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. 

Give yourself a vaporizer as a holiday present

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.

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XMAX Starry 3.0

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.

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PCKT One Plus 660mAh CHARCOAL

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.

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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.

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Crafty+

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.

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PAX 3 MATTE ROSE GOLD

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.

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VapCap OmniVonG Hydra XL LIGHT WOOD

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.

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Linx Gaia GOLD

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.

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Huge discounts on the best vaporizers!

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:

signup to stay informed about our BF/CM deals

The following pre-Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts are now active, so go get them while they last:

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. 

Introducing the different DynaVap families 

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 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 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
• OmniVonG, which has the Omni Mouthpiece 
• NonaVonG XLS, which is the longer version of the NonaVonG with a Spinning Mouthpiece

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

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…...  

Amsterdam is gearing up for another edition of Pride. From the 27th of July through the 3rd of August 2019, the streets and canals of the city will be centre stage in celebration of LGBTQ+ rights and awareness worldwide. To make this week extra festive and colourful, VapoShop has made a selection of the best and finest portable vaporizers, so you can enjoy your favourite herbs or extracts on-the-go while you show your support for the LGBTQ+ community.     

Our selection of the 5 best pocket-size vaporizers to celebrate Pride 2019 in style

PAX 3 Rose

The PAX vaporizers by PAX Labs Inc. have always been one of the most discreet, and yet stylish portable vaporizers to date, but with the PAX 3 Rose Gold edition, you’ll want to be seen! This luscious pink device will have your herb or concentrate ready to go within 10 to 20 seconds at a temperature range of 180 to 215°C. 

DaVinci Miqro Amethyst

With DaVinci’s latest model named MIQRO, you’ll have a powerful vaporizer with a high finish, high technology and supreme vapour quality in the palm of your hand. This compact and yet glamorous conduction heating device is all you need to enjoy all the dry herb you can get your hands on within 30 seconds after switching it on.     

Linx Hypnos Zero Iridescent  

Why not make this colourful day even more vivid? With the rainbow-themed Linx Hypnos Zero Iridescent Edition, you can! This concentrate-only pen vaporizer allows you to indulge in the aromatic pleasures that fragrant oils and waxes can provide without effort or hassle. Just fill, turn on and breath. 

Flowermate V5.0S Pro Blue

Flowermate ensures you will celebrate Pride in the most flavourful way possible with the Flowermate V5.0S Pro. This oven based, dry herb and concentrate vaporizer has been made with a full flavour experience in mind. With its adjustable temperature settings and double 2600 mAh batteries, you’ll be feasting on every aromatic blend you want, all day and all night long.    

PCKT One Plus Crimson

Whether you like vaping e-liquids or aromatic oils and waxes, the PCKT One Plus makes switching between the two as easy as one, two, three. And you will look exceedingly cute puffing away on the Crimson version we selected especially for Pride 2019. 

The electronic portable concentrate rig family just got bigger with the new Focus V Carta. This e-rig features a compact, straight design that fits snugly into the protective pouch, included in the box. It also comes with removable batteries, a concentrate atomizer and an optional herb atomizer. For a digital concentrate rig, this device has some towering ambitions: offering concentrate and herb vaping in a portable rig, effectively vying for the position of your go-to, on-the-go vaporizer. Let’s see what Focus V, formerly known as FocusVape, has come up with.  

Focus V Carta review - Performance

Battery life

The Focus V carta is equipped with two 18350 batteries which last for a surprising amount of time, considering the fact that the heat-up time for the device’s four temperature settings is almost non-existent. We’ve tried exhausting the batteries by doing multiple sessions on 410°C and the device beat us with half of its battery life still untapped. We can therefore safely assume that a night with friends on a single charge is perfectly doable. The batteries charge via USB-C cable and take about 2 hours to fully charge inside the device.

Vapour quality

Low-temp vaping with titanium buckets and quartz buckets puts different amounts of stress on the batteries. The quick heat up time even on higher temperature makes quartz ideal for instant high-temperature vaping, while titanium, once seasoned, could be considered more suitable for drawn-out, low-temp vaping as it retains heat better. That being said, the more fragile quartz buckets are also suitable for low-temp vaping as they ensure a pristine flavour. A hot and hurty hit is possible at 450°C (compare this, for example to the Puffco Peak’s ‘peak setting’ of 315°C), which will send you flat on your back. The first two temperatures are ideal for low temp, terpy vaping and even on the third setting you’ll be getting flavourful vapour for 2 to 3 hits.

