Discontinued The Oracle Infrared Vaporizer

[purplek]

looks much better, very tempted to shoot you an email to see what pricing is available to an FC member like myself. Would love to try the Oracle and share my experience with the community, but the unit it still far out of my price range at this time. There is a lot in the design i really like.

I was offered a 50 dollar discount and free shipping as a medical marijuana patient. Wasn't enough to get me to pull the trigger, but I was very close. From my brief emails with BMinnovators I caught the vibe that they are passionate vaporists and don't want to leave their customers wanting more. It is going to be interesting to see who wins the taster's choice when put head to head against other vapes. The heater design and glass air path have me convinced that its gonna be a close one...

 

[Twanbiz]

New look on the inside is nice. Can't wait until I pay and am able to test it out!

 

[tj024]

Hey, whats up everyone! First time poster, long time lurker here.

This vaporizer looks very interesting, I would like to know more about it please.
Anything and everything would be great! More pictures of the internals and outer shell, awesome!
I just feel that this vaporizer is worth discussing more.

I have an over abundance of vapes(6) for myself, and am possibly looking to condense my collection.
Is this thing a heavy hitter?
I am wondering how this hits compared to something like a SSV out of the whip or a LSV out of the bong.
I know the usage will differ a little, such as you cannot control your hit with varying intake speeds like you can with the SSV, and your hitting out of a bag.

Thanks for everyone's help and information!
It is truly appreciated!
-TJ

 

[max]

Welcome to FC. New vaporists are always welcome.

Is this thing a heavy hitter? I am wondering how this hits compared to something like a SSV out of the whip or a LSV out of the bong.

Bagged vapor is pretty much all the same, from one bag to another and from one model to another. It's going to have the typical diluted vapor that you get with bags, and the vapor density is less than with vapes like the SSV. The Oracle, unlike dual mode models like the herbalAire and Extreme, doesn't provide passive direct hits. When it's turned on, you get both heat and air pump. You can use the hookah stack adapter to take direct hits while a bag is filling though. I'm a big fan of this model, but with the current design, you need to look at it primarily as a bag filler.

 

[purplek]

Bagged vapor is pretty much all the same, from one bag to another and from one model to another. It's going to have the typical diluted vapor that you get with bags, and the vapor density is less than with vapes like the SSV. The Oracle, unlike dual mode models like the herbalAire and Extreme, doesn't provide passive direct hits. When it's turned on, you get both heat and air pump. You can use the hookah stack adapter to take direct hits while a bag is filling though. I'm a big fan of this model, but with the current design, you need to look at it primarily as a bag filler.

This is good info Max, but I would also consider how the heater works when compared to other bag vaporizers before stating all bagged vapor are the same. By design I think the Oracle would provide tastier vapor because the herb is constantly stirred when the pump is active. As opposed to the volcano and others (the extreme) where the herb is being pressed between screens when vaporized.

 

[max]

If taste is better (and that'll depend on the individual) it should be due to glass vs. other materials, and the bags may well neutralize or equalize that. I can't comment on that aspect. My taste buds aren't good enough anymore. The Oracle uses screens like the others do, and none of 'em press the herb between screens. Stirring the herb helps keep it exposed to the heat, but there's no reason for that to affect taste. And the herbalAire does as good a job of efficiently vaping a bowl as any model, and with that one you just drop a chunk of bud in.

What I like about this model is that it has some of the best aspects of the herbalAire, EQ, and Volcano, and seems to be missing the major downsides to each.

 

[The Oracle]

Max is correct by saying the Oracle uses screens to contain the herb, like other models. While the stirring action does provide for very even heating, whether the bags are "tastier" or not is up to the user.

I think the main factor when it comes to bags is the pump/fill speed. So long as the heating element can withstand the airflow, a slow blowing vape should in theory produce thicker vapor than your average 1.5-2 minute bag.

 

[tj024]

Thanks for the information Max, purplek, and bogdan! It is appreciated!
More info is always welcome

I guess what I really should be asking is if you had to choose between an oracle or a volcano, which would it be and why? I know its your own personal opinion, but I'm still interested in hearing it.

Thanks again! This forum rocks!

