Volcano Hybrid

[Chingas]

Like many others who have spent many years here, I have accumulated too many vapes. I have been death-matching my acquisitions against each other by class to cull the feeble. In the desktop flower class the Volcano has slain many. Only the Supreme dares continue the fight. I fear the SV3's hope of survival dwindles. Outlook is grim.

Yeah, the Volcano is pricey but in 11 years I feel like I'll look back and ask myself "Was this worth $1 a week?" Only time will tell, but I feel the answer will be yes.

 

[sanfranciscosadhu]

I've had my Volcano classic for 12 years now. Once I brought it to S&B in Oakland for a tune up.
Are Volcano's expensive? Sure, but they last for years and years. So you buy a cheaper (most often made in China ) brand and it starts to malfunction within months. Now that's expensive: in time spent, frustration and if you think about it even dollars and cents...

 

[Firebaall]

Another shower thought to consider:

You're not supposed to leave the chamber on the volcano hybrid as per instruction. 30s to fill a bag and take it off? No problem.

30s to be finished using the whip? I see a problem...

To those using the whip, how long is your session at temperature? Are you seeing significant heat build up?

 

[Baron23]

You're not supposed to leave the chamber on the volcano hybrid as per instruction.

It actually says that on every Volcano from Classic thru Digit to Hybrid. Placarded on the back of all of them.

I suspect this warning came from a product liability lawyer rather than being an engineering concern.

 

[invertedisdead]

I think I like non-digital dials and controls.

I've yet to have any all digital devices stand any long term length and test of time. Touch screens seem particularly less durable.

My Fire fly 2 touch only buttons were particularly finicky.

Maybe mechanical dials and controls with a mix of blue tooth would cover reliability with digital control?

I believe those capacitive touch buttons are actually supposed to handle more cycles in its liftetime than mechanical buttons and switches. I have a commercial blender that uses them.

 

[Brewervapesalot]

I believe those capacitive touch buttons are actually supposed to handle more cycles in its liftetime than mechanical buttons and switches. I have a commercial blender that uses them.

I dont disagree about the design intent. Reality, however, in my experience with touch screens is the opposite. They are just fragile and basically impossible to replace or repair.

The Navy for instance just scrapped touch screen controls, going back to mechanical, because they failed (causing a terrible accident). A lab or theoretical environment are different than the real world in terms longevity and reliability.

More to the point, a mechanical switch costs quarters to replace, if ever.

The bluetooth would, in addition to mechanical switches, give users the best of both worlds. I assume the blue tooth receiver could be replaced as could one's smart phone.

 

[invertedisdead]

I dont disagree about the design intent. Reality, however, in my experience with touch screens is the opposite. They are just fragile and basically impossible to replace or repair.

The Navy for instance just scrapped touch screen controls, going back to mechanical, because they failed (causing a terrible accident). A lab or theoretical environment are different than the real world in terms longevity and reliability.

More to the point, a mechanical switch costs quarters to replace, if ever.

The bluetooth would, in addition to mechanical switches, give users the best of both worlds. I assume the blue tooth receiver could be replaced as could one's smart phone.

I believe the switches were one of the more common points of failure in the Volcano. My buddy is going through it right now with his Digit.

Of course I'm sure it could be argued that the S&B repair center benefits from these less user-replaceable design changes so I certainly see your stance, honestly I hate touch screens too cause they are constantly dirty and IMO slow to type on and not ergonomic, but I've had good results with the capacitive buttons in my blender. They are more NSF/food/cleaning friendly and prevent moisture and debris from getting inside.

 

[elmomuzz]

Keep it clean. Treat it gently. And be buried with it.

 

[Pabs]

WARNING to Android users : Last Sunday I had a big problem when the Android S&B App wanted to upgrade the Firmware. When the firmware started to upgrade Volcano, the process got stuck ! My Volcano hybrid showed at the screen "bl 000". I couldn't turn on anymore !!! Couldn't use it anymore, nooo !!!!
I contacted S&B support (very professional like always) and told me :"This bug is fixable with an iOS device.
Our app developers are working for a fix for Android users".
I was very angry telling them "Isn't it possible to reset factory setting without smartphone? Unbelieveble !".
Well, hopefully I found a neighbor with an iPhone... I came with my Volcano Hybrid. I told him it was a vaporizer. He said « Dude, it is very big !!! » . I said « I know, but it is a beast as vaporizer. The best in the world. But Yes, It could be smaller… »
We installed the App in his iPhone and it worked, yes !

