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I've collected a few vaporizers, I'll give you a few affordable options in the different categories.
The Launch Box by Magic Flight is one of the best vaporizers I've used for effectiveness and potency of hit, and it's the least expensive and simplest. One AA battery connects on two copper coated steel thick wires, they carry current to and from a stainless steel mesh trench. Heats in seconds, will give you a hit that will choke you, replaceable battery that charges in 15 minutes, easy to use, portable. I could use the Launch Box as my only vaporizer if needed. One battery and trench last me for an hour walk in the woods with my dogs every day, hitting the Launch Box 3 or 4 times ever 5 minutes. Just a fantastic vaporizer, I hope they sell a million. Oh yeah - life time replacement warranty if the Launch box fails to work for any reason - including operator misuse. It's just so simple and well designed, tough. Comes with 2 batteries and an 8 hour charger, you have to buy a 15 minute charger with high end batteries. $89.
http://www.vapenow.com/Magic-Flight-Launch-Box-p-318/
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The Supreme is basically a heating block that is heated by a jet lighter, the air is drawn through the heating block and through the bud. It has a digital thermometer so you get a perfect hit every time. Takes 5 minutes to warm up with the torch, you could set up a vise or clamp setup at home. Volcano size hits in the same time. Another inexpensive portable that could be a stand alone vaporizer. $200.
http://www.supremevaporizer.com/
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I made my own Supreme style vaporizer out of a ceramic tube I salvaged from a VP600. Simple, I'm going to add on a digital oven thermometer and it should give consistent hits. I can heat the ceramic for a minute and get choking hits. You could spend $20 making this but you could probably salvage some things from around the house and make it for less.
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The Purple Days is a direct draw convection vaporizer like the Supreme but the heat source is 12V, it takes about the same electricity as a night light. Can be portable with a battery pack. People with Volcanos often write in their reviews that the Purple Days becomes their primary vaporizer. 40 bowls per gram, 3 hits per bowl, amazing taste. Notice the car adapter in the picture, runs on a battery pack as well. 12 week waiting period, plus delivery. $180.
http://www.vapenow.com/Purple-Days-Vaporizer-p-266/
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The Purple Days is based on the Mrytle Zap design, an excellent alternative if you live in the US. Has brass in the air flow, contains lead but metallurgists say that it's fine at vaporizing temperatures. Will give a very similar experience as the Purple Days. Ships only to the US. $145.
http://www.aromazap.com/
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There is a fellow who made a few of these type vaporizers for medical patients and has a half dozen left on ebay at $140. They probably work fine but I'd go with a Myrtlezap first.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Maple-Woodeez-SS-Herbal-Vaporizer-diffusser_W0QQitemZ110462986079QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b81b675f#ht_547wt_1245
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The Silver Surfer is a great home direct draw, relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Get the hands free clip, makes life nice, just lay back and hit the whip. $250.
http://www.silversurfervap.com/Vaporizer_water_filter.htm
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And finally the bag type, the Volcano is amazing but for something that should cost about the same as a counter top microwave it's a bit expensive. The best inexpensive alternative I've read reviews about is the Herbalaire, it does one thing and does it well. $250.
http://www.vapenow.com/herbalAire-Vaporizer-H21-p-84/
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I made a bag style vaporizer from a heat gun and a metal vapor gene type pipe. I just put the pipe in a vise, put a Volcano bag on a piece of silicon tube, heated the pipe with the heat gun at 205C on low air. I got it to work great and gave it to a friend who uses it as his only vaporizer. Here's Vrip tech if you want to get a visual idea of how to make your own. I'm going to go through the pluming section at Home Depot to see if I could get some fittings that would make a good basket instead of the pipe - like the Volcano basket.
(This picture isn't my gizmo)
http://www.vriptech.com/home.htm
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Those are some great vaporizers in each line. You could use any one as a stand alone vaporizer, though some would be better for home and some for out of the house. From here it's what you can afford, where you want to use it, what style you think you'd like.
I didn't plan on writing this long, I'm on my 3rd or 4th Volcano bag for this post. I hope it's helpful, I had fun!
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