If you are a fan of the Arizer Extreme Q then you will no doubt appreciate a smaller, more portable option for vaping dry herbs. The Arizer Solo 2 from Arizer Tech is a smaller version that is portable and easy to use on the go. The bigger brother to the Solo, this updated version offers a lot of benefits and a great price point.
Arizer Solo 2 Testing and Performance
The Arizer Solo2 is made by the Arizer Tech, the same company that makes the Extreme Q and original Arizer Solo. The device is about the same size As the original and is compatible with many of the same accessories. In fact, the two units look very similar except that the Solo 2 has a LED display and temperature control button on the front and power connector on the back of the device.
It has some definite benefits as well as a few drawbacks, but overall it’s a great device for those who want a portable option for using away from home.
If you have never used an Arizer product before they do things a little differently. The Arizer Solo 2 is different than most other vaporizers in that you do not pack your herbs in the oven. This device uses a stem like the Q and Solo models. You pack your herbs into the stem and then attach the stem to the opening at the top of the device. The stems fit snugly so there is no worry of it coming loose and spilling your herbs.
The airflow holes are inside the heating chamber so the heated air comes up through the chamber vaporizing the herbs through the stem. The device comes with two stems, a longer one and a shorter one so you can choose which one you want to use. It will also work with the bent stem of the original Solo as well. They have also included a potpourri bowl and a little packet of lavender if you want to use it.
Build Quality and Design
Arizer Tech is well-known for its high-quality products and this one is no exception. It is similar in design to the previous model and just a little bit larger than hand-sized. It is very attractive as a device and the LED screen is intuitive and easy to read. One plus that I really like is that it pauses after you turn it on which I think is a great safety feature. It doesn’t begin heating until you press the button again. That eliminates the worry of it turning on in your pocket. I also like that it remembers your previous heat settings and will set automatically upon resuming a session.
Discreetness
It is discrete in the fact that you can’t tell by looking at it that it’s a vaporizer. It rather resembles a small flashlight or similar type device. As for stealth vaping, this device is larger than most hand-held vaporizers, and with the stem, is going to be quite noticeable. This is not a device for stealth vaping in public.
Durability
It is a very sturdy device. It isn’t heavy but it does have a bit of weight to it that indicates it is made with quality materials. The breakable parts of the device would be the LED screen and the glass stems. The stems would break if dropped, but you can order replacements from the Arizer website.
Power
The battery life of the Arizer Solo 2 is the best I have seen so far. The battery lasts a long time and you can also vape while it’s charging. The battery lasts about 3 hours of continuous use, which is a lot longer than most others. It is not a USB though so you would have to plug into a wall outlet.
Vaping Experience
For ease of use, this device is just a “set it and forget it”. You press and hold the “up” and “middle” button until you hear it beep ( about 5 seconds). You’ll see a little smiley face and the words “Hi” when the LED screen lights up. Press the button again to start the heating cycle. You can adjust the temperature up or down by pressing on the outer ring of the center button.
To load, loosely pack your dry herbs into the open end of the stem. If you want to grind your herbs beforehand you can use one of the included screens to keep particles from getting into your mouth. Or you can also just use a coarse grind or pack it with little pieces and use it without the screen. It’s personal preference.
Once it reaches the preferred temperature it is ready to vape. The draw has the perfect amount of resistance so it’s not too airy or too tight. You can pack herb to go into the travel tubes with caps and switch them out when finished.
If you begin the session around 380 F you’ll get a nice flavorful vape. You won’t get a lot of vapor for the first few draws but it will increase as you go. You can then increase the temperature to around 400 F to finish with some nice vapor clouds. This is the method that works well for me.
To clean the stems you just soak them for a few minutes in isopropyl alcohol and wipe out with a Q-tip or corner of a paper towel. You can wipe out the chamber but it is often unnecessary. That is all the maintenance that it requires. If you clean your stems after every use you won’t get any build-up on them. Soak them for 5 – 10 minutes in isopropyl alcohol and they will stay looking like new.
What We Liked
+ Nice airflow and draw
+ Good vapor production
+ Adjustable heat settings
+ Great battery life
+ Pass-through charging
What We Didn’t
– No removable battery (not really a con)
Value
This dry herb vaporizer is priced around $179 and is worth every penny of it. It is a well-made, high-quality device that outperforms most others in its category. You could spend a lot more money for something that didn’t work half as well as this one does. Another added value is all the pieces you get with it, especially the glass stems and tubes. This vaporizer should last you for years and years and will pay for itself over time. Not having to buy other devices will save you money and you’ll have a great vape to show for it.
Final Verdict
I am loving this vaporizer and would recommend it to anyone wanting a high-performance, portable dry herb vaporizer. It produces really nice flavorful vapor and the battery life is incredible. You never have to worry about the battery dying. It lasts for days and if it does go down you can still vape while it charges. This device has a lot of benefits and it is a good value for the price.
