A tribute to the smallest and most discreet vaporizers in the VapoShop store
Of course size matters. At VapoShop, we like our portions large. But since it’s the shortest month of the year, we figured we’d pay tribute to some of our favourite smaller-sized vaporizers currently available. It’s easy to find beauty in these small things, ‘cause small things become great when done with love.
The vaporizers we’ve selected are easy to bring along and help you keep a low profile. They are stealthy, discreet, subtle, incognito, undercover and above all small vaporizers. In a very disappointing attempt to keep the number of small quotes small, we can’t leave out that big things come in small packages, as this undeniably applies to the vaporizers discussed below.
PAX 3
The PAX 3 is a dual-use vaporizer, suitable for vaping herbs and concentrates. We highly recommend the Complete Kit if you’re a fan of both. However, we also offer a Device Only package of this very sleek, stylish vaporizer. Either way, the PAX 3 definitely packs a punch, and it's one that fits every pocket and looks good at every party.
The Flowermate Mini is equipped with a glass mouthpiece, which makes for a great flavour experience. What’s also nice: the glass mouthpiece can easily be kept safe in the storage space at the bottom of the Flowermate Mini. Furthermore, it’s one of the few vaporizers on this list that is operated by a full set of buttons and has a display. The Flowermate Mini can also be used as a power bank to charge your mobile phone! Now we can’t imagine why anyone would want to do this, like ever….sacrificing valuable vape time to charge something else…..but hey, at least you have the option, which is great.
The DaVinci MIQRO is powered by a removable 18350 battery. This gives you the certainty of having a back-up plan and makes the MIQRO the ideal device for longer outdoor adventures. Which is why we also offer the MIQRO as part of a so-called Explorer's Collection. Indeed, the MIQRO is a device only suited to big boys and big girls.
Another vaporizer powered by a removable battery that makes our list is the Boundless CFC LITE. The CFC LITE could be yours for a very affordable price, as it completes the top 3 of most affordable vaporizers on this list. On top of that, it’s very easy-to-use and heats up rather swiftly. The CFC LITE, although very small indeed, is definitely a heavy-hitter.
The most affordable and also the smallest vaporizer on our list is the AirVape Xs GO, the smaller sibling of the original AirVape. This ergonomically designed device literally vanishes in the palm of your hand - how’s that for stealth? The Xs GO also is one of the most straightforward devices featured here. Ready? Xs. GO!
The PCKT One Plus is the only dedicated e-liquids and concentrates vaporizer to make our list. Included in the box is an SPRK 1.5 Ohm cartridge for concentrates. Thanks to its ceramic core, this cartridge will extract all the flavour from your concentrates, giving you a maximum taste experience. This small but handy device also comes with two adaptors that will make any 510 threaded e-liquid cartridge fit like a charm. Whichever cartridge you choose, the PCKT One Plus is available to come out of your pocket in a number of exciting colours.
We simply couldn’t choose between the G Pen Pro and the G Pen Elite, so we’ve filed them here as one entry. Both G Pens feature an all-ceramic heating chamber, and they both provide a straightforward, hassle-free but excellent vape experience. While the Pro is slightly smaller, the Elite features a LED display and comes with a G Card for grinding your herb.
One of our all-time favourites and all-time best-selling vaporizers cannot be left out of this list. The DynaVap VapCap M is the only open-flame vaporizer included here. If you want to be assured of instant vaping at any given moment, then this is the vaporizer for you. Furthermore, the VapCap M produces some of the best flavour you’ll ever experience. Just be sure to have a torch lighter at your disposal.
Last but not least is the Linx Gaia. A very classy looking device that heats up rather quickly, providing almost-instant quality, flavourful vapour. The airpath is completely separated from the electronics, and your material is heated in a unique quartz chamber. Despite its small size, the Gaia features a LED Display and all the buttons you’ll need to give you full control of the temperature settings.
Back in 2016, when the original IQ came out, we at VapoShop were elated by its look and feel, as well as its performance as a daily driver - a vape you use and take with you all the time. Yet, the original IQ wasn’t without its shortcomings. Some found the draw resistance a bit much, while others had trouble getting to all the nooks and crannies for thorough cleaning.
DaVinci claims that with the new IQ2, all these grievances are a thing of the past. So as soon as it hit my desk, I grabbed the first preview model of this portable vaporizer and set out to run it through its paces. Let’s find out if these claims have any merit.
Part 1: General performance of the DaVinci IQ2
The DaVinci IQ2 is easy to fill
Let’s begin with saying the IQ2, as a dry herb vaporizer, is a breeze to use. I just love how intuitive this device is. It’s exceedingly easy to fill, thanks to the shape and surface of the bottom filling chamber. I only need to tip my grinder at a slight angle over the bottom of the device (with a bit of tact, of course) and gently push the finely ground herb straight into the oven.
No spillage at all and no need for a brush. A handy feature to have for a vape one will mostly use on-the-go. Loading up the IQ2 with concentrates and extracts, however, is a whole other bag of marbles, but more about that later.
The bottom of the IQ2 is shaped to make loading the oven with herb easy as pie.
The DaVinci IQ2 is easy to use
Once I switch on the device, the ease-of-use-parade continues with the IQ2 immediately going into Smart Path mode - a mode with four preset temperature range programs that gradually raise the temperature as the session progresses. This helps ensure that all the active compounds and terpenes in the herb are thoroughly vaporised by hitting the right temperatures for their individual boiling points. I understand this may be a bit abstract for beginners. If so, I suggest you read our short blog on “Best vape temperatures” for more information.
30 seconds of heat-up time later and I can start vaping. No need to think about it, just switch it on and go!
The DaVinci mobile app allows you to control the temperature and customise the IQ2 settings
Great building material and a stylish look
Let’s face it. Not all vaporizers on the market are as fashionably good looking and stylish as the DaVinci IQ2. The new colours and the brushed aluminium body give it a kind of allure that other vaporizers just don’t have.
And yet, superficial beauty means nothing when the soul has no substance. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, and the IQ2’s insides are all premium quality material. The vapour path and the “Pearl” are made from zirconia, all the metal used is of medical grade and the oven has a glass lining. This makes the IQ2 just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
The ease of not having to think, with Smart Path
I appreciate the fact that when I’m on the move or at a concert, I can just switch my device on - without checking the temp - vape and pass it on to my mates, without worrying about whether I have selected the right settings or not. That’s what I call peace of mind.
