Discontinued VRIPtech Heating Wand

[Nebu]

what version do you have?

I've run every version. My heat-up time experience is consistent across all VHW generations, with that last note I mentioned of the slightly longer w/o any extra tip seal on the latest design.

VHW heat up times are a non-issue IMHO. Anything under 10 minutes is perfectly serviceable for my applications. I'm seldom in such a rush. If one needed it always at the ready, leaving it on it's lowest setting; "stand-by mode", would mean a quick turn of the dial and ~ 2 minutes to operational temp.

 

[wax]

So which would you recommend I get ? The latest ?

 

[Khantagious]

I do notice slightly longer warm up times (~7-8 min?) required now with glass-on-glass VHW to VCB seal. The VHW is likely @ the same heat but I need it to run a bit hotter due to slight cooling effects of pass-through air that doesn't happen when using the silicone tip. I should put that tip-seal on to verify.

That is definitely consistent with my experience. I've been running glass-on-glass pretty exclusively, but every once in a while when I do use the silicone gasket (e.g., to help make things easier for a less experienced vripper), I definitely have to turn down the heat.

 

[Nebu]

So which would you recommend I get ? The latest ?

Definitely the latest... that is likely the only option anyways. lol! But you can (or not) use the seal, which is always included.

Thanks for confirmation of your experience @Khantagious

 

[wax]

Is 3 the latest version ?

 

[Khantagious]

Is 3 the latest version ?

It's a little bit confusing at the moment, because the VCB (bowl) is one revision ahead of the VHW (wand). I definitely recommend you get the latest version of each, which is VHW 3.0 and VCB 4.2.

Meanwhile, my understanding is that Vriptech are developing the next version of the wand with a ground glass tip that will couple perfectly with the VCB 4.2. I am perfectly happy with what I get from the current version, but I pretty much have it dialed in at this point. When I have guests who are new to it, they might struggle to get it at first, but I can always put on the silicone seal, which is kind of like training wheels for eventually getting to all glass. The new wand will basically be foolproof to use from the beginning, no training wheels required.

What I wonder is whether the electronics and handle will be the same, and if so, whether they will offer just the new glass part in a manner that would let us upgrade a 3.0 wand. Knowing Vriptech, they will probably do it if it ends up being possible, but they won't compromise on quality just to make it possible.

 

[wax]

So how small amounts cam the vhw handle and produce nice clouds ?

 

[ShadowVape]

Yeah crew Khantagious rocked it accurate we're currently working with the VHW3.0 (slight mod in that we're now etching the tip for those that prefer glass on glass) and the VCB4.2. There is a VHW4.2 in development that will have a different glass cover featuring a spherical tip for better glass on glass seal, but use the same heater and housing we currently use so yeah anyone with a current 3.o will be able to upgrade their unit to the 4.2 by installing the revised glass cover (and we'll of course have a courtesy discount for legacy customers). We're are also working on future heater designs and it is our intention to have whatever glass cover is current work on those too so there will be forward and backward modular compatibility.

Good question wax the size of load you can get away with and still get a cloud was addressed way back in this thread somewhere, but to be completely scientific I just loaded .1 which is half of the .2 I would usually load. I turned the temp up a tad since the bowl wasn't fully packed which puts the herb farther away and I packed the herb a bit more so that the holes in the glass screen where all well covered and milked up a decent cloud without over browning. That said, packing twice that and stirring and pulling again gets me thicker clouds on both pulls. I think the deeper bowl pack just holds the heat more efficiently, but you could definitely technique smaller packs by packing it down firmer and running higher heat. And/or just drop some concentrate on top! Flower filters aways work well for clouds in my experience, but I'm still testing to be sure...

 

[lazylathe]

One more mod i have done to my Vrip Heat Wand!
I found that the supplied heater cover screw was slightly too short as my heater cover would often be very loose, not too confidence boosting.
So i exchanged it for a slightly longer screw, same thread.
Now i can comfortably screw it in and still have some play in the heater cover and not worry about over tightening the original screw.
Simple and easy fix that i found works really well!

