Solo still the best?

[invertedisdead]

I've been looking for a vape for my mom under $200 who is looking for something to stop combusting. Looking at the Goboof Alfa, Indica, Flowermate, Solo, and others. Looking for something easy to use and will provide value. Should I try one of these new ones or just stick to a tried and true classic?

edit: super silver is working, mods please move to ask FC

 

[Nytron]

I've recently started to research this in the last few days. My Solo fell in the lake, so I need to find a replacement.

Anyways, it appears that the best portables right now are the Solo, MiniVap, and the Inhalater. If you compare them, annoyingly, the Solo wins. It is shorter than both the others, best bowl design, and a fraction of the price. The MiniVap reminds me of the earliest cell phones with its size, it's far to big. The Inhalater is long and the nylon bowl goes against everything I know.

edit: The Crafty/Mighty makes many improvements, but the plastic is quite a turn off. Also, the ability to use a water tool would appear to be somewhat more difficult with those vapes.

 

[BuzzDanklin]

I have not tried the Alfa yet, but I prefer the Solo over the other options you mentioned at the under $200 price range.

 

[KidFated.]

Indica really surprised me, I would rank it even with the solo, both are better than the other in certain categories. Indica is more stealth but solo is better when chillin around not worried about the glass stem. Solo is great with a wooden stem as well. Maybe she would like a vapman? Hits like a champ and harder than my underdogs or solo/indica.

 

[FrigginRights]

I ordered the Alfa, it should come in a week or two, it looks like the pax (the heating chamber style) meets the flowermate (size, and shape).

Im hoping that it is good.

Though I already know the arizer is top notch, so many reviews on it. With that being said the price dropped significantly, so many places are selling it at 150-160 dollars.

I think puffitup, wizardpuff and also on ebay (I would watch out on it, even though you may get warranty ebay sellers are not the most responsible)

 

[max]

I assume you're only looking for a portable since that's all you list.

The Solo is only the best hybrid portable- something you can use like a home vape but doesn't need AC. It's never been the best if you're looking for a pocketable portable for vaping on the go. It's certainly a good choice for what it is, and an option here for keeping it going long term.

The Flowermate V5.0 can be had for under $100 (about $60 via dhgate). I've been using one lately and it performs well and is easy to use and maintain.

Anyways, it appears that the best portables right now are the Solo, MiniVap, and the Inhalater.

That may be your perception but it's far from universal, as is your conclusion that the Solo is even the best among those three. And of all the models you mention, only the Solo is available in the price range desired by the OP.

 

[Chilled]

I overall prefer my volcano but solo is my go to for portable use (trips away etc). With bubbler attachment its so a tasty toke but only downside for me is I reckon I use more weed with it so day to day stick with volcano.

But solo would more than do the job. Good a good product.

 

[lwien]

Was it ever? Best at what?

I think Max covered it pretty well.

 

[CarolKing]

I have the Indica, Vapir No2, Ascent, Pinnacle Pro and the Solo portable. The Solo is my fav, but that's just me. We all have our likes and preferences, what works for one person may not for someone else. The Indica would be my second choice it is more stealth than the Solo. It has good vapor flavor and a very nice looking vaporizer too, if that matters.

I'm not using my 2 Pinnacle Pros because the units run very hot and doesn't give me the flavor like my other units. Also there is a crack on both units where the mouthpiece attaches. The company told me they would not include that in my warranty and would not repair or replace unless I paid $60 for each. I decided it wasn't worth it. Be careful the vaporizer you decide to buy.

The Solo gives me good vapor flavor and it doesn't use a lot of product. Also the price is right. It's a mid priced portable. You can find one at Puffitup for $160. There's a 2 year warranty on the unit and a 1 yr warranty on the battery. Puffitup might even price match. You won't have to pay for shipping. There are no hassles if you have to use your warranty. Randy's the man if you have any problems.

 

[invertedisdead]

Thanks for all the solid replies. Crafty/Mighty is my choice but she is afraid of the cost. I'm saving for one for myself but it would be really cool if I could go half on a Crafty for her. What I'm looking for is ease of use. I have a Volcano and she doesn't like the stationary aspect of it so I'm looking for a portable, or semi-portable. She works from home so stealth isn't a huge deal, but is fairly impatient about heat up time so that is important. She has fibromyalgia and lots of other things so wants pain relief when she needs it.

