Purple Days or Rockzap?

[fing]

Hello all,

I'm looking to make my first vaporizer purchase and I'm fairly certain I want a log vap. I like the combination of stealth, beauty, and personal efficiency. Can anyone shed some light on the pros and cons of a Purple Days or Aromazap's new Rockzap? I've looked around and their doesn't seem to be much info available on the Rockzap yet. Also, are there any others I should be giving thought to?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[weedemon]

I have never used a zap so i can't distinguish between the two models, but I do own 2 PD logs and can tell you the pros and cons of log style vapes.

Pro
- loads tiny bowls0.025-0.075 of a gram per stem (this can make for careful dosing with people that have a lower tolerance)
- beautiful design, feels nice in the hand, looks elegant on the table. can be left out and used as an aromatherapy diffuser.
- no moving parts = very little to break
- stems fit right into a 14.4mm gong stem for vapor tokes (my preferred method of using a log personally.)
- great build quality (these things are solid and hard to break!) and customer service

Con
- 30-60 min heatup time (most of us leave em plugged in all day though. ends that problem)
- smaller hits that will not knock you on your ass the same as a heavy hitting less efficient vape
- the power cord tends to be the weak link on the unit "breaking" but again maybe that's a good thing? i'd rather replace a power cord over the vape.
- can be frustrating to try and get a heavy users level of high (you need many stems to get high if you have a high tolerance)
- there is a 6-8 week wait time on getting your vape made due to demand for the vapes.

 

[mrfloopa]

I believe the biggest difference is simply the heat of the unit. The three log vapes (PD, MZ, WDZ) were all roughly the same temp, but Rick improved the design by changing the insulation of the unit to ceramic/rock (I forgot, I'ma bit medicated. ). Since the wood is less important, it can be more types of wood and more shapes. If that doesn't matter to you, though, any temp difference can be made up for by using a sock/sweatband/coozie to insulate the thing more.

I also think the wait-time is lower for the new rockzaps, but I am not sure.

 

[Gunky]

Log vapes run twelve volts through a resistor (same resistor in most of them) and store up the heat in a metal core. The air flows around and through the core and heats up.

Log vapes which use the wood casing to insulate the hot core gradually char on the inside. Eventually there is a tendency for the core to become loose, first rattling and maybe eventually thumping around inside the unit. These use circular metal clamps to keep the metal parts tight inside the wood. Eventually you have to mess with the clamps to tighten it down... They last quite a while if you don't drop them too much but clearly they eventually wear out because of the effect of heat on the wood.

The Rock Zaps mainly use a ceramic coating to insulate the core. As a result the wood jacket does not undergo as much change as the wood-insulated units. We will see how this works out for longevity of the RZ's. I expect the rattles and charring will probably not occur with the RZ models. Most of the RZ's are about the size of a motorcycle hand grip; the PD and Woodeeaz are more like soda can size.

 

[Nycdeisel]

I hope i can clear this up for you, pardon me if i ramble some, i have been using my RockZap

I had my PD for a while before getting any kind of Zap unit, and i loved it, really couldnt get enough of it and it was efficient, provided good clean taste, and was low maintenance. i couldnt ask for anything better!

I got a regular brass zap along the way, and i never liked it, compared to my PD it was doing nothing.
THEN I started reading about the new Zaps, before they even had the "Rock" part in there, i got an SSS zap, which was still wood insulated like the log vapes and Eterras before it, but it only differed from my PD really by having a SOLID steel heater, so it wouldnt have the rattling problem that all log vapes before it had, just because the steel was not all one piece. However, it was quite a bit hotter! now take into consideration that the PD is myrtle wood and the SSSzap is cherry wood. it gave hits just as good if not better(hotter, really) then my PD! all was good, and then I got a Rockzap~!
All i could think about it was WOW was it HOT! a lot hotter then any other log vapes ive used, i was impressed! the 'Rock' really changed up the game! in fact so much that there are no longer brass zaps being produced !

With all of that said, I love them both! some people prefer higher or lower temps, but i like the variety!

 

[Gunky]

You can't really go wrong with either of these. You should be able to order a Zap off the website and get it in a week. I think there is still a bit of a wait for the PD's. If you get a PD, I recommend the cherry wood, nice and hot.

 

[psyshaman]

I have several Zaps and a few Purple days..... Myself I must say I lean towards the Rockzap as it is ceramic lined which means better heat retention and longevity of the wood used. No wait time, pick one and but it.
Also Rick is producing amazing pieces with many very individual characters

 

[fing]

Thank you all for your help! I really appreciate your quick input. I've decided to go with a RockZap and have contacted Rick to see if he can make one in a specific wood.
Are there any accessories you consider vital or extremely convenient for your RZ or PD? I've been thinking about getting a bong or bubbler attachment but not sure where to look. Also, do you have a preferred source or scent for essential oils. I figure if I'm going to leave it plugged in all day I should enjoy all the aspects of my vaporizer. And finally, many of you seem to have multiple vapes, even in the same style. I'm curious as to why. Is this like tattoos? Is getting one just a gateway to a whole collection?
Again, thank you all for your assistance! It seems like a cool community I've stumbled on to

 

[Gunky]

Ever been in the inner sanctum of a tobacco pipe smoker? Rows and rows of briar pipes. It's kind of like that.

 

[SD_haze]

Thank you all for your help! I really appreciate your quick input. I've decided to go with a RockZap and have contacted Rick to see if he can make one in a specific wood.
Are there any accessories you consider vital or extremely convenient for your RZ or PD? I've been thinking about getting a bong or bubbler attachment but not sure where to look. Also, do you have a preferred source or scent for essential oils. I figure if I'm going to leave it plugged in all day I should enjoy all the aspects of my vaporizer. And finally, many of you seem to have multiple vapes, even in the same style. I'm curious as to why. Is this like tattoos? Is getting one just a gateway to a whole collection?
Again, thank you all for your assistance! It seems like a cool community I've stumbled on to

The rockzap does very very well through a small bong or bubbler.
Personally I use my rockzap 99% of the time through a 12in, diffused straight shooter and its perfect.

Any standard size (14mm) joint works perfect with any log vape stem, but the GonG stems from Rick are even better. I only use my GonG stem because its a shorter air path, it just seems to hit better (and makes a better air seal).
That would definitely be my vital accessory

 

[charliedontsurf]

My PD, soon to be departed sadly, is an awesome little unit. It tastes great and gives nice vapor density, and I think others tend to really overstate how restricted the airflow is. My only complaint about it is that it does not get hot enough to really thoroughly cash a load at 12V - for this reason I would tend to recommend the new CRZ's due to their hotter temps and more outlandish designs for not much more money.

 

[mrfloopa]

For what it's worth, I also have nothing but great things to say about Rick. I don't own a RZ/MZ or any of his products, but he's been a great help to me anyway and took care of me like one of his own. I hope to join the RZ family when I can get around to affording it.