Source
r/vaporents•
hereforff

Disappointed in PAX 3

NSFWDiscussion

I've been hearing people talk about the PAX since the first one came out. I finally got a PAX 3 Bundle at the end of November. I have to say I'm fairly disappointed. I can't imagine ever using it for discreet use. It takes longer to pack than a bowl and is harder to clear than simply tapping ash out of a bowl. Another huge issue is that it needs frequent charging, but also gives off a smell when charging (I thought I'd accidentally left it on until I googled more). Right now it smells like someone is trying to ghost hits next to me.

Since I'm getting it all out there I might as well mention that it gets way hotter than I expected it too, especially around where you inhale. Also the vapor is being passed over the button I'll later have to touch with my hands? I bought it for personal use, but I wouldn't really want to share it if the request ever came up. The instructions were also terrible to the point I looked up a YouTube video to figure it out. The packaging wasn't fabulous or easy to get stuff out of (getting out all the nitpicks).

Additionally I'm concerned about the extensive cleaning and replacements of products like screens (which often cost more than just buying a ready to go glass bowl). I can't see where it would be my preferred choice at home or on the go. Am I just being too negative? Do other people also feel the same way about these shortcomings?

Posted Dec 6, 2021, 5:22 PM UTC

2770
Perfect_Speed4069M20-Rogue-Hydravong-Flipbrick. Consume less, enjoy more.•

Commiserations. I had buyer's remorse within half an hour of unboxing for the same reasons.

I made the mistake of trying to spend myself out of trouble with mouthpieces, vented lids. Don't do this.

Worse still, resale was a nightmare - even though it was the full kit and <3 months old. In the end I gave it away to the 1st person on EntExchange who made me an offer. Only thing I miss is the keyring. You might hit lucky on the exchange thread. A surprising number of people still seem to want them, especially in the US

I bought an HR Rogue in the end but Dynavap remains my go to. Cheaper, more reliable, uses less etc.

Best of luck.

21
hereforffOP•

Damn, this sounds exactly like me. One of the reasons for making this post was to see if others felt the same as I've read some suggestions for how you can spend a ton to 'improve' it with various lids, caps and other things. Thanks for the reply.

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Perfect_Speed4069M20-Rogue-Hydravong-Flipbrick. Consume less, enjoy more.•

I'd send you all the wasted gear I accumulated in the process, but in the end I gave that all away too. Couldn't bring myself to sell stuff I thought was crap.

Which, funnily enough, was the best thing to come out of the whole sorry affair. Met a lovely guy from Finland on here and I just sent him it all. Free. No money involved, even for postage.

We both got a lot out of the being nice thing.

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Perfect_Speed4069M20-Rogue-Hydravong-Flipbrick. Consume less, enjoy more.•

You 'can' improve the charging cradle with the simple loom band hack btw. Attach the charging cradle to the side of the Pax using a loom band. I spent £10 on a 3d printed cradle that didn't do the job half as well

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justpassedu•

Any chance you got a spare charger ? lost mine and really need 1 for my Pax . Sorry you dont like the vape.

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Perfect_Speed4069M20-Rogue-Hydravong-Flipbrick. Consume less, enjoy more.•

I'm sorry, no I don't have anything left.

I had some success charging mine with a USB cable that came bundled with an aliexpress sex toy. Appreciate this is exceptionally obscure/niche hack btw. Wouldn't do for us all to like the same, eh?

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Christpuncher_123•

I've also tried many vapes and settled on the same as you, potv one and a Dynavap.

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princesscupcake11Pax•

I have a pax and I don’t know what you mean about taking a long time to pack a bowl. I literally just dump weed in there and put on the half pack lid (this presses it down). There’s also funnels if you’re finding it difficult to dump the weed in.

Clearing the abv isn’t hard either, I just use a scoop or paper clip or whatever’s lying around to take it out- this would be the same for any vape. If you don’t want to do that, you could try budkups.