 

[ShadowVape]

Good question Happygolucky we have been selling the new bowls and upper intakes separately I'm not sure if they've been brought live in the store yet (will check up), but we've sold a few to keep some slippery fingers in flavor country already I know. We kept saying we would start selling them individually as soon as we caught up on orders for complete chambers then we would end up running short again so it hadn't officially happened, but we have hooked some customers up who just needed either the lower bowl or the upper intake.

We've been producing the VCB4.2s in short runs, but just had the first longer run completed so fresh and functional is in stock and if you need just a bowl or just an upper intake no worries. It does save a few bucks buying the complete chamber though so just a heads up the back-up could come in handy some day.

Also, we still need to put some pics up, but have created a new "kit" category on vriptech.com and listed more "kit" options to save a few bucks for those starting fresh or those that just want to have extra pieces for back up or extra kit for the boat, plane, car, truck, cabin or other place away from it all. Remember you can just go all out and get our original promotional kit --- the 007 kit with real Pelican case and custom foam insert (you're close to getting for free at the kit price) and you can go mobile easily and safely with one full size water proof and airtight kit that locks! People don't know what to expect when you start cracking a Pelican case so when it turns out to be aroma - therapeutic love it tends to go over extra well.

Good tip on the screw Lazylathe when they pop the hole for the retention screw through the glass cover it sometimes sticks up a little other times is more flush and the exact blown shape (any deviation from perfectly round) can cause more or less of a gap so sometimes a longer screw than our standard could be confidence inspiring for sure. As long as the standard screw hasn't been taken in and out a bunch chewing up the housing plug it should be good to go across the tolerance range a handful of times at least, but we have had customers swap to a slightly longer screw before for the same reason. Keep the standard one around though because on a replacement cover if you need one (should come with a screw but extras always good) you might find it a better fit you never know until you're sliding it on as each piece will be slightly different and tenths of a mm can indeed be felt sometimes. Heads up tip for anyone thinking of using a longer screw if you do go longer just go an industry standard hair longer so that the screw doesn't go all the way through the housing plug and risk snagging a lead wire --- that's the critical metric to avoid.

 

[stickstones]

I've been testing a lot of portables lately and really missed my desktop vapes. So last night I treated myself to a full on Vrip session. You know those sessions where you take a hit and say to yourself 'fuck yeah!'? It was one of those. There's just something about those smooth, cool, full bodied hits! Sometimes it feels like all I'm doing is breathing. I have started filling the bowl above the top of the gong adapter so I can see the herbs cooking...really cool, even with my poor eyesight.

 

[ShadowVape]

Nice Stickstones love to hear it! Nothing against portables they have their place, but "fuck yeah" vapes are what VRIP exists for... Speaking of which some Chedder Jack is calling my name!

Sorry about that happygolucky we don't have everything up on the site yet and still have a bunch of pics to take of new kit so are sort of limping by on some of those fronts. The 4.2 lower bowls are 36 and the upper intakes are 46 so basically it costs a couple bucks more if you buy separately. Appreciate the feedback on the site it's a work in progress.

On a related front PayPal has decided after well over a decade of partnership that our products no longer are compliant with their usage agreement (which does NOT refer to vaporizers at the present, but likely will in the future I'm told) so we've taken them off the site as a check-out option. My apologies to anyone who prefers to use PayPal we still accept all major credit cards and, of course, cash is all good if you're in the Bay Area in California! New payment options are being researched now so we can offer more options in the future.

 

[justcametomind]

Is there any retailer with this vape in stock in EU ?

 

[ShadowVape]

Sorry Happygolucky forgot to answer you on the 4.2 tip seal --- we still have a bunch of them but have stopped selling them because the compound on the production run wasn't holding up as long as the sample they gave us so we are waiting on a solution to be offered by the manufacturer. Hopefully a new compound of the same seal which conveys a little more angle that the wand can be held at and still seal. That said our legacy seals work great and are what we are still shipping all VHWs with so you have compatibility with the legacy bowls and the new 4.2 bowls.