Efficiency

The buckets are spacious enough for large dollops and the Focus V Carta features an astonishingly fast heat up time. As the buckets are not fixed to the atomizer, there’s bound to be a temperature disparity between bucket temperature and temperature setting. This is evident from the fact that the vapour only gets harsh at the highest setting, the aforementioned, dizzying 450°C. The other settings (260°C, 332°C; 410°C) provide flavour that is easy on the throat and lungs. The unit contains a good compromise between long hits on the one hand and saving battery life and concentrate on the other with its heating mode active for about 45 seconds. Going in for the second long hit will require you to reactivate the heating element with a single push of the control button.

Air flow

The glass bubbler has a sizeable air intake and will resist clogging. The straight sides of the glass bubbler makes sure you can fill the bubbler with a decent amount of water which, aside from cooling your vapour, provides substantial draw resistance. Get ready for some long, deep and dense drawing action on the Focus V Carta. You’ll be happy to know you can rip away without getting any splashback from the water.

Focus V Carta review - Build quality

Slightly plasticky

The Focus V Carta has somewhat of a plasticky feel to it but it weighs reassuringly heavy in your hand. The control button does feel and sound a little platicky as well and the led indicator could have been designed better to ensure that the light doesn’t reach areas it’s not supposed to light up. We’re nitpicking here, but that’s what we’re here to do, after all.

Glass bubbler

The unit’s quality glass bubbler feels solid with and its large air intake will more than likely not clog. You can put a decent amount of water in there which makes for improved draw resistance and particularly lengthy draws.

Atomizer

Threading on atomizers usually spells trouble, with concentrate vapour condensing inside the threads making it hard to unscrew the separate components. In this case, with a quite wide threading, the issue does not really present itself. The plastic ring sealing off the rim of the atomizer screws on clockwise, which means you’ll unscrew it if you catch it when screwing the atomizer in the rig. On the plus side, this seemingly counter-intuitive approach allows you to easily unscrew the ring to replace a bucket while the atomizer remains firmly in place.

Focus V Carta review - User friendliness

Cold loading

If the types of concentrates you use are suitable for cold loading, we recommend you do so. The device heats up rapidly, in a matter of seconds, and even its lower temperature settings will vaporize your concentrates at an alarming rate. Putting your concentrates in a bowl after it’s already heated will result in some unnecessary loss in concentrates so make sure you pre-load your bowls. The Focus V Carta therefore has another ace up its sleeve with buckets that can be changed while the atomizer stays in place.

App integration for full temperature control

The good folks at Focus V have provided an integrated app that allows full temperature control as well as customizing session time and the option to save your favourite vaping temperatures. You can also record your total session time and number of hits. The app is indispensable for vaping herbs and a very nice addition for people who’ll want to precisely manage the release of active compounds in different concentrates.

Straightforward controls

The Focus V Carta has one button, which is all you’re ever going to need. Click it five times to activate or deactivate the device, which will immediately show remaining battery life. One click to cycle between the four temperature settings with haptic feedback alerting you when the temperature’s been reached (also, the leds will stop blinking and turn from blue to green). After 45 seconds, haptic feedback will alert you when the session is over and it only takes one push of the button to get the device heating again. All pretty straightforward.

Portability

As e-rigs go, this one is seriously portable, in the same sense that the Ghost MV1 or Mighty are portable vaporizers: bring it with you when travelling or as the life of the party but don’t expect to stuff this e-rig in a trouser pocket. The carrying pouch will protect the glass bubbler just fine and it’s a nice touch by Focus V that they don’t force you to shell out a few extra euros for it. Other than that, the fact that the batteries can be charged externally makes sure you can take the Focus V Carta on some prolonged camping trips in the great wide open. Something to look forward to.

Focus V Carta review - Maintenance and accessories

What’s in the box?

The box comes with carrying pouch, a borosilicate carb cap, a concentrate atomizer with a titanium and two quartz buckets, a concentrate tool, 2 18350 (2400 mAh) batteries, a USB-C cable and a wax chamber. The removable batteries make the Focus V Carta stand out among its peers. The device comes with a limited 3-year manufacturer’s warranty. Other accessories available are a herb atomizer, a beautiful helix glass bubbler, spare straight glass bubblers, carb caps and titanium and quartz buckets, additional batteries and replacement concentrate atomizers. The good folks from FocusV  will gradually release a number of interesting glass bubblers you can use to customize your Carta with, the Helix and the Helix Pill being two of them. Expect some great water-meets-vapour vortexes with these two beautiful add-ons.

