Silver Surfer Vaporizer

[max]

The other colors I'm conisidering for the housing are red and Rainbow Zen. I like the idea of a high-gloss finish, but some of the pics of the red on 7th Floor's site look like the red is matte. Anybody have a red SSV to confirm matte or glossy? (And I have no idea what the "Burgundy Splatter" is!?)

Welcome to FC and congrats on reading the thread. It's worth the time IMO. The red is matte, and the base looks to be the exact same shade. If I were buying one today, I'd be tempted by that combo. Red SSV and base The Rainbow is glossy. I have no idea on the burgundy splatter either. The SSV site needs to have good pics of each color.

 

[vbeazy]

Flying High, glad you like it. Good Mac vs PC comparison. I also have a Mac and that's one reason I got the silver (vs the black). The SSV happens to be right beside us.

Goody, haha Happy Meal. I also placed a second order for accessories. The matte black base (for the Mac look), standard wand, standard HC. I didn't get the combo, then I ordered black hosing separately. Plus the ground glass HC/whip combo. I want to try all 3. I thought about getting the metal hands free connector but you need one for each spherical and standard, so I opted for the ground glass combo.

It got very expensive, but I'll probably sell my Hands Free VB to make up for it. Although it's much better having the VB for the bedroom. I could put the Zap there.

If I ordered the fatty wands I wanted to try, I'd be bankrupt. Glad I bought the blemished unit though, some of these accessories are practically paid for.

Though that said, Max, red on red is looking pretty mean.

I'll probably keep my red knob and base for spares, they do brighten it up.

 

[OhTheAgony]

I always used my SSV with a bent neck 500ml Ehle with ice-notches, it's like the perfect match imo

I have to disagree with the Mac/PC comparison though, totally the other way around imo.

 

[vbeazy]

Maybe it' just the colors OTA, making the SSV appear like Apple.

Paired with either black base, these are one sexy couple.

I'm not a Q fan though.

Either way, the MiVape and ViVape win this 'which resembles Apple' discussion.

 

[FlyingHigh]

You guys really are awesome--thanks so much for the welcomes, replies and more great info to chew on!

OhTheAgony: I love my Ehle--thanks for the reassurance it'll be suitable for vapor bonging! We'll have to agree to disagree on the Apple vs PC, although I suspect it depends a little on one's personal perspective.

vBeazy: just did a Google search to take a look at the MiVape and ViVape: defionitely some iPhone style going on there! I stopped looking immediately, though--researching four vapes (EQ, SSV, DBV and PD) has kept me very busy--must resist the urge to look at others --for the time being, at least.

 

[OhTheAgony]

True, those do look pretty good together. I've never been a Mac fan myself, so I had a black one matching my black powder coated Corsair Obsidian 700D. Should have taken some pictures of the pair, damned.

I'm still not fully convinced the Mi- & ViVape are real tbh

edit: Oh hey, on the Ehle; if you have a 14,4mm connection the SSV tubing will fit there perfectly without adapters or anything.

 

[FlyingHigh]

Thanks for the tip about the joint size, OTA. My 500ml has an 18.8 connection, though, so it looks like I'll need the adaptor. I'm planning to go with the standard HC+wand, the reduced-price "old" aroma oil diffuser (at $5 or so, why not?), the GG water pipe adaptor, some extra tubing and screens, ... maybe that'll be it, but I can't guarantee I'll stop there.

 

[PB88123]

I was thinking the silver may be too plain but I like those pics above, and it's the least expensive option.

The silver / silver on my desk. I like how it sticks out around all the black.

 

[cluffy]

nice mousepad PB88123, happy to see the ssv thread rising. still my favorite vape though i have the DBV version... VAPE ON!!!

 

[max]

The silver / silver on my desk.

Mine is silver on silver too. Probably not what I'd choose today, but 3+ yrs. ago the color selection was more limited. But I've never gotten tired of the all silver look.

cluffy, I like that zap in your sig pic. I have a weakness for interesting looking dark woods.

