Discontinued VapeXhale Cloud

[partially veiled]

One little doubt, do you mean by "The only other contender that was in my arsenal pre-Cloud is the VHW: the all glass airway provides tasty, clean hits comparable to the Cloud" that you find the VHW has a better flavour experience than the Cloud?

Not really, no. There are a shitload of factors that go into evaluating the pros and cons between these two vapes IMO/IME and I don't really want to get into that here and now. To directly respond to your question, however, my stance is that the flavor of the vapor produced by these two machines is almost identical and if anything I would say the Cloud wins, but ONLY because I find that the end of a VHW bowl, which is larger than an ELB and needs to be packed fuller than ELBs IME, gets a little popcorn-ish.

The Cloud produces its tastiest vapor first, just like any other vape, but the last vapors that come out of the machine are still tasty (due to the eveness of the vaporization, I would assume) and I have NEVER experienced a popcorn taste with the Cloud whereas I did sometimes get that at the end of larger bowls with the VHW.

 

[vorrange]

Not really, no. There are a shitload of factors that go into evaluating the pros and cons between these two vapes IMO/IME and I don't really want to get into that here and now. To directly respond to your question, however, my stance is that the flavor of the vapor produced by these two machines is almost identical and if anything I would say the Cloud wins, but ONLY because I find that the end of a VHW bowl, which is larger than an ELB and needs to be packed fuller than ELBs IME, gets a little popcorn-ish.

The Cloud produces its tastiest vapor first, just like any other vape, but the last vapors that come out of the machine are still tasty (due to the eveness of the vaporization, I would assume) and I have NEVER experienced a popcorn taste with the Cloud whereas I did sometimes get that at the end of larger bowls with the VHW.

Ok, so the first hits are tastiest in the VHW and the Cloud maintains the flavour until the end while the VHW get that popcorn aftertaste.

 

[tcolton]

Just got it about 40 minutes ago! Just took few hits. OH MY GOD. It's been a long time since i have felt this 'medicated'. haha

 

[partially veiled]

Ok, so the first hits are tastiest in the VHW and the Cloud maintains the flavour until the end while the VHW get that popcorn aftertaste.

Again, IMO there are a lot of factors involved here. Other than the obvious (all glass air path, meant for use with glass waterpipes, etc.) the VHW and the Cloud are completely different animals. There is a very different technique to using the two vaporizers and the overall process and "ritual" are very different.

To break it down simply, and as has been stated before: the VHW has a bit of a learning curve, the Cloud not so much. So while you are able to achieve the same level of flavour and quality of extraction with both vapes IMO/IME it is simply much easier to do with the Cloud. The Cloud forces even, uniform extraction on your herbs whereas with the VHW there's a bit of technique involved with making sure the bowl is vaporized evenly. This and many other factors are involved in taste and quality of vapor production.

To oversimply things, once again: the only reason I find the VHW gives a slightly poorer taste than the Cloud sometimes is that I personally have a tendancy to pack larger bowls with the VHW, resulting in more time extracting vapors leaving me with more of the less flavorful vapors at the end. If I pack small bowls and take care to vaporize them evenly the VHW is capable of producing vapor just as tasty as the Cloud. It's really that the Cloud is more "dummy proof" whereas the VHW requires you to learn a technique.

 

[vorrange]

Again, IMO there are a lot of factors involved here. Other than the obvious (all glass air path, meant for use with glass waterpipes, etc.) the VHW and the Cloud are completely different animals. There is a very different technique to using the two vaporizers and the overall process and "ritual" are very different.

To break it down simply, and as has been stated before: the VHW has a bit of a learning curve, the Cloud not so much. So while you are able to achieve the same level of flavour and quality of extraction with both vapes IMO/IME it is simply much easier to do with the Cloud. The Cloud forces even, uniform extraction on your herbs whereas with the VHW there's a bit of technique involved with making sure the bowl is vaporized evenly. This and many other factors are involved in taste and quality of vapor production.

