edit - added a brief video review that you can watch here -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-9zVDGh85s
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToAgDpbA29c&feature=channel_page
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGN2c0lD2I4
SprialArchitect's review DOPE! -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvRKx-ld0o8 and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpdN26agTqs
I just got back from lunch and got my VRIPtech heating tool in the mail. I believe he has a limited quantity of the first production units and If you purchase one from him and he makes changes to the full production units, I believe he said he will upgrade yours for free (you can email him to clarify). It is a ceramic heating element with the electrical components in a separate area. It draws 60 watts so this is something you can use in your car as well. As you look at the pictures, I think the closest comparison for this thing would be the Herborizer heating element, although I believe this heating wand trumps it in a few areas. First the temperature dial is on the wand, (marcuss, correct me if I'm wrong but the dimmer is separate from the heating element for the Herbo right? I think you connect it inline with the electrical cord, your input would be helpful) and second, it leverages the venturi effect to maintain it's heat better.
So I know I have a bad habit of gushing about the latest vape that I received in the mail but this one is truly exceptional. It has all the benefits of the heatgun but it is smaller, doesn't make any noise, and isn't assisted by a fan. Best of all, this is the closest thing you can get to glass on glass on glass on glass. Silicone tubing has made me like my whip SSV a lot more, but with this new heating wand, I can go back to the all glass set up to get the tastiest vapor hits that I loved without the inconvenience of the heat gun.
If you prefer using a whip, I even Macgyvored up a little set up so this wand could sit snuggly on the edge of a couple of books and I just stuck my whip to the end of the wand and voila, it kinda worked....but I'll just stick with the all glass set up. Maybe if he had something that attached to the tip of it, it would make a better seal with a whip.
I really think this heating wand is another breakthru for vaping. I'm sure a lot of you have collected quite a few nice glass pieces in your lifetime and the only way to vape with it would be to use the heat gun and some sort of big bowl. With this wand and one the VRIP bowls (which I highly recommend over the inspector vapor bowl's due to it's shape and medicine holding ability), it brings back all your favorite glass pieces back to life.
I think this heating wand is making it's own niche in the vaporizing market. Right now I see the market looking like this, with each type having it's own set of pro's and con's:
Bag vapes - Volcano, Extreme, Herbalaire
Whip vapes - SSV, Extreme, VB/VW
Purple Days Vape - I believe this one deserves it's "own" category
Conniseur vape - Herborizer, VRIPtech heating tool -> I just made up this last category but these are the only ones that are pretty much glass on glass on glass. However subtle you may think the taste difference is with an all glass set up, you have to admit that there is a difference. For me, it's pretty big, for other's it's not a big deal. I know a lot of you guys on this forum are on a quest for the "ultimate vapor" experience and I believe that this wand + VRIP bowl + your glass waterpipe is your best and cheapest way there.
Here some pics from the other thread: