Which portable vapouriser would suit my criteria best?

g0ldik0va

g0ldik0va

Member
Hello all :).

I've been "lurking" on this website for the past month or so, reading the reviews for several of the portable vapourisers but each time I think I find one that is perfect for my situation I happen to find something wrong with it that puts me off buying one.

I'm fairly new to the vape community. I bought my first vapouriser towards the end of last year, a Herbal Aire H2.2, but am looking for something that I can use when I am out and about.

I've been looking at two in particular, the Ascent and the Pax. From what I understand about the Ascent, there were problems with some of the units that meant that the owner had to return back to Da Vinci for repair. I live in the UK so it would cost me too much money having to send the Ascent back each time it broke, if they are as unreliable as what I have been reading on this forum. So for me, that rules out the Ascent.

That led me on to Pax, but my problem with Pax is that they are notoriously hard to maintain. That is a big turn-off for me. I've also read that the bowl size is huge so burns a lot of herb.

I then had a look at the Firefly, but the review I read on that made it sound like it wasn't that practical for the way I would want to use it (stealthy).

So I decided that the best way to work out which portable vapouriser would best suit my needs would be to ask the knowledgeable ladies and gents over here.

Basically, I'm looking for a portable vapouriser that best fits the following criteria:

1. Stealth - must be stealthy. I've read good reviews about the Arizer Solo but that is not what I consider stealthy. It just looks way too big and I'm not keen on the glass mouthpiece. Something the size of the PAX or Ascent is small enough.

2. Battery life - The ideal portable vape would have sufficient battery life to ensure that I can get a good few sessions out of it. This vape would only be used when I am out and about, but away from a power source where I can charge it, so a large battery life is a must.

3. Durability - I live in the UK so postage back to the manufacturer in North America each time it breaks is not really ideal. Really I'd want something that has a proven track record of durability. Were it not for the problems with the Ascent, I would have already bought one.

4. Bowl size - I don't really want to have to put LOTS in each time I want to use it. So extra points go to vapes that have a small enough bowl size that you don't need to put cotton/fillers/etc. in to pack the herb down.

5. Maintenance - Like I've stated above, ideally I don't really want to have to clean it after every 3 uses (like the PAX) and also don't want it to stop working, or the functionality of the vape is dependent on how clean it is (again, the PAX).

I'd say those are my main criteria. Taste, cloud size are important but not essential. As long as the device gets me medicated then that is all I'm after. It doesn't necessarily have to taste amazing, although that would be a bonus, but it is the effect what counts in the end.

I apologise in advance if I have posted this in the wrong place.


Edit: Sorry, I should have made this clear but didn't even think to mention it until DDave's post. I will be using herbs only (and only kief accumulated from grinder) for the vape.
 
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g0ldik0va,
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natural farmer

natural farmer

Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum mate! :)

When you say stealth, do you mean being able to take a few tokes to get you medicated when in a grocery store or a restaurant or the movies? For some of us there is nothing stealthy about those smelly terpenes when they come out of your lungs you know… ;)
In most public situations I would be extremely hesitant to pull out a Pax and hit it no matter how small it is… I have even done full sessions with a MFLB in a Paris airport and many train terminals and ports in the past but there is nothing that is stealthy enough in such scenarios! :uhoh:

You know what's real stealth? To go for a pee in a WC for a couple of minutes and come out of there baked… :freak: For that you need a vape that can finish a small load (0,05-0,1g) in a few secs! You need heat-on-demand so you don't waste a second more! You need a heavy hitter in a small package...

If you agree get a Lotus and you are covered for life! The Lotus checks all your criteria with a BIG check! :D
 
g0ldik0va

g0ldik0va

Member
Hello natural farmer and thank you for your response :).

Just to clarify on "stealth", I mean discreet. Like if I pull it out in public people won't know what it is sort of thing.

Like a PAX for instance, that's pretty small and if I had a few puffs on that in the street I doubt anyone would give me a second look. But let's say I pulled out a Solo with that glass mouth piece, I'm pretty sure I'd be getting a few weird looks, lol.

Basically I just want a nice vape to use when I am out doing things. For example, I go to the horse racing a couple of times a year so I'd want something that I could pull out and use there. Before me and my friend would just smoke there, but now I quit smoking and only vape I need something for when I'm out. Or if I'm out watching my favourite football (soccer) team play. Or if I'm just generally not home and away from my Herbal Aire.

So, by "stealth" I really mean discreet. Something that I can pull out and not get weird looks. Whether or not it smells or not is not a major concern for me if I'm being honest.

But I'm glad you mentioned to MFLB as my friend recently bought one of those. I forgot to mention them in my first post. Even though I know it is quite popular I'm not really interested in buying one of those. My friend said it is quite easy to burn your herb with a MFLB if you are not careful and I'm really looking for something that won't combust.

Thank you for your reply though and I will certainly give that one a look.

