Discontinued Pax Vaporizer by Ploom

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JoeKickass

Well-Known Member
Pax Mini.. Coming Soon

lol, the Pax reminds me of the iPod mini so much:
ipodmini_26small.jpg
 
JoeKickass,

Smokapoke

smokapoke
thanks for the info guys
i emailed ploom yesterday describing my pax problems and have not heard back...
do most of you call to arrange an exchange or should i just bear with the email process
 
Smokapoke,

Sonics420

Well-Known Member
I can honestly say my pax has been trouble free and always works right for me when i blow into the mp for 3 seconds

I barely even clean it now. Cut down to once every week or so
 

Tstat

Dead Foot Designs
Accessory Maker
OK, let me start off by saying that I have had a love/hate relationship with Pax since I got it. After last night, I have decided I really don't want it anymore. It's not a big story or anything, so I won't bore anyone with why I have made this decision. If you want to know, then I'll write it, but I am not keen on bashing this product, as it does have some great qualities. ;)

That said, here is my question... I bought it through VapeWord and I'd like my money back. Has anyone gotten a refund through VW? If so, what did you do to initiate the refund? Was it a hassle?
 
Tstat,

Purpl3_Haz3

On a Permanent Vakation
The best back up vape for the Pax is a second Pax. No joke.
I have two, one is always ready to go.

ATTENTION Pax users with heating issues! Useful info in the following post! :tup:

From a design aspect, I love Ploom using a mechanical mouthpiece switch and think the Pax is wonderfully designed, but the only improvement I would make on an improved version would be to have the mouthpiece not be the on/off switch. Move the switch out of the vapor path to a small switch somewhere on the exterior. For me, I would like to see it up near the oven lid area because I use the Pax as if it is an inhaler with the oven always up. Keeps the herb from falling away from the bottom of the oven. This design change would solve the mechanical contact and vapor residue issues.

As far as the mouthpiece issues and battery flashing condition with no heat because of resin on the mouthpiece tube and case contact area.
Here is a workaround that I found works every time when this happens. (and it will happen to everyone sooner or later)
I don't think there is anything wrong when this happens, just inevitable. If you send it in for replacement, your replacement will eventually do the same thing.

This method works 100% EVERY time.
Just push the mouthpiece in very slightly until the purple heating light goes back on and hold it there until it reaches green target temp. Only needs to move a fraction of an inch to re-establish contact and get it heating again. Usually, once it heats up to temp again it will stay heating when you stop holding the mouthpiece in. I find that I can also just put the Pax to my mouth and press it slightly against my lips to engage electrical contact again. Hold the Pax like an inhaler with the LED facing up so you can see it when you bring it to your face. It's very easy to see the Pax's LED and watch it turn from battery condition status to green target temperature when you press it to your lips and push the mouthpiece in slightly. So, lips or fingers, the Pax will always get you medicated, unless the battery is dead. :) Dead battery = backup Pax = solved :D
I actually don't even clean my Pax as often since I found this method of activating the heating element and I use it multiple times a day. I used to clean almost every day and now maybe twice a week. Love this thing! :rockon:

I have been holding off on posting in this thread, until I've read every single post (I'm around page 120...) But, after reading this post, and having my first not so great session with the Pax, I had to post.

First, I'll say that I ordered my Pax (AJ12135) in Onyx last Friday, from the Ploom website, and received it on Tuesday of this week. From first sight, it was love :luv: I knew my Cloud had found it's portable soul mate! After having read the first ~120 pages of this thread, and skimmed beyond to the current posts (still reading every post from pg 120 on, just taking a while.) I was able to fire up the Pax after a good charge, and get some great results! I packed it up with ~0.4g of some Chocolope, and had a very nice tasty session with a friend. I was beyond medicated after this session, and even after reading this thread, I was still surprised at the punch this thing delivers!

I've had several sessions since then, all giving the same awesome results! I've packed as little as ~.15, just packing it down tight into the bottom of the oven, and got similar results to that of a full oven...I really love how in the morning when I wake up, I can turn it on and have tasty low temp vape by the time my eyes are opened! Also, it's such a relief to be able to leave the Cloud and glass at home, when I go away for the night, or a couple days.

Fast forward to last night after work. I had vaped maybe 6 oven loads since getting the vape, including one on my break about 2 hours prior. I decided to clean the mouthpiece out, as it had a visible resiny film when you looked down in the mouthpiece, and I saw a little piece of fuzz stuck in it :lol: I had already cleaned the mouthpiece once the day before, without any issues...I used ISO, and a pipe cleaner (both included) and went at the mouth piece. I got it nice and clean, rinsed it and let it dry, inhaling through it to speed up the process. Once it was totally dry, I packed the oven with .4 of M.O.B, and left for my boyfriends place. It's a 5 minute drive, and the pax was in my hand the whole time.

