Discontinued The Firefly Vaporizer

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

I've had my FF for a month, and have encountered a rather steep learning curve. I can't seem to find a technique that produces consistent results, and the instruction manual is no use. I've done a lot of internet research to figure this out, which is actually how I landed here.

Correct me if I'm wrong: the product should not be ground too fine. I've been cutting it up in a shot glass with a pair of manicure scissors to get a small, choppy consistency, but not dust or anything, and certainly not large buds. Is that right?

Then, I have been heating it for about 8 seconds, taking my finger off the button for a second, pressing it down again and inhaling. This is often where i get tripped up. Sometimes it seems like a long, quick inhale is best, but other times that does not work. Other times, it seems like a slow, long inhale is best, but other times--not so much.

Sometimes, I get a lung full of vapor and exhale, a lovely, satisfying cloud. Other times--nothing. What gives? What should I be expecting here? Should I expect to exhale a cloud of vapor? I'm new to this whole approach in general and thought it would be easier to figure out. Is there a foolproof way to make this work? I feel like I wasted quite a bit of money and am this close to ditching it for edibles.

How many strains have you tried? I have found that strain affects the performance of my FF much moreso than my other vapes.

Also, some people do grind it fairly fine (I know I sometimes do) and it works better for them. Might be worth a try, at least. I think the "official" FF advice is a "finger-tear" grind, but people in this thread all use their own approach, and plenty of them grind it down pretty well. Some tamp it down. Some pack it over the brim. Some use screens on the top. Try some diff. approaches and see what works for you, if anything. If nothing else, at least break the pieces up a bit more as your session goes on.

With taking your finger off the button, again, some people do, some don't. I don't do this. I hit the button, wait about five seconds (some people wait longer) and start a steady inhale, the speed of which depends upon which strain of herbs I'm using and the number of hits I've already taken. Usually, it's a fast-to-medium speed. I think the more important part is steadiness though. If it's near the beginning of a session, I don't push the button any longer than 5 seconds or so after I've started my inhale, but I keep inhaling because there will be some leftover heat after you take your finger off the button.

Yes, different techniques will yield different results at different times, again dependent on strain and at which point of the session you're at. For example, my first few hits tend to be faster and quicker to enjoy the flavor and low temp effects, then it'll switch to medium for both, then long and slow at the end, etc, as you'll want higher temps for a longer period when you get closer to the end of the bowl (although you may find the taste can suffer at this point).

When you don't see vapor exhaled, are you still feeling the effects? Sometimes the FF vapor is light enough to not be seen without a good spotlight.

You may have wasted your money, yes, but other people in this thread have been where you're at and bounced right back.



Just hang around this thread for a few days and you'll hear lots of good advice that should have you up and running before too long.

 

[fogbank]

Then, I have been heating it for about 8 seconds, taking my finger off the button for a second, pressing it down again and inhaling. This is often where i get tripped up.

I get consistent results.

1. I do not do a "preheat" button push - only push the button once on each draw.
2. I keep inhaling long after I release the button.
3. I grind fine (probably not as important as some other factors?).

OK so here it goes:

Load bowl. Push and hold button, start drawing after 8 seconds. Continue drawing with button pressed for 16 seconds. Release button, keep drawing. You should start to feel the vapor a little bit into your long draw.

That's the first hit. Subsequent hits I hold the button for 4-5 seconds before drawing, draw for 7-8 seconds with button pressed, then a long slow inhale until I feel vapor. So I am essentially cutting my button time in half after the first draw.

Toward the end of the bowl I increase the button press time back to about 16 seconds.

As I have said before, for me the Firefly produces the bulk of the vapor after the button is released. Use the button presses to build up the heat in the core, then use the heat to vaporize the material. I barely feel any vapor production before I release the button.

 

[Mynameismud]

I've had my FF for a month, and have encountered a rather steep learning curve. I can't seem to find a technique that produces consistent results, and the instruction manual is no use. I've done a lot of internet research to figure this out, which is actually how I landed here.

