The HI

[Jeppy]

DAMN MOM,,,,That's one Beautiful piece. Wow..... Great Job Alan..

 

[stickstones]

Hit it with the PD adpater yesterday and it was definitely hot. It was all I could do to keep it from getting dark brown and went through the bowl in like two hits. Then I went back to the VV at the highest setting and had a good night session. I'd like to be able to get it a little hotter, but it's also a good experience for me to be forced into some lower temp vaping. I'm enjoying it.

Alan, my guess is the final tweaks are about the power supply. I'm not going to be much use to you in measuring what levels my adapter gets to, as I have no equipment or understanding of that stuff.

One tweak that some might enjoy is a longer stem, probably bent. I think I would enjoy a longer stem for cooling purposes and I am still not used to holding the unit level or upright. I'd probably enjoy using a bent stem that allowed me to keep my head more level or even looking down.

The increased bowl size and airflow are getting me what I want...shorter sessions!

 

[OKcomputer]

The increased bowl size and airflow are getting me what I want...shorter sessions!

+1 to this. One big advantage of the HI is that it gets the job done *quickly* when you're running it at full temp. I was experimenting with my packing method a little more last night, and found that it was best to use a tiny bit more weed than I initially described. You'll know when you've got it right when the airflow is a little constricted compared to a loose, unpacked bowl. I was once again able to achieve totally browned herb with only a couple of stirs and re-packs. So far, I feel very good about the efficiency of this thing in terms of extracting every last bit of goodness from the herb, and doing it in a short period of time, for that matter.

It's unfortunate that the VVs seem to be sketchy for many of us at this point. It still seems possible that just the current batch is bad, as I know Dave had a similar problem with a faulty batch of power supplies when he shipped out his B-Day UDs. I'd like the option of going just slightly cooler than what I'm getting with my PD PS, but not if it means spending mucho bucks on my own heavy duty VV.

Alan is sending me another VV and a non-VV in the mail and they should arrive by Friday, which means more testing over the weekend.

 

[mflb_hustler]

I ordered my Walnut HI last Wed. afternoon and my unit arrived the friday of that same week to the east coast. I was excited to get it in such a short time. (btw I was on the waiting list when this thread was on page 9 so if you are considering purchasing this unit hop on it now) No review here but I must say for my first log vape...all other vapes are collecting dust (yes even my TV for now) and I really enjoy this work of art. I would possibly post some pics later on today. Thanks Alan.

 

[Jeppy]

Oh ya, baby. Must be getting closer. I got on the list after page 17. I can feel the HI coming on.....

 

[nuvap]

Hey nuvap - very good. Just send him an email at alan@toasty-top.com and get on the waiting list. You might have to wait a while but I'm sure he'll be obliging.

Mine was here in 5 days, America to Cardiff

Thanks for the info guys! I've fired an email off to Alan but alas no reply yet, although I did expect a bit of a wait because I expect he is busy in the shop cranking out these vapes for everyone. Fingers crossed I get a reply soon and can at least get my name on the list.

Edit: for typos

 

[momofthegoons]

I had a chance to try the HI on a 12v fv. I have to agree that the HI runs much hotter on the fixed temp. I have no problem with the vv being cooler, since it is nice to enjoy the lower temps and flavors once in a while.

 

[hazy]

You'll probably find that the so-called 12V FV supply is actually delivering a substantially higher voltage (possibly close to 14V), whereas the VV supplies max out just above 12V.

 

[OKcomputer]

You'll probably find that the so-called 12V FV supply is actually delivering a substantially higher voltage (possibly close to 14V), whereas the VV supplies max out just above 12V.

Are you referring to the 12V FV supply that Alan includes with the HI, or the 12V supplies that come with the PD that many of us are using?

 

[hazy]

I don't know what kind of FV supplies come with the HI. I was referring to any of the unregulated 12V supplies.

 

[Jeppy]

Is there anything or any strain in particular that you guys like vapn out of your HI?

 

[stickstones]

^^^
all of them!

I just picked up something called 'LA Confidential'. Really nice strain. But for me, the taste is a little wierd and lingers for a long time when vaped. Conversely, it was incredibly smooth with less aftertaste, believe it or not, when smoked through my bong.

 

[OKcomputer]

Ever since the grower I know moved away, I've been dealing with mids. Currently working through some strain called "Church," and I wouldn't really recommend it. The only thing I've vaped other than flowers so far was a q-tip end that I dipped in 91% iso and used to clean my all-glass turbo tube. Let it dry for a few hours, ripped off the end of the q-tip and got 3-4 good tasty hits out of it.

 

[momofthegoons]

^^^
all of them!

As I read the post above yours, I thought the same thing!

