Arizer Solo

[Quetzalcoatl]

Well, my Solo arrived. I got it from an eBay vendor named "easyvape", for $139 shipped, with a little green plastic Indian herb/spice grinder tossed in. Judging by the unit, an M1A4A, and the packaging (that includes a single wall plain brown carton made in Waterloo Ontario), this is not likely a forged unit.

I just charged it and have a little problem. The straight wand has an outer diameter at the tip of 14.5 mm. It wobbles in the oven. The bent one has an uneven diameter ranging from 14.7 mm to 15.2. That one barely fits and once inserted (with the unit warmed up) cannot be rotated without an unpleasant sensation of glass grinding on metal. How can you optimize the connection with such wide tolerances? Suggestions?

By "wobbles in the oven" do you mean it doesn't sit 100% flat in there? If so, that's normal, none of my stems fit flush in the oven. If they did, they'd block the air holes. The second question, the bent stem, that sounds ridiculous. I would send them an email about it and see if you can get it replaced, my bent stem does NOT make that kind of noise in my Solo. That is a pretty big difference I think.

 

[fernand]

Thanks, man. I'll try an ebay message.

 

[Unnotrafitto]

flat.....

.

man that solo cover looks crazy where did u get that?

 

[agingboomer]

Got my new Solo from PIU (thanks Randy!) and I'm looking forward to taking it or for a spin later.

One quick question first. I really need to start with a very (very, very) small amount in the bowl. Here's what I think my options are:
1. I can either put some in the bowl, vape as much as I want and then turn the unite off and let it cool down. Then I can wrap the bowl with something and store it for my next session.
Or
2. I can sandwich a small amount between two screens and value it that way.

What do you think?

Thanks.
agingboomer

 

[Pipes]

man that solo cover looks crazy where did u get that?

It's a venal laptop skin. Cut and wrapped on.

 

[gbetter]

My o ring isn't completely centered but still works. Does this matter?[/quote]

 

[rsqemt911]

Got my new Solo from PIU (thanks Randy!) and I'm looking forward to taking it or for a spin later.

One quick question first. I really need to start with a very (very, very) small amount in the bowl. Here's what I think my options are:
1. I can either put some in the bowl, vape as much as I want and then turn the unite off and let it cool down. Then I can wrap the bowl with something and store it for my next session.
Or
2. I can sandwich a small amount between two screens and value it that way.

What do you think?

Thanks.
agingboomer

The battery caps for the MFLB fit over the bowl on the stem perfectly. You can load the bowl and cover it with the cap.

 

[gbetter]

My o ring isn't perfectly centered but still works fine. Is that acceptable?

 

[freaktown]

Got my new Solo from PIU (thanks Randy!) and I'm looking forward to taking it or for a spin later.

One quick question first. I really need to start with a very (very, very) small amount in the bowl. Here's what I think my options are:
1. I can either put some in the bowl, vape as much as I want and then turn the unite off and let it cool down. Then I can wrap the bowl with something and store it for my next session.
Or
2. I can sandwich a small amount between two screens and value it that way.

What do you think?

Thanks.
agingboomer

or you can dome the screen, i got larger screens than PIU sent with unit from a head shop
and just trim them with a scissor to the size i like.

see previous page 1000 for a couple of posts on how to dome screen.

it looks like this: [vaporpedia link removed due to malware] or you could make it a bit larger than this pic.

i'd tell you to search this thread but search function is gone. maybe cuz FC is updating server dunno.

 

[GetToTheChoppa]

My o ring isn't perfectly centered but still works fine. Is that acceptable?

I have not tried, but poke the stem through the cap, slide on the oring, push the stem into the Solo heater and tighten the cap. That should self center it for you. (someone gave that advice on previous page, thanks for that!!)

 

[malelz]

I have to take an extended break from the wonderful herb :'( What is the best way to store my Solo longterm? Charged, partial charge, empty? I want to keep it in tip top shape because I will be breaking out that sucker again as soon as I can!

 

[OF]

I have to take an extended break from the wonderful herb :'( What is the best way to store my Solo longterm? Charged, partial charge, empty? I want to keep it in tip top shape because I will be breaking out that sucker again as soon as I can!

I recommend half to 3/4 charged. Avoid fully charged and never fully discharged.

OF

 

[malelz]

I recommend half to 3/4 charged. Avoid fully charged and never fully discharged.

