Carta Sport Review

Background

FocusV just released the Carta Sport as their new flagship device. It’s a streamlined version of the Carta 2, trimming some features while keeping the core the same, and slashing the price by over $100.

I’ve been using the Carta Sport daily for around three weeks now, and in this review, I’ll cover its design, features, performance, plus how it stacks up against the Carta 2, Puffco Peak, and Peak Pro.

The Carta Sport retails for $235, and you can save 10% with coupon code VG10 at VGEAR.COM 

Kit & Accessories 

The kit contains: the Carta Sport, with the glass, and coil already installed. Plus a silicone plug, a loading tool, cleaning swabs, and wipes. It all comes in this smell proof carry case. Pretty cool. 

Design

As far as the design, it’s almost identical to the Carta 2. The units have the same curves and ergonomic shape. Also, both the bubbler and the atomizers are cross-compatible. The new Carta Sport uses the same exact coil, which FocusV calls “intelli-core”, but more about that shortly. The carb cap has been improved to a much better directional carb cap, similar to Puffco’s joystick. 

Overall the Carta is very well balanced and feels solid while holding. Its mid-section curves inwards which makes it sit very comfortably in my palm. The new “Sport” has a design with these textured lines, but honestly I’m not a fan. It makes it look a bit childish in my opinion. I like the smooth design of the Carta 2 better. Or even the lines are fine, but at least matte instead of shiny. But that’s a matter of opinion I guess, I’m sure many will like this. 

Also- the screen is gone. And the +/- buttons. Now we only have one activation button. More about the interface shortly. 

“Connect” Air Path

The Carta Sport features a brand new removable air-path which FocusV calls the “connect”. This silicone airpath connects the bubbler and the coil, so it is very easy to remove and clean.

One of the biggest complaints about the Peak Pro (and the Carta 2) is that reclaim gets sucked in between the silicon airpath and the body. Which is not really cleanable. And this airpath is here to solve this. Everything stays in this piece so I can dip the whole thing in alcohol, or just buy a new one if it wears out. Beautiful. 

How to use

As far as usage it’s pretty standard stuff- five clicks unlock, and one click to toggle through the five heat settings. Double-click to start heating up. 

The Carta Sport is also compatible with FocusVs smartphone app which unlocks more functionality-it allows to view the live temp in the chamber, to customize the five heat presets, their duration, change the lighting modes, etc. The app is pretty stable and well-made. 

A couple of suggestions or tips:

1. Use a hot knife. Do not scrape your “stuff” on the sides of the chamber. 
2.  Cold Load. The vast majority of eRigs, including all Puffcos, Dr Dabbers etc- require loading the chamber cold. Before heat is engaged. Otherwise the thermal shock may crack the ceramic. And once again, all of these devices are available from VGEAR.com, and use coupon code VG10 for 10% off. 
3. Use dry. I like using my vaporizers dry. It preserves the flavors better and reduces my cleaning needs. Try it and let me know what you think in the comments below. 

Performance

As far as performance, the Carta Sport is a beast. It uses the same coil and almost identical design to the Carta 2, and the vapor quality is pretty much the same as well. Which is impressive! The Carta 2 carries a $350 price tag so the fact that we’re able to get the same thick, terp reach, voluminous vapor for a little over $200 is remarkable. 

Advanced Atomizer

It’s not immediately visible but FocusV’s intelli-core atomizer is very advanced. Unlike other “3D Chambers” it has a heating coil that is embedded to the bottom of the chamber, and not only on the sides- like Puffcos for example. This improves the heat distribution and helps prevent a “cold spot” in the center of the chamber. 

Also, the FocusV chamber is coated with a thin layer of Quartz which unlike ceramic- is non-porous. This means that FocusV atomizers don’t get “Chazzed” like a Puffco atomizer would. This Chazzing happens when hot oil sticks to the microscopic pours of the ceramic. This reduces the efficiency and performance, plus it’s just ugly to look at. This doesn’t happen with quartz glazed chambers. Quartz is a lot smoother than Ceramic and nothing sticks to it.    

The Carta is compatible with the entire family  of “intelli-core” atomizers- the larger “MAX” chamber, as well as a dry herb chamber. The performance with dry herb is sub-par so I wouldn’t recommend this as a dry herb vaporizer. 

Downsides

Here are a couple of downsides that could have been better-

• First,the chamber is on the smaller side. It is larger than the Puffco Peaks, but smaller than the Peak pro, Switch 2, and Bomb for example. And once again- all these are available from VGEAR.COM and coupon code VG10 will save you 10%. 
• Second, which is kind of related-  the stem of the joystick carb cap is a little too long. So sometimes it touches the oil or gets splashbacks. Then , when opening it at the end, the tip has some hot oil ready to drip everywhere. 

Both of these issues can be addressed with the $100 MAX chamber which is much deeper. So if you’re anything more than a “light user”- I recommend getting the MAX atomizer. VGEAR has a discounted bundle that includes it, and a hot knife- which is a must have. 

Bottom Line

Ok so bottom line- is it worth $235? Absolutely. Who are we even comparing it to? It’s a lot better than the Peak, and can easily go heads up with the Peak Pro. At almost half the price. The new “Sport” version is a step up from the Carta 2 in terms of battery life and the removable vapor path. With my code, at $211- this is probably the best concentrate vaporizer available for the price. Sure, it is not perfect- but it punches way above its weight class in terms of price and value.