To oversimply things, once again: the only reason I find the VHW gives a slightly poorer taste than the Cloud sometimes is that I personally have a tendancy to pack larger bowls with the VHW, resulting in more time extracting vapors leaving me with more of the less flavorful vapors at the end. If I pack small bowls and take care to vaporize them evenly the VHW is capable of producing vapor just as tasty as the Cloud. It's really that the Cloud is more "dummy proof" whereas the VHW requires you to learn a technique.

Nice, thanks partially veiled, i am elucidated. So, it seems the Cloud wins in every front, considering its place within each one's needs. I had the impression that the VHW had a slight edge there.

 

[weedemon]

Clearly the solution to that problem is to buy a second Cloud! I am teasing, of course, but there is a grain of truth to my joking. I personally have two Clouds even though I am the only person in my household who uses Cannabis these days and even though it was a bit of a financial stretch for me to purchase two units. The vaporizer is just that good, IMO, that I don't want to find myself in a situation where I can't medicate using a Cloud!

Everything else still works fine--I can still get plenty medicated by using my VHW, for instance--but I personally can't imagine enjoying the actual experience of using another vaporizer as much I now enjoy using the Cloud. So, my back up to the Cloud is another Cloud, and for anyone with the desire and the dollars I say go for it!

In a somewhat unrelated matter that still does testify to just how good I feel the Cloud actually is, I was back to periodically combusting before getting the Cloud. Still used my vapes for the majority of sessions but I would smoke a bowl every 10th session or so. That has completely ceased post-Cloud! It's just too good to use anything else when given the option of medicating using the Cloud

lol exactly... I miss my cloud so much. and of all my other choices... you would think I wold get excited rgiht?? well I miss my cloud!!

i took my volcano back off my friend so I have a vape to use... (my UD is out on loan also)

gnome... fun for a lot of work, and i still over cook sometimes (need more practice)

mflb, it works, but takes me too long to really get there (i dont have the PS anymore either so that's also a factor)

TV1 - I need new batteries haha these ones are pooched and do not perform right.

eclipse, lol gimmie a break (better for concentrates)

Vapolution - I had a nice session with that one last night! (It belongs to my friend now though)

Solo - solid, and my portable vape of choice. but I still want something that hits harder with less restriction. (makes me throw up / gag if I hit it too hard)

my curve has been getting a lot of action and of course concentrates are doing the job beautifully.

I miss my SSV right now so much! haha but above all my cloud! I wish i owned 2 now! haha

 

[JazzHell]

I got my replacement today omfg happiest person alive. Only complaint is I never received a response about trying to track the package.

Edit: wow just had the scare of my life. I plugged into a dead outlet and thought it was DOA. 2nd outlet works for the win.

By outlet - we are all hoping beyond hope you meant surge protector ;-)

 

[newVaper420]

First I just want to say I sent a message to VapeXhale, and I know they are going to get back to me, but I wanted to ask your guys general opinion.

I just received my replacement Cloud. My old Cloud was the flared bottom, ticking unit.

1. This unit does not nearly get as hot as my old unit. At 12:00 I got no visible vapor. At 1 very little. Is this normal? I can't give strain information directly but I never had a problem pulling huge clouds at 12:00

Is this the new operating temperature? My old unit's ABV was brown at 12. I took multiple hits at 1 o'clock and it was still green. I had to bump it up to 3 and I still got barely anything (maybe I needed to repack at that point). But it still didn't come out brown. My pax with the same strain on red turns this into dark brown.

The cloud didn't come nearly cloud. My heart is nearly sinking with the thought of another broken unit.

Also the LED turned green in a minute or two. 5 minutes later the metal was still cold.

Uggghhh this sucks. Not sure if my old unit was busted or this new one

 

[jambandphan03]

how long did you let it heat? Mine usually won't give good hits for about 20 mins... I sometimes let it run a complete cycle then restart it, and let it warm up again. Be patient...

 

[partially veiled]

Nice, thanks partially veiled, i am elucidated. So, it seems the Cloud wins in every front, considering its place within each one's needs. I had the impression that the VHW had a slight edge there.

