Hi, folks. I’m in the market for my first dry herb vape. In the past, my consumption preference has always been combusted flower in a glass bowl, but I’m a heavy enough user that the regular smoking is starting to get to me. I find edibles too unpredictable and I worry that concentrates will just shoot my tolerance to the moon (based on experience with cartridges.) This led me to consider dry herb vaping.
My wife bought an XMAX V3 (POTV edition) a while back, but hasn’t been using it regularly, so I borrowed it this week to see how I liked the experience. With some practice, I’ve been able to really enjoy using it and I’m now I’m sold on vaping and ready to make the switch away from combustion.
After a few days of research, I’m really leaning towards the Tinymight 2 for myself, but with its price, I’m hesitating. So I’m here in the hopes that someone will either push me off the cliff into vaping bliss or pull me back and push me towards a more reasonably priced alternative.
My requirements and things I like about the TM2:
Must be portable, but not necessarily in a pocketable or stealthy way. I don’t plan to just carry it around when I’m out and about, but I’d like to be able to quickly grab it to use around the house or take it to a friend’s place.
Removable batteries. I want the ability to just swap batteries and use an external charger instead of needing to plug the device in.
Power. While I am able to get good hits from the V3, it involves a long draw, steadily increasing in strength, while covering one set of air holes entirely and feathering a finger over the other set. Even then, it takes several hits to get me where I want to be. I love the idea of just taking a big rip or two and being good. I’m not really after a “session” experience most of the time.
Flexibility in use. This might just go hand-in-hand with being a portable device, but I like how easy it is to change your experience just by changing stems, adding a bong, etc. I’d like to completely switch to vaping and I think having those options will help.
Reliability/repairability. While I’m new to dry herb vaping, I have been vaping nicotine for over a decade, so I’m broadly familiar with similar devices. I really like what I’ve read about Tinymight 2 in this regard. I even saw the guy say that if the threads on the battery compartment strip (very common in my experience with nicotine vapes,) he’ll just send out a new top piece with instructions on how to replace it yourself if you don’t want to ship your device in for repair. That is very attractive to me, especially considering the price of the device.
Ease of use. I don’t mind an initial learning curve at all, but once I’ve figured the device out, I don’t want to continue fiddling with it. I’m not interested in anything requiring an external heat source for this reason. I appreciate that this is a fun hobby for some, but I just want to dial in the settings I like, push a button, and get high, not build a mad science lab on my desk.
So with all those considerations, is the TM2 the device for me?
I’m not sure… The TM2 is one hell of a fun vaporizer - but think of it more like a Ferrari or McLaren. It’s an insanely powerful device built by a small brand for a nice market (exotic vaporizer collectors). Yes it is one hell of a device. BUT not the device I’d bring out in public all the time because it’s not the most durable, it’s expensive, and it produces a massive cloud that you don’t always need.
Right now the S&B Mighty is one of the top-selling higher powered portables on the market. It has dual batteries so it has a very long battery life (and overall lifespan, because it splits the power demand between two battery cells, putting half the stress on each battery cell). Plus I believe it has pass-through charging so you can use the device while charging (at least the original Mighty, I don’t know for certain about the Mighty+).
HOWEVER a little birdie in the industry told me that S&B is working on a new vaporizer which should hit the market VERY soon. So I bet you’ll see mightys on sale in the very near future.
All that said, I think you might want to explore the world of butane powered portables! If stealth is not a concern, check out the Lotus vaporizer (formerly it’s own brand… then discontinued, now recently resurrected by another butane brand called Vapman). Also the Dynavap Vapcap has a cult-like following for a very good reason.
Although you did say you don’t want an external heat source…
So now I’m trying to figure out what other high powered portables would be worth considering…
Yeah maybe the TM2 will be a good fit for you personally.
Just know that the heater is extremely high powered and you might find the vapor a bit too hot/harsh on it’s own. So you may need to use mods like aftermarket stems. I myself made a 3D printed stainless steel stem (and detachable mouthpiece) with a helix twist internally to cool down the vapor a bit more.
Have you looked at the Solo2 at all? It would be a much more user-friendly device from a reputable company with a ton of different stem options. It also provides some of the best tasting vapor from any portable device I’ve handled.
Regardless, know that there is no “Best” device for every user in every situation. Additionally know that using a device becomes habitual and it’s good to switch up devices once or twice a year to help reset your tolerances. Not always does this mean upgrading to a more powerful device, sometimes switching back to a lower powered device like the Xmax V3 pro in session mode can be helpful to reset your tolerances.
Have you considered desktops? Desktops give you a lot more flexibility and versatility straight out of the box with minimal or no mods. I’m a big fan of the Arizer ExtremeQ (or the upgraded model - the XQ2 - they’re both basically the same device with a few extra LED light colors lol)
Thanks for the detailed response. You gave me a lot to look at and consider, but it still seems like the TM2 ticks the most boxes for me. I just want to be able to grab a device, take a couple of rips, set it down, and then go enjoy my high. Long sessions, desktop devices, complicated processes, and excessive gear are not attractive to me.
I know I’d be jumping in the deep end with a hobbyist device, but I would rather deal with the growing pains of a learning curve than end up with something that doesn’t mesh well with my personal consumption habits.
Interesting point about switching up your methods to help with tolerance. I’ll keep that in mind.
Oh no I totally get where you’re coming from. But I think you’re under-estimating just how hot the TM2 gets on your throat. You’re going to want mods to make it smoother.
Other vaporizers like the Mighty have a fancy cooling unit built into the design which yields a very smooth rip.
Keep in mind that you can’t really restart a device at the same temp with the same load (you can but vapor production and taste take a big hit). So keep in mind that you’ll want to temp step or microdose and reload if your goal is only to take few puffs and put away the vape. Even with a fully preheated desktop, it’s hard to fully extract everything from 0.10g in a few short puffs - the herb just doesn’t cook that fast since it’s not an oil concentrate with a heater wrapped around a wick - we never get instant complete vapor extraction.
Have you ever looked at a Dynavap Vapcap? Its ok if the torch turns you off - they sell or you can build your own electric induction heater which is essentially a fancy electric coil that heats the metal surface of the vapcap almost instantly to vaping temperatures. No torch needed. Just saying - there’s a very big reason why they have a cult following and it’s not just the price