The Focus V Carta Sport E Rig arrives at a critical moment for the manufacturer. In April 2024, Focus V settled a patent-infringement suit with Puffco and agreed to retire the Carta 2 after July 2025.
The Carta 2 had helped define the modern E Rig market, so its sunset left a clear gap. The Sport steps in just below the flagship Carta 3, offering a more approachable Electric Dab Rig that still reflects Focus V’s commitment to vapor quality and ease of use.
Having tested the production unit, we’re ready to assess how well the Sport balances performance, portability, and price. If you want a more streamlined comparison between ALL top E Rigs, you can visit our Best Electric Dab Rigs ranking page for full comparisons of performance, features, and value propositions amongst other specs.
How It Works
The Focus V Carta Sport keeps things refreshingly simple while giving you solid control over your sessions. Whether you’re in for quick solo hits or a longer sesh, the one-button setup and app connectivity cover both.
Here’s a step by step guide on how to use Focus V Carta Sport E Rig:
Step 1: Fully charge the Carta Sport via USB-C until the LED animation stops.
Step 2: Remove the glass top and fill it with water, just enough to cover the percolator slits.
Step 3: Press the V button five times quickly to turn on the device. A single press shows your current temperature preset; each additional press advances through the five levels.
Step 4: Lift the control stick, add your concentrate to the Intellicore atomizer, then put the carb cap back on.
Step 5: Double-press the V button to begin heating. Wait for the vibration (15–30 seconds), then inhale.
Once you’re familiar with the basics, the V Browser app unlocks precise control over temperature (°F or °C), session length (20–120 seconds), multiple saved profiles, and LED lighting modes. Alternatively, you can switch LEDs off for stealth operation. When it’s time to clean, simply remove the glass and atomizer, lift out the silicone airpath, rinse, and repeat, starting with the back end. This simple workflow keeps the Carta Sport smooth, flavorful, and easy to manage.
Vapor Quality
The Carta Sport’s patented Intellicore atomizer delivers genuine 3D heating by warming both the bottom plate and the side walls of its ceramic-coated quartz bowl. In our tests, this translated into thick, flavorful vapor from the first draw through the last. Clouds formed quickly and required minimal effort to pull, and the taste stayed clean even during back-to-back hits. But let’s dive even deeper into this.
While numerous competitors in today’s market offer 3D chambers, it’s essential to note that these units have distinct differences. Some E-Rigs, like the Puffco Peak Pro 3DXL, heat the walls but do not heat the bottom plate. This isn’t necessarily worse or better; it works perfectly for them with their system. However, many users are unaware of this simple distinction. With the Sport, the fully 3D chamber maintains consistent heat by utilizing a fully 3D chamber that heats the bottom plate, more similar to what we find on the Utillian 8.
Airflow also plays a big role here. The Carta Sport introduces the new removable CARTA Connect airpath, which noticeably improves the smoothness and draw by resolving reclaim buildup that can block vapor flow over time. It’s easy to remove and clean, which means your rig stays performing like new with minimal effort. The air stays fresh and unobstructed, preserving flavor better over repeated sessions.
Cooling is handled by a borosilicate glass bubbler that filters vapor without muting its taste. It’s angled to minimize splashback and held in place with a leak-proof seal—something that not every e-rig in this range pulls off well. The airflow is also customizable, thanks to the redesigned Control Stick carb cap, which allows you to fine-tune draw resistance and density on the fly. It’s a nice level of control that feels intuitive in use.
Manufacturing Quality
The Carta Sport’s core frame is machined from aircraft-grade aluminum and wrapped in a snug, textured silicone sleeve that resists slips without adding bulk. Joints between the metal body and borosilicate glass components form precise, leak-proof seals that withstand even frequent assembly and cleaning.
Focus V chose to replace the Carta 2’s LED display with a single “V” button, pushing all temperature and session controls into the companion app. While this decision trims down exposed electronics and streamlines the exterior, some users have voiced frustration online at losing the on-device readout
From a build perspective, fewer visible components mean there’s less to break or wear out, but it also shifts reliance onto Bluetooth connectivity for full control.
Maintenance was a priority in material choices. The removable CARTA Connect airpath is molded from resilient silicone and snaps out cleanly for quick rinsing. Its snug fit prevents misalignment, so the airflow path stays as designed session after session. This user-serviceable design minimizes downtime and maintains consistent vapor performance without requiring complex disassembly.
