Arizer Solo

Arizer on the Solo insert soon to be available. 08/23/2012


We have a problem with the bowl's ceramic coating chipping or flaking.

We know already why it happened, the first and last tray of 12 bowls in each production run aren't getting even heat during the baking process. It happened because the supplier tried to apply the coating to too many bowls at a time.

The good news is very few units per production run are affected. However our quality control should of caught the problem immediately. Numerous units are tested and triple checked in every production run. But since it's such a small number of bowls we missed it completely

I had the warehouse tear apart boxes all day yesterday trying to find a bowl with the problem, it wasn't until 3:30 we found one.

Our supplier was already aware of the problem and had corrected it but didn't tell us since it was a very small number bowls and it fell within our contract with them, having an allowable 3% defect rate.

Regardless, today we pulled the contract and we'll divide the business between two other companies who do ceramic coating.

That's an unusually long reply, but you have a valid concern, you deserved an explanation.

It is for sure covered under warranty, the warranty is two years.

NO health concerns whatsoever. The ceramic coating is very very safe. It's inert, safe to ingest, environmentally safe, odour and tasteless. The odd's of a flake being ingested is very low of course, it woud have to travel through all the herbs in the mouthpiece, through the tiny holes and up the stem. Regardless, it's something that shouldn't of happened.

We are testing every unit before it's shipped. If the problem occurs down the road we'll stand behind the product. We work hard to provide good customer service.

We have a fix in the works. It's a insert that will fit into and cover the bottom of the bowl. We're rushing to get them ready, could be 10 business days yet. That will solve the peeling problem and we'll send them out no charge to anyone who has a problem.

The ceramic coating we use now is organically applied, meaning I refused to use a chemical bonding agent (C-8) to get it to adhere to the dish. Now we have about a 1-1.5% defect rate in each product run from this problem. We don't want that.

Therefore this insert we're making will be included new Solo's as well. That way even if the dish doesn't peel but someone cleans it with a sharp object with the new insert they can replace if needed.

Best Regards,
Steve


Sounds like the insert will be sized to press fit into the chamber after the coating has been peeled. No way this will work pressed in on top of the coating and I know they are not going to come in two sizes. Probably about .003 clearance and insert the sleeve with chamber full temp, hopefully getting a snug fit. Should be a nice fix. Perhaps freezing the insert before squeezing it into the hot bowl. Some of the folks using the Solo for medicinal purposes might have trouble with dexterity and getting this all accomplished. That being the case I would then ask Arizer for a new one with the insert already installed.

Da Ape

The damn insert will prolly causes more flaking. Man this is really bullshit, they should allot all of us to get new units; its not like their is more then a hand full of us on here/worldwide who pulled the trigger on this.

The flaking material in the bowl will be gone. The insert will probably be bare stainless. If not stainless than there is no point in putting a sleeve in. I just hope the ring at the top of the chamber is smaller than the chamber itself other wise the ring will have to be removed and later reinserted. Just have to wait and see. I have a diameter measurement of .562 inch unless the chamber is metric size.

Da Ape

But any type of sleeve insert will decrease the diameter, correct? My stems both have a little play in them, but I know that my friend's unit as extremely tight fitting stems (when he first got it he almost gave up because he couldn't get them in without some real force), so I don't see how they could fit into a tighter diameter bowl. Or am I missing something here??

On my unit it has a decent amount of room in the chamber. Where I am close is thru the screw off cap. I think that is best of both worlds because I can turn mine upside down and the stem won't fall out.

With the cap unscrewed my stem will swirl in the chamber. The insert will probably be no thicker than .003.
It will be very thin like the ring around an old style retractable ink pen only larger.

Da Ape

Stu said:

But any type of sleeve insert will decrease the diameter, correct? My stems both have a little play in them, but I know that my friend's unit as extremely tight fitting stems (when he first got it he almost gave up because he couldn't get them in without some real force), so I don't see how they could fit into a tighter diameter bowl. Or am I missing something here??

Click to expand...

