Discontinued VapeXhale Cloud

Hexi

Well-Known Member
This is not Cloud related, but where the hell are you buying your electronics from? The trunk of someones car? If I added up all the equipment I had that died in my life, I still couldn't match your bad luck. Jesus, you are like a black hole for electronics. Tens of thousands of dollars of gear that died on you. Insane!!
I hope by now you have learned to buy the extended warranty, they seem perfectly suited for your ill luck.

I don't know if 95% is correct, yes they will die, but aren't you getting USE out of this stuff until it breaks or becomes obsolete? Why buy anything but food, with the mentality of "95% of what you will buy will end up a useless brick"? And no offense, but saying your electronics will die, its just a matter of when, really isn't that much of an epiphany. But comparing things that die early to things that will die eventually isn't a fair comparison. My new pc frying isn't the same as my original Linksys router finally dying out.

Please don't take this reply as being agro because i am flummoxed not angry or trying to talk down.

No offense taken at all. "Must be the way you use it..." is a common myth about dead electronics. However statistics and data points tell an entirely different story.

XBOX 360 - Red Ring of Death. Prior to the proven and known high failure rates, there was the unproven and unknown. The first RROD victim to claim his XBOX died was blamed as a bad user.

Your new PC vs old Lynsys analogy is a perfect anecdote to use as an example. New electronics, early batches, have the highest % chance of failure if said device is ever refined or revamped or given new batch review etc.. (see the DV Ascent thread)

I have a GE brand boom-box from the 1980s. It was a tank. I started off using it as a tape player for music, but discovered it had dual input mics...aka STEREO RECORDING! Being in a band at the time, we discovered my boom box was actually a fantastic, low cost recording device for cheap high school band demos. Not only that, the box was constructed with high quality, durable materials, mostly metal. It was small, functional, had amazing recording fidelity for such a low cost device, and survived a beating like no other. I'd still have it today if I didn't move across the country and have to make choices about what to bring.

Now look at the PAX , PSP, PS2, PS1, XBOX, XBOX360 NES etc... Totally different beast, totally different concepts. Early gen PS1s failed, known fact, confirmed by CAL. They failed at an accelerated rate.

PS2s had the same problem, also confirmed with a CAL. Somehow microsoft dodged the CALs for the XBOX and 360, both had first gen model super high failure rates.

Every single time someone was the first to notice these failure rates, they were accused of being "bad users". The failures of the early PS3 models was usually met with "You let it get too hot" accusations.

It's not bad luck. It's statistics, and arithmetic without blinders on. I'm not unlucky because an old HDD died on a PC from 2004. It was inevitable. All HDDs will die. Every single one. All batteries will drain etc...

It just so happens that maybe I bought a lot of expensive sounding electronics. But it's pretty easy to think about when electronics started to dominate our purchases, $10s of thousands of dollars is a conservative estimate. I didn't even consider my car alarm that failed, or a garage door opener that died. Or that TV we had when I was 5 years old that went "pink" one year and stayed pink for the next 10.

But a PSP was like $250 back in the day. More than 1 PSP? quickly adds up, even if it took me 3 years to buy 3 PSPs, that is still $750 in "bricks". (full disclosure, I bricked one PSP that was my fault)

But YLOD and RRODs are not user error. But they were initially categorized as such, by everyone from Sony and MS to other users.

My Pax is a "brick" but that term is all inclusive. The electronics in my PAX might still be living, but the device doesn't charge. It's a brick. Was that also user error? Check the pax thread and you will see the most ardent defenders of the PAX do not even remotely claim the device is perfect or will be perfect if you "use it right".

I stopped buying extended warranties in the early 2000s. They are a scam used to generate extra sales. My last warranty was with a Circuit City HDTV I got. That HDTV turns out was defective by design, (early HDMI woes) and since this was before every HDTV had a USB port... it was a lot like early CLOUDS. There was no fix. The HDMI and MOBO etc.. all had flaws that could only be fixed with an upgraded MOBO and HDMI connection. The MFG was not doing that. ERgo there was no fix.

Again, this has nothing to do with luck. Everyone who bought that TV had the same exact problem, whether they noticed it or not. (HDMI issues are notoriously fickle, especially in that early era)

Sometimes the 'when' is decades later. I had a stereo amp ($75) that worked for 30 years. An inexpensive TV ran every day for me for 16 years before the high voltage transformer died. I've got a 24 yr. old car that's never had an electrical problem and has had the same amp in it for about 20 years. I just replaced my outdated AV receiver after 14 yrs. It still works great though, just doesn't have HDMI, etc.

