HerbalAire H2.1

I just received my first vaporizer today. After many hours of reading forums and reviews I decided upon the HerbalAire H2.1 ($250). For the record, it is pretty hard for a novice consumer to enter this market. I had no idea of what style to start with or even what price range is reasonable. I read many horror stories of cheap vaporizers that didnt work very well. I also think it is really hard to dicern which posts are by real people and which are marketing ploys my the manufacturers on forums. Anyways, I went with the HerbalAire becuase it seemed to have decent reviews by owners and I like the option of straight inhale or filling bags.
I started out with a tiny nug of some really good fifties (about the size of a peanut). I placed the bud directly in the included crucible and set it at 350. I started by filling a bag. It didn't really feel like I was getting anything so I turned up the temp, 375, started taking drags off the mouthpiece... I probably took 4 or 5 drags and then set it aside to cool down... I am now feeling 100% of the effects of smoking twice as much - no bull shit. I think that I will turn up the temp before putting my green in next time, but for a first time user this thing really is easy...
This is my first forum post of any kind ever. I just hoped to help anyone who is searching, like I was, for a legitimate vaporizer that just simply does what it is advertised to do. I like my HerbalAire so far!

I've found the more bud you pack the thicker the vapor. I pack my bowls almost to the top, i try to break it up as little as possible. The herbalaire is very efficient the bud doesn't have to be ground up. I use a bit more bud then I would packing a bowl, and I get really thick vapor. Also the bags that came with mine were pretty stiff, and after a while the wrinkles from inflating and deflating would fatigue the plastic and it would leak. Reynolds oven bags are great. I have to change my bags every 3 weeks. My bags get really sticky because I smoke about a 1.5g day. So if you don't smoke as much they will last you longer. The oven bags are only $2.50, I stocked up on 5 boxes. Another thing I suggest is t put a regular screen on the bottom of the crucible, you don't want anything falling down into the element. I don't know why they used such a large screen. Hope this helps :bigsmoke:

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For the record, it is pretty hard for a novice consumer to enter this market. I had no idea of what style to start with or even what price range is reasonable.

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That's what the forums are for. You just have to do some reading (the more the better) and educate yourself. If you think it's hard now, you really would have been frustrated 2-3 years ago. ;)

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I also think it is really hard to dicern which posts are by real people and which are marketing ploys my the manufacturers on forums

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This isn't really an issue on the major forums. Manufacturers rarely spam forums. It gets too easy to spot 'em. Same with affiliates-they have to leave a link and it's obvious right away.

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I read many horror stories of cheap vaporizers that didnt work very well.

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The 'no warranty' cheapies are also easy to weed out. You can't duplicate a $500 digital model with one that sells for $99. If you can't contact a manufacturer through a website and phone, don't buy.

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I probably took 4 or 5 drags and then set it aside to cool down

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As long as it takes the herbalAire to fill a bag, hot vapor in the bag shouldn't be a problem.

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I think that I will turn up the temp before putting my green in next time

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Not necessary at all. The herbalAire is very efficient and should turn the herb dark brown when set at 375.

I can speak from experience on the herbie, since I've been using one for over 2 years.

don't change the screen, it was properly designed ... material doesn't fall down thru the screen, as the air is pumping UP thru the screen ... best to use it as the instructions say - a 'pea-sized' little chunk, and do NOT grind it up ... read the directions ... enjoy your Herbal Aire, it's a quality product, my favorite ... try smoking the leftover 'duff', too ... you usually won't even notice any missing THC ... go figure ... :thumbsup:

The screen was not properly designed... A smaller screen does not affect the vapor. Right after your use it nothing falls through, but small particles can add up over time. I use my herbalaire a lot, and if that screen wasn't there I'm sure I would have duff dust down in there. Also so many pistils go right past the top screen and get suck to the resin in the tube or go up into the bag. And you said the air flow keeps the bud up, do you not turn the pump off when pulling a bag off? Do as you will, I try to take the utmost care with my things. Your not going to break it with out the screen, I just want my heating element to be as clean as possible for years to come, and you can't get in there to clean what ever fell in out. A screen on the bottom of the bowl is only helping, especially when those days your down to shake.

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Also the bags that came with mine were pretty stiff, and after a while the wrinkles from inflating and deflating would fatigue the plastic and it would leak.

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They have done away with the stiff bags (at least that's what cust. svc. told me) and gone back to the Volcano (Toppits) type bag, which is what I use.

I add two screens to the crucible when I have to use ground herb. One at the bottom and one at the top (under the main mouthpiece screen). When I vape pieces though (which I prefer and what's recommended), I just use the one bottom screen that's provided. All that's gonna get down through those tiny outlet holes is a little dust, and in over two years of use I've had no problems. The electronics are not in the vapor path.

The bags are basically plastic tubes capped off with zip ties on either end.. I don't think they will hold up over a long period of time. When filling I can actually see traces of vapors escaping from where the bags meet the mouthpiece... Nothing serious though.

I have a few more questions for you..

How many bags should I be getting of vapor from one crucible?

Is there still usable vapor even after I can't see it anymore?

If the mouthpiece is on and the herbie is on as well am I losing precious THC when not taking drags or filling a bag (with the pump off)?

Will the volcano bags work with the HerbalAire?