The Smart Paths are indeed smart. Trust me, DaVinci knows what it is doing. Luckily, I can switch between Smart Paths and precise temperature control with the push of a single button.
If I want to be a Smarty McSmartypants, I can always customise the Smart Paths with the DaVinci App to my heart’s content. An app, by the way, that connects to my Android phone as effortlessly as everything else on the IQ2. (Apple still has all vape apps in quarantine)
Customise the Smart Paths to your preferred temperatures with the mobile app
How is the flavour produced by the DaVinci IQ2?
Ah! One of the most important questions to ask about a vaporizer. Well, this is somewhat of a conundrum. Seeing the IQ2 is still a conduction vaporizer, you shouldn’t expect an explosion of flavour throughout a complete vaping session.
Yet, the first two to three hits are indeed truly yummy. It’s just a shame that it never really lasts till the last hit.
The Flavour Chamber to the rescue
Speaking of flavour, the zirconia vapour path, which doubles as a Flavour Chamber for the IQ2 can help in this department. Not only can you fill this chamber with an additional helping of the intoxicating herb we all love for an extra flavour kick, but you can also introduce other herbs to the experience. How about adding some mint, sage or hibiscus to the mix?
Flavour purists may say this is blasphemy, but I say experimenting is fun! And it really helps if your base material isn’t the best-of-class to begin with.
The Flavour Chamber cools the vapour and gives you the option to add some extra flavour to your vaping experience.
New feature: Air Dial for better airflow control
Another reason the new IQ2 has a (slight) leg up on the original IQ is that it now has airflow control with the newly added Air Dial. This Air Dial not only gives you more command over the draw resistance, the extra airflow also adds more flavour and creates somewhat denser clouds of vapour.
The new Air Dial gives you much more control over airflow and draw resistance.
Does a bigger oven equal more vapour with the DaVinci IQ2?
Short answer? Yes. However, not by extreme leaps and bounds. The fact that DaVinci made the oven bigger (and better insulated) does help. But, to say the IQ2 is now a regular cloud-chucker is a bit of an overstatement.
Upgraded feature: The new and improved “Pearl” spacer
With a conduction vaporizer like the IQ2 it’s important to pack the material tight. This means you’ll need quite a bit of dry herb for a full oven. Having a bigger oven is great, especially if you are sharing. But, if you are vaping alone, a full oven may be a bit much.
With the previous IQ, DaVinci solved that problem by adding an ingenious element called the “Pearl”. A little zirconia nob at the bottom of the oven that could be turned to extend it, thus reducing the volume of the oven considerably. In other words; a way to fill the oven with less material, without decreasing the performance of the device.
The IQ2 comes with an improved version of the Pearl, which extends even further, reducing the oven volume by 50%. If you are looking to use the IQ2 for “microdosing”, you might want to invest in getting a pair of DaVinci’s glass spacers. These reduce the oven size even further.
The Pearl spacer makes sure your dry herb is packed tight and heated evenly.
New feature: Vaping concentrates and extracts with the DaVinci IQ2
New to this version of the IQ is the option of vaping semi-solid concentrates of a waxy or crystalline texture. I say “option” because even though it’s a welcome addition, it is quite a finicky procedure: to load extracts onto the ceramic extract disc and then getting it right side up together with the organic cotton pad, and into the dosage pod, is quite a challenge.
Not the best solution for avid concentrate aficionados, but a good enough first try by DaVinci nonetheless. Then again, with the IQ2 in my pocket, I prepared the dosage pod before I embarked on a night out on the town and ended the night with a little extra kick before turning in. Works for me.
*fair warning though! The dosage pod is excessively hot right after a session. Don’t be like me! Wait a couple of minutes before removing the pod from the device.
New feature: Dosage Control and Calculator
When you are consuming mind-altering substances, it is always nice to know how much will get into your system, so you can adjust your dosage at the next vaping session. This is why DaVinci added a new feature to the IQ2 and the accompanying mobile app: the Dosage Calculator. A mode that tracks how many hits you took and how many active compounds those hits contained.
Sounds great in theory, but for this mode to work, you’ll need to know exactly how much of which active compound is in your dry herb. This is no problem if you live in a country where the information you need for input is reliable and readily available. I happen to live in a country where info on active compounds in the herb isn’t reliable at all. This makes using the dosage calculator a guessing game and mostly useless.
In the future, however, I see great potential for features like this, especially for those who use vaporizers for medicinal purposes. It’s just a matter of time.
Part 2: Battery life and performance of the DaVinci IQ2
How many sessions can I do with one battery charge?
Keeping in mind that the IQ2 is a session vaporizer with an eight-minute cycle per session, expect to do 5-6 sessions on low to mid temperature settings. Which is on par, if not above average, compared to competitors like the PAX 3 vaporizer. Once I got to the higher temperature ranges above 200℃, I noticed that the maximum sessions I could do with a single charge dropped to 3-4.
A new chip for better power management
A little birdy told me that the IQ2 has an improved chipset compared to the original IQ. This explains why I was able to get a respectable amount of sessions out of the device. Not bad, DaVinci, not bad at all.
How long does it take to charge the IQ2?
Using the USB cable that comes with the IQ2, it took me 6 hours to charge the empty 18650 lithium-ion battery. That’s indeed a long time. Luckily, the IQ2 works with a replaceable battery, so I recommend using an external charger, which tops-up the battery in 3 hours and bringing that extra battery for those long walks on the beach.
The IQ2 works with replaceable 18650 lithium-ion batteries for longer vape sessions.
Part 3: Maintenance and cleaning of the DaVinci IQ2
Upgraded feature: Better alignment of the oven and vapour path
Keeping your vaporizer clean and gunk free is crucial for the longevity of the device. This goes twice for the Flavour Chamber and vapour path, especially at the bottom. In the past, the original IQ had some issues there, where some people failed to maintain the device properly. Due to the better alignment between vapour path and oven and the use of better materials, the IQ2 is much easier to clean and blockage of the airflow is now a thing of the past.
VapoShop’s verdict on the DaVinci IQ2
The new IQ2 has a lot of new features that offer an even better daily vape experience than we were used to with the original IQ. DaVinci has listened to their fans and has tackled previous gripes and upgraded what was already great about the IQ. I think DaVinci, as a manufacturer, deserves props for that!
