OhGizmo! Review: The Zeus Arc Vaporizer

Today we take a first look at the new Zeus Arc vaporizer! Not the brands first release, they’ve also put out units like the Zeus Smite+ and neat gadgets like the Zeus Iceborn.

We do an in-depth analysis to really see what’s behind the automotive inspired design. With a gold heatsink and vapor path, haptic feedback, internal accelerometer and other neat features, it seems to be a pretty solid device on paper. Check out what we have to say about the Zeus Arc here in our review!

The Hardware


The Zeus Arc is engineered in Germany providing a robust yet sleek build which reminds us of many of the high-end cars that come out of Germany. The Arc is actually a bit smaller than we first expected! Fitting comfortably and snugly in the hand, the ergonomic lines make it nice to handle and hold. The hard-coat aluminum chassis feels sturdy though not too heavy either while giving it a clean and high-end feel to it.


It’s hard not to mention the gold on the GT model! The heating chamber is entirely gold which we found led to much better extraction and great cloud production. With the vapor path being in contact with the gold heatsink, it allows the vapor to dissipate heat much quicker than with other materials. This allows for smoother and cooler vapor and a nicer overall experience. Of course, the gold trim also boosts the looks as well!

An accelerometer on a vaporizer? Has science gone too far? Well, no, not really! By shaking the device, it’ll then display the battery level by illuminating the LEDs. If the Arc doesn’t detect movement within 30 seconds, it’ll instinctively begin cooling down too! This helps preserve your herb and battery life in case you get distracted, which happens more frequently than I care to admit.

The device charges via MicroUSB, which is both convenient and effective. The same port allows you to run firmware updates as well, in case some changes come out in the future to make the experience even better. We love how this future-proofs the unit for a while, which is important in this quickly changing market.
The battery is powerful and lasts around ~90 minutes, or 6-9 sessions, depending on which heat setting you choose and your personal usage habits. This is more than enough for the occasional session, and daily users won’t be left out to dry after just a couple bowls.

If you thought they couldn’t have engineered any other neat features into the device, you’d be wrong! The Zeus Arc also has an integrated stirring tool magnetically attached to the bottom. This is super convenient when you want to stir the bowl or empty it out after a session without frantically looking for a small pick. Thanks, Zeus!

The Performance

Onto what really matters most – how does it work? Well to start, after you’ve powered the device on and selected a temperature, you’ll want to wait for it to heat-up. The three different heat settings will give you slightly different results. Check out below to see our comparison!

Temperature setting 1: The most flavorful of them all, the first heat setting is perfect for really tasting your herb and getting a light, functional session that won’t leave you completely couchlocked.

Temperature setting 2: Good for a balanced experience, the second heat setting gives you a little more ‘oomph’ with your draws, producing more vapor than on the first. The flavor is a little darker than on the first setting but still good and personally, this setting gets the most use for me!

Temperature setting 3: Great for when you want to kick back and really melt into the couch, the third heat setting extracts as much as possible out of your herbs. Though the vapor is a little harsher and tastes a bit like roasted popcorn, it’s well worth it if you want a potent, powerful session!

The gold (or stainless steel) heat sink and vapor path does a solid job at cooling down the vapor before it reaches your lungs on all the settings. More effective than other materials without adding unnecessary flavor to your herb, it was an interesting design choice that evidently paid off!

As the heatsink is encased by silicone, you might be wondering if that adds any flavor either, considering the properties of silicone. Thankfully, Zeus used a quality medical grade silicone that feels nice to use, also without adding any unnecessary flavor or smells to your vapor.

It’s worth mentioning how small and portable the Zeus Arc is! It’s on par with units like the Pax 3 or DaVinci IQ which is impressive for something this powerful. The curved edges make it fit nicely into the pocket or a bag, as well as having an ergonomic use too.

Hiding away almost entirely in the hand while coated in a discreet black finish, the Arc resembles a power bank more than an herb vaporizer. This is convenient for those times where you want to have a stealthy session without any worries.

