Discontinued The Firefly Vaporizer

mitchgo61 said:

I am a little mystified by the variety and disparity of FF experiences here. In fact, the FF *is* capable of that kind of draw speed. I find I have to draw faster than every other portable vape I've used in order to pull big hits from the FF. Slow hits just do not yield good results. I really think that if you are experiencing anything other than moderate resistance (certainly way less than the Solo) something isn't quite right. Just my 2 cents. (Again make sure all the vents are free of obstruction...same with the five holes on the steel plate on the bottom of the bowl; hold the heat button down while the bowl is empty and make sure the holes are all unblocked.)

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The bowl is currently occupied, but I'll have a look later.

I'm really tempted to send it back for inspection/repair. Maybe there is a degree of variation in the tolerances.

marduk said:

I've had two Fireflys. The draw on the first one was much more restricted than the current one, which I have been using for over 2 months.

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Mrbinky said:

I'm really tempted to send it back for inspection/repair. Maybe there is a degree of variation in the tolerances.

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Based on Marduk's experience you may be right. I haven't noticed any draw differences in the FFs I've used, but obviously there've been other noticeable variances.

Mrbinky said:

I'm really tempted to send it back for inspection/repair. Maybe there is a degree of variation in the tolerances.

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Check out the air path right around the heater element in the teardown pics a few pages back. You'll see that if the tolerance is off in that area and the small air exit holes are compromised, the draw will be affected. I just happened to get lucky by exchanging my FF for an unrelated issue. Otherwise I wouldn't have known that I didn't have to live with a restricted draw.

With my first unit, I did get great vapor even though the draw was more restricted than I wanted, so your issue might be totally different. Even so, I would send it in and get a definitive answer from the FF folks. If you don't, you'll always be wondering if things could be better.

vapin baby boomer said:

If you look back on this thread you will find several others who started out exactly like you: Disappointed. Those same posters perfected their technique and now swear by the Firefly. Go back and look at Wildchild's posts.

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Well, I can certainly see where improvements are needed but it has grown on me somewhat. If I want an effortless session, however, I reach for something like the Solo.

I've had the opportunity to open up two FFs now. The ceramic housing surrounding the heating coil was installed improperly on one (the notches didn't line up and it was crooked). Once I fixed that, the airflow became a lot better for my friend and she is finding it easier to coax vapor out of it.

I believe there are slight assembly variences causing the differences. Made in China!

So, Easter commemorates when Jesus hid eggs for the disciples to find, and then he turned all the rabbits into chocolate, right?

WildChild said:

Well, I can certainly see where improvements are needed but it has grown on me somewhat. If I want an effortless session, however, I reach for something like the Solo.

I've had the opportunity to open up two FFs now. The ceramic housing surrounding the heating coil was installed improperly on one (the notches didn't line up and it was crooked). Once I fixed that, the airflow became a lot better for my friend and she is finding it easier to coax vapor out of it.

I believe there are slight assembly variences causing the differences. Made in China!

So, Easter commemorates when Jesus hid eggs for the disciples to find, and then he turned all the rabbits into chocolate, right?

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I carefully unscrewed my firefly, and discovered that there was a twig stuck in one of the holes of the steel plate beneath the screen. No idea how long it was there, or why it never burned up.

I also noticed that the heating coil was not flat. One part of the loop was raised. I wonder if that's why I experienced scorching sometimes?

Anyway, after removing the twig, I noticed it was drawing a bit better. Still could be faster, but I can live with it.

Mrbinky said:

I carefully unscrewed my firefly, and discovered that there was a twig stuck in one of the holes of the steel plate beneath the screen. No idea how long it was there, or why it never burned up.

I also noticed that the heating coil was not flat. One part of the loop was raised. I wonder if that's why I experienced scorching sometimes?

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Maybe. But maybe it's exactly where it's supposed to be. There is like zero tolerance with the coil...any movement could break it or render it too hot or cool. And will definitely void the warranty. If you still aren't happy, send it back...that's why you have a five year warranty. Personally I wouldn't mess with the coil, even a little.

mitchgo61 said:

Maybe. But maybe it's exactly where it's supposed to be. There is like zero tolerance with the coil...any movement could break it or render it too hot or cool. And will definitely void the warranty. If you still aren't happy, send it back...that's why you have a five year warranty. Personally I wouldn't mess with the coil, even a little.

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Good advice, particularly if you value your warantee and/or don't know what you are doing.

Moving the coil less than 1mm can make a big difference...good or bad. Mine was crooked too until I straightened it. Even, dark ABV now.

WildChild said:

Good advice, particularly if you value your warantee and/or don't know what you are doing.

Moving the coil less than 1mm can make a big difference...good or bad. Mine was crooked too until I straightened it. Even, dark ABV now.

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Anyway, it hasn't scorched my bud lately. Seems to be working better.

Hi guys, completely new to this forum, and vaporising in general actually.