That doesn’t mean the IQ2 is the ultimate vape for everyone. It’s a jack of all trades, not a master of one. It’s a great device for beginning vapers and for those who own several vaporizers but want a hassle-free, just-get-it-done daily driver for on-the-go. For those expert connaisseurs who want the purest flavour experience or the full, in-your-face effect with thick clouds of vapour, there are perhaps other vapes on the market that do better in these categories.
However, if you simply want to enjoy your favourite dry herb or concentrate while enjoying life - and look fashionable doing so - there is, at the moment, no better choice than the DaVinci IQ2.
VapoShop’s selection of vaporizers to look out for in 2020
2020 has only just started, but we thought we’d take this opportunity to both reflect and look ahead. We’ve selected ten vaporizers that we think will have 2020 popping. Some of them are well-known, reliable names, others are brand new. All of them are great! What makes them so great, is where they differ. Certain vaporizers are more suited for on-the-go vaping than others, whilst some vaporizers are more stealthy than others. Whatever your preference may be, we are confident that somewhere on this list, there’s a vaporizer best suited to your wishes!
DaVinci IQ2
We start this list off fresh, so much so that the first device on the tally isn’t even available in our shop just yet. We did get one for testing, and we love it so much we just had to include it here. We’re eagerly anticipating the shipping company to drop off a fresh batch of the updated version of the 2016 IQ soon though.
The IQ2 is everything one would expect from a follow-up to a classic vaporizer. The IQ2 delivers welcome improvements on the original IQ, such as dual-usage (you can now also vape extracts) and a bigger, better-insulated oven. The IQ2 also gives you full control over the airflow and draw resistance.
Like all other DaVinci vaporizers, the IQ2 is built with purity in mind, using only medical-grade components. No metal or plastic parts touch your herb or contaminate the flavour of your vapour. The airtight, all-ceramic air path is engineered with zirconia and a glass-lined oven to ensure unprecedented purity and flavour.
The IQ2 also is the first Fill Your Own - Know Your Dose portable vaporizer. Enter your strain potency and the amount of herb or extracts in your oven and your IQ2 will track and report dose per draw and per session. Add a maximum dose per session in the app and your IQ2 will alert you when you have reached your desired dose.
The Volcano Hybrid by Storz & Bickel is without a doubt the best home or desktop vaporizer on the market. Still building on the foundation that was laid with the Volcano Classic, the Hybrid is like its digital younger brother that offers the option of vaping through both a balloon as well as a whip.
The Volcano Hybrid is as straightforward as a vaporizer can be. Fill the chamber, choose your preferred temperature, switch on the air pump and voilá! The only thing you have to decide for yourself is how to consume the vapour you create.
The Volcano Hybrid is called the Hybrid for a reason. It gives you the choice between vaping directly through a whip or “catching” the vapour in a detachable balloon. With the detachable balloon, the vapour may be inhaled at ease, completely separated from the vaporization process. This makes it perfect for social vaping, as it’s both comfortable and safe!
The Linx Gaia fully deserves to be included here once more. It’s one of the most elegant looking vaporizers on the market, kind of reminiscent of an old hip flask.
But the Gaia isn’t just here because of looks. The Quartz heating chamber is still one of the best on the market. Linx doesn’t use any plastics or steel to mess up your flavour. Instead, the Gaia will deliver some of the most distinctive and refined vapour available.
The Gaia’s elegant look and great flavour are combined with extreme pocketability, as the Gaia has very stealthy dimensions. All of this is available at an extremely affordable price. What’s not to like?
The PAX 3 keeps popping up on ‘Best-of-lists’ and with good reason. Created to vape both herbs and concentrates, it is one the most stealthy devices out there. It easily fits in your pocket or bag, and thanks to its sleek design, it won’t raise any suspicion whatsoever.
The PAX 3 comes with an oven lid that reduces the chamber capacity by 50%. This makes the PAX 3 an ideal vaporizer for those who are looking to microdose. If you want to make your herbs or concentrates last, this definitely comes in handy.
Thanks to the brilliant mobile app, you can easily customize your vaping experience and adjust your preferred settings. PAX continuously updates their app, which makes for an optimal experience at all times.
The Mighty by Storz & Bickel is one of the vaporizers that also made our 10 best portable vaporizers of 2018 list. It remains a top 10 vaporizer for many reasons, with the biggest one being its versatility; the Mighty is a portable vaporizer that also functions extremely well as a desktop vaporizer.
The bright LED screen on the Mighty gives you all the required information regarding set and current temperature, as well as the status of your battery life. It’s an easy-to-operate device that will give you haptic feedback once it’s good-to-go.
VapoShop currently carries the 2018 version of the Mighty, which is driven by an improved battery with 20% more power.
A proper top 10 vaporizers list wouldn’t be complete without the DynaVap VapCap M, and we expect it will remain on lists like this one for many years to come. It’s the only open-flame vaporizer that makes this year’s list, but it definitely holds its own amongst these battery-driven powerhouses.
Because it doesn’t rely on complex electronics, it is one of the most affordable vaporizers we carry. All you need is a (torch) lighter, and you’re set for instant on-demand vaping at any time.
Made to vape both herbs and concentrates, the DynaVap VapCap M is praised by experts as the ultimate device for those who consider themselves a flavour chaser. If you’re all about flavour, and you’re looking for a device that guarantees instant on-demand vaping, we can’t think of any vaporizer better suited to your wishes than the DynaVap VapCap M.
Another recurring vaporizer on our yearly list is the Boundless CFX. The Boundless CFX is included once more because it is perhaps the ultimate device when we look at the amount of power for your buck.
The large, powerful battery makes for some serious clouds of full vapour. It also means you can bring the Boundless CFX with you on those longer trips, without having to worry about it running out of juice.
The Boundless CFX is one of the more sturdy vaporizers out there. Thanks to the solid casing, it can definitely take a hit or two. If you live an active outdoor lifestyle and you ́re looking for a suitable device, we highly recommend the Boundless CFX.
The Crafty+ is one of two vaporizers on this year’s list that received the “+” treatment. As the follow-up to the original Crafty, the Crafty+ provides some pleasant updates to its predecessor. The original Crafty was part of our 10 best portable vaporizers for 2018, and it makes total sense for the new and improved Crafty+ to make the list this year.