Conclusion

The Zeus Arc is quite an impressive vaporizer putting powerful and potent draws in the palm of your hand. If you’re looking for a portable, convenient unit with good build quality, strong feature and a large chamber, the Zeus Arc could be the right one for you!

While the standard Zeus Arc works very well, the Zeus Arc GT with its upgraded gold parts and trim pieces is definitely worth it if you’re looking to shell out a little more instead! Plus, who doesn’t love gold!

If you are looking to pick one up you can get it directly for TVAPE.

Pros
+ Great vapor production
+ Large herb chamber
+ Intuitive features, attractive design.
+ Gold heatsink for effective cooling.

Cons
– No full temperature control (3 settings works well however)
– No removable battery

Welcoming The New Vape from Arizer Tech: The Solo II

The following article is sponsored. – Ed.

Arizer launched its original Solo in May 2011 which has managed to not only stay but do well in the market for all these years and it is only in 2017 that the company has decided to launch a new and upgraded version of the Solo, the Solo II. This proves the efficiency and merit of the original product which is justified by the fact that it took 3 long years to plan and design the device. Hence, one can imagine the expectation that people would have from the newest addition to the line with which the Solo platform is up for a complete upgrade.

From what it seems from the look of it, you may be thinking that the newer version from the Canadian manufacturer, Arizer, has not much to offer which would seem to be an update to the features of the original Solo. But this is exactly where you are wrong as apart from deriving its design and look from the original Solo, the new Solo 2 has sent everything integral to the device starting from its UI to battery to overall experience up for a major makeover and a complete upgrade. Wait till you hear it all.

If you are here for the highlights and need some fast facts to list the additions and differences that the Solo 2 will bring into your life, then here’s a quick look into what all is going to change. The battery life has been upgraded to give double of that provided by the original Solo and 4 times of that provided by Arizer Air and the Solo 2 offers about 3 hours of continuous vaping experience. The maximum temperature that you got with both Air and original Solo being 210 degrees Celsius is something that will seem like a good change with the Solo 2 as it provides 10 degrees extra. The maximum temperature of 220°C can be reached in less than 30 seconds and that is a big improvement when it comes to the heat up time, compared to the couple of minutes taken by the original Solo.

Another big enhancement that is a welcoming change is the bright LED display replacing the seven lights denoting temperature. This provides the much needed relaxation to the mind as the struggle to remember lighting combos for different temperatures really got in the way of a smooth session. The precise temperature control that allows you to set the exact temperature you want between 50 to 220 degrees Celsius adds on to your overall experience as you can choose among a range of temperatures depending on the quality and flavor of vapor you get out of it. The quality of the device when it comes to manufacturing and vapor has not been compromised but enhanced with a more free flowing airflow. You can buy Arizer Solo 2 in Canada from one currently emerging Smoke and Vape shop in Canada; Haze Smoke Shop.

Deal Of The Day: 37% Off On The Hippie 3 Vaporizer

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Combustion is so 2013. What all the cool kids are doing these days is vaping, heating up their materials to a point where all the essential chemicals are released into your lungs, without burning anything and preventing most of the really topic stuff from making its way into your system. The Hippie 3 Vaporizer is one such vaporizer, and today it’s on special.

Pucker up, this advanced vaporizer is ready to be the smoking paraphernalia of your dreams. Don’t be fooled by its minimalist design – the Hippie 3 is a device of the future, using smart technology to display and remember your last temperature setting, and boasting a one-of-a-kind full glass heating chamber for an extremely smooth, flavorful draw.

– Easy, one button use makes it highly portable
– Super-fast heating takes just 15 seconds to reach optimal vaporizing temperature
– Temperature dial ring makes changing the temperature extremely simple
– Glass mouthpiece & full glass chamber create outstanding vapor
– Long life, up to 1 hour, gives you a great companion for longer

Normally $159, it’s $99.99 after today’s deal. Shipped, of course, for free.

