I have had really bad luck with Vaporbrothers vapes.
I've purchased two now:
* First one worked fine for about two years and then one day just wouldn't heat any more. Lights up the special effects lighting but the heating element never gets hot. It was the "Original Flavor" model. I tossed it in the dumpster and went back to a local shop for another.
* Second one worked fine for about 9 months and was reliable and fantastic as expected. Then one day, same thing -- lights up but the heating element never gets hot. This was a glass-on-glass hands-free "New School" model. I wrote them an email and they offered to replace it but I was too skittish about mailing shit around.
Is there by any chance a known issue with these vaporizers and an inexpensive way I could repair this myself? I'm not an electrical engineer or anything so I'm not interested in a complex or dangerous procedure.
If not, is there a guide to effective cleaning? I doubt they'd entertain taking it back still because it's been dead in my closet for over a year now. As an aside, I bought a Vapir that is louder than hell and I hate it.
I'm debating picking up an iOlite or Essential Vaaaape from a different shop but at this point I've blown through USD$700 in vapes, tubing whips, glass and I still don't have a reliable piece of gear that I can count on.
I really want to like the Vapor Brothers because when it works, it's fantastic. I've just had really bad luck I guess?
I've purchased two now:
* First one worked fine for about two years and then one day just wouldn't heat any more. Lights up the special effects lighting but the heating element never gets hot. It was the "Original Flavor" model. I tossed it in the dumpster and went back to a local shop for another.
* Second one worked fine for about 9 months and was reliable and fantastic as expected. Then one day, same thing -- lights up but the heating element never gets hot. This was a glass-on-glass hands-free "New School" model. I wrote them an email and they offered to replace it but I was too skittish about mailing shit around.
Is there by any chance a known issue with these vaporizers and an inexpensive way I could repair this myself? I'm not an electrical engineer or anything so I'm not interested in a complex or dangerous procedure.
If not, is there a guide to effective cleaning? I doubt they'd entertain taking it back still because it's been dead in my closet for over a year now. As an aside, I bought a Vapir that is louder than hell and I hate it.
I'm debating picking up an iOlite or Essential Vaaaape from a different shop but at this point I've blown through USD$700 in vapes, tubing whips, glass and I still don't have a reliable piece of gear that I can count on.
I really want to like the Vapor Brothers because when it works, it's fantastic. I've just had really bad luck I guess?
stinkmeaner
Well-Known Member
pad said:
I would have mailed it in for repair if it were me, you just have to send the unit so the dirty parts like the whip stay with you, all you had to do is clean it and there would be no evidence. Keep in mind the US mail does not check domestic packages unless they have a warrant or extreme reason and with the length of time some of these companies have been in business, you can imagine we would have heard if someone got burned from mailing in a repair.
All that aside, maybe consider getting a vaporizer that you can repair yourself or that uses a lighter for heat like the Supreme or the new Lotus, you would like the Silver Surfer if you liked the Vapor Bro's and they will send you parts to self repair from what I heard.
blackbur
Well-Known Member
pad said:
sounds like in both situations your ceramic heating element blew out. it has happened to me before.
ceramic heating elements actually have a lifetime and if you abuse it..it will do damage.
for example if you turn on your unit multiple times per day that hurts the heating element a lot because it has to warm up to your desired heat over and over again.
if you plan on using it more then once per day, you gonna want to leave your vapor brothers on at a low heat then turn it up to your desired temp, but please be careful and leave the vaporbrothers in a secure spot so it won't get knocked over or cause a fire.
its easier for the heating element to stay at a low temp then go up then to just warm up all together.
as for sending your unit to repair dept.. I've actually had to do it..i was pretty paranoid about it at first but like stinkmeaner said..unless they have a good reason they wont fuck with your package..repair took about 3 days and it was sent back to me in perfect working condition. just make sure you fill out a repair paper and wrap your unit in bubble wrap.
btw customer service is really on point!
hope this helps.
reloader
Well-Known Member
Well I got my glass hydrator, and my vaporbrothers just stopped working. It is the newer ceramic model, but since I bought it used, Vaporbrothers will not honor the warranty. basically I have to send it in, and pay $100 for a new model kit and with this new model I will have full warranty.
They have a quirk in their warranty that if you didn't buy through one of their authorized dealers, they wont repair it, just offer you a new model at a discounted price. I went ahead and sent this one in with $100, and am now waiting to get my new one.
Just before this unit stopped heating up, I sold my old Vaporbrothers (old style with old heater but still works) to a friend. So I now I am without until new one comes.
The unit I bought was supposedly purchased back in April and used 10 times, it lasted about 2 months for me of everyday use.
At least with the new one coming, I will be under full warranty, to fix for free.
So if I were to buy over, I would only buy through Vaporwarehouse so you get the full warranty.
Will give an update on new glass hydrator when my new model comes in.
They have a quirk in their warranty that if you didn't buy through one of their authorized dealers, they wont repair it, just offer you a new model at a discounted price. I went ahead and sent this one in with $100, and am now waiting to get my new one.
Just before this unit stopped heating up, I sold my old Vaporbrothers (old style with old heater but still works) to a friend. So I now I am without until new one comes.
