Discontinued The Firefly Vaporizer

[mitchgo61]

Can you elaborate on what the FF folks told you about "cold units"?

So here's the thing: I have used the FF for the last few days, at least 10 sessions total. During all of my experimentation with draw technique, heat time, bowl fill, grind/no grind, etc... NOT ONCE have I felt there was significant vapor production while the button was pressed. The only time I have felt strong vapor production is after the button is released. And it seems that I can only get there by drawing quite hard for a period of time before releasing the button.

Question for other owners: Do you feel vapor production while you're pressing the button? If so, how soon after you press the button do you feel it?

It does not sound like your unit is working properly. On a freshly-loaded bowl, I hold down the button for a four count and then draw for like ten seconds, holding the button down for like 5 of those 10 seconds. The first hit is medium-sized. The second time I do this, I get a monster hit. I get huge hits like this no matter the grind or the material or its dryness. I even get uneven, charred bits if I hold the button down too long.

Either A. you aren't getting a good seal with the lid and air is getting into the path, causing you to not produce vapor (try squeezing the lid/body during a hit to see if this helps) or B. your unit just isn't generating enough heat.

There is a learning curve, and it takes a few weeks to really hit an intuitive stride with the FF, but man, you should be seeing decent if not excellent vapor production right away, given how long you're hitting the heat button.

Yes, I feel vapor production while holding down the button, usually around the ten second mark (five or six of which are during the draw, the first few seconds are pre-draw). I agree you will feel vapor *after* releasing the button, due to the heat still in the chamber being carbed out at the end of the hit. But again, if I did what you describe with my FF I would have monster clouds coming out of my face.

(I wasn't told much about "cold units", just that they had some units they felt "ran cold" and some that "ran hot". Sounds like you have a cold one, maybe too cold to work right at all.)

I would call them and have them send you a replacement. Tell them it simply isn't producing vapor, no matter what you do. It just doesn't sound like it's working right, and it doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong.

 

[fogbank]

Either A. you aren't getting a good seal with the lid and air is getting into the path, causing you to not produce vapor (try squeezing the lid/body during a hit to see if this helps) or B. your unit just isn't generating enough heat.

Thank you for the very helpful response mitchgo61.

Every time I load it I make sure the cover is aligned correctly and that it "snaps" into place. I have tried (gently) squeezing the body during a draw but I felt no difference.

There is a learning curve, and it takes a few weeks to really hit an intuitive stride with the FF, but man, you should be seeing decent if not excellent vapor production right away, given how long you're hitting the heat button.

I feel the same way. I think the "learning curve" has already taught me how to get vapor out of the unit, it's just that it takes a bunch of hits and a whole lot of button holding to get there (not to mention a draw speed that I feel is faster than it needs to be). I've used a Thermovape T1 for years, and that vape is all about "getting the hot air to move past the material". I've gotten used to adjusting draw speed, sensing vapor production, and "locking in" the draw speed that produces the best vapor. With the FireFly I've only ever felt the vapor to "lock in" on after I have released the button.

I would call them and have them send you a replacement. Tell them it simply isn't producing vapor, no matter what you do. It just doesn't sound like it's working right, and it doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong.

Thanks, I think I will contact them. Appreciate your help!

 

[mitchgo61]

I feel the same way. I think the "learning curve" has already taught me how to get vapor out of the unit, it's just that it takes a bunch of hits and a whole lot of button holding to get there (not to mention a draw speed that I feel is faster than it needs to be). I've used a Thermovape T1 for years, and that vape is all about "getting the hot air to move past the material". I've gotten used to adjusting draw speed, sensing vapor production, and "locking in" the draw speed that produces the best vapor. With the FireFly I've only ever felt the vapor to "lock in" on after I have released the button.

Thanks, I think I will contact them. Appreciate your help!

Happy to talk Firefly all day long! The FF *does* require a faster draw than normal for a small portable vape (Steama described it to a t: pull up to the point of feeling the natural resistance of the unit, but no faster..ie once you start feeling like you are having to pull harder, don't pull any faster than that...). It's best to keep it steady, but again, faster than a normal portable vape (I find it's similar in speed to a desktop like the SSV or VTE). However, draw speed notwithstanding you should be pulling bigger vapor while the button is held, not just after. I'm pretty sure based on your description that this isn't user error or flawed technique at work here.

Good luck and let us know what happens. I have a feeling once you get a normal-functioning unit you will be surprised at how much you get out of it.