OF

Thanks! Will do.

 

[GetToTheChoppa]

While on the topic, anyone open it up and see what batteries are in there? Its a 12v charger so im guessing three 3.7v in series? I have ideas to make an external battery or maybe a DC/solar charging setup for out camping.

Also does anyone know if this charger is "smart" and stops charging when the battery is full? Its amazing how many devices dont have this simple feature. Like the laptop im typing on. Leave it plugged in=kill the battery. Same with most cell phones.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

While on the topic, anyone open it up and see what batteries are in there? Its a 12v charger so im guessing three 3.7v in series? I have ideas to make an external battery or maybe a DC/solar charging setup for out camping.

Also does anyone know if this charger is "smart" and stops charging when the battery is full? Its amazing how many devices dont have this simple feature. Like the laptop im typing on. Leave it plugged in=kill the battery. Same with most cell phones.

It is a pair of 3.6v cells in series. I believe they are 18650 cells.

Try to unplug your unit when all 7 lights are on but the "charge" light is still blinking. When the light stops blinking, it is completely full and will automatically stop charging. For battery health and longevity, you should unplug it before it reaches maximum capacity.

 

[Caligula]

While on the topic, anyone open it up and see what batteries are in there? Its a 12v charger so im guessing three 3.7v in series? I have ideas to make an external battery or maybe a DC/solar charging setup for out camping.

Also does anyone know if this charger is "smart" and stops charging when the battery is full? Its amazing how many devices dont have this simple feature. Like the laptop im typing on. Leave it plugged in=kill the battery. Same with most cell phones.

@CentiZen knows all about this. He makes replacement battery packs.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

Got my new Solo from PIU (thanks Randy!) and I'm looking forward to taking it or for a spin later.

One quick question first. I really need to start with a very (very, very) small amount in the bowl. Here's what I think my options are:
1. I can either put some in the bowl, vape as much as I want and then turn the unite off and let it cool down. Then I can wrap the bowl with something and store it for my next session.
Or
2. I can sandwich a small amount between two screens and value it that way.

What do you think?

Thanks.
agingboomer

I'd advise against method #1. Your subsequent sessions will be lacking in the flavor department.

Method #2 is getting somewhere. There's really no need to sandwich it between two screens. Way too much hassle. Just use the biggest screen that you can dome and fit into the stem. Probably 1". Make the smallest possible area at the base of the stem , preferably in a ring along the outside edge of the glass.

If you are really, really worried about material getting into the little air holes, you can put a flat screen inside of the chamber and leave it there. I tried this for a short time and found that there is virtually zero benefit, it is messy, and it really throws off the airflow.

 

[imor jones]

Hello, i also got my solo today. from ebay. sellersname cleanairforever. it was promised to be a 2014 model. but the model number ist M1A4A0... Now i guess, that this is an older model?
can you guys help me out with this question.
i am thinking of sending it back. but the problem is i am in germany and bought it from a seller in the states..

 

[OF]

While on the topic, anyone open it up and see what batteries are in there?

Also does anyone know if this charger is "smart" and stops charging when the battery is full? Its amazing how many devices dont have this simple feature. Like the laptop im typing on. Leave it plugged in=kill the battery. Same with most cell phones.

Yes, we've covered this a lot. It's a Tenergy brand dual 18650 pack with PCB in an unusual place (here it is without it's jacket):


The white thing is the overtemp switch. Watch out, the polarity is backwards for the standard for that plug.

Like your cell phone and laptop examples it includes protection a PCB. The charger does indeed stop at 8.3 something Volts but then again so does your laptop and cell phone (no doubt). The issue with the cell phone and laptop you cite is exactly what others and I think will happen with Solo. Guys will leave them plugged in, so they will always be 100% charged, which is known to be very hard on battery life. We've been through this a LOT, if you stop 10% short (a few tenths of a Volt) you double the battery life. Drop another 10% and you double it again (four times the cycle life).

My prediction is owners will fall into two groups, some few will use it in a more conventional manner (charging only when it's nearly dead then removing it) and will enjoy long life on their batteries (approaching what the older version does perhaps?) and those who will 'treat it like a cell phone or laptop' and have the exact battery issue you describe above for that reason.

