What's up Subculture. I just received my XLR 2.0 Adapt-a-bong Apollo last Thursday and this was quite a hazy weekend. I'll try and give my full impression of the device in this post. A little background from me, I'm a licensed medical patient and have been consuming herbs for easily over 10 years, closer to 15 at this point. I have owned a few vapes, starting with a vapor bros, then a volcano. More recently I've tried an Arizer Solo and V-Tower, I also bought a Pax last winter. I love the Pax and think I can get hits just as good from it as out of the Volcano bags. I feel like the whip style vapes work well but are my least favorite. I just feel like I get the least flavor from them (after the first hit or 2 at least) and they take a while to get the desired effect. As far as the Sublimator goes, it blows them all out of the water. I'll start with the downsides of the Sub here.
First off, I know it has been said many times but this is not your normal piece. It's not meant to be passed around and if you understand that, you'll have an easier time with it. I have been using it on my kitchen counter primarily due to not really having a good desk set up. I would suggest having the control box, inverter and Apollo all on the same surface or at least with no space for anything to get caught on the cord and knock things over. I have a dog so I am conscious of this. Also, I have quite a few glass pieces but the atomizer only fits in one of them, and the base is not quite large enough. This makes for a precarious situation, and I have to use a bit more water in the piece to balance it out than I normally would. I'm having another piece made for me that will make sublimating easier, it should be ready in a week or two. Hopefully I'll be able to actually collect my sublimate at that point as well.
Aside from the tipping danger, this device is not fast. You will get hits after about 10 minutes of warming but but you get the best hits after a half hour. I find myself turning it on when I get home before I get in the shower. As soon as I get out, it's ready to rip.
Downsides being covered, this thing rips like a beast. I can guarantee that if I'm at home, I'll have my Sublimator on and waiting for me. I find it slightly dangerous that I can load it and rip such large hits so quickly, I took many unexpected naps this weekend. I've also found that I like to start it off on #8 for some really efficient hits and then I turn it down to #6 for more flavorfull ones after the first few. Even with water, this is giving me some of the most flavorful hits I've experienced.
Edit: One last thing, is this device worth it? That's a tough question, the price tag makes it hard to swallow and the functionality leaves something to be desired. If you are looking for something that will hit really well and efficiently, this is it. If you're looking for something cheap and portable, this is certainly not it. For me, I'm happy I bought one and I recommend everyone trying one before judging it. If you have the money to spend and you're looking for what I specified, this device is for you, I haven't found a way to get a better all around hit than the Sublimator.