I get at least 5 sessions from a single charge, which is longer than some other vapes.

The pax doesn’t need extensive cleaning and I’ve been using the same screen for 2 years. Never even used the other ones that came with it.

The vape does smell, which is why I keep it in a smell proof bag along with my actual weed.

16
MrKleaN034Pax•

^this^

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hereforffOP•

With a glass bowl it takes seconds. This you have to kind of fuss with it to get it all in the chamber and sometimes the tool they provided pops a little bit of weed out which annoys me. Maybe I'll get better with time but I always put in too much or too little. As I said I'm expressing all my gripes that came to mind even if they are minor or personal nitpicks.

There’s also funnels if you’re finding it difficult to dump the weed in.

That is one of the issues itself. You could spend another $200 on various attachments and other tools to improve the PAX. I wish they'd fix the shortcomings that necessitate these tools or include them along with it. The charger they sent doesn't even have a USB to wall plug adapter that $20 prepay phones and other cheap electronics come with for $250. Instead they give you.. 5 pipe cleaners and screens I apparently won't need lol.

5 Sessions just doesn't seem like that many. I couldn't take it away for a Fri-Sun stay and smoke 2x a day without having to charge it (which creates a smell). For something so portable I'd hope it would hold a bit more charge by its 3rd iteration. However, I wouldn't bring it along anyways because it smells too much lol.

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princesscupcake11Pax•

The pax bowl also takes me seconds to fill, so I’m sure you’ll get better as you use it more. I definitely do take mine for weekends without charging- if it’s just me using it (not passing around at a party) then I get plenty of sessions out of one charge.

Personally I haven’t bought any tools or accessories besides a case. I don’t really think it needs anything else and I have usb blocks lying around my house so it doesn’t bother me to use one that already have.

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traktorheadSplinterXL8R/Tera/FF2+/MFLB/DynaVortxIH/Milaana3/Legacy/Firewod7•

5 sessions is about what you get with a Mighty 3 with a Crafty. 2ish with Tetra P80, 4 with a Firewood 7, 4 or 5 with a Dynavap battery induction heater. Oddly enough the best battery life I get out of a convection vape is the Airvape Legacy, 7 or 8 sessions with a single replaceable 18650

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MrKleaN034Pax•

Iv been a pax user for years and I wouldn't be here if I wasnt getting high or thought pax was useless but honestly pairing it with my dynavap collection is the greatest setup all for on the go or sitting on the couch..everything fits in one case and can't imagine it being more portable than this...love pax and there is a learning curve certain little things that will make it the best experience and once you get it down it performs well..half pack lid is all I use I don't care much for different screens lids budcups and all that.heard good things but I like it just the way it is and adding the wpa is great 👍

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hereforffOP•

Do you prefer the half pack to the full pack? I've just been doing full pack as it's already less than I'd put into a bowl and way less than I'd pack into a bong for a session.

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MrKleaN034Pax•

Yes I think it hits better and extraction is also better imo with the half pack lid...yes iv been there just like you thinking I used to smoke this much so I need to vape this much but for me that's not true what iv found is with vaping less is more...I was a heavy smoker now I only vape and I'm even more medicated and using way less herb...I like using the pax app and putting it on boost mode

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hereforffOP•

This is basically my goal lol. I also used to take breaks from smoking before covid whenever I'd travel anywhere via plane. Now for the past 2 years I've only had a few days off compared to a few weeks. My tolerance seems a bit much though isn't near my peak use in college.

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justpassedu•

I actually am 1 of those people that kind of like the Pax 3 and also happen to have a variety of vapes that I own ranging from solos , Vrod , Mighty and more. I feel the Pax is kinda sleek and easy to pocket and after getting use to it , its pretty easy to pack and clean. Sure its a herb hog but when you pack it tight and full it puts out pretty decent vapor. It's not the best , but also not the worst out there and I do admit that it is somewhat pricey and can use some upgrades. Just lost my charger so if anyone has one they want to part with please help me out .

