The Core 2 & 2.1 E-Rig: What Makes The 2.1 The Best Choice?

The original ShenZhen Crossing Core E-Rig provided an easy, no-frills option for wax enthusiasts, at a fraction of the cost of traditional devices.  But for now, we’re excited to break down the many upgrades that were made to the original unit to get us where we are now, The Crossing Core 2.1, to see if this Electric Dab Rig is worth spending the cash on the upgrade!

First, it’s important to note why Shenzhen created the 2.1. The Core 2.0 and the 2.1 share many similarities, but the one thing that makes them different is the 3D Atomizers that they both feature. The Core 2.1 features a non-rebuildable Atomizer, meaning that you won’t need to dismantle and put the atomizer back together as opposed to the Core 2.0 rebuildable atomizer, which also comes with the need to purchase the tools necessary to work on the 2.0 Atomizer.

The Heating chamber is one of the strongest points in this E Rig. Like other budget units, such as the Utillian 8, these atomizers make or break your experience. In this review, I want to dive deep into how well ShenZhen applied this and more to their budget E Rig. If you prefer a more straightforward way of seeing how this unit compares to others, we made a special E Rig ranking list for you. Without further ado, let’s get to the bottom of this unit.

How it Works

Before your first use, we recommend fully charging your devices to ensure seamless first use of your device. Then, fill the glass bubbler from the top with water about ? of the way in the percolator.

• Step 1: Load your Wax into the Heating Chamber.
• Step 2: Press the power button 5 times rapidly to turn it on.
• Step 3: Press the button 3 times to switch between temperature settings.
• Step 4: Click the Button 2 times to start preheating to your selected setting.
• Step 5: Wait for the unit to vibrate and start inhaling.

You can also use the Core 2.1 in manual mode. Instead of choosing a temperature and activating the preheat mode with 2 clicks, you can also set your temperature and press and hold the button to heat the chamber manually. I like to use a mixture of these settings. First, I would preheat the unit, and near the end of my session, I would press and hold the button to get the most efficient extraction possible.

Temperature Flexibility

The Core 2.1 comes preloaded with 4 temperature settings that operate using a color system similar to that of a 510-battery. 

• Blue – 205°C (401°F)
• Green – 218°C (425°F)
• White – 240°C (465°F)
• Red – 260°C (500°F)

Users looking to optimize flavor from their waxes should cold load, meaning you fill the chamber with your wax before heating the device.  On the other hand, users looking to maximize cloud production should hot load, meaning you heat the bowl ahead of time, and use a wax tool to place resin in the heated chamber. It’s important to mention that with the Core 2.0 rebuildable atomizer, you will have to go through a more tedious process to clean it as opposed to the non-rebuildable atomizer on the 2.1.

Vapor Quality

The vapor quality when using the provided ceramic bowl was extremely enjoyable. The Core can pump out serious vapor, with the added benefit of water filtration from the bubbler. So not only can you melt your face off at a moment’s notice, but you can also enjoy the taste of melting your face off too.

The 80-second session time is an upgrade from the original Core’s 60-second heating time, providing even more of a good thing. The Ceramic V5 bowl is compatible with all four heat temperature settings, which is an upgrade from the original core that required specific temperature settings with specific bowls. Compared to other Erigs out there, the Core 2 has a heater that heats on all sides instead of just from the bottom, which could leave wax accumulating in the corners. This improved heating element results in a more even heating experience. For those who are searching for a device that can efficiently vaporize your high-quality concentrates while allowing you to taste the nuances of your flavors, we recommend the Utillian 8, which also comes packed with features to reduce wax puddles such as terp pearls.

Manufacturing Quality

While a lot of the design remains unchanged from the original Core, that’s not to say the build quality suffers by any means. Much like its predecessor, all of the Core 2’s parts feel even more sturdy and durable this time around. The old glass bubble carb cap has been replaced with an aluminum carb cap, which fits over the bowl to an almost satisfying degree. Shenzhen also has a side mouthpiece glass bubbler to help with some of the issues that the old bubbler faced. (Sold separately)

The ceramic and three-coil bowls found with the original Core have been replaced with one Ceramic bowl, intended to work with all temperature settings. Users looking to upgrade from the original device will be happy to find that both the OG ceramic bowl and coil bowl are backwards compatible with the new core, meaning you can still make use of your old bowls when upgrading. And big points for the USB-C port as well, which conveniently segues us into our next section. The Core 2.1 features a non-rebuildable 3D atomizer which as explained before elevates the overall quality of the Core 2.1 in comparison to the 2.0 and much more than the OG Core 1.0.

Battery Life

The battery in the Core 2.1 has been upgraded to 3150mah, a step up from the 3000mah battery in the original core. I was personally able to get anywhere from 20 to 25 sessions with this device, which translated to a little over 3 days of semi-frequent usage. The faster heat-up time also serves as a battery lifesaver, as the device spends less time using up its charge to heat up.

The USB-C port is also a great touch, giving this device the edge over devices with a more dated micro-USB port. The Core 2 is able to get up to charge in about 1 hour and 45 minutes, which is very respectable given the lifespan of the charge. The Core will display its battery life upon turning the unit on, and the indicators are as follows:

• Green = Full
• White = Medium
• Blue = Low
• Red = Very Low

Portability

By virtue of the glass bubbler and water, I’d personally caution against using this as a portable device. While the carrying case is more than good enough to carry all of the parts from place to place, I’d recommend mostly using this device in controlled environments.

It doesn’t at all knock points off of this device for me, as any water-based device will be more difficult to transport than a device designed with a commuter in mind. If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, I’d recommend the Utillian 5 V3 and Utillian Glass Bubbler attachment, which better balances portability and water filtration.

Ease of Use

My experience using Core 2.1 has been pretty seamless, with little to no learning curve. That said, the pretty detailed manual provided by Crossing Core aided my experience.

If I’m gonna split hairs, my only complaint is that certain parts of the device felt a little too snug at times? Which is both a positive and a negative seeing as you wouldn’t want anything to be loose when mixing water and electronics? But had I not seen videos of the bubbler removed from the base, I probably wouldn’t have guessed that they come apart on my own, given the amount of force needed to separate them. Again, splitting hairs.

Overall Experience

Overall, I really really recommend the Core 2.1 E-Rig. It’s a super well-made unit that isn’t as expensive as some of the top-tier E Rigs out there. I would put this unit up against any of its competitors and almost always find a reason why the Core is still a commendable option. While its definitely not a premium unit, it kind of fits perfectly into a Budget E Rig category right along with the Utillian 8. 

Not only does the backward compatibility make upgrading a worthy option for users of the original Core, but the simplicity and general lack of a learning curve make it a great option for complete newbies who are looking to get their feet wet in the world of waxes. 

All of the improvements made to the build quality and battery life will serve to keep Core 2 users happy in the long-term. Follow our blog if you want to see a full list of the Best Electric Dab Rigs And E-Rigs. And as always, keep vapin’.