I've been interested in vaporisers for quite some time now, but was out of the country for a few months. (And I have no intention of travelling with a used vape )

Anyway, I've gone through all the reviews and everything, and have decided that the Firefly is the vaporiser for me. It ticks every box I want.

There's just one big issue. I cannot find out how to purchase one in Australia. The official Firefly website has no shipping options to Australia, and neither does Vapeworld. None of the three vaporiser stores in Australia stock the Firefly yet, australianvaporizers.com has only just stocked the Ploom Pax. (Which is my second choice, but I really hate drag resistance)

I saw some on ebay a few months ago back in NZ, but the timing was wrong. Now there are only accessories.

Anyone got any ideas on how I can find one?

I'm a bit leery of just googling "vaporiser store" and ordering from one of them. So if there are a few different reputable ones, let me know.

Arkase said:

I'm a bit leery of just googling "vaporiser store" and ordering from one of them. So if there are a few different reputable ones, let me know.

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FuckCombustion Supporting Retailers (a List)

Number 3 just gave up. On third draw, no heat. Inicator light works fine, tried both batteries with no luck. Seems they have changed their return policy...7-10 days before I'll know weather it's repaired or replaced. Guess this is why I'm waiting to buy another for back up. Thank you FC for letting me know about the Lotus. Now that's a real back up that needs no back up, just gas.

steama said:

Number 3 (I went 6 with Cera before giving-up)? Now that is ridiculous. I would be ready to walk away and sell my new Firefly at that point after going through it before myself with the Cera. Good luck buddy.

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Yeah you should ask for some special treatment after that headache. Tell FF you want a new one overnighted to you...that's about the only way they can compensate you for the grief of three dead units.

steama said:

Number 3 (I went 6 with Cera before giving-up)? Now that is ridiculous. I would be ready to walk away and sell my new Firefly at that point after going through it before. Good luck buddy.

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It's been a wile, thanks for the support. I'm real dissappointed with the new return policy. It get's expensive having to drive to shipping facility. I've gotten over 100 miles total so far just returning these things. Everyone is different, one way or another.

mitchgo61 said:

Yeah you should ask for some special treatment after that headache. Tell FF you want a new one overnighted to you...that's about the only way they can compensate you for the grief of three dead units.

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Shelby is who I am in contact with, is there someone else I should speak with?

darkrom said:

...Any issues with throwing dry sift hash in this thing as is?...

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Many years ago I was in Germany when we had access to sift hash but nothing really suitable for smoking it. My preferred method was to take teabag tea, mix it with the hash, and then keep it in a tobacco pouch and smoke it in an ordinary pipe. I would imagine that mixing tea with hash would be a workable method of vaping hash with the Firefly.

steama said:

They must be having a return problem thus the change in policy.

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I would say they have an issue with returns. This will be my fourth time, calling them, cleaning, packaging, driving, shipping, waiting without medical device. I did get the trusty Lotus thanks to you here on FC, thank you for steering me in the correct direction.

Vinman said:

Many years ago I was in Germany when we had access to sift hash but nothing really suitable for smoking it. My preferred method was to take teabag tea, mix it with the hash, and then keep it in a tobacco pouch and smoke it in an ordinary pipe. I would imagine that mixing tea with hash would be a workable method of vaping hash with the Firefly.

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I "liked" your post for the spirit with which it was given.
Some in Europe do the same with Tobacco... I am glad you skipped over this method.
This brings to my mind a thought.
Vaping other herbs...
A few years ago I did a project with other herbs. I wrote some about it at http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/the-ethnobotanical-thread.148/page-6#post-31051
That was in early 2011. Here these days, discussion of vaping other herbs has become a popular habit to embrace, at least in discussion.
I enjoyed some of the herbs I vaped, and none were harmful (spearmint made me want to pee!)
why not use the fresh dried herb of your liking to vape the sift hash?
I get concentrates of every origin... and you know that some,of these chemically extracted hashes etc. become pretty messy to vape.
Viman has given me a new idea... I will try using ground spearmint or chamomile to act as base to vaporize the messier projects that I get my hands on.
Thanks for the reminder @Vinman

mckeen said:

It's been a wile, thanks for the support. I'm real dissappointed with the new return policy. It get's expensive having to drive to shipping facility. I've gotten over 100 miles total so far just returning these things. Everyone is different, one way or another.

Shelby is who I am in contact with, is there someone else I should speak with?

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Shelby should be the one. If this were me I'd express frustration at three failed devices and ask her nicely if there's any way they could speed a replacement to you and you'll send the old one back ASAP. I think it's the least they can do for your troubles and to ensure your future loyalty as an FF customer. Good luck!

I own and use both the FF and PAX daily and I was just thinking this might be helpful to those on the fence as to which is superior. The answer is they are both superior. Probably not the answer you want to hear but the truth is I would re-purchase both if I had to choose. My rationale is fairly straight forward: It revolves around the differences between conduction (PAX) and convection (FF) and mobility.

