Iolite vaporiser
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smoking2long
Well-Known Member
Just posted on the wispr index but thought I would mention it here also. This company is great. They are replacing my almost 2 year old unit and the only reciept I had was a pay pal statement that didn't list a discription. Sweet. No vape for 4 weeks. And no smoke for almost 2 years.
MrNorml
Well-Known Member
Comments about Iolite warranty coverage? I am on my 3rd unit in 1 1/2 years and perceive I am getting run around on coverage. I enjoy the iolite much but given 2 failures after about 6 months per unit makes me wonder and actually got me to purchase a MFLB and now a Solo, so I am curious about the experiences good or bad others have with the Iolite in terms of reliability and warranty coverage. Thanks in advance.
max
Out to lunch
From 3+ years of forum feedback it's clear that reliability isn't the strong point of this design. The warranty is two years and they do honor it if the issue is a manufacturing defect. They've stopped restricting coverage to authorized resellers too. If you like the butane catalyst system you take your chances with reliability and the 2 yr. warranty. If you want better reliability and a longer warranty there's always the MFLB. I've had no breakdowns in over three years of use. You usually hear about the problem units, so it can seem like a lot of 'em break down.
MrNorml
Well-Known Member
max said:
Thanks for your note. I have a launch box which I got when my 2nd Iolite stopped working. But for me it is a hastle to use - too much posture changing, shaking, inserting/removing batteries - although it is an elegant design and seems to work OK. It gets the job done, but in sort of a gorilla-style and not elegant like the Iolite. Because I am impressed with my Arizer Q I have ordered a Solo. I haven't read of any of those just stopping as I have read about the Iolite.
I agree with the apparent concensus that Iolites have issues. When mine works it is great. But it isn't great when they quit after 6 months. Maybe I shouldn't use my portable so much - just for outings - but I am using a Colibri butane lighter over 30 years old and it still works, and the Iolite, when all is said and done, is basically a butane lighter with a method of regulating gas (simuating being turned off) and from Youtube disassembly videos it isn't very complex. So I don't get why it has these problems. I would be fascinated in seeing info on long-term success with this. I read about people using them 2 years so far without problems, but I get consistent failures after about 6 months.
max
Out to lunch
How much you use the iolite could be a factor. I'd like to see some accurate data (if it were possible) on breakdowns vs. usage time. As for the catalyst system being basically a butane lighter design, I can't agree with that. Lighters are just fuel tanks with valves and ignition systems. The O&B design produces heat without flame. It's a more complicated design.
MrNorml
Well-Known Member
max said:
I agree that the Iolite is designed really well. My 'problem' if it is that, is that I use it a LOT. Last winter it was basically all I used. And I used it a lot every day.
I know it is more complicated that a lighter internally. But all I want is for it to work every time. The fact that I have 3 of them shows, I believe, that I think it is an optimal experience. But it also shows some reliability issues long term, and for about $200 I guess I want it to work as consistently as a table-top model.
There is butane burning. Whether it is called 'heat without flame' is I feel a matter of opinion. It makes noises and seems to light up inside. No, there isn't a large flame, but there is something going on which I would call 'ignition on'. There is no open flame, I will grant that. It is an elegant design. It works really well. But for me it seems 6 months give or take is its life expectancy. It has been worth it to me so far since it is so gentle and nice. But it seems to have more problems than other portables have, from what I have gathered, although some use it for apparently 2 years with no problem at all.
Nothing is as reliable as a joint or 1-hitter with lighter. But the fumes and temperatures are not for me. That is why I have bought 3 Iolites - very gentle, nice smoke, gets the job done, no learning curve, stealthy. But not without a cost and the cost to me is reliability. I don't feel confident. That's my experience. And my experience with customer service isn't what others apparently have experienced. So - I think it is a great device when it works. But when it doesn't work it isn't so great.
smoking2long
Well-Known Member
OK it's been a long wait but it came in the mail today. DOA, I'm so bummed. But I called Illinois and they're sending out another one, UPS they thought it would be quicker. So evidently they do have a quality control issue, but they do seem to care.