Correct me if I'm wrong: the product should not be ground too fine. I've been cutting it up in a shot glass with a pair of manicure scissors to get a small, choppy consistency, but not dust or anything, and certainly not large buds. Is that right?

Then, I have been heating it for about 8 seconds, taking my finger off the button for a second, pressing it down again and inhaling. This is often where i get tripped up. Sometimes it seems like a long, quick inhale is best, but other times that does not work. Other times, it seems like a slow, long inhale is best, but other times--not so much.

Sometimes, I get a lung full of vapor and exhale, a lovely, satisfying cloud. Other times--nothing. What gives? What should I be expecting here? Should I expect to exhale a cloud of vapor? I'm new to this whole approach in general and thought it would be easier to figure out. Is there a foolproof way to make this work? I feel like I wasted quite a bit of money and am this close to ditching it for edibles.

Didn't really read the other responses they were too long so sorry if I repeat anything...

But here it goes...like you I was afraid of grinding too fine and hand ground or scissored my material... Didn't get great results so I went to a grinder (space case) 4-5 full turns and I'm good to go...

Now loading, I dump in material so the bowl is a little bit over filled then wipe away the excess (kinda like measuring flour in a measuring cup)

Place lid on, press button until I see a full glow and keep pressing and inhale slowly. I inhale so slow and light you can't hear inhaling and I get huge dense clouds. If you want tastier but also whisper clouds inhale faster

Anyway that works for me so I hope it helps you

 

[mitchgo61]

I've had my FF for a month, and have encountered a rather steep learning curve. I can't seem to find a technique that produces consistent results, and the instruction manual is no use. I've done a lot of internet research to figure this out, which is actually how I landed here.

Sometimes, I get a lung full of vapor and exhale, a lovely, satisfying cloud. Other times--nothing. What gives? What should I be expecting here? Should I expect to exhale a cloud of vapor? I'm new to this whole approach in general and thought it would be easier to figure out. Is there a foolproof way to make this work? I feel like I wasted quite a bit of money and am this close to ditching it for edibles.

You know you have arrived safely in the Land of The Firefly when you ask a technique question and get three thoughtful answers from three regular posters who have had great success with the device and all three of them are different. Ask any ten FF users how they get results and you will get ten different answers. The truth is that everyone has had to arrive at their own mix of the four key variables (grind, amount of material, draw technique, button technique) in order to find their own personal sweet spot. You should try variations on all of these to see what works for you.

My personal approach: Barely grind the material....PACK the bowl solidly to the rim...press button for at least four seconds, begin to draw....draw as fast as I can before I the natural resistance point, and no faster....let go of the button midway through...keep drawing for several seconds after releasing the button. I stir and iteratively grind every few hits, till I'm left with fairly ground stuff by mid-session. Towards the end, I'll slap a top screen on the bowl, which makes the final half-dozen hits neater, and raises the heat of the chamber which assists extraction in the final stages.

Some general tips/observations...

1. I cannot get good results unless I pack the bowl fairly densely. I feel like I'm not getting a decent thermal mass going without a dense load. (Others have had a different experience.)

2. It takes a few hits for the load to get really warm and start releasing big vapor. This is similar, in my experience, to any convection vape.

3. If I draw too slowly, hits aren't big. Unlike some portable vapes, I need to draw right up to the resistance point to get results.

4. I never hit the button twice...hold, count four, draw, release mid hit, keep drawing. No need to re-press.

You didn't waste your money, but you are still on the early part of the curve until you find the right balance of the key variables. Pretty much everyone has had to climb this curve, and they've always gotten results eventually. Don't give up!!

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

You know you have arrived safely in the Land of The Firefly when you ask a technique question and get three thoughtful answers from three regular posters who have had great success with the device and all three of them are different.

Yeah, we all love our Fireflies a little differently...

 

[Mrbinky]

I've had my FF for a month, and have encountered a rather steep learning curve. I can't seem to find a technique that produces consistent results, and the instruction manual is no use. I've done a lot of internet research to figure this out, which is actually how I landed here.

