The Core 2.1 Review

Should you buy the Core 2.0 / 2.1 E-Rig?

If you enjoyed the original Core Electric Dab Rig by Shenzen Crossing, then you will absolutely love the Core 2.0 / The Core 2.1 with a V5 3D ceramic atomizer.

The first thing you’ll notice about the device is the metal housing that encapsulates the atomizer and its coils. This provides great support and helps the heat transfer within the unit to your dabs. It also makes cleaning a jiffy, as all you’ll need are some Q-Tips.

Due to the better chamber housing, there will be much less splashing, and maintenance is much easier than most other E-Rigs.

As for the V5 coil (the same coil found on the DTV5), it’ll also be compatible with the original Core E-Rig and will pump out vapor on all voltage settings.

On the 2.0, you’ll have access to four voltage settings which are selected to optimize a healthy mix of flavor and huge clouds, as we’ll get into later in the review!

How is the Core 2.1 different than the Core 2.0?

The Core 2.1 is an upgrade over both the OG Core, as well as the Core 2.0. Instead of a confusing rebuildable atomizer with an included screwdriver included in the kit, the Core 2.1 uses a ceramic 3D atomizer that will more evenly melt your dabs down and be easier for the E-Rig to vaporize. You can see the difference in our Core 2.1 Atomizer product page.

Core 2.1 atomizer (left) vs. Core 2.0 atomizer (right)

The Core 2.0 / 2.1 Specs

What’s Included in the Core 2.0 kit?

x1 Core 2.0 E-rig Base + Borosilicate Glass Bubbler
x1 Aluminum Spinner Carb Cap
x1 Carb Cap Silicone Leash
x1 Silicone Base Cover
x1 Atomizer with V5 heater installed
x1 Spare V5 Heater
x1 Dab Tool
x1 Spare Atomizer Screws
x1 Screwdriver
x2 Spare Carb Cap Tube O-rings
x1 Charger
x1 USB-C Charging Cable
x1 Cleaning supplies kit
x1 Upgraded carrying case

The Core 2.0 Key Features

• One button functionality for ease of use
• Rebuildable V5 atomizer
• 3D Atomizer Heating
• Vortex Airflow Carb Cap
• Borosilicate Glass Bubbler
• Stainless Steel Carb Cap Tube
• Four carefully tuned heat settings
• Low maintenance
• Approx. 1 hour 45 minute charging time
• 3150mah Li-Ion Battery Pack

The Core 2.0 Vapor Quality

The heating system will be more than adequate to handle any kind of concentrate you throw into the ceramic-lined atomizer. Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:

The total session time for the Core 2.0 has been upgraded to 80 seconds, this includes the pre-heat time.

• Blue will heat to 400° F / 205C in around 10 seconds
• Green will heat to 425° F / 218C
• White will heat to 465° F / 241C
• Red will heat to 500° F / 260C in around 20 seconds

How to get it running out of the box?

1. After unboxing, make sure that you fully charge the battery to get the maximum lifespan out of the Lithium-ion
2. Fill the bubbler from the top to the fill line, and then dry any external parts that may have gotten wet
3. Place the bubbler into the base by making sure the vapor pathways align
4. Thread your atomizer onto the base connection
5. Attach the carb cap and tether for use during sessions
6. Set your temperature (Recommended low to begin with) and enjoy a manual 60-second session, or 80-second pre-set!

These holes must be lined up for airflow

Less pre-heating and increased session times will let you get more out of your concentrates, and the vortex airflow in the spinner carb cap will let you visualize your dab experience. Just a heads up that these temperatures aren’t accurate for back-to-back sessions as we unfortunately found out *cough, cough, cough*.

How to Use the Core 2.0 Vaporizer?

With the singular power button, you’ll have a variety of options to navigate. When you’re first learning the vaporizer, you might want to keep this list on hand:

• Holding the power button will allow you to heat up the Core 2.0 for a maximum of 60 seconds.
• Two clicks – Activate 80 second session mode – One click to cancel
• Three Clicks – Change heat setting
• Four Clicks – Display power level – Red/Low – White/Medium – Green/Full
• Five Clicks – Lock or unlock Core 2.0 Base

For most people using the Core 2.0, you’ll fire it up by pressing the button twice to activate session mode.

• For beginners, you’ll want to have a rice grain-sized dab pre-loaded in the atomizer

When your device lets you know it has reached temperature with a vibration, place the carb cap back on and begin your hits, playing around with the carb cap when you want more or less airflow. Make sure to cancel your session timer with one click when you begin to notice a burnt taste!

