There I was, staring at three different electronic rigs and trying to convince myself that spending more money somehow meant I was going to get more high.

I was seriously considering dropping about $433 plus tax on a Puffco Peak Pro. Then I started looking at the Carta Sport, sitting around $310 plus tax. Both are established names, both have plenty of fans, and both looked like they could get the job done.

Then I found the DAKA TurboDak 3.

About $179.99 at regular price. Free shipping in the U.S. And with the promotional discount I used, my total came out to roughly $162 shipped.

At that point, my wallet looked at me and said, “Thank you.”

And my stoner brain said, “Buy it.”

So I did.

And after actually using it, I have one question:

Why the hell would I spend another $250 on an electronic rig if this thing is already doing everything I need it to do?

Now, before anybody gets their panties in a bunch, let me make something perfectly clear: I am not saying the Puffco Peak Pro or Carta Sport aren’t better-built devices. I haven’t owned either one, so I can’t honestly compare long-term durability, battery life, software, or every little feature.

What I can tell you is what happened when I put the TurboDak 3 to work.

And this little bastard impressed me.

THE $162 QUESTION

The biggest reason I chose the TurboDak 3 wasn’t because I thought it was the most technologically advanced e-rig on Earth.

It was because I couldn’t justify spending more than $300 on one.

I’m not rich.

Most of the people I know aren’t rich.

And if I’m going to spend $400-plus on something, I better be able to drive it, sleep in it, or at least have it make breakfast.

The TurboDak 3 gives the average consumer a chance to step into the world of water-filtered electronic rigs without dropping several hundred dollars.

DAKA currently lists the TurboDak 3 at $179.99 and describes it as featuring a metal-alloy body, glass water chamber, 300°F–650°F temperature control, 360-degree surround heating, adjustable airflow and a 22mm ceramic atomizer.

Those specifications sound good on paper.

But here’s what matters to me:

Does the damn thing hit?

Oh, it hits.

SIXTY SECONDS TO FREEDOM

The TurboDak 3 is ridiculously simple.

Press the button, wait for the indicator to tell you it’s ready, and you’re off to the races.

For my sessions, the heat-up time has been around 60 seconds, which honestly doesn’t bother me at all.

In fact, I kind of like it.

You know why?

Because I’m a grown man with the attention span of a Labrador when somebody drops a steak.

I can load the rig, hit the button and have approximately a minute to do whatever the hell I need to do.

Need to take a piss?

Go.

Need to grab a drink?

Go.

Need to find your lighter even though you don’t need a lighter anymore?

Old habits die hard.

By the time you get back, the TurboDak 3 is ready to rock.

No torch. No lighter. No heating a banger while staring at it like you’re performing open-heart surgery.

Just press the button and let the machine do the work.

And that’s exactly what I wanted from an e-rig.

490°F HAS BECOME MY SWEET SPOT

I’ve been running mine around 490°F, and so far I’ve been extremely happy with the results.

I’m getting substantial vapor while still getting the flavor I’m looking for from the concentrates I’ve been using.

And that’s important to me because I’m a terpene guy.

I don’t want to turn my rosin into a science experiment where everything tastes like burnt regret.

At 490°F, I’m getting what I consider a very satisfying balance between flavor and vapor production.

The TurboDak 3 offers temperature control from 300°F to 650°F, so you can experiment with different settings depending on what you’re trying to get from your concentrates.

Lower temperatures can be useful when flavor is the priority.

Higher temperatures can produce bigger clouds.

Me?

I’m hanging around that 490°F neighborhood, and apparently I’m paying rent because I keep coming back.

AND YES… IT HAS WATER

This was actually a big selling point for me.

There are plenty of dry electronic devices out there that can provide a convenient experience, but I wanted water filtration.

There’s something about watching those bubbles roll through the glass while you’re taking a hit that just makes the whole experience more enjoyable.

And with the TurboDak 3’s transparent glass chamber and LED lighting, it looks pretty damn cool while you’re doing it.

Let’s be honest.

Half of the fun of cannabis technology is watching the thing work.

It’s like buying a sports car and then standing in the driveway revving the engine.

You know you’re not going anywhere.

But damn, it sounds good.

DAKA describes the TurboDak 3 as having a high-transparency glass chamber and a smart LED status ring, along with its portable electronic design.

THE CLEANING TEST

Here’s where a lot of products lose me.

If something is a pain in the ass to clean, eventually I’m going to start treating it like a teenager treats their bedroom.

I’ll pretend the mess isn’t there.

