Crafty/Crafty+ by Storz & Bickel

[Vaporcussion]

The light can be turned off completely via the app.

For quick hits, I usually start it heating in my pocket as I make my way out to vape. I agree the warm up time is kind of a bummer. When out on a leisurely walk in the woods or driving you don't really notice so much.

It really is pretty discreet/stealth from a distance of a few feet. In daylight the LED is not visible from a distance and in the dark just turn it off if you're concerned.

Most cops are expecting stoners to be smoking; so they are watching for pipes and joints and lighter flashes. Inhaling from a nondescript black box with an LED looks much more like you are consuming nicotine e-liquid at first glance.

I keep my crafty loaded loose in my coat pocket nearly all the time and so far no one has commented on smell.

I tried turning it off, but then you only have a quick buzz to let you know when you're at temp, and if you miss it, you have no way of knowing (without looking at a phone.) No way to live; and besides, I own an iPhone 4 so no dice. I also tried the "heating in pocket on the way out", but people stop me to talk, and then I feel the buzz while still in the club, and I miss my moment! Part of stealthiness is quickness, and trying to time a 3 minute window to get to boost temp is getting annoying. As for cops, I actually got caught right outside Grand Central Terminal with my Crafty. Fortunately, the cop had his lunch in hand and really didn't want to stop; but he forced himself to say "whataya got there? I saw something blinking" I had a FULL hit in my lungs, and barely eeked out the words "E cig!" He walked away mumbling "Ah, E cig, ok!" Close call. As for smell, have to disagree. People have commented several times, that's why I got the RYOT smell safe bag, which works very well. I also got the "Pack n Stash" http://www.packnstash.com for loading on the go; you guys should check that out. Vape On!

Was it always so slow?
My Mighty is going in for repair because it is so slow now. Non replaceable batteries are a major landfill problem and I for one am an advocate for user replaceable batteries.

No, it wasn't!
I swear it's taking longer to heat up now, and the battery life is diminishing. I used to get 3 sessions, now I get 2 and battery is at 19%, barely enough to star a 3rd session.

 

[marduk]

I tried turning it off, but then you only have a quick buzz to let you know when you're at temp, and if you miss it, you have no way of knowing (without looking at a phone.) No way to live; and besides, I own an iPhone 4 so no dice.

Try putting some tape over the lights and leaving a small part at one end uncovered. You can make it a super tiny slit if you want. That way the light is small enough to cover with a finger and just take a peek if you need to know if you're at temp.

 

[Vaporcussion]

I've been meaning to try exactly that, thank you! Or even over the whole light, and let it dim through... Great solution. Just need some gaff tape (for my hand grenade : )

 

[DoubleVanos]

Try putting some tape over the lights and leaving a small part at one end uncovered. You can make it a super tiny slit if you want. That way the light is small enough to cover with a finger and just take a peek if you need to know if you're at temp.

Good idea.

I've gotten by so far by just covering the light with my hand or turning it off completely. I can almost palm the crafty and I've also used my jacket sleeves to hide it. Obviously that last trick is useless in warmer weather.

Still, comparing this to combusting outdoors it is super stealth. I have a vapman and even in a car I didn't feel safe using it in public. It's small but with that butane torch it was very conspicuous.

 

[Sinclue]

No, it wasn't!
I swear it's taking longer to heat up now, and the battery life is diminishing. I used to get 3 sessions, now I get 2 and battery is at 19%, barely enough to star a 3rd session.

66 hours and the same thing is happening to me. Do you think we're talking battery and therefore not a warranty replacement item?????



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[Vaporcussion]

I've also used the sleeve method, with just the straw MP sticking out. I've also kept it in the RYOT smell safe bag, with the straw MP sticking out. Both methods make the unit a bit hotter, however....

66 hours and the same thing is happening to me. Do you think we're talking battery and therefore not a warranty replacement item?????



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I'm not sure. But for $400 this blows. I can see 1-2 years from now, these units improved, maybe combining the crafty and mighty into one? IMO, the future of top vaporizers will be instant heat on/heat off, similar to the MFLB of Firefly, but to an exact temp. Imagine picking any temp and being able to go right there, draw your hit, and back down immediately...

Btw, hats off to the member that created the vapelog app! I have a iPhone 4, and have never been able to use the Crafty app, so the vapelog has really helped. And when I did try out the Crafty app on a friends phone, I was disappointed to see that it doesn't give you your battery in percentage, only bars. The vapelog gives you exact battery...

 

[Kaptan]

I'm not sure. But for $400 this blows. I can see 1-2 years from now, these units improved, maybe combining the crafty and mighty into one? IMO, the future of top vaporizers will be instant heat on/heat off, similar to the MFLB of Firefly, but to an exact temp. Imagine picking any temp and being able to go right there, draw your hit, and back down immediately...

The future is here, both the Elevape and the soon to be released Grasshopper both are heat on demand devices with temp control. Looks like I'll be sending my Crafty in for a replacement. A piece of plastic that holds the CU in place has chipped off when I removed my CU

 

[natural farmer]

The future is here, both the Elevape and the soon to be released Grasshopper both are heat on demand devices with temp control. Looks like I'll be sending my Crafty in for a replacement. A piece of plastic that holds the CU in place has chipped off when I removed my CU

And lets not forget the Zion that is coming out!