CarlosSpiceyWeiner
Well-Known Member
smoking2long said:
I have received 2 DOA units before. They r usually fine with exchanging the dead ones.
Hey everyone, new to this forum!
I have been using the Iolite for about a year now and have loved it! I've recently had a bit of a problem though and I was wondering if anyone here might know how to fix it.
Basically I switched to a lower-quality butane without thinking and started having some issues where the gas wasn't coming through as strong as it used to. Then the gas stopped working completely. I emptied the gas and switched back to the butane I was using before, but it is still not working. When I turn it on all I get is a little bit of a hissing noise that usually lasts a few seconds before stopping.
Anyone know how I can fix this?
Thanks!
I have been using the Iolite for about a year now and have loved it! I've recently had a bit of a problem though and I was wondering if anyone here might know how to fix it.
Basically I switched to a lower-quality butane without thinking and started having some issues where the gas wasn't coming through as strong as it used to. Then the gas stopped working completely. I emptied the gas and switched back to the butane I was using before, but it is still not working. When I turn it on all I get is a little bit of a hissing noise that usually lasts a few seconds before stopping.
Anyone know how I can fix this?
Thanks!
CarlosSpiceyWeiner
Well-Known Member
tripps said:
You can try filling and empying your iolite 2 or 3 times with a better butane. Iolite prefers a 5 times refined butane. Which basically means that the more refined butane has been filtered more so it has less particles in it that can clog things up. If that doesn't work. You can always send it back to Iolite for a replacement if you are still under the 2 year warranty.
OF
Well-Known Member
tripps said:
This is based on my understanding of what's up, I've never personally had one fail from low grade fuel, although in my ignorance I did foul my first some and made it erratic in operation, which I finally cleared.
What I think is at play is stuff dissolved in the fuel, contamination. As I understand solids are not the issue as there's a filter inside that should trap them. So, think about the minerals dissolved in tap water. If the water evaporates, the minerals are left behind. Likewise, the butane that evaporates inside the unit can leave the junk behind at that point. Not much junk needs to be there if over time lots of it ends up at the critical orifice that meters flow choking it off. That's what I think you have going for you. The cure is to flush fresh (clean) solvent. through it. As long as there's still some flow, we have a chance.
First, dump all the contaminated fuel (use a pin on the valve). Fill and dump again with the recommended fuel a time or two. Don't be shy. Then fill it up and open the feed valve and set it outside to vent down over time without burning (no heat). Hopefully, the pure butane will dissolve the junk at the critical point enough to flush it through the critical part. That's what happened I think in my case. My sputtering unit straightened up and has done fine since. It took several hours to empty at first (it would stop, sometimes sputter on it's own, I'd just let it run on the patio).
Good luck, as you know the units are a joy when they work well.
OF
OF
Well-Known Member
MrNorml said:
Interesting point. From one perspective, however, you could consider the device somewhat expendable. Nobody expects their new car to last 300,000 miles (least ways nobody I know), much as we'd like it. One might say you roast many thousands of dollars through a heavily used $150 tool before you trade it in? With this thought in mind, I bought a spare unit when I fouled my first with low grade fuel and it became erratic (since cured). FWIW, I now use the standby unit as it's white (cheapest one I could find, kinda grew on me) and lights every time without fail (at least thus far, and I too use it a fair bit).
That makes two units I personally own without issues out of the box. I've also bought 3 more for friends, none of those have had any issues either (they each came with a first can of Vector), two of the owners are also heavy users. There have also been a fair number of posters with early problems that later turned out to be fuel related (either poor grade or new owners unable to get good fills) and rapidly (and often quietly) went away. I think new buyers should not be scared off by what they read. IMO the vast majority seem to work just fine when properly used.
As a suggestion for new owners, get and use a scale. Empty my units weigh about 80 grams (varies a bit), and will hold a bit over 3 grams of fuel when full. I start out by weighing the empty unit and fill until it's 3 grams heavier. Then you know it's full. It also works out as a check as I use it. I run two bowls per fill, checking the weight when I change bowls to be sure there's still at least 1.5 grams of fuel left.
