Focus V Carta 2 vs Utillian 8: High Performance vs Cost Effectiveness – Who Wins?

In the rapidly evolving world of vaporizers, Electric Dab Rigs have carved out a niche for themselves by offering a blend of convenience and performance. Today, we’re diving deep into a comparison between two popular E-Rigs that take up our top 2 spots on our E Rig Rankings list: the Focus V Carta 2 and the Utillian 8. 

Both devices promise an unparalleled experience, and they are both considered the elite of Electric Dab Rigs. But how do they stack up against each other?

In this article, we are going to compare these devices based on many of the important aspects that most users base their purchases on. Not only the end result of each device, how well they are built, and how cost-effective their features are. Let’s find out.

Table of contents

1. Vapor Quality – Which E Rig Provides Better Quality Vapor?
2. Temperature Flexibility – Do More Options Matter?
3. Manufacturing Quality – Aesthetics & Durability, who does it best?
4. Battery Life – Which Battery Provides More Value?
5. Portability – Can You Carry These E Rigs Around?
6. Ease of Use – Easy and Quick or Advanced and Customizable?
7. Overall Experience

Utillian 8

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Vapor Quality – Which E Rig Provides Better Quality Vapor?

Vapor quality is an essential consideration for E-Rig users. E Rigs tend to excel in this department since the best manufacturers usually focus on this aspect. Both Electric Dab Rigs claim to provide quality vapor using fully heated chambers, but how do they compare in testing?

The Focus V Carta 2 excels in the Vapor quality department, offering a wide 4 preset temperature range and a powerful chamber. The device’s quartz-coated 360º Heating Chamber and water filtration system ensure a flavorful and smooth session every time. The Carta 2 also offers custom temperature settings, allowing users to fine-tune their experience via a mobile app.

On the other hand, the Utillian 8 offers four preset temperature ranges optimized for either flavor or cloud density. When it comes to the heating element, the Utillian 8’s BurstHit 3D Chamber heats up quickly and efficiently, delivering dense clouds and pure flavor.

In terms of the Heating elements, they both offer similar ideas. The 360º chamber and 3D BurstHit provide optimal vapor by heating up the entire chamber (Walls and bottom plate) instead of just the bottom or sides like some other devices.

The Utillian 8 definitely provides good-quality vapor during the first few sessions. Still, the chamber does not feature a heat sensor, which makes it less precise. With the U8, the quality slightly decreased after subsequent sessions if you don’t allow the unit to cool down. So if you are a veteran that want to do 3+ sessions back to back, we would recommend  the Carta 2 in terms of overall quality. For the majority of users however, the savings may be much more relevant, as in session 1 and 2, there is really no difference in vapor quality. However the win for this segment goes to the Carta 2.

Temperature Flexibility – Do More Options Matter?

Most connoisseurs understand that temperatures play a huge role in the end result of your vapor. Both of these devices offer four basic temperature options out of the box. The Carta has set temperatures, while the U8 has 4 different temperature ranges. Let’s compare these first:

Carta 2:

-1 Setting (365° Fahrenheit – 185º Celsius)
-2 Setting (455° Fahrenheit – 235º Celsius)
-3 Setting (535° Fahrenheit – 280º Celsius)
-4 Setting (635° Fahrenheit – 335º Celsius)

Utillian 8:

-1st Range: (400 – 500º Fahrenheit – 205-260º Celsius)
-2nd Range: (500- 600° Fahrenheit – 260-315° Celsius)
-3rd Range: (600- 700° Fahrenheit – 315-370° Celsius)
-4th Range: (700- 800° Fahrenheit – 370- 425° Celsius)

The Carta 2 vaporizer stands out for having precise temperature control thanks to its advanced heat sensor, which provides consistent sessions. This E Rig also provides users with more options when considering its mobile app. This control is especially beneficial for experienced users who enjoy customizing their experience.

On the other hand, the Utillian 8 vaporizer keeps things simple by providing four pre-set temperature settings without app control. This setup is perfect for those who prefer an easy-to-use device and don’t want to deal with complex settings.

As you navigate these choices, you’ll realize your decision depends on your style. Choosing between these vaporizers involves considering your preferences and how much you value customizing your vaporizing experience. The Carta 2 and Utillian 8 have unique features that appeal to different types of users. 

In the end, we give this point to the Carta 2 since it provides more customizability, so if your budget isn’t constrained, we definitely go for it; with that said, the Utillian 8 is a great cost-effective alternative.

Manufacturing Quality – Aesthetics & Durability, who does it best?

