Crafty/Crafty+ by Storz & Bickel

[El Barto]

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.

 

[oli]

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 ???

 

[DorianGray]

my crafty completes my trifecta

 

[t-dub]

I came, I read, I vaped.

You should translate that into Latin . . .

 

[wax]

You should translate that into Latin . . .

I wonder what vape would be in Latin.

 

[El Barto]

Sorry for going off topic but to vaporize in Latin: adiuuatur.

 

[Sasquatch_Jr]

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.

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.

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

 

[nappymac]

my crafty died today 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. hopefully this will end well.

 

[Astedra]

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.

 

[t-dub]

hopefully this will end well.

@nappymac - Thats obviously warranty and you should receive a new one pending S&B's review of documentation and condition of the device.

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.

@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.

 

[Astedra]

I'm thinking this is going to brake after the 2 year warranty.

 

[t-dub]

I'm thinking this is going to brake after the 2 year warranty.

Only time will tell . . .

 

[jdee]

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.

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]

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.

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

BLE Scanner picks it up right away, but after trying to connect just says disconnected.

 

[DMPesso]

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.

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

 

[squidder3]

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.

 

[DorianGray]

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 :/

 

[Stu]

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.

How long into the session does it typically die? Also, is this happening from a cold start up, or during back-to-back sessions?

 

[smokie]

BLE Scanner picks it up right away, but after trying to connect just says disconnected.

I had this problem and it was fixed by turning phone off and restarting!

 

[DMPesso]

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.

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!

 

[elmomuzz]

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.

 

[sweettooth]

yeah iv not had any problems with over heating either mine is at 50 hours

 

[tripleg]

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.

 

[Mangos]

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.

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.

 

[DMPesso]

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.

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?