Another point to consider is butane pressure depends on temperature. Get it cool (even in the forties and you loose practical pressure which is why LP gas has propane mixed into it (so you can light your heater when it's cold). Like other such systems, charging it cools the fuel. If you don't do as instructed and let it warm up you're probably going to have problems.
Sorry to ramble, I hope there's some useful (or at least amusing) stuff there for you?
OF
CarlosSpiceyWeiner
Well-Known Member
crystal said:
I usually pack 2 bowls before i need to refill. Each bowl for me lasts about 20 minutes.
OF
Well-Known Member
crystal said:
I load two bowls before 'tanking up', although I often check for at least 1.5 grams of gas left when loading the second. I generally get two sessions from each bowl (about 125 mg of bud and 50 mg or maybe even a more bubble hash typically) of 15 or so minutes each.
I've also tested a couple of times, the unit really will run two full hours at a stretch if you're not hitting it. Drawing cold air in as you hit it uses more gas to hold temperature (heater cycles back on sooner).
OF
CarlosSpiceyWeiner
Well-Known Member
OF said:
You are very scientific about this. Thank you for taking the time to test.
OF
Well-Known Member
CarlosSpiceyWeiner said:
Thank you. The result of a misspent youth and hanging with way too many scientists afterward. At this point, I really can't help myself......
You're welcome for the information, I'm happy to contribute. Fer sure I've benefited from other guys here 'bouts.
OF
CarlosSpiceyWeiner
Well-Known Member
Yes, i have learned alot since i have been a member of FC.
CarlosSpiceyWeiner
Well-Known Member
tripps said:OF said:
Thanks a bunch man! That did the trick! Really appreciate it! It is now working as well as when I first bought it
I'm glad that worked for you. Just remember to keep using high quality butane.
MrNorml
Well-Known Member
WatTyler said:Last christmas I was walking down the street having just met up some old friends and had clicked my Iolite on in my jacket pocket. I hadn't hit it yet and was just giving it a few minutes to get up to temp. In the wide open air one, and not knowing I had my Iolite, one friend smelled something and thought that I had lit a joint or somethingand when I explained my Iolite he proceeded to tell me that it stank of weed, and to watch out if the police walked by!!! Outdoors! I had thought I was safe
I paid attention after that, and I think it's just the smell that comes from a conduction style vape- a baked weed smell. It only occurs with a fresh bowl though, and dissipates after the first couple of minutes. It's not as significant as my mate was claiming IMO- smells like baked weed, rather than burnt, and not really enough to need to worry about cops walking by. But there's no doubt in my mind that he smelt it and obviously smelt it strongly enough to comment. I've kind of noticed similar with my Solo occasionally when the stem first goes in, but notr as pronounced as I have smelled with the IO. I wondered if the long thin Iolite mouthpiece acts more like a chimney somehow and draws a tiny bit of airflow enough to release the scent a little bit more? I dunno.
I have put my Iolite into a 'big-gulp' type cup, use the straw connected to the mouthpiece and thru the hole, and I cannot conceive of a more 'private' device. But I know that if I carry it in my pocket there is a smell. Not much, but some. I would have to imagine even a MFLB carries some smell while in operation. (I rarely smell much of anything it seems, so I can't say for sure.) Try the 'inside cup, cut straw attached' but remember you're in public and that may make it illegal even if you are legal. Or tell the people asking about it that it is a portable oxygen generation device (seriously, people buy that) and look at them weird if they ask about smells. Treat it like a medical device and let them know that's what it is.
OF
Well-Known Member
tripps said:Thanks a bunch man! That did the trick! Really appreciate it! It is now working as well as when I first bought it
Yer very welcome, Bro. A bit of 'payback' to the forum for all the good advice I've been given by others.
Soon it will be your chance to help the new guys along....if we play our cards right.
Try the optimiser, keep an eye on the gas charge level and use the good stuff and you'll be smiling.......
And consider a bit of 'spiking' the load with bubble hash in a layer in the middle. I like .05 gram or so, keeps the flavor and potency up. Gotta keep yer potency up, you know.
Best wishes in the new year.
OF