so since I’ve been contemplating getting a new device (and can’t afford the Frolic atm - just under affordability lol), and since Troy brought out his SSV43 for the 4/20 Think Dank episode, I’ve been thinking about grabbing an SSV for myself… and as I’m sure many of you already know - Elev8 now provides the option to upgrade the device when purchasing to the Baller version with a choice between 6mm or 3mm rubies. I’m wondering if anyone out there has been able to compare or if anyone knows the comparison for how many balls you could fit in the OG heater chamber and how much you’re able to put in the new upgraded version that’s made for them…? and any other suggestions or information or advice about whether I should get the device or not and whether the performance is worth it or not would be much appreciated and helpful as well. I too, like Troy, am not too fond of the whole whip experience and hassle, but I also saw that you can get the whip free stem for it and was thinking about getting the stem covered with cooling dimples so I can forgo having to use the whip altogether… so yeah. any info whatsoever about the comparison or experience between the 2 balled heaters would be awesome and extremely helpful and will also help others for their decisions in buying their own or not as well.
I’d love to see a nippled version of that all-glass SSV stem!! Will they custom make one?
I’ve been ripping the SSV43 all week and I’m starting to get real sick of the whip experience, but the vapor is still remarkable enough to deal with it.
Hopefully someone here has the official baller version - i’d love to see some pics and performance vids
I’ve never come across someone who has the official ball mod version. Would love to see one in action!
Well guys, I guess I’m going to be finding out soon enough just how good the Baller SSV is… put an order through and going to be talking to them over the phone tomorrow prolly (had a voicemail today from a call I missed) about the dimpled stem, so fingers crossed about everything working out. I’ll be sure to keep this thread updated on how it goes…
hell yea dude, i hope it’s good. looking forward to your detailed post
I wanted to check into this thread yesterday and respond but I guess I got too high… One of the drawbacks of this hobby 
I don’t own an SSV but I bought a DBV (like the SSV’s cousin, very similar vape) with the baller upgrade and it’s a beast! I would definitely use the heater cover that comes with the baller upgrade as it’s made to hold the extra heat mass. Mine holds something like 300+ rubies.
Ever since the baller upgrade, I don’t need to turn the dial past about 1 o’clock to get a nice dark roast. You can combust easily past 2 o’clock in my setup.
There’s no recovery time to this thing. I’ve never been able to outrun the heater, even sharing it with 6 people. It’s an endless fountain of pure convection and it tastes great. It’s ball vape power in a log shape.
I like all-glass paths instead of a whip so I got some 90deg male/female 18mm adapters to use as a bowl and attached some 18mm mouthpieces.
I own the official baller version but I’ve been too afraid to mess with the modded version.
How you liking yours…?
And that’s a sick setup man! Love the cooling stems… Thanks for the vapor experience explanations… I’m definitely excited and pumped about a new signature.
Thanks!
I hope you like yours. The baller upgrade makes makes it a completely different vape. Huge heat reservoir and tons of clean convection power from a ceramic heater surrounded by tons of rubies. You really need good cooling because it can get hot. Definitely a heavy hitter.
It still compares with newer ball vapes but I hate whips.
Wow I’m stoked to hear about this to. My buddy has the SSV I’d love to get this for him. It may be a good entry point in the Ball Vape world.
Cheers and thanks 
Love the glass path you made.
I got the upgrade and was so happy, then it started getting too hot at the least setting, then the center rod caught on fire. I stopped using it after that. It was sad, because I’d been happy until it started overheating. Absolute clouds before that.
Used to be a whip fan, but I’d rather use something like what you created and go with glass.
Oh damn, that really sucks! Sorry you had to go through that. I’ve never had a vape catch fire before 
. Hopefully you saw it happen and stopped any real damage?
Yeah I had to go for the all-glass path 
. Luckily the DBV has a female 18mm joint so I knew I could rig some adapter and make it into a bowl. It’s just so damn powerful even on a low setting. Really sorry yours went unstable somehow. The all-glass taste is so intense and just really good. It’s basically a ball-vape that is safe be always-on so you can do drive-by hits 
. A log on steroids if you will.
I have the DBV mod myself, and can confirm it absolutely slaps. Perfect for casual vaping on the couch and sharing with guest without having the need for a bubbler.
Curious to hear if anyone has tried both the 6mm and 3mm mod of the SSV? What is the experience like of the larger 6mm balls, and is there a use case for said balls? 
I have the official ssv baller mod. Here it is pictured with an aroma therapy top, a heady opal knob and wand. The flavor is unmatched. I have only used 3mm, I have added a couple random pearls 3-6mm on top but the air flow is great. The bigger 6mm balls will increase air flow but at the same time there are less balls packed inside the heater, with higher airflow. This just tells me the balls will cool faster or you have to turn your unit up higher to accommodate. I run mine super low never more than a quarter turn ever and usually just when it clicks on so as low as the dimmer switch can go. My heat has never been turned on half way as I can combust at 1/4 heat.