Well, I don't know if I would feel comfortable saying that the Cloud wins on EVERY front. As I mentioned previously, comparing these vapes is a little tricky...which is deceptive at first because it seems like the Cloud is an "evolution" of ideas expressed with the VHW, so you'd assume the Cloud is just all around better.

For the most part I would agree: I generally enjoy using my Cloud more than I enjoy using my VHW. I have run them side by side and it's not really a contest to me; the Cloud is just less stressful and a little more "fun" to use. However I wouldn't agree with saying that the Cloud is 100% "better" than the VHW on all points. That's a pretty subjective assessment IMO. For instance, the VHW is modular and therefore replacement parts are available, whereas the Cloud is not really repairable at the moment. That might be a really big deal for someone prone to breaking glass!

This is just one example: I think there are other pros/cons to consider in the VHW v. VXC debate. All I am comfortable with saying at the moment (since I consider both Mark McCoy of VripTech and sm55 of VXL to be "internet friends" of mine) is that both vaporizers produce the cleanest and tastiest vapors I have enjoyed to date but that the "ritual" of using the Cloud is simply the most enjoyable (and the most intuitive) vaporization ritual I have experienced so far.




ETA: newvaper, as jambandphan is suggesting maybe you just need to let it heat a little while longer? I have an older Cloud and a newer Cloud and I definitely find the new one benefits from a little extra heat up time after the light has gone green. The old one takes longer for the light to go green (about 10 min as opposed to about 5 for the new one) and it seems to be ready to hit right away. With the new one I tend to turn it on when I come home and I don't ever end up getting to actually sit down and use it until at least a half hour later. After this much time the metal casing is beginning to heat up and I get thick, tasty hits no question.

If I want to use it quicker I find that you can get thick hits, you just need to slow down your pulls. Or try "carbing" the Cloud using the bottom intake. You would be doing this at your own risk of course as VXL has specifically advised against this in the past. FWIW I partially cover the intake hole almost all of the time and have had no issues, but I also vape at lower temps fairly consistently.

 

[newVaper420]

how long did you let it heat? Mine usually won't give good hits for about 20 mins... I sometimes let it run a complete cycle then restart it, and let it warm up again. Be patient...

Hehe. Yea I had the cloud for 2 months so I knew it took about 15-20 to heat up. I actually think I turned it on at 4pm and let it sit till 4:30pm before I went at 12 o clock.

The timer shut off the heater around 4:40/4:45pm

 

[Tstat]

So, I finally broke down and ordered some ELBs. I started, like everyone else, with two. One got ruined by me trying to pry it out in the beginning. I have been using the other one now for SEVERAL months. Last night I noticed it's beginning to tear.

Anyone know how long standard shipping on ELBs are to the east coast?

 

[oldiebutgoodie]

I just received my replacement Cloud. My old Cloud was the flared bottom, ticking unit . . .

So this Cloud does not have the flare at the bottom?

 

[newVaper420]

So this Cloud does not have the flare at the bottom?

No it doesn't. In fact the tube isn't even flush against the metal block. I can shove a flat knife in between the glass and the metal (not that I would). Definitely wasn't the case with my old unit.

 

[partially veiled]

No it doesn't. In fact the tube isn't even flush against the metal block. I can shove a flat knife in between the glass and the metal (not that I would). Definitely wasn't the case with my old unit.

That is the way the bottom intake on my newer Cloud looks as well and it operates perfectly.

 

[ej2389]

By outlet - we are all hoping beyond hope you meant surge protector ;-)

Ya of course.

 

[bassplayer]

That is the way the bottom intake on my newer Cloud looks as well and it operates perfectly.

I wonder why the changes were made, was it for cost or stability or use or whatever...just curious...

 

[partially veiled]

I wonder why the changes were made, was it for cost or stability or use or whatever...just curious...

