Dude. Nice review.I hope it ties you're whole room together
I have had mine too for a few weeks too and I am expected to write a review so here goes.
I have had mixed results and a few issues.it takes time and I expect it will be a while before I make a firm yes or No on the versa.
There is an urgent issue with my unit that needs to be addressed promptly.
I may bore some of you to tears now but I want to add as much info as possible re: my experience with the versa infinity so apologies or thanks either way read or move on
The shipped unit:
The kit arrived well packaged.the case was wrapped in bubble wrap and then a cardboard box surrounding the bubble wrap.
the case contained:
The Versa unit.
The power pack
The voltage converter
Two stirring sticks.
Silicone tipped plastic tongs
1 x 18mm herb bowl with handle
4 replacement herb bowl screens
1 tub of leianas skin balm
The case is foam lined but there were no cut outs for the individual parts.the infinity came wedged between the foam inserts with no extra packing to prevent parts clattering together and breaking.
The herb bowl was rattling about inside the case when I opened it on arrival but there was no damage to the unit or any of the contents.
the glass base had a deep scratch.thats about it
Look and feel of the unit:
It's a hefty unit.the unit alone measures nearly 8 " high x 2" wide.
Weight of unit and base roughly 1 1/2 lbs.
Design:
The Versa is similar to a log vape in design.but it uses a 110v dimmer style digital readout power supply to control voltage.the more voltage ,the more heat available.
Air path:
air is drawn up through the base of the unit through the heater cover then through and around the hollow element.
There is no thermostat in the Versa infinity.
There is a boost feature to increase vapor temperature which is a hole in the heater cover halfway up the heater.
To commence boost mode the operator palms the base of the versa blocking the standard air inlet to the heater and boost kicks in drawing air in halfway up and over the heater.
Not exactly revolutionary IMO.i feel boost performs more efficiently with less voltage so therefore I went with boost only.
Looking at the heater gets me thinking...the heater is very similar to the arizer EQ heater.is it an EQ heater maybe??
I should mention this serious failure without further ado.
The Urgent Issue
Danger High Voltage
I need to mention that versa were notified in email before the units were shipped out.i expressed my disatisfaction with the cable terminations on this mains powered vape.
In the picture above can be seen a power plug on the black cable between the versa and the ez bowl whip.the lead from the versa comes in two parts and uses a non shielded 5.5 x 2.1 style arrangement to join the two sections together.why it's not just one cable with a plug in the voltage box I don't know.
I have sustained
2 full voltage shocks From the metal ring between the male and female connectors already in the last two days.firstly cleaning my vape area with windex and a sponge....ok I thought afterwards I guess its windex residue on my countertop until today I got belted again moving the cable in bone dry conditions.
I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had their back pulled in from shock like I've experienced.
WTF.which brings me to this why do manufacturers have to use full mains voltage with a vape when lower non life threatening voltages work fine.the EQ for example runs off a 19v PSU.it pisses me off...rant over.
Aesthetics:
I really like the glass work on the versa.the removable heater cover is a great feature.it makes installing or repairing different heater covers and heater configurations a snap.
One thing I haven't figured out yet is how to get to the nut on the heater cover for removal of the heater etc.maybe a tube spanner of some sort.
I m not too keen on the sandblasted finish.i think maybe clear with say a slime marble or a logo would look better.the versa is a work of art,why hide it?
the base is clear and the versa is sandblasted.they don't match.
I understand Versa had issues with the enamel finishes they were due to ship ou and that is the reason got the vase like sandblasted finish.
seeing this is a beta unit,there are bound to be niggles etc. which will get ironed out in the finished design, so no biggie.we are here after all to find the ying and yang of the versa.
The first thing I did with my base .added rubber feet to stop it doing tortilla and dean on my countertop and an oring to dampen the crash when you drop the versa onto its base.the cotton wool I used to help block the air intake to the center of the heater.
Usage and Glass:
Honestly at 1lb in weight and the potential for burns It's too large and awkward for me to wield with a glass water pipe.i have used it with an Moby Ion and it's right in you're face taking a hit.I don t like the weight of the versa on the dewar joint of the Moby.it scares me a little.