Weird (and interesting)… You must have an early version or something(?) because this is not the design they’re using anymore sadly (tho I wish they did - unless it’s different for the Super? Actually now thinking about it - makes sense as there’s an alternative air intake for it - also looks like the length of the heater is shorter?)…'for whatever reason they use this huge wide open side slit design where there are these huge slits on each side of the heater cover that runs practically the whole length of the ball mass area, basically up to where the ceramic heater begins at the bottom. I’ll include a pic of one of the sides so you can see the difference (older pic before the spider cracks and many ball configs beforehand lol - actually think that was amongst the first tbh).
Anyways, since this is my thread, I should probably give you guys an update, right?! Lol… I’ve been putting it off cuz of all the craziness I’ve been through with it since first getting mine. You see, because of the issues of that side slit design (cooling down the entire ball mass very fast and also needing to max temp it for actual performance, etc), as well as it spider cracking around said slits and due to needing a new one because of it, I had messaged them about if there would be a possibility if my warranty replacement could be a custom or altered heater cover since this design just isn’t working for me (nor do I believe it will be for good for any others out there tbch) and they said they would definitely try and see what they could do about everything but it was at the end of May and they were going through a location move closer to their store location, so I just recently emailed them back again to remind them. We’ll see what they say… I did a couple sketches of some ideas. I’ll keep you all posted on all that (for real this time lol)…
But as far as how I’m liking the setup I have…? Well, after trying to figure out a ball configuration where I could finally make it usable, I finally was able to settle at my 11th ball config. It’s mostly all 2mm cuz I had to restrict it as much as possible due to the huge slits’ defeating airflow. The length of it is rubies and then the top bulbous area is some rubies, black moissanite gems, some random faceted diamonds (not many), and some SiC… then there’s a few 3mm rubies and SiC to block the upside-down V outtake. Like I said, because of the slits, even with the added restriction, I have to use it on Max for me to get dense cloudage, but damn is it satisfying when you get it right and dial it in.
I’ve pretty much figured it all out by now and sometimes when I don’t feel like waiting for the bowl to preheat (cuz I like the performance with added conduction when the glass of the bowl gets hot) by just resting it on the heater for a few minutes, I’ll instead torch the sides of the top of the bowl with my Blazer Firefox torch… And the dense cloudage I can achieve sometimes is so lovely that I keep coming back for more (even tho I know it can be better). It’s won the reach test so much that it’s become one of my main dailies now.
So, now I’m just waiting on the email back from Elev8 to know how we’re proceeding with my new heater cover. I’ll keep everyone posted with all that, and I also plan to get some performance on video soon too and will make sure to pop that here as well. Also adding in a new pic to match so you can see what it currently looks like… Cheers fam and talk to y’all soon!
That’s disappointing that they changed the design to something that doesn’t work as well. Perhaps it has to do with the unit bursting into flames as the other commenter mentioned, or being too powerful and having to run on the lowest settings. Maybe they tried to compensate for the overheating but overcompensated.
It’s the only vape I’ve had that’s caught fire. It can happen if you cough during a draw as well, but I haven’t had that happen lately. It bothers me that it doesn’t work as well as it did before I tried the upgrade, but I also haven’t messed with it much to fix it. I’ve got 3, so I just use one of the others now, kicking that problem down the road. It was worth a try, but even without the ball upgrade, it packs a punch.
Hey Mike and All,
I have the baller SSV and an upgraded older DBV. The baller SSV is my most used vape and most loved because that thing can give me whatever hit I am in the mood for. It is a powerhouse but it leaves my lungs and throat feeling better than my others and I can just enjoy the effects.
If you are not liking the whip experience, I would recommend the hands free slide they sell and with a dry bong. You don’t have to touch anything or clear your piece. Very chill experience. But, I find it so nice to use I just get into a rhythm and it is a none issue for me even when using water. I definitely mix it up frequently too.
My heater cover came with 6mm rubies and performs great as is. I do not have the wide slits on the side. Not sure when they changed it, but I think I have had my surfer over 4 years now. I have not ever come close to needing to wait for it to reheat.
I do find that smaller amounts of flower and multiple pulls increase my enjoyment and do not overwhelm my respiratory system. To be clear, I cannot and do not one and done hit any of my devices. Looks like fun until I cough and clear my lungs for 10 minutes. But, the baller SSV and upgraded DBV both can give me remarkable sessions. I also feel like I stay higher longer with this strategy.
I also love putting the analog devices on smart plugs as well. Takes the heat up time out of the equation for me. I leave the surfer at about 2 O’Clock and will adjust it slightly depending on the flower.
I hope you end up loving it as much as I do!