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[ Get The Hippie 3 Vaporizer ]

Vaporizer Buyer’s Guide

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Over the last couple of years, a lot of people have replaced smoking with vaporizing because of the perceived health benefits. While the jury is still out on whether or not vaporizing is actually healthier than smoking, there is no denying the fact that many people assume so. This is because vaporizing doesn’t involve burning (combustion) of the herb and produces less toxic compounds. Vaporizing ‘cooks’ the herbs without burning them. This way, the herbs release flavor, taste, and other components without being set ablaze and producing smoke.

There are a lot of vaporizers on the market today and they generally fall into one of the following three groups:

Wax pens
– Portable vaporizers
– Desktop vaporizers

Each type has its pros and cons. Vaporizing wax pens are stealthy and small but can’t hold a lot of material so they are intended for personal use of concentrates and extracts. Portable vaporizers are slightly larger, with a battery that lasts longer but are still limited with the amount of herb they can hold. Desktop vaporizers are bulky and can be used for group vaporizing sessions, although you wouldn’t want to carry them around with you.

I’ll be focusing on portable vaporizer recommendations and comparisons in this post because they are what you might call a golden mean – more and more people are opting for portable, hand-held vaporizers because they are practical. You can think of it like a laptop or cell phone, compared to home computers/ home phones.

There are several things you need to pay attention to when buying a portable vaporizer:

Heating method – can be convection or conduction. Conduction means that your herb is in direct contact with the source of heat. Convection method heats the air below the herb allowing it to slowly cook. Convection heating is superior because there is no risk that the herb will start to burn or be unevenly cooked.

Temperature control – Some units come with one pre-set temperature level that isn’t appropriate for different varieties of herbs. Other, higher-end, units have several pre-set levels or allow users free control of temperature settings.

Power source – Power source is a big deal with portable vaporizing units. Some still run on butane but most use rechargeable batteries these days. These batteries can be internal or external (external batteries can be swapped throughout the day while internal ones have to be recharged- meaning you are tied to a power cord in the mean time).

Portable Vaporizers Comparison

In this post I’ll take a look at 5 different portable vaporizer units, each with its own ups and downs. These are Crafty Vaporizer, Utillian 720 Vaporizer, PAX 2 Vaporizer, ZEUS Smite Plus Vaporizer, and the Arizer Air Vaporizer.

Each of these devices will appeal to different types of connoissuers – from those looking to buy top-of-the-shelf devices and want to enjoy premium taste and vapor to those looking for that sweet spot between cost and quality.

Crafty Vaporizer
Possibly the most high-end vaporizer on this list comes to us from a well-known manufacturer, Storz and Bickel – a name that is quite recognizable in the vaporizer industry for its Volcano vaporizer. Crafty vaporizer is their first portable unit ever and one that was highly expected – that’s why it has been scrutinized from every direction. Crafty can’t afford to fail!

It might seem that Crafty vaporizer doesn’t come with precise temperature control in the beginning – and it doesn’t really. The manufacturer was thinking out of the box so they’ve created an app for iOS and Android that can be used to change pre-set temperatures from anywhere between 40 Celsius to 210 Celsius. Once you install the app you will have numerous control options at your disposal.

Manufacturing Quality
It’s true; Crafty is not the best looking vaporizers on the market. It looks funny and feels funny to the touch and there is simply too much plastic on it. Crafty is made completely from high-grade plastics (apart from the heating chamber) and it doesn’t look particularly high-end. However, because of the reputation of the manufacturer and test done on the unit it’s safe to assume that all the materials are vetted and up to a certain standard.

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Vapor Quality
What it lacks in looks Crafty vaporizer definitely makes up for in function. It’s simply outstanding, which is a bit bewildering since the entire unit is made of plastics. Still, it produces rich, quality vapor that is not tainted in any way. Since it has great airflow there is virtually little to no resistance when using Crafty and the vapor is nice and cool thanks to an inventive design that allows for heat dissipation.