Justcametomind you can buy the current VHW3.0 and the legacy VCBS_14.4mm and I think 18.8mm from hortitec in Spain or some of their brick and mortar distribution that have stocked it. If you want the current VCB4.2 you'll have to order from vriptech.com direct, but the good news is we've got everything in stock and are shipping daily. Orders to EU are typically shipped USPS international priority so the shipping is reasonable and fairly quick.

 

[Khantagious]

Lifetime supply right here, lol ~> http://www.bulkhempwarehouse.com/bulk-hemp-fiber-degummed-soft-per-kilo/

Just in case anyone wants some without needing to commit to an entire kg, I found this place https://www.hemptopia.com/product/degummed-hemp-fiber that is the same price for 1 kg ($26.25), but they also sell 0.25 kg for $7.50. And 0.25 kg is still a lot, it is about the same volume as a couple of loaves of bread!

@Nebu, if there are any details that you could provide on how to re-create your slick looking filter system that you posted a picture back here, I would love to be able to put it together as clean as it looks in your pic. Vriptech seems to sell 3 screen sizes, small, large, and 4.2, so can I assume you are using a 4.2 screen on top and a "small" screen on the bottom? How much fiber is in there? Do you pack the fiber in at all or just let it be completely loose? And how often do you change it out? Thanks in advance for any tips

 

[Nebu]

@Nebu, if there are any details that you could provide on how to re-create your slick looking filter system that you posted a picture back here, I would love to be able to put it together as clean as it looks in your pic. Vriptech seems to sell 3 screen sizes, small, large, and 4.2, so can I assume you are using a 4.2 screen on top and a "small" screen on the bottom? How much fiber is in there? Do you pack the fiber in at all or just let it be completely loose? And how often do you change it out? Thanks in advance for any tips

Yes I ~ small screen on the bottom, hemp fiber fluffed and packed loosely, 4.2 screen on top. If you pack the hemp fiber tightly the draw gets too restricted IME. Definitely something you can tune for your own preference but, for me, the less restriction the better. I try to fit as much fiber as I can but, again, loosely.
I change it quite often. Unsure just how many bowls in, but it gets dirty quickly, primarily with grind pass-through but also oils, etc.,. You can actually reuse it by vaping off the oils/residue, "refluffing" (work & stretch it out a bit), and putting it back in. I find that a bit tedious due to the grinds getting caught up and stuck in the fiber. I've a quart jar of used fiber loads collecting. When packed full perhaps I'll do a 100% ethanol extract on them... use that reclaim for edible (should be quite decarbed).

Hope that helps!!

 

[Khantagious]

Yes I ~ small screen on the bottom, hemp fiber fluffed and packed loosely, 4.2 screen on top. If you pack the hemp fiber tightly the draw gets too restricted IME. Definitely something you can tune for your own preference but, for me, the less restriction the better. I try to fit as much fiber as I can but, again, loosely.
I change it quite often. Unsure just how many bowls in, but it gets dirty quickly, primarily with grind pass-through but also oils, etc.,. You can actually reuse it by vaping off the oils/residue, "refluffing" (work & stretch it out a bit), and putting it back in. I find that a bit tedious due to the grinds getting caught up and stuck in the fiber. I've a quart jar of used fiber loads collecting. When packed full perhaps I'll do a 100% ethanol extract on them... use that reclaim for edible (should be quite decarbed).

Hope that helps!!

Thank you, that was very helpful!

I had tried it previously, but I didn't have any small sized screens, so when I inserted the hemp fiber, I packed it in just enough that it would stay put. But I think that it was packed too tightly, because it restricted the draw too much. Sounds like I will need to get some small screens to do it properly.

And do keep us posted on how your ethanol extraction goes (or whatever you decide to do)

 

[ShadowVape]

Happygolucky for sure the replacement lower bowls and upper intakes for the VCB4.2s should be showing on the site now:
http://www.vriptech.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=VR&Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=VCB

We still have to get some solo pics up there, but we are selling the pieces individually now for replacement. You can also just hit up ShadowVape at info@vriptech.com for anything VRIP.

I'm pretty sure we got you sorted on the screens Khantagious to run the filter like Nebu dialed you in on, but if not hit me back --- you want to use the smaller side of the tolerances ideally of the small glass screen originally intended for deep packs on the legacy lower bowls (part code: VGSS) for the best filter set up. If anyone reading this wants the same set up just give us a note when ordering the small glass screens so we know you're using them in the 4.2 bowls for running a filter and we can take the calipers to the ones we pack up to make sure you're getting the smallest ones.