Fortunately, cleaning the TurboDak 3 atomizer has been surprisingly easy for me.

After a session, I use a Q-tip with isopropyl alcohol to clean the atomizer, usually going over it once or twice. Then I follow it with a dry Q-tip to pick up any remaining moisture or residue.

And that’s it.

Clean.

I’m talking about getting that thing looking damn near spotless without turning the process into a weekend project.

The TurboDak 3 comes with cotton swabs, and its 22mm ceramic atomizer uses 360-degree surround heating. DAKA says the ceramic chamber is designed for consistent heating, flavor and vapor production.

My advice?

Don’t be lazy.

Clean your equipment regularly.

Your future self will thank you.

Your concentrates will taste better.

And your rig won’t eventually start looking like it survived a small industrial accident.

WAKE, BAKE AND DON’T TORCH YOUR HOUSE

This might be my favorite part.

The TurboDak 3 is perfect for a solo morning session.

You wake up.

You load it.

You hit the button.

You have roughly a minute.

You make your coffee.

You come back.

It’s ready.

And then you take your hit.

And here’s where things can get dangerous—in the best possible way.

When you’re smoking alone, you don’t have somebody sitting next to you saying:

“Hey man, save some for me.”

So what happens?

You start taking another puff.

Then another.

Because the light is still going.

And before you know it, you’re sitting there thinking:

“Why did I do that?”

I’ll tell you why.

Because you could.

That’s why.

The TurboDak 3 makes it ridiculously easy to keep your session going, and the combination of water filtration, controlled temperature and a simple button-operated design makes it an extremely convenient solo setup.

THE TEST THAT SOLD ME

Now this is where I need to give credit where credit is due.

I didn’t just stumble across the TurboDak 3 randomly.

Woodz Treez and Sammy Woodz recommended it to me, and they actually let me test their TurboDak 3 before I bought my own.

And when I say we tested it, I mean we TESTED it.

At the time, I was creating a video for my YouTube channel, Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis), called “The Most Elite Rosin Strains & Distributors In Upstate N.Y.”

We put the TurboDak 3 through a serious real-world test while reviewing roughly ten different cold-cure rosin strains.

And Sammy wasn’t just sitting there getting high with us—although I’m sure she wasn’t complaining about that part.

She was taking notes.

She was keeping track of the different dabs we were reviewing so she could rate them, compare them and ultimately put together a ranking from her favorite or best strains down to her least favorite, including the reasons behind those rankings.

That made the whole experience even more useful to me.

We weren’t simply taking a couple hits and saying, “Yeah, this thing is cool.”

We were putting it through an extended session involving a whole lineup of cold-cure rosin, taking a ridiculous number of hits between the three of us and seeing how it performed strain after strain.

It wasn’t exactly a scientific laboratory.

There were no white coats.

There were no clipboards with government funding.

But there were notes, ratings, comparisons and a whole lot of cold-cure rosin.

And that experience gave me a real opportunity to see what the TurboDak 3 could do before I spent my own money on one.

By the time I finished that testing session, I already knew I wanted one.

THE BIGGEST COMPLIMENT I CAN GIVE IT

Here’s the thing about expensive cannabis technology.

Sometimes you pay for engineering.

Sometimes you pay for features.

Sometimes you pay for the brand name.

And sometimes you pay for all three.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If you’ve got the money and you want a premium e-rig, go for it.

But that’s not where I’m at.

I’m looking for value.

And that’s where the TurboDak 3 absolutely shines for me.

At its regular listed price of $179.99, it’s already inexpensive compared with many premium e-rigs. With the promotional discount I used, I got mine for approximately $162 shipped. DAKA currently lists free U.S. shipping on the TurboDak 3.

That’s a completely different financial conversation than $300 or $400-plus.

And when you consider what you’re getting—water filtration, temperature control, 360-degree surround heating, a ceramic atomizer and a portable electronic design—the value proposition becomes pretty damn interesting.

NO MORE TORCH

That might be the simplest way I can explain why I like this thing.

No more torch.

I don’t have to heat a banger.

I don’t have to guess whether it’s hot enough.

I don’t have to sit there counting seconds after heating.

I don’t have to carry a torch around.

I don’t have to look like I’m about to solder copper pipe every time I want to take a dab.

I press a button.

The TurboDak 3 heats.

I take my hit.

That’s it.

And sometimes the best technology isn’t the technology with the most bells and whistles.

Sometimes it’s the technology that makes you say:

“Damn. That was easy.”

IS IT BETTER THAN A $400 E-RIG?

I can’t tell you that.

