Review Summary
The Era Pro uses PaxSmart pods that automatically set the recommended temperature and dosage settings on the given flavor. It has a Pod ID feature that gives you all the necessary information (CBD/THC content, flavor profile, etc.) which can be found by using the smartphone app. The smartphone app allows users to change the temperature and dosage of how they want it to be. It has a large variety of flavors since the Era Pro is backward compatible with the older pods of Pax.
Pricing Info ⓘ
Specifications
Pax Era Pro
|
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|---|---|
| Score (1-5) |
4.5 Current Review |
| Brand | Pax |
| Retail Price |
$69.00 |
| Release Date | January 2020 |
| Compatible With | Wax |
| Body Material | Aluminum |
| Heat Up Time | 2-5 |
| Precise Temp Control | ✗ |
| Temperature Range | 4 Levels |
| 510 Thread | ✗ |
| Battery Type | Internal |
| Battery Capacity | 240mAh |
| Sessions Per Charge | 1 Hour |
| Charge Time | 45 Minutes |
| Display Type | LED Indicators |
| Smartphone App | ✓ |
| Session Mode | ✗ |
| Adjustable Airflow | ✗ |
Background
Pax Era Pro (visit store) looks like its predecessor, Pax Era, but there are some differences that you wouldn't notice at first glance. The Era Pro has a bigger logo on the middle which indicates the temp settings and battery level. It also now uses a USB-C charging port on the bottom instead of a micro-USB port like in the original. Lastly, it has thin slits on the side which improves the airflow making it easier to inhale from the Era Pro.
Pax remains consistent with their overall design. In fact, Era Pro also reminded me of Pax 3, (Review) which is a dry herb vape that has a simple design with loads of useful features on the inside. Era Pro uses PaxSmart pods that remember your preferred temp settings and dose settings which will make you enjoy each flavor exactly how you like it. Also, the smartphone app allows you to look into all the necessary information (lab test results, contents of the oil, and its overall flavor profile) to know about the oil that you're vaping.
Design & Features
The Era Pro is a rectangular-shaped pod oil vape that's made out of anodized aluminum which feels light and durable. It's slim and 4″ tall which fits in my hand and can easily conceal it when I want to have a discreet session.
There's a control light on the middle of the device that indicates the battery life (when you shake the unit) and the temp settings which I find astonishing for a simple and small device. It has haptic feedback as well that indicates when you reach the recommended/preferred dosage setting which is useful for vapers who are quite conscious of how much oil they’re consuming.
PaxSmart Pods
The PaxSmart Pods look somewhat similar to the originals, and can even be used on the original Era (the original Era pods can also be used on the Era Pro) but they taper a little towards the tip of the mouthpiece and they have a red band just beneath the rim.
What makes the new pods smart (pun intended) is the NFC (Near Field Communication) tag at the bottom that makes the unit automatically set the recommended temp settings and dose settings per session. That means you don't have to worry about anything else- just take a draw and that's it!
Smartphone App
The smartphone app has a Pod ID feature that gives you all the information you need about the oil that you're vaping. It includes the brand, strain, THC/CBD content of the oil, lab results, and the terpenes (the flavor of the oil). These are all part of Pax's policy of transparency to educate and make users feel safe when they're using or consuming their product.
Aside from that, there are some useful features:
- Temperature settings: By using the app, you can change the recommended setting to your preferred temp setting that ranges from 520°F to 790°F.
- Dosage Settings: You can set how much oil you want to vape for your session. There are four dosage levels you can choose: micro, small, medium, and large.
- Lock Out Feature: You can restrict anyone from using your Era Pro by locking it remotely by using the app.
The new smartphone app, the pod ID, and dose control features are the standout features of the Pax Era Pro. Unfortunately, iPhone users won’t have access to the app because Apple has removed all vaping related apps from their iOS store. However, there's a web app that has been developed for laptop, desktop, and Mac users which you can find here.
How To Use
The Era Pro is simple to use just make sure it's fully charged before you:
- Connect the PaxSmart or Era pod to the battery.
- Select a temperature setting by popping up the pod and then pushing it back down.
- Use the smartphone app to set a dosage limit.
- Inhale from the mouthpiece.
Steps 2 and 3 are entirely optional since you can just pop a pod onto the battery and start vaping away. That is because the battery will automatically select the right temperature for each strain of oil if you use a PaxSmart pod. However, temperature control does give you more room to customize your session.
Temp Settings: The temp settings are indicated by the four-leaf logo in the middle of the device. If you want to precisely set your temperature, connect the device on your Android phone via Bluetooth, and access the app. The temperature ranges from 520°F to 790°F.
Dosage Settings: You can either stick to the recommended dosage or pick your own dosage (micro, small, medium, and large) by using the smartphone app. The Era Pro will vibrate when you reach your preferred dose.
Performance & Vapor Quality
The Era Pro is literally easy to use- you can just inhale from the mouthpiece, and it'll heat up the oil and produce flavorful vapor. It has great airflow which works whether you sip on it or take a long steady drag. The unit gets hot when you're using it for a while especially if you inhale from it continuously.
The vapor quality depends on the strain, and most of the pods I've tested produce fewer clouds and more flavor. I like the fact that I can change the recommended temp settings and the dosage settings on each strain so that it'll match my vaping preference. For me, I like to play around medium to high temp settings (610-710°F) which is where I feel the potency and taste the flavor of the oil.
Some might say that there is a wider variety of 510 carts than there are PaxSmart Pods, and they could be right. But the pods from the original Era can be used with the Era Pro which makes this device have a big selection of pods to choose from. Take note that you won't be able to use the app with the old Pax Pods which is pretty forgivable and does not affect the overall performance of the device.
Battery Performance: The Pax Era Pro lasts up to 100-150 hits which are enough for a few days of casual vaping before it needs a recharge. It uses a USB-C charger and the recharge time will only take 45 minutes.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Era Pro is a solid device for oils. It has a well-thought smartphone app that gives control and transparency to the users. The vapor quality is decent which most beginners will love. The Era Pro is backward compatible with the old Era pods which make it have a large selection of strains to choose from. Not that I'm saying this is a flawless device, but for a $70 vape, this is one of my recommended choices out there.
If you're having a second thought on getting this vape because you think there are limited shops that sell PaxSmart Pods within your area, you can try and check 510 threaded batteries for carts. Maybe the KandyPens Special K (Review) is a quality choice if you want to invest in a vaporizer that produces exceptional vapor quality. If you're on a tight budget and looking for a more affordable alternative, the Dr Dabber CBD gets the job done!
