Discontinued Zion vaporizer

[Shit Snacks]

Wellll there was a bit of a surprise Christmas miracle here just before the weekend as well:

The original green glass unit is definitely a little slower to get going, but no slouch in the power department as I repeatedly discovered at 70% even. Meanwhile the new blue glass spalt cap seems to be more standard I think with a full range of speed options on the power knob and it can absolutely scorch above 75. And so true that speed and temp are totally dependent on other factors such as airflow and preheat, you'll get there no matter what, but each use feels unique even as it remains consistent with power... Ofcourse herbs and users are other big factors, point being both of these Zion seem more than capable of thoroughly vaping any of either... After experiencing something similar around the holidays two years ago, being in a different place literally (East now West) and metaphorically as well, trying not to overthink anymore and just enjoy... Right on these are a more refined experience than Milaana, I needed the reminder, the extra benefits having been stated (not that Mi doesn't have plenty of bennies itself) and Zion fits my needs and wants in so many wonderful ways... But we'll see how I feel when I also have a Splinter (or three)

 

[pakalolo]

I want to share some Zion history. Not even Ryan can match this display:

​

Jessica is on the left. She was the second Zion that RBT made, but already I could see that the Zion was an amazing device. Anyone reading the early thread will see how much I liked her.

Pauahi is the one in the centre. The name is Hawaiian, gender-neutral, meaning "end of fire" among other things. This was the last pre-production Zion. Right after this he made some changes to the heater to run a little hotter, then he started shipping them. Pauahi was my daily driver until the Milaana came, but that's another story.

The one on the right got here just in time for Christmas. I've named it Pau, which is Hawaiian for "finished", because this is one of the last 10 Zions, which is a sad thing. As you can see, the wood is beautiful. The finish is superb and it produces smooth tasty vapour beginning at 25% power. In fact, I leave it at 25% for several hits because, well, yum!

 

[Shit Snacks]

I want to share some Zion history. Not even Ryan can match this display:

​

Jessica is on the left. She was the second Zion that RBT made, but already I could see that the Zion was an amazing device. Anyone reading the early thread will see how much I liked her.

Pauahi is the one in the centre. The name is Hawaiian, gender-neutral, meaning "end of fire" among other things. This was the last pre-production Zion. Right after this he made some changes to the heater to run a little hotter, then he started shipping them. Pauahi was my daily driver until the Milaana came, but that's another story.

The one on the right got here just in time for Christmas. I've named it Pau, which is Hawaiian for "finished", because this is one of the last 10 Zions, which is a sad thing. As you can see, the wood is beautiful. The finish is superb and it produces smooth tasty vapour beginning at 25% power. In fact, I leave it at 25% for several hits because, well, yum!

What a beautiful family photo/history trip!

Yes I need to get a group shot all together too, the ones posted are #69 then #150 for the new blue (both final production despite their little differences), aside from my #4 OG beta body with newer heater and first(I think) shipped production body beta before future refinements though both have up to date heater layout without turbulators and other old parts/builds.

I am also getting lovely vapor at 25% and other spots at or below 50% in the new one, often shockingly smooth in fact. We were of course quite impressed with our rougher betas as many recall, but seeing the evolution bit by bit, somehow we both seem to be even more impressed still? RBT's come a long way making already great vapes steadily better somehow, as he continues to innovate with new designs.

I'll need to come up with some new names, but you cannot rush these things... I may actually reappropriate Zenon the Zequel for one of these final production models (since odds are likely that OG Zen becomes a gift as I really should share the ridiculous wealth I now have with friends and family), but Ziggy Sawdust will always remain the true OG for me...

 

[mucsusn]

New and proud owner of #92.......I must say, @Philreal187 was a real gentlemen in transferring this amazing device to me. Just back from holiday travel, and settled in with the Zion today and this evening. What a beast! I must find a name........first time I've felt that urge...

To all of you cottage industry doers and thinkers out there......this is your current benchmark. It's not about the craftsmanship. We can gracefully acknowledge the shortcomings of this vape, but when you stick that stem in and hold the button and draw for as long as your fucking lungs can draw; damn good thing this bad motherfucker can't fit in my pocket or hide in plain sight like my Vapcaps, else I'd be in danger of no longer functioning with the herd at large. Ryan....someone....anyone....find a way to keep this thing alive!

 

[cannabis.pro]

Cross posting this from the Milaana thread:

We have a few medium stems in, they have wide inner diameters so the normal OG basket/dome screens from RBT won't hold in there. Lavender is super wide tubing, so wide that it won't fit into the Zion stem holder. The Amber we have is like a 19mm joint but with 14mm tubing.

It's mutant glass but for anyone looking for a medium 100mm length (Zion stem), we have them now too. We'll try to get other colors in a little into 2018 on the medium.