And I’m not going to pretend I can.

I’ve never owned the Peak Pro or Carta Sport, so it would be dishonest for me to declare the TurboDak 3 the undisputed champion of the e-rig world.

But here’s what I can tell you:

I didn’t need to spend $400.

I wanted a water-filtered electronic rig that was easy to use, produced good vapor, preserved the flavors I was looking for, was simple to clean and didn’t make my bank account cry.

The TurboDak 3 checked those boxes.

And then some.

THE OG STRAIN VERDICT

So after all the research, all the price comparisons and all the internal debate about whether I should spend $433, $310 or roughly $162…

I’m glad I went with the DAKA TurboDak 3.

For my needs, it was the right decision.

It feels like a luxury experience without requiring a luxury budget.

And that’s what makes this product interesting.

The average cannabis consumer shouldn’t have to choose between a cheap device that feels disposable and a premium device that costs as much as a used refrigerator.

The TurboDak 3 sits in that sweet spot where you can get something that looks cool, hits hard, uses water, gives you temperature control and doesn’t require you to sell a kidney to pay for it.

At roughly $162 with the promotional deal I used, I honestly feel like I got more than I paid for.

Would I recommend it to somebody who asked me whether they should spend $400-plus on an e-rig?

I’d say:

Before you spend that money, at least take a look at the TurboDak 3.

Because sometimes the smartest purchase isn’t the most expensive one.

Sometimes it’s the one that leaves enough money in your wallet to actually buy something to put in the damn thing.

OG Strain Approved.

Product note: This article reflects my personal experience and opinion after using the DAKA TurboDak 3. Prices, promotions, availability and product specifications can change. DAKA currently lists the TurboDak 3 at $179.99 with free U.S. shipping; the approximately $162 price mentioned above reflects the promotional deal I personally used, not necessarily the current price. Promo code Trailblazerz for the discount I got! And if you use it then be sure to Thank Woodz Treez and Sammy Woodz for it!

There comes a moment in every dabber’s life when you look at your torch, your butane, your banger, your carb cap, your timer… and think…

“There has GOT to be an easier way to get high.”

I think I’ve officially reached that moment.

Now before everybody starts lighting their torches to come after me in the comments, hear me out.

I’ve been dabbing the old-school way for years. Torch. Glass rig. Quartz banger. Wait thirty seconds… or was it forty-five? Was that too hot? Too cold? Did I just burn a perfectly good glob of rosin that cost more than my lunch?

We’ve all been there.

But after spending time around some of the biggest concentrate lovers in New York’s cannabis community—and after watching friends use modern e-rigs—I finally had to ask myself a question…

Am I making dabbing harder than it needs to be?

The Case for the Classic Torch Rig

Let’s give respect where respect is due.

The traditional dab rig built this culture.

Without it, concentrate culture probably wouldn’t be where it is today.

And believe it or not, there are still some legitimate reasons people refuse to give theirs up.

For starters…

Nothing beats complete control.

Experienced dabbers can heat their quartz exactly how they like it.

Some want screaming hot clouds.

Others chase low-temperature terpene heaven.

A manual setup lets you control every part of the experience if you’ve mastered your timing.

There’s also something satisfying about the ritual.

Heating the quartz…
Watching it cool…
Dropping the dab…
Watching the vapor explode…

It’s almost therapeutic.

Many concentrate purists also argue that a quality quartz banger still produces some of the biggest, hardest-hitting dabs possible. Even today, plenty of experienced users continue to prefer torch-and-banger setups for maximum vapor production and customization.

And here’s another advantage…

If you break your glass?

Replace the glass.

Most decent rigs cost well under a hundred dollars.

That becomes important later.

But Then Reality Shows Up…

Here’s where my personal situation comes in.

I’m disabled.

I’ve only got one working hand.

I’m clumsy.

If you’ve watched my videos…

You already know I’m basically a glass company’s favorite customer.

I swear I break a rig every other month.

Now imagine me knocking a $450 electronic rig off my dresser.

That hurts.

Financially…

Emotionally…

Spiritually…

Meanwhile my regular glass rig?

Annoying?

Absolutely.

Replaceable?

Usually.

So yes…

That’s actually one point for traditional rigs.

Then I Tried Looking at the Bigger Picture

The more I watched people use e-rigs…

The more I realized something.

The question isn’t…

“Can an e-rig dab?”

The question is…

“Why am I still making life difficult?”

Because honestly…

The advantages start stacking up pretty quickly.

Temperature Matters More Than Most People Think

This is probably the biggest difference.