Keep it Clean and Full Spectrum!

 

[Khantagious]

I'm pretty sure we got you sorted on the screens Khantagious to run the filter like Nebu dialed you in on, but if not hit me back

Yes, thanks for that! I haven't actually placed the order yet (out of town this past week), but I know what to do. As always, the support from you guys is second to none!

 

[biohacker]

Do any of the 3 Water Tools come in 18mm downstem? Also any reason not to buy the wand from this source? http://vape-smart.com/products/vriptech-heat-wand-3-0-vaporizer

 

[ShadowVape]

Nope Biohacker all of our water tools take the 14.4mm lower bowls but the downstem (GJDS) is an 18.8mm to be clear...in other words you could plug the 18.8mm bowls into the water tools without the down stem if you wanted to run ice only or perk chamber and ice only in the case of the VWT PerK.

I've always preferred the 14.4mm flow rate for vapor to the 18.8mm so that's why all of our water tools take the 14.4mm bowls. That said on the new 4.2 bowls we custom tooled the 18.8mm joint so that the inner diameter would be smaller than standard ISO joints (outside is standard ISO of course) and closer to that of the 14.4mm so the flow rates are very close. Our manufacturing partner HiSi has some nice pieces that accept the 18.8mm bowls though and man I just got to use a really nice TORO piece with the VHW and VCB4.2_18.8mm and dang I was impressed!!! What a pull!!! Not a cheap set up, but beautiful and functional beyond most pieces I've used if function is measured in the size possible and moisture conditioning factor of the pulls.

 

[lazylathe]

VRip with Legacy seal, 19mm VRip bowl set-up and my Atomic Perc WT, all freshly cleaned.
Allow to preheat in the glass stand, i usually do small test hits until it is the perfect temp.
Once up to temp i remove from the glass stand and place in a glass dish.
Load up a bowl and hit for as long as i can.
Mmmmm.... I missed you my old friend!

 

[ShadowVape]

Good to have you back in Flavor Country lazylathe! Great technique too, the extra heat coming from the stand will get it going quicker once heated up and flowing I just have my wand laid flat too. Long yogic pulls for huge flavorful inhalations....

 

[biohacker]

HUGE shoutout to @lazylathe for steamrolling me with an epic session with the VripTech! I'm usually blown away by the monster sessions we have with what seems like a constant influx of new toys, but this time was different. After the very first vrip my memory jogged back to the last session we had with it (amongst a massive buffet of vapes) and I quickly remembered that the Vrip is the only vape that has been able to defeat my monstrous lungs! WOW!

Just some quick thoughts off the top of my head....I know i'm still in the honeymoon phase but @lazylathe was dope enough to let me try it out for a bit! I know it's early, but I think this is my new favourite vape of all time! I can really finally appreciate why they call this one a "connoisseur's vape"! The FLAVOUR!!! WOW! I can't get over how each and every vrip tastes so amazing, and seeing the blue hues in the vapour confirm the quality. The airflow is perfect and the legacy seal works great! (recall our last sesh, when the black seal busted mid-sesh). I'm loving the ergonomics of this thing even better than my LSV, and the 2 piece bowl system has been working flawlessly, although i'm looking forward to the newer design down the road.

I can't wait to get my own Vrip setup! This thing is definitely a keeper and looks like it will be putting my LSV to sleep and become my next flagship desktop daily driver!

Nice work VripTech family!

(now I need to read this entire thread!)

 

[biohacker]

Did some more testing with @lazylathe's VHW and it's by far the best vaporizer ever in my eyes. One thing that I just couldn't put my finger on though, was that it made me sneeze like crazy! I mean, i've never experienced such rich tasty vapour before in one shot, so I know that could be it - but no other vape has really caused this for me. Most of the time I would get like a weird stinging sensation at the bridge of my nose and a tickle at the back of the throat and then chain sneeze. I guess the VRIP extracts like no other! lol And it does!