When I got there and got inside, I went to turn on the Pax and the mouthpiece was soooo sticky/stuck feeling. Before and after cleaning it, I pushed it in, and it was perfectly easy to remove/insert/turn on and off. But now, it was sticky and was rising so slow, that if you didn't pay attention, you couldn't see it coming up. I pulled it out, and the mouthpiece's metal tube was dry/not sticky, and the little ring that moves freely moved as free as ever.

I inserted the mouth piece, and it was really tough to get in, but it moved slowly (felt like what I would assume it would if gunked up, yet it never felt like this before I cleaned it, etc) It was tricky to get it to click in to close, but I got it easy enough. Once in, and off, I tried to turn it on. The mouth piece again was so stiff, that it rose very slowly. The LED indicator came on and went purple as usual, but once the mouth piece was almost fully extended, the LED went red, displaying temp, as if the MP wasn't installed. So, I went to push the MP back in, and saw the light go purple. I figured, maybe if I hold it here until it's warm, the MP will loosen up, and I can get it to recognize that it's installed.

Sure enough, the LED turned green after about a minute, while I kept it partially depressed. As I let the MP come up the rest of the way on it's own, it was much smoother, but the LED went back to red. So, I closed the MP, (very smooth/quick like before it started sticking) and opened it again, and it went purple to green, as it should. So, if I keep it warm; no issues...but now whenever it cools down, after sessions, the MP is stiff, and slow to come out, and won't heat up unless partially depressed...pretty much as described in Jonah Hex's post. When I read that post a few minutes ago, I chuckled, and was proud that I figured it out before I read it :lol:

So, after I post this, I'm going to give the Pax a full clean, and see if the MP re-inserts normally, with it's gun-slide smoothness/quickness...

A couple things to mention; I always take several puffs after turning off the Pax, to cool down the oven and remove excess vapor, and I only charge with the unit right side up (charger on top) when the unit is warmer than room temp. I believe these two things should help reduce the buildup in the MP and the tube that the MP goes into. I am just curious as to why my issue "popped up," as opposed to it starting to get stickier and stickier each time I turned it on before a sesh...kind of weird how the action stayed the same up until just after I cleaned the mouthpiece the second time.

So, I'll go ahead with the full clean, and be super careful of the temp button! I'm still loving this thing, it's really an amazing portable! I can see how it's not going to be the right vape for everyone, but what vape would be? For me, this thing fills a big niche, and is going to be around for a long time to come! Expect an actual review here at some point, and more posts in this thread from me....Sorry for the long one! :p
 
Purpl3_Haz3,

Xchadb

@Brownglass
Glass Blower
for temp mouthpiece fix, best thing for me is a combination of both, take the mouthpiece out, and blow real hot air down the mouthpiece to "warm" it up, stick it back in, and take your thumb and instead of pushing the mouthpiece IN slowly, i push mine sideways, away from the LED side. essentially i just hold it like a sorta "thumbs up" while driving and as long ass i keep sideways pressure on the mouthpiece i dont even have to look at the LED i just know its heating up.

and if you live in a cold place like CO, let the mouthpiece get sticky, then leave the unit in your car while you're at work and when it gets super cold the resin gets hard, and the mouthpiece wont even pop up!

to fix that issue, press the mouthpiece down until it clicks(then sticks) then just blow slowly warm air down the airpath without sealing your lips around anything. slowly youll feel the mouthpiece start to rise out.
 

Purpl3_Haz3

On a Permanent Vakation
for temp mouthpiece fix, best thing for me is a combination of both, take the mouthpiece out, and blow real hot air down the mouthpiece to "warm" it up, stick it back in, and take your thumb and instead of pushing the mouthpiece IN slowly, i push mine sideways, away from the LED side. essentially i just hold it like a sorta "thumbs up" while driving and as long ass i keep sideways pressure on the mouthpiece i dont even have to look at the LED i just know its heating up.

and if you live in a cold place like CO, let the mouthpiece get sticky, then leave the unit in your car while you're at work and when it gets super cold the resin gets hard, and the mouthpiece wont even pop up!

to fix that issue, press the mouthpiece down until it clicks(then sticks) then just blow slowly warm air down the airpath without sealing your lips around anything. slowly youll feel the mouthpiece start to rise out.

I live in Maine. I haven't left it in my car yet, for just that reason! Thanks for the tips!
 
Purpl3_Haz3,

Xchadb

@Brownglass
Glass Blower
I live in Maine. I haven't left it in my car yet, for just that reason! Thanks for the tips!
BTW cold cars kill the battery, in any portable ive ever taken with me. i try to keep pax in my jacket pocket on the coat rack at work and nobody ever smells it, but it keeps it warm for lunch break bowls.

if you're in your car, and its cold as fuck like your breath isnt even working, once your heater vent kicks on just put the front of the pax on the heater vent and it loosens everything up fast!
 