I don't think mine is as old as his, but it's still working fine and I do go up to high temp range on a regular basis.

Exactly. Some electronics last longer than others, it varies by brand, model, batch #, location mfg etc...

CLOUDS were all MFG in one plant, and the failures were investigated and discovered to be due to complications with the MFG coupled with some design constraints. They will all fail eventually. Some may not fail for 100 years! Others failed on day 1. What is the failure rate %? I don't know, but it was anomalous enough for VXL to reboot with the EVO.

As I mentioned above I too have immortal electronics, USA Made CRT tvs for example were typically durable as hell. I have a super heavy JVC tv that's been dropped down a flight of stairs and works perfectly, I think I got it in 2001.

That's not good luck, that's the reality of that make/model/batch.

Sorry if this got way off topic, but I believe it applies to the questions regarding CLOUDS and warranties and used clouds.

As my examples above also align with either point of purchase extended warranties, or the much more "honest" warranties supplied by the MFGs like Sony and Microsoft. 90 days, then you're on your own!

I think I've owned like 5 PS2s in my life time. 2-3 of them died, 1 of those deaths was covered by an extended warranty, which I used and was super happy with at the time.

But financially, those extended warranties don't make a lot of sense for the vast majority of the population. $30 spent for a 2 year warranty might sound great if your devices dies right before day 730, but if it dies on day 731... you spent $30 for nothing.
 

oldiebutgoodie

Apostle, Church of Vaporization
Jeez, I thought this thread was closed, at least unofficially, and attention was shifted to the EVO thread.

Don't pay attention for a day and come back to see the shit flying once again and SM explaining for the umpteenth time why he doesn't give blood every day in between 2 work shifts and feeding his kid.

I can appreciate why someone unfamiliar with the VXL history and in possession of a broken Cloud, would come to FC looking for information about what to do. Those of us with Clouds know what a loss it is if it breaks, both as a vaporist and financially. We understand, and we can empathize with the frustration as well. We want to be of help, and many have been to the limited extent we can.

Fortunately, all that one needs to know is in these pages. A large purchase like the Cloud argues for taking the time to work through the thread. At the very least, look for SM and Troi's posts, see what they are responding to for context. One may not like the picture or the answers, but one will have the facts and understand what can and cannot be done at this time - and why.

Of course the short of it is that VXL is doing the best it possibly can. Period. There's a great movie line where the hero says "I've been offered a lot, but I've never been offered everything." VXL has put and, as we speak, is putting everything they've got into making the EVO fly. And giving a great deal to its loyal customers via the campaign. And is still committed to making all Cloud owners whole again, once it has the means to do so.

While I'm on this soap box, one other thing: It will really serve all of our interests to, if at all possible, table personal requests to SM and Troi for the time being. I dare say most of us would be surprised at the number of calls and msgs SM receives asking for one exception or another. Two things often happen as a result: SM ends up spending a lot more time than anticipated on the one-off request, taking away from what he needs to be doing. And, sometimes the word gets out about the exception and now SM is flooded with requests for the same or for some equivalent exception, multiplying the effect. This isn't tenable or sustainable.

SM and team have a game plan. At this time they must focus, focus, focus. It's all about execution. Let's give them the breathing room to be successful. SM will not leave anyone in the lurch, although he may be much later with the solution than anyone wanted.

I didn't make this post to foment more discussion. I've said my piece.

:myday: :2c: :peace:
 

pakalolo

Toolbag v1.1 (candidate)
Staff member

No, it's not a great idea because it can't possibly collect enough data to be a useful sample. Let's ignore that the bulk of VXL sales are not to FC members. Even the ones who are here won't all respond. Besides, we've discussed many times how the FC community is not a reflection of the entire vaping community, so even if you got a high response rate here it would not give you a reliable insight into the general failure rate of original Clouds. Bad data is worse than no data.
 

elmomuzz

That just happened...
Do the original tickers create ozone? I have not taken mine apart enough to be certain but the ticking is perhaps a relay opening and closing? My cloud does smell a bit like ozone so I am excited to get the evo. :):):)
 
elmomuzz,

t00fatt

Well-Known Member
Do the original tickers create ozone? I have not taken mine apart enough to be certain but the ticking is perhaps a relay opening and closing? My cloud does smell a bit like ozone so I am excited to get the evo. :):):)
I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the clicking is a form of capacitor whine. There would only be ozone generated if there was a spark, which is not what the clicking is.
 
t00fatt,

t-dub

Vapor Sloth
Its more of a "zzzzztt" "zzzzztt" "zzzzztt" sound almost a "zapping" which could be a discharge of some sorts . . . I am just guessing here . . .

