I would’ve never imagined that buying a Dynavap M 2021 would be the start of a nosedive deep into the Dynaverse. Less than a year later, it culminated in a small Dynavap collection, in which the crown jewel is my 2019 PhantoM.
The 2019 PhantoM is a limited edition black version of the 2019 M. The stock 2019 M itself is highly-regarded among Dynavap enthusiasts as being one of the hardest ripping Dynavap devices and is therefore sought after. In fact, Dynavap even did a re-release of the 2019 PhantoM in 2022, followed by a re-release of the original 2019 M in the same year.
However, there is one significant difference between the re-released 2019 PhantoMs and the original ones. This difference is that the original PhantoMs came with the non-captive cap while the new ones come with a captive cap.
In my Dynavap Cap Guide, I highlighted that the pre-2020 caps are composed of a different metal alloy combination than the newer caps, making them heat up more aggressively when used with an Induction Heater. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an original 2019 PhantoM and I call it the crown jewel not just because of its rarity and beauty, but also its extraordinary extraction speed - a major role in which is played by the non-captive cap when using an induction heater.
The 2019 PhantoM’s black colour is achieved using a Physical Vapor Deposition or PVD coating. PVD colour coatings are resistant to scratches, heat, and oxidation.
Before the 2019 PhantoM, Dynavap also released the 2018 Shadow M which is the black version of the 2018 M. While there have been several reports of the 2018 Shadow M’s coating rusting after years of storage, the same is not the case with the 2019 PhantoM. As you can see from the pictures, my 2019 PhantoM has held up perfectly even after more than four years.
As I wasn’t yet aware of the huge performance difference between the old and new caps, the main reason I bought the 2019 PhantoM is not for the looks, but for the 2019 M tip. This tip almost has a mythical status as being the best Dynavap tip ever released. While that is certainly subjective, there is no doubt that the 2019 tip is quite impressive.
The 2019 PhantoM tip is a black PVD-coated stainless still tip which is easily identifiable by its unique zig-zag grooves. The heat retention and distribution properties of this tip are amazing and pairing it with the non-captive cap and an IH makes it a cloud-ripping machine.
When I first got the device in my hands, I was incredulous about the hype surrounding the device but I was converted into a believer after the first few sessions. The difference isn’t just noticeable, it’s massive.
The 2019 PhantoM’s stem is beautiful too. It has a nice cut-out around the air port to make locating it easier. The grooves also help the overall ergonomics of the device. Apart from that, the stem doesn’t have any special features that improve the performance of the device.
I consider myself fortunate that I was able to get a 2019 M in my possession because it is not something I had imagined would be possible living in a country where dry herb vaporisers are practically unknown. I consider it a blessing from the Dynagods.
The problem with owning such a rare and beautiful device is that it feels like a sin to use it, but not using it feels wasteful. As a compromise, I use the 2019 PhantoM exclusively with an IH to preserve its condition while still letting it fulfil its life’s purpose.
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