EDIT: Forgot to mention our 420EDC Zion Keeper has recently been added to the shop as well:

 

[sickmanfraud]

Cross posting this from the Milaana thread:

We have a few medium stems in, they have wide inner diameters so the normal OG basket/dome screens from RBT won't hold in there. Lavender is super wide tubing, so wide that it won't fit into the Zion stem holder. The Amber we have is like a 19mm joint but with 14mm tubing.

It's mutant glass but for anyone looking for a medium 100mm length (Zion stem), we have them now too. We'll try to get other colors in a little in 2018 on the medium.

If anyone knows of a screen that would fit these stems please share with us.

I looks to me that (with a screen) the amber one could be used to attach a whip and add even another dimension to the Zion.

 

[TeeJay1952]

So my daughter Hulkette comes over with boyfriend and boys go watch football while she retreats with Zamfir into kitchen. A good time is had by all. This morning I know to change batteries (when she arrives, when she leaves). I hit it and no joy. I Hold button for 30 no joy! Stick finger in the hole and cold, cold COLD.
I curse her out. I plan to kill her and her dog when they show up. I am going to burn down house afterwards so no inheritance for anyone. I am choking my dog out (so he won't be lonely) and he taps out and says "Check battery orientation." Yep I put 1 in wrong. Much ado about nothing. It is always me.

 

[cybrguy]

Zion saves another life. What a remarkable device.

Have a great year...

 

[buddingglasshead]

I hope I'm doing something wrong, but I feel like I can't get proper vapor output with the Zion.

I've followed @AJS 's video I don't know how many times in I don't how many ways. (very medicated to say the least) tape on, tape off, carbing with finger, 5 second pre heats for every hit, etc etc. Also I have 14 batteries on hand just for the Zion so it's definitely not a battery issue. The only way I can get decent vapor output is with a piece of tape over the hole on the bottom and poked through with a toothpick or something similar. I haven't mastered carbing it, but I definitely can get decent vapor that way. Just a lot easier to hot spot, which still happens quite a bit with the toothpick method. I can get even ABV with tape off and no carbing but it takes literally forever and even at the highest setting with fairly slow draw speeds I can't fully "cook" it never gets as dark as tape on. I'm sure I definitely could combust at the highest setting with tape on, but I doubt I could manage it without tape off.

There's also minor quirks with my Zion. The battery cover can easily be removed with a single finger by pushing on the sides and moves if I hold it in a right handed configuration to use my thumb. I'm fairly ambidextrous but tend to favor my left hand for vaping so when switching hands I usually keep the button facing me still. However, even if I'm holding it "properly" as a righty I'm still able to easily move the battery door with my finger tips. The sides don't sit down fully and I can rock the door from side to side with the magnets.

The top cover also isn't flush with the body. The front dips in more and the button side has an overhang. The cover above the battery door also has a wider gap on the left side in comparison to the right. Small, but noticeable.

The tape method is too much restriction to make it a pleasing vape for me though. It's MUCH more restrictive than my Mi. It's not unusable by any means and some may even prefer a restricted hit, but I prefer openness. I heavily enjoy the Mi and my FP due to their open airflow. I've tried just carbing it, but that really takes away from the experience for me. It effectively makes it a two handed vape which is fine but it's just not enjoyable. I'm by no means saying it's a bad vape, and maybe I hyped myself up a bunch, but I'm not incredibly happy with it.

Someone please tell me I'm doing something wrong.

 

[AJS]

I hope I'm doing something wrong, but I feel like I can't get proper vapor output with the Zion.

I've followed @AJS 's video I don't know how many times in I don't how many ways. (very medicated to say the least) tape on, tape off, carbing with finger, 5 second pre heats for every hit, etc etc. Also I have 14 batteries on hand just for the Zion so it's definitely not a battery issue. The only way I can get decent vapor output is with a piece of tape over the hole on the bottom and poked through with a toothpick or something similar. I haven't mastered carbing it, but I definitely can get decent vapor that way. Just a lot easier to hot spot, which still happens quite a bit with the toothpick method. I can get even ABV with tape off and no carbing but it takes literally forever and even at the highest setting with fairly slow draw speeds I can't fully "cook" it never gets as dark as tape on. I'm sure I definitely could combust at the highest setting with tape on, but I doubt I could manage it without tape off.

There's also minor quirks with my Zion. The battery cover can easily be removed with a single finger by pushing on the sides and moves if I hold it in a right handed configuration to use my thumb. I'm fairly ambidextrous but tend to favor my left hand for vaping so when switching hands I usually keep the button facing me still. However, even if I'm holding it "properly" as a righty I'm still able to easily move the battery door with my finger tips. The sides don't sit down fully and I can rock the door from side to side with the magnets.

