The Iolite portable vaporizer stands out as a result of its unique look: it looks very much like like a walkie-talkie vaporizer! Thus, it can be used relatively discreetly. Casual observers may think you are talking with a friend, when you are actually trying to enjoy some relaxation. Iolite has clearly put a lot of thought into creating an aesthetic design for the product – it is available in a variety of colors including white, yellow, green, and tie-dye.

Iolite has been making combustion butane products since the early 1980s, so the engineering of their vaporizer is incredible. The plastic is a heat-resistant grade designed for use at high temperatures. The device uses an octagonal herb chamber, which slides snugly into the receptacle. When the user draws air through the chamber, external air is drawn past the heating element. This action heats the air before it hits the herb, so there is less cooling of the material as you draw. The catalytic butane heater and precision temp gauge heat the herb enough for vaporization, but does not burn the material. The device works rapidly, so there’s little waiting in between pulls for heat-up or cool down.

The Iolite is actually quite tiny – about the same size as a typical iPhone. Each fill of the butane gas lasts for 2 hours of continuous vaporization. Using the unit is simple – flick the switch, hit the igniter, and draw up your vapor. The unit can be operated continuously for about 15 minutes until your material is fully vaporized. Each fill of the butane fuel lasts for 2 hours of burn time before a refill is required.

Product Design and Specifications:

Size: 4¼” X 1″ X 2½”

Weight: 2.8 oz

Operating Time: up to 120 minutes

Operating Temp: 190°C / 374°F

Fuel Type: Butane Gas

Ignition: Piezoelectric

Materials: Ultem ® 1000, Stainless Steel, Aluminium

Internal Plastics: Zenite ®

Includes “Condenser” for using moist material

Reviews:

After its launch earlier this year, the Iolite had a single problem – the plastic threads on the mouthpiece were breakable, and would frequently break. However, Iolite has since switched to using to using metal threads, and sent the updated part to users free of charge. One buyer commented, “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. Radical.”

Another user was very pleased with the portability of the device, stating “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.” This is a common theme among the reviews – users really like the portability. You may recall seeing this vaporizer on the Showtime series Bored to Death – Ten Danson’s character was very fond of the Iolite walkie talkie vaporizer.

Other users provided helpful recommendations on the operation of the device. A common recommendation was to use premium quality butane fuel – not the standard butane from Walgreens. In particular, Vector butane was recommended. Another user recommended keeping the unit clean – it actually comes with a zippered pouch, so you don’t have to just place it in your pocket.

Overall, the Iolite is an excellent purchase for a portable vaporizer. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket, so it can used anywhere. It’s about $40 more expensive than the Vapir No2, so you may want to compare pricing of the two models by reading a Iolite vaporizer review.

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