EDITED TO ADD: (I generally will not take the FF on the go. I reach for the PAX for that so if you are thinking about mobility and that is your deciding factor I would choose the PAX personally. )

I reach for the FF when I want immediacy and I reach for the PAX when I have more time. My thinking is rather simple. If I am going to only take a toke or two I will reach for the FF since it's "on demand vaping" meaning I only expend what I consume whereas the PAX bakes the material in about a minute. Once the herb is baked I feel like I need to complete the chamber (which is also larger than the FF) as to not waste material.

Also, contrary to others I find the PAX to be superior in flavor and I am guessing that has to do with conduction over convection. I know this is controversial, but having used both daily and for a while I think the PAX produces superior flavor profiles and I attribute that to conduction. It is rare for me to look at the FF post toke and think Wow that was super flavorful like I do with the PAX. I do get some flavorful hits but not as pronounced as the PAX. But again, nothing compares to the speed of the FF. Both produce nice robust clouds and both provide clear medicated results, and while I see that both are superior in some ways and inferior in others I can't imagine having one without the other. Probably not what you want to hear if you are trying to decide. Maybe sharing this will help you narrow in on what you prefer.

I have several vaporizers and sometimes it depends on what mood I'm in as to what unit I use. It's always good to have options. You definitely need a back up vape. Fuckcombustion

mckeen said:

Number 3 just gave up. On third draw, no heat. Inicator light works fine, tried both batteries with no luck. Seems they have changed their return policy...7-10 days before I'll know weather it's repaired or replaced. Guess this is why I'm waiting to buy another for back up. Thank you FC for letting me know about the Lotus. Now that's a real back up that needs no back up, just gas.

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Well thats really disappointing...so is that 7-10 days from when they receive it, then they let you know if its going to be replaced or repaired? So that means 2-3 days to get to them, 7-10 days for them to decide whats gonna happen, then if its gonna be repaired even more time before then send it back and another 2-3 days of waiting?

Or am i mistaken?

Had i known that i wouldnt still have one, that is far different from what i experienced in the past with my past 2 warranty claims.

Perhaps it is a case of "under promise, over deliver."

Sucks to hear about you guys with a series of faulty units. Mine is still going strong and it's been on some adventures...

steama said:

Why the Firefly then? It has a restrictive draw/drag. Some may even call it work (like me).

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Yeah, but the Pax is wayyy more restricted in terms of draw speed. Don't get me wrong, the Pax's draw method gives great results.. but for someone looking to be able to directly inhale at a moderate speed, the FF lets you pull pretty hard. I agree with you though, it does make your lungs work a bit.

CarolKing said:

I have several vaporizers and sometimes it depends on what mood I'm in as to what unit I use. It's always good to have options. You definitely need a back up vape. Fuckcombustion

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Seriously. Walking around life with just one vape is nuts!

EveryDayAmnesiac said:

Perhaps it is a case of "under promise, over deliver."

Sucks to hear about you guys with a series of faulty units. Mine is still going strong and it's been on some adventures...

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I suspect there are more stories like yours than not. Personally I have no issues with first gen problems as long as customer service stays stellar. The proper reaction to "too many returns" is a more liberal return policy, not a more restrictive one.

euph0ric1 said:

Yeah, but the Pax is wayyy more restricted in terms of draw speed. Don't get me wrong, the Pax's draw method gives great results.. but for someone looking to be able to directly inhale at a moderate speed, the FF lets you pull pretty hard. I agree with you though, it does make your lungs work a bit.

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It so interesting all our variable experiences. I recall approaching the FF with a slower draw technique similar to my experience with the MFLB and it caused combustion. Once I upped my draw speed it produces the desired results I was looking for. The draw resistance of the PAX in my mind is about 2-3 times more resistant than the FF.

mitchgo61 said:

Shelby should be the one. If this were me I'd express frustration at three failed devices and ask her nicely if there's any way they could speed a replacement to you and you'll send the old one back ASAP. I think it's the least they can do for your troubles and to ensure your future loyalty as an FF customer. Good luck!

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Thank you, I just sent them my past emails correspondences and she called and they are taking better care of me. Thank you.

"Also, contrary to others I find the PAX to be superior in flavor and I am guessing that has to do with conduction over convection. I know this is controversial, but having used both daily and for a while I think the PAX produces superior flavor profiles and I attribute that to conduction. It is rare for me to look at the FF post toke and think Wow that was super flavorful like I do with the PAX."

Had to drop off my 2cents. Using the Pax is definatley for the road, but the flavor for me is terrible. I run only on low temperature becuase the higher temps hurt my throat...bad. After a couple nice hits the irratation starts. The Firefly on the other hand, does not hurt my lungs or throat at all. I enjoy the cooling effect of that chrome plate. Flavor is a matter of opinion of course. I use them both every day, well once I get a working FF.