AndyBotwin
Weed Whisperer
Anyone who has read my comments here in the Vapor Chamber knows that I am a huge fan of the Arizer Solo. I gave up smoking cannabis years ago and use vaporizers exclusively, and despite owning 6 different units, the Solo is used 95% of the time (if not more). It's got the vapor quality of a desktop vape with the convenience of rechargeable portability, and the price is very reasonable for a product of such high quality. So when I heard about a new Arizer portable being released a few months ago, I kept an eye out for a good discount. That day came recently (thanks VaporNation), and I've now spent enough time with the Air to offer up some opinions for you all.
I will not spend a lot of time reviewing the Solo, as it's been around for years and there are loads of great reviews both on AFN and elsewhere. I have the 2.0 version which resolved the two biggest complaints with the original - difficult draw resistance and the inability to use it while charging. Without those gripes, this vaporizer is one of the best on the market in my opinion, easily holding its own against desktop units costing 2 or 3 times as much. It reliably provides huge clouds of tasty vapor, long battery life, ease of cleaning, and build quality that gives you the confidence that it will last you many years of daily use. To put it simply, it's the perfect vaporizer for my needs and I have no business looking at another model. But like many of us, I can't resist the lure of the latest and greatest, so I was very excited to add the new Arizer Air to my arsenal. Does it meet or even surpass the performance of it's older brother? The answer is...sort of.
To begin, let's quickly cover the full kit you receive with the Air:
Much of this will look quite familiar to those who own a Solo. In addition to the unit and charging cable, you get a carrying case, silicone protective sleeve, two mouthpieces, aromatherapy bowl, and metal stirring stick. No surprises here, and everything is high quality as you would expect from Arizer.
One thing I knew before ordering and can confirm myself, is that all mouthpieces are interchangeable between the Solo and the Air. So if you're a Solo owner like me who has sprung for some extra bits, they'll plug right into your new toy. Unfortunately, the power adapters are not interchangeable between the two units. While the plug is the same size for both and they can be inserted just fine, charging does not occur with the incorrect adapter. This is a real downside for someone like me who would like to take both on a trip and minimize the accessories I have to bring along.
Speaking of the mouthpieces, Arizer has done a bang-up job of resolving the loose mouthpiece issue that plagues some Solo units (mine has never had the problem). It's a very tight fit and the glass will absolutely not fall out no matter how much you knock it around. You'll also notice that the mouthpieces are significantly shorter than those supplied with the Solo, and I was initially concerned that the vapor would be noticeably warmer due to being closer to the heating element. This proved to be a minimal issue, though, and I experienced nearly the same temperature vapor that I have become accustomed to. Another new development is the plastic-tipped mouthpiece that comes with the Air. I found it seemed to restrict the airflow a bit, as well as being more difficult to clean than the straight glass, so I've put it away and stuck with the standard version. But it's nice to have the option for those who prefer it.
On to the most important aspect of any vaporizer, the vapor! No disappointments here, as the Air provides a very similar vaping experience to the Solo. Excellent flavor and aroma, and a very efficient extraction. The Air heats up around 50% faster than the Solo, and it maintains that temperature between draws much better. It uses a common e-cig battery that can be changed on the fly, and with this smaller battery comes a 50% weight reduction and a slimmer profile. With all this going for it, it seems like a no brainer to pay the extra $30 for the newer model. Not so fast, my friends...
It's precisely that small battery that causes me a bit of aggravation. When it's charged, it's great, but keeping it charged is the problem. Realistically I am getting 4 full sessions out of the Air while my Solo can easily run for a dozen or more. It's winter here and I find that being out in the cold also affects the Air's battery life as well. Nothing major, but going from charging my vape once or twice a week to every day or two is noticeable change. To get around this issue, I've ordered a couple of extra batteries that I will keep charged and on hand so I am not caught out: http://vapepower.ca/product/oem-arizer-air-battery-2150mah/
On a related note, the lack of LED indicators on the Air contributes to the battery issue. The Solo gives you a whole range of lights, and when you get to the lowest battery indicator, you've got at least 1 or 2 more sessions before needing to charge. But the Air simply flashes one of 4 colors at start up, and they are not a good reflection of how much power you have left. Mine seems to flash green for several sessions and then goes to red quickly. And as I found out more than once, that likely means you will be mid-session and find the unit has gone cold in your hands. As a result, I find myself charging it very often and never letting it run low, which I never have done with my Solo.
So, all that being said, which unit is the best? It really depends on your priorities. I tend to do the majority of my vaping at home, so I find that the added battery life and better user interface is worth the extra size and weight of the Solo. I also like the fact that I can take it with me for several days and not have to worry about bringing along the charger or extra batteries. On the other hand, if you are out vaping in public more often, it's probably worth the extra cost to go with the Air. It could easily be identified as an e-cig if someone questions you about it, while the Solo is much more noticeable. You also have the ability to buy extra batteries and take it on something like an extended hiking trip where you would not be able to recharge a built-in battery like the Solo has.
