TVape sent us the Utillian 8 Turbo to put through its paces, and the first thing that stood out to me was the clouds. This thing seriously delivers.
I've got a Puffco Pivot and Proxy, a Bomb Skycloud, and a Core Crossing 2.0 in my setup. The Turbo's cloud output stood out against the other gear I've used.
We had a couple people over for a session. They tried it and immediately asked where they could get one.
TVape provided the Utillian 8 Turbo and Hot Wax Axe for review. These are my impressions, and CannaDealsFL retains editorial control.
The TVape product links in this review are affiliate links. If you buy through these links, CannaDealsFL may earn a commission.
Where it fits in my setup
The Turbo has moved into the top slot for my dab sessions. I've got other rigs I like, but this thing is killer.
If you're still comparing e-rigs, TVape's Best Electric Dab Rigs guide covers other options and their trade-offs. It's TVape's comparison; this review is about my time with the Turbo.
There's more to it than the vapor output. The chamber comes apart, and you can replace the heating cup without replacing the whole assembly.
Replace the heating cup, keep the chassis
Utillian calls the chamber the 3D Swap-Cell. The ceramic cup is the heater, and it sits inside a reusable two-piece chassis. When the cup wears out, you can replace it without replacing the whole chamber.
Utillian sells a replacement heating-element pack and a separate chassis, so the housing can be replaced independently too.
Check replacement-part prices and availability before buying. How long a cup lasts and what it costs over time will depend on use.
Getting to the parts that need cleaning
The glass lifts off and the vapor path comes out for cleaning. You can reach residue beyond the bowl instead of leaving it sealed inside the rig.
The parts do need different care, so the Turbo manual's cleaning and reassembly directions are worth keeping handy. Let the rig cool before taking it apart and let cleaned parts dry completely before reassembly. The ceramic heating element and base shouldn't be rinsed with water.
The outer cover is replaceable and attaches with magnets. Mine is the blue version shown here. You can replace a worn cover or change the look without replacing the rig underneath.
Adjusting the session without changing everything
The Turbo has 12 preset heat levels. You can adjust the heat and session timer separately.
The four session lengths are 30, 60, 90 and 120 seconds—up to two minutes.
You can check the battery level on the LEDs, turn off the bubbler lights, and lock activation to help prevent accidental heating. The lock doesn't replace safe storage.
The Hot Wax Axe they sent with it
TVape also sent a Utillian Hot Wax Axe with the review package. It's a separate accessory, so don't assume it comes in every Turbo box. Its heated ceramic tip is designed to release sticky concentrate into the chamber rather than leave you scraping it off a cold tool.
It has adjustable heat, USB-C charging and a protective cap. Utillian recommends it for loading the Turbo; a regular dab tool works too. I haven't done a separate performance review of the Axe.
See the Hot Wax Axe at TVape →
A little care when swapping caps
The Turbo gives you a Cloud Cap and a Flavor Cap. Swapping the spinner between them was a little fiddly for me; getting it fully seated and spinning took some care.
TVape was helpful when we asked about it. Their tip is to push upward on the air intake from underneath with your thumb to remove the spinner. For the other cap, put the spinner against a flat surface, like a table, and press the carb cap down onto it evenly with your hands.
TVape says the even pressure should help the spinner seat and spin properly. I haven't retested their method yet.
Plan to charge between sessions
The Turbo can't be used while it's charging. You'll need to charge between sessions, and the manual says to let it cool first.
I'd like to keep using it when the battery runs down, rather than stop to charge. It's not a dealbreaker.
TVape told us they left out pass-through charging to reduce battery heat and stress, with long-term battery health in mind. They said it can be done safely with the right design and testing, but chose a different approach here.
My take after using it
I like this thing. Getting the spinner seated took some fiddling, and I wish it worked while charging. Those are small complaints in what has otherwise been a great device for my sessions.
The replaceable heating cup, cleaning access and independent heat and timer settings are worth considering alongside the clouds. The performance is still the main reason I'd reach for it.