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hereforffOP•

Doesn't it kind of stink up your pants pocket or is that not an issue/concern for you? I bought it due to that sleek and easy to pocket nature, but I feel like it smells even worse than a dirty glass bowl (not worse like gross, but just so strongly of a recognizable weed scent).

I don't think it's the worst thing ever either. It just didn't meet my expectations or what I was hoping for based on advertising and reviews.

2
SeraldoBabaluArizer Solo II•

I had the original pax 1 and I'm not sure if this applies to the 2 and 3 also but once you're finished a session, empty the bowl.

As far as cleaning, I religiously cleaned mine and it never failed me. Only reason why I stopped using it was the battery would no longer charge so it was replaced with a Solo II

1
justpassedu•

Not if I empty it after my session , I brush out the oven completely while still warm. I mean it does still give off a odor but nothing major. There are a few sellers if you search that make a slim smell proof case for it or caps for the oven to block out the smell .

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hereforffOP•

I don't have a problem with cleaning (it's been my chosen profession for a while now despite having college degrees that could land me something more lucrative). However, the way I consume doesn't lend itself well to this I guess. I often like to smoke then do a chore or play a video game immediately. Then I clean out my piece before the next session.

I've also got mixed replies on cleaning. Some claim it's necessary to do frequently while others claim they haven't cleaned theirs or swapped out parts at all. I put $200 into it so I'll probably keep messing around with it for a while. Right now I've decided I won't sink more money into accessories, but I am going to start messing around with the app more to see if that helps me get more from it.

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princesscupcake11Pax•

I can give my experience on cleaning - I use pipe cleaners and rubbing alcohol, and just push the pipe cleaner through the hole. Then I wipe the end under the mouthpiece and screen with a paper towel+alcohol. It takes maybe 10 minutes every few weeks

5
Able_Ad_1509•

I hate the smell. It is really dank. It's a bigger giveaway than a bigger device like the Solo 2 or Mighty.

3
Jcrrr13•

I've gotten 4 years of great daily use out of my Pax 3 with the pusher lid being my only accessory purchase, but I will not die on the hill of insisting that it's a great vape. Sorry to hear you'll have to find another option!

3
hereforffOP•

Interesting. Thanks for the reply. I've gotten mix replies here and in my research elsewhere about how often people need to clean and swap out parts. Perhaps I was being too negative about the time I'll have to spend cleaning. It won't work as I imagined but I'll probably still keep it on my desk for occasional use. I am able to taste the bud much more than when smoking with glass which is nice.

2
Jcrrr13•

I've held onto mine this long for two main reasons:

  1. Form factor – it's a sleek and discrete profile, looks great (can't get past how fugly the product design of, say, the Mighty is). I've never had an issue sneaking it into concerts and other places that even a Fury or POTV One would get noticed by the door staff, let alone a Mighty or Solo. It fits right into the zipper wallet I use to carry cards, cash and chapstick to shows.

  2. Experience of fine-tune controls in app rather than onboard screen.

I also usually am in possession of one desktop unit or another so I'm not relying on a portable for 100% of my consumption. If I were, I'd probably budge on those two points and grab a Mighty or something. The Tetra P80 is enticing.

I clean mine far less frequently than I should haha. Never set a good habit of doing it. I don't have experience cleaning many other portables so I can't compare, maybe if it was easier I'd do it more often idk.

If you're having trouble getting big hits with dense clouds, lmk if you want tips I've got the technique pretty dialed.

4
Cohnman18•

I Love my Pax 2 as I only vape 21 varieties of Medical cannabis for Crohn’s. Easy, simple, easy to clean , relatively odor free and very simple to use. Cleaning is simple with a pipe cleaner, Qtip,dental cleaner and ISO alcohol. Takes 5-10 minutes 1X per week.