Stu have your friend unscrew the cap and set it aside. See then how this stem fits the chamber. He may need to file the cap hole a bit bigger with a rat tail file. Very slow and patiently. Then wash the cap to make sure no filings are in the threads dry and screw back on carefully so not to cross thread. Make sure no filings get into the unit.

Da Ape

mod note: Please use the edit button instead of making back to back posts.

Vaped Ape said:

Arizer on the Solo insert soon to be available. 08/23/2012

We have a fix in the works. It's a insert that will fit into and cover the bottom of the bowl. We're rushing to get them ready, could be 10 business days yet. That will solve the peeling problem and we'll send them out no charge to anyone who has a problem.

Click to expand...

I think you are not reading correctly. When I read it, it sounds like just a dime sized plate that covers the bottom only and not the sides.

My unit has no smell either and tastes great. In the pictures of the internals posted earlier, I don't see any heat insulating fabric, do you know where this fabric is?

Fried-

You are right that is what it says but the bottom currently has no coating on it, only the sides. My Solo bottom actually is gun metal blue. I think Steve may have not described accurately. We will see. Also if you look in the bottom of the bowl you will see 4 tiny holes spaced opposite each other. The necessary holes would make a disk shaped bottom difficult to work out.

He also sort of implies that some of the coatings might be getting scraped during cleaning. I never cleaned mine with anything other than a dry Q-Tip so gouging was not present. I have never had the bottom open so not sure about the insulation/odor issue. Not present in mine.

Da Ape

Vaped Ape said:

Stu have your friend unscrew the cap and set it aside. See then how this stem fits the chamber. He may need to file the cap hole a bit bigger with a rat tail file. Very slow and patiently. Then wash the cap to make sure no filings are in the threads dry and screw back on carefully so not to cross thread. Make sure no filings get into the unit.

Da Ape

Click to expand...

For the hell of it, I just unscrewed the cap off of mine to compare stem snugness. The fit of the stem is the same with or without the top. Mine are snug, but not really tight like my buddy's.

idk

Ok I would call mine snug rather than tight. I can rock it just a hair and sometimes that makes for very big clouds.
I just really like the Solo and jumping in early has its chances. Allot of folks won't buy a first year new design car thinking the 2nd year will have the bugs fixed. I am confident everyone here will get satisfaction eventually. I personally would not sell over any of this. I think the Solo is a good enough product that it will withstand what's going on. I haven't heard of anyone yet that has not been taken care of by Arizer if they politely presented their grievance. No I don't work for Arizer but I would buy another one. All the accessories we wanted are showing up and some will seek lowers prices on that stuff so its all working out. If I did not know better I would think you guys have been vapin some chit maan.

Da Ape

Don't get me wrong. I love the thing, too. I just hope that my unit (and the 3 buddies I had buy one) don't have peeling/flaking issues. Hopefully our bowls were not underbaked and this will all be a non-event.

All things considered, I would still recommend this vape.

Peelers and what I would call speckled thinning of the barrel. Think those that are seeing chips will eventually see a speckled side. Who knows. I really am hopeful of the fix but I must say they seem to have developed the fix rather quickly-10 days was mentioned. Maybe they have been working on it longer than we know.

Da Ape

thanks for forwarding Steve's message from Arizer! I'm a little confused about his "solutions". Firstly, he doesn't even know what "injested" means.... that means to eat, what he should be referring to is "inhaling". So he fires the vendor for being within their allowed 3% defect margin? lol Seems like the vendor was well within their contractual commitments. But whatever, so now he says he has 2 other vendors to do the organic ceramic... fine... so why the development of the insert then? Is this for the poor saps who purchased too early and will be punished for being beta testers and get an insert instead of a brand new unit that the NEW vendors made?

What a frickin shit show! I will have my brand new Solo today (guessing they won't ship back my original), and should sell it, but i'm reeeeally curious, and after being awake for 4 straight days now, kinda desperate. I can deal with their repairs or whatnot but they haven't addressed the smell issue at all. I'm not even gonna waste my time contacting them because i'll get the usual "you're the first, never heard of it" as I have in the past with their products.

