Discontinued VRIPtech Heating Wand

[ShadowVape]

Right on Herbalist23 stoked Andy got you dialed back in I just talked to VaporGirl our wholesale rep and she said she has heard from them and has an order in the queue now has included some warranty replacement too. On temps you should have no problem getting 266F within the set range I'm huching it will be around the 50% setting on the potentiometer (temp dial) so right in the middle of the analogue red swoosh indicator. If you need to go lower than all the way down for a particular herb you can also make an adjustment on the board to lower both the lowest and highest setting accordingly for that application, and we can walk you through the steps just email us at info@vriptech.com (easy to set back to stock setting too). For 266F though you'll definitely be able to attain within the stock setting range --- each unit will be slightly different and the setting that works best for you will also depend upon your inhalation rate preferences, but I would start at about 50% and dial in from there. Please keep us posted as this is good stuff --- most of our customers are definitely working on the higher side closer to 390-400F so always nice to hear someone is stepping into other aromatherapeutic realms! We have one customer that starts his day with aloe and coffee vapor and swears it's the cat's meow!

 

[vorrange]

I can't seem to get dark brown ABV with the VHW, any help?

I tried slow, long draws and i have the temp at the MAX. What else can i do? I don't want to pack the bowl, because that is too much for me so that is not an option.

My ABV stays light brown, and when i use the same ABV with the HI i get huge hits which means plenty of goodies were left to be extracted.

 

[Kief]

I can't seem to get dark brown ABV with the VHW, any help?

One post above yours, Mark talks about making an adjustment on the board to lower the temp... that also works to raise it. Send Mark an email and he'll walk you through it, info@vriptech.com.

 

[SoulCaptivesAreFree]

glad to hear the vhw arrived safely vorrange

you're using it with the vcb i asume? you can get better results by pushing the wand down into the vcb - you can also adjust this by pushing up the silicone ring on the wand.

i mostly used the vhw with other bowls than the vcb - creating a seal with the silicone ring, this way i could go all the way using the vhw that's why i included a few bowls for you to try (couldn't really remember which one was my favorite in the end)

i never tried the board adjustment, so that may be the best solution after all...

hope you enjoy the vhw and find your sweet spot!

good vibes

 

[vorrange]

Yeah, i'm using the VCB first. Actually after my post i tried again with more herb and i didn't exhale any goodies with my HI, have to re-test and see what i made different. The herb was a little more brownish but still on the yellow side. I also tried to hold the seal locked in for a while to increase radiation heat, perhaps that helped as well.
But, if i can leave it light brown and not extract anything else in the HI, i'm a happy camper. I just want to make sure it is as efficient as it can be and as i want it to.

I figured out alone the moving the silicone ring up the wand to get it closer to the bowl itself.

I'm going to try one of the different bowls too, Thanks.

 

[vorrange]

Can't edit anymore so i'm gonna double post.

Managed to get the ABV even dark brown, i used other bowls that SoulCaptives sent me, i used one that left the wand 5mm from the herbs.

I also considered adding some silicone rings to the wand, making a better heat seal but i hope that is not harmfull to the unit, is it?

So far i am enjoying the VHW and i find it much less difficult to handle than what i previously thought from other people's experiences.
And the flavour is amazing of course.

It is very easy on the throat and the hits are always very smooth but it packs a punch, it is quite a surprise.

 

[ShadowVape]

Vorrange sounds like you're getting it dialed in for your preferences, but I know Shadow was hitting me up for the VT1 (variable transistor 1) adjustment template document that we created awhile back to reply to a CS email just recieved so I'm assuming that may have been yours --- we'll get you the info requested ASAP, but I'll also post it here for everyone's viewing pleasure. I'll qualify the post first though with saying that in most cases just following the technique tips and packing enough high oil content herb to create a reasonable amount of drag is key to getting it to milk up thick and blue WITHOUT requiring a full dark browning which will indicate a hybrid smoke/vapor as opposed to a nicely condensed full spectrum vapor right to the brink of smoke, but without any components in smoke (which will start first with Benzene which is best avoided IMHO). Afterall thick and blue is what we're all about!!! No dark browning required --- light browning only.

