Planet Of The Vapes Lobo Review
Introduction
The Planet of the Vapes ONE has been my go-to vaporizer for over a year. Priced at a budget-friendly $100, it’s been an excellent entry point into the world of vaping. Recently, I decided it was time for an upgrade and set a new budget of $200 to explore other options.
Just when I was looking, Planet of the Vapes announced their newest model: the POTV Lobo. My positive experience with the POTV ONE made trying their upcoming and latest vaporizer. After using the POTV Lobo for a few weeks, I can confidently say it’s a vaporizer I’ll be sticking with for a long time.
In this post, we’ll look into the features, performance, and overall experience of using the POTV Lobo.
Why POTV Lobo?
One major selling point for me with the POTV Lobo is its ability to use replaceable batteries—a significant upgrade over the original POTV ONE, which comes with an internal, non-replaceable battery. While the POTV ONE is a solid device for its price, the limitations of having an internal battery have become increasingly clear over time.
Just like smartphones and laptops, internal batteries eventually suffer from battery degradation. What started as occasional charging gradually turned into a frequent chore due to declining battery health. This not only impacts the device’s longevity but also affects its overall performance, resulting in shorter vape sessions and less consistent vapor quality.
Taking advantage of a special offer that included free mouthpieces and a glass adapter, I pre-ordered the Planet of the Vapes Lobo Bundle. I also picked up an additional dosing chamber to prep in advance for easy, all day use. Here’s what the bundle includes:
- POTV Lobo Vaporizer
- Bent Glass Mouthpiece
- Mini Bubbler
- Water Pipe Glass Adapter
- Tight Vac Herb Stash
- $15 Gift Card
First Impressions
Right out of the box, the Lobo’s sapphire blue exterior looks absolutely captivating, especially with the way it shimmers under the light. I’m glad I went with this color; it looks absolutely stunning. This is a refreshing change from the Arizer Solo 2 and the POTV ONE, which both come in a more subdued matte black.
Photos simply don’t do it justice—up close and in person, this vaporizer is a showstopper.
Body
The POTV Lobo showcases clean, contoured corners, giving it a sleek and streamlined appearance. This is further enhanced by its silky-smooth surface, making it not only visually appealing but also comfortable to hold.
Buttons
The Lobo features a simple button layout, arranged from top to bottom as power, up, and down buttons. Adding a dash of elegance, the device comes with its own unique engraving and features a single rubber cover that spans across all three buttons.
Charging Port
Staying in line with modern technology, the Lobo comes equipped with a USB-C port for quick charging, reducing downtime between sessions. Add a few extra rechargeable batteries to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a setup for continuous, uninterrupted vaping.
Battery Compartment
The battery compartment features a screw-on cap for easy access. Once you open it, you’re greeted by a Samsung 18650 battery with a 3500mAh capacity.
Glass Adapter Mount
The first iteration of the POTV ONE, actually had a tabbed snap-on mount. Since then, Planet of the Vapes has updated the ONE to include a magnetic sliding mount in its second version. This improved mount has also been incorporated into the POTV Lobo, which is a fantastic feature because it allows for easier access to the chamber.
LCD Screen
The display shows essential details, such as temperature and a countdown timer. Although it may look different in photos, the display actually leans more toward the whitish side when seen in person.
Accessories
- O-Ring
- Screen Filters
- Dosing Capsule
- Concentrate Pad
- Loading Tool
- Brush
- USB-C Charging Cable
- Dimple Glass
Screen Filters
lobo (left) one (right)
Having extra screen filters is great, but what’s even better is the ease of filter placement on the Lobo compared to the ONE vaporizer, which requires a bit more precision to fit the screen into the inner grommet. With the Lobo, you simply have to massage the screen into place, thanks to the larger opening.
The O-Ring is situated at the outer edge of the Lobo’s screen filter.
Charging Cable
Just a heads-up: the POTV Lobo doesn’t include a USB-C charger in the box. None of the power adapters I’ve accumulated over the years were compatible with the included cable, as they all have a USB-Type A interface.
Fortunately, I remembered that I’d purchased a USB-C to USB Type-A cable for situations just like this. It’s a little short, but it’ll do the job.
So, if your collection of chargers doesn’t already include a USB-C plug and you only have Type-A chargers, you’ll want to pick up an Anker USB C Charger Cable.
Brush Tool
A good-sized, bristly brush with a wooden handle is perfect for scraping and cleaning the inner glass adapter pathway.
Dimple Glass
Included in the accessories is a two-inch glass stem mouthpiece with multiple dimples. These dimples are designed to create turbulence, which results in better heat distribution as hot air flows through the stem. Upon closer inspection of the interior of the stem, you’ll find an inverted dimple that helps divert the heated vapor.
Battery
The POTV Lobo comes with a Samsung 35E battery—a reputable brand with a 3500mAh capacity. You might notice a warning label on the bottom of the battery that reads ‘Fire Hazard! Not for Vape! Never Install, Carry, or Handle!’ Confused? I was too.
So, I reached out to POTV support about this, and Miguel from POTV got back to me, assuring that it’s safe to use with the vaporizer. Brands like Samsung attach these warnings to their 18650 batteries primarily to limit their liability.
Unlike our dry herb vapes that not only operate at lower temperatures and don’t require a constant high-temperature heat source, our dry herb vaporizers also have protection circuitries to help prevent any failures, unlike many E-Cig type vaporizers that do not employ this kind of protection.
