Underdog Log Vapes

[RenDabs]

Hey everyone, long time lurker here to ask for some advice on whether my Dog needs to be sent in.

I bought it February of 2014 and used it almost every day for about 2 months or so, leaving the unit on for most of that time period. I remember really enjoying the unit during this time, using it primarily on either a DHGate D-020 bubbler or my 14" MGW Mini Straight Tube with the GonG adapter and getting nice sized clouds with the wall wart. I bought a VVPS(the one with the flames) but never really used it much due to the satisfactory performance of the vape through the wall wart.

Of course, VAS strikes and I acquire a Vapexhale Cloud EVO that becomes my daily driver for the next few months, using that with the Hydratube and my own glass. Around then I also got more into dabbing, and as a result, the Underdog fell out off the rotation.

Over the past 14 months or so I've probably used the Dog on average once week and a half or so, leaving the unit on for about 10-12 hours each time. Lately it seems like I'm hardly able to get any clouds at all, more of a thin wispy vapor that tastes pretty nice, but isn't dense and leaves the ABV very light brown. I've tried pretty much everything to change the vapor density, trying different outlets, altering screen position closer to the heater, taking reeeeeeaally slow draws, and even using my VVPS and turning up the voltage to 14. I'll include a picture of the ABV at 13.7 volts, the starting material, and how close the screen was to the end of the adapter. I also seem to remember the unit getting hot enough so that it would be uncomfortable to touch around the top, but now I can hold mine and it feels like a nice comfortable wooden handwarmer, if that were a thing.

Does anyone have any advice for something like this or has anyone experienced this with their own Underdogs? At first when I went back to the Dog and was getting wispy hits I thought I had just become used to the massive clouds I got from the Cloud EVO, but it seems like it might be an issue with my unit. Figured I would ask the community first before contacting the fine people behind this awesome vaporizer.

Appreciate any help or advice!

 

[underdog]

Hey everyone, long time lurker here to ask for some advice on whether my Dog needs to be sent in.

I bought it February of 2014 and used it almost every day for about 2 months or so, leaving the unit on for most of that time period. I remember really enjoying the unit during this time, using it primarily on either a DHGate D-020 bubbler or my 14" MGW Mini Straight Tube with the GonG adapter and getting nice sized clouds with the wall wart. I bought a VVPS(the one with the flames) but never really used it much due to the satisfactory performance of the vape through the wall wart.

Of course, VAS strikes and I acquire a Vapexhale Cloud EVO that becomes my daily driver for the next few months, using that with the Hydratube and my own glass. Around then I also got more into dabbing, and as a result, the Underdog fell out off the rotation.

Over the past 14 months or so I've probably used the Dog on average once week and a half or so, leaving the unit on for about 10-12 hours each time. Lately it seems like I'm hardly able to get any clouds at all, more of a thin wispy vapor that tastes pretty nice, but isn't dense and leaves the ABV very light brown. I've tried pretty much everything to change the vapor density, trying different outlets, altering screen position closer to the heater, taking reeeeeeaally slow draws, and even using my VVPS and turning up the voltage to 14. I'll include a picture of the ABV at 13.7 volts, the starting material, and how close the screen was to the end of the adapter. I also seem to remember the unit getting hot enough so that it would be uncomfortable to touch around the top, but now I can hold mine and it feels like a nice comfortable wooden handwarmer, if that were a thing.

Does anyone have any advice for something like this or has anyone experienced this with their own Underdogs? At first when I went back to the Dog and was getting wispy hits I thought I had just become used to the massive clouds I got from the Cloud EVO, but it seems like it might be an issue with my unit. Figured I would ask the community first before contacting the fine people behind this awesome vaporizer.

Appreciate any help or advice!

Please contact Underdogette so she can help you get taken care of.

Something isn't right, I suspect you've got a loose connection somewhere or a prematurely aging heating element.

 

[RenDabs]

Please contact Underdogette so she can help you get taken care of.

Something isn't right, I suspect you've got a loose connection somewhere or a prematurely aging heating element.

I will do that! Thanks for the quick response!