A few months ago I almost got her a Lotus for her birthday. I like the familiarity of combustion with torch powered vapes but I'm just not sure if it requires too much of a technique for her.

The ONLY thing the Solo has me cautious of is the draw resistance. I've never used one so Im not sure how hard it really is, but she definitely can't take long pulls.

The Auto-Puff feature of the Goboof Alfa really interests me because it automatically ramps the temp up every draw, which seems about as set it and forget it as you can get. Like a lot of old smokers she doesn't really seem to "get" the different temperatures of vaping and ramping them up over a session.

Something that didnt affect the taste too much would be the real icing on the cake.

 

[KidFated.]

Get her a vapman

 

[headdoctor]

I was surprised by how hard the draw is in the Solo. If she "definitely can't take long pulls," then I'd be cautious. From what I've heard, the Crafty/Mighty have minimal resistance, though they are expensive, as you point out. It's too bad that she wants something portable; my guess is that she'd have a lot more options if she got a desktop.

 

[CarolKing]

The newer Solo's draw resistance has improved with the 2014 version. With a PVHES mouthpiece from PlanetVape there is no resistance at all. When I first bought the Solo in 2013 the draw resistance bothered me. I bought a PVHES mouthpiece and it worked much better. Then I bought another Solo this past year, I don't even need the PV mouthpieces at all. The Solo hooks up to water tools really well. I like to use my bubbler.

I am interested in the Crafty and have been watching the thread. The battery life concerns me. It can be used and charged at the same time. The $400 for a portable is a lot of money. I may give in, I am waiting for the honeymoon to be over. We shall see.

 

[invertedisdead]

I was surprised by how hard the draw is in the Solo. If she "definitely can't take long pulls," then I'd be cautious. From what I've heard, the Crafty/Mighty have minimal resistance, though they are expensive, as you point out. It's too bad that she wants something portable; my guess is that she'd have a lot more options if she got a desktop.

I think it's the heat up time of desktop units. If she had a Herbie with instant on vapor she might be okay with a desktop. I've also considered a log, but I've read a lot about technique to working them right.

 

[Chainfire]

The newer Solo's draw resistance has improved with the 2014 version. With a PVHES mouthpiece from PlanetVape there is no resistance at all. When I first bought the Solo in 2013 the draw resistance bothered me. I bought a PVHES mouthpiece and it worked much better. Then I bought another Solo this past year, I don't even need the PV mouthpieces at all. The Solo hooks up to water tools really well. I like to use my bubbler.

I am interested in the Crafty and have been watching the thread. The battery life concerns me. It can be used and charged at the same time. The $400 for a portable is a lot of money. I may give in, I am waiting for the honeymoon to be over. We shall see.

All Hail CarolKing~! Seriously good advice here. I also have the new 2014 Solo, and it's pretty great. I did a lot of research and was thinking about either the Solo or the Ascent and landed on the Solo. It's a tried and true device that has a lot of relevant information, accessories and is backed by a reputable company. That adds up to a lot of trust.

 

[Chill Dude]

Solo? How about the Arizer Air? There seems to be a lot of people raving about Arizers new offering?

I'm also intrigued by the Crafty/Mighty. They seem like solid choices, but expensive as mentioned already.

Btw, I'm having a hard time figuring out the difference between the Crafty and the Mighty. I think the only difference is the Mighty has two batteries... So longer battery life?

 

[lwien]

Btw, I'm having a hard time figuring out the difference between the Crafty and the Mighty. I think the only difference is the Mighty has two batteries... So longer battery life?

It also has a digital read-out for temp and battery and that takes up some power. I haven't read this whole thread and I could be wrong, but all things considered, I wouldn't be surprised if the battery life between the two were about the same.

 

[CarolKing]

I'm waiting on the Arizer Air. I ordered last Friday at 9:00 AM. I should be getting it this Friday. It's suppose to be express shipping. I hope it comes sooner than that. It might be one to consider. It will be more portable than the Solo, smaller. The reviews are starting to come in. It looks like a promising portable.

Check out the Arizer Air thread. You know with Arizer it's a good product. Always a gamble being the first kid on the block. Merry Christmas to me.

 

[elmomuzz]

It also has a digital read-out for temp and battery and that takes up some power. I haven't read this whole thread and I could be wrong, but all things considered, I wouldn't be surprised if the battery life between the two were about the same.

The display doesn't use much energy. The mighty actually has slightly more then twice the capacity of the crafty since the batteries are only working half as hard.