Overall Experience
Crafty vaporizer is easy to use and is operated with a single button. Advanced controls are available via the app. It features an auto shut-off that turns the unit off after 60 seconds to preserve battery life. Crafty is a perfect example of function over form design and as such is a great buy for all vapers who want an excellent vape but aren’t overly concerned with the aesthetics.

SCORE: 9.2

Utillian 720
Utillian is a fresh name on the vaporizer market but they’ve already made their mark with their vaporizer Utillian 650. Their new unit, Utillian 720 boasts a couple of new tricks, including convection heating and exquisite vapor production.

The Utillian 720 has some temperature flexibility and comes with 4 pre-set temperature settings, from 170 Celsius to 210 Celsius. Temperature settings are color coded (170 green, 180 blue, 190 purple, and 210 red) so it’s easy for you to know what you’re set temperature is.

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Manufacturing Quality
The Utillian 720 is designed with great care and top of the line materials. It still has some plastic components but not nearly as much as the Crafty Vaporizer. Utillian’s outer shell is made from anodized aluminum but it also has a rubbery finish so it’s easy to grip and hold. The mouthpiece is made from heat-resistant, high-quality plastics and the heating chamber is surgical-grade stainless steel.

Vapor Quality
Thanks to convection heating, Utillian 720 produces clear rich vapor that is dense and a very smooth flavor consistently. Regardless of whether you like thin or thick vapor you will be able to enjoy this unit since it has 8 temperature settings. Some of you may expect the flavor to be influenced by the plastic mouthpiece but this isn’t the case – the vapor is completely clean and untainted. Utillian 720 has the best vapor quality in its price range, at least in my book.

Overall Experience
This Utillian vaporizer is a breeze to use – one button design allows you to the unit on or off, change temperature, or enter the enhanced mode. The outstanding vapor is something that I’m not used to seeing from up and coming manufacturer but Utillian really hits the nail on the head here. The battery life is decent and you can expect to vape for a full day on a single battery charge. Utillian 720 is a great unit – ½ the price than the Crafty Vaporizer but certainly up there in terms of quality and functionality! Other reviewers like Tech.co agreed, asserting “the Utillian 720 is one of the best!

SCORE: 9.0

PAX 2 Vaporizer
PAX 2 is a top of the line vaporizer and one of the most desired units currently on the market. It’s a great improvement on the original PAX because Ploom, the company that manufactures it, listened to the market and managed to iron out the kinks that users weren’t satisfied with. Vapesterdam did a Pax 2 Vaporizer review that I found thorough.

The only minor complaint I have about PAX 2 is related to temperature flexibility. PAX 2 comes with 4 pre-set temperature settings (ranging between 360- 420° F, or 182- 215° C) that might not appeal to vapers who want complete control over their vape.

Manufacturing Quality
Guys at Ploom really wanted to make PAX 2 a sight to behold. It’s a sleek unit that uses high-quality materials – food grade silicone for the mouthpiece and stainless steel for the heating chamber. Medical quality components are used for vapor pathways which ensure a nice, clean vape. The finish is made from brushed anodized aluminum so the unit is easy to grip and lightweight.

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Vapor Quality
The quality of the draws is somewhat inconsistent because PAX uses ‘smart vaporizer’ technology, which means that the temperature is determined by draw frequency and speed. First draws are always a delight but unfortunately the resistance changes influence it as the session progresses. Still, while vapor quality might be better, the amount of vapor will definitely positively surprise you.

Overall Experience
PAX 2 still has some issues but it’s a great portable unit that weighs around 92 grams. Depending on your style of vaping you can expect the battery to last anywhere from 50 to 90 minutes – the battery won’t get depleted quickly because the unit goes into stand-by mode if not used or moved for 20 seconds. It’s an innovative unit, albeit a bit expensive, so it’s perfect for vapers with slightly deeper pockets and a willingness to experiment.