 

[ScrivGnar]

Just got my pup back from repairs! Can't wait to walk her tonight after work, if only I were less responsible and wouldn't feel bad about taking a "sick day"

Also that shipping from the other side of the country was insanely fast! I had that tracking number memorized lol, you guys turned me into a kid again, at Christmas!

 

[underdog]

You guys really knocked it out of the park with these videos. Very clear and informative. I wish they were around when I was buying my first dog!

Any chance you have a link for the blubber in the UD Water video? I love the shape!

Heya ZC sorry I didn't notice the request for an ID on the bubbler in the video until just now. It's a DD Sherpa piece that I picked up here in the classifieds a couple years back IIRC.

I believe it's this one here: http://www.pgwgallery.com/products/dd-sherpa-rig

 

[Konadog]

I just got my "Holiday Special" to replace my 5 year old Woodez and love it. Warms up quicker and runs a bit warmer (could be my old one is warn out) but it's one sweet vape. I still love the efficiency of the log vapes over everything else out there!

Thanks UD!

PS. love the extension cord.

 

[ZC]

Thanks for the reply UD! It's a lovely piece!

I got my mini and SS stem but haven't had a chance to really try them yet. I will say the SS stem is pretty elegant and I have a feeling it's going to be my preferred stem. The mini is of course more gorgeous in person than pictures can show, but I'll update with pics and impressions once I've spent some time with it.

 

[HellsWindStaff]

"Hey Boss ya know I can hit up the post office or bank or get supplies"

* I'm dying to open my mailbox to even get a glimpse of my dogs! 2 more hours til proper playtime

 

[underdog]

Happy Friday to all our fellow Dogs out there.. hope you guys have an enjoyable weekend.

We had a busy 1st week of the Holiday Sale (thank you all for that) but no production or shipping delays.. all orders including custom jobs are shipped and on their way. ::

 

[HellsWindStaff]

Wowweee weewow, it's gonna be a fun weekend

Soo, where do I start?

- The Tasmanian Blackwood mini is unreal! I'm not great with technical terms regarding wood, but I love the quality it has where it shimmers in the light (my Movingui does same thing) It looks so dark, but then tilt your head a bit, and this nice golden brown shines through. I also really dig the striping towards the top. It's a good deal bit bigger than my other Mini, did you start making them bigger in general? I really dig it though, an awesome piece.

- And I got my custom Afzelia Burl and that too is like!!! Out of this world! You weren't kidding when you said a goblet/chalice, it fits so ergonomically in my hand. This thing is so fucking sweet, spent a good minute just staring at it, loving it. Hit's like a truck too! It's also HUGE but I love it because it's not like its too big, but it's never getting uncomfortably hot. Has a nice bit of warmth but feels good. You outdid yourself, I couldn't be happier

The stainless steel stems also are great! Like the way they taste and feel inhand/mouth. I also got some Cedarwood Oil, and it smells really good! Not sure about the ratio of oil/wax, but I put a good bit of oil, and then a good bit of wax. It's subtle, but it definitely smells pretty killer. I was using it in my office earlier too and smelled great, just a bit more diffused in my bigger apartment.

Thank you @underdog for the quality craftsmanship & product and working with me on the designs and thank you @underdogette for your help in putting together a custom package with all the goodies I wanted for a killer price Plus, this dog wouldn't be possible without @Snappo 's wood! It was a pleasure doing business with him as well, this wasn't even my initial blank but after some problems arose, he got me situated just perfectly. Just quality across the board!

Going to be a fun weekend, Cheers

(Please note, my photo's are with an iphone 6, not a bad camera for a phone honestly, but it does not do ANY justice to these dogs!!)

 

[ZC]

It's a shame you're not planning on making more of these SS stems. It's lovely to look at, feels great to hold in the hand, and IMO provides superior taste to the Nylon/SS stems.

Though I guess you, or even any UD owner, could make a simpler SS stem. Just take a tube that fits on the OD or ID of the core and cut it down to your length, then insert a screen. Much like the standard glass stems.

The downside to this design over the ones Underdog made is that at a glance you can't see which side goes into the vape, and it just doesn't look as elegant. You could put a groove on one size with a pipe cutter to indicate which side is which though.

