Customer Reviews

iolite Portable Vaporizer (Black)

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

3.5 stars.

Great concept... But the plastic mouthpiece broke off almost immediately... And the screens clog up real quickly, reducing draw to a drag.

If IOlite comes out with a next-generation product which addresses those flaws and resolves them, I'll buy another one.

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10 MARCH 2010: UPGRADE TO 4 STARS

The Iolite still works, and the design of the pipe-stem has been changed so it DOESN'T break off anymore.

BTW, when I heard the problems with the plastic pipe-stem had been addressed, I e-mailed the company about the problems I'd had. They quickly mailed me two of the new ones: no charge. That shows a lot of class and consumer awareness. Kudos.

Two tips:

(1) It's important to use a high-quality, triple-filtered butane [Definitely Not Ronson's!!!!!]... otherwise the Iolite will spit, sputter... and occasionally won't ignite.

(2) Grinding down the herbs to a fine powder is a bad idea. Dust quickly clogs up the Iolite's heating chamber so it won't draw at all.

Summing up: based on THE IOLITE'S relative durability [compared to the other portable vaporizers I've tried]... and the fact that the company rather responsively recognized, addressed, and fixed the gizmo's major flaw...

UPGRADE TO 4 STARS!!!!
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15 NOVEMBER 2011: DOWNGRADE to 3 stars once again

I can no longer endorse this product. I've been having to replace the entire unit about every 60-70 days BECAUSE THE BUTANE IGNITION SYSTEM IS FAILING. Iolite may be the best portable butane-powered vaporizer on the market... but there are dependable, durable, portable vaporizers now available, superior in all ways to this Iolite, FOR ABOUT THE SAME PRICE!

DOWNGRADE to 3 stars :(

As far as vaporizers go, I've seen none better for the combination of quality design and portability. The company has been making catalytic combustion butane products for various industries since the early 1980's, and they have the technology down. (Google Dehorner II)

The design is excellent. The octagonal herb chamber on the end of the stem slides snugly into the round heating chamber. When you draw through the herb chamber external air flows between the herb chamber and the heating chamber, preheating the air before it hits the herb for less cooling of the herb as you draw. Both screens are easily removed with a sweet little brass tool that came with my unit, and clean with a little soaking and swishing in Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (I just pour a bit of alcohol into the bottle cap.) According to the web site, the plastic is a high-tech grade designed for use at high temperatures in the food industry.

As a high-tech product, you need to know how to use it.

1. Use a premium quality butane fuel, not the standard butane you can buy at Walgreens. Mine came with Vector, and I've had no problems. The web site lists approved fuels. If you have problems starting, you are likely using an inferior fuel. Or your are living too high. (I mean, like above 7-8000 feet).
2. Keep it clean - carry it around in the zippered pouch it comes with, don't just stick it in your pocket.
3. Make sure your herb is dry. If your unit gunks up quickly, it is too moist and will also harsh your throat.
4. Iolite redesigned the stem. The original had plastic threads. Mine came with extra stems, and you can also buy replacement herb chamber / stem assemblies on their web site.
5. Know how vaporization works. When you heat vegetable material, the volatile organics evaporate, so you need to allow the herb to heat. This takes less than a minute after firing it up, when you hear combustion stop. It takes only a small draw to clear the chamber of vapor - more simply cools the chamber and stops vaporization. Allow the chamber and herb to re-heat between draws.

There is now a metal threaded version of the mouthpiece. I had complained to the wholesaler, pointing out the fact that nearly everyone that had this item had complained about the fragile mouthpiece, and they sent me the new part for free. I don't know if they're replacing all of the ones in new packaging, but it does appear they are well aware of the problem. Make sure to contact the seller to find out if you can get the new mouthpiece!

This is the most amazing vaporizer on the market today! I currently own the iolite, Volcano Vaporizer, a wooden VaporBox a glass and heat gun vaporizer and the iolite is far superior to all of these IMO. The Volcano is heavy, large, costly and difficult to transport. The wooden box vaporizer is unable to maintain accurate temperatures after 20 minutes, subsequently causing combustion that is unknown until exhalation. Also, the fragile glass whip requires frequent and time-consuming cleaning for effective operation, and must be transported and used with caution. Contrarily, the iolite is extremely transportable, easy to use, consistent, and allows for so much flexibility.

I clean the filter and metal chamber (with Epsom salt and rubbing alcohol in a zip-lock bag) once per week and it takes about 5-10 minutes. I was aware of the issues with the mouthpieces breaking so I ordered a 3-pack of mouth pieces just in case. I used some of these parts to extend the length of the mouth piece to about 8" and this has significantly enhanced my vaporizing experience as it is much cooler and does not irritate my lungs and it provides much smoother inhalation. Also, the temperature is preset so it doesn't allow for any combustion to occur or allow for any user errors. I would recommend this product to almost anyone (it requires minor weekly maintenance) as it has allowed me to have more freedom and it's so compact.