The top cover also isn't flush with the body. The front dips in more and the button side has an overhang. The cover above the battery door also has a wider gap on the left side in comparison to the right. Small, but noticeable.

The tape method is too much restriction to make it a pleasing vape for me though. It's MUCH more restrictive than my Mi. It's not unusable by any means and some may even prefer a restricted hit, but I prefer openness. I heavily enjoy the Mi and my FP due to their open airflow. I've tried just carbing it, but that really takes away from the experience for me. It effectively makes it a two handed vape which is fine but it's just not enjoyable. I'm by no means saying it's a bad vape, and maybe I hyped myself up a bunch, but I'm not incredibly happy with it.

Someone please tell me I'm doing something wrong.

If it's difficult to combust on max temp there is most likely something wrong with your unit. I can definitely combust at 100% if I just pull moderately slow.

With the tape method, try making the hole a little bit bigger. That's what I did and it has a nice drag to it.

Can also try tamping your herb down a little more for a more natural restriction.

Sorry to hear you're having trouble man .. maybe reach out to RBT.

 

[buddingglasshead]

If it's difficult to combust on max temp there is most likely something wrong with your unit. I can definitely combust at 100% if I just pull moderately slow.

With the tape method, try making the hole a little bit bigger. That's what I did and it has a nice drag to it.

Can also try tamping your herb down a little more for a more natural restriction.

Sorry to hear you're having trouble man .. maybe reach out to RBT.

Thanks for the reply man. Definitely tried a bigger hole as well. As soon as I hit that certain point it just drops off. Definitely tried fairly packed herb, loose, with DDave 14mm, with Vaporcooler V3... I've tried a lot.

I'm going to give it one last go later. No tape, at max, get it warmed up, pop in a fresh set of batteries and draw for like 30 seconds as slowly as I possibly can and see what happens. If what I feel is going to happen (same results) then I'll shoot him an email and see if there's anything he can do.

 

[Farkas]

I hope I'm doing something wrong, but I feel like I can't get proper vapor output with the Zion.

I've followed @AJS 's video I don't know how many times in I don't how many ways. (very medicated to say the least) tape on, tape off, carbing with finger, 5 second pre heats for every hit, etc etc. Also I have 14 batteries on hand just for the Zion so it's definitely not a battery issue. The only way I can get decent vapor output is with a piece of tape over the hole on the bottom and poked through with a toothpick or something similar. I haven't mastered carbing it, but I definitely can get decent vapor that way. Just a lot easier to hot spot, which still happens quite a bit with the toothpick method. I can get even ABV with tape off and no carbing but it takes literally forever and even at the highest setting with fairly slow draw speeds I can't fully "cook" it never gets as dark as tape on. I'm sure I definitely could combust at the highest setting with tape on, but I doubt I could manage it without tape off.

There's also minor quirks with my Zion. The battery cover can easily be removed with a single finger by pushing on the sides and moves if I hold it in a right handed configuration to use my thumb. I'm fairly ambidextrous but tend to favor my left hand for vaping so when switching hands I usually keep the button facing me still. However, even if I'm holding it "properly" as a righty I'm still able to easily move the battery door with my finger tips. The sides don't sit down fully and I can rock the door from side to side with the magnets.

The top cover also isn't flush with the body. The front dips in more and the button side has an overhang. The cover above the battery door also has a wider gap on the left side in comparison to the right. Small, but noticeable.

The tape method is too much restriction to make it a pleasing vape for me though. It's MUCH more restrictive than my Mi. It's not unusable by any means and some may even prefer a restricted hit, but I prefer openness. I heavily enjoy the Mi and my FP due to their open airflow. I've tried just carbing it, but that really takes away from the experience for me. It effectively makes it a two handed vape which is fine but it's just not enjoyable. I'm by no means saying it's a bad vape, and maybe I hyped myself up a bunch, but I'm not incredibly happy with it.

Someone please tell me I'm doing something wrong.

Send it back in. I had a similar issue occur after mine was working fine when I first received it. Then all of a sudden I couldn't get heat/vapor no matter what I did. Back it went and RBT took care of it.

 

[TeeJay1952]

80%. Hold power button for longer than you thought. (cold load needs longer, once heated there will be a shorter wait) Block prime hole and wa was suck till you see visible vapor. Clear lungs and begin pull. Once you feel heat in throat. let off power button but continue draw. The key to this unit is not how long you hold button but how soon you let it go.

 

[upriver]

Finally got my replacement unit and missing battery terminal. Bummer that it is not as nice as my original (lid and battery compartment have a sloppier fit, the knob is marred up and the device looks "used", etc) but who cares.

