Thermovape or Arizer Solo?

[sok186]

I'm looking to purchase my first vaporizer and was about to pull the trigger on an M106 SS Arizer Solo when I came across the Thermovape. Now I'm up in the air. Would love to hear a comparison between the two from someone who has used both, particularly as regards taste, ease of use, efficiency, quality of convection, difference in "medicatedness" and overall preference.

Whichever I buy will be used as my only vape and will probably get used a few times a week (mostly at home), occasionally socially (maybe 3 times a month), and occasionally in stealth mode on a hike or before a movie.

The prices I'll be looking at are about $235 for the TV + Extra batteries and chargers from Amazon (cheaper than kit) and about $229 for the Solo with a power adapter.

Thanks!

 

[Kaptan]

Where are you going to get a thermovape that cheap? I thought they were 249 everywhere?

 

[sok186]

Thermovape.com sells them without the kit for about $210 and I'm pretty sure you can buy the Tenergy batteries and chargers elsewhere for cheaper than they are in the kit. From my understanding those are the only additional items included in the kit.

 

[Kaptan]

No, actually TV stated he's also including to early FC adopters a longer mouthpiece for cooler vapor hits. I think with that included, it makes the kit worth the extra price.

 

[moodswing]

VaporNinja's assessment of Solo vs TV from TV thread...
keep in mind this is just one person's

TV vs solo:
Faster warm up (5 sec vs almost 2-3 minutes)
Much more portable (The solo too bulky and heavy to be a portable vape, it's more like a office desktop vape)
More stealth ( I can take a hit, and put it right back into my pocket , vs having to shut off the solo holding 2 buttons, and having to finish the whole stem before you careful put away the HOT glass stem, try doing this in the public )
Better taste!!!(I don't like the taste on the solo despite its glass stem and ceramic bowl, I can truly taste the honey sweet cannabis taste with the TV, the taste is simular to DBV and SSV; both has a distinct sweet taste/smell to its vapor)

only advantage the solo has over the TV is temperature control, on the TV temperature is control by draw speed and how long you turn it on, much like a Convection Magic Flight Launch Box, I'm sure with developed technique, digital temp control isn't necessary...

...I get much more medicated off my TV, I have to finish the whole stem (6-8 hits) on my solo in order to feel anything; 1 or 2 TV hits= 6 to 8 solo hits i would say. I don't think the solo is a true convection vape, there's alot of conduction going on.

 

[charliedontsurf]

I haven't used the TV but am excited to try it one of these days, and if I had a magic money tree I'd have one right now.

With that in mind, I expect the Solo will have some advantages just as the TV will.

- The Solo's battery is superior or inferior depending on your needs. the Solo has non-removable battery which lasts between 50 minutes and 2 hours according to users. The Tenergy batteries on the TV are removable, but are only good for roughly one bowl apparently, and I expect the oil system may need more heat than the flower system. You can always carry alot of spares, but if you're a regular user than that's a lot of batts rolling around. The Solo batt can provide about 25% to 100% of my daily vaping needs depending on my tastes.

- The Solo can do flowers, solid concentrates, or oils out of the box. You'll need to stack screens, use a cotton ball or just soak the oil into flowers to use oil, but it nontheless works great at the task.

- The Solo can mate effortlessly to a 14mm stem for waterpipe usage.

- The Solo is VERY easy to share with friends. It has one of the least-punishing learning curves of any vape I've ever used. The only thing that might throw people through a loop is the restricted draw, but the 4 hole stems make that far less noticabeable. There is no portable vaporizer I can think of that is as easy to share with strangers and new friends as the Solo. I expect the Thermo would require a spiel much the MFLB - "Okay buddy, press that switch up for 4 seconds then start to inhale and so-help-you-god, you better let off that switch when you're done inhaling." Meanwhile, the Solo is idiot proof.

Ninja is correct about the Solo being partial conduction. The TV is probably alot more convection centric. Alot of Solos smell like ass. I've decided that the "scentless" SS unit I finally arrived at even has a slight smell when warming up which seemingly fades and returns as time goes on. The TV probably IS made to a higher standard, and it's an American company, which I like. I just think the Solo is quite an impressive design despite its many drawbacks.

 

[darkrom]

Without using the TV I'll say the thermovape hands down.

For starters the thermovape team is active here, while Arizer doesn't bother dealing with the community. The solo appears to have plastic in the air path. Arizer seems to sweep concerns under the rug besides the flaking bowl issue. My solo smelled and tasted like a robot farting in my face. People defend the solo saying things like "oh no its cool you just have to disassemble it and bake it in the oven to remove residues" etc.

Honestly if people could get past the fact that they wasted (at least I did) money on the solo, I feel like we'd see more negative reviews. I personally believe people will go to great lengths to avoid buyers remorse.

