StemPod by MPL

supershredderdan

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
Hey guys,

Been thinking of shipping out one of the prototypes and daisy chaining it around some thread goers. Any advice on how best to go about it? These 1 off prototypes are expensive and proprietary, so I want to be sure it returns to us. I may include a box mod preloaded with firmware dialed in as well, byo battery.



here are the 2 mods that i currently use:

http://squidvape.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1707 squid 2.1 double barrel...wattage only

http://www.gtrstech.com/Product/view/id/780.html gtrs vboy 200...wattage and temp

Not familiar with either mod personally but i've heard good things about the YiHi chipset, and wattage is always a viable option for manual control.
 

GreenHopper

20 going on 60
Hey guys,

Been thinking of shipping out one of the prototypes and daisy chaining it around some thread goers. Any advice on how best to go about it? These 1 off prototypes are expensive and proprietary, so I want to be sure it returns to us. I may include a box mod preloaded with firmware d

  • Select members in the same continent as you for easy shipping.
    • Setup pre arranged shipping labels after agreeing the time line with the test team.
  • Definitely send with a pre configured mod to reduce the variables. Testers will probably have their own mods to play with as well and can feedback on those but your mod will act as a baseline.
  • Use something like a spreadsheet to capture feedback. Go for a cloud based freebie like Google and others can update directly.
  • Think about how much time you want the trial to last for and how many testers will be part of the trial. It can take a week or two for testers to settle into a device. Considering you are only sending out a single test device I'd keep the test pool small, no less than two no more than four.
  • Define the scope of the test and the rules.
    • Testing with dry herb only or concentrates as well? The wider the scope the longer the beta will have to run.
    • Can the testers share their experiences with the forum, with each other or only you. My advice would be only you so the testers don't influence each others feedback.
    • Areas of feedback you are specifically interested in.
  • Take a look at who performed the testing for other vapes on FC. I'd select members who were involved with beta testing vapes like the splinter as it's another 510 dry herb convection heater. (recommend @Other Side, @stickstones, @AJS)
  • Take a look at the Haze Square thread, they have just run a beta and are now shipping their first batch. It's not been 100% plain sailing but haze have been handling themselves very well, it's a good example.
 

Other Side

Retailer
Retailer
Hey guys,

Been thinking of shipping out one of the prototypes and daisy chaining it around some thread goers. Any advice on how best to go about it? These 1 off prototypes are expensive and proprietary, so I want to be sure it returns to us. I may include a box mod preloaded with firmware dialed in as well, byo battery.





Not familiar with either mod personally but i've heard good things about the YiHi chipset, and wattage is always a viable option for manual control.
Dan if you are going to do that I would recommend it be with people who have a well established post history and are active on the forum(s).

Let everyone know up front how long you expect them to have it and that they will be responsible to ship it on to the next person at their own expense.

And honestly I would not send it to all experts. A good mix of people who may or may not have experience with 510 gear or even convection for that matter. It's good to get a noobs perspective.

Lastly I would provide some specific criteria you are looking to test. That way the feedback is consistent and more valuable.

Hit me up in PM if you'd like to discuss further.
 

oddjobold

Vape swap shop
Dude. Would be up for this but i am in the UK. Think for you it would be better to stay US only, especailly if you want to share this round. Why not share with a big name like the vapecritic or 420zone? The publicity would help the preorders.
 
oddjobold,
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Summer

Long Island, NY
Hey, Dan, hope your finals went, or are going, well.

For the what is the most important factor when deciding on a dry herb vaporizer, I cant tell if performance - vapor output is 15.7% or 32.6% &, & then what is the other one as there is no color key for it.

I have several questions:

1. How much does the SP weigh either with or without the rubber shield? And how much does the MP weigh?

2. Why not a silicone shield instead of rubber? I'd pay a few dollars more for silicone as it's a nicer material & has a nicer feel.

3. The SP uses 19/22 glass, correct?

4. How long from end to end is that double jointed stem you used in your last livestream?

TIA!
 

supershredderdan

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
Update about the beta test:

our beta testers will be @AJS @stickstones and @Other Side

I am waiting on some fresh coils and the right screws and screens before I can ship it out.

the package will include the StemPod, an Evic VTC mini box mod running @funkyjunky custom firmware modified slightly, a few different stems, and possibly an extra build deck with meaty kanthal coils for wattage mode only use.

I will be sending out our second prototype, which is not the final design but a good indicator of our form factor and performance

here is my current draft of instructions, would appreciate some feedback on how understandable/clear it is or how it can improve

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zqf49utVXnKcrT1kW7cwzO5a3O7wzjPT_jAjiyjbiBs/edit?usp=sharing
 
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Other Side

Retailer
Retailer
Update about the beta test:

our beta testers will be @AJS @stickstones and @Other Side

I am waiting on some fresh coils and the right screws and screens before I can ship it out.

the package will include the StemPod, an Evic VTC mini box mod running @funkyjunky custom firmware modified slightly, a few different stems, and possibly an extra build deck with meaty kanthal coils for wattage mode only use.

I will be sending out our second prototype, which is not the final design but a good indicator of our form factor and performance

here is my current draft of instructions, would appreciate some feedback on how understandable/clear it is or how it can improve

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zqf49utVXnKcrT1kW7cwzO5a3O7wzjPT_jAjiyjbiBs/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you sir. Appreciate the opportunity. We are all SE United States as well so transit should be quick. I'm off my break on Saturday so I'll get some "practice" in while I wait.
 

