Crafty/Crafty+ by Storz & Bickel

El Barto

El Barto

Well-Known Member
Just spoke to S&B & wanted to share two items that might be helpful or of interest to others. I had originally emailed them about overheating problems on January 2nd and they never replied which is why I called today. First, they said that overheating constantly, even at temperatures lower than max, is normal for the Crafty. For me, the constant overheating has made the Crafty pretty hard to use. Not using it nearly as much because I can't get through a single session without the unit overheating. I can say for certain that when I got it, my Crafty could get through an entire session on max temp without any problem. Wouldn't overheat until the second back-to-back session. Now, this thing overheats on every session. Made this very clear to S&B. Was surprised & disappointed to hear that S&B considers this performance to be normal. It is not consistent with my prior Crafty experience or customer service experiences.

Also, I asked about Android and the remaining compatibility issues. For example, my Nexus 5 will not connect. S&B says that a software solution is still in the works and on the way. They have no idea when that will be because they are waiting on a third party which struck me as an odd answer. Also worth noting, however, that some members were asked to send their units in to fix the bluetooth issue and I was told a software fix is coming. Maybe they've figured out how to do a firmware update through the app. No idea.

All in all, I found it to be a rather weak customer service performance from S&B.
 
El Barto,
  • Like
Reactions: darkrom
oli

oli

Well-Known Member
I use the E-mod 90% of the time while in DAhouse, and I wonder if leaving the Crafty upside down while it heats is such a good idea, since some of the vapor while warming up will find its way through the little holes, and into the air passage :( ???
 
oli,
DorianGray

DorianGray

Well-Known Member
my crafty completes my trifecta

crafty_trio.jpg
 
Sasquatch_Jr

Sasquatch_Jr

Well-Known Member
El Barto said:
Just spoke to S&B & wanted to share two items that might be helpful or of interest to others. I had originally emailed them about overheating problems on January 2nd and they never replied which is why I called today. First, they said that overheating constantly, even at temperatures lower than max, is normal for the Crafty. For me, the constant overheating has made the Crafty pretty hard to use. Not using it nearly as much because I can't get through a single session without the unit overheating. I can say for certain that when I got it, my Crafty could get through an entire session on max temp without any problem. Wouldn't overheat until the second back-to-back session. Now, this thing overheats on every session. Made this very clear to S&B. Was surprised & disappointed to hear that S&B considers this performance to be normal. It is not consistent with my prior Crafty experience or customer service experiences.

Also, I asked about Android and the remaining compatibility issues. For example, my Nexus 5 will not connect. S&B says that a software solution is still in the works and on the way. They have no idea when that will be because they are waiting on a third party which struck me as an odd answer. Also worth noting, however, that some members were asked to send their units in to fix the bluetooth issue and I was told a software fix is coming. Maybe they've figured out how to do a firmware update through the app. No idea.

All in all, I found it to be a rather weak customer service performance from S&B.
Click to expand...

Strings in the iOS app's metadata and a decompiled Android app show that GIGATRONIK Mobile Solutions GmbH is developing the apps for S&B. Perhaps someone should follow up with them on an Android 5 release date. :brow:

Outsourcing such a core component of their product seems like a terrible move IMO. It's one thing for Disneyland to outsource a smartphone app for exploring the park, quite another for a hardware company with a device that only works with a smartphone app to outsource.

I also find the "mail in your device for a firmware upgrade" to be a strange solution to the Android 5 problem. The device already emits standard BTLE signals. I'm not familiar with Android from a development perspective but I would imagine it is able to read standard BTLE signals as well. I'd be curious to know if anyone with an Android 5 phone can get it to show up in a BT sniffer such as BLE Scanner.

FWIW I used similar tools on both OS X and iOS to reverse engineer the Crafty to create VapeLog. VapeLog itself is built on top of Apple's standard Bluetooth library, nothing special about it. It looks like on Android Gigatronik is using a custom bluetooth library. I wonder if this is the issue.

In case anyone is interested I posted a decompiled version of the Android app for your enjoyment. Crafty Decompiled
 
Last edited:
nappymac

nappymac

New Member
my crafty died today:cry::rip: the power button no longer makes the usual clicking sound when pressed and does not power up the unit. i was up to fifty hours no problems. i sent it out today. i did a quick clean before i brought it to the post. does anyone know how s&b will react if the unit still smells like flower? hopefully the warranty covers the repair. it hasn't even been a day and i miss my crafty so much.:ugh: hopefully this will end well.
 
Astedra

Astedra

Well-Known Member
Part of the Crafty broke off, but unit still functional. The part where the colling unit locks into the main unit on the heating chamber side. It locks on 2 sides, so the other sides still holds it on. I will have it sent in eventually. I'm just dissapointed a litle bit, that Storz and Bickel would use so much plastic and the heat sink design has parts braking off easily. The plastic is so thin where the cooling unit locks on that it just doesn't fill me with confidence. Other then the plastic I think it's a great device, get big clouds of vapour. Still it broke after less then a month of use.
 
