At the crowded CHAMPS tradeshow in Vegas, there’s always something calling out for your attention. Among the glass-blowing competitions, automatic rolling machines, and appearances by Jay and Silent Bob, even much talked-about products can get lost in the shuffle.
Not the Dr Dabber Switch. It had no problems standing out, and called to us even across a room filled with high-end vaporizers with an enchanting glow, and impressive clouds. We’ve finally had a chance to spend some time in the lab with this induction-powered, electronic rig. Even though it’s only a pre-production model, we think it bodes well for this futuristic vaporizer.
Fast facts:
- CAD$519.95 Retail price
- Induction heating in 3 to 12 seconds depending on nail type
- Pass through charging via barrel plug charger
- Temperature Range 300 - 800° F / 149- 427° C
- Vaporizes extracts and dry herbs
- 100 draws per charge
- 9.5 in tall | 13 in tall with bubbler attached | 4 in diameter base
- 1 pound 9 ounces (709 grams) | 2 pounds 3 ounces with empty glass attached (992 grams)
- Comes with multiple nails and water attachment
- Only available in black (pre-order through Dr Dabber's website)
What is it?
The Dr Dabber Switch takes a different approach to extracts, with an electronic induction heater that’s easy to load, use, and pass around. It heats your materials to precise temperatures in just seconds, no preheating or running out of torch fluid. It fits into a new class of vaporizers, in good company alongside the compact Puffco Peak.
How does it work?
Loading and vaping looks a bit different on the Switch than it does on a typical nail setup. Simply stick your materials to the nail, and drop it into the induction heating well. Once everything is set in place, push the button and wait for 3-12 seconds, depending on nail material. When it turns green, you’re good to start drawing. You can use it like a regular nail too, but we prefer to let everything come up to heat together.
Cordless, easy, safe
Electronic rigs, including the Switch, take the torches, hot parts, accidental burns, and wires out of the equation. Instead, a rechargeable battery powers a heating element, although the few products in that category take very different approaches to the same task. When you’re done, all you have to worry about is the Switch finding the charger at some point. But it isn’t just convenience that sets the Switch apart from the competition, it’s the heater.
Induction heating
Under the sleek plastic and glass, an induction heater limits the actual hot pieces to an almost-enclosed nail. Nothing else on the Switch gets hot, so there’s very little burn risk, unless you’re trying. It also heats up extremely quickly, within just a few seconds, for on-demand hits.
Herbal use too
While the Switch focuses mainly on stickier substances, it's capable of vaporizing dry material as well, albeit unconventionally. Dr Dabber is still fine-tuning and experimenting with the heating profiles, which currently fall into two camps -- light and wispy, or charred. They’re better suited for smokers than vaporizer enthusiasts, but we’ll have more to say on that after we’ve spent time with a final production unit.
Battery for days
According to Dr Dabber, the Switch should last over 150 draws on a single charge, which should be enough for at least a few weeks, if not a month of regular use. It charges in less than an hour, and has pass-through power too, so you can plug it in and keep chugging, even if the battery is dead. No cords or extra pieces make it all the easier to pass around.
Different nails for different tastes
Our pre-production unit came bundled with several different nail materials, including titanium, quartz, and ceramic coated titanium. The final model should include two ceramic nails, with the Quartz option available as a separate purchase. We preferred the quartz nail, which takes a little longer to heat up, but beats out the other two for flavor.
Unique, eye-catching look
Not only does it perform well, the Dr Dabber Switch looks great too. A round glass water adapter sits atop a firm, plastic base, with a few buttons below to control the temperature and turn it on. Up top, multi-color lights shine in a variety of light shows, filling the glass, vapor, and water with light. If you’re into techy gadgets with RGB LEDs, this will definitely scratch that itch. If it sounds like too much, don’t worry, you can turn them off if you aren’t at a party, or prefer a more discreet look.
An already impressive device
We’ve been working hard testing the Dr Dabber Switch, and it stands out for its smooth hits and safe, easy use. The Switch has managed to put a smile on the face of everyone who’s tried it, and the immediate entry into our daily rotation is a good sign for what’s to come.