 

[Raskin666]

I tend to "feel" the hit after I have let go of the button already. I preheat for 4 to 5 seconds for the first hit, then hit for about 8 seconds, let go of button and keep drawing. For each subsequent hit I use only a 1 or 2 second preheat. The warmer the unit, the less button pushing needed. @fogbank I find that it's possible that you are getting vapor during the button push, but not feeling it until well into your hit. It is extremely cool and smooth.

 

[bongo]

It does not sound like your unit is working properly. On a freshly-loaded bowl, I hold down the button for a four count and then draw for like ten seconds, holding the button down for like 5 of those 10 seconds. The first hit is medium-sized. The second time I do this, I get a monster hit. I get huge hits like this no matter the grind or the material or its dryness. I even get uneven, charred bits if I hold the button down too long.

Either A. you aren't getting a good seal with the lid and air is getting into the path, causing you to not produce vapor (try squeezing the lid/body during a hit to see if this helps) or B. your unit just isn't generating enough heat.

There is a learning curve, and it takes a few weeks to really hit an intuitive stride with the FF, but man, you should be seeing decent if not excellent vapor production right away, given how long you're hitting the heat button.

Yes, I feel vapor production while holding down the button, usually around the ten second mark (five or six of which are during the draw, the first few seconds are pre-draw). I agree you will feel vapor *after* releasing the button, due to the heat still in the chamber being carbed out at the end of the hit. But again, if I did what you describe with my FF I would have monster clouds coming out of my face.

(I wasn't told much about "cold units", just that they had some units they felt "ran cold" and some that "ran hot". Sounds like you have a cold one, maybe too cold to work right at all.)

I would call them and have them send you a replacement. Tell them it simply isn't producing vapor, no matter what you do. It just doesn't sound like it's working right, and it doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong.

I am having the same problem, no matter what I try I cannot get a visible vapor from my FF. I have tried every trick on this site without luck. I can tell by the residue left on the metal the vapor path is working fine and I do get some tasty inhales but it just doesn't have the temp to get that cloud of vapor. My tolerance is very low so there is a nice buzz and I was considering just keeping it because I am not a cloud chaser. But then it would be nice to have clouds available for friends who like that and I'd like to have a properly working device to experiment with. Last night after reading about the cold FF's I sat down and tried many of the suggestions again and no go. By the time I was done I was a lot more toasted than I was prepared for.

This morning I contacted FF by email and heard back within a couple of hours with my RMA. It's #0089 and I don't know how many they have sold but I am assuming it is a lot so that's probably an indication of good general QC, I was just unlucky. The only bad news is 5 days to get it there (UPS coast to coast), 5 days back and FF said 7-10 days turnaround so I am a little bummed about that.

I do have my Vapman to keep me company, its always good to have a backup and it works fantastic. I was hoping to add to my quiver with the Indica and maybe somewhere down the line a Grasshopper if they turn out as advertised. Don't tell my wife but I think a vaporizer collection may be in the making...

 

[2 Paces]

I am having the same problem, no matter what I try I cannot get a visible vapor from my FF. I have tried every trick on this site without luck. I can tell by the residue left on the metal the vapor path is working fine and I do get some tasty inhales but it just doesn't have the temp to get that cloud of vapor. My tolerance is very low so there is a nice buzz and I was considering just keeping it because I am not a cloud chaser. But then it would be nice to have clouds available for friends who like that and I'd like to have a properly working device to experiment with. Last night after reading about the cold FF's I sat down and tried many of the suggestions again and no go. By the time I was done I was a lot more toasted than I was prepared for.

This morning I contacted FF by email and heard back within a couple of hours with my RMA. It's #0089 and I don't know how many they have sold but I am assuming it is a lot so that's probably an indication of good general QC, I was just unlucky. The only bad news is 5 days to get it there (UPS coast to coast), 5 days back and FF said 7-10 days turnaround so I am a little bummed about that.

I do have my Vapman to keep me company, its always good to have a backup and it works fantastic. I was hoping to add to my quiver with the Indica and maybe somewhere down the line a Grasshopper if they turn out as advertised. Don't tell my wife but I think a vaporizer collection may be in the making...

Please report back about the new unit.

I am enjoying my Firefly, but I still am surprised at how little visible vapor it produces. I have kept it because it makes me feel good and definitely gets the herb a nice dark brown. But after reading all the reports of the Firefly producing huge amounts of vapor, I still have a nagging feeling that mine isn't working as well as it should...

 

[Reflections]

I wonder how glass screens would work? Put one on top of the load to help keep clean?

 

[Raskin666]

I wonder how glass screens would work? Put one on top of the load to help keep clean?

