Buying Recomendations - Considering SSV, Volcano, HerbalAire, Extreme...

[carousin]

Been smoking several years, plan on smoking several more. This would be my first vape purchase and as much research and looking as I've been doing, I still have plenty of questions on what would really be the best for me, since I have little vape experience. Here's the breakdown.

Price: $600 comfortable max, but a few hundred less would obviously be nice.

Use: Most nights my fiancee and I smoke a snapper bowl each with dinner and/or before bed. Most of the time would be used for the two of us, but we do have a few friends that come over for a smoke and some Weeds on Showtime or Rockband, so something easily shared with 4-6 people when needed would be nice.

Design: Definitely something well made, I am willing to pay a reasonable premium for solid construction and well thought out design, over a garage made heat gun rig. Ease of use would be a big selling point, I don't want something that I need to prop up one side with a book because it's not level on it's own, put at one temp for two minutes, then switch to another, connect part x to tube y, secure connector clamp z, insert cartridge a and cartridge cover b, pre-warm contents for 3 minutes then set at inhaling temp, connect mouthpiece, you get the picture. Also conspicuous would be nice as we have plenty of friends and family who don't smoke and we don't like to advertise the fact, but if it's not a big hassle I can easily bring it out when I want to use it and throw it in my office closet when I'm done, as I do with my current bong.

Bag vs. Whip: I've never used a whip, I've used a Volcano once and a Vapir One once, and had a great high and no problems with either, but one or two uses isn't enough for me to go out and buy it. I like the bag for passing around and sharing. The ability to fill up a bag, drive to a movie with some friends, inhale the contents in the parking lot, and enjoy a stoned movie is appealing, but not really a selling point. It sounds like many users enjoy whip hits more, and it sounds like they're usually quieter, no noisy fans and crinkling bags. Quite would be nice since we're usually enjoying a hit with a good tv show or movie, however I own my house and with a bag system could reasonably keep the unit in my office, fill it up, and take the bag with me to enjoy in the living room. As I said we usually do one or two snaps, not bowl after bowl after bowl. One concern for the whips is my living room is somewhat roomy, the coffee table is two feet away from one couch, but about 4 feet away from my armchair and 5 feet from our second couch. Electricity outlets are easily accessible, but how easy is it passing a whip unit from one couch arm to another instead of having a nice flat stationary surface for it?


So far I'm thinking the Volcano might make the most sense for me, but I'm definitely impressed with the SSV if someone can address the whip issues above... Also something that has both a bag and whip option might be appealing, such as HerbalAire, Extreme, or Vapormatic, but I don't want to compromise and end up with something that does 2nd rate direct inhalation and 2nd rate bag use, when I should have gone with something that does only one, but does it superbly.

I'm sure that's more than most people will bother to read, so thanks to those that do. Thoughts and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

:baggy: -carousin

carousin Reviewed by carousin on 07-26-2008. Buying Recomendations - Considering SSV, Volcano, HerbalAire, Extreme... Been smoking several years, plan on smoking several more. This would be my first vape purchase and as much research and looking as I've been doing, I still have plenty of questions on what would really be the best for me, since I have little vape experience. Here's the breakdown. Price: $600 comfortable max, but a few hundred less would obviously be nice. Use: Most nights my fiancee and I smoke a snapper bowl each with dinner and/or before bed. Most of the time would be used for the two Rating: 5

[vapefiend]

All things considered-versatility, ease of use, and stealth-the Extreme would be the best choice for your particular setup IMO. Doesn't hit like the SSV in whip mode (lower vapor to air ratio), but better than the herbalAire. It's by far the best for leaving out all the time as an aromatherapy diffuser. I've used all the vapes you mention except the Vapormatic, and I'd avoid that one for the sorry 90 day warranty if nothing else.

[carousin]

How does the bag method on the Extreme compare to the volcano, for ease of use, quality of design, etc.?

[ch1ll1ng]

I received my SSV on Thursday. I'm extremely pleased with it. You get huge vapor hits and it heats up fast. I've never used a bag system but the whip may be a problem with your current set up, although the SSV never gets that hot and is easy to move around if need be. The SSV is well designed and made, and it looks good too (I have black on black).

You can tell there was a lot of thought put into this thing, 7th Floor LLC (who makes the SSV) obviously have experience with many different vapes cause they took the best features they found and put them into one. The downward angled glass cover works great to avoid spilling anything. The air is very clean as it only touches the heating element and glass unlike the Vol where air passes through much tubing and electronics. I found a pic of an opened Vol and it was terribly filthy. You'll never have to worry about that with a SSV.

I have the ground glass cover and whip and while some people avoid them I honestly couldn't be happier. The ground glass makes it so I can use the aroma top while vaping and hooks up really really easily. Using the aroma top almost eliminates any odors, but there aren't really any to begin with anyways. It's soooo easy to setup, I plug it in, turn it on, load up the whip and thats it, it's ready to use.

