I received my Magic Flight Launch Box yesterday. I am a new vaporist-- only used my brother's Da Buddha until I got my own a few weeks ago. It was faulty and I sent it back to 7th Floor for repair. The DBV is amazing but I wanted a portable (especially so I wouldn't have to go back to combustion while waiting for DBV), so I ordered the Launch Box after seriously debating between it and the Vapor Genie.
I know everyone says this, but the LB really is very, very small. I believe that no matter how many comparative pictures/videos you see, you really cannot appreciate how small it is until you hold it in your own hand. Stealth factor number one.
Design-wise, it is most impressive. I don't think more than a couple improvements could be made without compromising the stealth and simplicity of this vape. It is also very aesthetically pleasing to me. And at a glance it does not resemble paraphernalia at all. Definite advantage over the VG. The glass plate cover is wonderful. I love shaking the box between hits. Better than stirring any day.
Some might say it is so simple as not to merit the cost, but you have to look at the whole picture. It is a proven-to-work vape, made by people just like you, that is backed by a lifetime warranty (for Box AND accessories), and it comes with a LOT of extra stuff. You know there's got to be something to a vaporizer that has 117 pages of people (including me, now) positively deluging it with praise. (Thanks to all of you, by the way. Thank you very, very much.)
It seems that for most people (me included), the short battery life is the only issue causing hesitation when considering the LB. Let me tell you that ANY qualms you had about the batteries are gone once you realize you can use it almost anywhere. This is not true for the VG. People will notice if you are holding a torch lighter to a pipe on the street in the middle of the day. This also makes it infinitely better for car use. No way would I want to attempt hitting a VG while driving. Particularly a manual.
I know that this is different for everyone, but I personally have found that so far, the batteries last much longer than most people say they do. I bought eight extra Sanyo Eneloop batteries (which I now think is too many, but can't hurt to have extras), figuring that they were the ones that came with the Launch Box and Magic-Flight wouldn't steer me wrong. The Eneloops have performed beyond my expectations; I have used one battery for 3-4 trenches between 3-4 people.
Now, like I said, everyone uses it diffently. I don't fill the trench all the way--maybe 1/3 to 1/2 full. I grind the herb finely. On the first fire-up I push the battery in completely and wait about 4 seconds. That's when I usually see vapor. Then I inhale. I prefer to hit the box native. I generally take shorter inhales, 7-10 seconds. Sometimes more or less. I pull out the battery JUST BEFORE I'm finished hitting the box. And I shake between almost every hit.
As I told my friends, unless it is the first hit, the battery should NOT be connected all the way if the Box is not at your mouth. Otherwise it is a waste of herb and battery life. My best friend is particularly guilty of this; she is notorious for chilling on bowls and I caught her a couple times taking the box away from her mouth to say something in between hitting it. As a result, she charred the edges of the herb once or twice. If you have any friends that are like this and plan to share your LB with them (everyone should share!), educate them thoroughly on proper use; you will thank yourself later.
I find the LB to be incredibly efficient, getting many hits out of each load using very nice medicinal herb brought in from California. Sorry but I don't count hits--no fun.
To summarize, I will say what I told someone who was considering the LB in the chatroom last night: I think you would be hard pressed to find a Magic Flight Launch Box owner who wouldn't recommend it. And that is high praise indeed.
Plus, if you ever need information, the good people here at Fuck Combustion have asked and answered enough questions to fill a book with. Thank you all and thank you Magic Flight for your inspiration, dedication and commitment to making this product and answering our questions.
You are what you vape!
Edit: Please don't take my comments about the VG the wrong way--I have used one and it's also great, just not as stealthy as the LB. I'll probably even have a VG bat within the next 6 months. It does have its niche, like any vaporizer.
I find a desk lamp or reading lamp works the best.