This is a great idea if you could find one that fits/works

 

[mitchgo61]

Your herb is 100% dry correct? Have you tried additional button presses during the draw? Battery fully charged? How hard are you drawing? Is your lid completely sealing closed magnetically? If visible vapor is your goal then ideal lighting situations can also help.

These guys have experiences that are so consistent, no matter how they vary grind/dryness/technique, that I really think they have those rare units that run a little cold. (Even if the material were too moist, after a few hits it would dry, and should produce bigger hits...but it isn't happening for them. Plus I still get big hits even from moister material...sometimes it works better! )

Obviously we have some "hot" and "cold" units floating around out there and luckily they are rare. My first one was hot, my current one seems "just right", and these guys appear to have cooler units. They work, but not as designed.

This is like Goldilocks and the Three Fireflys.

 

[Reflections]

Theres all different type configurations and sizes..how about the honeycomb?

http://www.amazon.com/Honeycomb-Scr...1392253250&sr=8-5&keywords=glass+pipe+screens

I dont have a FF so i dont know the size of the bowl..

 

[Vaporipped]

Theres all different type configurations and sizes..how about the honeycomb?

http://www.amazon.com/Honeycomb-Screens-3-7-9mm2mm-screens-glass/dp/B00C2JGB5K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1392253250&sr=8-5&keywords=glass pipe screens

I dont have a FF so i dont know the size of the bowl..

I'm sure a glass honeycomb screen would be ideal especially if you want to avoid stainless steel. I use an inverted vapir NO2 screen and it's perfect for me. It only lets the vapor through and I taste no metal. I'd measure the FF bowl for you, but I don't have my FF with me at the moment. I'm thinking the 3/8 screen would work but not with a really fine grind?

 

[mitchgo61]

I'm sure a glass honeycomb screen would be ideal especially if you want to avoid stainless steel. I use an inverted vapir NO2 screen and it's perfect for me. It only lets the vapor through and I taste no metal. I'd measure the FF bowl for you, but I don't have my FF with me at the moment. I'm thinking the 3/8 screen would work but not with a really fine grind?

Mine is 5/8 inch diameter at the top edge of the bowl.

 

[Vaporipped]

Mine is 5/8 inch diameter at the top edge of the bowl.

Thanks for measuring that. So since the bowl is beveled, depending on how much herb is placed in there you might end up with up to a 1/8 inch gap around the screen. That would be with an almost full bowl. With a small amount of herb, the screen would sit lower and have less of a gap. With a medium grind or finger grind this screen would work.

 

[Volteric]

So I just vaped using the Arizer "basket" filled with fine ground Fire OG, no top screen and it's great!

Def noticed more even heating and abv color. Got some good steady robust draws and zero debris which allowed me to draw deeper, quicker and stronger.

Verdict for now:I really really like it and see continuing to use.

 

[Robob]

Just FYI for those getting the external charger, it doesn't come with a plug. they intend you to use the charger that comes with your FF.
I did the live chat w/vape world before ordering and they thought it did come with the plug but today it arrived and no plug included sadly.
There goes the idea of charging 2x batteries at once haha

 

[Vaporipped]

So I just vaped using the Arizer "basket" filled with fine ground Fire OG, no top screen and it's great!

Def noticed more even heating and abv color. Got some good steady robust draws and zero debris which allowed me to draw deeper, quicker and stronger.

Verdict for now:I really really like it and see continuing to use.

I'm stuck in the Atlanta ice storm and probably won't receive my arizer screens until next week. I'm looking forward to tinkering with the basket technique. I'm sure it will work great for me and seems like it will make cleaning a breeze.

 

[Volteric]

I'm stuck in the Atlanta ice storm and probably won't receive my arizer screens until next week. I'm looking forward to tinkering with the basket technique. I'm sure it will work great for me and seems like it will make cleaning a breeze.

I'm thinking how rad it'd be if you could make like 6 on the go pods where you just drop and vape. Not sure how to make that happen. It'd be rad if there was a little hinged lid--a glass one!!!

 

[bongo]

Your herb is 100% dry correct? Have you tried additional button presses during the draw? Battery fully charged? How hard are you drawing? Is your lid completely sealing closed magnetically? If visible vapor is your goal then ideal lighting situations can also help.

Does your herb have any trichomes? Hehe

Yep, herb is dry. tried fine, med (along with the mouth full of dust) and coarse/hand grind, small and large chunks. Battery fully charged. Always check lid and like I said the air pathways were clearly outlined on the metal by residue. Tried all kinds of button press methods and combos but nary a whisp of vapor. I tried drawing slow to let it heat up more and faster to get a quick lung full.