The other thing is that they should be including screens with this thing, as material gets through the holes far too easily and I much prefered ground over whole bud. It's like there are so many simple little things that could make this unit waaaaay better. And so much for KJ Rockwise saying not to expect these units on ebay anytime soon cheaper, when I see it going for $225 shipped! So now I have a new one to sell and already i've lost $100! WTF?? Fucking sketchy.

Flaking/peeling issues, smell/offgas issues, stems that are too tight to be able to even use, warranty issues (replacement sleeve instead of a new unit), no accessories readily available from manufacturer, manufacturer clueless about their own website, some people getting replacements, some not, units on ebay $100 less than msrp, authorized/non authorized for warranty (arizer's fault/problem).

For those above reasons, at this time I cannot recommend this vape. Version 1.1 may be a different storey, but looks like i've already lost a good chunk of money so will not support this company anymore. Lesson learned.

Stu said:

Don't get me wrong. I love the thing, too. I just hope that my unit (and the 3 buddies I had buy one) don't have peeling/flaking issues. Hopefully our bowls were not underbaked and this will all be a non-event.

All things considered, I would still recommend this vape.

Click to expand...

Vaped Ape said:

Fried-

You are right that is what it says but the bottom currently has no coating on it, only the sides. My Solo bottom actually is gun metal blue. I think Steve may have not described accurately. We will see. Also if you look in the bottom of the bowl you will see 4 tiny holes spaced opposite each other. The necessary holes would make a disk shaped bottom difficult to work out.

He also sort of implies that some of the coatings might be getting scraped during cleaning. I never cleaned mine with anything other than a dry Q-Tip so gouging was not present. I have never had the bottom open so not sure about the insulation/odor issue. Not present in mine.

Da Ape

Click to expand...

Is this after a peeling problem or not? Because if not I think yours is an exception. My bowl's bottom is coated, and it's my understandmend they all are.

OhTheAgony said:

Is this after a peeling problem or not? Because if not I think yours is an exception. My bowl's bottom is coated, and it's my understandmend they all are.

Click to expand...

Same here. Though the bottom of my Solo's bowl is charcoal grey (the walls being black), and looks like it is a separate disk that was pressed into the bottom.

Hmmm... I wonder if mine is one of the v1.1 Solo's?

I could be wrong but the bottom of my chamber sure looks like there is no coating but I could be wrong. If there is a coating it would have to be very thin as I can see machining circle marks around the outer part of the bottom. My bottom chamber is charcoal color and sides black. Top of chamber rotating collar is also charcoal. The bottom of mine is showing no delamination what so ever. Don't believe the 1.1 is out yet unless, like I said earlier, Arizer has been working on this issue longer than we think.

Da Ape

Looks like I got a "warning ticket" yesterday from the moderator on one of my posts. I pledge to do better.

Vape4life....I can see that you are really frustrated by this issue but I think you need to take a step back for a second. The first part of your email you are already ripping into the head of Arizer for wording on his email. I'm pretty sure he understands the meaning of the word "ingest" He actually spelled it right too...with a g not a J. Whatever it still means to take into the body by mouth. My point is your post goes negative the 3rd sentence in. It sounds ridiculous. Yes you have an issue with your solo flaking inside. They have responded to this issue it seems to me with a very detailed explanation. They are detailing their plans to fix it. They are sending you back a new unit. BE HAPPY.

The odor issue is another PROBLEM that I have NEVER experienced with this thing although I believe you and others who have noticed it. It seems most do not have that problem. If I had an odor to mine I would be working with Arizer to settle it. I bet with a nicely worded email or 2 things would probably be resolved just fine.

As far as calling the whole thing a "shit show"??? Just more negativity from you dude. No screens, stems too tight, warranty issues (when they are sending you a new one?),no accesories readily available(true but I just ordered the ac and auto adaptor yesterday). I can go on but I'm gonna stop.