The Crafty+ is extremely easy to operate, which is even further strengthened by the tremendous mobile app. The app even offers a “Find my Crafty” option, which we believe can be of real assistance to some of our fellow botanists out there.
With a fast heat-up time and very little draw resistance, the Crafty+ is a very powerful portable vaporizer. Storz & Bickel only make use of the finest materials when building their devices, and the Crafty+ is powered by a longer-lasting battery. If you’re looking for a strong impact from your materials, we highly recommend the Crafty+.
Another iconic vaporizer we saw get the “+” treatment was the Firefly 2. The Firefly 2+ - very much like its predecessor, which was featured in our 2018 list - is quite possibly the ideal vaporizer for those who are all about taste. The vapour quality and terpene profile release are of the absolute highest quality, perhaps only rivalled by the previously discussed VapCap M.
Good-to-go in only 3 to 5 seconds, the Firefly 2+ offers almost-instant vaping. When you’re not inhaling, the chamber cools down rather swiftly, making sure no material is wasted. If economic vaping is your thing, this might be the ideal device for you.
On top of the amazing flavour and economic vaping, the Firefly 2+ is an easy vaporizer to operate and maintain. Cleaning your device couldn’t be more straightforward and thanks to the superb Firefly mobile app, you are in complete control of adjusting the settings.
The sole concentrates-only vaporizer to make this year’s list is the G Pen Nova LXE. The LXE is twice as powerful as its sibling, the original G Pen Nova. The LXE was developed specifically to cater to those who are all about vaping concentrates, and we highly support these efforts.
The G Pen Nova LXE is an extremely easy vaporizer to operate. Thanks to the option of choosing from different settings, you can comfortably find the ideal balance between flavour and big clouds of vapour. You have all the power to decide which way to lean.
If you’re big on thicker concentrates, the G Pen Nova LXE offers the beautiful option of the “extended draw mode”. By hitting the button twice, the LXE will start to heat continuously. This is ideal for getting the most out of your concentrates. As soon as you’re done with the extended draw mode, just press the button once more to cancel.
The “+” seems to be the hip and happening thing in the world of vaporizers. First, we saw the launch of the Firefly 2+ by Firefly. Now it’s time for another iconic vaporizer that has received the “+ treatment”; Storz & Bickel has released the Crafty+, which is - very surprisingly - a follow-up to their famous Crafty. We had the privilege to review this bad boy quite early on, so let’s see what’s good with the Crafty+.
Promised improvements from Storz & Bickel
Storz & Bickel describes the Crafty+ as “your new best friend”. Furthermore, Storz & Bickel claims the Crafty+ is “without a doubt, the perfect companion on the go”. We’re sure some dogs would probably disagree, but with all you dedicated vapers out there, who knows. The + promises a 30% faster heat-up, a new, slick design for optimized grip and feel, improved housing material, improved electronics and an optimized circuit board. The Crafty+ also introduces the Super-Boost function; pressing the power button three times gets you to the maximum temperature of 210°C (410°F).
A quick revisit of the original Crafty
In order to properly assess the Crafty+, let us first revisit its predecessor. VapoShop previously featured the original Crafty in our 10 best portable vaporizers for 2018. It’s safe to say we thought pretty highly of the original. Nonetheless, there was room for improvement. Most users seemed to agree on the following points of critique... First off, the original Crafty didn’t come cheap. To be fair, Storz & Bickel only uses grade A materials for their devices. But, that doesn’t mean that several users felt like the original Crafty was (too) pricey. What’s more, consumers felt some type of way about the long heat-up time. Although at VapoShop we do believe patience is a virtue, it is undeniable that several users weren’t too pleased about the time spent waiting on the original Crafty to get ready-for-use. And then there was the battery life. Better yet, the lack of battery life. Many users felt like their battery would run out of juice way too soon. Definitely not ideal for a primary portable vaporizer.
Comparing heat-up time and build material of the Crafty’s
When we look at the main points of critique and Storz & Bickel’s promised improvements, right of the bat you’ll notice there is absolutely no change in the price. Like we mentioned before, Storz & Bickel do make use of only the finest materials. And with the Crafty+, they even promise us upgrades such as improved electronics and housing material, as well as an optimized circuit board, so that would (kinda) justify the no-price-change.
The heat-up time is something Storz & Bickel did address, and with a promised 30% improvement, it seems they have listened to the feedback. They also promise several other upgrades, but oddly enough, there’s no mention of improved battery performance. On initial review, it seems the battery does, in fact, perform a lot better. We honestly don’t know why they don’t mention this.
If we’re being generous, we could say that Storz & Bickel has addressed 2 out of the 3 main points of criticism. It does seem a little weird that wouldn’t mention 1 out of the 2 improvements, but, once again, we honestly wouldn’t know why not. Nevertheless, it’s nice to see that they know what is being said about the original Crafty. With all of this in mind, let’s see how well the Crafty+ actually performs.
Performance of the Crafty+
It is important to stress the issue that the Crafty+ is indeed just that: an extension of the original Crafty. This is not a Crafty 2 review. Think of it more as a Crafty 1.5.
The Crafty+, very much like its predecessor, is extremely easy-to-use. It has one button on the device, which does it all. Besides that, the Crafty+ is compatible with the Storz & Bickel mobile app, which is a perfect add-on and makes for an extremely convenient vaporizer experience. We definitely recommend getting the app. If you already have the Storz & Bickel mobile app, it’s good to know that switching between your devices is a breeze.
*Please note that the Storz & Bickel mobile app is currently not available for Apple users. Hopefully, this will change soon. The Storz & Bickel mobile app is still available for Android users.
Crafty+ Mobile App
While the mobile app is probably gonna be used most for temperature settings, it offers quite a few other interesting features. For one, you can get a nice device overview. It tells you, amongst other things, how many hours you’ve made use of your device. One feature in the app deserves a special mention, as we’d love to see this being implemented by more manufacturers. The app can help you “find your Crafty”. Being the botanists we are, we think this may come in handy for several Crafty users…
Promises delivered?
