Newbie with general and random vaporizer questions

[Zaph]

Hey all.

I'm not sure if I'm doing this in the right section of the board, so I apologize if I'm not.
I want to buy a vaporizer, even though I've never used one before. I've been smoking a lot of weed for a lot of years now, and I think it's time for me to take it easier on my respiratory system. I'm not really in a position to try any before I buy one, so I have to take a bit of a leap of faith here and hope for the best.

Anyway, from the few things I'd heard here and there, I almost made a purchase with the mindset that the Volcano was the way to go. I thought the price tag was a bit stiff, so I became a bit hesitant about the whole thing. While I can afford it, I'd feel a bit stupid about buying one if I later found out that I could get a product of comparable quality for less money.

Upon searching a bit more and reading a few threads on random boards, I saw that a few names of vaporizers came up a lot:

-The Volcano, of course
-The Extreme Q V-Tower by Arizer
-Silver Surfer
-HerbalAire
-Da Buddha
-Zephyr Ion

So, here are some questions. Feel free to answer any/all/some/none of them.

1- Have you had experience with any of the vaporizers listed above (or even any unlisted kind you feel should be represented)? If you've only tried one kind, are you satisfied with it? If you've tried multiple kinds, which one did you prefer and why?

2- Is there a difference in terms of how efficiently each model will release the psychoactive ingredients I'm trying to enjoy? If so, does anyone know which kind does the best job of that?

3- Bags VS "whips". Which do you prefer and why? Is there a method that gets you higher than the other?

4- Which of the models listed would be the quietest?

5- Would there be a difference in terms of how much smell is released by each unit? If so, which one of these models would be likely to create the least smell?

6- If anyone else has any other words of wisdom to share on the subject, please feel free to share.

I keep almost buying the Volcano. I just want to make sure I'm not doing the wrong thing.

This ended up being longer than I'd wanted it to be. I'm sorry about that.

Thank you.

Zaph Reviewed by Zaph on 04-23-2011. Newbie with general and random vaporizer questions Hey all. I'm not sure if I'm doing this in the right section of the board, so I apologize if I'm not. I want to buy a vaporizer, even though I've never used one before. I've been smoking a lot of weed for a lot of years now, and I think it's time for me to take it easier on my respiratory system. I'm not really in a position to try any before I buy one, so I have to take a bit of a leap of faith here and hope for the best. Anyway, from the few things I'd heard here and there, I almost Rating: 5

[donnachris]

i've heard two opinionsabout the volcano. first, the only weed you want to smoke in it is middies, otherwise your just wasting your weed. it makes middies better but if you use some good weed in it, you just dont get as high as you do smoking.
secondly, any weed that gets smoked out of the volcano tastes like oatmeal.
now, i wanted to buy the volcano too, but after hearing about the oatmeal thing, I'm not so sure anymore.

[Daytonakid]

I disagree with donnachris - the highest I've been from using my vapourizer has been from premium kush, so don't let the quality of weed act as a deterrent.

The temperature you set your vapourizer at is the most important. Mine is set at 180-190 degrees Celsius. The higher the temperature, the harsher and less pure the vapour will become. You will also know if your temperatures are too high if you're burning the weed in the bowl.

I've been using the V-Tower for about 4 years now - it's amazing, and a much more competitive price than other vapourizers on the market (like the Volcano). The V-Tower is well made, is reasonably quiet, and comes with a whole bunch of accessories.

Bags vs whips. I mainly use bags simply because this way I don't have to keep the vape running the entire time when I use my whip. Neither will get you higher than the other because you're inhaling the same vapour.

Hope this info helps.

[Zaph]

I disagree with donnachris - the highest I've been from using my vapourizer has been from premium kush, so don't let the quality of weed act as a deterrent.

The temperature you set your vapourizer at is the most important. Mine is set at 180-190 degrees Celsius. The higher the temperature, the harsher and less pure the vapour will become. You will also know if your temperatures are too high if you're burning the weed in the bowl.

I've been using the V-Tower for about 4 years now - it's amazing, and a much more competitive price than other vapourizers on the market (like the Volcano). The V-Tower is well made, is reasonably quiet, and comes with a whole bunch of accessories.

Bags vs whips. I mainly use bags simply because this way I don't have to keep the vape running the entire time when I use my whip. Neither will get you higher than the other because you're inhaling the same vapour.

Hope this info helps.

Thanks for your feedback.

I bought my vaporizers about two weeks ago now. I got the HerbalAire and the Magic Flight Launch Box. The two vaporizers combined were still considerably cheaper than a Volcano. I've been having a great time with them, and it's also been my experience that, much like smoking, better cannabis will result in a better high. Incidentally, I picked up some kush late last night and will be trying it out after work today.

[Ub3rB0ng]

I just got the Herbalaire this week,its made well and works very very well.i run it between 355 - 365 and I use the whip,the bags are a waste of time for me. well worth the money.

[Zaph]

I just got the Herbalaire this week,its made well and works very very well.i run it between 355 - 365 and I use the whip,the bags are a waste of time for me. well worth the money.

You know, I'm having the hardest time with the whip. I think my breathing technique might need work. Whatever I do, I never see any vapour if I use the whip and exhale, so I've turned to bags, since they're very easy. Besides, I've been told many times that HerbalAire is at its best when it comes to blowing bags.

When I want a nice "direct draw" hit, I just use the MFLB.

[vapefiend]

You know, I'm having the hardest time with the whip. I think my breathing technique might need work. Whatever I do, I never see any vapour if I use the whip and exhale, so I've turned to bags, since they're very easy. Besides, I've been told many times that HerbalAire is at its best when it comes to blowing bags.

When I want a nice "direct draw" hit, I just use the MFLB.

The herbalAire isn't the best for direct draw, but IMO it's far and away the best buy in a bag filler. When you want a REALLY nice direct draw, look into adding the DBV.

[Zaph]

The herbalAire isn't the best for direct draw, but IMO it's far and away the best buy in a bag filler. When you want a REALLY nice direct draw, look into adding the DBV.

Yeah, or the SSV, as far as I've read.

[TheVaporGuy]

I've used each of the vaporizers that you've listed except for the Zephyr Ion. Out of all of the ones you listed, I would definitely suggest the V-Tower Extreme Q. It's my go-to non-portable vaporizer, and even though it's only half the cost of a digital volcano, myself and everyone I know that has used both prefers the V-Tower. Additionally, the V-Tower allows you to use a bag or whip without any additional attachments.

Bottom line - the V-Tower is a better vaporizer for half the money.

If you have any specific questions about the V-Tower or any of the other vapes, just let me know and I'll try my best to answer them for you.

__________________________________________________ __
Check out my Iolite Review and my Portable Vaporizer Comparison page

[Zaph]

I've used each of the vaporizers that you've listed except for the Zephyr Ion. Out of all of the ones you listed, I would definitely suggest the V-Tower Extreme Q. It's my go-to non-portable vaporizer, and even though it's only half the cost of a digital volcano, myself and everyone I know that has used both prefers the V-Tower. Additionally, the V-Tower allows you to use a bag or whip without any additional attachments.

Bottom line - the V-Tower is a better vaporizer for half the money.

If you have any specific questions about the V-Tower or any of the other vapes, just let me know and I'll try my best to answer them for you.

__________________________________________________ __
Check out my Iolite Review and my Portable Vaporizer Comparison page

Thank you for your reply. I already bought the HerbalAire and a MFLB for the road, but I appreciate your input anyway. I almost bought the one you suggested, but after a lengthy comparison, the HA won by a hair.