Correct me if I'm wrong: the product should not be ground too fine. I've been cutting it up in a shot glass with a pair of manicure scissors to get a small, choppy consistency, but not dust or anything, and certainly not large buds. Is that right?

Then, I have been heating it for about 8 seconds, taking my finger off the button for a second, pressing it down again and inhaling. This is often where i get tripped up. Sometimes it seems like a long, quick inhale is best, but other times that does not work. Other times, it seems like a slow, long inhale is best, but other times--not so much.

Sometimes, I get a lung full of vapor and exhale, a lovely, satisfying cloud. Other times--nothing. What gives? What should I be expecting here? Should I expect to exhale a cloud of vapor? I'm new to this whole approach in general and thought it would be easier to figure out. Is there a foolproof way to make this work? I feel like I wasted quite a bit of money and am this close to ditching it for edibles.

Yeah, I feel your pain. Sometimes, a good hit, sometimes weak, sometimes popcorn. And I dreaded having to clean it, too.

I got a solo, and now my Firefly is gathering dust. I start at 2 or 3, and finish at 4. Just hit it now at 4: smooth as a baby's bottom with visible clouds. No technique required.

Cleaning is so simple: I take my stem, hold it over the toilet, blow the ABV out and flush. Done.

There's a Massdrop going on for Solos. The target price is $125 with free shipping. So, basically, you can get two solos for the price of a Firefly, and still have a couple of bucks left over...

But, OK, since this is a Firefly thread, I would suggest putting a screen on top. The will keep the FF's window clean.

 

[Custom Flower Hardware]

You know you have arrived safely in the Land of The Firefly when you ask a technique question and get three thoughtful answers from three regular posters who have had great success with the device and all three of them are different. Ask any ten FF users how they get results and you will get ten different answers. The truth is that everyone has had to arrive at their own mix of the four key variables (grind, amount of material, draw technique, button technique) in order to find their own personal sweet spot. You should try variations on all of these to see what works for you.

My personal approach: Barely grind the material....PACK the bowl solidly to the rim...press button for at least four seconds, begin to draw....draw as fast as I can before I the natural resistance point, and no faster....let go of the button midway through...keep drawing for several seconds after releasing the button. I stir and iteratively grind every few hits, till I'm left with fairly ground stuff by mid-session. Towards the end, I'll slap a top screen on the bowl, which makes the final half-dozen hits neater, and raises the heat of the chamber which assists extraction in the final stages.

Some general tips/observations...

1. I cannot get good results unless I pack the bowl fairly densely. I feel like I'm not getting a decent thermal mass going without a dense load. (Others have had a different experience.)

2. It takes a few hits for the load to get really warm and start releasing big vapor. This is similar, in my experience, to any convection vape.

3. If I draw too slowly, hits aren't big. Unlike some portable vapes, I need to draw right up to the resistance point to get results.

4. I never hit the button twice...hold, count four, draw, release mid hit, keep drawing. No need to re-press.

You didn't waste your money, but you are still on the early part of the curve until you find the right balance of the key variables. Pretty much everyone has had to climb this curve, and they've always gotten results eventually. Don't give up!!

Very well put my friend!

 

[KeroZen]

On a side note I felt equally disappointed at first with my Firewood2.1, which shares a lot in common with the Firefly (convection, manual drive, etc) and has quite a learning curve too.

There are many parameters and variables at play. It's so complex I don't even try to pass it around as people just can't make it work and either burn part of the load or overheat the device... It is thus becoming a solo and very personal vaporizer.

I wouldn't recommend any of these two as a first-time vape, but for small loads and/or short sessions they are very good.

 

[Mynameismud]

Yeah, I feel your pain. Sometimes, a good hit, sometimes weak, sometimes popcorn. And I dreaded having to clean it, too.