The Crafty+ heats up much faster indeed. This was a much needed requirement for the Crafty+ to hang with the big dogs in the vape industry. The + has very little draw resistance and produces thick vapour. If you’re super big on taste experience, there are devices out there that might be better suited to your wishes, but the Crafty + produces quite the decent flavour as well.
The battery - as mentioned before - lasts longer. Once again, a much needed improvement. A small point of critique related to the battery, is that the Crafty+ comes with fewer accessories than its predecessor. One thing they have left out is the power adapter, as you now just get the USB cable to charge your battery. Thankfully, charging your battery also seems to go a lot faster in comparison to the original Crafty.
The Crafty+ with concentrates
If concentrates are your thing, we can imagine the maximum temperature on the Crafty+ isn’t quite high enough for you at 210°C (410°F). However, most concentrate lovers probably wouldn’t gravitate towards the Crafty+ in the first place, as there are devices on the market better suited to your needs.
Final verdict
The Crafty+ is a strong improvement of the original Crafty. It’s a sturdy, easy-to-use vaporizer with improved battery life and improved heat-up time. Storz & Bickel has for sure upgraded those parts which needed some fixing. On the relatively small downside, the Crafty+ does come with fewer accessories. Other than that, there isn’t much more to say. The device looks almost exactly the same. The price is the same. It’s definitely not a revolutionary upgrade. But, maybe that’s not what to expect from a +. When we adjust our expectations to a + being no more than an improved version of its predecessor, then the Crafty+ can be viewed as a success.
The holiday season is in full swing, which usually means running around in a rush to get all your loved ones that special holiday gift. Yet, maybe this year you should also take some time to sit back, relax and treat yourself to one of these festive vaporizers we’ve selected especially for you. Yes, you! Not your best friend or favourite aunt. Just you, because you are special too!
Sticky Brick Junior WALNUT
The fresh walnut coloured Sticky Brick Junior was created by Sticky Brick Labs with on-the-go, on-demand vaping in mind. Handmade in North Carolina, this bad boy produces pure flavour and almost-instant vapour. This pretty little thing is quite the eyecatcher as well.
The Starry 3.0 from XMAX is one of those great little starter-vapes for under the one hundred euro mark. This sleek and discreet conduction vaporizer does all it needs to do, without fuss. Whether you enjoy dry herbs or concentrates, the Starry 3.0 has your back.
The PCKT One Plus is a clever little device suited to both e-liquids and concentrates. This elegant, oval-shaped unit fits perfectly in your hand. Also, the solid metal build will protect your cartridges from breaking.
De Verdamper Deluxe with Safety Valve SMALL 1500 ml
The iconic Verdamper is the ideal combination between a heating element and robust glass. The pure vapour produced by De Verdamper is guaranteed to do its job and make its presence known. De Verdamper also makes for a great addition to your interior design.
Storz & Bickel have updated their legendary Crafty vaporizer with the Crafty+. The plus is the perfect upgrade to the original, ensuring better battery performance and faster heat-up time. Just like the original, the Crafty+ produces some of the thickest flavour available.
The PAX is best described as a high-end vaporizer made available at a mid-level price. Even though it is a conduction heated device, the PAX 3 offers almost-instant vaping, producing smooth and consistent clouds in just 15 seconds.
The OmniVonG Hydra XL combines a beautiful, handcrafted 14 mm wooden midsection with a titanium Omni Mouthpiece. The titanium tip of this OmniVonG Hydra looks modern, heats evenly and is extremely durable. This makes for a vaporizer that will truly last you a lifetime.
The Linx Gaia offers a lot of cool features, including full temperature control, a powerful battery, a quartz heating chamber and a removable glass mouthpiece. Due to its compact size and sleek design, the Gaia will also appeal to those looking for a powerful yet discreet and stealthy vaporizer.
We at VapoShop are gearing up for two of the most exciting and anticipated online shopping days of the year: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Like last year, we will be offering you massive discounts on portable and desktop vaporizers from some of the best brands, like Pax, DaVinci, DynaVap, Linx, Sticky Brick Labs, Storz & Bickel and Air Vape.
Be aware, for some brands we have discounts for vaporizers only. For other brands, we also have deals on accessories.
So, if you are looking to replace your older conduction heating device for a convection heating vape or you want to have your holiday shopping done early this year, VapoShop is the place to be on Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2019.
Or maybe you are looking for even better deals on slightly older models, vaporizer parts and accessories? In that case, hop on over to our sales category where you’ll find discounts up to 50% off!
Stay up-to-date about our other upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals by signing up for our VapoShop newsletter. Only there you will find out which devices will be discounted before they go on sale. Be the first to know and get an extra € 5,- coupon by signing-up here:
The Firefly 2+ is here! Vaposhop is proud to present this highly anticipated follow-up one of our all-time favourite portable vaporizers, the Firefly 2.
As great as the Firefly 2 vaporizer was, consumers seemed to agree on several points of critique, including the airflow, the battery life and the price. Firefly appears to have listened carefully to their fans, as these are exactly the matters on which they promise improvement.
It’s good to note that the Firefly 2+ is indeed just that: a 2+, i.e. an extension of the 2. This is not the Firefly 3 we’re reviewing here.
Performance of the Firefly 2+
Dynamic convection
Firefly makes use of a dynamic convection heating technology. This means that the more airflow you create by inhaling, the more effective the hot air heats the material. This is the most economic way of vaping dry herb, as your material is only heated when you inhale.
Perhaps Firefly is almost too far ahead of the game with this technique. You see, it’s not only about just heating your materials when you inhale, it’s about making full use of the created vapour as well. Several users were unhappy with the lack of vapour produced by the Firefly 2. At the time FireFly was developing the 2, the tight draw was created intentionally. It seemed Firefly was on a mission to make sure no active material was brought to waste through excess vapour. According to them, “blowing clouds of vapour is like drinking your beer and spitting out more than half of it”. Allow us to elaborate.
Excessive vapour, aka vapour clouds that you can see when you exhale, doesn’t mean you get more in your lungs. It means you’ve wasted vapour that could have stayed in your lungs and made its way into your bloodstream. It’s just that a considerable amount of consumers - for a broad range of reasons - are still looking for clouds when they buy a vaporizer.
