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Copycat
7
Mar 20, 2015
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I have mixed feelings about the v8. On one hand it heats up quickly, looks generic enough to not look like a vaporizer at first glance, and medicates decently. But on the other hand it had the plasticky smell/taste that was fairly strong in the beginning. Burnoffs helped a good bit with those. Over time they have diminished to a much lower level but are still somewhat noticeable.
Since I've had it for a while (i got in on the first drop) I figured it was time to clean it up. Curiosity got the best of me and I took the whole device apart so i could clean all the nooks and crannies within the airpath. Once apart I now understand why it has the plastic taste. The construction of the heating chamber to mouthpiece connection is the likely culprit. Mine is the glass mouthpiece, which slides along a plastic sleeve(ABS?) the entire length until it gets near the heating chamber where there is an offset reducer/enlarger made out of a black silicone type material. then the chamber, along with the side of the oven where you put your product.
A few problems I have with this: 1. What are the materials used for the 'sleeve' that surrounds the glass straw? when the straw is pulled out even just a little bit this is exposed to your heated air? 2. What are the materials used for the 'offset reducer/enlarger that connects the sleeve mentioned in 1 to the ceramic heater and chamber? Since this is the rubbery/silicone type material I am guessing that this is the larger part of the culprit. Imparts a taste/odor still, even after many full loads (ranging from low temp on up to full temp) 3. The air path is not defined or controlled. It seems to pull from everywhere there's a leak or hole for air. over wires,circuit board and battery? 4. You cannot get it clean unless you take the entire device apart. lots of oil/reclaim collects in the reducer/expander mentioned above. due to it being offset it can't be done with a long qtip or pipe cleaner. I don't think the soldered wires are robust enough to withstand the movement required to remove the heating chamber and clean out the offset reducer/enlarger where everything seems to collect.
I'll likely be putting it back together today. If there is any interest I will take pics.
I also mirror davidk's comments above about why this is getting sold again and if we have any recourse? Massdrop stated that they were doing additional QA on these. I feel like they didn't since I got one that smelled then and still months later imparts an off taste. I realize it's months later and I never said anything up front, but Massdrop and Flowermate using us as a testbed for a product that should have been better doesn't sit well with me.
I'm undecided whether I will use this anymore. I'm not entirely happy with my purchase but what did i expect for 70-80 bucks? Wonder if the exposure to heated plastics or silicones will give me cancer?
Mar 20, 2015
illogic85
8
Mar 21, 2015
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Copycatthe latest products do not have this problem
Mar 21, 2015
Copycat
7
Mar 21, 2015
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illogic85Are you sure? I've seen photos from FC forums of a teardown. It's setup exactly like mine and is supposedly the 'new' version.
Either way, I got in on the first drop, paid 78 bucks and got what seems like a beta unit. Whether they changed the design or kept it the same, it's now 50's+ just a few short months later. I paid a premium (as compared to today's prices) and got a smelly unit. Supposedly back then they knew about it, had addressed it and Massdrop also did QA.. Nothing like paying a premium for that. My fault since I'm somewhat of an early adopter. Overall the concept of it is nice - temperature control, very fast heatup. This is what attracted me to it. It's just that months later I still get the off taste every session. I have other vaporizers, both portable and desktop (also, I got in on the e-nano drop that just closed. I'm pretty excited about that one) and none of them give the off taste. Don't get me wrong, the device works and delivers the meds. Even though quite large it can be very discreet. Much more so than my butane Hammer.. that one I can't just pull out of my pocket and look like I just picked up a large usb battery bank/charger for my phone :)
At this point all I'm trying to do is let others know what it's like. Cleaning will be a bitch and if not done will likely render it inoperable. Go check reddit or FC and you'll find a few instances of this already. Of course, I would love to get my money back. However, seeing as how I didn't voice my concerns shortly after receiving I'm guessing that ship has sailed.
And a quick question.. does flowermate usa even support or sell this product? All I can find that seems 'official' is the flowermate.eu site. Has anyone here worked with flowermate directly with these concerns? If so, what was your outcome?
Mar 21, 2015
illogic85
8
Mar 21, 2015
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CopycatRead the 3d(completely) on fuck combustion. Im sorry for your problem, but now is solved.
Mar 21, 2015
Copycat
7
Mar 23, 2015
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illogic85I have read the entire 300 post thread. Where do they say that Flowermate has fixed it? What has Flowermate done to fix it? All I see on the more recent posts are people like me who have ventured to open it or modded it to do what they want. Sure, there was talk on how they were going to address the issues, but this was BEFORE the drop when I purchased. these issues were supposedly fixed.
It looks like most of the recent posts also just mention this latest drop and how at the drop price they are willing to take a chance. most say that they will do multiple burn offs too.
I guess it is what it is. Purchasers need to know that the entire air path is questionable at best and the device is not able to be fully cleaned without physically taking apart the entire unit. The unit was not designed for a typical user to perform maintenance and that means a few things.
-They will likely void any warranty opening the unit. This will cause most to not bother. -Eventually the device will either underperform or quit working entirely. -The ones that do bother will run the risk of damaging the unit. The wires for the temp sensor and the heating element are not heavy duty. Eventually they will become bad connections.
In essence, this will be a throw-away device unless the user is a tinkerer with the mechanical ability to take it apart properly. Over time I'm guessing you'll have to resolder to repair the wires that you flex when you're trying to clean the gunk out.
I am done here. Really no sense in arguing my point any longer. It is what it is and I gain nothing about what seems to be me bashing the product. It has its uses and limitations. If you are aware and accept them, more power to you. I can say I will probably minimally use the device for when the time arises. Even with the relatively large size it is decent at stealth and on the go usage.
Mar 23, 2015
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