a new product.

Though we all know what a solid product the Solo is!

 

[Caligula]

Actuality, a FF may be better for him with its instant on and off capabilities. He could come back to the same bowl better than with the solo

I dont have issues pulling the stem and saving the rest for later on the Solo. I havent used a FF yet so maybe im missing something?

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

I dont have issues pulling the stem and saving the rest for later on the Solo. I havent used a FF yet so maybe im missing something?

I don't think you're missing anything.

But with the FF... you don't even have to pull off any stem. You just take your finger off the button, inhale 5 more seconds, and put the unit down. No more cook. No glass to break.

Of course... no glass to inhale through either.

I simply enjoy being able to just grab the FF, turn it on, be done 30 seconds or less later, put it down.

No fuss, no muss. And damn, if it ain't a sexy beast.

 

[LeeNailon]

I don't think you're missing anything.

But with the FF... you don't even have to pull off any stem. You just take your finger off the button, inhale 5 more seconds, and put the unit down. No more cook. No glass to break.

Of course... no glass to inhale through either.

I simply enjoy being able to just grab the FF, turn it on, be done 30 seconds or less later, put it down.

No fuss, no muss. And damn, if it ain't a sexy beast.

I've seen some people saying the FF puts out better taste than Solo, and some the opposite. What do you think? Also, what were you vaping before the FF?

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

I've seen some people saying the FF puts out better taste than Solo, and some the opposite. What do you think? Also, what were you vaping before the FF?

I had a Solo for about three months and loved it. Sold it and really regret it. It really is a great vaporizer. Taste-wise... man, to me, it's just a hair above the FF and a hair below the Ascent. But all three are so close I really don't think it matters. Unless flavor is your main motivation, I wouldn't choose a Solo over the FF just because of that. I'd choose a Solo if you want something safe, tried and true, dependable and at a good price. I'd go FF if you feel like being a little flashy and a little sleek/techie/new and maybe want something that you can keep all in one unit. As much as I enjoyed the Solo, it did not give me the pleasure and satisfaction that the FF does. Nor does it work as quickly, if that matters.

But bear in mind the FF is damn new. I took the risk, and don't regret it, even at the cost. I FUCKING LOVE the FF. It's everything I hoped the Ascent would be. But the Solo is still the safer choice. Great for hitting through water too.

You'll probably just end up buying both.

For portables, I've used an MFLB, DV, Ascent, FF, Solo, Pax, Pinnacle, and VG. Not the most impressive list, but not a newb, either.

 

[Caligula]

I simply enjoy being able to just grab the FF, turn it on, be done 30 seconds or less later, put it down.

No fuss, no muss. And damn, if it ain't a sexy beast.

Thats why I like leaving my E Nano on so muc... oh, right... Sorry.