I do find that some of the "purples" don't vape as well. They taste lovely though.

 

[stickstones]

Got a pic for size reference

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/dsc05926z.jpg/

 

[Jeppy]

^^^
all of them!

As I read the post above yours, I thought the same thing!

I do find that some of the "purples" don't vape as well. They taste lovely though.

Though I don't have a HI yet, I have noticed the Ken's GDP I get, vapes longer in comparison to other strains. The vapor has a "clean" taste to it.

 

[J.R.R.Tokin']

Got a pic for size reference

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/dsc05926z.jpg/

Wow, that really is tiny. I just got my MFLB and drew a rough equivalent of the HI next to it - teeny. Damn photo's can be so deceptive!

 

[scottio19]

a question for those of you who have the HI, how does it perform with heat retention? The reviews seem to be nothing but positive, but without the washers there should be much less mass to use as a heat sink and to increase the surface area for heat transfer. Is everyone's hits staying the same temp all the way through?
Or can the resistor keep up with large draws now that there's less metal to heat?

 

[tuscan tins]

From what I've read in the thread, it doesn't lose much heat when you draw. Less metal mass means shorter heat up time and less heat lost (maybe TV should take over on this one).

scottio19, I did some re-reading, and TV's post on page 10 seems to answer your question:

I tried to see if I could drop the heating element temperature by continuously blowing air into the center tube using an empty toasty tube. All I got was a face full of hot air that never got any cooler for as long as I blew into it. The heating element is able to keep up with the continuous airflow since there is so little metal mass to remove the heat from the heating element. Enough heat is always available for heating the air.
The small metal mass is also the reason for the 5 minute heat up time.

 

[Ed's TnT]

I also got my HI yesterday. Pics first...

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/6672/dsc00519pc.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7371/dsc00520dv.jpg

A size comparison with the TT:

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/7415/dsc00522ib.jpg

And a size comparison to my smallest CRZ. You can see that they are close to the same height at about 3 1/2", but that the HI is much slimmer.

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/1687/dsc00525h.jpg



Someone had asked how much the HI weighs earlier. My HI, which is made of yew, is just shy of 3 oz. I have been experimenting with the glass turbo tube, both with water filtration and direct draw, the glass turbo tube with the ss insert (again both with and without water) and the nylon turbo tube with the silicone bowl. All have given me big hits. The air flow is much less restricted than the other log vapes, including the old core TT. I'm still getting used to it.

I also found that my vv seemed hotter yesterday than today. Could be my imagination as the HI still gets plenty warm to the touch. I came very close to combustion on one try where I had loaded the bowl too full. Less is more with this vape. I also had put the heatport all the way in to the tube.
I've found that "mom's marshmallow method" is really useful with this vape. If you start with your roasting tube inserted all the way into the heat port, the chance of scorching is much higher than if you gradually roast your herb. I agree that tamping the herb lightly is a good idea. I have a glass bead stir stick from Hot Box that fits in the tube perfectly and does the trick.

I have also been having trouble getting my herb past the light brown stage. I think this might be lack of practice since I managed to singe it the one time. So, I think more practice is in order! I think that I will try the standard 12v as well and see if it makes a difference.

Holy cow, WOW mom your HI is the shit! I really dig those eyes. Alan you do hella great work, that piece is amazing!

 

[IAmKrazy2]

Damn Mom got to agree with Ed, that is an amazing looking log. Would like to try that one out neighbor. I'll supply the herb. Tell us what you think.

 

[stickstones]

Damn Mom got to agree with Ed, that is an amazing looking log. Would like to try that one out neighbor. I'll supply the herb. Tell us what you think.

Krazy...just checkout your sig vape list...3 PD's like me. If you use your log vapes at all, I suggest giving this one a try. It has reshaped what my concept of a log vape is and how versatile they can be. It's more like a mini cloud than a log vape!

 

[GhostVapor]

Totally agree with what you said sticks, The HI is a game changer!

 

[Alan]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Sorry I have been slow to respond. So many competing projects --- too many new ideas. Thanks for the re-post staticsunn. Will try my best to make a HI for everyone who wants one.
The talk of a log vape bag blower got me to thinking. I'm all about simple as possible and inexpensive. My new creation involves a 2 liter soda bottle, a 1 gallon storage bag, packaging tape, and a turbo tube. The price is definitely right. Working quite well so far. Nice to see exactly how much vapor you are getting each time. Much cooler than direct draw. Maybe a bit more testing.

Edit - A bit of research reveals the device I have made is called a "Lung". Probably because it operates just like one.

 

[u bwade wunner]

love it Alan.A scientist at work.so many ideas never enough time.the Hi is perfect without. .Im not gonna mention any more ideas to you Alan!