Start

The Start is the slimmest vaporiser in the range: a pen 13.4 centimetres long and a good two centimetres across, with true convection, a titanium chamber and a borosilicate mouthpiece. The temperature range is deliberately narrow, the operation reduced to three buttons. The model is being discontinued and is therefore reduced in price — an opportunity for the trade while stock lasts. Anyone who wants to carry it should buy now, because once it has sold through there will be no resupply.

Features

• Discontinued model and therefore reduced in price while stocks last — the goods themselves are unchanged
• True convection heating, the plant material is warmed only with hot air — nothing scorches on the chamber floor
• Insulated air channel separates vapour and electronics for a clean flavour, a detail rarely found on pen vaporisers
• Titanium chamber for up to 0.2 g, flavour-neutral, easy to clean and without a taste of its own
• Borosilicate glass mouthpiece for a cool, clean draw, every centimetre of the path cools
• Temperature range from 200 to 220 degrees for focused vaporising, that is the upper working range with plenty of vapour
• Heat-up time of about thirty seconds, fast enough for everyday use
• Automatic shut-off after four minutes — which corresponds roughly to one session
• 1000 mAh battery, enough for several sessions, that is several days as a second device
• Charging over USB-C, no mains adapter required, any phone charger will do
• Operated with three buttons and haptic feedback, without your having to look
• Slim pen design at 133.6 × 20.5 × 20.2 millimetres — disappears into a shirt pocket
• Filling tool, brush, cotton buds, silicone ring and two metal screens in the carton, so the customer is fully equipped
• Two years of warranty from the date of purchase with proper use, handled through us rather than overseas

Who is the Start for?

For beginners who want the smallest possible device, and for customers looking for an unobtrusive second device. The pen format disappears into a shirt pocket and does not stand out. In the trade the Start is currently, thanks to the price reduction, the cheapest true convection vaporiser in the range — an argument to mention actively, because it will not come back once the stock has sold through. Anyone in the shop looking for a cheap second device almost always buys as soon as they hear the price.

True convection in pen format

True convection in a device of this shape is rare; most pen vaporisers work by conduction. On the Start only hot air is drawn through the material, so nothing scorches and the flavour stays clean. The insulated air channel separates vapour and electronics. For a device this size that is technically remarkable and in the sales conversation the strongest point. For the trade it is an argument that can be made in one sentence and that no other device in this price class offers.

The narrow temperature range

200 to 220 degrees covers the upper working range in which plenty of vapour is produced. Anyone wanting to work out aromas at a low temperature is in the wrong place — the Balu or the Lunari exist for that. For the intended use the span is sufficient, however, and for beginners the small choice is more of an advantage than a shortcoming. There is practically nothing to set wrong here. That it does not go below 200 degrees nevertheless belongs honestly in the sales conversation.

Titanium chamber

Up to 0.2 grams fits into the titanium chamber, which is enough for a session alone. Titanium is flavour-neutral, conducts heat evenly and tolerates the daily temperature swings. Cleaning is done with the brush supplied; while still warm it is easiest. Over the years the flavour stays the same, which is not the case with coated chambers. For a round of two the fill is not enough, but refilling takes seconds.

Shut-off after four minutes

The device switches off by itself after four minutes. That corresponds roughly to one session and prevents material from sitting in a hot oven. For a device carried in a pocket, the fixed shut-off is a sensible default. It cannot be adjusted, which in practice bothers nobody. Anyone wanting a longer session simply switches on again; the device is still warm and immediately ready.

Battery and charging

The 1000 mAh battery is the smallest in the range, which is down to the format, and is enough for several sessions. Charging happens over USB-C. Anyone using the Start daily charges it about every other day; as a second device it lasts considerably longer and only wants the cable every few days. Operation while charging is not provided for.

The borosilicate mouthpiece

Borosilicate glass is flavour-neutral and keeps the draw cool. On the short path of a pen vaporiser every centimetre counts, which is why the glass mouthpiece matters more here than on larger devices. Replacements are available individually. A silicone ring and two metal screens are included and cover the first wear. Anyone using it regularly should keep two sets of screens on hand, then a clean one is always available.

Discontinued — what that means

The Start is no longer being produced. For the customer that means a considerably lower price for unchanged goods; for the trade it means it can be re-ordered while stock lasts. Spare parts remain available, because screens and seals are shared with other Smono devices. For the trade it is a calculation with a clear edge: a good margin on a limited quantity.

Cleaning

A brush and cotton buds are included; stubborn residue dissolves in isopropyl alcohol. Because of the narrow air channel, cleaning more often pays off than on larger devices — a clogged channel shows up immediately in the draw resistance. Give it a quick brush through after every second session and there are no problems. A cleaning kit therefore belongs in every order with a Start and costs almost nothing at wholesale.

Start or Basic?

Both are entry-level devices in the lower price range. The Start is slimmer, works with true convection and has the titanium chamber, but also the narrow temperature range and the smaller battery. The Basic is somewhat larger, hybrid-heated and has the dosing capsule included. Anyone looking for the smallest possible device takes the Start while it is still available. Thanks to the price reduction there is currently hardly anything between the two in price, which is why the comparison is worth making in conversation.

How to use it

1. Fill the titanium chamber loosely with finely ground material.
2. Fit the glass mouthpiece.
3. Switch the device on and select a temperature between 200 and 220 degrees.
4. Let it heat for around thirty seconds, then draw slowly.
5. Brush the chamber out after the session while it is still warm.