Vapir’s Prima vaporizer is a functional, pocket-sized device, capable of vaporizing loose-leaf marijuana and cannabis concentrates. But it falls short of the expectations any reasonable cannabis user should have for such an expensive purchase. And we suspect anyone actually asked to pay $260 for the Prima will be much less patient than we were.
The Prima is the fourth portable vaporizer from Vapir; a company I was admittedly not familiar with just a few weeks ago. The device is currently available in four colors, black, blue, orange and silver. It also ships with a handful of accessories; including a rechargeable battery, A/C charger, tools for cleaning/emptying the Prima, and a pair of mesh pads to use if/when concentrates gum up the original. And, though it wasn’t included with my review unit, Vapir’s online store says Prima buyers also receive a free three-piece grinder with purchase
At first glance, the Prima looks more like a really expensive can of mace than any of the vaporizers we’ve already reviewed for High Tech. I’d hope those around you can at least figure out its a vaporizer if/when you use the Prima in front of them. But there’s nothing about the Prima that screams “cannabis user.” So there’s a good chance you could pass it off as a nicotine device in mixed company, depending on how aromatic your cannabis is. The device feels well-constructed. Well, the second one does. The first Prima to show up at my house was actually dead on arrival. But a few light falls, never from more than a few feet up, haven’t had any noticeable impact on the second unit’s operation.
Those looking for an on-the-go vaporizing solution will undoubtedly appreciate the Prima’s size. It might be the heaviest item you’re carrying, provided you’re not still lugging textbooks around. But the Prima is still small enough to fit in the average purse, pocket or backpack. And the magnet holding the oven cap in place is more than capable of doing its job throughout light movement. Stashing the Prima, to enter a movie theater or other public venue, shouldn’t be much trouble. But I wouldn’t recommend pre-filling the device before a long run and/or similar high-energy activities.
While its build may be acceptable, using the Prima reveals what is essentially a Greatest Hits of poor vaporizer design decisions I’ve encountered in this series. For starters, the Prima’s heating chamber is far too small to be of any real use. I can’t find any exact measurements, on Vapir’s website or paperwork included with the Prima, but it’s not hard to find cheaper vaporizers (like the PAX) with a bigger oven. In its defense, the Prima is incredibly efficient; wringing 8-12 small hits out of the average bowl. But the hits aren’t much bigger than the heating chamber and the device’s constant heat warnings made using the Prima feel like a chore. That’s pretty much the opposite of what I’m looking for.
The Prima is far too expensive not to give users direct control over the oven temperature. Presets might be acceptable for the average cannabis user or someone only interested in vaporizing because it seems to be easier on the lungs. But those aren’t the consumers looking for premium vaporizers. The average cannabis user isn’t spending hundreds of dollars on a portable vape. They’re going to stick with a budget offering, like a G Pen, that can be shipped to their door for $100 (or less).
Heating temperature can have a significant impact on both the taste and smell of the vapor. While three of the Prima’s four temperature settings are certainly warm enough to produce vapor, and make efficient use of each bowl, being able to adjust the temperature a few degrees would make for a much more pleasant experience. There are too many other factors, like the dryness of your flower and desired vapor consistency, for Vapir to take a “one size fits all” approach. The same goes for concentrates.
On the short list of features I did like, which were unique to the Prima, the device’s charger ranks pretty high. Like many of its competitors, the Prima uses a custom battery. And when it’s time to recharge the battery, I was pleased to discover it locks into its charger with a satisfying click. Just enough feedback to let you know it’s in the stand properly and ready to recharge. I also appreciated the decision to include a small rubber cap for the Prima’s oven guard. As you’d expect, the small metal cap gets pretty hot during usage. So it’s nice to see Vapir doing what it can to ensure the Prima is vaporizing your flower, wax or oil and not your fingertips.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how fast the Prima heats up. The device is typically ready for use in about 45-60 seconds, even on the highest temperature setting. On the flip side, the Prima also seems to trigger its heat sensor – which shuts down the Prima before it reaches temperatures that could damage its internal workings – before I can finish a second bowl. Sometimes, I can't even finish one. That might be acceptable if the Prima’s oven was twice its current size. But it’s not. Similarly, the Prima's charging solution would serve as a better example of everything right with the device, if my familiarity didn’t originate from the need to charge its battery (for several hours) after every three or four bowls.
The Prima is a functional vaporizer; one that makes surprisingly efficient use of its woefully undersized oven, given how little control the user has over its temperature. Were it $100-plus cheaper, the Prima might be an acceptable alternate to the growing number of mid-range vaporizers crowding the market. But Vapir’s latest creation can’t hold a candle to many of the vaporizers we’ve already review here on High Tech; some of which can be purchased for significantly less.
We don’t have an official rating system for vaporizers. But those looking for a recommendation get a solid “Don’t buy this” from me. Either save some extra money, and buy something a bit more expensive, or buy a mid-range device and pocket the extra cash.
Full Disclosure: The Prima used for this review was provided by a TorontoVaporizer representative; however, neither the manufacturer nor the distributor was given any sort of editorial oversight/privileges.
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.