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princesscupcake11Pax•

Ooh tell me more about the dental cleaner

1
Cohnman18•

They are called Gum soft picks. Great cleaners for small spots.

2
SouthernDelicious•

I’ve got a PAX 3 and honestly, before I bought it I was expecting a whole lot more than what I got.

As for the smell, try playing around with the different settings within the app. There is a “stealth” option (it’s not really that stealthy) but you might find it suits your needs more.

When it comes to screens etc, I’d definitely recommend trying one of the “3D” screens available. They look like mini-chocolate bars but definitely last longer and are better than the standard screens.

I use mine now as a back-up vape and pretty much use my Dynavap exclusively.

2
tirwander•

There is an app for my pax 3?? 😳

Edit: oh shit! Well hell. This is lovely lol

4
SouthernDelicious•

Haha glad you found it!

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hereforffOP•

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't messed around with the app too much yet as a result of not being thrilled with the device overall, but I'll check into it.

I'll look into the screens too if I continue to use it enough to get to that point.

1
SouthernDelicious•

My PAX just sits on my desk, fully charged, for if I just need a really quick vape as, to give it it’s dues, it does heat up quickly.

1
Perfect_Speed4069M20-Rogue-Hydravong-Flipbrick. Consume less, enjoy more.•

Actually the 3d screens were an improvement, and cheaper. Even cheaper on AliExpress

1
Lilbeth2•

I have to say those complaints are almost all going to effect every vaporizer on the market, with the exception of the power button. Nothings perfect but, people here generally agree the experience is preferable to smoking.

2
pyroswithoutfire•

Seeing this makes me happy I was so hesitant in buying one and went with a fury edge instead. Just couldn't pull the trigger on that much.

2
hereforffOP•

Was only $200 for the "bundle" that's normally $250 so it's not like I'm out an obscene amount, but I'm just incredibly disappointed. I feel like some of these things such as the smell while charging should've been solved by the 3rd generation. Hope my posts encourages people to do some more research before buying and/or consider alternatives.

1
pyroswithoutfire•

It was more I was worried about my choice being worse. I know the dosing caps with the fury edge helps it smell less. Still let's off some smell but not as much as if I didn't use them. Think they make something for the pax. Wonder if they would help with the smell for you as well

1
CrisbyCrittur•

I bought a used (original) model which was a waste of my $$. So fiddly to keep clean, load up, and the results were poor. They tried to be the Apple of vapeworld, all sleek & shit, but as a device it never seems worth the investment. Maybe try and sell & get something better.

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nasdri253MusaV2,Tetra,Mighty,SpliterZ,Evo,Vapman,Musa510,SBL,Milaana,Argo•

Look it depends how much you pay for the Pax, use the app for a better interaction, clean it regularly, i do every time i charge it, always do a heat up before and a burn off after, very fast cleaning process, takes two min. i am talking about the airpath and mp because i use the backups capsules or whatever they are called, make a preload and i am good. It does smell more than others, but if you do a regular cleaning that helps a lot. Delta 3D studio also sell some silicone caps you can use, i got mine, basic bundle no concentrate crap for a very good price and the only reason i bought was to take it out but the smell…i now use the Argo, much better, still talking about on the go vapes. I would still buy an Argo, not a Pax true. Pax as a the only vape sucks. Now i use it when video gaming lol.

1
JoeyBE98•

Yep. I feel like Pax has always had the reputation of being the "Apple" of vapes. Looks super nice, costs a pretty penny, but overall is not the best/most efficient vaporizer.

1
SpaceTruckin420Crafty :crafty: Arizer Air 2, Pax 3•

I bought one during the Black Friday sale for around $90 and I’m not overly disappointed. I’ve been using the Budkups and it’s better than using just the oven itself. I do wish the mouth piece wasn’t plastic because I get a plastic taste from it when I take hits and it gets a little hot. As for the smell I do notice when it’s warming up my bud and also after I finish using it. I bought some plastic covers for it and it hides the smell perfectly. Overall will it be my main daily driver over my Arizer or Crafty+?probably not. I’ll probably use when I got out on walks or when I’m on campus. I wouldn’t recommend people buy it at full price because it’s definitely it worth the asking price. I got lucky and bought it on sale and had some store credit so for the money I got it for I’m not even mad.