And so, Firefly listened. Thanks to the 33% increase in airflow, it’s easier to produce vapour clouds with the Firefly 2+ in comparison to the Firefly 2. We’ll let you decide if this actually is an improvement or not. Not to take away from Firefly for listening to feedback, but as vaporizing enthusiasts, there was a lot to say for the lack of big vapour clouds produced by the 2.
Those of you who are more about flavour than clouds should note that the Firefly 2+ - very much like its predecessor - is marketed as a flavour chaser’s dream. And deservedly so; the taste quality and terpene profiles this vaporizer releases are practically unmatched in the current market, perhaps only rivalled by the DynaVap VapCap M.
Firefly 2+ battery life
The Firefly 2+ uses a Lithium-Ion 7.4 770 mAh battery. This is the same battery as the Firefly 2. However, thanks to the upgraded firmware, battery life has increased. You should be able to get 3 to 5 bowls out of one battery charge. This obviously depends on your personal preferences and settings. But, even the most intense vapers will notice the battery improvement between the Firefly 2+ and 2. The battery also charges rather quickly. No overnight charging sessions required here, an empty battery should be fully charged in about 45 minutes. Furthermore, if you already have a Firefly 2, the spare parts are compatible with the Firefly 2+.
Get that extra battery
If you don’t have a Firefly 2 in your collection, but you are planning on scoring the 2+, there are some things to consider when it comes to the battery. Please note that the battery can not be charged separately. If you’re one of those vapers who want to be able to vape at all times, we strongly advise purchasing a spare battery.
The build quality of the Firefly 2+
The Firefly 2+ is a sturdy vaporizer, just like its predecessor. The body is made from magnesium alloy, which connects perfectly to the upper part thanks to a magnetic lid. The bowl is made from borosilicate glass, which will heat up your material super fast and evenly. Your vapour will then travel across a glass vapour path, to eventually reach your body through a removable plastic mouthpiece. The materials and parts used for the Firefly 2+ almost feel like they have found their ultimate purpose: giving you an optimal flavour experience. On top of that, the Firefly 2+ sits comfortably in your hand, without feeling too bulky.
User-friendliness of the Firefly 2+
Get the Firefly app
We definitely recommend getting the smartphone app. If you already have the app because of the Firefly 2, you can easily rotate between your devices. The app is ideal for adjusting temperature settings, and once that’s done the Firefly 2+ itself works like a charm.
Instant vaping
One of the greatest things about the Firefly 2+ is that it offers almost instant vaping, as it’s good-to-go in 3 to 5 seconds. This, of course, depends on your material of choice and selected heating temperature. Furthermore, removing the top lid to fill or stir your bowl couldn’t be easier. When you’re not inhaling, the bowl cools down very fast, limiting the waste of material. This makes the Firefly 2+ an ideal device for micro-dosing.
Maintenance and accessories of the Firefly 2+
Easy to clean
The Firefly 2+ is extremely easy-to-clean. The top lid comes off without any hassle. Cleaning the glass vapour path and the bowl also couldn’t be any more straight forward; a quick rub with an alcohol wipe and you’re done. Firefly seems to have fixed the issues with the mouthpiece as well, as removing and replacing the mouthpiece is a lot easier with the 2+, compared to the mouthpiece-challenges the Firefly 2 offered.
Accessories reduced
The Firefly 2+ comes in a box which is about half the size of the box for the 2. Aside from the Firefly itself, the box contains one battery, a charging dock, a USB cable, one extract pad and 3 alcohol wipes. In comparison to the Firefly 2, they have taken out the extra battery and cut back on concentrate pads and cleaning tools. To be fair, they also cut the price, and it seems this is where they made up for it.
Pros and cons of the Firefly 2+
Pros
almost instant vaping, good-to-go in 3 to 5 seconds produces great flavour and releases the full terpene profile of the material economic vaping, no materials wasted fast-charging battery great smartphone app, makes the overall experience extremely user-friendly easy-to-clean
Cons
still quite pricey extra battery purchase virtually a must
The Firefly 2+: Who is this for?
The Firefly 2+ is a definite must-have if you consider yourself a flavour chaser. The taste quality and terpene profile release are of the absolute highest level available. The dynamic convection technique and airflow also ensures a very economic use of your preferred materials; if you want to get the most out of your dry herbs or concentrates, the Firefly 2+ is an excellent choice. A high-class vaporizer in the good sense of the word.
Understanding the DynaVap product range Part I of III
This is a quick and simple rundown of the different product families in the DynaVap catalogue. This will only serve to let you know about the most basic differences. If you wish to have a more detailed description of the differences between each DynaVap, we suggest you stay tuned for part two of this blog series. In part three we will dive deeper into how to get the best results with these open-flame vaporizers. For now, let us introduce all the DynaVap product families.
The VapCap ‘M’ family:
The is the most affordable version of all the DynaVap products still in production. The ‘M’ comes in a 2018 and 2019 version. Both versions are made of stainless steel.
The VapCap M 2018 on the left and the 2019 edition on the right
The OmniVap family:
The OmniVap is the only portable vaporizer by DynaVap that is entirely made of titanium. It comes with the Omni Mouthpiece system that lets you adjust the air-vapour ratio by twisting the mouthpiece. The OmniVap is available in normal and XL sizes.
The DynaVap OmniVap and OmniVap XL
The NonaVonG family:
The NonaVonG family is specially designed to fit snugly in any 14mm bong adapter, thanks to the tapered wooden body at the end. The NonaVonG comes in a variety of different types and colours of wood. Other versions within the NonaVonG family are:
NonaVonG S, which has an additional Spinning Mouthpiece
NonaVonG XLS, which is the longer version of the NonaVonG with a Spinning Mouthpiece
All NonaVonGs (FLTR) NonaVonG, NonaVonG S, NonaVonG XLS, OmniVonG
The HydraVonG family:
The HydraVonG family is the new edition of the NonaVong family. The main difference is that the wooden midsection has gotten a makeover, introducing a more playful wood carving pattern. This pattern gives you a better grip on the device when rotating it as you are heating up the tip. Besides the regular HydraVonG, there are two other members of the Hydra family:
OmniVonG Hydra XL, which is the extra-long version with the Omni Mouthpiece
HydraVonG XLS, which is the extra-long version with the Spinning Mouthpiece
All the Hydra versions (FLTR) HydraVonG, HydraVonG XLS, OmniVonG Hydra XL
There are, on average, three kinds of vapers in this world. On the one hand, we have vapers who are all about flavour (“flavour-chasers”). These vapers want to experience the full terpene profile their herb or concentrate has to offer and are less concerned with the intensity of the effect. Flavour over effect, so to speak.