Purpl3_Haz3

On a Permanent Vakation
BTW cold cars kill the battery, in any portable ive ever taken with me. i try to keep pax in my jacket pocket on the coat rack at work and nobody ever smells it, but it keeps it warm for lunch break bowls.

if you're in your car, and its cold as fuck like your breath isnt even working, once your heater vent kicks on just put the front of the pax on the heater vent and it loosens everything up fast!

Yeah, being in Maine for nearly 22 years, I've learned to keep my electronics inside :p And, to top it off, the heater core is clogged in my car, so no heat. I just keep my phone/pax on me, work or not (med rec card holder) My Pax doesn't seem to emit much odor when a fresh bowl is packed, un-vaped. But, when you turn it on :brow: you definitely know it's working :lol:

Gotta love these frozen states!
 
Purpl3_Haz3,

Xchadb

@Brownglass
Glass Blower
lol yeah def! its a plus for oil based vapes i think, its better than coming back to your car to see your pack of 5 cartridges all leaked out and wasted, instead of frozen and ready to go haha :)

im uploading a video now, explaining these tips a bit plus a nice sesh, its been a while since my last vid!

a bonus video with bubbles for fun haha
 

Tstat

Dead Foot Designs
Accessory Maker
If anyone is interested, I found the answer to sending my Pax back to VapeWorld. Since it's been used, I would have send to back and they would determine a restocking fee, based on the condition of the unit. They said the maximum they take is 50% if it's in bad shape. Mine has a couple dings and rubbed-off edges. Maybe I go another route here on FC :)
 

Purpl3_Haz3

On a Permanent Vakation
If anyone is interested, I found the answer to sending my Pax back to VapeWorld. Since it's been used, I would have send to back and they would determine a restocking fee, based on the condition of the unit. They said the maximum they take is 50% if it's in bad shape. Mine has a couple dings and rubbed-off edges. Maybe I go another route here on FC :)
Too bad they don't offer a little more, but I suppose it's understandable...think game stop, etc, for trading in or selling games...Like you said, there's always here!

I'm curious about the what it was that finally made you decide not to keep it. Not saying you should keep it :) no vape is right for everyone, and this one is definitely no exception. I'm just curious after your previous post...:brow:
 
Purpl3_Haz3,

jambandphan03

in flavor country
You might be better off in the Classifieds Tstat.

Xchadb, nice vids, love the bubbles...got pretty soapy there at the end. :rofl: you can get some seriously thick creamy vapor through glass with a slow draw on med and high, I use high on glass, most of the time because I'm hooked on that thick milky vapor filling the glass... :lol:

Here's a vid I made when I had the mobius, Miss the matrix perc, but not the neck cramp it gave me.

 

Live-N-Learn

Higher, Higher, Baby...
I need someone to teach me how to buy/make those adapters for the MP. And a link to one of those water bongs. Nothing too expensive though. I want to do cool stuff too lol
 
Live-N-Learn,

jambandphan03

in flavor country
my adapter is just a piece of 1/2" soft sillicone tubing and a 14mm to 18mm expander (glass adapter) if you use a 14mm stem, you won't need the expander. It's hard to find good bubs for a low price, but there are a few out there. Check the classifieds here to see what other members are selling, it's a good start anyway. That mobius isn't low cost.

92tRY.jpg
 
jambandphan03,

Live-N-Learn

Higher, Higher, Baby...
14mm to 18mm expander (glass adapter) if you use a 14mm stem, you won't need the expander.

What is that? Is there a place to buy this online?

I want something brand new, how much would I have to spend for a good water piece?
I feel like im way over my head with these bong names, extensions, etc lol /noob
 
Live-N-Learn,

Tstat

Dead Foot Designs
Accessory Maker
I'm curious about the what it was that finally made you decide not to keep it.

OK, I'll talk about it tomorrow. I don't hate it, really, but there are several personal reasons for me to get rid of it :)
 

Deadshort480

We're here to fuck shit up.
I was thinking about getting another bubbler myself. I want something cheap so I was looking at the Black Leaf 10 arm Saxo our the Removable Mouthpiece Bubbler from GBD (second down on the products page). My FC bubbler is for my vaporizers and I want a dedicated oil piece.

Running the Pax through water is extremely nice. Much easier on your throat and lungs.
 

mmenzie

My friends call me "Menz"
I was thinking about getting another bubbler myself. I want something cheap so I was looking at the Black Leaf 10 arm Saxo our the Removable Mouthpiece Bubbler from GBD (second down on the products page). My FC bubbler is for my vaporizers and I want a dedicated oil piece.

hey... that store you sent me to in goshen has oil/bubbler packages too that are on the cheap. although not sure about the prices but... i bet village sensations (which you are near) has something too if you are looking for "Instant Gratification" like i always am
 
mmenzie,

pakalolo

Toolbag v1.1 (candidate)
Staff member
Has anyone found something to use as caps for the ends of the Pax to conceal odor?

The Pax is pretty much odourless when it's turned off. As TheDude says, when it's on you can't use a cap, at least not if you want to draw from it.
 
pakalolo,
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