Review – Omura Series X dry herb vaporiser

Innovative is a buzzword that gets thrown around far too frequently in the post Silicon Valley age, but in the case of Omura, its unique patented technology might just be worthy of the accolade.

Founded in LA by three friends with strong backgrounds in design and technology, the brand champions smoke-free cannabis consumption with its unique take on the dry herb vaporiser.

The team’s mission statement reads “Precision & Purity”, something the latest offering, the Omura Series X, aims to deliver by utilising Flowersticks which the brand claims not only prevents overconsumption but also keeps your experience pure. It’s a nice-sounding concept, but how does this translate into the real world?

First impressions

Opening the Series X box is as pleasant an experience as you’d expect from a brand with California roots. The external packaging is iPhone-esque, and notably made entirely of cardboard so it can be recycled, an ethical consideration that is echoed in other parts of the product. The first impression of the device is a slick, discreet and surprisingly small product. A refreshing change from bulkier DHVs on the market – this one weighs in at only 77 grams.

Holding the Omura is as pleasing as the initial unboxing, the device is lightweight yet its metal case feels solid and reassuringly sturdy. Its also incredibly simple – the only control is a small switch on the bottom to switch between the high and low-temperature settings.

First use

Even as an experienced dry herb vape user, the way the Omura Series X is used is totally new to me. The device utilises Flowersticks, cardboard tubes that are filled with flower to be placed into the device on demand. For my first try, I make use of the filling device that comes with the starter kit I’ve been provided for the review. This helps me to fill a pack of 16 Flowersticks at once while still in their original packaging. The instructions are clear and helpful; grind 2 grams of flower, pour it into the top of the filler and use the spatula-type device to spread the flower out amongst the sticks before packing down with the lid.

It’s a fairly straightforward process. I make a little bit of a mess, but after a bit of fiddling and faffing my sticks are full and it feels like one of those jobs you’ll quickly get better at. Once you remove the Flowerstick pack from the filling device you can close the lid back up. Here is where the Omura starts to show its potential. I now have a box of sticks filled with flower ready to go wherever I am. Instantly I’m thinking about my next festival. No more sitting on the floor grinding and packing my usual device, just pop in a stick, wait for it to heat up and inhale whenever I want.

Using the Series X is as simple as taking a stick and putting it in the device. This turns the heating chamber on automatically, and less than 30 seconds later the device vibrates to let you know it’s ready. From here, all you have to do is inhale through the top of the stick.

Like other small dry herb vaporisers, I find that slow steady draws work best. Trying to take a deep strong pull isn’t possible with the Omura due to the way the air flows into the oven down the side of the sticks and back up through the heated flower. The device has a heat response curve, which means it gets slowly hotter throughout use, although I don’t notice this in the temperature of the vapour but I do see a difference in the density on exhale as the session goes on. The brand claims that this technology leads to 99% of all cannabinoids in the flower being vaporised, which is reassuring. Overall, the Omura produces a solid session of light and pleasing vapour. No coughing or burn.

After 3 and a half minutes, the device shuts down and you’re done. Having a timed session is nice, I find myself mindful and conscious of the task at hand. The Flowersticks, being paper-based and containing only organic material are easily disposed of and are compostable, another nod to the brand’s environmental considerations. Omura were keen to point out that the sticks can be refilled and reused, the paper will begin to deteriorate after a while depending on the heat setting used, but they should be good for reuse 2 or 3 times. In all honesty, I didn’t try owing to my strong dislike of the smell of AVB, but if you’re concerned about the consumable element this should keep the cost of use down.

Regular use

My first impressions of the Series X were great. Simplicity is its strength, with a full pack of Flowersticks at my disposal I find that I’m happy to pick it up and use it again knowing I’ve got pre-ground weed ready to go. The convenience of just popping in a stick that is ready to consume in 30 seconds flat is great, and this is where I find myself using the device – when I’m out and about and want minimal fuss, like an afternoon at the pub or a day out at a gig.

The dedication to simplicity is what makes the Omura X interesting, there is only really one level of user input required: the heat setting. The device uses a heat curve, starting off at the lower end of the optimum temperature for vaporising cannabinoids and finishing off at the higher end. Users can choose between a low heat curve or a high heat curve. I tend to opt for a higher setting on most DHVs, my PAX Plus for example is usually on the third heat setting out of four for flower, yet I found I enjoyed the Omura much more on the lower setting. The higher is closer to combustion but personally felt a little harsher on the inhale to me, whereas the low setting was smooth.

Another feature that only occurred to me after some use, despite it being a big selling point from the brand, is that the Omura requires zero cleaning. My first ever dry herb vape cost an arm and leg in isopropyl alcohol to remove residue and buildup, yet thanks to the sticks containing all the flower, nothing other than paper ever touches the heating chamber. As a result, it never gets dirty. Another big plus.

As time goes on the Series X finds a useful place in my device rotation, the Flowerstick system is great for trips out, at home I tend to go for a device with a bigger oven as I can consume more flower this way. It’s entirely possible to use more than one stick at a time, the brand calls this ‘layering’ but the ritual of filling a pack of sticks before a day out feels more appropriate, and in fact, I enjoy the preparation ritual. That said, it’s entirely possible to just grab a couple of sticks and manually pack them before flopping down on the sofa. When I try out filling the sticks one by one by hand I find it easy enough, so this could work as an all-in-one device. I’m just lucky to have a collection of dry herb vaporisers at my disposal.

Who would enjoy the Omura Series X?

If you’re looking to rip big clouds or have degree-by-degree control over your temperatures then this isn’t the device you’ll want to buy. The Series X is clearly aimed at people who prize convenience, discretion and simplicity. These are the brand’s three strengths in my opinion, and they nail what they have set out to do – being able to just pop in a stick and go really is perfect for people who want no fuss from a device. The theme of convenience runs through the whole experience from start to finish, having to do nothing more than dispose of a stick after use is a key highlight, and it’s super hygienic too, especially if you’re sharing. Users who just want to consume cannabis easily, cleanly and in a controlled way will love the Omura. The mission of “Precision and Purity” has well and truly been accomplished with the Series X.