One of the major barriers to entry for people who wish to try out dry herb vaporizers is that the devices can seem quite expensive. This is especially the case in India as thermal extraction devices have to be imported, thus drastically driving up the cost much above the base retail price. For example, the Dynavap M 2021 that costs $75 (roughly ₹5,800) in the USA is available in India for ₹9,000 to ₹10,000 due to the added costs.
The Tempest Dynavap System is a Made in India third-party alternative that not just manages to keep the cost low but also has some features that give it a slight edge over the Dynavap M.
I was initially sceptical whether the performance of the Tempest would live up to ‘original’ Dynavap devices but after daily driving it for a few weeks I have come away impressed. Here’s what I like about the Tempest…and something I don’t.
What is the Tempest Dynavap System?
It can be a bit confusing for newcomers to understand the difference between a Dynavap M and the Tempest. To put it simply, the Tempest is a combination of third-party and original Dynavap parts.
A Dynavap M consists of:
Captive cap
M stainless steel tip w/ CCD (screen)
M Stem w/ removable condenser
The Tempest Dynavap System consists of:
Captive cap (original from Dynavap)
Tempest stainless steel tip with mesh screen (original Dynavap CCD is available as an optional replacement for the mesh screen)
Tempest stem w/ built-in condenser
The only original Dynavap part that is essential for the Tempest is the Captive Cap. If you already own an M, you can just buy the Tempest tip and stem, and use the M’s cap and CCD with it. If you don’t already own an M, you will need to buy the Captive Cap compulsorily while the Dynavap CCD is optional.
Style, Materials & Dimensions
The Tempest has a different and unique look compared to the Dynavap M. The tip and stem are both customized designs made out of stainless steel. The entire device with the cap weighs in at a hefty 30 grams - much heavier than the M’s 19 grams - and most of this weight comes from the unibody stem. The added weight makes the stem less likely to bend from falls and gives the device a premium feel when held.
The stem’s design seems inspired by the Simrell Vortex and is available in three colours - silver, gold (Bullion) and black (Onyx). While the Dynavap M’s stem is hollow and comes with a removable condenser, the Tempest’s stem is cleverly designed in such a way that the stem itself acts as a condenser. This makes maintaining the device easier as it eliminates the need for condenser O-rings.
One of the most important features of the Tempest is that it comes in the ‘XL’ size by default. The total length is 4.25”, making it longer than the M and VonG which are 3.5” long. The added length makes it considerably easier to spin the device for heating, which is a quality-of-life feature that I appreciate and will especially be of help to newbies.
Power & Controls
 |
| Also check out my induction heater review |
When it comes to powering the device and controlling the vaporization temperature, the Tempest works in exactly the same way as Dynavap devices like the M 2021 and Omni 2021.
It can be powered using a butane torch or induction heater and the Captive Cap allows you to roughly control the temperature by heating high or low on the cap. Read my review of the Dynavap M 2021 for a detailed explanation about how to power the device.
Performance
As I mentioned earlier, I was doubtful about whether I would enjoy the Tempest as much as I enjoy my ‘original’ Dynavaps. This concern was laid to rest pretty quickly after I used the device a few times.
The Tempest has a 7-fin stainless steel tip and the design appears to be inspired by the 2018 M. The special mention for the 7-fin is because Dynavap has only been making 5-fin tips for the past few years. The extra cooling fins theoretically decrease cooldown time but I haven’t noticed any significant change compared to my 5-fin tips. The extra fins also have a small disadvantage which is that herb can get stuck in the small space between the fins.
Regardless of the number of fins, the Tempest tip performs superbly well. After using it extensively in rotation with my other tips, it soon became my favourite tip for fast extraction, even noticeably outperforming the Standard Ti tip which was my daily driver for a long time. Far from being disappointed, I am in fact truly happy with the Tempest’s performance.
However, while my daily driver setup includes the Tempest tip, it does not include the Tempest’s stem. The reason for this is that I am a bong user and the fat mouthpiece adaptor doesn’t fit snugly with the Tempest’s tapered stem. Therefore in my experience, while the Tempest’s stem is perfect for direct hits, it doesn’t provide the best experience with water pieces as it allows too much air in while inhaling. This is not likely to be a problem for every bong user as some people desire more airflow, but I found it a bit disappointing personally.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Dynavap devices are quite easy to maintain as you just need to clean the parts with 99.9% isopropyl alcohol. Iso is available cheaply on sites like Amazon and can be re-used multiple times. Just soak the device in the solution for a few hours, or soak cotton buds in iso and clean it with those. Make sure to rinse with water and let the parts dry for at least an hour after cleaning.
A huge advantage of the Tempest is that it has minimal O-rings, which are pretty much the only things you might have to replace. With proper care, the O-rings can last for years without breaking and you won’t need to replace them at all. For more information on maintaining your device, please read this Comprehensive Dynavap Guide for Newbies.
Dynavap Tempest Price & Where to Buy in India
The Tempest Dynavap System is available for purchase on Terpene Central. For a first-time Dynavap user, it will cost ₹4,275 (using discount code DESITED5) for a complete unit that includes the Tip, Stem, Cap and CCD.
Existing Dynavap M users can get just the tip and stem for ₹3,000 and use the cap and CCD from their Ms.
Conclusion
The extra features and lower price make the Tempest a Dynavap alternative worth recommending. The Tempest tip performs remarkably well and the long stem improves the ergonomics of the device, not to mention that it is a beauty too.
I cannot think of any obvious advantages that the Dynavap M has over the Tempest. The only real drawback in my opinion is the Tempest stem’s loose fit with the fat mouthpiece bong adaptor, but this is a non-issue if you don’t plan to use the Tempest with a water piece, or like to have higher airflow when using a bong.
For a newcomer looking to try out dry herb vaporizers or a Dynavap initiate looking for an affordable upgrade, the Tempest is certainly worth strong consideration.
 |
| Use Coupon Code DESITED5 and Get 5% Off! |
Still have questions about the Tempest Dynavap System? Wish to share your thoughts about the device? Leave a comment or DM me on Reddit!
Purchases made through links on the page may be eligible for an affiliate commission. Affiliate partners strictly do not have any editorial inputs.
Comments
Post a Comment