That said, we absolutely acknowledge that some customers like it that way and it's all good we aim to please all tastes. As you've figured out by moving the silicon tip seal a tad down (must be done first few uses otherwise you'll need to get a new one as they stick after heated) will put the end of the wand a bit closer and this will help the higher heat cause for sure. Also, it's important to maintain the seal between wand and intake and allow for a good radiant heat foundation before beginning the slow primer pull(s) (convective) to milk it blue --- the longer the static heat up and the slower the pulls the higher the apparant heat relative to the setting on the temp dial. By using the VHW stand or a coffee mug and letting the VHW heat up inverted before using will put a little extra heat in there for those that want higher heat or simply want to be able to pull faster from the jump --- just don't leave it inverted on full heat for extended periods as this will cook the tip seal and can damage the board. As some of you have surely figured out if you do forget about the wand and leave it on full heat in the stand for awhile and then come back, pack, seal, and pull as you normally would you'll likely end up with the darker brown ABV (or load carcass as we affectionately have always called it) and hybrid smoke/vapor by accident --- just pull faster and skip the seal and pause radiant heat up step if this is the case and you should be good next time you spend a little longer preheating the wand than intended or simply enter a time warp because the first Vrip was so effective! One thing that is nice about the Vrip system is that since it's just a glass bowl your herbs are within view and if used with a clear (or at least partly clear) glass water tool for delivery you can SEE the vapor consistency and adjust on the fly potentially even before tasting it so if it's coming too thick and getting white on you just crack the seal a tad and/or pull faster. Then adjust the temp dial a little for the next round.

VT1 Adjustment Steps:
1. Remove the retaining screw and carefully remove the glass cover
2. Pull temp dial straight up and out of the potentiometer hex receptacle on the board (if you don't have long enough fingernails to get a good grab on it just use a small flat head or similar and carefully leverage it off the housing --- shouldn't require much force --- or a small set of fine jaw pliers is actually the pro way to do it if you've got the tool just don't squeeze too hard and damage the dial)
3. Gently push from where the power cord enters the housing and the whole board will start to slide forward as the black (or gray if older model) housing plug at the other end of the housing comes loose and also moves forward --- you will only have to slide it about 1.5 cm forward as VT1 is the first variable transistor on the board below the potentiometer (it is the blue box with a white phillips head screw dial just above VT2 which looks exactly the same). On most boards you can actually see a "VT1" marking next to it if you look closely. You will access it through the hole in the housing that the temp dial normally goes into
4. With a small phillips or flat head screwdriver gently turn the white screw dial counterclockwise until it stops --- this won't be much of a turn at all since they are set fairly wide open to start with -- then turn clockwise slightly less than you turned counter clockwise (again we're talking fractions of the calibration marks)
5. Reinstall the glass cover carefully positioning the compression o-ring so that the element sits approximately centered in the glass cover when compressed with your thumb over the hole for the retaining screw. We leave a clear glass cat-eye on the tip of the inner cover that encapsulated the element so that you can see the end of the element. It doesn't have to be perfectly centered, but shouldn't be laying against the glass at the tip where it glows orange. EXTRA CAREFULLY insert and tighten the retaining screw with stainless and silicon washers so that the play is taken up --- do not crank on this it will break the glass cover!!! Just tighten enough to hold it in place gently the compression o-ring will do most of the "snugging."

That's all that should be required to get a little more heat by board adjustment, but we caution against doing this as it really shouldn't be required if everything else is working right, i.e. all pieces are properly sealed, all technique tips are being followed, herbs are packed sufficiently and high enough oil content to affect a thick vapor in the first place, and the element is in good shape. If a wand begins to require a higher setting/slower pulls to get vapor on par with what it delivered with lower setting/faster finish pulls previously it's usually a sign the element is just getting up there in age and you should consider the element replacement service. Also, since we sometimes get customers that complain about not getting the vapor as thick as they want and it turns out they just aren't packing much at a time and prefer smaller bowls this is a good chance for me to point out that we have two size glass screens and the larger ones will sit in the top of the bowl allowing shallow packs closer to the heat which is perfect for those that prefer to pack less at a time, but still want it to milk up nicely --- also perfect for those taste testing sittings when you know you've got more than a couple of flaves you want to session! Speaking of which time to follow up the Girl Scout Cookies with some Fire OG milk and it's off to bed….

