I have owned a VB vaporizer for 3 years and purchased an Iolite 2 years ago as a portable unit. I had been doing a lot of research about portable vapes and even though I really like the Iolite, I was looking for something that gave the kind of hit that a plug in model, such as my VB. I had been looking at the SV for well over a year, the design of the heat exchanger was very interesting. I finally broke down and purchased one (OUCH!), hoping for the best. Ed shipped it right away, 2 days from California to Indiana. When I first received it, I really thought that I had paid way too much, not much materials and a very simple design. The idea that I had paid too much quickly passed as the first hit off of this unit was better and thicker than the hits I got from my VB box. I will agree that it does require more attention to keep yourself from getting burned on the heat exchanger, but the blasts you get from it are amazing! I usually start this unit at 270 degrees, and work my way up to 330 degrees as the vapors deteriorate. The efficiency of this unit is amazing, as I have tried to re-vape my used material in the VB with no vapors being released the second time around. I have done a few "dry runs" and have never tasted anything but hot air and a little residue from previous loadings.
I did end up purchasing a locking Ronson torch, and warm up time from room temp to vape temp is usually around 60 seconds, after initial heating it only require a few touch up hits with the torch to re-warm, unless you fall into a stupor and hold it too long.
This unit is not as inconspicuous to use as the Iolite, but from my standpoint, the lack of stealth is surpassed by the amazing hits it delivers. Since my initial purchase, I have unplugged my VB and use my SV almost exclusively. I have a small ballistic case that I store the unit in, and have had to stash it a few times at 300 degrees in the case, with absolutely no damage to the case or unit. I have never used a Volcano, but I can't even imagine getting a better hit from any unit, in my own opinion this is the very best vaporizer for the money, but only if you like very rich, thick vapors.
I have been keeping an eye on Eds website, as the SV #1 had been sold out for a few weeks. Saturday night he updated his website and put a lot of information about the SV#2 on Ebay, as the new ones are available now. As soon as I saw the updated, smaller version, I ordered it right away, Should be receiving it tomorrow on May the 24th, And as soon as I test it I will re-post my findings, although the updated version looks basically the same, the improvements on the mouthpiece look excellent and it looks as though the mouthpiece upgrade will be a lot better. I should also state that I do not use the tubing that came with it, I hit directly from the mouthpiece, similar to hitting off a combustion style pipe, which does give it a little more stealth.
I would give this Vaporizer 5 stars out of 5, an excellent unit, very efficient and a killer on hits.