AJS

Calm Consistency
Update about the beta test:

our beta testers will be @AJS @stickstones and @Other Side

I am waiting on some fresh coils and the right screws and screens before I can ship it out.

the package will include the StemPod, an Evic VTC mini box mod running @funkyjunky custom firmware modified slightly, a few different stems, and possibly an extra build deck with meaty kanthal coils for wattage mode only use.

I will be sending out our second prototype, which is not the final design but a good indicator of our form factor and performance

here is my current draft of instructions, would appreciate some feedback on how understandable/clear it is or how it can improve

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zqf49utVXnKcrT1kW7cwzO5a3O7wzjPT_jAjiyjbiBs/edit?usp=sharing
Wow dude awesome to hear! I appreciate it!! I'm so stoked I can't wait!

I don't know anything about coils. Will that be a problem? I'm a dumby with ecigs. I believe you said the preset coils you give us are TC capable right? Also Watt.?

Instrucruons were easy to understand.
 
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Kulluminatii

Well-Known Member
I've been browsing this thread for a while (and lurking these forums for a while as well) and after seeing the progress you've made so far on the Mod/StemPod I couldn't help but pre-order! I've been looking for a battery powered vape to compliment my SB Jr. and I think this may just be it! The tipping point was the people you've chosen to beta test the StemPod; all great choices to help fine tune and deliver a great vape. Looking forward to getting this bad boy in my hands!
 
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PPN

Volute of Vapor
It's nice you take the time to do a true beta testing but it might be better to choose some peoples from outside the States too, @mistvaporizer choosed peoples (like me:D!) from abroad cause the differents strains and concentrates and cause the differents usage styles. I understand it will be expensive to do that!

Although it looks like an interesting vape, for sure!
 
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PPN,
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Other Side

Retailer
Retailer
It's nice you take the time to do a true beta testing but it might be better to choose some peoples from outside the States too, @mistvaporizer choosed peoples (like me:D!) from abroad cause the differents strains and concentrates and cause the differents usage styles. I understand it will be expensive to do that!

Although it looks like an interesting vape, for sure!
Have you supported Dan by purchasing one prior to this beta discussion?

Would you be willing to foot the bill for international shipping?

Beyond that I believe Dan mentioned that these prototype's are rare and expensive. There would be significant risk shipping international and it could also delay the process beyond what Dan's timeline will allow.
 
Other Side,
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Reactions: btka

mistvaporizer

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
I agree with Dan it is expensive. I sent beta models out to maybe half a dozen members. Some of those actually sold the units after the buzz died. They cost me at least $50 each not including time.
The feedback was priceless and got the Touch rolling. One word of caution and this was told to me by one of the moderators here, FC is good for sales of maybe 200 units then nothing. I was totally surprised by the lack of word of mouth or other action but after about 150 units I have seen nothing from FC.
The plan to move betas around is a great idea and very cost conscious.
 

supershredderdan

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
Hey, Dan, hope your finals went, or are going, well.

For the what is the most important factor when deciding on a dry herb vaporizer, I cant tell if performance - vapor output is 15.7% or 32.6% &, & then what is the other one as there is no color key for it.

I have several questions:

1. How much does the SP weigh either with or without the rubber shield? And how much does the MP weigh?

2. Why not a silicone shield instead of rubber? I'd pay a few dollars more for silicone as it's a nicer material & has a nicer feel.

3. The SP uses 19/22 glass, correct?

4. How long from end to end is that double jointed stem you used in your last livestream?

TIA!

performance - vapor output at 15% and performance at 32 % were the same choice, I just changed the wording which had the consequence of splitting the pie that way. performance by far was the most popular answer to that one

in response to these questions:

1. Not sure, I can weigh the 2nd SP prototype and get back to you, probably will just edit this post

2. The second prototype has a rubber shell that was overcasted on the body, but we are getting a silicon sleeve in the next version with a few dimension modifications and a different durometer which should make it more snug around the body.

3. we are designing the SP to work with both US 19/22 and ISO 19/26 standards. There is a crazy amount of variation among manufacturers or even between batches which make charting a metal taper a bit challenging for full compatibility, but our goal is to be compatible with as many stems as possible. we have some ideas on how to increase compatibility, but thats all I can say about that right now.

4. 100 mm I believe


I've been browsing this thread for a while (and lurking these forums for a while as well) and after seeing the progress you've made so far on the Mod/StemPod I couldn't help but pre-order! I've been looking for a battery powered vape to compliment my SB Jr. and I think this may just be it! The tipping point was the people you've chosen to beta test the StemPod; all great choices to help fine tune and deliver a great vape. Looking forward to getting this bad boy in my hands!

Thanks for the support! These dudes have been in my DMs since I started this project basically, and have shown that theyre passionate and knowledgeable, and most importantly, can describe the good and bad aspects of their devices very clearly, which is important for a closed beta test.

I agree with Dan it is expensive. I sent beta models out to maybe half a dozen members. Some of those actually sold the units after the buzz died. They cost me at least $50 each not including time.
The feedback was priceless and got the Touch rolling. One word of caution and this was told to me by one of the moderators here, FC is good for sales of maybe 200 units then nothing. I was totally surprised by the lack of word of mouth or other action but after about 150 units I have seen nothing from FC.
The plan to move betas around is a great idea and very cost conscious.

Good to see you in the thread man! I've heard similar things about the scale of FC sales, our plan to overcome that is to also have a strong presence on reddits' vaporents sub and waxpen sub (since box mods are so common there). I tried to run a facebook ad campaign but it got taken down pretty much immediately because of the subject matter, still looking for good ways to advertise to non-enthusiast customers (though we only want relatively knowledgeable users at first for healthy growth)
 
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