 

[Ratm22]

Thanks to the Vrip guys sorting out my wand confusion. They have returned two working wands that will keep me in vapor flavor country!

 

[ShadowVape]

Yeah bro glad we could get you glowing again! You got the last two straggler 2.0 units notice one has the first gen short cord and one the second gen 8' cord. Thanks for posting the follow up!

 

[dime]

Will there ever be a version without silicon? I don't understand why a GoG attachment wasn't used.

Step 4: Take Two slow short pulls, keep the wand sealed into the intake, EXHALE all the way, begin inhaling slow and finish with some power behind it

Sounds like the bowl holding the herb needs to heat up a bit for this to be very effective, seems like glass on glass attachment would be a lot better at this compared to silicon. Could maybe skip this "charge" process entirely.

 

[ShadowVape]

Dime thanks for the considerations we've covered this pretty well somewhere on this thread in the past, but probably a ways back. One of the very first VHW protos indeed had a large male joint on the end and the upper intake was essentially a large female joint as you're imagining and for sure the seal was great with no external silicone seal required. Looked cool and sounds great right?

Problem was in practice: if you got even a trace of oil residue on the joint surfaces the pieces would often stick so when you went to pull the wand out to pull carb the chamber bowl and clear your tube the whole assembly would often come together and besides being clumsy this could get expensive if the chamber bowl dropped off the wand mid process. The other problem in practice compared to using with a tip seal is that it was difficult if not impossible to "finesse" the temp by cracking the seal due to the geometry of the taper joint which favors an either full seal or no seal whereas with the silicon tip seal you can just barely crack the seal by slightly angling the wand or maintain a full seal by just matching the angle of the intake giving you the ability to alter the apparant temp mid pull to compensate for changes in pull rate, having set the temp a little high, etc…that way you don't have pull a hot spotted vape to figure out you should turn the temp down a tad. Because the Vrip system is all glass you can see what's going on better than with other vapes where you have to take the pull and adjust by taste after the fact. If I'm taking a Vrip and let's say I left the wand sitting in the stand heating up a little more than needed and/or one of my bros who likes hybrid smoke/vapor turned it up while I wasn't looking on the last round I can easily compensate and still get the clean, condensed "blue" vapor I prefer by correcting mid Vrip with a subtle (couple of cms movement) angle change on the wand enabling a cracking of the seal between wand and intake --- I can't do that with a taper joint connection.

So the next gen Vrip is the best of both worlds as it uses a spherical ground glass joint (think hip socket type of fitting) and we've been working on this for awhile because we couldn't make an off the shelf joint work within the tolerance range we needed, but finally found a partner in the biz to work with who could get the tolerances where we needed them. It's a work in progress though as the downside to this approach is that it's a significant cost increase so we decided to redesign the whole glass cover and make it a two piece design so that we could remove some of the human element from the production process --- namely remove the extremly difficult inner to outer seal that connects the glass that encapsulates the element to the outer glass of the cover. By making this connection with a taper joint (yet another custom sized one) we can reduce the number of pieces that must be scrapped due to QC issues and help keep the cost within reason (for those that simply must have the best of the best anyway). As far as skipping the charge issue it's really a matter of technique preference --- if you run a higher temp you can start pulling right away and skip the charge for the most part, but you must be sure to crack the seal when you pause to exhale otherwise you'll run the risk of over heating your herbs unless that's the idea (many of our customers seem to prefer hybrid smoke/vapor even though our whole focus has always been the "blue" vapor) --- by running a temp where the charge is required you can milk it blue and thick without any smoke or risk of smoke even if you pause/exhale mid Vrip so it's just a more conservative technique if keeping it clean and pure is a priority. We where down to our last tool and reworking an existing tool to get the next gen Vrip into production when the holiday rush hit so it's going to have to wait until after the holidaze, but what you're looking for and even better is on the horizon stay posted….

We'll still be making the current model though as it is the best value in luxury vapor: all glass heating, extraction, and delivery path for the cost of a couple of bags of herb! Beyond vapor it's Higher Aromatherapy.