That said some people LOVE the solo, and I did at first, but this was a real glimpse of how Arizer operates to me. They went back and forth on some issues. Denying ANYONE could smell any of our stinky ass solos (impossible not to smell if you ask me) and then they later made a comment claiming to have addressed the smell issue...which they denied existed. I STRONGLY distrust Arizer when it comes to my safety.

Also check out their website...still no mention of their vape. Everything about it was really really shady IMO and I'd avoid it like the plague.

Like I said I've never used the TV, but I'm following it closely and really want one. In fact the only reason I didn't get one now is because of how sour my experiences beta testing the solo were. I feel like they played a lot of people for fools with that product, and now I'm scared to be an early adopter of an electronic vape. I've been VERY impressed with the way Thermovape addresses the community and actually gives a shit what WE want, not just the fastest way to mass produce something for a quick buck. Again I have no reviews of the unit itself, but as a company they appear to be quite professional. As someone who has gone through many portables and vapes let me tell you the company can be almost as important as the product itself. I fully support Thermovape as a company, and hopefully once some more reviews are out I'll support the product itself as well.

 

[charliedontsurf]

It's absolutely true that Thermovape has been amazingly responsive on this forum. I think he was registered and answering questions within 36 hours of the post having been started. Arizer has flatly refused to participate and has been skeptical to some customer concerns.

 

[darkrom]

It's absolutely true that Thermovape has been amazingly responsive on this forum. I think he was registered and answering questions within 36 hours of the post having been started. Arizer has flatly refused to participate and has been skeptical to some customer concerns.

Skeptical? They flat out denied the smell problem...until they one day emailed someone claiming to suddenly have the solution...to the problem that never existed

 

[sok186]

From an e-mail correspondence with Mephisto (TV and Solo owner):

I really like my solo for home use. It will serve numerous (5-6) sessions before needing a recharge. The TV will need fresh batts. for each session. The solo has had some production/safety/quality issues. Mine does not smell like some others, however, it is a M102. I think until Arizer addresses the issues with the solo I would not take my chances with the new models. My solo has been my daily driver for the last 7 months without any problems at all. I am very happy with the TV. It will be my away from the house daily driver to be sure. Good luck with yer choice!

 

[Chance2Vape]

From an e-mail correspondence with Mephisto (TV and Solo owner):

I really like my solo for home use. It will serve numerous (5-6) sessions before needing a recharge. The TV will need fresh batts. for each session. The solo has had some production/safety/quality issues. Mine does not smell like some others, however, it is a M102. I think until Arizer addresses the issues with the solo I would not take my chances with the new models. My solo has been my daily driver for the last 7 months without any problems at all. I am very happy with the TV. It will be my away from the house daily driver to be sure. Good luck with yer choice!

Hmmmm and here I was seriously considering returning my SOLO upon receiving my TV :/ My only real issue w/my SOLO is the short battery life (1hr max @ lvl 5) vs claimed battery life (3-4hrs) and the idea that I may be inhaling things i don't wish to 9the plastic in the airpath thing)....

 

[darkrom]

From an e-mail correspondence with Mephisto (TV and Solo owner):

I really like my solo for home use. It will serve numerous (5-6) sessions before needing a recharge. The TV will need fresh batts. for each session. The solo has had some production/safety/quality issues. Mine does not smell like some others, however, it is a M102. I think until Arizer addresses the issues with the solo I would not take my chances with the new models. My solo has been my daily driver for the last 7 months without any problems at all. I am very happy with the TV. It will be my away from the house daily driver to be sure. Good luck with yer choice!

Hmmmm and here I was seriously considering returning my SOLO upon receiving my TV :/ My only real issue w/my SOLO is the short battery life (1hr max @ lvl 5) vs claimed battery life (3-4hrs) and the idea that I may be inhaling things i don't wish to 9the plastic in the airpath thing)....

I'm glad you brought up the plastic not me. I did such a 180 on the solo that people call me a shill. I was responsible for THREE people buying them after me. I feel so bad :/ they are too stubborn to switch, despite the health concerns.

 

[Kaptan]

From an e-mail correspondence with Mephisto (TV and Solo owner):

Hmmmm and here I was seriously considering returning my SOLO upon receiving my TV :/ My only real issue w/my SOLO is the short battery life (1hr max @ lvl 5) vs claimed battery life (3-4hrs) and the idea that I may be inhaling things i don't wish to 9the plastic in the airpath thing)....

I'm glad you brought up the plastic not me. I did such a 180 on the solo that people call me a shill. I was responsible for THREE people buying them after me. I feel so bad :/ they are too stubborn to switch, despite the health concerns.

Fear not. I'm sure they'll be fine.

See the post below from the SOLO thread.

For everyone concerned about the plastic in the Solo. I emailed Arizer about the airpath, and this is what Kevin said.