With that being said, I think a few slight modifications would make the iolite absolutely perfect and I'm being quite picky. These modifications include:

- The herb chamber needs to be easily secured to the iolite. The lack of a latch or other form of fastener has caused occasional messes and some waste of product.
-The mouth pieces still need to be improved as they remain somewhat fragile and easily breakable despite the updated metal threads
-The orange glow should be brighter or as it can be difficult to see at times if it the catalytic heater was activated or not when the iolite is first turned on
-A butane level indicator would be extremely convenient
-The retention ring could easily be lost and just seems to be a temporary fix for the new mesh screens

Because the instruction manual leaves room for questions, and the illustrations are too small to be of much help, I prepared my own FAQ.

1. Why should you buy this device?
This device is to a pipe what an E-reader is to a book. They are nothing alike but functionally do the same thing. I own and use both. Besides being much healthier, the Iolite provides a very different experience. Because it is heating the herb and not burning it, the active herbs are released much slower. You will extract more of the active herb but it takes longer (about 15 minutes) to feel it. You will of course continue to draw on it slowly for up to an hour getting more impact with each drag, and the effect lasts another 2 hours after the bowl is done. By exhaling towards a reading light you can see some fine smoke after 30-40 inhalations. As long as smoke is emerging from your lungs, the bowl is still releasing useful herb. Since re-heating a bowl does not work that well, it is best if you plan on finishing the entire bowl in one session.

The pros are:
* It's much healthier. Heating herb in a heating chamber at a lower temperature (than a flame, e.g., match) releases the good stuff but does not release the bad stuff. It is much healthier to use any vaporizer as the bad stuff stays unburnt in the heating chamber. Much less harsh (irritating) on throat and lungs. You don't feel as though you have inhaled anything so you wonder if it is working. It is.
* There is very little odor generated by the herb released into the air. (Hence you can smoke in a restaurant bathroom).
* This device is much, much easier to clean. A fine powder is all that remains in the chamber. Can clean with a toothpick. No gunk.
* It is relatively small (size of a cell phone) and very portable. Even comes with a nice pouch.
* It does not look like a pipe so no one knows what you are doing. Could be an asthma treatment, if asked.
* No matches or lighter needed.
* It's relatively inexpensive - $119 in black (the colors are just a plastic insert) compared to table vaporizers. Can buy it cheaper online than at Amazon but with Amazon it arrives in two days and you can return it.
* The temperature is pre-set so unlike other vaporizers no need to guess at temperature setting. Idiot proof.
* No batteries to go dead (but can run out of Butane).

2. What are the cons?
* Users have complained about all sorts of things (Remember, people are more motivated to write reviews when they are unhappy with the product). Examples: On/off switch does not work (defective happens no doubt). Stem breaks (They include extra stem). Smells of butane gas at onset (true). Loud hissing noise (it really is not that loud). Butane tank does not hold enof butane. (What's enof? It's good for 3-4 bowls). Hard to clean (Not so. Easier than a pipe because no gunk.) Gets too hot to touch (not really. It has fins that dissipate the heat).
* The main con is simply that it's a different approach. It's an electronic device, not a beautiful hand-blown peace pipe. It has no romance. It feels like a respiratory treatment device. The "blowing" noise (like a gas being expelled from a tank) is not that loud but it is quite annoying. It disturbs one's solitude. Very different experience compared to a pipe (but same outcome). Of course, if you are just watching TV, this is not an issue.
* It's also much slower. A pipe works instantly. This device heats up the herb at a lower temperature and releases the herb over a 40-60 minute period - depending on how often you draw in the smoke.
* No taste or smell. Some folks like the taste.
* If you just want a tote or two, or if you are in a hurry, use a pipe. Turning it off and restarting later is just not that effective. Most of the good stuff is heated initially. A pipe is easier for an occasional tote.