SCORE: 8.8

ZEUS Smite Plus Vaporizers
This new and improved model of ZEUS Smite is geared toward experienced vapers who are looking for a great vape but aren’t willing to break the bank to get it. It’s a great portable unit – small and compact as well as easy and intuitive to use.

One of the major pros with ZEUS Smite Plus is its precise temperature control that ranges from 40°C to 222°C. This gives you the ability to really hone in there and adjust the ZEUS’ output to your vaping style.

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Manufacturing Quality
ZEUS Smite Plus is made of high-quality materials that all but guarantee that the unit will last for a good long while. The mouthpiece is made from food grade silicon and doesn’t taint the flavor of the vapor in any way. However, ZEUSArsenal also sells a glass mouthpiece that you can order if you want even cleaner vapor and components that are easier to clean. The oven is made of high-quality ceramics and is easy to clean and maintain.

Vapor Quality
ZEUS Smite Plus gives off a nice, rich vapor that is full of flavor and taste. It can be adjusted in different ways thanks to the precise temperature controls so it’s suited for different vaping styles. It doesn’t really matter whether you prefer thick or thin draws – the Smite Plus can deliver!

Overall Experience
ZEUS Arsenal made significant improvements with ZEUS Smite Plus by listening to users and tweaking the performance of the unit. It offers great quality at a reasonable price and outshines it competitors that offer products in the same price range. It’s slightly heavier and larger than high-end units, weighing around 185 grams but it still easily fits into your pocket. The benefit of having a larger unit is battery life – ZEUS Smite Plus can be used for 2+ hours with a full battery so, in my opinion, the trade-off pays off.

SCORE: 8.7

Arizer Air Vaporizer
Air Vaporizer is a new product line by a well-reputed and distinguished manufacturer, Arizer. It’s a small, compact unit that will appeal to all vapers who are big on discretion. This doesn’t mean that Arizer Air doesn’t pack a punch – this unit has plenty of tricks up its sleeve and will surprise you with its versatility and power.

Air uses hybrid conduction- convection heating and has 5 pre-set temperature settings so it can cater to all your vaping needs. The temperature settings can be adjusted in 5 or 10 degree increments and range from 180 Celsius to 210 Celsius.

Manufacturing Quality
Arizer Air is made from top-notch materials – high-quality plastics and anodized aluminum exterior, glass diffusion stems, stainless steel botanical chamber, and a ceramic heating chamber. All this guarantees that you will enjoy a clean, rich, and untainted vape. A silicone shield is included with the kit and protects the unit while it’s in your pocket.

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Vapor Quality
The ability to adjust the temperature setting to your vaping style allows this unit to really shine. You can choose to enjoy a thin vape that is rich in flavor or you can crank it up with a click of a button to produce dense and thick vapor. Since the mouthpiece is made from high-quality plastics it doesn’t color the flavor and the vapor remains untainted.

Overall Experience
Arizer opted for simplicity in this unit and it’s operated with one button, making it easy to use and extremely intuitive. Hold the button for three seconds to turn it on or off and use the up and down arrows to adjust the temperature setting. The battery life is close to 1 hour but Air uses an external battery that is easy to replace when the old one runs out of steam. Arizers Air is a great addition to every vaper’s gear box – it’s small, compact, well-manufactured, and, best of all, cost-effective!

SCORE: 8.4

Now that you know a bit more about vaporizing it’s time to ditch the old smoking routine and upgrade to a vaporizer at Vaporizera if you live in the US! Which one of these units is right up your alley? They all have their pros and cons but each one is well-worth its price tag and immeasurably better than smoking – cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective.

Deal Of The Day: 34% Off On The Vicod 5G Vaporizer

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Combustion is so old school, you guys should really consider moving to vaporizers. Less harmful, more flavourful, and definitely more fun for a geek, a device like the The Vicod 5G Vaporizer will get you where you want to go in style.