I'm way more happy with my Solo than angry at Arizer for all the complaints you bring up. I am just an observer on this whole flaking issue and what they are going to do next. Mine is fine for now. I do have an interest in what happens though and will just keep reading the posts as they come along. I just found yours to be a bit much is all.

What do you have shares in Arizer or something? Did you not read my earlier posts praising the damn thing? I sold my EQ for crying out loud. Look buddy, I tell it like it is... if it's awesome it's awesome, if it sucks it sucks...no sugar coat. Yeah, i'm frustrated big time by the entire experience and people need to see both sides, no matter how extreme. And this is my opinion, it's all fact, i'm not making anything up so don't you worry about it.

August West said:

Vape4life....I can see that you are really frustrated by this issue but I think you need to take a step back for a second. The first part of your email you are already ripping into the head of Arizer for wording on his email. I'm pretty sure he understands the meaning of the word "ingest" He actually spelled it right too...with a g not a J. Whatever it still means to take into the body by mouth. My point is your post goes negative the 3rd sentence in. It sounds ridiculous. Yes you have an issue with your solo flaking inside. They have responded to this issue it seems to me with a very detailed explanation. They are detailing their plans to fix it. They are sending you back a new unit. BE HAPPY.

The odor issue is another PROBLEM that I have NEVER experienced with this thing although I believe you and others who have noticed it. It seems most do not have that problem. If I had an odor to mine I would be working with Arizer to settle it. I bet with a nicely worded email or 2 things would probably be resolved just fine.

As far as calling the whole thing a "shit show"??? Just more negativity from you dude. No screens, stems too tight, warranty issues (when they are sending you a new one?),no accesories readily available(true but I just ordered the ac and auto adaptor yesterday). I can go on but I'm gonna stop.

I'm way more happy with my Solo than angry at Arizer for all the complaints you bring up. I am just an observer on this whole flaking issue and what they are going to do next. Mine is fine for now. I do have an interest in what happens though and will just keep reading the posts as they come along. I just found yours to be a bit much is all.

Click to expand...

Vape4life....just saying you should just chill a bit is all. I understand your frustrations....really I do. EVEN though I share NONE of your issues. And No I don't have shares in Arizer or any vape company thank you very much. Yeah you tell it like it is alright...right down to nitpicking over the word INGEST which then you spell wrong and question if Steve from Arizer even knows the meaning of? If that's not a little bit ridiculous. Stick to the issues....don't get all emotional. Do that and I won't worry about it.

You just don't get it do you? Arizer has shit the bed, and because you're a fanboy you just can't accept it, and probably the negative publicity. This is a public forum, and I do think i've contributed, and even if I didn't, you know what you can do. If you don't like it, leave.

I'm done with this, back to the real issues....the SOLO... for instance, instead of whining, why not EXPLAIN WHY he is offering inserts AND is going to another vendor?

August West said:

Vape4life....just saying you should just chill a bit is all. I understand your frustrations....really I do. EVEN though I share NONE of your issues. And No I don't have shares in Arizer or any vape company thank you very much. Yeah you tell it like it is alright...right down to nitpicking over the word INGEST which then you spell wrong and question if Steve from Arizer even knows the meaning of? If that's not a little bit ridiculous. Stick to the issues....don't get all emotional. Do that and I won't worry about it.

Click to expand...

sigh....I figured you would start attacking me next.
I'm pretty sure we are done here.

He's quite obviously switching vendors because he found them to be hitting the error margin a little too much, they knew that had bunk bowls but sent them to them anyway without saying anything because it was within their 3% contract error margin. If they were fucking up now what would stop them from continuing to do that within their contract? Read above on vaped apes email. I interpreted the as saying the inserts were for people who had problems, to create an airtight non chip-able sleeve that they'll ship to anyone and include as a failsafe even with the new ones incase the new ceramic people fuck up, but that he went to the root of the problem and the new solos being produces should not chip what so ever, and if they did there will be a failsafe sleeve included. Of course this is my direct interpretation of the email vaped ape posted above.