With a torch…

You’re guessing.

Sure…

You get better with experience.

But you’re still estimating temperatures.

Heat it too much…

Goodbye terpenes.

Too cool…

Now you’ve got puddles.

Modern e-rigs remove almost all of that guesswork by electronically maintaining a selected temperature. That consistency helps preserve flavor, avoids overheating concentrates, and delivers repeatable sessions from one dab to the next.

My Rosin Goes WAY Further

This one surprised me.

I watched people load tiny little dabs…

Tiny.

I’m talking “Is that really enough?” tiny.

Then somehow…

They’re still getting flavorful hits…

Third hit…

Fourth hit…

Sometimes longer.

Meanwhile…

With my torch setup…

By hit number two…

I’m usually tasting…

Well…

Let’s just say “campfire terpenes.”

The controlled heating of an e-rig means you’re less likely to scorch expensive concentrates, which many users say helps stretch their stash further.

Considering what premium rosin costs these days…

That matters.

Convenience Wins By a Mile

Let’s compare.

Traditional setup:

Torch.

Butane.

Rig.

Carb cap.

Timer.

Lighter.

Hope you remembered everything.

E-rig:

Push button.

Wait a few seconds.

Enjoy.

No butane.

No giant flame.

No wondering if your torch decided today was the day it wouldn’t ignite.

For travel, many users also prefer battery-powered e-rigs because they’re easier to pack than carrying both a glass rig and a torch.

Let’s Talk About Safety

This one’s personal too.

When I’m cleaning my rig…

I’ve usually got an open container of 91% isopropyl alcohol nearby.

Now combine that with…

A torch shooting flames that can reach hundreds of degrees.

Yeah…

Maybe that’s not my smartest life decision.

E-rigs eliminate the open flame entirely, reducing burn risks and avoiding many of the hazards associated with butane torches.

And let’s be honest…

Most of us have accidentally touched a hot banger at least once.

If you haven’t…

Congratulations.

You’re apparently the chosen one.

But What About Cleaning?

Honestly?

It’s basically a tie.

Whether you’re using glass or an e-rig…

You’re still buying Q-Tips.

You’re still buying 91% isopropyl alcohol.

You’re still cleaning after your sessions if you want your concentrates tasting fresh.

No shortcuts there.

So…Which One Am I Buying?

I’ve spent weeks thinking about this.

Originally…

I figured I’d eventually buy a Carta.

Then I looked at the current prices.

Then last weekend I spent time with Woodz Treez and Sammy Treez.

They introduced me to the Daka Turbo 3.

Now I’m sitting here asking myself…

Do I really need Bluetooth?

Do I need to control my dab rig from my phone?

Can I survive the emotional trauma of standing up and pressing one button?

I think I’ll manage.

The Puffco Peak Pro is an incredible piece of technology and has earned its reputation for premium features and precise customization—but it also comes with a premium price tag. The Carta remains another highly respected option in the middle of the market.

For me, though?

The Daka Turbo 3 checks the boxes that actually matter.

It’s affordable.

Portable.

Simple.

And with Woodz Treez’s “Trailblazerz” code, I can grab one for around $162 before tax and shipping.

Considering what I’m saving compared to the premium models…

That leaves a whole lot more money…

For rosin.

And let’s be honest…

I’d rather buy more concentrates than buy an app I’ll probably use twice.

OG Strain’s Final Hit

After years of torch dabbing…

I never thought I’d say this.

But I think it’s finally time.

Will traditional rigs disappear?

Not a chance.

They’re part of cannabis culture.

They’ll always have their place.

But for my everyday sessions?

Safety.

Consistency.

Flavor.

Convenience.

Efficiency.

I think the e-rig wins.

Now I want your help.

If you’ve owned a Puffco Peak Pro, a Carta, or a Daka Turbo 3, tell me why you love it—or why I should avoid it.

By the time this magazine hits your hands, my goal is to have my first true e-rig sitting on my desk.

So convince me.

Which one should become OG Strain Approved?

For some reason, there’s this myth floating around the cannabis community that everything sold at a pop-up event is just the flower that wasn’t good enough to make it onto a legal dispensary shelf.

Can that happen?

Sure.

Does it always happen?

Absolutely not.

In fact, some of the most elite flower and cold cure rosin I’ve ever had didn’t come from a dispensary at all.

Now before anyone grabs their pitchforks, let me be crystal clear: this isn’t an attack on legal dispensaries. I shop at them too. They’re an important part of New York’s cannabis industry, and they provide something pop-ups simply can’t—consumer protections, testing requirements, licensed operations, and accountability if something goes wrong.