Your call, my advice remains the same. Run it down until you don't get a battery light (or maybe one) on startup (go ahead and do the session if you want, there's a margin), then recharge and disconnect when the top LED is lit (over 8.1 total typically) but before the charge LED stops flashing (before 4.2 per cell). This should give you thousands more sessions.

OF

 

[imor jones]

Well, my Solo arrived. I got it from an eBay vendor named "easyvape", for $139 shipped, with a little green plastic Indian herb/spice grinder tossed in. Judging by the unit, an M1A4A, and the packaging (that includes a single wall plain brown carton made in Waterloo Ontario), this is not likely a forged unit.

I just charged it and have a little problem. The straight wand has an outer diameter at the tip of 14.5 mm. It wobbles in the oven. The bent one has an uneven diameter ranging from 14.7 mm to 15.2. That one barely fits and once inserted (with the unit warmed up) cannot be rotated without an unpleasant sensation of glass grinding on metal. How can you optimize the connection with such wide tolerances? Suggestions?

I also got my solo today, which is an M1A4A Model. But they promised to send an 2014 model. did i bought rubbish? i even think its from 2011. and maybe cannot be used while charging and those things.
Can you guys tell me, if its an very old model, and i should send it back?

 

[OF]

Hello, i also got my solo today. from ebay. sellersname cleanairforever. it was promised to be a 2014 model. but the model number ist M1A4A0... Now i guess, that this is an older model?
can you guys help me out with this question.
i am thinking of sending it back. but the problem is i am in germany and bought it from a seller in the states..

No, THAT IS NOT A MODEL NUMBER. There are guys with that number that have the old system (won't run with the charger in, only charges) and there are also guys with that same series number that do (are the newer style). The maker has been quoted as saying 'this is not a model number, don't go by it' and has said they are intentionally not serial.

IMO the newer ones potentially have battery problems (see post above) and seem to have lots of 'out of box failures' FWIW. Lots of them see to come down with strange (probably software?) problems. The best way to tell is to try to run it while the charger is plugged in. Newer ones will heat, older ones won't. You get to decide which is a better version for you, if it were me I'd go with the proven (older) version I think?

I also got my solo today, which is an M1A4A Model. But they promised to send an 2014 model. did i bought rubbish? i even think its from 2011. and maybe cannot be used while charging and those things.
Can you guys tell me, if its an very old model, and i should send it back?

It's definitely not from 2011. IIRC those numbers showed up less than six months ago?

OF

 

[imor jones]

Ok thx for that answer. so, i will unpack it and try if it will heat while charging. but i also heard that the airflow should be nicer with the new ones...

 

[Caligula]

Hello, i also got my solo today. from ebay. sellersname cleanairforever. it was promised to be a 2014 model. but the model number ist M1A4A0... Now i guess, that this is an older model?
can you guys help me out with this question.
i am thinking of sending it back. but the problem is i am in germany and bought it from a seller in the states..

Does it work? If so, then keep it. There is only the slightest margin of benefit in getting a brand new model over an older one and even thats debatable.

FWIW, the "heat while charging" thing is a misnomer. Ive tried doing this and all it results in is the battery draining slower. Basically all it does is reduce the amount of power draw but you still lose battery charge whilst the unit is in use.

Again this isnt a big benefit IMO. Also, I never really had an airflow issue with my older models even with the stock stems.

 

[cityslang]

I keep a piece of electrical house grade copper wire handy to poke any blockages out.

I use the straight stem without any screen never sacked any matter into my mouth the flakes stick up to halfway up the pipe

 

[OF]

Ok thx for that answer. so, i will unpack it and try if it will heat while charging. but i also heard that the airflow should be nicer with the new ones...

Cool.

Yes, also it seem in response to 'demands' from customers, the air holes in the bottom have been opened up. It draws easier but the concentration of the vapor coming out is diluted down in the process. Introducing more cold air that must be heated steals heat from vaporization. Some are OK with this trade off (it's the basis of the PVHES line), others (generally 'sippers' rather than 'rippers'?) find the older version more to their liking.

One thing to keep in mind is the draw naturally gets easier over time as the stem seal 'wears in'. It's definitely a personal interference thing as the Brits say you'll have to 'suck it and see'? Whatever, I suggest you try it before you decide how much you like it?

Good luck with it.

Life is a compromise, you might have less hair to comb as you get older, but you get more forehead to wash.

OF