Vape Pen Cartridges: do you like them, recommendations... ?

[REDempire]

I have a Storz and Bickel Plenty and a Da Buddha flower desktop vapes. I live in California and with legalization there are lots of vape pen cartridges coming out (and since regulations on testing came into effect July 1st, worrying about what they might contain is less of an issue).
Recently I've tried some different brands of cartridges. Stiiizy, Heavy Hitters, Barewoods wax cigars, Brass Knuckles (that last one is being sued along with the lab company that certified them as pesticide free because they in fact were not).
Anyway, I've found moving to pen cartridges to be quite convenient. It does cost a little more but honestly not by much when we're talking about some top shelf Fire. Can use basically anywhere and the scent doesn't linger like from flower. The concentrates seem pretty legit to me. Just for personal comparison I'm going back to flower this month, but I have to say I do like those pens.
Heavy Hitters seems like a good brand. Most of their cartridges test around 85% and lab results are on back of box. I may try Dr Zodiak Moonrock Clear next, but they're pretty new and haven't seen or heard much about them aside from its Kurupt's brand.

Anyway, what are the thoughts of the FC community? Do you like vape pens? Do you prefer them? Why/why not? Which ones do you like?

I wanted to sound off while getting some opinions...

 

[bonfire302]

i've seen it argued that they're the future, and i'd believe it, they're so discrete and convenient and powerful that unless you actually want to have flower there's no need. i live in a non recreational state so there's even more of a reason that everyone loves them compared to rolling up.

 

[looney2nz]

honestly, I LOATHE them and I'm not alone in that. I've found them to be hot, harsh, and generally unpleasant (not to mention pathetic batteries and recovery times).

you are indeed correct that cartridges are EVERYWHERE, to the exclusion of syringes (much to the dismay of folks who load their own sessions or tanks).

If you can get hooked up with a supplier who can get something like the Honey Vape brand, there is a whole world of alternatives to the pen vapes that are vastly superior. There is a learning curve with each new device, but don't let that daunt you. While I'm talking about brands, I suggest you go look at the Instagram account of 'DatDude41510', you will find his reporting on the accuracy of 'lab tested' brands. Pretty damned depressing.

I started using a palm vape while my HerbalAire Elite was being serviced, and so I'd always have a backup vape. Down a wonderful rabbit hole I went
I now have a small collection of them and they are my primary vapes. I've even taken one with me to my doctors appt, a tank filled with CBD oil. Looks like everyone elses nicotine vaporizers, if not smaller.

I have used these two 'BoxMods' (battery and electronics in one package about the size of a large pack of gum, the atomizer screws into the top of this. Joyetech VTwo Mini and eLeaf Invoke (Invoke holds two batteries and is useful for power hungry atomizers).
You'll find discussions on here about which batteries to pick... @divinetribe normally has some of the best, and great deals too. www.ineedhemp.com
it's also where I get my atomizers and parts.
His v3 ceramic donut is just a wonderful general purpose atomizer that adds nothing to the air stream, the QQ - Quartz Quest (especially with the new prototype GonG adapter) is a higher end atomizer using a quartz bucket and two ceramic rod heaters that slide into holes in the base of the quartz bucket. Power hungry, but when dialed in (which takes a little while of playing around), damn nice. More demanding about cleaning tho, swab it down with ethanol or iso and a q-tip when you're freshly done. I'd start with the v3 (or 3.5 when he release that, uses all O-rings, no screws).

unless there is some kind of sea change in the tech used for these cartridges, they will never touch the efficiency and flavor of a DT v3 on a good BoxMod.

One thing to note and keep in mind, regardless of the size of them, the batteries are extremely twitchy, they do NOT like anything compromising their envelope, that includes the plastic wrap around the battery (they sell re-wrapping supplies)... and you should never EVER leave them in a hot car. You're gonna have to carry it on you. Not unlike the airlines... you don't wanna be the guy with a lithium ion battery releasing all it's considerable energy and starting one whale of a fire.

There are plenty of alternatives.

p.s. @divinetribe also make a dry herb atomizer for use on BoxMods, look on www.ineedhemp.com.

p.p.s. lol, I just re-read this and it reads like an Ad for Divine Tribe, well, guilty... I got lucky and chose well, and each new device and iteration is breaking some new ground. Plus Matt's a stand up guy who really values his customers.

 

[Vicki]

I like vape cartridges because they are convenient. I started making my own cartridges so I wouldn’t be inhaling MCT, PG or VG.

 

[seriousTone]

I quite like the vape cartridges as well. I have 5 strains from Highrise Extracts. They’re the only brand I’ve tried so far but They all taste pure.