I got a solo, and now my Firefly is gathering dust. I start at 2 or 3, and finish at 4. Just hit it now at 4: smooth as a baby's bottom with visible clouds. No technique required.

Cleaning is so simple: I take my stem, hold it over the toilet, blow the ABV out and flush. Done.

There's a Massdrop going on for Solos. The target price is $125 with free shipping. So, basically, you can get two solos for the price of a Firefly, and still have a couple of bucks left over...

But, OK, since this is a Firefly thread, I would suggest putting a screen on top. The will keep the FF's window clean.

I disagree. The stems get fairly dirty and stinky. You need to clean them every so often with more than just a dump in toilet and flush. Also the SS chamber gets fairly dirty over time and is a bitch to clean (similar to if you stain the FF bottom) also, I know the airflow is better possibly with the new solos but with the regular stems it still took a little technique. I found PVHES stems to be essential with it. And lastly, it's not so portable. If people are complaining about carrying around the FF in your pocket, good luck getting a solo in there. Then you need to worry about the external glass stems which are carried separately. And if you drop them your out of commison until you get more because they are pretty fragile.

Also, taste isn't as good as with the FF. I needed water conditioning with Solo on 4. Don't need at all with FF

 

[Mrbinky]

I disagree. The stems get fairly dirty and stinky. You need to clean them every so often with more than just a dump in toilet and flush. Also the SS chamber gets fairly dirty over time and is a bitch to clean (similar to if you stain the FF bottom) also, I know the airflow is better possibly with the new solos but with the regular stems it still took a little technique. I found PVHES stems to be essential with it. And lastly, it's not so portable. If people are complaining about carrying around the FF in your pocket, good luck getting a solo in there. Then you need to worry about the external glass stems which are carried separately. And if you drop them your out of commison until you get more because they are pretty fragile.

Also, taste isn't as good as with the FF. I needed water conditioning with Solo on 4. Don't need at all with FF

I agree that the FF has advantages. Stealth, portability, speed and it definitely looks cooler. I'm keeping mine for sure. I can actually use it fine, myself. But when I share with my wife, the solo works better.

As for cleaning, you are right that the solo stems need a soak occasionally. I vape a lot of weird stuff, and it gets fragrant. But it is nice to be able to take the stem out and thoroughly clean it. Also, using the solo hamster style keeps the chamber cleaner.

I think comparing the taste is subjective. I think they are comparable. I agree that the firefly does a better job cooling the vapor, so I see how you might prefer it over solo at level 4. That said, the solo isn't bad at all at 4, and I don't personally need a water tool. Just a little bit of throat irritation but not too bad at all. Level 4 is as high as I've bothered to go.

I guess the firefly more spontaneous and fun. I do feel that I'm more responsible for the results I get. More in control. I'm glad I have both!

 

[curlysue]

You guys are all SO helpful. After incorporating various pieces of advice offered over the last 12 hours or so, I have come to a few conclusions that I feel compared to share with other FF newbies.

1.) Put a screen over the material, once packed in the bowl. This alone made a huge difference. May not matter to everyone, but it definitely enhanced the experience.

2.) Everyone who said you don't need to press the button twice are extremely correct (i picked that piece of advice up from another site--Vape Critic, maybe, and it no longer seems particularly wise). Hit the button, depress it for a few seconds, THEN inhale. I'm still mastering the duration of inhalation needed. For a while there I was convinced that a shorter period of depression was better once you get further into the bowl, but then I later disproved that theory. Still trying to determine the best approach to that. Definitely inhale for a while after you've taken your finger off the button.

3.) Mixing the material up once every few hits definitely helps too.

That's really all I've learned so far, but thanks to you guys, I do feel like I traversed a significant portion of the FF's steep learning curve. FF should really do it's users a favor though, and revise its instruction manual. Surely there's a technical writer out there who needs some work.

More insights as they occur...

 

[mitchgo61]

Also, taste isn't as good as with the FF. I needed water conditioning with Solo on 4. Don't need at all with FF

I personally agree. Love the Solo, it's unquestionably easier to use than the FF, in fact it seems to have no learning curve at all...but for flavor, the FF is vastly superior, to me anyway.