I would be unlikely to use it with a 45 degree adapter in the ion for fear of the leverage weight cracking the dewar joint or tipping from balance issues.
maybe it's my history with the small size and versa-tility
of Alan's heat island I dunno,but the heat of the Versa coupled with the weight, I can see folks,especially medical patients dropping it on the deck long term.
Infinity with an 18mm f/f adapter with cloud ez bowl in vapor bros straight hose adapter,silicone hose and an EQ mouthpiece to finish off the whip with some comfort.
This setup sits on my countertop and takes the mouthpiece exactly where I need it.
Direct draw
Direct draw is my favourite way to vape.i find I lose flavour vaping with water pieces.i may use the Versa with a hydra tube but only for fun and games.the same goes for the Ion which diffuses even more stealing flavour and actives.
I have found my niche though using the versa on direct draw.i am getting good flavour using momofthegoons marshmallow method at 55 -60v.
thats a method of drawing some hot air in and adding cooler air during the hit to adjust the temps and prevent scorching.I still haven't found a reliable steady voltage setting where I can hit it without adding cooler air to get good flavour.its either too cool or too hot.
Don't get me wrong.I can get the Versa to whitewall any of my bubblers in 3 seconds flat dense vapor every time.im looking for flavour though primarily and trying to lock in the correct temps for flavour.
The reason I wanted the Versa was for the glass air path and the potential flavour upgrade that might be available using it over my other vapes.i have been experiencing beautiful flavour with the HI and more recently the upgraded
Lotus.both stellar experiences on direct draw.
Bowl configurations:
I tried the stock herb bowl with an eq screen and the herb bowl with a cloud ez bowl.i tried lots of variations including some posted here with the many adapters I have.
In the end for direct draw I settled using an 18mm FF adapter and a vapor bros. whip adapter with an ez bowl inserted into the hose adapter
That setup got me as close to the heater as possible.the screen on the base of the ez bowl right above the heater helps to deflect the heat and evens out hot spots in the basket.
Boost vs Standard heat mode:
Boost hole visible in the heater cover center of picture
I use it on boost all the time.I found that using without boost I got a dark patch right in the center of the herb bowl.the hole in the hollow heater super heats the air passing through it which IMO affects heat equilibrium and chars the center of the bowl contents .i like steady even hits starting low heat and keeping flavour as long as possible before reaching popcorn stage.
So I blocked the base air inlet with cotton wool and I use boost now only
The boost feature works best and is more efficient,shorter air path ,tried and tested in log vapes and the seventh floor series vapes.
I am looking at getting a heater cover made with 4 smaller air inlets just above the base of the heater.i have spoken to Chris already regarding this.
Recommendations and upgrades:
Get the wiring and shocks sorted Versa.I am seeing copper strands unsheathed inside units and now repeated 110V shocks on the inline plugs assembly.please ensure you're customers have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Maybe consider a power source similar to the Arizer Extreme Q @ 19v .thats a winner and you will sleep better at night.
A proper wire strain relief and grommet on the infinity where the wiring passes through the glass body and not a knot in the cable.
Reduce heat emissions to the outer body.
Like dude I agree an oring or sponge buffer between the base of the unit and the stand.
A clear unit would be nice I think to match the base.
An 18mm glass male mouthpiece for use with an F/F adapter.
Heater cover modification:
To help prevent off gassing from hot wiring into the air path.
Utilisise boost mode only which is more efficient and would require less voltage for use is my choice for the versa.I would recommend air inlets just above the bottom of the heater at 3 6 9 and 12 o clock (or maybe less to be determined in house)on the circumference of the heater cover and do away with palming and air entering the bottom of the unit and flowing over wiring to the heat source.
I would like to see a full glass heater or an external heater like the cloud to achieve an all glass air path.
I would settle for a SS screen in the air path
Not wishing to stomp on anyone's party,these are just my personal thoughts.
That's me done