Herb atomizer

The herb atomizer requires app integration to reach temperatures that are herb-friendly. There’s a reason why the herb atomizer is listed under accessories: in our humble opinion, the Focus V Carta is first and foremost a concentrate vaporizer. There seems to be a ceramic coating inside the herb atomizer which should keep your herbs tasty and fresh. However, the vapour travels through intake holes at the metal top of the herb atomizer and encounters some other metal parts along the vapour path which probably accounts for the slight metallic aftertaste. The herb atomizer performance in terms of taste is on par with a mid-range herb vaporizer but its remarkable heat-up time does make this rig a viable option for vaping herbs.

Cleaning the Focus V Carta

Bathing the glass bubbler in hot water will do the job. However, reclaim tends to collect in the air path between the bottom of the atomizer and the opening of the glass bubbler. Clean the airpath regularly with an isopropyl alcohol swab, as well as the thread holding your atomizer on to the base to avoid a gummed-up atomizer and a restricted airpath.

Focus V Carta review - Pros and cons 

Pros

- Excellent battery life
- Very short heat-up time
- Hot and hurty - no joke
- Well-designed air path
- Excellent flavour, particularly so with the quartz bucket
- Compatible with herbs
- Full temperature control with app integration
- Quite portable

Cons

- Somewhat plasticky look 
- Cleaning can be a little tricky
- Screwing/unscrewing atomizer and its components can feel counter-intuitive

Focus V Carta review - Who is this for?

Vaping concentrates on the go is still mainly the domain of concentrate pens and only a few, such as the Linx Blaze, are truly convincing. If you’re looking for a device that’s more versatile in terms of temperature settings while still being reasonably portable, the Focus V Carta is right up your ally. Terpy, low-temp vaping as well as eye-watering, mind-erasing high temp hits at the push of a single button. Upping your concentrate game by exerting full temperature control and still maintaining a comfortable level of portability is what the Focus V Carta is all about.

Focus V Carta review - Final verdict

The Focus V Carta is an e-rig that should feature high on anyone’s list. It’s as perfect for low-temp vaping as it is for high temperature hits that’ll leave you glued to the back of your couch. The ultra fast-heat up time and long battery life is where this portable e-rig truly shines. It’s rare to see a herb vaporizer that excels in performance as well as in heat-up time and battery life, let alone an e-rig. The Focus V Carta does allow for vaping herbs just as the Ghost MV1 allows you to vape concentrates: it’s possible but it’s not its main purpose. If you’re moving into concentrate territory but you don’t feel ready to completely abandon herbs, the Focus V Carta will be all you’ll ever need and at a price that won’t even raise a single eyebrow.

Order the Focus V Carta

The AirVape Xs GO portable vaporizer reminds us of its big brother, the AirVape X, in terms of its hybrid conduction/convection heating system. Other than that, the vaporizer features a complete redesign and competes convincingly in the ultra-portable segment. Will the redesign affect vapour quality and functionality? Let’s find out.

AirVape Xs GO review - Performance

Hybrid conduction/convection herb vaporizer

The AirVape Xs Go’s oval ceramic oven is heated through conduction but also through convection, with cool air being warmed by a heating element before it enters the oven through a number of holes. Your herbs will be heated directly through the oven’s sides (the bottom being protected by a metal screen, effectively shielding your herbs from direct contact with the bottom part of the oven). For a more terpy, less cloudy vape session, you can go for a coarse grind, packing your herbs loosely which allows for the convection effect to dominate. If you’re chasing clouds, go for a finer grind and pack your herbs tightly, allowing for maximum conduction efficiency.

Vapour quality

Flavouristas will enjoy nice long draws via convection heating for better taste. On the other hand, a tightly packed oven and shorter draws will activate conduction heating, which will envelop you in a misty haze in no time. The oven was borrowed from the AirVape X and fits about 0.25 grams of herbs which is not that bad for a vape whose claim-to-fame is its portability. The ceramic lid at the end of the mouthpiece is kept in place with a silicone gasket and the good folks at AirVape have made sure that the vapour runs into a number of bends, turns and obstacles before reaching your mouth, rendering the vapour less harsh. This design choice also makes for a nicely balanced draw resistance. The vapour is still pretty hot on higher temperatures, which comes as no surprise for such a tiny vape with an oven practically hugging the mouthpiece. Thankfully, the ABS plastic mouthpiece hardly conducts any heat and feels relatively cool against your lips. The AirVape Xs GO pales a little in comparison to its predecessor, the AirVape Xs, in terms of vapour smoothness and taste but it does a reasonable job anyway.