I agree that the FF has advantages. Stealth, portability, speed and it definitely looks cooler. I'm keeping mine for sure. I can actually use it fine, myself. But when I share with my wife, the solo works better.

I guess the firefly more spontaneous and fun. I do feel that I'm more responsible for the results I get. More in control. I'm glad I have both!

Exactly...the FF is like a fine instrument that needs to be mastered with personal technique. No one can really give you the magic bullet to make it work perfectly for you. But with effort comes deep, almost intimate satisfaction.

You guys are all SO helpful. After incorporating various pieces of advice offered over the last 12 hours or so, I have come to a few conclusions that I feel compared to share with other FF newbies.

1.) Put a screen over the material, once packed in the bowl. This alone made a huge difference. May not matter to everyone, but it definitely enhanced the experience.

2.) Everyone who said you don't need to press the button twice are extremely correct (i picked that piece of advice up from another site--Vape Critic, maybe, and it no longer seems particularly wise). Hit the button, depress it for a few seconds, THEN inhale. I'm still mastering the duration of inhalation needed. For a while there I was convinced that a shorter period of depression was better once you get further into the bowl, but then I later disproved that theory. Still trying to determine the best approach to that. Definitely inhale for a while after you've taken your finger off the button.

3.) Mixing the material up once every few hits definitely helps too.
..

Glad you are persevering. The extra screen is raising the heat, which, if you have a unit that tends to be coolish (which may explain your inconsistent performance issues), is very helpful in generating large hits.

 

[Volteric]

Not trying to be a negative nelly nor a redundant randy but it seems to me that I prefer conduction over convection when it comes to flavor. I have tried upwards of 10 different strains with FF along with the mflb and pax and I cannot seem to coax the same flavor I do with the pax compared to the FF and mflb.

I'm also feeling the herb conservation to be neglible.

Where I love this device is in its looks, quality build and instant ready time. Sadly it is very rare where I think Wow that's tasty!

 

[euph0ric1]

Not trying to be a negative nelly nor a redundant randy but it seems to me that I prefer conduction over convection when it comes to flavor. I have tried upwards of 10 different strains with FF along with the mflb and pax and I cannot seem to coax the same flavor I do with the pax compared to the FF and mflb.

I'm also feeling the herb conservation to be neglible.

Where I love this device is in its looks, quality build and instant ready time. Sadly it is very rare where I think Wow that's tasty!

I agree on the flavor. While it's undeniable the FF gives off "alot" of flavor and taste.. To me, it's not necessarily "good" taste. With my regular commercial grade strain I get a pungent, earthy, planty taste which is neither good nor bad. With a more exotic strain, I've noticed a slightly sweeter taste, but nothing too dramatically different.

I feel the same about the Pax, the taste is there, but its neither good nor bad. But it tastes the same to me regardless of strain. So while the FF has a more distinguishable, pure taste.. I think the "flavor" is a tad over-rated as a selling point. That being said, however.. I still love it to pieces, and I feel it still does a far better job of conserving herb compared to Pax based on the fact that I can load less but still get at least 2 sessions out of a bowl.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

So while the FF has a more distinguishable, pure taste.. I think the "flavor" is a tad over-rated as a selling point.

Sorry, brother, but I could not disagree more. I think the FF's flavor is actually underrated, and should be considered by all flavor-chasers as a superior option to even the Solo (even when used hamster style). IMO

The flavor of the FF is what keeps me coming back to it. I reach for it more often than my Solo, and just as often as my HI, to get my flavor fix. Flavor is crazy important to me, and as soon as it's gone, I find it difficult to enjoy the herb whatsoever anymore. The FF helps me to get as much of that fantastic flavor as is possible with an electric portable, and that is the reason I would buy another FF if mine were lost.

The FF has many outstanding features, yes, but to me, its flavor profile / signature is what ultimately makes it so luxurious.