That’s a huge advantage.

But let’s stop pretending dispensaries automatically have the best cannabis money can buy, because that’s simply not how business works.

The Economics Nobody Talks About

A legal dispensary has a mountain of expenses.

Licensing.

Compliance.

Insurance.

Security.

Employees.

Taxes.

Rent.

Utilities.

Marketing.

Those costs don’t disappear—they get built into the price tag.

On top of that, dispensaries have to make business decisions that maximize profit. They’re generally looking for products that offer the best balance between quality and wholesale cost.

Now imagine you’re a small craft grower producing absolute top-shelf cannabis.

You spent months dialing in genetics.

You babied every plant.

Your cure is flawless.

Your terpene profile smells like heaven just opened a dispensary.

Are you really going to sell that masterpiece for bargain-basement wholesale prices?

Some growers simply won’t.

Instead, they’ll sell directly through trusted events and relationships where people appreciate—and will actually pay for—that level of craftsmanship.

That’s why some incredible products never make it onto dispensary shelves.

Not because they aren’t good enough.

Sometimes they’re too expensive for a dispensary’s business model.

Pop-Ups Have Their Own Advantages

Another thing that makes pop-ups unique is variety.

Dispensaries are generally limited by state regulations regarding the products they can legally carry.

Pop-up events often introduce enthusiasts to genetics, breeders, hash makers, and brands they’ve never seen before.

Sometimes you’ll meet the actual grower.

Sometimes you’ll meet the person who washed the hash.

Sometimes you’ll spend twenty minutes talking terpenes with the person who pressed your rosin.

Try getting that kind of conversation from a barcode.

But Don’t Turn Your Brain Off

Now here’s where OG Strain puts on his responsible adult hat…

Just because you’re at a pop-up doesn’t mean every vendor is selling quality products.

Far from it.

Trust matters.

Reputation matters.

Knowing your source matters.

If you’re buying from someone you’ve never heard of, ask questions.

Who grew it?

Who processed it?

How was it extracted?

The cannabis community is built on relationships. A trusted reputation is worth far more than flashy packaging.

Why I Care So Much About Rosin

If you’ve watched my channel, you already know I’m obsessed with clean cold cure rosin.

Why?

Because I don’t just care about getting high.

I care about what I’m putting into my lungs.

A properly made solventless rosin lets the plant speak for itself.

No unnecessary additives.

No mystery ingredients.

Just cannabinoids, terpenes, heat, pressure, and craftsmanship.

That’s why I’ve gone out of my way to highlight companies that consistently impress me.

Companies like Buddah Brothers.

Higher Beings Powered by Hudson Valley Green.

Central Oddities.

These are the kinds of producers that remind me quality still exists.

And here’s the part that surprises a lot of people.

In my experience, I’ve found exceptional cold cure rosin from trusted producers at prices around $40 a gram—while comparable premium solventless rosin in licensed dispensaries can often cost significantly more.

Quality isn’t determined by where it’s sold.

Quality is determined by who made it.

The Ultimate Blind Test Is Coming

This weekend I’m heading out to Williamstown to meet up with Woodz Treez.

We’ve got something fun planned.

He’s going in completely blind.

No brand names.

No strain names.

No hints.

Just the e-rig, the rosin, and his honest opinion.

We’ll be focusing on flavor, smoothness, melt, and overall quality.

After enough dabs, I doubt either of us will remember which strain caused which effects anyway.

That’s the scientific term known as “occupational hazard.”

The goal isn’t to crown a winner before we even start.

The goal is to let the product speak for itself.

No hype.

No labels.

No bias.

Just hash.

Loyalty Still Matters

I’ll admit it…

When I found out Crisxotics was hosting another event featuring the McGregor vs. Holloway UFC fight, I thought, “Man…that sounds like a good time.”

But once I commit to plans, I don’t back out.

My word means something to me.

If I tell somebody I’m showing up, I’m showing up unless life throws something completely out of my control in the way.

That’s just how I was raised.

Don’t Miss This One

I’ve invested well over $300 putting this cold cure rosin project together because I genuinely want to help people find outstanding products without wasting money chasing hype.

If you’re searching for some of the most impressive cold cure rosin I’ve come across in the 518, this is a video you won’t want to miss.

Head over to Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) on YouTube.

Subscribe.

Hit the notification bell.

Then get ready for one of the biggest blind rosin sessions we’ve ever filmed.

Because when it comes to chasing fire…

OG Strain is always willing to do the research.

You’re welcome.