I have been exclusively consuming flower with an XMAX v3 for over a year now. It works great for me, and I mostly consume at home. But I'm always wondering if I'm missing out by not upgrading to a more expensive unit.
For anyone who used an XMAX v3 and have moved up to something bigger and badder. What did you get and how does the experience differ?
Thanks!
The Xmax v3 Pro is no slouch - it's a great budget-friend portable.
Most devices performs differently - some cook faster, some taste better, some are easier to clean, smoother vapor, faster extraction etc. There are so many fun upgrades out there so it really depends on which direction you wanna go - desktop, butane, higher powered portable, etc.
I have handled countless devices so by all means feel free to ask me how they'd compare to the Xmax v3 pro and I'll be happy to give you some un-biased opinions of the pros/cons of any upgrade.
Note - faster extraction and "Cloud chasing" isn't always more beneficial. Sometimes it's good to change your regular device once or twice a year to help reset your tolerances. It's mainly psychological - the use of a device becomes habitual - running temps, loading sizes, draw patterns, etc. This is called "vape tolerance. So even if you get a super high powered device, don't toss your Xmax - it'll still be beneficial once or twice a year to cycle through your devices.
Thanks for the info.
Do you have any experience with the Crafty+ or regular Mighty? Those are the ones I've been eyeing the most.
Indeed I have both in my collection! (well, the original Crafty and Mighty, but the + doesn't really change the performance aside from extended battery life and new USB-C charger plugs)
The Crafty and Mighty use a proprietary "cooling unit" which is basically a fancy maze for the vapor between the oven and your lips. The Crafty has a smaller cooling unit than the Mighty (they're both the same height, but the Mighty is wider for more diffusion). They both yield a very smooth draw compared to other portables - the mighty is smoother than the crafty thanks to the larger cooling unit.
In terms of the smoothest dry rip you can get, absolutely they are awesome out of the box with zero mods. They also have very low draw restriction. Imagine sucking air through a tiny coffee stir straw verses sucking air through a large jumbo milkshake straw. You'll almost think there's an air leak the first time you hit the Mighty or Crafty because there is MUCH less draw restriction compared to other vaporizers (the Xmax V3 Pro has moderate draw restriction - not the worst in the industry but pretty restricted).
Now on to some of the cons:
The cooling unit is plastic and does collect honey over time. This tarnishes the flavor of the vapor. If you are a flavor chasing snob, you might be disappointed in the flavor profile of the Crafty/Mighty. Some people buy spare cooling units and keep them cleaned to swap out as needed.
The dosing capsules are terrible. I much prefer the dosing capsules which fit the Xmax V3 pro. The S&B dosing capsules are very thin metal and can be difficult to pop open after they get dirty from use. They are cheaper per unit, but they bend easily. The only good thing is that the S&B dosing capsules work for every vaporizer they sell - from the large volcano (with a special reducing ring spacer) to the Crafty.
The battery is internal on the device. It can be replaced with a bit of hassle, but it's not the most easy. They use 18650 battery cells, but S&B attaches a temperature sensor to each battery cell so the software can monitor battery health (the unit will shut down if you're running multiple sessions back to back and the battery starts to over-heat - it's a fail safe to extend battery life and prevent failure of the unit). Normally S&B wants you to mail back your device for battery replacements when needed which is dumb for many reasons lol. I understand why they have sealed internal batteries, but I much prefer removable batteries like the Xmax V3 Pro
Overall back when they first came out, I opted to get a Crafty because it is much more pocket friendly (the Mighty fills my whole pocket making it less pocket friendly when I'm carrying a wallet and phone), and the smaller cooling unit meant that I still got smooth rips, but they were still a bit more harsh and enjoyable than the Mighty. Plus the Crafty has no display screen meaning it was more stealthy to use out and about, the Mighty is a much larger device with a big glowing display screen making it less stealthy.
Note I have heard multiple complaints about the USB-C charging port on the Mighty+. It seems people much preferred the 12vdc barrel connector on the original Mighty. I don't know if the Crafty+ also suffers from the same issue or if it's not a big issue due to it's placement on the control board?
Like I said, I know more than most people should about these devices hahaha - feel free to continue asking away any comparisons between devices. I'm happy to help :-)
I like my V3 Pro for on the go because it's stealthy and gets the job done. People just think it's some kind e-cig and don't even give me a second glance.
That said, I don't use it at home because my other options are tastier and/or harder hitting and/or smoother.
As for your question regarding crafty/mighty - personally I don't like them very the vapor isn't particularly tasty and feels a bit scratchy (a phenomenon known to some people as the "Bickel tickle"). They certainly extract well and give you the most out of your bud, but personally the only s&b vape I'm interested in ever owning it's a volcano.
Many people love their s&b portables though, my opinion is just that - one guy's opinion.
Got the tiny might 2...it's a much better device. Easier to clean, heats up fast, easy to inhale, less harsh esp with some attachments for vgoodiez bundle.
Is it worth the $250-300 premium? Depends on your expendable budget. Xmax vpro 3 gets the job done, but I find the overall experience much better with TM2
Sounds like a log vape would be perfect. That way you can enjoy your home vaping experience better and still be able to use the v3p when going out. They can be on 24/7, and will give you awesome performance and taste.