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stoner1967

I've used a bong for years and recently bought a Voodoo vaporizer. I'm now thinking of vetting a Volcano (since it's supposed to be the best on the market), but was wondering if anyone here has used one and if they can tell me how it compares to a bong (and to the Voodoo, if you've used one of those). I just don't want to fork out the $500+ for the Volcano based only on the customer feedback on the merchant's site.

Thanks,
stoner1967

 

stoner1967

woops...that should be "getting" (not vetting) a Volcano...

the_lung

i have used a volcano on many occasions - one of my homies has one at his apartment. i would definitely recommend getting one if you have the cash. you get that nice vape high and its better for your lungs than bong rips are. the only problems that ever arise are getting too stoned and forgetting to pull the vape bag when it fills, and dropping the mechanism that holds the ground up bud and the bag. if it breaks, it costs like $50 for a replacement (shouldnt break, though - made of real sturdy plastic)

5drive

I think people who are used to a bong have the most trouble adjusting to a vape. Since you're asking how the Volcano compares to a bong, I'm guessing you're looking for that big bong hit effect from your vape. You're just not gonna get it from any vape. Vaping is not smoking. You get your vapor pretty much the same way you get smoke. And it looks like smoke. But that's where the similarity ends. With a Volcano you can get a lot of thick vapor in the bag, but no matter how big a hit you take off the bag, it's not going to compare to a bong. Vapor can make you cough, but it's much kinder to your lungs than smoke. And any bag vape will have less concentrated vapor than a whip vape because the vapor is mixed with a steady stream of air. If you want your vapor to hit hard and you're willing to spend 5 bills, I'd get a forced air whip unit. The most hyped of this type vape is the Super Vapezilla, but if I were going to spend that much I'd get the Vaporfection Stealth II. Unlike the Vapezilla, the Stealth actually has a warranty-3 years. Because you're using a whip, you get more concentrated vapor than with a bag. And with forced air and electronic temp control, you get the same precision that the bag system gives.

fight4theright

I think hes asking how it relates to a Voodoo....

--Fight

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5drive

Actually we're both wrong. He doesn't want the bong hit so much as the bong high. From his other thread:

"I'm trying to figure out what the best way is to vaporize and get the same effect I get from a bong."

You cannot get the same exact effect from vaping as you do from smoking.

He says he's not getting as much THC from vaping.

Unless the temp is too low or you're quitting too soon, you get as much or more THC from vaping. It's the first active compound to vaporize. A Volcano's not gonna give you more THC than a Voodoo or any other decent vape. If you want a high closer to smoking, use a homemade light bulb vape, not the top of the line. If you miss the smoking high that much, then smoke a bowl while you're vaping. Smoke as much as you need to in order to get that 'smokers high'. You're not gonna get it from vaping. And it's not for a lack of THC. It's the effect of the other chemical compounds that vaporize at higher temps, and if you think you're missing out on something good, turn up the heat or light up. Everybody's different, but for the most part I'll take a pass on the smoke.

stoner1967

It's not so much that I'm looking for the "same" effect. I'm looking for an effect that is as strong. If I'm taking in more THC, I expect that I should be as mellow or mellower than I am with a bong hit. But I'm not. So maybe I'm just not doing it right? I've tried using the tubing and the bag. Sometimes the effect is better than others. Should the herb be moister or drier for maximum effect?

5drive

The amount of moisture just affects how fast it vaporizes. If it's dry it just vapes faster and it's a little more harsh.

Vaping gives you a more energetic high than smoking because you're avoiding the compounds that produce couch lock, or lethargy, and yeah you can even call it 'mellowness' if you want . Carbon monoxide will put you to sleep permanently with high levels. With low levels, as in smoking, it produces drowsiness. The same goes for benzene, another poison. I prefer to avoid these toxins. I've smoked for a long time and my lungs protest. I'm much happier with vaping. But if you're young and it doesn't bother you, ....

In missing the 'mellow high', you are experiencing the biggest difference between vaporizing weed and combusting it. You CAN get some of what you're missing by vaping at high temperature. Crank it up and vape until your product is black and you'll be getting some of those compounds that produce the 'mellow high'. To me it's just easier to smoke a little (or a lot) along with vaping at normal temps to mellow your high. It's up to you. Just don't expect a more expensive vaporizer to give you the 'smokers high' you're looking for.

stoner1967

Thanks, 5drive. I'm considering getting the Vaporfection that you mentioned in a previous post. I was messaging with Vicki last night and she thinks I'd be happier with a whip vaporizer...and she hates her Voodoo, too! I did have a whip vaporizer a couple of years ago, but it was a cheapo 'BC Vaporizer'. I like the one you suggested because of the temperature control and forced air. But before I go and waste even more money (you can imagine the nagging ), I need to do a little more research (i.e., ask questions!).

5drive

If I had to choose between whip or bag delivery, I'd choose the whip. You can get more concentrated vapor and therefore better taste. Filling and drawing from a bag is not as satisfying, but it's soooooooo easy and consistent. I personally like having both methods available.

You can get some of the ease of use of bag delivery if you're willing to shell out more bucks for a forced air vape. The Vaporfection is top of line, but a Natural Goods unit also uses a fan to provide contstant air flow through the heating chamber. That brand comes in digital or analog. The digital, unlike the $500 units, only gives the temp of the whip/bowl when it's connected to the unit (you 'preheat' the whip before loading it). The standard Natural Goods unit has no temp readout, but does have the fan and you can get one for as little as $150 on ebay-good buy IMO. It seems to be a reliable brand and has a 1 yr. warranty. If you want to try a passive whip unit (no fan), you can get one for well under $100 on ebay. If it doesn't suit you long term, you can always use it for a backup.

The BC Vaporizer was my first vape too. Very unsatisfactory but it did sell me on vaping, especially when I found out there were much better vapes out there.