CrossingTech Ruby Twist Pro

Only three materials come into contact with the vapour in the air path: titanium, glass and ruby. All three are chemically inert at the temperatures used here and impart no flavour of their own. Plastic and adhesive never come into contact with the vapour — this is why ball vapes are regarded as the benchmark for flavour.

The kit arrives with 155 ruby balls loaded and a further 100 in the box. The included Conversion Kit takes the chamber to 255 balls and turns the device into a classic ball vape — no separate purchase, no tools. More balls mean greater thermal mass: The temperature drops less during long draws, although heating takes slightly longer.

A PID controller keeps the temperature constant. Unlike a simple dimmer, it actively makes adjustments: It measures the actual temperature, compares it with the target value and continuously adjusts the heating power. Once set, no further intervention is required during the session.

The usable range is between 260 and 330 degrees Celsius. This refers to the temperature at the heating coil, not that of the vapour — the vapour reaches the mouth considerably cooler, particularly because it also passes through water. The device takes around 45 seconds to become ready for use. Vapour is produced on demand: There is no session with a fixed end, only as much vapour as you request at that moment. The auto-shutoff is adjustable and runs up to five hours.

A water pipe with a 14- or 18-millimetre joint is essential and is not included. You will also need the Bowl that holds the material. CrossingTech offers several options: the Original Glass Bowl for standard loads, the Microdose Bowl for small portions and the Titanium Matrix Bowl. Both herbs and concentrates can be processed, depending on the Bowl.

There are two things you should know beforehand. Firstly, the device needs a permanent location: It weighs around 860 grams, is connected by a cable and is not intended for use on the go. Secondly, the heating head and Bowl become very hot during operation and remain exposed. The wooden handle and stainless-steel heat shield make handling easier, but in a household with children or pets, the device should not be left unattended on a table.

The Pro version uses smaller ruby balls than the first series. This may sound like a minor detail, but it improves airflow through the chamber and therefore vapour production. It also features a handcrafted wooden handle, a thicker heat shield and a revised Titanium Matrix Injector with a 20-millimetre Coil.

Owners of the first Ruby Twist do not need to buy a new device: An Upgrade Kit brings the older device up to Pro specification. The differences concern build quality and handling rather than the underlying principle — both versions heat the same type of ruby chamber.

The Pro kit arrives complete. The housing ships with 155 ruby balls of 2.5 millimetres loaded and a further 100 as a refill pack — together the 255 balls of the classic ball vape configuration. Also included are the Micro PID controller with power cable, the 20 mm heating coil with wooden handle and coil guard, the coil heat stand and the mini SQP tool.

The bowl supplied is the Micro Matrix Bowl with 14.4 and 18.8 millimetre joints. For the conversion there are CNC-machined stainless steel screens, mesh baskets and Viton O-rings, plus a brush and stir tool for cleaning. What is missing is the water pipe — no device of this type includes one.