One of the most compact and discreet true vaporizers available, the Vicod 5G Vaporizer is equipped with advanced temperature controls that range from 300?F – 435?F. Using a high drain 2200mAh Lithium Polymer battery, and an embedded ceramic heating chamber to produce pure and flavorful vapor, this technologically-advanced vaporizer will be a handy companion anywhere you go.

– Intelligent OLED screen displays current temperature & remaining battery life
– Compact design & sleek interface provide excellent versatility
– A range of temperature controls allow you to create the experience you want

Normally $129, it’s $84.95 after today’s deal, with free shipping as always.

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[ Get The Vicod 5G Vaporizer ]

OhGizmo! Review: The Utillian 720 Vaporizer

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Today I have the pleasure of reviewing a brand new portable vaporizer, the Utillian 720. The 720 is the second vaporizer made by Utillian, who launched over a year ago with the 650. It’s always a good sign to see a manufacturer come out with a second option, as this typically means that things are going well. Utillian even recently updated their first vaporizer, now offering the new and improved Utillian 651 in its place..

Of course none of that guarantees that their vaporizers will be any good, which is why we’ll be taking a detailed look into the functionality of this vape today. If you’re just here for the highlights, I have to say that the Utillian 720 is a pleasantly effective device. I really enjoyed the vapor it puts out, and the manufacturing quality is also good, especially for the price. If you are new to vaporizers however, we highly recommend taking a peak at this vaporizer buyer’s guide first.

But if you want all the details on this new convection portable, read on below!

The Hardware
As usual, we’ll start by examining the design and build quality. Before getting my hands on this vape, I had heard people comparing it to the Crafty. This isn’t a comparison that is made lightly, as the Crafty is made by Storz and Bickel, a German manufacturer known for high-quality units that deliver exceptional vapor.

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When I unboxed the Utillian 720, I immediately saw one of the reasons that these comparisons are being made: the two look a lot alike. They both have the same general shape and similar mouthpieces. It is important to note that one of the downsides of the Crafty’s cooling chamber/ mouthpiece however is it’s level of difficulty to clean. This doesn’t appear to be the case with the Utillian 720 however.

As far as materials go, the shell of the 720 is made from aluminum that has a rubberized finish. I really like the finish, as it feels very nice in the hand. The mouthpiece is made from plastic, which I immediately noted to pay attention to when testing the performance. I’ll get more into that later, but my concern was that the plastic may alter the vapor’s flavor.

The stainless steel heating chamber is accessed by removing the mouthpiece/ upper chamber, which has a magnetic connection. The magnets work very well, making it very easy to get to the chamber but still secure enough that you won’t have to worry about knocking it off or having your dry herbs come loose in transit.

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The way the 720 is designed means that your botanicals will enjoy convection heating. This is my preferred way to create vapor, as convection heating works by passing hot air through your material. This ensures very even heating with almost no chance of burning. The alternative to this is conduction heating, which works by having your material come into contact with a hot surface. This method makes it difficult to heat material evenly, and increases the odds of combustion occurring.

Other hardware that comes with the 720 includes a pair of tweezers, a USB charger, a cleaning brush and an extra screen set. There’s also a wax canister, which should make this a very appealing unit to anyone who enjoys using both waxes and dried herbs.

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The Performance
Let’s get to the good part now, and find out how this unit actually works. The magnetic cap definitely makes loading your botanicals very easy, and there’s just one button to control the power and temperature settings. Clicking the button 5 times in succession will turn it on or off, while two clicks will cycle through the temperature settings.

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The current temperature setting is indicated by the color of an LED light on the unit. The actual temperatures associated with each color are:

? Green = 170° Celsius
? Blue = 180° Celsius
? Purple = 190° Celsius
? Red = 210° Celsius

This may not seem like a whole lot of options, but the 720 has a very unique feature that gives you a lot more flexibility. If you click and hold the button, the 720 enters what Utillian calls “enhanced mode,” which increases the temperature by an extra 5 degrees. You can use enhanced mode for an entire session, but I found it especially useful towards the end of mine as the extra heat helped to increase the strength of my final draws.