 

[max]

For me the only edge the Volcano would have is the known, long term reliability. This is a plus that new models, no matter what the product, obviously don't have, since proving reliability takes time.

The Orcacle is cheaper for making up multiple bags. A 2nd bag connector is about $8, vs. about $60 for a 'cano valve set, easy or solid. Bags are easier to attach as well. The glass connectors and adapters are also easier to clean, and obviously those wanting the best taste are going to prefer glass.

With the hookah stack adapter you can take whip hits while a bag is filling. The 'cano is bag fill only, which IMO is the major downside to the vape, vs. the competition (aside from cost).

The Oracle reaches vaping temp in seconds and fills a bag very fast, so speed certainly isn't a drawback.

We have at least one supporting retailer offering the Oracle (Vapornation), and the 10% discount code makes it more than $100 cheaper than the 'cano.

 

[Ganjananda]

Apparently I am not destined to have an Oracle.

After a frustrating six-week wait, I finally received my Oracle today. (Woohoo!) Naturally I opened it up as soon as I got home from work, thrilled to finally have a vaporizer again and ready to try it out and see what it can deliver.

But alas, it was not to be. I loaded the bowl, built the stack, and fired it up. It filled the bag in about two minutes as expected, but filled it with cold air, not as expected. No heat, no light (from inside), no vapor.

As if by some stroke of bizarre misfortune, this is exactly what happened when I ordered a Zephyr Ion two years ago. They overnighted me a replacement right away, but it died two months ago and there's no company left to fulfill the warranty.

Am I just a fool to keep chasing the cutting edge? Anyone here have an Oracle and an opinion--should I go through the hassle & wait (how long?) to get a replacement, or should I just get a Volcano and be done with it?

 

[vtac]

Sorry to hear you're having trouble, getting a DOA product is the worst feeling-- especially a vape.

Have you contacted BM Innovators or the store you purchased it from? I'm sure Bogdan would be happy to help you figure out a solution.

Am I just a fool to keep chasing the cutting edge? Anyone here have an Oracle and an opinion--should I go through the hassle & wait (how long?) to get a replacement, or should I just get a Volcano and be done with it?

I'd say you've just been unlucky. Unfortunately there are always a small percentage of defective units, but at least now your odds of getting another should be low. Third time's a charm, right?

In my opinion, if you want bags, the Oracle is worth the wait. There are some reviews in this thread that you might want to check out.

 

[Twanbiz]

I hope whenever they ship mine (been over a month since they said they would be shipping) it doesn't arrive DOA.

 

[The Oracle]

Sorry to hear about your trouble ganjananda, fire me off an email and i'll make sure your taken care of.

 

[max]

In my opinion, if you want bags, the Oracle is worth the wait.

I'll 2nd that. I am surprised it took so long for you to get delivery. Hopefully you won't have to wait long to get a replacement.

 

[Ganjananda]

I'd say you've just been unlucky. Unfortunately there are always a small percentage of defective units, but at least now your odds of getting another should be low. Third time's a charm, right?

Ha ha, unlucky is right. I don't know what it is but I get DOA items all the time--far more than statistically likely I think--I should keep track just to see. I guess there's always an outlier.

In my opinion, if you want bags, the Oracle is worth the wait.

I'll 2nd that. I am surprised it took so long for you to get delivery. Hopefully you won't have to wait long to get a replacement.

That's what I wanted to hear. I've been keeping up with the reviews and the videos, etc., but I'm glad to hear from some folks who have been living with it for a while.

I definitely want the bags. I'm still s little unsure about not having some sort of valve, but that seems like the sort of thing that can be solved in time, and everything else about this vape is pretty compelling.

 

[Ganjananda]

Ha ha, unlucky is right. I don't know what it is but I get DOA items all the time--far more than statistically likely I think--I should keep track just to see. I guess there's always an outlier.

Case in point. I upgraded my phone this morning (Droid Bionic, drool) and 20 minutes later no service and it's rebooting (precisely) every 2 minutes. (sigh)

What oh what did I do to offend the electronics god?