In the end, you really can't go wrong with either one of these vaporizers. They both deliver high-quality vapor, which is always my first priority. I applaud Arizer for providing the option of different sizes and batteries, while still allowing for the interchangeable mouthpieces and other accessories. That shows they care about their customers, and it's another reason why I'm a big fan of the company and their products.
I did not get into specs and technical details since those things are readily found online, but feel free to ask me any questions about either of these vaporizers. :tiphat:
I will not spend a lot of time reviewing the Solo, as it's been around for years and there are loads of great reviews both on AFN and elsewhere. I have the 2.0 version which resolved the two biggest complaints with the original - difficult draw resistance and the inability to use it while charging. Without those gripes, this vaporizer is one of the best on the market in my opinion, easily holding its own against desktop units costing 2 or 3 times as much. It reliably provides huge clouds of tasty vapor, long battery life, ease of cleaning, and build quality that gives you the confidence that it will last you many years of daily use. To put it simply, it's the perfect vaporizer for my needs and I have no business looking at another model. But like many of us, I can't resist the lure of the latest and greatest, so I was very excited to add the new Arizer Air to my arsenal. Does it meet or even surpass the performance of it's older brother? The answer is...sort of.
To begin, let's quickly cover the full kit you receive with the Air:
Much of this will look quite familiar to those who own a Solo. In addition to the unit and charging cable, you get a carrying case, silicone protective sleeve, two mouthpieces, aromatherapy bowl, and metal stirring stick. No surprises here, and everything is high quality as you would expect from Arizer.
One thing I knew before ordering and can confirm myself, is that all mouthpieces are interchangeable between the Solo and the Air. So if you're a Solo owner like me who has sprung for some extra bits, they'll plug right into your new toy. Unfortunately, the power adapters are not interchangeable between the two units. While the plug is the same size for both and they can be inserted just fine, charging does not occur with the incorrect adapter. This is a real downside for someone like me who would like to take both on a trip and minimize the accessories I have to bring along.
Speaking of the mouthpieces, Arizer has done a bang-up job of resolving the loose mouthpiece issue that plagues some Solo units (mine has never had the problem). It's a very tight fit and the glass will absolutely not fall out no matter how much you knock it around. You'll also notice that the mouthpieces are significantly shorter than those supplied with the Solo, and I was initially concerned that the vapor would be noticeably warmer due to being closer to the heating element. This proved to be a minimal issue, though, and I experienced nearly the same temperature vapor that I have become accustomed to. Another new development is the plastic-tipped mouthpiece that comes with the Air. I found it seemed to restrict the airflow a bit, as well as being more difficult to clean than the straight glass, so I've put it away and stuck with the standard version. But it's nice to have the option for those who prefer it.
On to the most important aspect of any vaporizer, the vapor! No disappointments here, as the Air provides a very similar vaping experience to the Solo. Excellent flavor and aroma, and a very efficient extraction. The Air heats up around 50% faster than the Solo, and it maintains that temperature between draws much better. It uses a common e-cig battery that can be changed on the fly, and with this smaller battery comes a 50% weight reduction and a slimmer profile. With all this going for it, it seems like a no brainer to pay the extra $30 for the newer model. Not so fast, my friends...
It's precisely that small battery that causes me a bit of aggravation. When it's charged, it's great, but keeping it charged is the problem. Realistically I am getting 4 full sessions out of the Air while my Solo can easily run for a dozen or more. It's winter here and I find that being out in the cold also affects the Air's battery life as well. Nothing major, but going from charging my vape once or twice a week to every day or two is noticeable change. To get around this issue, I've ordered a couple of extra batteries that I will keep charged and on hand so I am not caught out: http://vapepower.ca/product/oem-arizer-air-battery-2150mah/
On a related note, the lack of LED indicators on the Air contributes to the battery issue. The Solo gives you a whole range of lights, and when you get to the lowest battery indicator, you've got at least 1 or 2 more sessions before needing to charge. But the Air simply flashes one of 4 colors at start up, and they are not a good reflection of how much power you have left. Mine seems to flash green for several sessions and then goes to red quickly. And as I found out more than once, that likely means you will be mid-session and find the unit has gone cold in your hands. As a result, I find myself charging it very often and never letting it run low, which I never have done with my Solo.
So, all that being said, which unit is the best? It really depends on your priorities. I tend to do the majority of my vaping at home, so I find that the added battery life and better user interface is worth the extra size and weight of the Solo. I also like the fact that I can take it with me for several days and not have to worry about bringing along the charger or extra batteries. On the other hand, if you are out vaping in public more often, it's probably worth the extra cost to go with the Air. It could easily be identified as an e-cig if someone questions you about it, while the Solo is much more noticeable. You also have the ability to buy extra batteries and take it on something like an extended hiking trip where you would not be able to recharge a built-in battery like the Solo has.
In the end, you really can't go wrong with either one of these vaporizers. They both deliver high-quality vapor, which is always my first priority. I applaud Arizer for providing the option of different sizes and batteries, while still allowing for the interchangeable mouthpieces and other accessories. That shows they care about their customers, and it's another reason why I'm a big fan of the company and their products.
I did not get into specs and technical details since those things are readily found online, but feel free to ask me any questions about either of these vaporizers. :tiphat:
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