The problem is when I don't pack my stems, the vapor is very low. Very, very, very low. One thing that bothers me is that it's basically impossible to combust. I know this should be good, but it kinda limits myself in terms of extraction. Is this the same for you guys? Like I can get the very top darker brown, but that's about it. The rest is usually a lighter brown.
These dogs may take a bit of time to figure out, but if your equipment is fully functional, you should be able to get very satisfying results from using it. I'm not going to compare devices, but for efficiency married to thick, tasy vapor, these are top notch.
If the log is fully heat-soaked (15-30 minutes from cold, 30 seconds - 2 minutes after a big draw) and you can't get the top super roasty even when the VVPS is turned all the way up, then you need more power. If your VVPS is turned all the way up and you are still limited on the top end then you're not getting the full, necessary voltage to control the temp. Unfortunately, if this is the case, you may need a new VVPS that can give you more volts.
Each of these dogs will have slight differences in terms of voltage requirements to maintain core heat at the right level for use. The metal tipped stems will require less heat to fully extract, the glass stems require more.
The glass stems will give you mostly covection. The metal tipped stems will yield a balance of convection and conduction.
When you are using a stem that goes around the core, you have to direct the heat by rotating it on a slight angle to "point" the heat to the sides and not just the middle while you are drawing. This is because the heat will come out of the core much like a jet of flame would, mostly centered and narrowed compared to the circumference of the core tube it exits from.
When you are using a tip that fits inside the core tube, you may want to heat soak the tip for a few seconds before beginning your draw.
As far as loading goes, the metal tipped stems are basically one-hitters. The Alpha, with a bigger heater and a larger diameter core tube, is capable of bigger one-hitter hits. Just covering the screen isn't the right amount -- but it isn't packing it mostly full either. So if you are looking for a vape you can load to the brim, and nurse it from time to time getting great flavor and big clouds for the whole bowl, this vape isn't it. With the glass stems you can definitely put more in, and get fairly tasty hits as you make it through, but stirring is required, and as far as I'm concerned, loading enough for a big hit or two, and no more, will result in much better, denser, tastier hits.
The experience of metal tipped vs glass stems is wholly different. They require different heat to vaporize the herb, and different techniques.
The genius of the Underdog is that the core holds heat 24/7 and then can release that heat and vaporize a big lungful very efficiently. I've been using them for many years, and have not found anything capable of making so much from so little. In fact, packing the metal tipped stems lightly, so the hot air can flow in and around the chunks of herb, and making sure to put in just enough to fully vaporize in one large, lung-busting draw, will yield very tasty, very cloudy, very effective vapor.
I have adopted a bunch of stray dogs in my life -- at the beginning, while we're still getting to know one another, I have to try and meet the dog where it's at, working on communication and building trust. After time, and work/experimentation/fun, I know what to expect and how to illicit the response I want in any given situation. Adopting an Underdog is not that much different. Give it some time, and work on the basics and pretty soon it will be licking your face.
> Pack lightly, and only enough for one big draw (or two medium size ones) -- try not tamping, or only lightly in the metal tipped stems.
> Make sure the herb is dry enough to vape fully on the first go. Wetter bud will need multiple passes to dry out before it releases satisfying vapor. It will still be tasty, just not as thick.
> Experiment with draw speed, try to start slow and pull harder towards the end of hit. Then try the opposite.
> Experiment with temp/voltage -- adjust depending on what kind of tip you're using.
> Try to have fun experimenting. Remember, life is only as good as what you put in to it. Feel the wood, the warmth, and the love that went into it. These are meant to be well loved and well used, so be open to success rather than afraid that it's not working the way you want.