Core 2.0 Battery Life

The 3150mah Li-Ion battery will last you about 50 sessions, or roughly an hour to an hour and a half of use depending on the heat mode you’re set to.

Charging with the USB-C port will take about an 1:45 to fully charge from dead, but you’ll be able to use a battery pack to help you boost portability.

Is the Core 2.0 portable?

The base of the vape will fit very comfortably in the hand, and the bubbler will be about the same size to fit into the palm of the hand.

With the now more secure atomizer and bubbler, you’ll be able to get hits with just one hand, and medicinal users shouldn’t have any problems getting anything to work either. The included vape case is also solid and will let you pack everything up neatly. 

The Core 2.0 vs the Original Core E-Rig

There are some things to note about the upgrades on the 2.0 which separate it from the Original Core.

The new model has gotten rid of the wire-based coils to really boost its longevity and ease of cleaning as you won’t have to soak in iso to get rid of anything burnt. On that subject, there is also a heating mode designed to be used for cleaning – (red) with no product.

For the atomizers, the PEEK plastic has been replaced purely with only metal and a ceramic-lined interior on the Core 2’s. The atomizer on the 2.0 is now also completely rebuildable, so you won’t have to replace the housing as was the case with the Core 1.0, just the heater.

How to Clean the Core 2.0 Vaporizer?

For cleaning the Core 2.0, the main thing to note will be cleaning out your atomizer with a cleaning stick every few sessions, or any other areas when you begin to notice a resin buildup.

Once a month or so, you can also get into the airway to keep it residue-free. Other than that, as long as you’re changing the bubbler’s water daily, and occasionally rinsing it out with Orange Chronic Cleaner hot water, you’ll have no real problems.

The Core 2.0 Best Tips and tricks

We’ve found that the Core 2.0 is extremely easy to use in comparison to similar wax box mod setups due to the button display and finely calibrated pre-set temperatures, not to mention the coil-less atomizer.

Using terp pearls in the chamber helps dab extraction

In our personal experience, pre-melting larger dabs and going past the initial haptic feedback (temperature reached vibration) allowed for bigger clouds. Hitting before the vibration, on blue or green, will also allow for more of a microdosing experience.

For ice hash, you’ll want to use the blue or green settings, and for more viscous and potent resins, white will be the better option. Red is quite harsh and we’ll need to do a little more research on how to better optimize that setting.

If you feel like you haven’t gotten all of the dab’s extraction, you can now just press and hold for a manual heat instead of having to start a second session. The manual heating also works as a pre-heat before cleaning to loosen up any resin buildups before you go in with a Q-tip.

If you extend your sessions for larger dabs, just a reminder that you won’t have to wait for haptic feedback to begin inhaling again after your two clicks because it will already be close to temperature.

For a more traditional dabbing style, you can have your vape already running hot from an empty session heater, and then add your dab to the atomizer on the second session for an immediate massive cloud hit that you’d be able to get from a torch-style.

• There is also The Core 2.1 Side Bubbler which will be compatible with all Core E-Rigs.

Core 2.1 Warranty

Crossing SZ will provide a one-year warranty on all parts of their E-Rig, excluding accidental damage by the user.

• If you see blue lights flashing, it could be that your atomizer isn’t fully threaded on, there is resin in the connection, or your atomizer is shorted

Pros

• Strong Battery Life
• Amazing Vapor Quality
• Affordable Performance
• Durable Design
• High Quality Carb Cap
• USB-C Charging
• Compatibility with Core 1.0 Coils

Cons

• Atomizer Prone to Threading Buildup
• No internal heat sensors (back to back sessions will be extremely hot)
• No precision temperature control
• Limited accessories

Final Thoughts

FAQs

Does The Core 2.1 non-rebuildable atomizer work on The Core 2.0? 

Yes, the non-rebuildable atomizer will work on The Core 2.0.

Is the Core 2.1 a good choice for a full time rig? 

Yes, the Core 2.1 hits very hard and has excellent battery life.

How does the carb cap work? 

The carb cap has four holes that can be spun back and forth to add turbulence to the airflow to help your dab cook evenly.

What is the black rubber sleeve for? 

The black sleeve helps to protect the body of the rig from damage. The core 1.0 sleeve will also work on the 2.0 / 2.1.

Should beginners use the session heating mode or manual heating mode? 

Beginners to dabbing should use the manual heating mode until they know how large of a hit they can take.

Should I buy the Core 2.0 or Core 2.1?

Most people prefer the Core 2.1 so they won’t have to use a screwdriver to replace the ceramic cup in the atomizer.