 

[FlyingHigh]

PB88123: that silver on silver looks very nice indeed. Ugh!, the colors are turning out to be the hardest decision to make before ordering! :/

 

[Fiend]

After using the surfer for nearly two years now, I have noticed that each surfer appears to have similar but different temperatures and variations of how long they can sustain those temperatures while sucking/vaporizing. In other words, they have different heating algorithms, which I assume are not controlled (due to the wide variation I've seen).

I started wondering why one of my surfers wasn't hitting as well and ended up resorting to the mouthpiece, which I was never a fan of. Originally I was under the impression that the mouthpiece would just cause unnecessary restriction but on one of my surfers it appears necessary. If I don't use it the heating element cools down rather fast forcing me to vaporize at higher temperatures, which is less than desirable. On my older one however, it gets very hot with a much smaller turn of the knob and sustains the temperature very well; because of this the mouthpiece grants unwanted restriction. Also, in case I wasn't clear, I am saying that temperature variation isn't only because of the difference in knob positioning.

I'm sure some of this has been covered before but thought I would share my observations..

 

[Vitolo]

It is "impedance matching"... same as gears in a watch the restriction of flow to a small oriface has an effect on either end. At the mouthpiece... it becomes leverage like a physical fulcrum... so that a small opening gives stronger control at the other end.

 

[ChickenSurfer]

What Vitolo said is exactly right.
Basically, every route of airflow with a changing cross-sectional area will have one of these bottle-necks. I have one of the older SSV wands with a very narrow end-to-hose connection and screen-stopper, and it offers significantly more resistance than when using the SSV with the LSV heater cover and Water Pipe Adapter or Wand. That being said, I've also found that screen-clogging is the most common reason for unnecessary drag out in the wild. Try drawing through the tubing and take note of the resistance offered, then replace the screen and compare. If the two aren't similar, you need to be cleaning your screens better or replacing them more often.

 

[darkrom]

I love the SSV and haven't got a bad thing to say about it, but the claims on the website of it being "the only artistic vape" or something similar are kind of absurd at this point don't you think?

 

[Vitolo]

I love the SSV and haven't got a bad thing to say about it, but the claims on the website of it being "the only artistic vape" or something similar are kind of absurd at this point don't you think?

The site says in the section about customization, "The SSV is the most versatile, well designed, functional, and durable vaporizer on the market! And, the *only* vaporizer with artistic beauty!"
They are describing the fact that the SSV was ... and still is the ONLY vaporizer offered upon which you can have customized Artwork done for you.
There are Vape makers that make artistic vapes, of wood, (the log vapes are works of art)...
But the SSV is to date still the only One that allows you full artistic expression!

(One of our Tucson patients just asked me was there a vape maker that could mimic his Tribal tattoo, onto a vape. Guess what vape maker is going to do it?

 

[darkrom]

I love the SSV and haven't got a bad thing to say about it, but the claims on the website of it being "the only artistic vape" or something similar are kind of absurd at this point don't you think?

The site says in the section about customization, "The SSV is the most versatile, well designed, functional, and durable vaporizer on the market! And, the *only* vaporizer with artistic beauty!"
They are describing the fact that the SSV was ... and still is the ONLY vaporizer offered upon which you can have customized Artwork done for you.
There are Vape makers that make artistic vapes, of wood, (the log vapes are works of art)...
But the SSV is to date still the only One that allows you full artistic expression!
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m580/VitoloVaporizes/Untitled.jpg
(One of our Tucson patients just asked me was there a vape maker that could mimic his Tribal tattoo, onto a vape. Guess what vape maker is going to do it?

Ok I guess I misunderstood. I do think the custom art is really awesome!

 

[Vitolo]

And truly darkrom... I understood where you were coming from.. and went to see what it was,, so I could tell the guys that their info was outdated.
I am protective of all of the companies I love...
You guys know them, I have about 8 companies I post about....
well.... you see.. I need these vapes, and so I want to be sure the compoanies I like feel the love... so they stick around for the long haul.
Imagine your old buddy Vito if he found out tomorrow there would be no more parts and no more SSV
I would freak!
Anyway darkrom.. thanks for getting me off my butt to look!