3. How do I use it?
* Although it is really easy to use, it is not obvious how to do so. It will take you using it 5-10X before you have it down just right not because its tricky but b/c it's different.
* To get started, make certain the tiny switch on the back (above piezo button rod) is set to O (off). Move the switch back and forth to loosen it up (only when new and no butane in tank).
* Then fill the unit with Butane. (use the highly-purified Butane brand they recommend). There is a small filling hole on the top, just like a lighter. Hold the can vertically and press down. The tank does not hold that much fluid so it fills up faster than most lighters, 3-5 seconds. When liquid "gas" starts sputtering out, it's full. Need to wait a few minutes before turning it on. I refill every time I use it.
* Then, remove the heating chamber lid. I use the short stem that is attached as a handle. The lid comes off easily this way but obviously be gentle.
* Do not put herb directly into the heating chamber with the heating pin. Instead, turn the chamber lid upside down and fill it halfway with finely ground, dried herb for your first experience. It works fine half-full. (The volume of material is a personal choice depending on your objective. Since the potency is unchanged, use the same amount of herb you would normally use. I now use a full bowl.)
* While still holding the lid chamber (containing dried herb) upside down, slide the lid chamber back into place. Then turn the unit rightside, with the mouthstem pointing up. Most of the herb is now in the heating chamber. Tap it gently so all the herb material drops into the heating chamber.
* Add the rest of the stem pieces (it comes with several extenders). The longer the stem, the more distance between the unit and your mouth, the less harsh the smoking experience. (I use two black stems + white mouthpiece.)
* Now you are ready to turn the unit on. Move switch from O to 1. You will immediately hear a blowing sound (like steam from a radiator). Despite complaints about how loud this is, if you hold the unit arms length away you can barely hear it. It only seems loud when you have it near your face.)
* Immediately after turning switch you will hear the blowing sound. Quickly press the piezo starter rod (button) and hold while looking at the leading edge of the "ribs" until you see the small orange glow light come on. Takes 1-3 seconds. If the glow light does not come on, stop pressing for a few seconds and then press the starter rod again. Glowing light will come on every time the unit makes that blowing noise. The first time you turn it on with a new bowl it blows for about 30-40 seconds, then takes a rest for 30 seconds, then blows again but just for a few seconds. This on/off cycle repeats endlessly. A thermostat controls this and it is different every use. Obviously when the blowing occurs and the orange light is on, the unit is heating.
* You can start inhaling after the first orange glow goes off (because the herb is at the right temperature) but it's better to wait until five-six cycles as more "smoke" is heated and available - about 15 minutes. I have a reading light next to my chair and blow the exhaled smoke at it so as to measure how much smoke I take in. It seems to last for 30+ inhalations - about one hour. It does not hurt your lungs. No coughing, no irritation. So you think you need to take more in to have an impact, but this is not so.
* You can inhale whenever you want. Initially I inhaled after each "blowing" cycle, but this forced me to smoke too fast so now I inhale pretty much when I fell like it. It took me about a week to get comfortable with using it. I now use it until there is no more smoke to be had.
* To turn off, move switch to O. It will "hiss" 3 more cycles after it is turned off.

4. What's the brass tool that came with it for?
It appears to work like a battering ram. I believe its purpose is to remove the filter screen for cleaning but have yet to use it.

5. What about the moisture condenser?
I think it drops inside the black mouthstem that is part of the lid. My herb is dry so I just used the unit right out of the box and did not install this.

6. What about the extra white stem (mouthpiece)?
I think it's for hygienic purposes so that when sharing the other person has his/her own mouthpiece.

7. Can you reuse the spent residue for cooking?
One helpful reviewer said he dissolved his residue in hot oil, then used the oil in baking. I can't imagine that this works. If anything, I think he is eating the bad stuff. How could any good stuff be available if it all went up in smoke?

This is my second vaporizor and it can't even be fairly compared to my first, forced-air Vapir One. The freedom and joy of portability cannot be overstated. I'm using around the house, outdoors...everywhere. Very compact, very discreet. I can't wait to use it at the beach this summer.

I haven't had ANY of the problems I've read in other reviews. The mouthpiece must have been redesigned (mine has the metal threads) since it hasn't broken. But I do treat my Iolite well; I don't put it in my pocket, I keep it clean and I keep it in the included case whenever I'm not using it. I haven't had any problem with starting, either. One click is all I've ever needed. (I'm using "Power" brand butane.) And one fill-up of butane lasts about a week of daily (but not constant) use.

I haven't seen anyone else comment on the included "condenser" which can be inserted into the mouthpiece. It helps if you're vaporizing moist herb since the hot water vapor can be a little hard on the throat. If your herb is dry, you can take it out. And if your herb is moist, you have to clean the chamber, screen and mouthpiece a little more often. But they give you tools for this and it's not very hard (or very time consuming).

I love Amazon, but I didn't buy my Iolite thru Amazon. To be honest, I didn't even think to look here for vaporizers. But now that medical marijuana is available in 14 states, and vaporizing is so much easier on the mouth, throat and lungs than smoking, I'm sure that vaporizers will become more mainstream. And as they do, I'm sure the technology will just continue to get better and better. But in the meantime, I don't think you can beat this one.