The mini is great, but it does run significantly cooler than my standard core. With the extension cord plugged in I can only get very small wisps of vapor and only with SS tipped stems. Without extension it can produce clouds. Screens in glass stems need to be a lot closer than my standard core. But even then it's noticeably cooler than my standard core (which is pretty hot) or my HI, which is a bit cooler than the standard.

Is that much of a heat difference normal, or is that one of the differences between the resistor-powered core on the mini and the heater cartridge you use in the standard and air cores? Either way, I'm happy with it. I only really plan on using it when I get to go camping or on vacation. I've ordered the battery pack UD recommends and I'll be able to up the voltage a hair with that.

 

[Asternlemming]

I've been a frequent visitor of FC for years but haven't been compelled to come out of my shy and actually post until very recently with the arrival of a beautiful dog. Having vaped for years and owning some wonderful vapes (VXL, Volcano, SSV, crafty, Firewood etc...) I've quickly come to realize that the underdog is something entirely different. Something special, but I I can't quite put my finger on why. Is it the hand crafted beauty? The smooth, soothing tactile warmth while hold her? The slight earthy smell? The pure taste through all stems but especially the SS? The hard, satisfying hit? The high, intense yet entirely controllable? The absolute simplicity? Realistically it's probably a bit of all of those but I think the true differentiator may be the care, effort and craftsmanship put it to producing this one of a kind beauty. It's a refreshing feeling and I'm impressed. Thanks for making such a perfect complete product: not too much, not too little, just right. And for those considering an Underdog, consider it a no brainer, this is a must have in every rotation.

 

[JimmyCricket]

Man all these rave reviews on the SS stem is making me regret not picking one up with the order of my first dog!

 

[Gonzo]

@JimmyCricket IMO the SS screens are very worthy it.

My mini arrived today and have to say it may be my favorite pup yet. I have owned 8 UD's in total and this one has the nicest finish of any so far. 4 have been passed on as gifts but I am never without a pup in my lineup.

Also my first try at an aircore and very impressed so far. Already eyeing a pretty little pup with full size aircore still available on the site.

I thought I had beat back my VAS but the sales these last two weeks have really been hard to resist. New UD and Gnome in the house, Arizer Air and new LSV arrive tommorow. Wife thinks I'm opening a vape bar in the basement.

 

[j-bug]

I'm considering getting a mini for myself this holiday and I'm just curious about the main differences between them and the dog. If I've put this together correctly the main one is they can't be left on all the time and they heat up quicker? And that it is only for people who already have a dog cause they tend to have quirks and don't last as long? I'm considering just traveling without my dog and getting a mini and a few stems shipped to my sister. Am I correct in assuming that if that was my order the only things I'd need to bring would be my power supply from home?


Edit:
I'm really tempted to just bring the regular dog but am thinking that my sister might just try and keep it after I share it with her while I'm visiting.

I'm also curious about the car adapter, does that allow the dog to work in the car in basically the same way a car charger with a phone?

thanks all

 

[underdog]

It's a shame you're not planning on making more of these SS stems. It's lovely to look at, feels great to hold in the hand, and IMO provides superior taste to the Nylon/SS stems.

Though I guess you, or even any UD owner, could make a simpler SS stem. Just take a tube that fits on the OD or ID of the core and cut it down to your length, then insert a screen. Much like the standard glass stems.

The downside to this design over the ones Underdog made is that at a glance you can't see which side goes into the vape, and it just doesn't look as elegant. You could put a groove on one size with a pipe cutter to indicate which side is which though.

The mini is great, but it does run significantly cooler than my standard core. With the extension cord plugged in I can only get very small wisps of vapor and only with SS tipped stems. Without extension it can produce clouds. Screens in glass stems need to be a lot closer than my standard core. But even then it's noticeably cooler than my standard core (which is pretty hot) or my HI, which is a bit cooler than the standard.

Is that much of a heat difference normal, or is that one of the differences between the resistor-powered core on the mini and the heater cartridge you use in the standard and air cores? Either way, I'm happy with it. I only really plan on using it when I get to go camping or on vacation. I've ordered the battery pack UD recommends and I'll be able to up the voltage a hair with that.