1
hereforffOP•

Yeah, I'm not mad, just a bit disappointed. I feel like on their 3rd version there are still some obvious improvements/changes they could make. It's been over 15 years since I first used a vape and I feel like technology still hasn't caught up to where I'd like it to be. I'd looked into it many times before and passed as I wasn't satisfied, but I think I kinda got suckered in by marketing this time.

1
pirate-private•

Get a Mighty, or better, a volcano for at home. Or both. Maybe then you'll appreciate the pax as a small and discreet portable.

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hereforffOP•

I used Volcanos frequently like 10 years ago. In terms of size it's a huge improvement. In terms of smell and ease of use I'd argue it's the same or worse. I also like that the Volcano puts it in the bag. Sometimes I wish the PAX and vapor it put out were a bit cooler. I bought this hoping to sneak out with the tobacco smokers at a hotel but I feel like my old method of just bringing a bowl out there would be more ideal.

1
pirate-private•

For that use case, the pax isn't bad at all. It's a good product, but it's not known as the easiest to use/clean and performance is better with most vapes you'll find mentioned round here. Volcano is top notch in ease of use, performance and safety. And smoothness, of course.

2
ChavFW7 | TM | Crafty+ | Dynavap | DCElev8r | Flowerpot | AirFryerXL•

It's great if you need your vape to be the size of lipstick. Otherwise, don't go spending yourself crazy trying to make it work. If you follow a thousand "I love my PAX" responses from people who have never owned anything else telling you you're doing it wrong, selling on everything about it other than how well it works as a vape or to buy a bunch of other gear to make it work for you, you're gonna have a bad time.

1
Thrall_So_Hard•

I literally just got mine 30 min ago and saw this thread. That's exactly why I got it. I basically walk everywhere in the city and it seems like it's infinitely more portable than the X-Max V2 Pro I upgraded from and other options I considered.

I'm high AF right now after a few trial hits of Bubba Fett and to me it's a huge leap forward over the XMAX 2 I was using.

2
hereforffOP•

Thank you for the reply!

1
Pleasant_Fan_9726•

You're not being negative at all, just honest. You're right, the PAX3 sucks. I've had one for a couple years now and I've come to hate it and I'm about to order a couple new vapes to replace it. I hope you have good fortune doing the same. Good luck brother

1
hereforffOP•

Yeah, it wasn't a huge financial hit for me or anything (would've been much more upset in my college days when $200 was a big deal). No ill will towards PAX but I hope in the future they can lower the price and improve some of the features. Other than when it got too hot it was pretty smooth so it's got me more interested in vaping than I have been in the past. FOMO during a sale pushed me to make a purchase I probably shouldn't have, but not the end of the world lol.

2
traktorheadSplinterXL8R/Tera/FF2+/MFLB/DynaVortxIH/Milaana3/Legacy/Firewod7•

Every vape gets hot, but the Pax has lots of issues. I think a great starter vape is the Airvape Legacy(make sure to install the screen component that come with it)

1
realmoosesoupMighty :mighty:•

I think you came to the right place if you want to hear people complain about the pax. That was my vape till I got the crafty, and it's been a VAS odyssey since. I've temporarily wrapped that up and just do (mostly) Mighty and Crafty.

Pax 3 has been in a box for years. We'll all have personal favorites, but most would agree there are much better options.

1
Yung_Coconut_420•

Pax was a good device in like 2012ish when it was first released. It just hasn't changed much over the years and you clearly didn't do much research before making the purchase.

Not the device's fault here.

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[deleted]•

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