This is pure speculation, but I would assume it was done in an attempt to streamline the production part of their operations. Using straight glass tubing is much more time and cost efficient than blowing flared pieces and functionally they will perform the same. I notice no difference in the performance of my older Cloud with the flared intake and the newer Cloud with the non-flared intake, if they're being run at the same temperature.

If we're being completely honest, I actually perfer the newer, non-flared style intake. Why? Because I "carb" my Cloud by making a partial seal with the bottom intake and I find this quite a bit easier with the newer style intake. Again, doing this has specifically not been endorsed by VXL so I am not necessarily advocating it, just explaining the reasoning behind my own personal opinions.

 

[bassplayer]

By outlet - we are all hoping beyond hope you meant surge protector ;-)

I wonder if something like a real power conditioner would be the best thing to use with the cloud? Of course those can be quite expensive...

 

[oldiebutgoodie]

This is pure speculation, but I would assume it was done in an attempt to streamline the production part of their operations. Using straight glass tubing is much more time and cost efficient than blowing flared pieces and functionally they will perform the same. I notice no difference in the performance of my older Cloud with the flared intake and the newer Cloud with the non-flared intake, if they're being run at the same temperature.

I suspect that the primary purpose of the flare was to act as a stop to prevent the tube from being pulled up too far. Removing it does reduce cost, but IMO by far the most important and prob expensive part of the tube is the mid-section with the orifices which have tight tolerances. It had been mentioned quite a while ago that VXL was looking at enhancing the tube/heater/jacket sub-assembly. My speculation is that the change in how the heater is wrapped to the tube and enclosed in the jacket, eliminated the need for a stop. It also apparently facilitated going to a specialized supplier for that sub-assembly, which is subsequently added in by the final assembly contractor; the original design made this separation problematic.

 

[partially veiled]

Thanks for the insight OBG! I always want to write ODB, but that wouldn't be very nice

I have noticed extremely minimal play with the bamboo in my newer Cloud unit, so you may well be right about the redesign reducing the need for a flared bottom on the bamboo to act as a stopping mechanism

 

[purplek]

damn this cloud would be perfect if it didn't cook bowls between hits!

 

[partially veiled]

damn this cloud would be perfect if it didn't cook bowls between hits!

It doesn't??? I've never experienced this at least. As others have stated previously, sometimes there will be one last little wisp of vapor that floats off the ELB after you remove the HydraTube, but that ends quickly. Unless you have some seriously active air blowing around the room I can't really see a situation in which air is being forced up the bamboo and over the ELB without someone actively using the Cloud...

If it bothers you that the glass joint the ELB is sitting in is warm, then just take the ELB out between hits...I do this out of habit and really find it to be a non-issue, personally.

 

[PoopMachine]

So, I finally broke down and ordered some ELBs. I started, like everyone else, with two. One got ruined by me trying to pry it out in the beginning. I have been using the other one now for SEVERAL months. Last night I noticed it's beginning to tear.

Anyone know how long standard shipping on ELBs are to the east coast?

If you use Priority Mail, about 3 days. Problem is, it took a week to get them shipped so you better get them coming now.

The new ELBs seem much more fragile than the ones I got with my Cloud back in May. I need to compare them tonight if I get a chance.

It doesn't??? I've never experienced this at least. As others have stated previously, sometimes there will be one last little wisp of vapor that floats off the ELB after you remove the HydraTube, but that ends quickly. Unless you have some seriously active air blowing around the room I can't really see a situation in which air is being forced up the bamboo and over the ELB without someone actively using the Cloud...

If it bothers you that the glass joint the ELB is sitting in is warm, then just take the ELB out between hits...I do this out of habit and really find it to be a non-issue, personally.

It will slowly cook it if you leave the ELB in. I pull mine out between hits.

mod note: Back-to-back posts, merged. Please use the Edit feature, thanks.

 

[newVaper420]

Ok it seems like my unit is defective. I had to put it up to 3 earlier and I still didn't get a cloud. So alas, more time without a cloud. It definitely doesn't get as hot as my old cloud.