Astedra,
  • Like
Reactions: t-dub
t-dub

t-dub

Vapor Sloth
nappymac said:
hopefully this will end well.
Click to expand...
@nappymac - Thats obviously warranty and you should receive a new one pending S&B's review of documentation and condition of the device.
Astedra said:
I'm just dissapointed a litle bit, that Storz and Bickel would use so much plastic and the heat sink design has parts braking off easily. The plastic is so thin where the cooling unit locks on that it just doesn't fill me with confidence.
Click to expand...
@Astedra My first one did the same thing. Fortunately the replacement seems slightly more robust. These things get molded in batches with outliers on either end of the process. I had several "fins" break off before the larger failure occurred.
 
Last edited:
jdee

jdee

Well-Known Member
El Barto said:
Just spoke to S&B & wanted to share two items that might be helpful or of interest to others. I had originally emailed them about overheating problems on January 2nd and they never replied which is why I called today. First, they said that overheating constantly, even at temperatures lower than max, is normal for the Crafty. For me, the constant overheating has made the Crafty pretty hard to use. Not using it nearly as much because I can't get through a single session without the unit overheating. I can say for certain that when I got it, my Crafty could get through an entire session on max temp without any problem. Wouldn't overheat until the second back-to-back session. Now, this thing overheats on every session. Made this very clear to S&B. Was surprised & disappointed to hear that S&B considers this performance to be normal. It is not consistent with my prior Crafty experience or customer service experiences.

Also, I asked about Android and the remaining compatibility issues. For example, my Nexus 5 will not connect. S&B says that a software solution is still in the works and on the way. They have no idea when that will be because they are waiting on a third party which struck me as an odd answer. Also worth noting, however, that some members were asked to send their units in to fix the bluetooth issue and I was told a software fix is coming. Maybe they've figured out how to do a firmware update through the app. No idea.

All in all, I found it to be a rather weak customer service performance from S&B.
Click to expand...


The PT100 temperature sensor is shrink wrapped to the battery. As Li-Ion batteries age they run warmer as a result of rising internal resistance due to usage. Since the microcontroller has min and max temp limits as defined by the battery manufacturer, for this issue to be addressed would require S&B to change the operating temp limits going outside of manufacturer recommended specs. This could potentially reduce the lifespan of the battery, although these cells can really take a lot of abuse, so I wouldn't be too worried even if S&B told me on the phone to worry. The only issue is the non user replaceable battery.

If you enjoy breaking things and voiding warranties you can always remove the sticker, unscrew the case, slice open the battery wrapping without cutting the sensor, place sensor away from hot battery.
 
darkrom

darkrom

Great Scott!
Sasquatch_Jr said:
Strings in the iOS app's metadata and a decompiled Android app show that GIGATRONIK Mobile Solutions GmbH is developing the apps for S&B. Perhaps someone should follow up with them on an Android 5 release date. :brow:

Outsourcing such a core component of their product seems like a terrible move IMO. It's one thing for Disneyland to outsource a smartphone app for exploring the park, quite another for a hardware company with a device that only works with a smartphone app to outsource.

I also find the "mail in your device for a firmware upgrade" to be a strange solution to the Android 5 problem. The device already emits standard BTLE signals. I'm not familiar with Android from a development perspective but I would imagine it is able to read standard BTLE signals as well. I'd be curious to know if anyone with an Android 5 phone can get it to show up in a BT sniffer such as BLE Scanner.

FWIW I used similar tools on both OS X and iOS to reverse engineer the Crafty to create VapeLog. VapeLog itself is built on top of Apple's standard Bluetooth library, nothing special about it. It looks like on Android Gigatronik is using a custom bluetooth library. I wonder if this is the issue.

In case anyone is interested I posted a decompiled version of the Android app for your enjoyment. Crafty Decompiled
Click to expand...


BLE Scanner picks it up right away, but after trying to connect just says disconnected.
 
darkrom,
  • Like
Reactions: El Barto
D

DMPesso

Well-Known Member
El Barto said:
Just spoke to S&B & wanted to share two items that might be helpful or of interest to others. I had originally emailed them about overheating problems on January 2nd and they never replied which is why I called today. First, they said that overheating constantly, even at temperatures lower than max, is normal for the Crafty. For me, the constant overheating has made the Crafty pretty hard to use. Not using it nearly as much because I can't get through a single session without the unit overheating. I can say for certain that when I got it, my Crafty could get through an entire session on max temp without any problem. Wouldn't overheat until the second back-to-back session. Now, this thing overheats on every session. Made this very clear to S&B. Was surprised & disappointed to hear that S&B considers this performance to be normal. It is not consistent with my prior Crafty experience or customer service experiences.