It now runs properly, doesn't appear to stay "on" as before.

I'm curious about concentrates in this rig, I did search here but it is a bit overwhelming to have such a huge thread. My kit included some floss but I am not sure exactly which form of concentrate is ideal (oil, wax, shatter, cart-refill oil, other?) and what temps to try. Thanks for any input.

 

[little maggie]

I'm curious: How many of the recipients of the very early Zions (#s under 30 or so) upgraded yours when improvements were made. I never did that and I'm kind of regretting it. Wondering if most of you went ahead and did that.
My splinter should be here soon and I have a couple of milaanas so it probably doesn't matter. And I can't even vape until I'm fully healed from pneumonia which will be a while. That doesn't stop regret.

 

[KeroZen]

Didn't know they could be upgraded, but my Zions are perfect as is, I don't want to change anything nor have them be away from me.

 

[rosedale]

I'm curious: How many of the recipients of the very early Zions (#s under 30 or so) upgraded yours when improvements were made. I never did that and I'm kind of regretting it. Wondering if most of you went ahead and did that.
My splinter should be here soon and I have a couple of milaanas so it probably doesn't matter. And I can't even vape until I'm fully healed from pneumonia which will be a while. That doesn't stop regret.

Interesting... I didn’t know that it was an option. I have an earlier model that I got from another forum member that I do not think was upgraded. Does anyone happen to know if the upgrade ship has sailed?

 

[TeeJay1952]

I have a pile of parts from my journey and just tried long stem with a @DDave top hat for a Dabudda and it is revelatory. No Browning, 3 hits and stir. 10 Hits or so it seems I really need to count. Taste to waste for first 5 hits. Still cloudy and effective last 5. Much cooler (temp wise) than shorty. I have to try one in a shorty. (after nap) {Science!}

 

[grokit]

Didn't know they could be upgraded, but my Zions are perfect as is, I don't want to change anything nor have them be away from me.

Schrödinger's vaporizer; while no zion is perfect, all zions are perfect in their own way

 

[Shit Snacks]

Interesting... I didn’t know that it was an option. I have an earlier model that I got from another forum member that I do not think was upgraded. Does anyone happen to know if the upgrade ship has sailed?

It was not, only defective units were repaired or replaced. They should all have the same upgrades @little maggie, just some slight variations as each was handmade. Only the early early betas we're really built a little different as I recall. (@KeroZen saw you're actually getting a new on IG too though... Last one ever!)

 

[buddingglasshead]

My Zion arrived to RBT Friday. Very excited to get it back! I'm assuming turnaround time may mean also getting a Splinter at the same time.

Does anyone have a link to a recommended 14mm reducer? The one I have doesn't have a perfect fit and I'd rather get one with a better fit for all my RBT products (just Mi until Zion and Splinter are here)

 

[grokit]

Here's my super-duper new and improved precision interpretation of the highly-vaunted tape & toothpick mod. If anybody cares or remembers, I had used some scotch tape the first time around, and ended up with more of a slit than a hole not worth a pic. While this was thermodynamically worth it, it was a little choked off on the draw and hardly a permanent solution. So I upgraded from the wooden toothpick to one of 7th floor's medical-grade stainless steel pokers, and the scotch tape was upgraded to industrial-grade metal tape that will wear better. The draw's more opened up, but still vapes great at noon/1pm; and wow! when I carb this hole I really get a vapor boost. It's perfect now, and I have lots more tape so I'm all set.

 

[cybrguy]

So, I had an event the other night. I brought Circe (new production Zion) to a friends the other night, something I rarely do. I was bringing him a bag that I had picked up for him, and it and Circe were in a travel bag together. I had forgotten to take out a battery to avoid accidental button pushing. Oops.
So when I get to his house and take out the goodies, Circe is kinda warm. I pull out the bag and there is a melted hole about the size of a 50 cent piece. Fortunately just a melted hole, it didn't melt the plastic on the goods, but it was pretty scary to think that the wood was hot enough to melt the plastic bag. No burn mark on Circe and no spoiled goods.

Circe seems no worse for the experience. No burn mark and she seems to still work fine. The batteries still functioned, tho they were low. Good thing I was bringing him an M as a gift and also had my Omni, as the charge left wouldn't have been enough.

I won't do that again...

 

[slatihe]

Sorry to hear of you're troubles....

Family photo

The 4x4 gets vapor in about 4 to 5sec. Has a thermal mass to it, it's grate.

 

[MAbud]

@stickstones what is your preheat method? You mentioned in Milaana thread you can run your Zion at low heat setting. I am having to nearly peg mine (around 4:30pm on dial) to get visible vapor. But I am not doing anything except holding down the trigger for a few seconds prior to drawing