Sorry for the space out. We have been away for a couple days.
Puff
First, you need to know we do pull good vapor from every unit before we ship. Of course we have years of experience making these little things work right so our 'test' is done just right the first time. As a newb, your first times will not be as efficient as could be. I used to say it is like riding a bike. It is in a way in that once you get the right flow going, you will always get it. But it is different than a bike because once a bike is rolling, you've got it whereas with the Zap, you can get it to make vapor but not necessarily the best vapor possible.
It is all in the stem tip pack and the pull technique.
First the pack. You said you had 'decently big pieces'. They will not vape as good as a medium fine grind. The hot air has to pass by/through all the herb as it goes through the stem tip and to you. Larger chunks do not allow that airflow to be as efficient as it can be. A light pack is good so if you turn the loaded stem upside down, the stuff does not fall out. Then when you put the stem in the unit, a few choo choo quick puffs gets the load warmed up a bit, then follow with the long slow pull. A straight long pull from the beginning is not as effective as what I just described. It takes some practice for sure. Vary the stem tip pack a little, change your pull a little to see if that helps. You also need to realize a vapor high is not the same as combustion. It is cleaner and more manageable. The stuff released by vaping varies as the vape heat varies. THC is released first(at a lower temp), then cbd, cbn, etc. Some of that later stuff is related to "couch lock" effect so a vape effect can be different. Also all vapes are not equal because some can run at higher temps and will "extract" more stuff from the herb.
In general I would say you are on the right track but need more refining. Leave it on 24/7 for the first week or so.
To directly answer your question, you are getting actual hits but not good ones. They will get better with a little practice. After reading your Email a few times, I think you are not packing the load tight enough. The airflow is supposed to be restricted to about half that of an empty stem to slow down the airflow through the load. You probably need a little more restriction in the airflow. Grinding a bit more, packing just a little and the choo choo initial pulls should help.
That is about it for now. Keep me posted on your results. I have had comments recently from newbs that go something like.." ahhh, now I've got it" as they get the better vapor out of it. If the air goes through the load too fast or easy, the load needs to be a little tighter.
Also"pretty dry" you said. We still prefer real dry. Plenty of flavor and each pull is good effective vapor.
Puffs was a standard Myrtle BTW. We communicated about upping to a 'Primo' grain pattern but I shipped his order a bit too soon so he got a "reg".
Digg
Glad to hear the stems work fine in your PD. Thanks for trying them.
Guatama
Found a variable power supply but way too pricey to offer, for us anyway. We have replenished our stock of 13.5 volt transformers though if anyone is interested. They will run the Zap hotter, similar to what a running vehicle will do. Thicker vapor which some prefer. Email us if interested.
Edit: Just heard from a customer that Jameco says they no longer have the 227483 transformer, only the 10081 for $10. I bought some more of the 227483 last week and the gal said they had lots of them. I am wondering if they just relabeled them to sell at the higher price? Or if the only reason I found them and could buy them is because I have been buying in large quantities from them for 8-9 years. I will check that one out as once I found the number, I could get as many as I wanted, any time.
his mz is beautiful... but mine is GORGEOUS! 