When it comes to build quality, both devices have their merits. The Carta 2 is made with plastic and rubberized paint that feels very similar to the Utillian 722. The device also comes with an OLED screen, although it suffers from visibility issues in bright environments. Its atomizer is very well-built and uses quartz to provide smooth and flavorful vapor. 

Meanwhile, the Utillian 8 has a strong aluminum body with a fabric device cover that makes it super easy to grip while adding a much-appreciated aesthetic feel. The U8’s  BurstHit 3D Chamber is made of ceramic and stainless steel, ensuring durability and flavor preservation as well. 

When taking all of these aspects into consideration. the U8 covers all the build quality requirements at a much more enticing price. It’s also slightly nicer to look at and feels more comfortable in the hand. This point goes to the U8 for its impressive cost-effectiveness and an amazing fabric casing. 

Proper maintenance of your unit will be a factor to consider when projecting the durability of your device. Cleaning a E Rig is quite simple if you know what you’re doing. For those that don’t, you can follow our step-by-step video.

Battery Life – Which Battery Provides More Value?

The Carta 2 comes with a 2000mAh battery, offering approximately a full day of infrequent use that should squeeze about 40 sessions. It features USB-C and wireless Qi charging(Sold separately), adding to its convenience. 

The Utillian 8, however, provides a much bigger 3150mAh battery that can last several days, depending on usage. It also features an auto-shutoff function to preserve battery life. It can be charged using its USB-C connection, which has become somewhat of an industry standard at this point.

Both devices offer different approaches to providing better battery life. The Carta 2 has a wireless option that the U8 does not, but it is only accessible by purchasing separately. On the other hand, the Utillian 8 comes with its enormous battery pack fresh out of the box. It’s impressive, considering the U8 is cheaper than the Carta 2. We give this point to the U8.

Portability – Can You Carry These E Rigs Around?

Portability is often a concern with E-Rigs due to their big form factors and glass components. I will mention that no E Rig will ever be as portable as a dedicated Wax Pen, but having said that, these devices are designed to be portable.

The Carta 2 comes with a rugged carrying case that fits the entire device with its glass components and all extra accessories. The unit itself is around 9 inches in height and only 4 in diameter. The Case is definitely not discreet, but let’s be real: how discreet can you be with an Electric Dab Rig?

The Utillian 8 is similar in the sense that it features a carrying case, but it is slightly different. The case is smaller and feels slightly more convenient to take around. Another huge difference that makes the U8 portable is that it features an in-built tool, making it easier to carry around.

Electric Dab Rigs typically come with a case for easy transportation. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that they are not as small as specialized Wax Pens that conveniently fit into your pocket. If you prioritize portability, we recommend exploring our selection of highly-rated Wax Pens, which excel in terms of performance, price, and more.

Both devices offer good portability solutions, but the Utillian 8’s inbuilt tool gives it a slight edge for on-the-go use and that in combination with the much lower pricepoint make it the winner. 

Ease of Use – Easy and Quick or Advanced and Customizable?

Both E-Rigs are designed with user-friendliness in mind, but they approach it differently. The Carta 2 offers an OLED screen for precise temperature control, although its menu system could be more intuitive. The Carta also offers the mobile app which allows users to customize their sessions further.

The app definitely provides a whole new experience, but when taking into consideration the data we’ve collected during our survey, we found that most people don’t use apps on their vaporizers. Users tend to find the apps too complicated to handle before or during their sessions and, even after learning, find it is generally not worth the time or extra hassle.

The Utillian 8 opts for a simpler interface, using LEDs to indicate temperature settings and device readiness. Although it also features 4 temperature levels, these are slightly different because the levels fall into a range instead of being precise numbers. The benefit of this is that users only have to understand what range they prefer and stick to it.

For those who prefer a straightforward experience, the Utillian 8 is easier to get started with. However, if you’re willing to climb a slight learning curve for more control, the Carta 2 is the better option. We would give this section to the U8 since it is definitely easier to pick up.

Overall Experience

In summary, the Focus V Carta 2 and the Utillian 8 offer exceptional experiences. Although they are similar, they cater to different user preferences. Let me explain:

The Carta 2 excels in customization and feature-richness, making it ideal for tech-savvy users or those who like to tweak their experience to the fullest. Veterans love this device. The Utillian 8, on the other hand, offers a simpler yet highly cost effective setup that is easier to use and comes at a significantly lower price point.

Both of these devices are in the Top 3 when considering all of the Best E Rigs, as stated on our E Rig Rankings list. So, Which E Rig should you purchase? It depends on what you are looking for; if you have the cash to spare, we believe the Carta 2 will outperform the U8 if price is not a factor, especially when considering back-to-back sessions. With that said, if budget is a concern, there is absolutely no question about it: The U8 is the best cost-effective alternative out there.