 

[nerdinerdiness]

Yo FC!
I just received my SSV and it hits just ok. I got one of the blemished units so they sent a pretty shitty Heater Cover with it. It doesn't line up with the heating element at all and I have to turn it on to full power to get the bud to vape well. :/ The hole is pretty big in the bottom of the heater cover. I drew this pic of what it looks like. The air sort of rushes by without getting much heat. And the ceramic heater is almost jammed into the HC. I had to wrap masking tape around the metal base to keep the HC secure. Any ideas boy and gals? Should I just buy a new HC? or do you think I can modify it to get it straighter?

edit: I just took out that little round washer thing on top of the metal base and the ceramic heater is no leaning at a better angle inside. I hope this makes sense. lol. I'll try it later to see if its better. I wonder if the bud I have is just way too wet. I live in a really bad area for buds. lol. Peace everybody. I also put a piece of tape on top of the hole on the side of the HC to make it smaller.

 

[SF Giant]

Yo FC!
I just received my SSV and it hits just ok. I got one of the blemished units so they sent a pretty shitty Heater Cover with it. It doesn't line up with the heating element at all and I have to turn it on to full power to get the bud to vape well. :/ The hole is pretty big in the bottom of the heater cover. I drew this pic of what it looks like. The air sort of rushes by without getting much heat. And the ceramic heater is almost jammed into the HC. I had to wrap masking tape around the metal base to keep the HC secure. Any ideas boy and gals? Should I just buy a new HC? or do you think I can modify it to get it straighter?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v350/kliend004/12345.png

edit: I just took out that little round washer thing on top of the metal base and the ceramic heater is no leaning at a better angle inside. I hope this makes sense. lol. I'll try it later to see if its better. I wonder if the bud I have is just way too wet. I live in a really bad area for buds. lol. Peace everybody. I also put a piece of tape on top of the hole on the side of the HC to make it smaller.

If you want to you can take off the HC and (gently) bend the heating element to get it well centered in your hc

 

[mvapes]

Which heating cover did they give you? Hands-free or worked? I wouldn't tape anything or bend the element, and that washer you mentioned should actually be what keeps the rod straight. I would email 7th and see what they say. If they shoot you down, then you could play with it.

 

[OhTheAgony]

That tape will get hot, I'd take it off if I were you because I doubt the off-gassing from the glue as well as from the tape will be very good for your health. I've heard JB weld is safe to use, if you're an American you should be able to get it easily.

But to be honest I'd give 7thfloor a call first to explain your situation, can't imagine they won't send you a new heater cover to make up for the lousy one. The blemish can be a scratch or even a broken knob, but the Surfer should be in good working condition at least.

 

[Vitolo]

I would not mess with ANYTHING at all.
Post images if you can.
I have 4 SSV units here, and the Heating element is different in each... and not 1 is straight.
I have one that is downright warped, but it functions fine.
None line up exactly.
If the HC itself does not line up frontwards, just "line it up"
If it moves.. lift it, and widen the shim at bottom, and pinch it a bit at top 9or visa versa, and slide HC back onto it.
As long as that hot element is within that HC, the air coming through will be hot, whether that element is centered or hugging a wall.
A hint with the shim adjustment....
pinch it East/west on top and N/S at bottom.. that will make it hold on very firmly as you covered both directions.

 

[FlyingHigh]

OK I am THIS close to pressing the button on an SSV...

...but I did what I promised myself I wouldn't do, and read the whole LSV thread after finishing the SSV one. I am still 99.9% sure the SSV is for me, but the LSV does sound terrific, and Vitolo's excellent posts have me really conflicted, since he clearly loves both! I can only afford one, and the big advantage I see of the SSV over the LSV is that it sits more conveniently on a tabletop, with no worries about it rolling off, or getting so hot it's tricky to pick up after returning to it after it's been on for an hour.

I think I'm going to order the SSV unless I hear a compelling reason for changing course last minute--any LSV advocates out there who want to try to change my mind?

 

[cluffy]

I'll put in a vote for the SSV as long as it's standard or spherical GG. I just can't recommend the GG hands free from my DBV experience. It works but not like a standard IMO, never tried the spherical but it looks good.