The unit I bought was supposedly purchased back in April and used 10 times, it lasted about 2 months for me of everyday use.
At least with the new one coming, I will be under full warranty, to fix for free.
So if I were to buy over, I would only buy through Vaporwarehouse so you get the full warranty.
Will give an update on new glass hydrator when my new model comes in.
reloader
Well-Known Member
rusty said:
Yea, I hear ya,
Overall I am very loyal to the Vaporbrothers company and I like their product, I should have known about the warranety thing.
It is definatley better to buy them new through vaporwarehouse and you dont have to worry about it.
Now I am looking into buying a 2nd vape as a back up, but their are so many out there I cant believe it,
I am interested in da budda, and Arizer Extreme or even silver surfer, still reading about them.
reloader
Well-Known Member
Ok, I am currently borrowing my old style VB until my new one arrives ( can you believe they are backordered) but here is a pic of new glass. I am very pleased with the hydrator, very nice quality, with a removable mouthpiece. Smooth tokes. It has the VB logo etched in the glass.
blackbur
Well-Known Member
reloader said:Just an update. I talked to Vaporbrothers yesterday, and they are fixing the unit I sent in for free and sending my $100 back. I thought that was pretty cool.
Also they are giving me full warranty on it.
Sweet, thats really good to hear. if i were you..i'd spend that $100 on a mflb if you don't already have one.
VWFringe
Naruto Fan
hey, did the price of the mini-whip just double recently? I was going to rock the $5.99 price, but am thinking of spherical if the mini's $15 bucks or more with shipping
anyone have an opinion of the mini - should i get it anyway instead of the spherical SSV (I'd be mating the mini-whip to the non-ground SSV)
anyone have an opinion of the mini - should i get it anyway instead of the spherical SSV (I'd be mating the mini-whip to the non-ground SSV)
reloader
Well-Known Member
I just got my repaired unit back, and it seems to work great, they returned my cashier's check, just as promised. From the time I sent it in until it came back was about 11 days.
I have got to give another nod to the hydrator I got. It is working out so well, I have got into a routine of using ice cold water, with crushed ice. The result is vapor that is extremely cool to the taste.
The only downside, of course is more set up time, but well worth it.
I have the regular model , so I have to use both hands, but it works good. The glass is a little tippy when hooked to the whip so care in operation is essential.
Here is a video I found about vaporbrothers and consumption, pretty interesting.
http://stopsmoking-hypnosis.info/vapor-brothers-vaporizer-vs-smoking-a-healthy-alternative
I have got to give another nod to the hydrator I got. It is working out so well, I have got into a routine of using ice cold water, with crushed ice. The result is vapor that is extremely cool to the taste.
The only downside, of course is more set up time, but well worth it.
I have the regular model , so I have to use both hands, but it works good. The glass is a little tippy when hooked to the whip so care in operation is essential.
Here is a video I found about vaporbrothers and consumption, pretty interesting.
http://stopsmoking-hypnosis.info/vapor-brothers-vaporizer-vs-smoking-a-healthy-alternative
rusty
Well-Known Member
reloader -- I am glad that VB treated you right.
I have been really enjoying my Precision Bubbler as well.
I am using the softer silicone tubing and I cut it shorter so that it is easier to manage the whip and the bubbler. I also set the VB unit on my left angling the gong attachment at 9 O'clock -- and I prefer using it sitting at a table or kitchen counter.
cheers! Rusty
I have been really enjoying my Precision Bubbler as well.
I am using the softer silicone tubing and I cut it shorter so that it is easier to manage the whip and the bubbler. I also set the VB unit on my left angling the gong attachment at 9 O'clock -- and I prefer using it sitting at a table or kitchen counter.
cheers! Rusty
VWFringe said:
I've got both the hands free ez whip and mini-whip. Its good for personal sessions in which you just want a couple hits. You can pack more into it for say 2-3 people but not as heavy as the normal sized one. For the price, which I don't remember what I paid, though the 6 dollars sounds close or 10, I dont remember, but if you don't have a whip and need one, its not bad. Seeing as I have the ez change hands free whip kit I mainly use that, due to the hands free aspect. But every now and again, I like to pull out the mini for nostalic feelings of back in the day.
As for reading about the awesome customer service from vaporbrothers, very nice and glad to hear our fellow vaporizerist got taken care of.
Also awesome to hear about that sweet VB hydrator, very sweet looking dude.
vapormonkey
Well-Known Member
Well, what about Kads and how schvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeet he is. LOL
Freakin' LA people...hehe
Freakin' LA people...hehe
stinkmeaner
Well-Known Member
Kads' videos are what made one of my friends buy a Vapor Bros, I had been ranting and raving about vaporizers for the longest time and all it took was a few of those Youtube videos and it sent him over the edge.
vapormonkey
Well-Known Member
They're good. That Kads fellow is perty schweeeet...and informative with nice tricks. hehe
I absolutely love these Vaporizers! This company is old school, however, they still manufacturer one of the highest-quality vaporizers on the market. They have stuck with their original desgin and added a few cool features over the years. This is defintiely my favorite "whip-style" Vaporizer.