Atmos is well-known for its quality vaping products, and the new Aegis Vaporizer Kit is no exception . Priced at about $140, the vaporizer features quality convection heating that is quicker than most. This kit is an outstanding starter kit, which allows variable temperature settings to allow users to sample a range of vaping options and preferences.
Unlike many dry herb vaporizers on the market, the Aegis uses convection heating, which users prefer for the flavor quality. Many dry herb "vaporizers" actually use conduction heating, which means the herbs are directly touching the heat source. While this is perfectly fine in many cases, vaping is really designed to reduce any burning so the user can enjoy the herb flavor and experience. The Aegis manages excellent convection heating, as desired, for premium quality, though its use of silicone for a filter compromises the flavor a bit.
Overall, this is a great addition to a vaping collection or a great starter kit for someone who wants to experience convection dry herb vaping.
Pros:
- Ultra-fast heating time of less than 30 seconds
- Small, sleek design
- Incredibly portable, lightweight
- Convection heating method
- Variable temperature controls
Cons:
- Twist-off mouthpiece feels weak
- Small heating chamber
Getting to Know the Aegis
The new Atmos Aegis Vaporizer Kit includes everything needed to get started with dry-herb vaping, for new users and veterans alike: the Aegis vaporizer, a user manual, and herb packing tool, a cleaning brush, a standard USB cable for charging, and a backup replacement filter made of silicone.
Straight out of the box, the new Atmos Aegis Vaporizer looks sleek and modern. It stands only about five inches tall, so it's easy to carry your hand or a pocket. Its ergonomic design feels nice in the hand, despite the plastic casing, and the rubber grips on the sides are comfortable and natural. The simplistic design is also quite discreet, featuring dark colors and a small but readable LED screen. At about an inch in diameter, the Aegis isn't as slim as some pen vaporizers, but for a dry herb vaporizer it is about as compact as possible, while still allowing for a large enough convection chamber.
Reliable Hardware and Design
The Aegis is powered by a standard 1650 mAh rechargeable battery. It supports USB charging - and a micro USB charger is included - or it can be charged via a standard wall adapter. As noted above, the sleek design is quite discreet, but this does mean that the convection chamber is small and will need to be reloaded frequently. Reloading is done via the twist off mouthpiece, which, combined with the plastic casing, feels a bit cheap compared to other design options. The rest of the casing, while still plastic, feels like a single sturdy piece that is likely to last. The rubberized grips contribute to the feeling of ruggedness.
Inside the mouthpiece is a silicone filter disliked by some. While the silicone does tend to impact the vape flavor, the material is durable and able to withstand high heats, making it ideal for use as a filter. Unlike other filters, the material is also fairly non-permeable. This means that herbs stay in the chamber, as desired, while still allowing high airflow. A replacement filter is also included in the kit. The chamber itself is anodized and sure to last without impacting herb flavor or quality.
The slender, curved shape of the Aegis makes it easy to hold in the hand, and the buttons on the front are conveniently placed for thumb or finger operation depending on how it's held. Above the three primary operating buttons is the LED screen which displays battery status, the set temperature, and the current temperature, making it easy to know if the vaporizer has finished heating. The screen is not very bright, contributing to the minimalist, slim feel of the design.
Using the Aegis
Operating the Aegis is simple and straightforward. The single power button on the front should be clicked three times to toggle the unit on or off. As soon as it's on, the chamber will begin heating to the temperature you set. The mouthpiece removes easily for herb loading, though it should only be loaded about halfway for best airflow. The plus and minus buttons on either side of the power button control the temperature which is displayed on the LED screen. The allowable range is anywhere from 320°F to 430°F to allow users a full range of temperature experience.
The Aegis heats up in less than 30 seconds, and the variable heat settings really help with getting quality vapor clouds. A temperature setting between 350°F and 400°F will yield the best cloud results but will of course reduce flavor a bit. Reducing the temperature slightly improves the flavor, and may be worthwhile as flavor is one of the weaker aspects of the Aegis, compared to other convection vaporizers. After 3 minutes of inactivity the Aegis' automatic safety shut off feature will power the unit off.
Unlike oil or wax vaporizers, the Aegis button does not need to be pushed while drawing. The chamber automatically heats and stays heated during your vaping session, then can be manually shut off or will turn off on its own after no activity. Simply draw on the mouthpiece without pushing any buttons to start vaping.
The Aegis Verdict
The Atmos Aegis Vaporizer Kit is a great starter kit for its price, and designed to come with everything needed to get started, other than the dry herb itself, of course. Atmos is quite well-known for producing great starter and advanced vaping products, and the Aegis fits in nicely with the rest of the brand's lineup. The Aegis has a great set of features that will allow vapers to experiment with dry herb and convection vaping styles, and its high-quality vapor production is also top-notch. The variable temperature settings on the device as well make it a great basic vaporizer for anyone to use.