Welcome to High Tech, iDigitalTimes’ new cannabis-focused gadgetry review column. Each month, we’ll have updates on new/popular vaporizers, electronic smoking devices and other cannabis-related gadgetry, always with the same thoroughness you’ve come to expect from all of iDigi’s gadget reviews.
Portable vaporizers are a dime a dozen in 2015 but, just when I thought the market was too crowded to identify a front-runner, the Crafty vaporizer from Storz & Bickel renewed my faith in the only thing capitalism is really good for. I'm talking, of course, about ever-improving cannabis gadgetry.
For years now, Storz & Bickel's Volcano vaporizer line has served as the gold standard for cannabis-related gadgetry; a household name (at least among smokers) with a product every bit as reliable as it is expensive. But that mantle might soon pass to a new, more affordable owner. In fact, the Crafty might forever change your expectations for premium cannabis vaporizers.
Having consumed cannabis for a decade-plus, I've become something of a snob when it comes to new marijuana-related toys; particularly when the manufacturers of those items are asking for hundreds of dollars in exchange for ownership. I'll even cop to having a hearty laugh after learning Storz & Bickel's $300-plus vaporizer would be the next to grace my doorstep. But the Crafty has become one of my favorite vaporizers of all time. And not just because we share a name. (It is kind of cool, though.)
The Crafty may have its shortcomings, like most first-generation technology, but the ways in which the device excels more than outpace the ways in which it falls short. Storz & Bickel's latest release won't be for everyone, because of the device's prohibitively expensive price tag, but I firmly believe those willing to splurge on a Crafty are unlikely to be disappointed by the purchase.
Full disclosure: The Crafty portable vaporizer used for this review was provided by a representative of Vape World. So I'm saying all of this as someone who didn't actually spend $340 (plus tax) on a Crafty.
So, let's get this out of the way first. Yes, the Crafty looks like miniaturized HVAC equipment. Or those tiny vacuums that you see in metalworking shops. More than half of the device's plastic shell is ribbed, making it easy to identify the top/bottom of the Crafty in the dark, and a bright orange button on the front is used to turn the device on/off. A pair of dual LED lights, situated towards the bottom of the Crafty, provide notifications on remaining battery life, heating status and more.
At roughly four inches tall, the Crafty isn't the tallest dry herb vaporizer on the market and its elongated oval frame makes it easy to slip into a pocket, purse or backpack while traveling. There's even a Crafty car charger, for those who regularly use the vaporizer outside their home. Thankfully, the Crafty's diminutive frame still makes plenty of room for an acceptably-sized bowl.
Those with small hands might find it a bit harder to palm the Crafty; however, Storz & Bickel's latest vaporizer is surprisingly lightweight and not the sort of thing I'd expect anyone to struggle with. The rotating nozzle used to draw vapor is probably going to give away the device's purpose pretty quickly but the Crafty is non-descript enough to easily pass for a nicotine vaporizer at first or second glance.
And the vapor?
The vapor is perfect.
I generally keep my Crafty set to 200°C; a temperature setting that produces a consistent vapor cloud without completely sacrificing the taste of the buds being heated. Not only does the oven heat quickly, averaging about two-and-a-half minutes to hit its operating temperature, I'm pleased to report the resulting vapor is exactly what I'd expect from such an expensive vaporizer. Proper heat distribution also helps ward off the dreaded burnt popcorn taste until the very end of the bowl.
Cook times are going to vary a bit, based on your location, preferred temperature, etc, but it's never taken more than a few minutes for the Crafty to heat its oven. I even took the device outside with me during Colorado's recent cold snap to see if inclement weather would adversely affect heating time. The oven took an extra minute or two to reach its ideal temperature, but the device was still emitting thick clouds of vapor before a friend finished his cigarette.
The Crafty remote app makes it both easy and convenient to get the exact vapor consistency you're looking for. Obviously, the last few hits aren't going to be as great and you're probably going to get a hint of that dreaded burnt popcorn taste when it comes time to change bowls. But even the final hit out of a Crafty bowl surpasses a "green" hit in many of the portable vaporizers I've tried in the past.
The Crafty's smartphone integration is exactly the kind of gimmick cannabis culture can get behind. There are plenty of features in the remote app that are unnecessary -- like being able to change the notification tone used by the app --but it's nice to have the option to disable the Crafty's vibration notifications or dim the LEDs for usage in semi-public settings.
When it comes to price, there's really no arguing that the Crafty belongs on the premium/expensive end of the portable vaporizer spectrum. At $340, the Crafty can't be considered the "budget" alternative to anything other than some of the world's most-expensive cannabis gadgetry.
Storz & Bickel goes out of its way to increase perceived value, by packing a handful of extras (like a grinder) into the box. Storz & Bickel even include a "liquid pad" -- what looks like a stainless steel brush pressed down into a small puck -- that can be used to vaporize concentrates in your Crafty without gumming up the inner workings. But those extras won’t make your wallet feel any heavier, though.
Fortunately, the Crafty performs on a level you'd expect from such an expensive gadget. I've been using it off-and-on for the last two weeks, even taking it to a local theater on one occasion, and the only real disappointment is when I forget to charge the Crafty. Best of all, for someone like me who can't ever be bothered to clean their gear, the Crafty is still puffing along after two weeks.
I wouldn't have even taken the cleaning kit out of the box yet, if I didn't feel the need to complete the process at least once before writing this review. Fortunately, it didn’t take more than a couple of minutes. There are a couple of extra screens and seal rings in the box, once you've been using the Crafty for a few weeks/months and need to swap those parts out.
The only real complaint I have about the Crafty is an overwhelming disappointment with the device's power management. Literature included with the Crafty claims the battery will last long enough to finish four or five bowls; however, I've yet to finish more than three without having to put the Crafty back on its charger. Granted, one or two bowls is generally more than enough to get the job done. But it turns out its pretty easy to forget about basic tasks, like plugging the Crafty back in, after spending a few minutes using the device.
Being pro-active with the power button can extend battery life; however, regularly turning off the Crafty also increases the amount of time you're waiting for the oven to prep each hit. The Crafty might be a treat for cannabis connoisseurs, especially those who travel frequently, but its operational quality loses relevance if the damn thing is dead every time you want to use it.
That said, battery life is about the easiest problem in the world to mitigate -- either by setting some sort of reminder or keeping a back-up device on-hand -- in addition to being a relatively minor problem in the grand scheme of things. And the rest of my experiences with the Crafty have just about redefined my expectations for a premium cannabis vaporizer. It really is one of the best vaporizers I've ever used, and I've used a few dozen at this point, even if it does come at a price that many are unwilling to pay.
The Crafty isn't going to change your life. You don't need to rack up credit card debt, or risk missing this month's rent, just to ensure you'll have the cash for Storz & Bickel's. In fact, just a few years ago, these experiences wouldn't even have convinced me to spend more than $300 on a vaporizer. Even with the extra screens, seal rings, etc, the Crafty is going to be a hard sell to anyone on a strict budget.
But cannabis consumers come in all shapes and sizes, with just as much variance in personal income. And the Crafty will be my first recommendation, to anyone willing spending to spend a few hundred dollars on cannabis-related gadgets, for the foreseeable future.
Be sure to check back with iDigitalTimes.com and follow Scott on Twitter for more cannabis-related gadget reviews throughout the remainder of 2015 and for however long the industry continues to churn out new/interesting gadgets in the years to come.