Miguel, POTV Support
The warnings arise from concerns that e-cigarettes can reach extremely high temperatures and are sometimes poorly made, which could lead to batteries overheating, venting, or, in extreme cases, exploding.
Dry herb vaporizers like the POTV Lobo operate at temperatures well within safe ranges, so the warning on the battery isn’t a concern for this type of use.
Where to Buy Extra Batteries
Buying no-name batteries can be risky. You might not get the same vaping performance as you would with a branded battery. Additionally, no-name batteries may lack quality standards, as they are often cheaply produced.
I did a bit of digging and found a Reddit discussion regards to an reputable online vendors in various countries.
I picked up two additional batteries from the 18650 Battery Store, and they even threw in a free battery case. I got one Samsung 35E, which is the same model that comes with the Lobo, and a Molicel P28A, which is rated for vaping but at lower capacity.
Dosing Capsule
The POTV Lobo comes with a single dosing capsule that holds about 0.2 grams. To make the most out of your Lobo, I strongly recommend picking up additional capsules.
These extra dosing capsules make the vaporizer exceptionally portable, especially for those who require consistent dosing throughout the day or prefer the convenience of not having to reload between sessions while traveling.
Simply swap capsules as needed and empty them out at the end of the day. You can then preload for the next day. Also, don’t forget that you can repurpose the ABV (Already Been Vaped) material such as edibles or teas.
You can get additional dosing capsules at their website.
Concentrate Pad
I haven’t dabbled in concentrates yet, so for now, here’s a picture of the concentrate pad.
Menu Settings
Navigating the POTV Lobo’s menu settings is a simple. To power on the vaporizer, press the power button three times. To access the main menu, press and hold the power and ‘up’ buttons together for a few seconds. Here’s a rundown of what you can customize:
- Timer – Customize the length of your vaping sessions, ranging from a quick three minutes all the way up to six minutes.
- Temperature Unit – Choose between displaying the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
- Display – Depending how you like to hold the glass mouthpiece, there’s an option to flip the orientation of the LCD screen.
- Stealth Mode – Activate this by pressing and holding the power and ‘down’ buttons while the device is on. It’s not as exciting as it sounds; it merely dims the LCD screen.
- Battery Check – To see how much battery life is remaining, simply press the power button while the device is off.
Temperature Range
You can easily adjust the vaping temperature using the ‘up’ and ‘down’ buttons. The standard temperature settings range from 320°F, ideal for minimal THC extraction, to 350°F, which is suitable for CBD. The temperature can go as high as 430°F—just shy of the point of combustion. It’s important to note that different temperatures will produce varying effects, so finding the right setting is all about personal preference.
Using the POTV Lobo
Getting started with the Lobo is a straight-forward, whether you’re new to vaping or making the switch from the POTV ONE. The loading and vaping processes are nearly identical, making it simple to jump right in.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to load the dosing capsule and get started with your Lobo:
- Choose your insert preferred glass mouthpiece and detach the glass adapter.
- Load your herb into the capsule, but don’t pack it too tightly. Leave a bit of space for even heat distribution.
- Insert the filled capsule into the vaporizer chamber.
- Triple press the power button to turn on the vaporizer.
- Set vaping temperature and start vaping within seconds.
- Dispose or reuse ABV (Already Been Vaped) leftovers.
Battery Life
After using the POTV Lobo for a few weeks, I was curious to see how well the included Samsung 18650 35E rechargeable battery would hold up. To test this, I set each session to last 5 minutes and started with a fully charged battery.
The result? The battery powered through 15 sessions in total, adding up to 75 minutes, or just over an hour of continuous vaping.
It’s worth mentioning that as the battery starts to run low, the vaporizer takes longer to reach the set temperature. For example, if you set the device to 360°F, it may take 30 seconds or more to heat up to that point. So, what was supposed to be a 5-minute session might actually turn into a 4-minute vaping experience due to the additional warm-up time.
If that’s not enough to get you through the day, no worries— that’s exactly why you can pick up additional rechargeable batteries for the POTV Lobo!
Conclusion
The team at POTV has pulled out all the stops to make the Lobo incredibly user-friendly. With features like a sliding magnetic glass adapter for effortless chamber access, dosing capsules that reduce cleaning time, and an easily swappable screen filter.
Factor in an interchangeable 18650 battery for extended vaping sessions, and you’ve got a vaporizer that significantly outperforms its predecessor—all for less than twice the price of the ONE, which is currently priced at $159.95 as of this review.
I have a feeling the Lobo is set to overshadow the ONE, and it’s easy to see why. Overall, vaping with the POTV Lobo has been nothing short of a fantastic experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interchangeable Battery: A single charge sustains multiple vaping sessions, reducing the frequency of needing a recharge.
- Portability: The vaporizer easily fits in your pocket. With additional dosing capsules and batteries, it’s even more convenient for on-the-go use.
- Ease of Use: The interface and menu are simple to navigate. Once you set your preferences, there’s no need to adjust them again.
Cons
- Frequent Cleaning Required: More extended and frequent vaping sessions lead to quicker clogging of the screen filter and faster buildup of residue in the glass stem.
- No Power Adapter Included: Be sure to pick up a USB-C power adapter if you don’t already have one, or you’ll be in for an unwelcome surprise.
