Hey everyone. I have been lurking for over a year now going through several FC threads for research on my existing devices and I happened to have acquired a few new devices that were just what I needed as upgrades for long term use, and I now own three Underdogs, two SC3 core and a SC3+ core.
This my first post on FC and before going further I would like to extend my gratitude and respect to Dave, the creator of these wonderful Dogs and to the members of this community, many of whom are almost in all the threads I regularly visit, and the wealth of knowledge they share here has been and is very valuable to me. So thank you and that is an understatement.
I got interested in the Underdog by pure chance in fact. I was researching to get TCR working on my Splinters when I came across the iHeat, then the Heat Island and that led me to the Underdog in the process! Also in another thread a member ( Abysmal Vapor, I think) mentioned the UD in his trinity of vapes and that the UD “is made by one of the coolest guy on FC” and that was an important factor that made me jump and order my first dog! I can’t say I am disappointed.
I received my first dog on March 18th, a Black Oak special which I have been enjoying daily since then and until two days ago when I received my Black Walnut SC3+ from the recent refresh. The Black Oak was actually the result of a processing mismatch since I ordered a Figured Black Walnut special and Dave was very kind and generous to send me the one I ordered along with a bonus vvps, and let me keep the Black Oak “as a spare” which ended up being used daily; i think it will now become a second spare because I have not used the walnut SC3 special so much I love the just arrived SC3+.
I cannot fail to repeat what has been often repeated here, UD customer service and how Dave is a stand out guy. I echo that, not just for the bonus swags I am starting to collect and stock out but for his attention and warmth, and kindness. So thank you Dave for the pleasant introduction to log vapes and the continued pleasant experience and benefits of using them.
I was already a microdoser but the UD has enhanced the advantage for me. Having gone through the whole FC thread (yes I did) and taking notes - very good move I found, I got the hang of the Black Oak UD very quickly but I am still exploring the versatility. While the SS tube is always within reach (i have 3) I don’t have any preference, although I like the 18 mm NonG a lot, whether with the screen set for a load to the brim or pushed further away from the heater for larger load. I like all the stems and have learned to use them the way I want. In the beginning I was not going higher than 9.5v but as I gained confidence I can now go up to 11.7 with the Black Oak. I’ve had some hot spot in the first few days of use but have not combusted yet. It’s been only a few days of use, I find that the SC3+ heats up faster and past 11v the wood feels hot in my hands, not comfortable. So I changed strategy and will now start at 8-9v after fulll soak for an hour at 10.5-11v and go up 11v as I need or want to, looking to find what works better for one or two hit bowl or for a more spread out roasting of the bowl with a few hits from it. 11v seems to be working perfect for me and I get cool tasty hits, and I really like how cool the vapour is and seems to help expand my not so strong lungs. I am more of a direct draw/dry cooling guy and I like to use with j-hooks or on a dry glass or water piece, but I also do enjoy with water and the SC3+ seems to be perfect for such use type, especially with a J-hook.
I really enjoy the UD experience and love my three Dogs, my first log vapes. I like holding them and they fit well in my hands. Being a wood lover, I am really happy of the Walnut choice but got used to the Black Oak. They are practical and easy to use, so definitely in for daily use.
I will figure out how to post pics and share my three dogs later if I cannot post pics now.
Thank you again everyone here who give some of their time and knowledge for the FC community members’ benefit.