ADVICE : don't open your S&B App if you have an Android. Wait at least one week. Because support told me "we are confident that there will be a new update next week."

Now my Hybrid Volcano is alive again :-)
Even after this problem : I love it more and more day to day... Even if it is still too big and noisy (unless you take the whip).
And I have never seen a professional support as them who answer you so quickly. I say "Bravo" to their support.

 

[CastIronHits]

WARNING to Android users : Last Sunday I had a big problem when the Android S&B App wanted to upgrade the Firmware. When the firmware started to upgrade Volcano, the process got stuck ! My Volcano hybrid showed at the screen "bl 000". I couldn't turn on anymore !!! Couldn't use it anymore, nooo !!!!
I contacted S&B support (very professional like always) and told me :"This bug is fixable with an iOS device.
Our app developers are working for a fix for Android users".
I was very angry telling them "Isn't it possible to reset factory setting without smartphone? Unbelieveble !".
Well, hopefully I found a neighbor with an iPhone... I came with my Volcano Hybrid. I told him it was a vaporizer. He said « Dude, it is very big !!! » . I said « I know, but it is a beast as vaporizer. The best in the world. But Yes, It could be smaller… »
We installed the App in his iPhone and it worked, yes !

ADVICE : don't open your S&B App if you have an Android. Wait at least one week. Because support told me "we are confident that there will be a new update next week."

Now my Hybrid Volcano is alive again :-)
Even after this problem : I love it more and more day to day... Even if it is still too big and noisy (unless you take the whip).
And I have never seen a professional support as them who answer you so quickly. I say "Bravo" to their support.

This firmware update is a few weeks old, not new. Mine stalled during the install a few times, but I was able to resume with no issue. If you are hesitant, just don't install the firmware upgrade. The app should be about as safe to use as ever.

I believe the switches were one of the more common points of failure in the Volcano. My buddy is going through it right now with his Digit.

Of course I'm sure it could be argued that the S&B repair center benefits from these less user-replaceable design changes so I certainly see your stance, honestly I hate touch screens too cause they are constantly dirty and IMO slow to type on and not ergonomic, but I've had good results with the capacitive buttons in my blender. They are more NSF/food/cleaning friendly and prevent moisture and debris from getting inside.

Switches are the only thing that ever broke on my Classic. I probably replaced one a year.

 

[silverharbinger]

As someone who has used a Volcano classic (only twice) and never the digital I can see where this upgrade may fall short in some areas namely pump noise, maybe bag crinkleness (noise) and possibly durability of the flimsy orange top plastic piece (we won't know on that for sure but hopefully it's not a concern).

Maybe it's just me, but I have no concerns about the plastic around the new heating chamber at all, and I don't find it to be "flimsy" either. The plastic will bend *only slightly* if you are trying to make it do that, but otherwise it is more than sufficiently strong for what they made it to do.

Pump noise and bag noise issues are eliminated if you are using it in whip mode, but it is one of those things that will either really bother you or it won't. I knew it wouldn't bother me because I have other devices around the house that make noises that are as loud or louder (dehumidifiers, air purifiers, etc.) all the time, so buying one was a no-brainer for me.

Honestly no offense, but I find the complaints about the hybrid at this point to be kind of extreme first worldish. The vape is a beast and if you like it save your dimes and nickels and get one.

 

[SquirrelMaster]

@silverharbinger
Those complaints are based on Vapecritics review as I don't have first hand experience with a Hybrid yet.

As a side note I was concerned about the high pitch noise when I was looking at the MV1 but after getting it part of me actually likes it because it tells me the heater is working and how well based on the tone and level of noise. I pick up on certain noises that most don't hear (not in my head though lol) but unless they're constant I'm not bothered by them. I had a graphic card with coil whine that I returned right away because it drove me nuts. I can see how some people are sensitive though even for a short burst especially if tinnitus is thrown into the mix or you have a sleeping partner beside you. I'm glad Vapecritic pointed those things out so any potential buyer knows the full story. I can never have to much information, my brain likes to know everything that's going on whether it's a blessing or a curse.