I don’t think I’d ever 100% switch over to them though. Maybe if I’m in public as the only flower vape I’ve seen that comes close to portability and stealth is the grasshopper. But the high is different and I like to switch it up.

 

[looney2nz]

I quite like the vape cartridges as well. I have 5 strains from Highrise Extracts. They’re the only brand I’ve tried so far but They all taste pure.

I don’t think I’d ever 100% switch over to them though. Maybe if I’m in public as the only flower vape I’ve seen that comes close to portability and stealth is the grasshopper. But the high is different and I like to switch it up.

'taste pure' (ack!)

I don't know what region you hail from, but I hope someone is double checking lab tests in your area.

 

[seriousTone]

 

[Vicki]

I know the cartridges from the dispensaries are not pure, but they are convenient. I’d rather make my own cartridges because then I know what is in them.

 

[florduh]

I think the best option is filling your own cartridges from high quality syringes.

But there are absolutely some decent, clean-testing Pre-Filled brands.

Select Oil and Rove come to mind.

It's like "Keurig" for weed. Sure, you can more cheaply make yourself a better cup of coffee... but some people will pay a premium for convenience.

 

[looney2nz]

well, the other thing I don't like about them, and I'm surprised the CA folks approved is all the wasteful packaging and non-recyclable materials. The landfill is gonna explode with these things like the K-Cups.

 

[florduh]

well, the other thing I don't like about them, and I'm surprised the CA folks approved is all the wasteful packaging and non-recyclable materials. The landfill is gonna explode with these things like the K-Cups.

I don't disagree. But around me, there is a much bigger selection of carts than oil in syringes for refilling.

 

[REDempire]

The first 6 months of 2018 many of the regulations were not in effect such as lab tests. They were not required. Now (to be legal) it has to come from licenced growers to licenced distributors with lots of regulations before it can get to the dispensary. Recently I've even seen job listings from companies looking for people with law degrees to help them adhere to the regulations, be Compliance Officers.

I do agree that sometimes the carts are harsh (that is super dependent on having a decent battery with the right voltage settings for the cart) and I do wish there were more syringe options to put the concentrate into a tank to decrease waste. Some people refill their stiiizy cartridges.
Stiiizy is one of the few companies I'm aware of that out of the gate they were complying with testing regulations.

Still, since July 1st in Ca the regulations are going to improve quality over what we've become accustomed to here. That will create a bottleneck and shortage (Ca has so many growers, but most have not gone legal for various reasons. Reasons from not wanting to and lots of towns/counties have forbade grows to be there in the first place).

 

[looney2nz]

The first 6 months of 2018 many of the regulations were not in effect such as lab tests. They were not required. Now (to be legal) it has to come from licenced growers to licenced distributors with lots of regulations before it can get to the dispensary. Recently I've even seen job listings from companies looking for people with law degrees to help them adhere to the regulations, be Compliance Officers.

I do agree that sometimes the carts are harsh (that is super dependent on having a decent battery with the right voltage settings for the cart) and I do wish there were more syringe options to put the concentrate into a tank to decrease waste. Some people refill their stiiizy cartridges.
Stiiizy is one of the few companies I'm aware of that out of the gate they were complying with testing regulations.

Still, since July 1st in Ca the regulations are going to improve quality over what we've become accustomed to here. That will create a bottleneck and shortage (Ca has so many growers, but most have not gone legal for various reasons. Reasons from not wanting to and lots of towns/counties have forbade grows to be there in the first place).

I just hope that randomized cross testing is part of keeping the labs on point.

 

[hans solo]

I am on the fence regarding cartridges. It seems the more research I do the less I actually learn.
My main concern is the safety of the additives like pg or vg. Until I feel 100% safe I will stick to vapin herb.

 

[florduh]

I am on the fence regarding cartridges. It seems the more research I do the less I actually learn.
My main concern is the safety of the additives like pg or vg. Until I feel 100% safe I will stick to vapin herb.

I don't think any cart manufacturer in a legal State uses vg/pg anymore.

For example, Rove uses uncut CO2 oil. Their carts are reusable as well. One of the better cart makers. Though their NOT offering their oil in syringes or jars is a bit disappointing.

You DO have to look out for distillate with gross tasting non-canna terps added.

 

[Vicki]

I don't think any cart manufacturer in a legal State uses vg/pg anymore.

For example, Rove uses uncut CO2 oil. Their carts are reusable as well. One of the better cart makers. Though their NOT offering their oil in syringes or jars is a bit disappointing.

You DO have to look out for distillate with gross tasting non-canna terps added.

The carts from dispensaries here use MCT. I’ve been making my own carts using THC distillate, adding back a drop of terpenes to thin it out a bit.