Temperature Flexibility
The Focus V Carta Sport strikes a balance between user-friendliness and the control that experienced users appreciate. It offers five preset temperature settings, which you can identify with LED lights for quick visual reference:
- Blue (480°F)
- Yellow (495°F)
- Green (515°F)
- Purple (535°F)
- Red (565°F)
For users who want more granular control, we’ve mentioned that the V Browser app unlocks the full 365°F–615°F range and allows you to adjust session times from 20 to 120 seconds. This extended band appeals to experienced dabbers seeking precise terpene preservation or stronger hits. If you switch to the optional Intelli-Core Herb Atomizer, you’ll also access a separate herb mode with five presets, ranging from 275°F to 500°F, each set for a 240-second session.
Some users online note that actual temperatures can vary slightly after repeated cycles, resulting in occasional overshoot beyond the chosen preset. A quick tip is to give the unit a brief cool-down period between back-to-back sessions or use a lower preset if you’re chasing taste over clouds.
Changing settings on the device itself is straightforward. A single press of the V button steps through presets, and the bright LEDs make it easy to confirm your selection at a glance. Ambient lighting modes let you personalize the glow or switch it off entirely for discretion.
Overall, the Carta Sport’s temperature system feels thoughtfully calibrated for newcomers yet flexible enough for advanced users who demand fine-tuned control.
Battery Life
The Carta Sport is marketed as a more portable option amongst the Focus V E Rig lineup. But is it built to go the distance? Lets see. Its battery performance is pretty decent on paper, powered by a built-in 2700mAh cell, it delivers up to 50+ dabs on a single charge. That’s a solid step up in capacity, clocking in at 35% larger than the battery in the Carta 2, which translates to fewer interruptions and longer stretches between charges.
Charging is handled via USB-C and takes approximately 90 minutes to reach a full charge from fully empty. You also get pass-through charging, so you can continue using the device while it’s plugged in. When it comes to reading the status, the LEDs are great for this. The different colors indicate the amount of battery as follows:
- Green = 75% or more
- Blue = 50% – 75%
- Yellow = 25% – 50%
- Red = 10% or less
In real-world use, the Carta Sport holds up well, even during back-to-back heat cycles. The improved power management and enhanced cell balancing help it stay efficient, so you’re not constantly reaching for a charger. Whether you’re dabbing at home or packing it for a weekend trip, it’s designed to keep up without slowing you down.
Portability
The Focus V Carta Sport really lives up to its name – it’s all about finding that sweet spot between having the power of an E Rig and actually being able to take it with you. The biggest factor that makes it portable is its water-resistant carrying case. The case neatly holds the base unit, borosilicate glass top, and all included tools, like the cleaning swabs, wipes, and loading tool, keeping everything protected and organized.
Because the Sport uses a full glass bubbler, it fares best in controlled environments such as your living room or a friend’s place. It can handle the occasional campsite session, but you won’t slip it into a jacket pocket for discreet use. If absolute portability is your priority, a Dab Pen like the Utillian 6 delivers waterless filtration in a truly pocket-friendly form. That option trades some cooling and density for maximum convenience. Alternatively, some Wax Pens like the Puffco Pivot are compatible with Water bubblers such as the Utillian Glass Bubbler. Of course, this is only important if you truly want ultimate portability, but each alternative comes with its tradeoffs.
When it comes to the Sport, it strikes a pretty good balance between on-the-go readiness and full-rig performance. It tucks neatly into your travel kit for quick setups and pack-up sessions while still offering the robust features you expect from an electric dab rig when you settle in.
Overall Experience
Spending time with the Focus V Carta Sport reveals a device that’s been carefully refined for everyday concentrate users who value both performance and convenience. The Intellicore atomizer, a staple of Focus V’s commitment to quality, delivers consistent, flavorful vapor with fast, even heating. Sessions feel smooth, efficient, and low-maintenance, especially with the removable CARTA Connect airpath, which simplifies reclaim management and cleanup.
It’s one-button interface might seem overly minimal at first, but in practice, it makes day-to-day use feel refreshingly straightforward. For those who want more control, the companion app provides deeper customization without overcomplicating the Electric Dab Rig itself.
For those wondering where the Sport fits in Focus V’s lineup, it comfortably bridges the gap between premium and entry-level rigs. It doesn’t chase high-end features like the upcoming Carta 3, which is expected to launch soon. If you want to read about the details of that one, check out our Focus V Carta 3 Sneak Peek.
For those considering the Sport due to its marketed portability, the glass bubbler and overall footprint still make it more of a home-based unit than a true on-the-go option. If portability is your top priority, pairing the Sport with something like the Utillian 6 gives you the best of both worlds. But for those who want reliable sessions, solid flavor, and less downtime between uses, the Carta Sport feels like a smart and satisfying choice. If you want to explore how it stacks up against other top-rated options, check out our Best E Rigs ranking page for a full breakdown.
Thank you for reading the Focus V Carta Sport review. As always, keep vaping!