Hello Damien,

Thank you for your email. Materials used are a mica/ceramic insulating material, mica/glass for housing and contact points, pps with a very high concentration of glass fiber, and the stainless steel heater.

If you have any further questions please feel free to ask me.


Best Regards,
Kevin
Arizer Tech
service@arizer.com

 

[darkrom]

Hmmmm and here I was seriously considering returning my SOLO upon receiving my TV :/ My only real issue w/my SOLO is the short battery life (1hr max @ lvl 5) vs claimed battery life (3-4hrs) and the idea that I may be inhaling things i don't wish to 9the plastic in the airpath thing)....

I'm glad you brought up the plastic not me. I did such a 180 on the solo that people call me a shill. I was responsible for THREE people buying them after me. I feel so bad :/ they are too stubborn to switch, despite the health concerns.

Fear not. I'm sure they'll be fine.

See the post below from the SOLO thread.

For everyone concerned about the plastic in the Solo. I emailed Arizer about the airpath, and this is what Kevin said.

Hello Damien,

Thank you for your email. Materials used are a mica/ceramic insulating material, mica/glass for housing and contact points, pps with a very high concentration of glass fiber, and the stainless steel heater.

If you have any further questions please feel free to ask me.


Best Regards,
Kevin
Arizer Tech
service@arizer.com

The problem is they have said other things in the past that I don't trust and that I find shady. I'm not willing to use it myself, but I suppose my friends can do as they like. I've done my part by voicing my concerns.

 

[Chance2Vape]

Hmmmm and here I was seriously considering returning my SOLO upon receiving my TV :/ My only real issue w/my SOLO is the short battery life (1hr max @ lvl 5) vs claimed battery life (3-4hrs) and the idea that I may be inhaling things i don't wish to 9the plastic in the airpath thing)....

I'm glad you brought up the plastic not me. I did such a 180 on the solo that people call me a shill. I was responsible for THREE people buying them after me. I feel so bad :/ they are too stubborn to switch, despite the health concerns.

Fear not. I'm sure they'll be fine.

See the post below from the SOLO thread.

For everyone concerned about the plastic in the Solo. I emailed Arizer about the airpath, and this is what Kevin said.

Hello Damien,

Thank you for your email. Materials used are a mica/ceramic insulating material, mica/glass for housing and contact points, pps with a very high concentration of glass fiber, and the stainless steel heater.

If you have any further questions please feel free to ask me.


Best Regards,
Kevin
Arizer Tech
service@arizer.com

Actually that explains alot and reasonably as well!

 

[sok186]

Excerpted from Adobewan's post in the Thermovape thread:

Solo Thermovape
Stealth 7 9
Efficiency 10 8
Clouds 10 8
Portability 7 10
Ease of use 8 9

Overall Average 8.4 8.8
(sok186 calc.)

 

[FLskwat]

Should receive the thermovape next week and will use my usual review template. Therefore the quotes can be compared to my Solo's review!
But those figures from Adobewan seem pretty precise and exhaustive, just like I like...great job there!

 

[Gonzo]

After spending the day playing with the M106 Solo and spending the past 2 days playing with the TV I feel I can contribute a little to this discussion. Thank you Sok for the invite.

Both these vapes are great vapes. I have really enjoyed the TV the past few days and today was like love at first site and taste with the M106. I see myself giving both of these units a good run over the coming months and hopefully years. They are however two completely different beasts.

The TV IMO is the ultimate portable vape currently available for stealth. Heat it for 5 seconds and it is ready to hit. Whether you want to quick sip or a hit to put you out this little vape will get it done(Well I might add). The main downside to the TV is the battery time. I know it is not anyone's fault, it's where we are in battery technology but i had to state the drawback. This IMO is the only drawback to the TV, it is a great vape for what it is.

The Solo like I said is a different beast entirely. I hated my first M103 Solo because of the smell issue and never even ran a full session with it. My M106 on the other hand, I can't seem to put it down. The taste is great, the hits are satisfying, and the battery life is vastly improved. The solo will work well with 1-3 people IMO and will give nice hits to even the most novice user IMO. The major drawback of the Solo IMO is that it is not a true portable. The separate stems make it hard for me to consider it a stealth vape but for one to take over to a friends house, use in the car, at a hotel etc.... I think it is hard to find one that will match it based on performance. I believe Arizer has finally worked out the bugs and IMO the new M106 version is a winner.

To sum it up, I think anyone whoever purchases either of these units will be happy with their purchase. Ideally, I would suggest owning both to have all situations covered but I know this is not possible for some. I would say consider the situations you will use the unit in the most and make your decision from there. Both units should perform well but pick that one that suits your lifestyle best.

 

[AceTK]

What about if you have a M105? Will that still be as good as a M106?

 

[technique]

how much can the tv vape in just one battery?

 

[Kaptan]

TV uses 2 rcr123a batteries in series and will last approximately 8-10 hits or 1 bowl.