I highly recommend the SSV. For the price it'll beat the Vol any day. I got mine for a killer deal, free shipping, free hemp storage bag and 10% off. There is a coupon you can find if you search google or the other forums. With all the money your willing to spend you could easily get an ice chamber or maybe some custom blown glass parts with it. Sh!t for the price your willing to pay you could get 2 SSVs.

[ch1ll1ng]

I've never used a bag system but the whip may be a problem with your current set up, although the SSV never gets that hot and is easy to move around if need be.

I take part of that back. It does get a bit warm (not overtly), but I think if you placed it in the most central point of your furniture situation and on your coffee table you should be ok. The whip all together attached is about 3 and a half feet long. I'm sure you could go longer if you needed to.

[vapefiend]

I highly recommend the SSV. For the price it'll beat the Vol any day.

Well, I'm not a Volcano fan, although I don't dispute the quality of it. In my experience (I own a herbalAire) you can get a reliable, effective bag vape that gives you direct draw as well, for a lot less money. But I don't really agree with your comparison of the SSV to the 'cano. I have the SSV and love it, but if you're interested in a bag vape the SSV is apples and oranges. And if you're just comparing on price, a $120 VaporCannon will beat the SSV any day. I think the SSV is the best analog whip vape on the market, but it won't be the best choice for everyone. As for the SSV shell getting warm, I don't find that to be the case at all. At least not warm to the point where handling it is an issue. It's a 4mm thick aluminum housing.

[BuddhaBOI]

Just to preface this, I vape 2-3 times a day and I own 11 different vape models, including the Volcano Digit/Classic, Extreme, and herbalAire.

Based on what you describe, I'd say the Volcano Classic is the way to go. As far as bag/balloon vaporizers go it is the undisputed king. The extreme and herbalaire both generate perfectly good vapor, but they are not as easy to use. The bags they operate with don't have stoppers so you waste a lot of vapor because you have to cover the holes with your thumb and you inevitably lose some vapor whenever you hand it off.

The extreme and herbalaire both have slower pumps than the Volcano too, so they aren't optimal for larger (3+) groups. I'd say go with a Volcano Classic and a Easy Valve if you want the most user friendly and efficient vaping. Here's a review of the herbalaire and one of the volcano classic.

As far as whip vaporizers go, the Silver Surfer is fine, but whips aren't as easy to use as balloons in my experience.

Good luck shopping and enjoy your vapor!

[vapefiend]

The bags they operate with don't have stoppers so you waste a lot of vapor because you have to cover the holes with your thumb and you inevitably lose some vapor whenever you hand it off.

I've been using the herbalAire for a couple of years and I'll have to strongly disagree with your 'wasting a lot of vapor' statement. Sure it's nice to have a valve, but covering the stem with a finger (yes, any finger will do) is not a big deal. And once you've taken a hit and equalized the pressure in the bag, vapor loss is minor even if you don't cover the stem. Without a difference in air pressure, the vapor pretty much sits in the bag. The Extreme would be the same. It's a minor drawback and quite possibly a price difference of $240-300 would be more important to some.

[Potcake]

I also own a herbalAire and I find that the loss of vapor issue without the valve isn't much of an issue as long as you're quick with a finger to cover it. It was a cheeper buy then then the Volcano and has done the trick. I also got a free vaporgeenie to give to my boyfriend for Christmas, he loves the thing.

The only drawbacks I have found for the HerbalAire are the slower pump and durability of the bag. We compensate for the pump by using two bags. We fill one bag, then as you're hitting it fill the other, as long as someone experienced can watch it you should be fine. The bags we had started to tear a little and loose the vapor so then we resorted to the direct pulling option and found it to be quite pleasant. I have heard of people adapting the Volcano bag to the HerbalAire mouthpiece but I'm wondering if I can just find something better to use that wont break down with a little bit of rougher use, it's not like they're overly expensive to replace.

We like the direct pull option because we hook up a spare pump hose to the mouthpiece and pull on it like it's a small hooka, pass it around, get's everyone fucked up.

[trancefusion5]

I have the herbalaire and i swear by it!! I hear what the guy above me is saying about the slow pump but you can do what i did and go to any fish store and get a better aquarium pump. The only down side i have with it is having to use the two plugs when you use the bag (1 for pump, 1 for vape) but thats the only down side ive ever had and its not a big deal for me its just diffrent from what i thought it would be. I also have the vapir one and i would have never bought it if i knew what i know now. It LEAKS like CRAZY! I have tape all over mine and it still leaks.

If i had the money id get a volcano but i dont so i went for what i think is the next best thing for me which is the herbalaire. However, i have been hearing about alot of vapes on some of these threads that people love and ive never even heard of. I guess after i got the herbalaire i just never worried about other vapes. But i can tell you i have had herbalaire for over a year and no problem and it seems to be built very solid.
Enjoy!