Edit: The thing is, when you first start an OG clicker it sounds like clicks while the heater holds off going full blast on the bamboo so as to not over-shock it thermally. But when it throttles up you can definitely here the tone change to more of a "zap" sound. (again guessing here but my observations are sound)
 
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exit

Well-Known Member
Haven't any of you guys ever had a power supply that when you plug it into the wall it makes a whine? That's the coils making that sound. It's just a thing that happens sometimes and doesn't indicate anything is wrong.
 
exit,

elmomuzz

That just happened...
The original ticking cloud sounds nothing like that. I'm not trying to start anything. I'm just wondering the true origin of the clicks.
 
elmomuzz,

exit

Well-Known Member
The original ticking cloud sounds nothing like that. I'm not trying to start anything. I'm just wondering the true origin of the clicks.
I don't have a cloud but google "coil whine" see if that sounds like what you're hearing. If it is don't worry.

Somes it's an automatic circuit breaker that is acting up.
 
exit,

2 Paces

Well-Known Member

Madcap79

Jack of all trades, master of none.
I'm not even in line for an EVO. I got a used Cloud+. By the way, when the wife saw it she said, 'Is that what you want me to take pictures with? It's not very cute.' Hilarious.
Also, I'm going to try to post a review of sorts now that I've had the unit for a couple weeks.
 

Enchantre

Oil Painter
Its more of a "zzzzztt" "zzzzztt" "zzzzztt" sound almost a "zapping" which could be a discharge of some sorts . . . I am just guessing here . . .

Edit: The thing is, when you first start an OG clicker it sounds like clicks while the heater holds off going full blast on the bamboo so as to not over-shock it thermally. But when it throttles up you can definitely here the tone change to more of a "zap" sound. (again guessing here but my observations are sound)
Pun intended? :cool:
 

IIIQBIII

Vape Obsessed
My cloud broke after 5 months of use. I have been cloudless for a while now. :( It has been my favorite vaping experience so far..

I cannot wait till I receive my EVO. I have been waiting months. I was a "Trade In" for the Indiegogo Campaign. So it looks like I will be waiting a little bit longer..

Just another month or so.. :peace:
 

Kevdog420

OMMP Patient
I just got a voltage regulator to use with my cloud and I was wondering if anyone knew what the ideal voltage is for the cloud to run on? The choices are 110 120 and 127v.. I'm guessing 120, this is probably a dumb question haha but I wanted to make sure.
 
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Kevdog420,

John Lewus

Well-Known Member
I just got a voltage regulator to use with my cloud and I was wondering if anyone knew what the ideal voltage is for the cloud to run on? The choices are 110 120 and 127v.. I'm guessing 120, this is probably a dumb question haha but I wanted to make sure.

By OMMP I assume you live in the USA. It is 110V here. You should search back through this thread. Some clouds or maybe a cloud was lost to a voltage regulator. I even remember Vapexhale not willing to give a warranty for a cloud that is used overseas with a voltage regulator. It caused a lot of angst while international users to wait for a different voltage version aka international version to ship.
 
John Lewus,

max

Out to lunch
I just got a voltage regulator to use with my cloud and I was wondering if anyone knew what the ideal voltage is for the cloud to run on? The choices are 110 120 and 127v.. I'm guessing 120, this is probably a dumb question haha but I wanted to make sure.
Your actual voltage could be anywhere between about 107 to 123. I'd select 110.

John Lewus said:
Some clouds or maybe a cloud was lost to a voltage regulator. I even remember Vapexhale not willing to give a warranty for a cloud that is used overseas with a voltage regulator.
You sure about that? There was an early problem with a converter in a car, and a US version overseas also needs a converter. A regulator OTOH, is designed to even out the little ups and downs and maintain a constant voltage level, not convert it. That shouldn't be a problem. It's a helper. They help computers, cars, and power stations. With electronics, regulation is usually a good thing.
 

John Lewus

Well-Known Member
Your actual voltage could be anywhere between about 107 to 123. I'd select 110.

You sure about that? There was an early problem with a converter in a car, and a US version overseas also needs a converter. A regulator OTOH, is designed to even out the little ups and downs and maintain a constant voltage level, not convert it. That shouldn't be a problem. It's a helper. They help computers, cars, and power stations. With electronics, regulation is usually a good thing.

Your right. I am confusing terms. I was at work and sober when I wrote that. At home after 3 elb's it suddenly seems obvious that I meant a power inverter.
 
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