 

[ShadowVape]

Oh and I was thinking last night family that I should have clarified that the "charge" period even with a conservative temp set on the heater gets shorter after the first round as the glass has already been heated up --- it's really when heating the first bowl that you must pause for a longer radiant foundation to get into the glass. This is because having a glass extraction chamber (as with heating path) represents significantly more thermal mass than a metallic, i.e. aluminum or steel, extraction chamber. The slightly slower (we're talking seconds) ramp up is part of the trade-off for being able to extract a fuller spectrum of aromatics by not having any metal (polarizing material) as the element or in the heating, extraction, or delivery path. Once heated though the thermal mass of the glass also conveys temperature stability not possible with metal unless it's a big hunk of metal so simpler and less expensive temperature regulation is possible (your eyes and taste are the sensors) resulting in a smaller and more ergonomic heat tool.

Of course, it's mostly the materials used in the heating and extraction path that will polarize the convective heated air that you are actually affecting the vapor extraction with and going on to inhale --- there are quite a few "vaporizers" that offer glass delivery paths, but only one electric one anyway that is all glass start to finish if you use the glass screens: Vrip. As pointed out in a previous post the Gnome is a cool all glass system that uses a butane torch --- very similar to a Vrip proto from years ago that was still in rotation on the slopes or trails until the ThermoVape changed that!

And even if you don't use the glass screens the tiny amount of metal represented by a stainless (or titanium as some of our customers prefer) mesh is micro relative to what other devices utilize. Terpenes (the flavor molecules) are polar molecules meaning any charge (polarity) in the convective air flow (and/or radiant heat coming off of materials holding the herbs for that matter) will affect the expression of the aromatics in the vapor extracted. Vrip sprouted from the idea of a "medical aromatherapy" system that was compatible with water pipes and bubblers already well embraced and ritualistically enjoyed well before the "vaporizer" trend was embraced by the culture. So the Vrip approach has always been different and the emphasis has always been on full spectrum flavor AND active delivery.

 

[Shabang]

I'm trying to decide on what to buy for my wand. I've had the same water pipe for over a year now and I'd like to get a new bub or perhaps a smaller water pipe than the 14 incher I'm currently using. I'm getting a little too winded while not getting enough vapor so I need something smaller. I'm thinking about going with the vriptech water tool pro or maybe the bub. Can anybody recommend something online? Now would be a good time to purchase since most sites have a 15% off discount or something since it's Christmas time.

 

[ShadowVape]

What up Shabang??? Smaller volume pieces or pieces you can load up with ice to reduce the volume are always easier to milk clean blue vapor from --- if you want one that is good for easy pulls and/or sipping the vapors check the VWT BuB or check one of our HiSi partner's pieces the hex stemless bubbler here it is on youtube:

We just did a video with this piece and the Vrip VHW and VCBS_18.8mm and was about to post I'll put the link up here when it goes up. It works well with the Vrip though and milks up super quick and easy.

 

[ShadowVape]

Check it family just uploaded the Vrip VHW w/ VCBS_18.8mm and HiSi Stemless Hex Bubbler Video for your viewing pleasure:

It's a really nice set up for Vrips without needing to prime a full size tube, but that still conveys a great moisture conditioning thanks to the micro diffusion.

Enjoy Vrip...

 

[InAvaporCloud]

HI Shadowvape,
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, being that Im new to this site. I had a question about an order for a heating element replacement that I sent out back in November before Thanksgiving. I tried to send Mark an email, but I may have the wrong address because I received a failed delivery message. I know Mark is on here under Shadowvape as well, so I was hoping I could have some help getting sorted out. Hope you all had a Happy Holidaze!!!

 

[ShadowVape]

Yeah for sure inAvaporcloud and always a good idea for everyone to CC info@vriptech.com when emailing Mark direct so I can make sure that you get a response even if he is out of pocket --- redundancy always good because our email gets slammed often especially during the holidaze! Mark usually does a weekly and monthly sweep and makes sure I got everyone dialed if he didn't handle himself but always fastest if I get copied first round. BEST thing to do is email me with the info and I'll check with Mark and/or The tech who does the repairs to make sure we get you sorted or it's already on its way back --- info@vriptech.com. Also, if you placed an order directly with Vriptech the phone number that will show on your billing statement is Mark's direct mobile number and he's very good at responding to text or voicemails often faster than email. Sorry for any lag or missed communications if that ends up being the case I'll keep an eye out for your email today make sure to mention your FC username so I connect the dots. I'm warming up the wand for some am Cheezecake Haze so will be amped and on it!