But to each their own. This thread has certainly shown there's more than one way to appreciate a Firefly!

 

[mitchgo61]

Sorry, brother, but I could not disagree more. I think the FF's flavor is actually underrated, and should be considered by all flavor-chasers as a superior option to even the Solo (even when used hamster style). IMO

The FF has many outstanding features, yes, but to me, its flavor profile / signature is what ultimately makes it so luxurious.

But to each their own. This thread has certainly shown there's more than one way to appreciate a Firefly!

Gotta go with Amnesiac....for me, it's all about the flavor. No vape comes close to the FF for pure herbal flavor delight. Personally I don't love the taste of most conduction units, bar the Solo (which I still insist is conduction, not convection, though some here have characterized it otherwise). The Solo is pretty good flavor-wise. I'd give it a 7, most conduction vapes I'd rate about a 4, and the FF I give a solid 10 on the taste scale.

There used to be an old Marlboro commercial slogan: "Come to where the flavor is." At my house, we call that Firefly Country.

 

[WildChild]

I agree on the flavor. While it's undeniable the FF gives off "alot" of flavor and taste.. To me, it's not necessarily "good" taste. With my regular commercial grade strain I get a pungent, earthy, planty taste which is neither good nor bad. With a more exotic strain, I've noticed a slightly sweeter taste, but nothing too dramatically different.

I feel the same about the Pax, the taste is there, but its neither good nor bad. But it tastes the same to me regardless of strain. So while the FF has a more distinguishable, pure taste.. I think the "flavor" is a tad over-rated as a selling point. That being said, however.. I still love it to pieces, and I feel it still does a far better job of conserving herb compared to Pax based on the fact that I can load less but still get at least 2 sessions out of a bowl.

+1 ... Totally agree.

 

[fogbank]

I have been using the Arizer Extreme Q "baskets" from the screen pack:

http://arizer.com/store/en/arizer-parts/22-screen-pack.html

I posted earlier that I hoped to prevent combustion in the FireFly with these baskets, theorizing that they would prevent any material from falling through the bowl and into the heater core.

Unfortunately the baskets do not prevent combustion. I have combusted with both my "cooler" grey unit and my "hotter" silver unit while using the baskets. In fact I had never combusted with the grey unit while using the stock screen, only with the basket.

I no longer believe that combustion is caused by material making it's way into the heater core. I've had combustion occur on the very first hit of a fresh bowl, as well as after many hits from a bowl.

Seems to occur randomly.

 

[fogbank]

As I have said before, for me the Firefly produces the bulk of the vapor after the button is released. Use the button presses to build up the heat in the core, then use the heat to vaporize the material. I barely feel any vapor production before I release the button.

I have to clarify my statement in bold.

On my "hotter" silver unit I release the button the instant I start to feel vapor, in order to avoid combustion.

 

[TrueVaper]

Okay... I did it. I bought my first pricey vaporizer. The Firefly! Previously I owned a cheap $120 desktop vape and a Vapor Genie, both were okay and a better alternative to smoking but occasionally I found myself going back to a pipe when it was just more convenient. But today I made a big purchase to try and rid my lungs of smoke all together.

Also I figured today would be a good day to join the FC forums. So did I do okay choosing the Firefly? I was on the fence between the Firefly, Ascent, Indica, and a small part of me wanted to wait til August for the MiVape but I couldn't wait any longer and I sided with the Firefly. I look forward to everyone's incite and giving any knowledge I can possibly bring to the forums myself! Cheers!

 

[grokit]

Welcome to fc @TrueVaper, I think you did great !

 

[TrueVaper]

Welcome to fc @TrueVaper, I think you did great !

Thanks man, I'm pretty excited to get it and get the learning curve down. Next month may be when I upgrade to a better desktop unit!

 

[Adobewan]

Okay... I did it. I bought my first pricey vaporizer. The Firefly! Previously I owned a cheap $120 desktop vape and a Vapor Genie, both were okay and a better alternative to smoking but occasionally I found myself going back to a pipe when it was just more convenient. But today I made a big purchase to try and rid my lungs of smoke all together.