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Vapor quality was the biggest strength of this unit in my opinion, as it delivered pleasant vapor with great flavor. While many people prefer using the upper end of temperature options with their vaporizers, I actually found that all of the settings on the 720 worked very well. If anything, the highest temperature was a bit harsh for my preferences, but this is almost always the case with portables above 200° C with short vapor pathways.

I was worried about the plastic mouthpiece affecting the flavor of the vapor, but I didn’t notice this being a factor at all in practice. The vapor tasted pure, and I actually forgot that it was plastic at first.

Based on my experience, the battery seems to last 1-1.5 hours depending on the temperature level used. You’ll only get to 1.5 hours if you stay on the lowest temperature for every session, so in practice this seems to be on the lower end of industry averages for battery life. On the plus side, this still leaves the 720 with a longer battery life than the Crafty!

One final thing worth discussing is portability. I’ve found that a lot of so-called portable vapes are limited by a lack of durability that makes transporting the units risky. I would have no problem taking the 720 with me wherever I go, as it is designed well and feels very sturdy. The shape also makes it very easy to just slip into a pocket, so you don’t need to carry around cases just to take your vaporizer places.

Conclusion
The Utillian 720 is definitely a vaporizer to consider purchasing. There are a lot of things about it that I really enjoyed, including the enhanced mode. The extra 5 degrees may not seem like much, but I felt as though it helped to extend my sessions and get more strength from the final draws that I took.

The vapor was also very enjoyable. It went down smooth, and the flavor was great. Vapor quality is the single most important part of any vaporizer, and this one did not disappoint.

As far as comparisons to the Crafty go, I’d say the 720 is a great alternative for people who don’t want to spend so much money. You’ll be getting a device with better battery life without sacrificing any core functionality or vapor quality. It’s definitely worth checking out this online vaporizer store with free shipping!

Pros
+ Attractive design
+ Smooth, flavorful vapor
+ Enhanced mode delivers extra temperature flexibility

Cons
– Battery life is average (though not bad)
– Plastic mouthpiece (doesn’t affect flavor)

Study identifies two new carcinogens in e-cigarette vapor

Most people won't dispute the claim that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional smokes, but evidence is rapidly mounting that vaping isn't exactly good for you, either. Numerous studies have found toxic chemicals and carcinogens in e-cigarett...

OhGizmo! Review: The G Pen Elite Vaporizer

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Today we’re going to take a look at the G Pen Elite, a new portable vaporizer made by Grenco Science. The G Pen line of vaporizers is well known among a wide range of people for reasons ranging from their sleek designs to high-profile partnerships with celebrities like Snoop Dogg. However, one thing Grenco hasn’t been known for is creating vaporizers that succeed in true vaporization of dried material.

If you aren’t expecting much from a Grenco produced vaporizer, then you’ll probably be very surprised if you get the chance to try the Elite. This small and elegantly designed vape really blew us away in terms of overall quality compared to our expectations, especially given the price.

There certainly are a few downsides, but overall this is a vaporizer that we expect to be very popular. Let’s take a look at the materials and design that went into this vape, then we’ll go over how it performed when put to the test.

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The Hardware
From the second you get the Elite out of the box it is apparent that this is a well made vape. There was a clear focus on the design, as this is one of the sleekest and smallest vaporizers available on the market. The Elite measures just 4.4 inches from base to mouthpiece, which is similar to the size of the Prima Vaporizer, and it feels like it belongs in the palm of your hand. There’s even an ergonomic finger hold area along its body.

The exterior of the vape is entirely plastic. While many vape enthusiasts tend to look down on all-plastic construction, the Elite doesn’t feel cheap like the plastic was chosen to cut corners on manufacturing costs. Many of the best vaporizers on the market today incorporate a good deal of plastic in their designs, and when well done they perform just as well and are just as durable as vapes made with other materials.