 

[InAvaporCloud]

Thank you so much for the reply. I know things must get crazy, especially this time of year. I'm really looking forward to getting back to flavor country, like you guys say. Ill dig up the order info and shoot you an email over to info@vriptech.com. I did order directly form Vriptech.com if that makes sorting me out any easier. I hope you enjoyed that Cheesecake!! Ill be patiently waiting in the combustion stone age, , awaiting my wands arrival. Have a great NYE!!

 

[vorrange]

Just want to thank Mark and ShadowVape for helping me with my low temp VHW. I followed the directions you gave me by email and it was a very simple and quick thing to do.

Judging from the length of the email one would think it wasn't but it was just thourough, which i appreciate.

I just tried my VHW, again, in the VCB and i left my ABV dark brown, just like i want it. What a treat.

The all glass airpath full convection extraction really makes a difference when you go high temp, great taste from beggining to end. Mnham.

FYI, i used it dry in my bong. I found out recently my Ehle tube is a very good substitute to a sherlock.

 

[Shabang]

I want to tell you guys about my customer service experience. I sent my wand in about 5 months ago for a heating element replacement. It Took a few weeks for the wand to get back to me as there was a mix up or something. Fast forward to about a week ago when my heating element started to act up (It would glow orange hot for no reason and w/out warning). If I moved the dial up or down it would either get really hot or do nothing, basically the heat was being unpredictable. I emailed mark and told him what was going on and I also told him I did not want to be w/out my wand for almost a month again like the first time (im in cali and so is vriptech so turn around time should have been a lot faster than 3 -4 weeks the first time) and this is where vriptech's customer service really shines! Mark offered to ship me out one of their demo units before I even shipped mine so that I wouldn't have to be w/out my wand at all! I mean, what more could I have asked for? He trusted me with shipping back a wand so I didn't have to go w/out since my first experience left me w/out one for about a month (was torture). I received the wand he sent me and I then shipped back mine and the only thing I had to pay for was a few bucks to ship my wand back. Worked out perfectly and he also threw in some regular screens and a couple of the glass screens. I tried to offer payment for the screens but he wouldn't take it. Fast forward another few days. I was having another heating problem with the demo wand he had just sent me. The red light would not stay on causing the wand to only go up to a certain temp. (was not hot enough). I emailed mark and told him the issue and he said he'd walk me through step by step over the phone on how I can adjust the heat by opening up the wand. We did this and it did't seem to help because the light won't stay on long enough to heat up the unit to the desired temp so he is sending me out another wand! Customer service with him has been great and this is exactly the type of service that keeps me loyal to vriptech. Mark really cares about his customers, you can tell by how far he is willing to go to make you happy. Great experience and hopefully I will have my new wand in the next few days. Will post once I get it.

I still need a new waterpipe, shadow vape.. Nice vids, I'm seriously thinking about a bub. I've been using my current 14 incher for almost 2 years so I'm not sure how I"ll like milking a bub or how weird it will feel..maybe for the better?...anymore insight? I'd rather not spend $200 or more on a bub unless I know for sure I like using the wand with one. I don't think I've ever tried that yet. The bub vriptech has on its website looks like it's a bit more friendly in price considering I have no clue if I'm going to like it or not. Do you guys have the vhw bub at any other internet retailers?

My vcb needs a good cleaning. What is recommended? soak it in alcohol over night?

 

[InAvaporCloud]

Shabang, I use 91% alcohol and rice/salt for an abrasive. Put it in a zip lock baggy, fill it enough to submerge the glass and shake shake shake. Just be carefull not to drop it obviously. After its nice and clean I rinse with water, not too hot or too cold, deff don't change temps whir cleaning. I then refill the baggy with white distilled vinegar and shake shake shake. This helps remove any residue left over from the alcohol, salt/ or rice. Plus it leaves it sparkling clean. I then finish by rinsing completely with water and drying it out. Hope that helps!