Also I figured today would be a good day to join the FC forums. So did I do okay choosing the Firefly? I was on the fence between the Firefly, Ascent, Indica, and a small part of me wanted to wait til August for the MiVape but I couldn't wait any longer and I sided with the Firefly. I look forward to everyone's incite and giving any knowledge I can possibly bring to the forums myself! Cheers!

Welcome @TrueVaper
All good selections and I think you made the right choice!
Sorry to say you have now been infected with VAS, both a curse and a blessing.
Best of luck!

 

[Mrbinky]

Gotta go with Amnesiac....for me, it's all about the flavor. No vape comes close to the FF for pure herbal flavor delight. Personally I don't love the taste of most conduction units, bar the Solo (which I still insist is conduction, not convection, though some here have characterized it otherwise). The Solo is pretty good flavor-wise. I'd give it a 7, most conduction vapes I'd rate about a 4, and the FF I give a solid 10 on the taste scale.

There used to be an old Marlboro commercial slogan: "Come to where the flavor is." At my house, we call that Firefly Country.

The solo bowl does get hot from conduction, but it don't think it is nearly hot enough to produce vapor. That only seems to happen when I draw heated air through the stem. Therefore, I'd say that the bulk of vapor production is due to convection.

As to taste, I've never achieved better taste with my firefly than my solo. At best, they are equal, but results with the solo are consistently good so, on average, the solo gives better results. I've yet to spoil a bowl with my solo before it was spent. With my firefly, if I (or, usually, my wife) wasn't careful, it'd get scorched, and the popcorn taste would taint the entire contents of the bowl. In fact, my firefly currently smells of it, but I'm too lazy to clean it.

In my opinion, especially given the massive price difference, a solo is a much better first machine than a firefly. I think this will provide a more positive experience for most people, will save them money and hassle. I wish someone would have told me that before I bought my firefly, but I was seduced by all the talk about "the flavor", etc., by prolific and experienced posters.

Maybe these people can, somehow, coax superior flavor out of their firefly over their solo everytime, but I cannot and it is likely that most people will not see enough of a consistent improvement to justify getting a firefly over a solo as a first time vaporizer.

So, my advice: Start with a solo. It's cheaper, and you are more likely to get satisfactory results straightaway. Then, if you are not satisfied or curious, and your budget allows, get a firefly. The only exception to this would be if you must have superior portability but, even then, keep in mind the firefly's limited battery life...

 

[WildChild]

The solo bowl does get hot from conduction, but it don't think it is nearly hot enough to produce vapor. That only seems to happen when I draw heated air through the stem. Therefore, I'd say that the bulk of vapor production is due to convection.

As to taste, I've never achieved better taste with my firefly than my solo. At best, they are equal, but results with the solo are consistently good so, on average, the solo gives better results. I've yet to spoil a bowl with my solo before it was spent. With my firefly, if I (or, usually, my wife) wasn't careful, it'd get scorched, and the popcorn taste would taint the entire contents of the bowl. In fact, my firefly currently smells of it, but I'm too lazy to clean it.

In my opinion, especially given the massive price difference, a solo is a much better first machine than a firefly. I think this will provide a more positive experience for most people, will save them money and hassle. I wish someone would have told me that before I bought my firefly, but I was seduced by all the talk about "the flavor", etc., by prolific and experienced posters.

Maybe these people can, somehow, coax superior flavor out of their firefly over their solo everytime, but I cannot and it is likely that most people will not see enough of a consistent improvement to justify getting a firefly over a solo as a first time vaporizer.

So, my advice: Start with a solo. It's cheaper, and you are more likely to get satisfactory results straightaway. Then, if you are not satisfied or curious, and your budget allows, get a firefly. The only exception to this would be if you must have superior portability but, even then, keep in mind the firefly's limited battery life...

+1...Good advice.