Absolutely they're first world complaints but I think the fact that those are the only complaints speaks to how good of a vape it is when there isn't anything else to complain about. Still though it's always nice to be the best right? They're definitely not going to hold me back from purchasing one as soon as they get the Medic approval. I'll have one ordered that day.

 

[silverharbinger]

@silverharbinger
Those complaints are based on Vapecritics review as I don't have first hand experience with a Hybrid yet.

Bud's review is pretty thorough and concise. He did a great job on it, however I have noticed more than a few people dwell on the negatives from that critique without mentioning or noticing the many positives that, imho, vastly out-weighed them. The fact that he got a bum unit right off the bat was the only thing that struck me as awful, but it was remedied very quickly.

Like you say you buy things and sometimes you can convince yourself to live with the warts or you can't. In the case of the volcano it was something I had been seriously looking at for over a year. I was very aware of everything people loved and disliked about it, and I was still on the fence only because for all it could do, and what it costs, it just didn't have the ability to be stealthier.

Then the hybrid came out, and that was the push that finally got me to decide to buy it. So far, zero real regrets, and nothing I have owned vape wise has been like that for me.

 

[SquirrelMaster]

In the case of the volcano it was something I had been seriously looking at for over a year. I was very aware of everything people loved and disliked about it, and I was still on the fence only because for all it could do, and what it costs, it just didn't have the ability to be stealthier.

Then the hybrid came out, and that was the push that finally got me to decide to buy it. So far, zero real regrets, and nothing I have owned vape wise has been like that for me.

The Volcano has been my dream vape since I first tried one some years ago. I was driving a co-worker home from work (who had just had his car smashed up) and he asked if we could stop at his buddies house to grab a bag. We went to his garage and filled a bag which the 3 of us shared, then another that his friend took in one hit. "Challenge accepted" I thought in my head as they handed me a full bag and down it went. We all took another 2 bags each and I didn't think anything of it but a few minutes later it hit me like a truck. At the time I had quit combustion for a few months and one bowl in my new Arizer Air would medicate me really well. I'll never forget how destroyed I felt, it was awesome!

I've come close to picking one up a couple times over the years but I always held off because I vape in my garage and it gets cold in the winter. Also VAS hadn't fully set in yet . Even when the Hybrid was announced I didn't look in to it, as I figured it still wasn't possible with my space.

I had asked about a desktop, something lacking in my line up, on VL and @Baron23 suggested the Volcano but the price initially put me off as I was first looking at the E-Nano. I ended up thinking I would pick up a Flowerpot Weedeater (which I'm still very tempted by) but I started looking at the Hybrid more and more. After Bud and Troy's reviews came out I drew up the plans for a teeny insulated space that I'm going to build to house my vapes complete with a little heater. Stoner engineering .

 

[WakeVape&Bake]

my advice:take the plunge and buy a Hybrid, thing will last you a decade, Vaporization doesn´t get any better than with this device. the initial price seems high but it is worth it.

it always hits me like no other device did, i´ve smoked Bong for 20 years before i quit combustion around 2017 and no other vaporizer comes close to the effects i get from the Hybrid. With the whip and a good filled chamber it is exactly like a Bong but the effects get deeper for me.

in fact, sometimes it feels like being a teenager again like when i´ve started smoking herb, there are effects i didn´t even know anymore.

with the dosing capsules/reducer chamber there is also a way to save some herbs when you are using it mainly solo.

 

[invertedisdead]

my advice:take the plunge and buy a Hybrid, thing will last you a decade, Vaporization doesn´t get any better than with this device. the initial price seems high but it is worth it.

it always hits me like no other device did, i´ve smoked Bong for 20 years before i quit combustion around 2017 and no other vaporizer comes close to the effects i get from the Hybrid. With the whip and a good filled chamber it is exactly like a Bong but the effects get deeper for me.

in fact, sometimes it feels like being a teenager again like when i´ve started smoking herb, there are effects i didn´t even know anymore.

with the dosing capsules/reducer chamber there is also a way to save some herbs when you are using it mainly solo.