Let me end with a more on customer service. Even on NYE the vrip staff/ shadowvape, took the time to get me sorted out and I will hopefully be receiving my wand shortly! Thanks Vrip, happy NYE!!

 

[Shabang]

Update : Got my second replacement wand from mark after sending back the first one since it was defective and this one is working like a champ! Has a perfect orang glow to it, and the red light stays lit up constantly. Everything seems to be working great. I now have full control over the heat again. I am very happy as it's been a few weeks since I've had full control, stooooked~!

Inavaporcloud : thanks for that, I will give it a shot in the coming days when I have some free time.

 

[ShadowVape]

Happy New Now Vrip Family!!! Thanks for all the support and kind words. We're looking forward to sharing some evolutions upcoming in 2014: refreshed website in the works, finally getting the next version of the VHW and VCBS into production, more videos, and a concentrate insert for the bowl that is easier and friendlier than the reducer ring and beads. Stay posted…. a couple of other evolutions I'm not allowed to go public with just yet too!

Was talking to Mark on New Years and he was tripping on how 2014 will be 17 years of vapor ware business for Vrip! Talk about ahead of the curve… so stoked to be the Shadow as Mark is more busy with his white collar gig than in the past so he has even tasked me with more of the R&D which I promise you is his favorite part of the job after reading emails telling us how much the system has changed lives for the better and/or restored faith in vapor as a delivery medium. We where talking about the beginning of the industry and how he would literally reach out to some of the pioneers and make suggestions to improve their devices because he was worried people wouldn't get the best impression of vapor and abandon the delivery method due to device short comings. Vrip even made a glass spacer to insert in one of the early popular device's "herb pod" to improve flavor and performance! The manufacturer didn't want to sell it so Vrip did even though it wasn't for a Vrip was literally a few bucks. The philosophy here will remain the same: turn people onto better quality vapor even if it is by helping them improve the performance (read: flavor and condensation) of another company's system they have already invested in and the ethos of Vrip prevails. We're always willing to talk vapor shop even if it's questions not specifically related to our product line.

Please don't hesitate to post here or hit me up at info@vriptech.com with ideas, feedback or, of course, problems needing solving I'm on it and as some of you know well Mark always priortizes customer satisifaction even if it takes a few rounds and/or means Vrip investing to see it through.

Oh and Shabang didn't catch your inquiry on the BuB from the previous post --- the BuB is a super simple and clean set-up that milks up really fast because there is so little volume (same deal as noted in the HiSi stemless hex bubbler video which is also a real nice set up just more expensive and a bit fancier). The BuB uses the same diffuser down stem as the VWT PerK so although there aren't any diffuser discs or perk chambers in there you still get a decent diffusion and moisture conditioning. I have one in my car kit and Mark carries one in his truck kit! If I have a choice I prefer to use an iced up PerK and go all out, but when a small foot print is desired or if you don't want to prime the pull on a full size tube it's a nice cost effective way to go. If you order one put a note into me/Mark and ask for a keck clip to be included as the mouthpiece is removable and if you pick it up by it by accident the BuB body could disconnect (yup I made this mistake once….luckily no breakage and yes I'm knocking on wood). The clips are available at most shops and don't cost much, but we usually have some in the shop and will toss one in.

 

[InAvaporCloud]

My wand stopped working again , shadowvape, can you help me out? I just got it back......

 

[ShadowVape]

Shoots sorry to hear InAvaporCloud I apologize I don't rememeber all the details with your repair, but definitely just shoot me an email at info@vriptech.com with the order details and we'll get you sorted one way or another. The tech always says 2-3 element replacments are possible and after that the board won't take another desolder/resoldering so if the repair worked for a few and then failed maybe it could be that the board was on it's last legs after a couple of repairs? I know Mark will ask to have you check the ground on the outlet you use because that can cause premature failures, but assuming that is all good then we can either sort a no cost warranty repair or a Bro/Sis-Form deal or if it's a newer heater that has failed and been fixed and failed again without much usage then we'll just send a new heater as there must be something wrong with the board. Sorry again for the hassle we'll get you sorted for sure though!