On the other hand, you have people who care less about how well their herb or concentrate titillates their palate. They merely want their device to produce massive clouds and give them the full-blown effect of what they put in their vaporizer (“cloud-chasers”).
Then there are people that sit exactly in the middle of the spectrum. For those people, there's only one vaporizer right now that offers the best of both worlds: The Linx Eden.
Performance of the Linx Eden
A crystal clear chamber to catch all the savoury notes
It’s important to note that the Eden boasts a quartz crystal heating chamber. Quartz is by far the best material you could wish for if flavour is your main goal. It’s odourless and clean, exactly what you want for clear, crisp savoury notes. For this reason, the Eden performs equally well with dry herb as with concentrates, although the latter retains its flavour a bit longer, due to the fact that it is indeed that; more concentrated. Herbs, on the other hand, tend to lose some of their flavour definition after the second or third session.
True convection airflow
Another factor that improves flavour is airflow, which is nicely balanced with the Eden. This also gives the Eden a decent draw resistance. Not too much but also not too constricted, exactly as it should be with a true convection vaporizer. And as a true convection device, the Eden’s bowl needs minimal stirring when you are vaping dry herb. Even if you don’t stir the herb at all, it will still be heated evenly.
Full blast vaporisation with the Boost function
No matter how well the Eden performs in regards to flavour, eventually the terpenes will have been thoroughly evaporated. That doesn’t mean the material is finished - unless you are vaping concentrates, because those will be gone by the time you can’t taste them anymore. In most cases, the herb will still contain enough compounds to fully enjoy the physical aspects of the material. This is the ideal moment to initiate another brilliant feature the Eden offers: the boost function. This function is triggered by holding down the power button, which will instantly raise the vaporisation temperature by another 20°C. A great solution for when the flavour is gone, but you still want to get a lung full of thick vapour and the last full-blast of active compounds.
The build quality of the Linx Eden
Only the best materials
Linx, as a manufacturer, has always taken great care in only using sturdy, medical-grade materials in all their devices. This is no different for the Eden. The body has been made with medical-grade stainless steel, the heating chamber with the aforementioned quartz crystal, and the mouthpiece is glass, instead of plastic. That last part may also be the Achilles heel for the Eden, as the mouthpiece does get hot rather quickly, even before the first session has ended. And yet, this problem is instantly mitigated by applying the included silicone mouthpiece cap, which guards your lips against most of the convective heat.
A robust body
The care and attention that has gone into choosing materials for the Eden have also been applied to the manufacturing and finish of the Eden. It feels sturdy and robust in your hand. Even if you screw off the top to get access to the heating element, you can feel the quality of the build by the smoothness of the threading.
User-friendliness of the Linx Eden
Truly portable vaporizer
The sleek, almost simplistic design of the Eden and the robustness it gets from the sturdy materials make it an excellent portable dry herb vaporizer. You will not have to fear for its safety when you put it in your pocket or bag. It’s robust enough to handle almost anything.
A breeze to fill
Filling the Eden with herb or concentrates is as easy as pie. Due to the tapered edges of the heating chamber, the herb literally slides into place, without ever having to spill anything over the side. Seldom have we seen portable vapes where the filling it up with your material of choice is such a breeze.
Temperature settings
Selecting one of the temperature settings is done by clicking 3 times in quick succession. The unit memorizes the last setting you used.
Blue: 182℃ Green: 193℃ Yellow: 204℃ Red: 220℃ Hold the power button down for an instant heat boost of 20℃
Maintenance & accessories of the Linx Eden
A breeze to clean
As easy as it is to fill the Eden, as easy it is to clean. The quartz chamber is so smooth, that residue has almost no chance to stick to its surface. One quick swipe with a Q-tip soaked in isopropyl alcohol and the chamber is as clean as a whistle.
Silicone sleeve
One thing we should touch on is the silicone sleeve that is included in the package. This sleeve is meant to protect the device from wear and tear or damage caused by dropping the device. This, of course, is a good addition if you lead an active lifestyle and are planning to take your Eden with you everywhere you go. It does, however, take away some of the “sleekness” of the design and you should take care to properly align the holes for the airflow on the sleeve with the holes on the device. Otherwise, you may inadvertently constrict the airflow and draw resistance.
Important note: when cleaning your Linx Eden mouthpiece, do not soak the mouthpiece in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol or ethanol). This may damage the rubber o-ring that keeps the glass stem in place on the mouthpiece. When cleaning the mouthpiece, use a Q-tip with a minimum amount of rubbing alcohol and dry it with another Q-tip or the cleaning brush to remove any excess alcohol residue.
Pros and cons of the Linx Eden
Pros:
Great flavour.
The “Boost function” really gives that extra ‘oomph’ to the vapour density and the physical effects.
Robust and portable design.
Super easy to use. One button, four settings. No display or app needed.
Easy to fill.
Easy to clean.
Very affordable! It falls within the € 100.- price range.
Cons:
Only four heat settings, may not be enough for everyone.
The mouthpiece gets very hot at the end of a single session.
The Linx Eden: Who is this for?
If your vaping preference lands somewhere in the middle of the archetypes we have described in the intro, then this is the vaporizer for you. Only the FireFly 2+ and the Vapcap “M” by Dynavap come close to the flavour you’ll get with the Eden. But, if you desperately need to chuck thick clouds of vapour and only care about the full-blown effects you’ll get from the material you fill it with, you might be better off with a Mighty by Storz & Bickel or the Boundless CFX. Otherwise, if you want the best of both worlds, go with the Eden.
When the Volcano Classic came out in 2000, it revolutionised the world of desktop vaporizers. Many brands have since tried to emulate the success formula of the Classic, but only a few came close. Now, in 2019, after years of development, Storz & Bickel are back with a new and improved version of the Volcano; the Hybrid. This spiritual successor of the Volcano Classic and replacement of the 2007 Volcano Digit received a huge upgrade, both in its functionality as well as performance.