Well there's plenty of time and plenty available right now so you'll just need to stock up before they run out. I might make a batch again occasionally just not planning on it for sure or with regularity. Just a matter of available time really, can't spend it all making stems if that means Dogs don't get made lol.

To answer your heat question yeah they do run cooler than the new Dogs with the supercharged SS heating element, about the same as the older resistor based Dogs.

I've been a frequent visitor of FC for years but haven't been compelled to come out of my shy and actually post until very recently with the arrival of a beautiful dog. Having vaped for years and owning some wonderful vapes (VXL, Volcano, SSV, crafty, Firewood etc...) I've quickly come to realize that the underdog is something entirely different. Something special, but I I can't quite put my finger on why. Is it the hand crafted beauty? The smooth, soothing tactile warmth while hold her? The slight earthy smell? The pure taste through all stems but especially the SS? The hard, satisfying hit? The high, intense yet entirely controllable? The absolute simplicity? Realistically it's probably a bit of all of those but I think the true differentiator may be the care, effort and craftsmanship put it to producing this one of a kind beauty. It's a refreshing feeling and I'm impressed. Thanks for making such a perfect complete product: not too much, not too little, just right. And for those considering an Underdog, consider it a no brainer, this is a must have in every rotation.

Welcome to the thread (and Dog Pack) @Asternlemming happy to have you aboard. Glad to hear you're enjoying your Dog so much, we love happy feedback like this, it makes us feel like we're doing something to help make the world a nicer (or at least happier) place.

Man all these rave reviews on the SS stem is making me regret not picking one up with the order of my first dog!

No time like the present...

@JimmyCricket IMO the SS screens are very worthy it.

My mini arrived today and have to say it may be my favorite pup yet. I have owned 8 UD's in total and this one has the nicest finish of any so far. 4 have been passed on as gifts but I am never without a pup in my lineup.

Also my first try at an aircore and very impressed so far. Already eyeing a pretty little pup with full size aircore still available on the site.

I thought I had beat back my VAS but the sales these last two weeks have really been hard to resist. New UD and Gnome in the house, Arizer Air and new LSV arrive tommorow. Wife thinks I'm opening a vape bar in the basement.

Heya Gonzo long time no see.. hope life has been treating you well. For some reason I thought you'd had a Mini before, from the first prototypes I guess. Happy to hear you're digging it!

If your basement vape bar doesn't pan out maybe I can just come live in it and pay you in UDs?

I'm considering getting a mini for myself this holiday and I'm just curious about the main differences between them and the dog. If I've put this together correctly the main one is they can't be left on all the time and they heat up quicker? And that it is only for people who already have a dog cause they tend to have quirks and don't last as long? I'm considering just traveling without my dog and getting a mini and a few stems shipped to my sister. Am I correct in assuming that if that was my order the only things I'd need to bring would be my power supply from home?


Edit:
I'm really tempted to just bring the regular dog but am thinking that my sister might just try and keep it after I share it with her while I'm visiting.

I'm also curious about the car adapter, does that allow the dog to work in the car in basically the same way a car charger with a phone?

thanks all

Seems like you've summed it up pretty good on the differences and yeah to travel you'd just need a power supply and stems. That said you'd probably be better off with a regular UD for traveling since they'll heat up faster and be more reliable.

The car adapter is a standard car plug that has a 2.1mm barrel connector on the other end and just passes the car 12v power straight through so is quite different than a phone adapter. Using the car adapter can be hit and miss since it passes your car voltage straight thru and that can vary considerably depending on if the car is running, state of battery charge, etc. You can also use a small inverter in the car along with a standard wall-wart so plenty of options.

 

[Gonzo]

Heya Gonzo long time no see.. hope life has been treating you well. For some reason I thought you'd had a Mini before, from the first prototypes I guess. Happy to hear you're digging it!

If your basement vape bar doesn't pan out maybe I can just come live in it and pay you in UDs?

Life is treating me great man. Glad the pup nation is still going strong too. Your vapes last so long I have been viewing from a distance. Couldn't resist the urge once the SS stems and Mini dogs went up though.