Aww crap, I knew I should have paid extra and had them add the trichomes

 

[mitchgo61]

Thanks for measuring that. So since the bowl is beveled, depending on how much herb is placed in there you might end up with up to a 1/8 inch gap around the screen. That would be with an almost full bowl. With a small amount of herb, the screen would sit lower and have less of a gap. With a medium grind or finger grind this screen would work.

So you don't think it's too small? I wasn't sure...certainly as the material cooks, the volume drops and the screen would sit farther down. Of course it'd be less effective as the cooked material gets more finely ground. Maybe I'll order some (ebay has a few good deals on them also). I didn't really see any other sizes of this type of glass screen...just the various flower-type glass.

So I just vaped using the Arizer "basket" filled with fine ground Fire OG, no top screen and it's great!

Verdict for now:I really really like it and see continuing to use.

No taste issues with it?

 

[2 Paces]

Your herb is 100% dry correct? Have you tried additional button presses during the draw? Battery fully charged? How hard are you drawing? Is your lid completely sealing closed magnetically? If visible vapor is your goal then ideal lighting situations can also help.

Does your herb have any trichomes? Hehe

1.Yep, could not get any drier
2.Yep, tried every variation of button pushing, including multiples
3.Yep, I got the extra battery so I always have one fully charged
4.I have tried every variation of draw
5.Yep, lid is completely sealed
6.The lighting is not the issue
7.The bud quality is not the problem

As I said before in an earlier post, I have varied everything. There is no suggestion I haven't tried already. I am confident in my technique.

I am getting acceptable results as far as a buzz and the looks of the ABV, but of all my vapes this one gives the least visible vapor. My MFLB gives much more visible hits for example.

I would not think as much of it except for the fact that almost everyone else on here mentions huge hits from the Firefly. Mine never produces that. It produces a nice buzz and seems to extract all of the goodies. But it is not thick or dense vapor, rather a bunch of thinner hits to kill the bowl.

That is why I am interested to see if bongo gets one back that is noticeably hotter. I like my Firefly and it does the job, so I haven't sent it in because I'm not sure if there is anything wrong with it. But if it is definitely supposed to run hotter then I would send it in.

 

[Vaporipped]

I'm thinking how rad it'd be if you could make like 6 on the go pods where you just drop and vape. Not sure how to make that happen. It'd be rad if there was a little hinged lid--a glass one!!!

I'll take a picture of the arizer basket with the vapir NO2 lid and post it next week once my arizer screens get here. I'm pretty sure this is close to what you are describing as a pod that can be preloaded.

So you don't think it's too small? I wasn't sure...certainly as the material cooks, the volume drops and the screen would sit farther down. Of course it'd be less effective as the cooked material gets more finely ground. Maybe I'll order some (ebay has a few good deals on them also). I didn't really see any other sizes of this type of glass screen...just the various flower-type glass.

No taste issues with it?

I'm tempted to order some of these as well to experiment with. I imagine smaller material will make its way past the honeycomb screen but there's only one way to find out.
Sorry, I goofed again and did a back to back post. (Modnote: posts merged)

 

[Volteric]

So you don't think it's too small? I wasn't sure...certainly as the material cooks, the volume drops and the screen would sit farther down. Of course it'd be less effective as the cooked material gets more finely ground. Maybe I'll order some (ebay has a few good deals on them also). I didn't really see any other sizes of this type of glass screen...just the various flower-type glass.



No taste issues with it?

No metallic taste but I still don't think of this vape as a great flavor producing device. Its good but not amazing IMO.

 

[Mynameismud]

Woooo firefly just arrived!

Initial impression: its bigger then i expected and also a lot heavier. Seems a little bulky. Not sure how stealthy itll be. But thats pretty much the only negative thing i have to say right now.

Seems solid. Bowl reminds me of cera kind of.

Anyway its charging now so ill get busy in a little.

 

[hoyo77]

I'm stuck in the Atlanta ice storm and probably won't receive my arizer screens until next week. I'm looking forward to tinkering with the basket technique. I'm sure it will work great for me and seems like it will make cleaning a breeze.

I am stuck in the Atlanta storm as well. my screens are due to be in tomorrow. Luckily I stocked up before the storm with meds.

 

[tufftitty]

Just dropped my ff off my seated lap onto tole floor. She took the fall gracefully and slid face down. Only damage was to the raised up ring out port hole and the firefly emblem. I bet they planned that! Good thing I already bought a replacement lid, jk I will keep using the damaged one as it seriously isn't that noticeable at all