Vape4Life, Maybe give your new solo a shot, see if it stinks a few heat cycles the same as your previous one? I'm just curious to know if what you're smelling is the default solo smell or something was bunk about the first one. I personally think arizer actually handled the whole situation very well. They offered a solution to anyone who has problems and put a fix in place for further problems... I'm not an arizer fan boy either. I had several issues with the design of the extreme, and it turned me off arizer and made me worried about the solo. Mostly having to do with airflow over the electronics, screens, etc. All of which were fixed on the solo. Hey, I gotta stop writing this post because my new solo just arrived at my door! haha =]

EDITED IN: I'd also like to say it would make sense they wouldn't find out about this in beta, as it seems to have been an error in the mass production of it, but not a real problem with the design. The sleeves would likely of never came into play should the manufacturer of not sent out that 3% of bowls allowable in their contract. I'm sure Steve just expected them to not throw in bunk bowls on purpose, with their knowledge.


EDITED IN AGAIN:

I just unboxed my new solo, and sheesh arizer was really generous to me. They inculded a charger, aroma bowl and two free bats for this one too! Thats going the extra mile to throw in the full package again!

Attacking? lol Thanks to Willeh, at least he's actually answering some questions..

August West said:

sigh....I figured you would start attacking me next.
I'm pretty sure we are done here.

Click to expand...

Hey Willeh, thanks for your interpretation. Makes complete sense to me now.

The new Solo was fired up (but not vaped in)...honestly, the stink is HORRIBLE! MUCH worse than my first one. It's almost like a disgusting "chemical' and hot electronics odour. I dunno, I fired it up a cycle, then another, and another, and just gross if I 'sniff' it. I appreciate you not being a fanboy like some arizer fans (heck, i used to be one), and your concerns are very valid...like mine. Perhaps i'm more sensitive to the smell, but it has completely turned me off...honestly don't even care much about the flaking, etc. But the smell destroys the experience for me. Here's to the Cloud! lol

Willeh said:

He's quite obviously switching vendors because he found them to be hitting the error margin a little too much, they knew that had bunk bowls but sent them to them anyway without saying anything because it was within their 3% contract error margin. If they were fucking up now what would stop them from continuing to do that within their contract? Read above on vaped apes email. I interpreted the as saying the inserts were for people who had problems, to create an airtight non chip-able sleeve that they'll ship to anyone and include as a failsafe even with the new ones incase the new ceramic people fuck up, but that he went to the root of the problem and the new solos being produces should not chip what so ever, and if they did there will be a failsafe sleeve included. Of course this is my direct interpretation of the email vaped ape posted above.

Vape4Life, Maybe give your new solo a shot, see if it stinks a few heat cycles the same as your previous one? I'm just curious to know if what you're smelling is the default solo smell or something was bunk about the first one. I personally think arizer actually handled the whole situation very well. They offered a solution to anyone who has problems and put a fix in place for further problems... I'm not an arizer fan boy either. I had several issues with the design of the extreme, and it turned me off arizer and made me worried about the solo. Mostly having to do with airflow over the electronics, screens, etc. All of which were fixed on the solo. Hey, I gotta stop writing this post because my new solo just arrived at my door! haha =]

EDITED IN: I'd also like to say it would make sense they wouldn't find out about this in beta, as it seems to have been an error in the mass production of it, but not a real problem with the design. The sleeves would likely of never came into play should the manufacturer of not sent out that 3% of bowls allowable in their contract. I'm sure Steve just expected them to not throw in bunk bowls on purpose, with their knowledge.


EDITED IN AGAIN:

I just unboxed my new solo, and sheesh arizer was really generous to me. They inculded a charger, aroma bowl and two free bats for this one too! Thats going the extra mile to throw in the full package again!

Click to expand...

Unpacked my warranty replacement, new bats new dish new charger, which was very nice. I have to say small hot transformer smell right off the bat when I let it warm up.

Both of my new stems are very, very tight fits.