Any more suggestions are certainly welcome and the more the merrier :).
 
deadheadbill

deadheadbill

I can see clearly now the smoke is gone...
My choice for the top stealthy vapes would be. The PnPro, Firefly, PAX and MFLB. With the MFLB only recommended if you have prior experience with vaporizers.

You have already eliminated the PAX, so I would browse thru the other threads to get an idea about what is best for you.

I have a Lotus and love it. But contrary to some, I don't feel it is in any way stealthy.

I have hit PAX's, MFLB's, T-Vapes, PnPro's etc with impunity in many crowded settings. So, I don't buy the old "it is stealthier to go to the bathroom and basically fire up a bowl on the toilet". No offense to Farmer and some others who feel this way. :peace:

Edit: Combusting with the MFLB is really the least of your problems. Getting your technique good enough to get a good hit would be the most difficult aspect.
 
g0ldik0va

g0ldik0va

Member
Thanks deadheadbill, I will certainly take a look at those when I get home :).

As for the PAX, I wouldn't say that I have ruled it out yet, but just hoping that there is something that suits my needs better.

I still may well end up buying one to be honest, but just looking to explore other options before making my selection.

I'd say the only one's that I have certainly ruled out are the Ascent (faults), Solo (too large and glass mouthpiece), and the MFLB (combustion and now technique).

Anything else at this stage is fair game :).
 
RUDE BOY

RUDE BOY

Space is the Place
The original Davinci is a really nice compliment to the HerbalAire I think. I've been using it like the HA and loading with little nuggets instead of grinding and it's working great for me. One of my favorites and its never let me down. Just wanted to throw the DV into the mix since you were looking at the Ascent, seems that many people forgot that why they were waiting on the Ascent was because the first DaVinci was a little beast of a vaporizer. Check it out, you won't be disappointed in my humble opinion.
 
g0ldik0va

g0ldik0va

Member
Thanks again for the answers guys, I will take a look at those suggested :).

If anyone else thinks they know of any that aren't already listed in this thread, then please feel free to suggest them as I am prepared to explore all avenues before making my choice.
 
g0ldik0va,
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deadheadbill

deadheadbill

I can see clearly now the smoke is gone...
DDave said:
Palm 2.0 is very stealthy, but works better with kief or concentrate... All but the smallest of hands will be able to completely cover the device while grabbing a rip.
Click to expand...

I always forget about that one even though it used to be on my shortlist.
 
g0ldik0va

g0ldik0va

Member
Well, after reading through the helpful suggestions, believe it or not, I've decided to go for a PAX, despite it's drawbacks.

I feel it is the only one that is discreet enough and has enough battery life to suit my needs.

Thank you all for your assistance :).
 
g0ldik0va,
A

as

Well-Known Member
I would go with the PNP its the only one i can recommend that you can get in uk

Yer get a pax if you can but if it brakes what you going to do?

Vapefiend.co.uk will sort you out if things go wrong
 
g0ldik0va

g0ldik0va

Member
The reason the Pinnacle Pro is no good for me is the short battery life. 40-45 minutes from what I've read and that is way too short.

PAX, from what I've read, has 2 hours. Again, that may not be long enough for a long day out, but 40-45 minutes won't last, that's for sure.

I haven't bought anything yet and am still open to ideas, but unless it has at least 2 hour battery life then it won't be suitable for my needs.
 
g0ldik0va,
clouded vision

clouded vision

Well-Known Member
The solo has the best battery life of any portable I know of and even that struggles to get a full 2 hours of use. From what I've read the pax only gets about 45 minutes.

So if you absolutely need 2+ hours of life I would suggest something with batteries you can swap out like the cera, t1, mflb or possibly the firefly but extra batteries are expensive for it due to the proprietary battery design (like a cell phone battery)
 
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vorrange

vorrange

Vapor.wise
Have you considered the Vapman? It can be heated hiding in your hand and then you can cover it while you hit it. And it is flame based so the torch goes for hours and hours.

And also, the wood genie looks like a regular pipe except you don't blow a lot of smoke.
 
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Curiousone

Curiousone

Well-Known Member
Honestly, sounds like Pax, PnP, or XP would be best for you. I was faced with the same decision and ended up going with the Pax and don't regret it.

I have used my Solo for about a year...mainly in the car before I get out and it has worked well, but not at stealthy. The Pax is great for out and about use. It does stink though more and it does require cleaning at least every 5 uses, imo. I only cleaned my Solo when I felt like it, never had to. Knowing those things and making sure to abide by "a clean Pax is a happy Pax" makes for a good experience...

Another thing that pushed me toward the Pax is the warranty, but for you that might not matter
 
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g0ldik0va

g0ldik0va

Member
I'm really liking the look of the Indica (half-way through the thread at the moment) so thanks for the suggestion.

Battery life is smaller than ideal but this is certainly on the short-list for now.


Edit: In fact, I'm sold on it now. Thanks again for the suggestion. Just hope they ship direct to the UK now when it comes out.
 
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