Also, I asked about Android and the remaining compatibility issues. For example, my Nexus 5 will not connect. S&B says that a software solution is still in the works and on the way. They have no idea when that will be because they are waiting on a third party which struck me as an odd answer. Also worth noting, however, that some members were asked to send their units in to fix the bluetooth issue and I was told a software fix is coming. Maybe they've figured out how to do a firmware update through the app. No idea.

All in all, I found it to be a rather weak customer service performance from S&B.
Click to expand...

If your crafty is turning off and not from the auto shutoff in one session that's definitely defective. I go through a whole session max temp all the time. So do many people here, unless your stuffing the thing which reduces air flow and makes sessions long but no way is this normal. I'm starting to really get annoyed with their USA customer service. I think they hired a bunch of idiots that just don't give a fuck
 
DorianGray

DorianGray

Well-Known Member
wow. I always vape at max temp, hearing that it's crapping out for a lot of you guys is disheartening. I hope the crafty doesn't turn into the crappy :/
 
DorianGray,
D

DMPesso

Well-Known Member
squidder3 said:
Mine is dying every session now as well. I tried at 385f and it still overheated and died. It's frustrating, to say the least.
Click to expand...

Wow wtf. And how many hours do you have on yours and what number is it? There is NO way they can tell you this is normal when it never did that. They should definitely be replacing it. Call them again if you can get them to answer and tell them how is this normal it never turned off before from overheating in one session. That's completely unacceptable!
 
DMPesso,
elmomuzz

elmomuzz

That just happened...
Is it actually overheating i.e. getting really hot or is is just reporting that it's overheating?

I have not had any problems from my crafty but I don't use it very hard. Maybe one bowl a day or two. I use my mighty everyday. I'm thinking those of you using the crafty as your main device should have gotten a mighty? It might seem like the only advantage is it has two batteries so twice the capacity but that also allows the batteries to only work half as hard. So they ultimately last longer and run cooler.
 
elmomuzz,
  • Like
Reactions: darkrom
T

tripleg

Well-Known Member
I'm wondering how often everyone clean their crafty?

I noticed that once is starts getting too dirty it requires higher and higher temps to get the same clouds/effect. Then once I clean it, it works just like before. I use my unit as a daily driver currently (will be switching as it's not really meant from that) and I find I have to clean it at least once a week and even then the top piece get so sticky (from resin I guess?) that it's hard to pull apart.

I'm just wondering if this is just the way it is or if there's anything I can do to improve experience.

Also do mighty users experience the same? I am torn between volcano and mighty for my daily driver needs.
 
tripleg,
Mangos

Mangos

Well-Known Member
tripleg said:
I'm wondering how often everyone clean their crafty?

I noticed that once is starts getting too dirty it requires higher and higher temps to get the same clouds/effect. Then once I clean it, it works just like before. I use my unit as a daily driver currently (will be switching as it's not really meant from that) and I find I have to clean it at least once a week and even then the top piece get so sticky (from resin I guess?) that it's hard to pull apart.

I'm just wondering if this is just the way it is or if there's anything I can do to improve experience.

Also do mighty users experience the same? I am torn between volcano and mighty for my daily driver needs.
Click to expand...
Hey I noticed the same thing. I have to clean mine every few days as I have been using mine as my daily driver now, starting to see its not meant for that. Changing to the fine screen for the cooling chamber increases the draw resistance quite a bit IMO. Even using the liquid pad with coarser material still left me needing to clean the CC after a couple of days. Vaporcritic had it right when he said that this thing needs to be cleaned every dozen sessions.
 
Mangos,
D

DMPesso

Well-Known Member
elmomuzz said:
Is it actually overheating i.e. getting really hot or is is just reporting that it's overheating?

I have not had any problems from my crafty but I don't use it very hard. Maybe one bowl a day or two. I use my mighty everyday. I'm thinking those of you using the crafty as your main device should have gotten a mighty? It might seem like the only advantage is it has two batteries so twice the capacity but that also allows the batteries to only work half as hard. So they ultimately last longer and run cooler.
Click to expand...

Yes im thinking these guys are just vaping the entire time with the app connected and it's just saying overheating but really it's not (at least we all hope that's what's happening). It's not meant for that. That would explain them telling you its normal. On the other hand if it's literally SHUTTING off because it gets too hot and won't turn back on from ONE session. That would be completely unacceptable by any means for them to say this is normal. Then we all might have to worry for the future of our craftys! Also what the other guy said if your herb chamber or CU is very dirty it can maybe make it over heat as well.


On a side note - what's the best way to clean the herb chamber just wipe it with a 420 wipe or q tip with 99% ISO then do a dry run? What about the actual oven after I remove the screen? Do I use ISO on that as well eventually? Or just replace the screen and brush it off?
 
DMPesso,
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom