Vessel Compass Rise Review: More Metal, Less Slip

What is it?

Being a follow-up to the popular Vessel Compass, the Compass Rise had high expectations to fulfill. The two devices share a few core features—most notably, their 550 mAh capacity—with the updated version tweaking those that we’re so well-received. At last, the Compass can stand up on its own (literally!).

The Compass Rise is a sturdier, plastic-free edition of Vessel’s first-ever palm-style 510 thread vape.  A few years have passed since the original’s release, and since then, the brand has become known for more than just its flagship Vessel battery. 

Vessel sent me the Compass Rise for the purpose of this review, right alongside the OG Compass battery. I’ve spent the past couple of weeks alternating between the two and while they’re similar, there are upgrades that stick out to me. Keep reading to find out what these upgrades are, and if the Rise is worth the investment.

Price: $69 (at Vessel)

What’s in the box?

The Compass Rise arrives in a simple gray box with the Vessel logo embossed on top. Sleek and understated, much like the device inside. 

Aside from a standard USB-C cable, the Rise isn't bundled with any accessories. That’s worth keeping in mind if you’re on the fence about upgrading. It’s not the cheapest battery out there. 

Not only is there no charging dock or case included with your purchase, but the Compass Rise isn’t compatible with the Vessel’s current accessory line. You’ll need to set aside your Ridge charger and Scout case. Make sure you’re factoring that into your budget, as well—the Rise doesn’t have its own accessories yet, but it will soon. Those will be sold separately.

Product features

If you’re transitioning from the original Compass, you’ll probably catch a few design changes right off the bat: an ergonomic, prism-shaped backplate, a downsized button, and the ability to stand upright. Admittedly, the weight difference didn’t cross my mind until it was pointed out—but now I can definitely feel it.

I can see how the added weight could be a downgrade for those looking to go as lightweight as possible. It makes sense given the added metal, and despite being light overall (only 100 grams), the Rise weighs a full 30 grams more than its predecessor.

The Rise is contoured to fit better in your palm. It’s even easier than the original Compass to get a comfortable grip on, and I haven’t had any issues with slipping.

Beyond that, key features of the Compass Rise include:

• Fully metal casing: Speaking of added metal, the Rise is a plastic-free device. Its casing is built from 100% anodized aluminum. Again, it’s not heavy, but it has heft that wasn’t quite there in the original Compass. 
• Optimally tuned air intake design: The top air intake holes are placed to maximize airflow, and while it doesn’t feel like a step up from the OG, it’s not like I experienced issues with either battery.
• Cartridge swivel: To prevent overtightening, the LEDs flash once a proper connection is made. Give your cart another full rotation and twist until the mouthpiece is aligned. 
• Smart power management: Including battery life indication, auto shutoff, and overuse protection (to prevent drawing for too long). 
• Variable power settings: Choose between five voltage settings (1.9 V, 2.4 V, 2.8 V, 3.2 V, or 3.6 V). You’ll only get that lowest setting from the Rise, not the original Compass.

The Rise also has pre-heat functionality, USB-C charging (dock coming soon), and a long-lasting 550 mAh battery capacity—not a step up from the original device, strength-wise.

You’ve probably caught on by now, but the Compass Rise isn’t a total overhaul of the first in its series. It’s up to current users to decide whether the upgrade is worth it for them. 

Just be aware that the Rise only has a six-month limited warranty, which isn’t the most generous available. For reference, the PCKT Two’s limited warranty is twice as long, with the option to extend.

How to use the Compass Rise

There’s no real learning curve for users already familiar with 510 thread batteries and pre-filled THC carts. Once you’ve memorized the Rise’s button commands, expect the same song and dance you’ve come to know. 

Once you're ready to go:

• Charge your battery. It’s USB-C compatible, and in the future, you’ll have the option to buy a special charging dock. The LEDs blink red as the battery charges, only stopping once the Rise is fully powered up. 
• Insert your 510 cartridge of choice. The Rise has a drop-in design, and once you’ve inserted the cart, give it a twist. White LEDs will flash once you’ve made the connection. You’ll need to rotate the cart another time before aligning. 
• Press the button five times to power on. Your Rise will automatically begin pre-heating, which only takes six seconds. The LEDs flash blue as soon as it’s done heating up.
• Press the button three times to toggle between voltage settings. Instead of the four you got out of the original Compass, you have five options: 1.9 V (purple), 2.4 V (green), 2.8 V (blue), 3.2 V (yellow), and 3.6 V (red). 
• Hold down the button as you fire. Overuse protection prevents you from taking draws that are too long, potentially overheating the device. 
• Turn off the Rise just like you powered it on, by pressing the button five times. It’ll also power down automatically after thirty minutes of inactivity. 

Vessel recommends pairing the Compass Rise with full-gram oil carts, and while they’re a better fit, it’s not the end of the world if you’re vaping a half-gram. Your mouthpiece should still be exposed. That said, if you prefer smaller carts and want more than just the mouthpiece to stick out, there’s no adapter to give it a lift.

Like the original Compass, the Rise doesn’t have pass-through charging. You’ll need to wait for your battery to refuel. 

How to clean the Compass Rise

Isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs are your best friends. You’ll have a tough time vaping if the Rise’s threads are blocked by debris, so don’t forget to give it a wipe every so often:

• Make sure your battery is turned off, then lightly dampen the swab. It shouldn’t be dripping with alcohol. 
• Gently scrub away residue. Everyday dirt or buildup won’t take much force to remove. 
• Mop up leftover alcohol with a dry swab and hold off vaping until your Rise is fully dry. 

Fortunately, the Compass Rise is an overall low-maintenance device. No need to worry about cleaning a refillable tank after every use.

How does it perform?

As much as the Compass Rise has in common with the OG battery, the adjustments that were made are valuable. Nothing was altered for novelty. Vessel ticked just about every box I would have hoped for out of a revamped Compass: an improved ergonomic design, pre-heat functionality, and the ability to stand upright. 

While I wouldn’t have complained if Vessel gave the battery capacity (550 mAh) a boost, it’s not like I was bothered by this feature in the first place. I haven’t run into any issues with functionality or battery life. 

Whether we’re looking at the original Compass or Compass Rise, airflow is top of the line. That’s one of the highest praises I can offer either battery. Although I wouldn’t say this is an area where the Rise was hugely improved over its predecessor, the standard was already high.

One of the Rise’s more unique features is its minimum power setting: just 1.9 volts. That's lower than a good chunk of variable voltage batteries. 

You won't need to crank down the voltage if you’re vaping distillates, but for extra terpene-rich carts, it’s ideal. Vaping at a reduced voltage helps prevent burning and retain flavor. If you tend toward live extracts, I’d highly recommend the Rise. I prefer live resin over distillate, and I’ve gotten some fantastic, flavorful hits out of it.

Battery life and charging

Make sure that the Compass Rise is charged before giving it a go. You’ll need a USB-C cable (included with your device) and a 5V charging block to give it fuel. Considering you may finish off an entire cart before needing a recharge, your Rise doesn’t need to stay plugged in for long. Give it an hour or two, and you should be fine. Like I said, I’ve been using the Rise on and off for a couple of weeks and haven’t plugged it back in yet. We’ll see how long it takes before then. 

It’s still in the works, but you’ll need to buy the Compass Rise charging dock separately if you decide to go that route. Owners of the current dock will have to start fresh, as well—the Ridge is only compatible with the original Compass.

Pros / Cons

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