March 2011 UPDATE...Still using the same Iolite and still lovin' it. And the more I use it, the better I get at it. You know what they say, do anything 10,000 times and you'll be an expert. I've learned that drawing slowly helps a lot...Don't fill up the bowl section too far; half-way to two-thirds is plenty...Don't grind the weed too fine...Buy an extra screen and keep the parts that touch vapor clean with simple alcohol...That first hit after the bowl gets hot can be the most intense (especially on the second bowl...strange) so hold it in. Like most of the positive reviewers here, I learned that sucking a vaporizor is NOT like sucking a joint. Take your time, draw slowly, wait for the heat cycle to finish before taking a hit. Your stash can last longer and your lungs will thank you.

BTW...Does anybody else here save their "toasted" herb and eat it? If not, try putting a couple of teaspoons on your Wheaties and see how it sets you up for the day. Maximum efficiency!

Product is a great idea but isn't quite there yet. When it works, it works well. Problem is it doesn't work very well most of the time.

Here's how it works...
1) Fill device with favorite high quality butane - easy enough, but it's gas chamber must be really small, because its very easy to overfill. Problem with overfilling is you have to wait at least 5 minutes or more before using. The fix - fill sometime earlier when you're not going to be using. I usually refill mine before bed, so I can use the next day.

2) Load herb. Easy to do, and not hard to screw up. Just grind your desired herb, and place in herb chamber. In the instructions, they show a nice little loading cup which lead me to think it must come with one. It doesn't. Would of been nice but it's pretty easy thing to do anyway.

3) Turn on & press button. Sounds easy but this is where the product lacks. The piezo button doesn't light the gas easily. I've had to press the button easily over 50 to 100 times before it'll light the gas. Lots of wasted butane. Every once in a while, it'll light just after a few tries, but I've had plenty of butane lighters that light on the first or second try so don't understand why this one takes so many tries. And Yes I am pressing the button slowly as told to do in the instructions. I think the spark the button produces needs to be just a little longer/larger. If it was, the gas should ignite easier. Once the gas is ignited though, the product glows nicely until the correct temperature is reached then the thermostat kicks in and cuts off the gas. Once the glow goes out, wait a bit then inhale your vapors.

So it's easy to use, it just doesn't work efficiently. Lots of wasted butane trying to get it lit by the piezo button spark. The vapor it produces is good though, when the product finally does work.

So I gave it 3 stars because it does work nicely when it finally works. If they fix that problem, the product would get 4 stars. It'll never get 5 stars as once the ignition spark from the piezo button stops working (i.e. no more spark), the item is forever useless, and what really sucks right now is it takes so many 'clicks' of the button to get the gas to ignite, the life of the product is going to be really shortened. The product is nice looking and fairly stealth (would be even more stealth if it didn't require so many 'clicks'). I have the latest generation with the metal threaded mouthpiece and from what I've read elsewhere this is a big improvement. I would recommend it to others if they fix the spark problem. Until then, I would recommend to wait until the next set of improvements are implemented.

Extremely expensive considering it's basically a glorified soldering iron with a thermostat built in so it doesn't get too hot.

Like everyone else, the mouthpiece broke off the day I bought it. It's made of some super-fragile plastic that cannot withstand any kind of stress whatsoever. And the filter clogs... EVERY TIME. FYI: I use a small brush that came with a hair-clipper and it unclogs it very well!

Also, it will often refuse to turn on because the gas flow is inconsistent... you have to wait until you hear the gas pretty loud and then you can press the button to start it up. Note: it doesn't matter how full the butane chamber is... the gas flow is inconsistent even with a full tank.

I was endlessly happy with this product for about 4 months. I had used the product daily and found that it exceeded my expectations. However one day while using it soon became abundantly clear that the heating mechanism which regulated the heat seem to have failed. The device continued heat up and while i tried to ignore the irregularly long heating time the smell of burning plastic quickly indicated that the device was no long safe. I managed to turn off the device before it failed catastrophically and avoided any major injury. The device's exterior plastic was partially melted so I simply purged the remaining butane and disposed of the device. It was likely that this was a freak accident, but I must offer it as a strong caveat to perspective consumer. This device has the full capability of failing catastrophically.

This is a great product. Very well indeed. Be prepared for the mouthpiece to break. It is a fragile plastic straw with a number 10 thread (undersized for any easy purchase threaded pipe). There is quite the catch built-in. The threaded straw is VERY expensive. They must think that because you were willing to overpay for a good product, maybe you will overpay repeatedly for a poor product. If, however, you are imaginative and handy, you will produce a solution. If not, then doNot purchase the will-break product.