Can it vape a whole bowl in one hit like the Flowerpot?

 

[WakeVape&Bake]

Can it vape a whole bowl in one hit like the Flowerpot?

i think not, even a capsule will be very hard to do in one hit unless someone has an iron horse lung :-)
when it has to go fast you could do a capsule in around 2-3minutes. essentially, with the 40seconds pre heat time, you can get medicated in around 4-5minutes.

 

[Herbie]

So, I just bought a Hybrid. Thought I’d relay a few thoughts for those who might be contemplating the same.

Even though I’ve been partaking for over 40+ years, I had never used a Volcano or anything like it. I didn’t even see one until a few years ago and just kind of dismissed it as something I couldn’t use around the house and it also seemed very odd - I mean blowing up a balloon and sucking air out? LOL. I also only started vaping about 4 years ago. Pax and Firefly were the starter devices.

Anyway, a lot of things have changed over the past years, all good, and now, with much better access to great herb, I’ve been trying to dial in the best set up. So, with the Labor Day sales and all, I went a little crazy two weeks ago and bought a Ghost MV1 and also the Hybrid. I LOVE the MV1 as my portable. It is by far the best handheld I’ve encountered. The flavor is unbeatable and the vapor is absurd.

As for the Hybrid, it was kind of funny when it showed up. My wife about had a canary. She’s like: “OMG, what is that thing?! It’s over the top embarrassing, yada, yada, yada. Send that back!”. I’m thinking, “Yeah, maybe she’s right. This is a hookah lounge setup.”

As I started thinking about it, I was feeling like I spent way too much money and if this thing was anything less than stellar, I was sending it back for a refund.

Well, let me tell you, after experiencing this puppy for a couple days - it ain’t going anywhere (other than to a party at my brother’s house this weekend, lol). It is truly a BEAST, just like many others have said. The taste from the bags and the whip is really, really good. Not MV1 good but certainly substantially better than say, even the Mighty. The effects are also outstanding and hit me in a much more comprehensive way than anything from the handheld vapes. Very pleasantly baked, fully - off a bag and a couple whip hits. Kind of like a full body stone from a J. Maybe it’s because I have no idea yet, whether I should be sucking down a whole bag or not. Open up that valve and you won’t want to stop.

I really like having both the MV1 and the Hybrid. Can take some extra terpy hits from the MV1 when I want. Can get really fully medicated with the Volcano when that’s more in order. The best of both worlds. (Don’t get me wrong, you can get fully medicated on the MV1 of course but this Volcano gives you something more that the handhelds don’t, IMO.)

My conclusion would be that if you’re on the fence about this - just do it.

 

[vapecapz]

As I started thinking about it, I was feeling like I spent way too much money and if this thing was anything less than stellar, I was sending it back for a refund.

The buyers regret goes away pretty fast.

 

[Herbie]

The buyers regret goes away pretty fast.

You have that right!

 

[JPE]

I have a bit of buyer regret, because I also thinking about slowing down my weed habit overall.

But after using it, it is such a nice tool for a party or even solo. Its gonna last years and through phases of my life and it will always be there when I need it. So no regrets atm.

 

[ejackyou]

I have a bit of buyer regret, because I also thinking about slowing down my weed habit overall.

But after using it, it is such a nice tool for a party or even solo. Its gonna last years and through phases of my life and it will always be there when I need it. So no regrets atm.

Slowing down Your weed habit?

Get the 'reducer' and small drip pads!

You won't believe the results You can get with 'micro-dosing' with a Volcano!

 

[LAWTHEONE]

A few weeks out from the reaching my volcano hybrid savings. Very excited!

 

[JPE]

Slowing down Your weed habit?

Get the 'reducer' and small drip pads!

You won't believe the results You can get with 'micro-dosing' with a Volcano!

well yeah I dont want to keep taking ba bags full all the time. It will be on/off, I got a StickyBrick/Vapap to microdose. The volcano is gonna get pulled out when I wanna go to the moon.

 

[invertedisdead]

You won't believe the results You can get with 'micro-dosing' with a Volcano!

AKA air bags