POTV Lobo Review

Introduction

The POTV Lobo is the first dry herb vaporizer that is designed by Planet of the Vapes (buy here). POTV released a few dry herb vaporizers in the past, such as the POTV One (review, buy here) and the Starry V4 (review, buy here) which were all rebrands or collars on existing models. 

The Lobo is a familiar design but with a few tweaks and its key features are- a hybrid heating system, a full temperature spectrum, and a replaceable 18650 battery. 

Priced at an affordable $159, it's a vaporizer that's making waves in the market. But does it live up to the hype? Let's find out.

What's in the Box?

The Lobo comes with everything you need for both dry herb and concentrate vaping. The dimpled glass mouthpiece and dosing capsule are particularly noteworthy. Glass mouthpieces are superior to plastic or silicone and does the best job at keeping the purity of the vapor.

Included Accessories:

• POTV Lobo Vaporizer
• Dimpled Glass Mouthpiece
• Dosing Capsule
• Concentrate Pad
• Cleaning Brush 
• Loading Tool
• Charging Cable
• Quickstart Guide

Build Quality and Design

Material and Construction

The Lobo is built with an Anodized Aluminum shell, which makes it durable and also keeps the exterior cool during extended use. The mouthpiece adapter connects directly to the chamber via PEEK Plastic, which is the same material used for the body of the Crafty+ and Mighty+ vapes. The mouthpiece parts has two rails that slides it down and hold it firmly, eliminating the need for silicone gaskets.

User Interface

The device features a display that shows the current temperature, set temperature, battery level, and session timer. The buttons are raised and responsive, although the display can be hard to read in direct sunlight.

Battery Door

One design downside is the battery compartment door, which is a threaded screw-on and off design. It can be a bit tricky to handle (especially with gloves or if you have large fingers) and is not attached to the unit, making it easy to fall or lose. Most people will not have to deal with it. If you’re not the type that goes on long “unplugged” trips, you’d probably never have to open the battery door so this is not something to worry about for 99% of users. 

Heating and Temperature Options

Hybrid Heating System

The Lobo employs a hybrid heating system that combines convection and conduction. This results in quick and even extraction, making it one of the best in its price range. The temperature spectrum runs from 320-430°F (160-221°C), and the device heats up in around 30 seconds to 360°F.

Session Timer: You can adjust the session timer from 3-6 minutes, which gives you control over the length of your vaping sessions.

Vapor Quality and Performance

The Lobo excels in flavor and extraction potential. It can deliver both light, flavorful sessions and aggressive draws, particularly when used with a water pipe adapter. If you're a fan of using your vaporizer with a bubbler, like I am, the bubbler is a must-have accessory.

The device is efficient enough to vape an entire chamber without needing to stir or start another session. The AVB is brown in crunchy at the end of sessions, which signals good extraction. 

Battery

The Lobo uses a 3500mAh replaceable 18650 Samsung 35E battery, offering around six 5-minute sessions or roughly 30 minutes of continuous run time.

It takes about 90 minutes to fully charge the device via a USB-C to USB-C cable. While the absence of a charging brick might be a downside for some, the charging time is fairly standard.

Final Thoughts

The POTV Lobo is a solid choice for anyone looking for a mid-range dry herb vaporizer. Its build quality, vapor performance, and battery life make it a strong contender in its price range. While it has a few minor drawbacks, they don't significantly impact its overall performance. If you're in the market for a reliable, efficient vaporizer, the Lobo should be on your shortlist.