The Elite has three buttons in total. All are well machined and fit seamlessly into the rest of the body. One controls the power and initiates the heating element, while the other two are used to set the temperature. The exterior also includes a digital display that gives readouts including current temperature and battery life.

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The heating chamber is accessed below the mouthpiece, which can be a bit hard to get off the first few times you remove it. When you look inside the unit, you’ll likely notice something immediately: the chamber is massive. According to manufacturing specs, you can fit up to .75 grams of dried material inside, as the overall depth is ¾ of an inch! In practice we found that to get a full .75 grams you would have to stuff it to the point that your material wouldn’t vaporize evenly, but the chamber is still the biggest we have ever dealt with on a portable vape by a landslide.

Another thing worth mentioning about the heating chamber is that it is 100% ceramic. Ceramic is a popular choice for chambers as it helps ensure even vaporization and heating, so this is a definite plus.

The Elite has a 2200 mAh lithium ion battery, which places it right among other leading vapes as far as power and battery life go. You should be able to fully charge the battery in 3 hours or less, and a full charge will last between 10 and 15 sessions, depending on what temperature setting is used.

There is a noticeable lack of glass in or on this unit. Many people prefer glass for vapor pathways, but the Elite was designed so that the heating chamber is located very close to the mouthpiece. This design means that the vapor heats in the chamber and immediately passes through the mouthpiece. There are some downsides to this, which we’ll go over in the performance review. An upside is that there is very little that will easily break on this unit, meaning it is likely to be more resilient than most.

The Performance
Like many portables, the G Pen Elite turns on with five clicks of the power button. Once the vape is on, you can set your desired temperature using the two buttons located above the LED display.

Temperature range for the G Pen Elite is fantastic. The display gives you precise control over the temperature, ranging from 200º F to 428º F (93ºC – 220ºC). You can adjust up or down while in use, and you even have the option to view the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit. With this range, you have full control over your experience and can modify it until you are getting your idea of perfect vapor.

Once you chose the temperature you want (we started around 365º F and worked our way up towards 400º F during the session), the heating element is engaged by pressing and holding the power button. We had read up on the Elite before trying it, but were still surprised at how fast the unit goes from cold to fully heated. The entire process took about 30 seconds, while many other vapes take 45 seconds or more.

Vapor quality was simultaneously impressive and a bit disappointing. Overall, the Elite is able to put out consistent and flavorful vapor from start to finish. While we’ve had better, this vape is still great as far as portables go. The material we used was also evenly heated and there were no signs of combustion at all.

The problem has to do with the temperature of the vapor. At the lower settings we tried, there was no problem at all. As we got towards higher levels, the lack of a vapor pathway to allow the vapor to cool meant it was entering our throats on the warm side. Some people are more sensitive to this than others, and many people may not even notice.

Related to this, the actual device itself can get very hot near the chamber and mouthpiece. By the end of the session, the mouthpiece is noticeably warm when you put it to your lips and the plastic surrounding the chamber can feel very hot to touch.

As a final note on functionality, those of you who are looking for a convenient, durable and discreet vape would probably find a lot of value in the Elite. The small size means it can very easily be concealed in the palm of your hand, allowing you to use it without attracting much attention at all. There’s also the fact that it bears a distinct resemblance to small electric razors, which raises the possibility of clever hiding places on vacations.

elite3

Conclusion
The G Pen Elite is by far the best offering by Grenco Science. This is a true dry herb vaporizer that puts out good, consistent vapor from a small, discreet package. Despite the small size, Grenco was able to pack a lot of power and functionality, including precise temperature control and 30 second heat up times. Lastly, the giant, ¾-inch herb chamber means this is a great portable vape for use with multiple people.

Pros
+ Sleek, attractive design
+ Large chamber that fits up to .75 grams
+ 30 second heat up times
+ Precise temperature control
+ Consistent, flavorful vapor
+ No glass = durable and portable

Cons
– No vapor pathway = hot vapor at high temperatures
– Unit can get hot to touch around heating chamber

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