 

[max]

I'm still s little unsure about not having some sort of valve

I don't find it to be a big deal at all. I used a herbalAire for years and rarely had an issue. Once you equalize the air pressure with the first hit, the vapor mostly stays put in the bag, even if you set it down. It will escape, but very slowly. Putting the bag down for a minute won't lose you much. And it's pretty easy to come up with a homemade cap if you need to let a bag sit for a while. The longer the vapor sits in the bag though, the less there'll be to vape.

 

[arf777]

Ha ha, unlucky is right. I don't know what it is but I get DOA items all the time--far more than statistically likely I think--I should keep track just to see. I guess there's always an outlier.

Case in point. I upgraded my phone this morning (Droid Bionic, drool) and 20 minutes later no service and it's rebooting (precisely) every 2 minutes. (sigh)

What oh what did I do to offend the electronics god?

Ganjananda (great screen name, BTW - digging the sanskrit, Herb Bliss)
Not really a vaporizer comment here, but I used to get broken gear all the time. I found out I was unlucky enough to have both a US postman and UPS delivery guy who beat the crap out of the packages they delivered, even ones marked Fragile. I started having all my stuff sent to my office, and all of a sudden nothing was DOA anymore. Might want to try something like that.

 

[FLskwat]

In my opinion, if you want bags, the Oracle is worth the wait.

I'll 2nd that. I am surprised it took so long for you to get delivery. Hopefully you won't have to wait long to get a replacement.

I'll 3rd that!

 

[The Oracle]

Here are a few updates for everyone as we head into the holiday season.

Some of our distributors including; Planetvape.ca (Toronto) and Vapornation.com (California) have been restocked so make sure to check them out if you are looking for a unit. Halfbakedgoods.net (New York) will also have more units next week so give them a shout.

Since demand has been higher than initially expected, were ramping up production to 1000 units for the holiday season (that means no more Oracle shortages ).

Were also announcing a little surprise about the upcoming units which will be revealed in October

That's all for now, more updates to come

 

[t-dub]

I avoid FedEx at all costs. They absolutely beat the crap out of everything, except for documents. Not to be a nerd or anything but just an interesting side note for folks who think they are unlucky with products. Actually even though you may have received many DOA products in the past, the probability that you may receive one in the future is the same. Each purchase is a separate event therefore the odds do not change from trial to trial. Its like flipping a coin and getting heads 50 times in a row. The odds on the next flip are the same as the first, the coin doesn't "remember" what it has flipped in the past.

t-dub

 

[goody8504]

Not to be a nerd or anything but just an interesting side note for folks who think they are unlucky with products. Actually even though you may have received many DOA products in the past, the probability that you may receive one in the future is the same. Each purchase is a separate event therefore the odds do not change from trial to trial. Its like flipping a coin and getting heads 50 times in a row. The odds on the next flip are the same as the first, the coin doesn't "remember" what it has flipped in the past.

t-dub

Thanks, t-dub. I was waiting for somebody to catch that. Now I don't need to sound like a nerd explaining it.

 

[t-dub]

Your welcome goody. The one that kills me is in the casinos they have that display at the roulette wheel that shows like the last 10 or so #'s that have hit. Like the wheel has a memory! Einstein said that God does not play dice. I think she does its just not in an intuitive way. Like encryption for example, any of it can be broken given powerful enough computers and enough time. However, the probability of that event occurring is so small that it will actually take longer than the remaining lifetime of the universe for it to happen so essentially its "unbreakable".

t-dub

 

[The Oracle]

To be completely fair, all shipping carriers have their "bad apples" especially with standard package delivery. Freight tends to be a bit more careful since the dollar value of the shipment is significantly higher.

 

[max]

Some of our distributors including; Planetvape.ca (Toronto) and Vapornation.com (California) have been restocked so make sure to check them out if you are looking for a unit. Halfbakedgoods.net (New York) will also have more units next week so give them a shout.

I don't see any sign of the Oracle on the halfbakedgoods site. I would recommend Vapornation for US buyers, since they're one of our supporting retailers and offer discounts to FC members.

To be completely fair, all shipping carriers have their "bad apples" especially with standard package delivery.

True. I've received hundreds of packages through the years, both at home and at work, the vast majority via UPS and FedEx. I've noticed no significant difference in package handling, one vs. the other. Delivering packages in good condition has to be a priority for these companies, and I'm sure they stress that to their employees and pay attention to customer complaints.