But, how different is it really? How does it stack up against its predecessor? More importantly, is it worth replacing your old Classic with this new kid on the block? That is exactly what we’ll be investigating in this in-depth review; a closer look at the distinguishing features between the Volcano Hybrid and the Volcano Classic. Ready to rumble? Here comes round one.
Volcano Hybrid vs. Classic: Performance
Still champion in cloud production
Those who are familiar with the Volcano Classic, know it is unrivalled when it comes to cloud production. This fact hasn’t changed. Both the Classic and the Hybrid perform equally brilliant in cloud density and flavour production. The vapour produced by both devices is still smooth, clean, cool, visibly dense and flavourful.
Bring the heat at lightning speed
The vapour quality might be the same for both devices, but one of the (many) things that sets these two vaporizers apart is the pre-heat-up time. Where it took the Classic 1 to 3 minutes to reach the desired temperature, the Hybrid does it in a whopping 40 seconds(!). This is thanks to the new and improved Double Helix Heat Exchanger which delivers convection heat twice as fast, slicing the waiting time in half.
Winner in the lowest heat range
Another difference between the Classic and the Hybrid is the temperature range. Where the Classic had a minimum temp. of 130°C (266°F), the new Hybrid goes as low as 40°C (104°F). This might not seem like a big deal, but consider the fact that this dramatically increases the range of aromatic herbs and oils you can use to treat your olfactory senses.
Balloon or tube?
One of the biggest innovations for the new Volcano is undoubtedly the addition of the Tube Kit. It is actually the reason for the Hybrid’s name; two delivery systems in-one! This improvement changes the whole vaping experience you get with the Hybrid. Where the Easy Valve Balloon gives you shorter, interposed vaping sessions, the Tube Kit allows for a continuous vaping session. No more waiting for the balloon to fill up and taking off the filling chamber, just connect the tube and puff away to your heart's content. With minimal draw resistance, if we may add. Vaping with the Tube Kit feels more like sharing a Hookah.
Volcano Hybrid vs. Classic: Build quality
Welcome to the digital age
The new Hybrid might look the same as the Classic at first glance, its design did get a slightly more modern look. The most obvious change is the digital display and touchscreen, instead of the analogue buttons and knobs. This upgrade makes the Hybrid so much more user-friendly, especially when it comes to locking-in your preferred temperature with pinpoint precision.
Improved Filling Chamber
Besides the new display/touchscreen, another major improvement is the new locking system for the Filling Chamber. The old version, that came with the Classic, had the tendency to come off too easily. That problem is now fixed with the new Hybrid Filling Chamber. This new version locks tight with a simple twist and stays there until you want it to come off.
Volcano Hybrid vs. Classic: User-friendliness
Vaping made easier
Here we come to the crux of the matter because for all its added power and visual changes, the biggest difference between the Volcano Classic and Hybrid lie in their user-friendliness. Not that the Classic was lacking in that department, far from it. The Hybrid, however, makes vaping so much easier. The new display, the touchscreen, the improved Double Helix Heating Coil and Filling Chamber, it all feels so much more intuitive. The Volcano was never an overly complicated device to work with, but now it just feels effortless.
Bluetooth for the win!
And we haven’t even talked about the Storz & Bickel Smartphone app. The Volcano Hybrid now comes with a Bluetooth connection that allows you to operate and customize the Hybrid remotely. Now, you may be wondering if you ever need to operate the Volcano from a distance, seeing most of the time the device sits right in front of you on the table. And you might even be right. But, there is a good chance that the future will hold scenarios where a feature like that will come in quite handy.
Even if you will never use the Smartphone app to adjust the temperature settings directly, you are still going to love it. That’s because the app does so much more! Consider the ability to upgrade the firmware of the Hybrid or set up your own, custom-programmed heat-settings.
Volcano Hybrid vs. Classic: Maintenance and essential accessories
Never change a winning team
Maintenance wise, the Volcano has always been a breeze to (keep) clean. That hasn’t changed one bit. All the components that tend to get dirty can still be disassembled and cleaned separately.
The Tube Kit is a gamechanger
As mentioned before, the newly added Tube Kit is what makes the Hybrid earn its name. The ability to continuously take hits with the Volcano is a real gamechanger. It might not be for everyone and the tube itself may give off a slight silicon flavour for the first few draws, but after a couple of sessions, you too will realise that it adds a whole new dimension to the vaping experience.
Volcano Hybrid vs. Classic: Who should buy this?
Should you replace the Volcano Classic with the new Volcano Hybrid?
Hmmm... That is the elephant in the room, isn’t it? Should you replace your trusty Volcano Classic with the new Volcano Hybrid? The short answer? Yes! The Hybrid is a superior device when it comes to performance and ease-of-use. But, if you recently bought the Classic or your old Classic is still in good working order, then it might be worth your while to wait a bit before you invest in the Hybrid.
If, however, you don’t have a desktop vaporizer yet, then it’s a no-brainer. Just go with the Hybrid. All the improvements are well worth the high price tag.
Volcano Hybrid vs. Classic: Pros and cons
Hybrid pros
The new, digital display gives you much more control over the heat settings.
The pre-heat-up time is only 40 seconds (!).
The new filling chamber is much better than that of the Classic and easier to use.
The addition of the Tube Kit gives the Hybrid a whole new dimension.
The Smartphone app really does add extra functionality and control.
Hybrid cons
The Hybrid is almost twice as expensive as the Classic.
The new Hybrid Filling Chamber is not backwards-compatible with the Classic.
During the first few sessions, the Tube Kit may give off a slight silicon scent and flavour.
Classic pros
Half the price of the Volcano Hybrid
May be slightly easier to use for people who aren’t very ‘tech-savvy’
Classic cons
The Classic takes much longer to heat up to the desired temperature.
Not compatible with the Hybrid Filling Chamber.
Not compatible with the Hybrid’s Tube Kit.
Volcano Hybrid vs. Classic: Final verdict
Let’s be clear; The Volcano Classic is still one of the best desktop vaporizers on today’s market and will serve you well for many more years. But, the Volcano Hybrid is the superior device in this comparison. It’s an upgrade in performance, user-friendliness and functionality. So, if you are looking for a replacement anyway, and you have the budget, go for the Hybrid!
If you don’t have a desktop vaporizer yet and you want the absolute best of the best, then it’s a no-brainer too. Go for the Hybrid! If you have the budget for it, that is…...
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