I did have one of the prototype minis with the old core. That one is still going strong with a buddy of mine in New Orleans. Another friend in New Orleans also has the OG Tupelo Goblet from the original batch that @darkrom 's Jester is from.

These pups really do last a long time!

 

[underdog]

Life is treating me great man. Glad the pup nation is still going strong too. Your vapes last so long I have been viewing from a distance. Couldn't resist the urge once the SS stems and Mini dogs went up though.

I did have one of the prototype minis with the old core. That one is still going strong with a buddy of mine in New Orleans. Another friend in New Orleans also has the OG Tupelo Goblet from the original batch that @darkrom 's Jester is from.

These pups really do last a long time!

Awesome dude, happy to hear it.

Also glad to know you did have a proto-Mini, wasn't sure if I was losing my mind lol. That's cool to hear the Tupelo Goblet is still kicking too. I think you and Darkrom are two of the first FC members who joined the pack.


::edit::

@HellsWindStaff - Hey I missed your question earlier re: whether these Minis were bigger than the last ones.. sorry man! The answer is yes/no/some-of-them. Seriously though the ones that I make as a batch (like the current Walnut ones) are the same size(ish) as last time. The exotics are made with the wood blank leftovers from full size Dogs so vary but most are taller than the batched one. Many of the exotics are larger diameter too.

Anyways - there ya go, more Mini history than you probably care for.

 

[nacho257]

Love to hear the Mini history. A friend just got his walnut one in, it's so gorgeous! Pictures make the exotics look great, but really don't do any justice to the more "plain" varieties. Will edit with pic if I get the chance.

 

[little maggie]

Are the all stainless stems hot on the lips? I only have glass stems and am thinking of trying silicone and stainless. And maybe get a mini at the same time.

 

[ZC]

@little maggie

No, they're completely cool on the lips. The tip that goes in the vape can obviously get hot, but it remains cool everywhere else. Cool in the fingers, cool on the lips.

Highly recommended. I'm not using it more than my custom glass and wood stems and I love those!

 

[nacho257]

Just tried this creation out, WOW. Don't know if it's been done before, but MFLB 14mm adapter fits into the top of the UD thick glass direct draw stem easily (with a bit of cut up vinyl tubing from a Q). Just enjoyed my first ever UD "fog that looks like smoke" hits

 

[Buildozer]

I've been a frequent visitor of FC for years but haven't been compelled to come out of my shy and actually post until very recently with the arrival of a beautiful dog. Having vaped for years and owning some wonderful vapes (VXL, Volcano, SSV, crafty, Firewood etc...) I've quickly come to realize that the underdog is something entirely different. Something special, but I I can't quite put my finger on why. Is it the hand crafted beauty? The smooth, soothing tactile warmth while hold her? The slight earthy smell? The pure taste through all stems but especially the SS? The hard, satisfying hit? The high, intense yet entirely controllable? The absolute simplicity? Realistically it's probably a bit of all of those but I think the true differentiator may be the care, effort and craftsmanship put it to producing this one of a kind beauty. It's a refreshing feeling and I'm impressed. Thanks for making such a perfect complete product: not too much, not too little, just right. And for those considering an Underdog, consider it a no brainer, this is a must have in every rotation.

Awesome 1st Post!

Just a matter of available time really, can't spend it all making stems if that means Dogs don't get made lol.

Tru Dat!!

EDIT:
BTW Big Thanks to @HellsWindStaff for Locking up the page for me!
Nice dogs though
My computer is such a piece of shit, I don't even know how it's still capable of browsing the internet these days

 

[Cjisohsocool]

Hi I'm thinking of getting one of these, I know they have a long heat up time but do they stay hot while doing hits or even bowls back to back?

Think two or three friends passing, will it stay at temp or would we need to put it down and let it warm up again

 

[darkrom]

Hi I'm thinking of getting one of these, I know they have a long heat up time but do they stay hot while doing hits or even bowls back to back?

Think two or three friends passing, will it stay at temp or would we need to put it down and let it warm up again

Mine has stayed at temp for years straight. Why let it cool down ever?

Mine absolutely can take more hits back to back than I have total friends.