Integrated battery

The 1200 mAh integrated battery is tiny but will fight for your right to vape before yielding. It’ll allow for a couple of sessions with about 12 draws per bowl on a medium setting which is not bad at all. It also allows for pass-through charging, so vape away while your battery’s charging, which it does in under an hour. We haven’t counted draws on the lower 2 temperature settings but it would be safe to assume that you’ll be able to wander around on a festival site, sipping cool, terpy vapour for quite some time before this baby gives out.

AirVape Xs GO review - Build quality

Resilient

The ABS plastic that constitutes the main material of the vape has been ergonomically shaped to fit in the palm of your hand. The plastic's known shock-resistant properties along with the magnetic mouthpiece - a known sensitive part in most vaporizers - puts our minds at ease about the device’s survival potential. The downside of a magnetic mouthpiece is that it might become detached in your trouser pocket or belt bag, leaving your precious herbs exposed.

Groovy

This vaporizer feels light and sturdy at the same time and we suspect it might just bounce back unscathed from a medium fall. Your thumbs and fingers will fit nicely in the large, oval-shaped indents while the grooved pattern on the back will keep it from slipping. This is definitely a vaporizer to hold and cherish.

AirVape Xs GO review - User friendliness

Just the one button

As with most smaller vapes, the AirVape Xs GO relies on a single button. Pressing the button three times powers the device on or off which immediately shows remaining battery life through blinking indicator LEDs. Press and hold the button to cycle between temperature levels. The devices shuts off automatically after 3 minutes, giving you ample time to enjoy a session.

Temperature control

The AirVape Xs GO  is quite flexible when it comes to temperature control, whether you’re going for a low-temp terpy session, an immediate smokestack on higher temps or a slow-build up across a 5-level temperature range between 180°C and 215°C. The 5 temperature levels (180°C, 190°C, 200°C and  207°C) are neatly spaced out and going from zero to the highest setting will take only 20 seconds on average.

AirVape Xs GO review - Maintenance & accessories

Scrub-a-dub-dub

The bottom of the ceramic oven is separated from your herbs by a removable metal screen that fits rather loosely in the oven. This will cause herbal residue to stain the oven’s floor. Wiggle the screen a little, pop it out, set the vape to its highest temp setting and remove the residue with isopropyl swabs. The mouthpiece’s removable components can rest a little in an isopropyl bath while you’re scrubbing away at the oven.

No bells or whistles

The AirVape Xs GO comes with an integrated flat metal tool you can use for stirring your herbs and for removing and inserting the metal screen into the oven. Very thoughtful. The box includes a spare metal screen, a USB-charging cable, an instruction manual, a cleaning brush and a pair of tweezers. Not quite sure what to do with those tweezers but it’s always nice to have a pair of them lying about. Thanks Apollo Vaporizer Inc.! Other than that, the AirVape Xs GO doesn’t come with any fancy accessories.

AirVape Xs GO review - Pros and cons

Pros

- Featherweight (57 grams) but sturdy
- Seriously small and ergonomically shaped
- Decent battery life and quick reaction time
- Flexible in terms of vapour output thanks to its hybrid convection/conduction technology
- Five temperature settings, an impressive feat for...wait for it...such a small device
- Affordable

Cons

- Integrated battery will wear out quickly on high temperature settings
- Magnetic mouthpiece could do with some stronger magnets
- Acceptable flavour but nothing to dwell on

AirVape Xs GO review - Who is this for?

If you’re just getting into electric vaping and feel you need to test the waters before spending a few hundred euros, this vaporizer is a very good choice indeed. You’ll be able to experiment with packing the oven to emphasize either conduction or convection heating, test different herbs on different temperature levels and carry it around wherever you go.  If you’re already a seasoned vape-veteran and you’re looking for an inexpensive, secondary vape, the AirVape Xs GO won’t let you down either.

AirVape Xs GO review - Final verdict

The AirVape Xs GO won’t be winning any awards in the ‘Tasty Vapour’ category - even though it doesn’t perform poorly in this area either. It provides conduction and convection heating - an industry first as far as we know for a vape this size - which will delight flavouristas and cloud chasers alike. It’s so portable that it single-handedly redefines the category ‘portable’,  with its sturdy, ergonomic shape. This makes this vape the ultimate on-the-go vape, with the Boundless CFC LITE as its main competitor. The AirVape Xs GO is also similarly priced and we would be hard-pressed to pick a favourite.

Order the AirVape Xs GO