I have come to the same conclusion with my Crafty. Battery is gonna be a big issue. When I have herbs in hand I vape nearly all day long, every couple hours. I got my replacement Crafty one and a half month ago and its already at 51 hours of use. And I can already notice a big drop in battery capacity… It also heats up very slow when it has 3 bars or less of juice left!

My last one died at 53 hours. Lets hope this one will last longer… Even though I am not sure I want this. I think I prefer to see it busted again so it can be replaced and then used sparingly when in need while the Vapman gets its place as my daily driver.

I really like the Crafty and I think its one of the most well thought vapes out there but unfortunately such power can not be supported by current battery technology the way I see it. And even if it had replaceable batteries the cost of changing them would still be quite steep! I am really thinking to replace it with a Grasshopper when it's out…

And a positive… I am out of herbs and needed to puff on something so I got into a pharmacy and got some nice cotton and then in an e-cig shop and got some VG Forest Fruit e-juice (0 nicotine). A little cotton in the oven and a few drops of the juice make for some very nice puffing. Not the clouds you get from an e-cig but much gentler on the throat… And the CU is doing a nice job at cooling the vapor as always. Much smoother than an e-cig but there is so much condensation going on in the CU that the mouthpiece just dripped VG on my tongue!! Maybe not such a good idea after all….

 

[Astedra]

future of top vaporizers will be instant heat on/heat off, similar to the MFLB of Firefly, but to an exact temp.

Don't forget about the Elevape SV. On their site they are saying that an ios and android app is on the way. Connecting via usb seems ancient now. I just don't like that the heater coil has to be replaced, and it also doesn't have a removable battery. And people are reporting combustion. So there is a learning curve. I guess the tech is not there yet to make a portable with a halogen heating element, and replacable battery. The tech is there I guess, but not in a portable. We just got to wait. I want to love the crafty, but it looks like I'm going to have to replace the battery every 3 months. People are reporting that their crafty takes longer to heat up when the battery starts to go. I use the crafty as my main vapourizer as I can't vape in my house. I never loved this machine like I loved the Magic Flight.

. A piece of plastic that holds the CU in place has chipped off when I removed my CU

Same thing happened to me and a countless number of other people. When I emailed them I explained to them that the part holding the CU broke off, and they emailed me back that the housing braking is not covered by warranty. So I hope you have better luck. I just don't believe they didn't notice that the part that holds the CU can brake off so easily. I mean the part that broke off is thin plastic. I think the Crafty got overhyped, and a lot of people went for it, because they make the Volcano. I heard my dads voice in my head when I bought the crafty he said "don't buy it". I really like the grasshoper, as it looks like an ecig, but trust me it will have issues to. So I'm thinking I will hold off on portable vapourizers until the tech becomes better.

This is a giant conspiracy that the vape makers are pulling on us, they keep releasing shity vapes, so that you keep buying new ones in the hopes that you will find the perfect one.

 

[Vaporcussion]

Good point, just spent over $700 between my Ascent and Crafty, S&B battery pack, RYOT smell safe cases and Ed's stem's, and I'm still frustrated with both! Amazing. I definitely have VAS Btw, is there a thread on the Grasshopper anywhere here on FC? I don't see one...

 

[Astedra]

You are having problems with the ascent? So fahr the solo is the one I haven't heard bad things about, but I'm sure if I look in the solo forum, I will find ppl who have to return their units. I know there are defective units, but at this rate?

 

[Michel]

@Astedra

Could you post a picture of your unit? Just the broken part? I'm sure s&b should take care of you...

Edit: or simply send it in and fight for warranty. Any S&B technician or engineer should now about braking houses around the filling chamber.

 

[Sinclue]

the soon to be released Grasshopper

Good point, just spent over $700 between my Ascent and Crafty, S&B battery pack, RYOT smell safe cases and Ed's stem's, and I'm still frustrated with both! Amazing. I definitely have VAS Btw, is there a thread on the Grasshopper anywhere here on FC? I don't see one...

Go to the Home page/Portable Vapes/Thread Candidates (at the top part of page).



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[Astedra]

That's my unit with the CU lock part broken off.

You see, they told me since the vape is functional they won't repleace it, I go what if the lock on the other side brakes off? Even then they said no, they go: if the lock brakes off on both sides, then it still will be functional, but it will be a litle loose.

I like how the mighty CU fits my crafty to, probaly becuae mine is borken.

 

[Mr Mellish]

Good point, just spent over $700 between my Ascent and Crafty, S&B battery pack, RYOT smell safe cases and Ed's stem's, and I'm still frustrated with both! Amazing. I definitely have VAS Btw, is there a thread on the Grasshopper anywhere here on FC? I don't see one...

There certainly is. Those bastards convinced me to part with even more of my hard earned cash.

http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/the-grasshopper.9952/

 

[t-dub]

That's my unit with the CU lock part broken off.

You see, they told me since the vape is functional they won't repleace it, I go what if the lock on the other side brakes off? Even then they said no, they go: if the lock brakes off on both sides, then it still will be functional, but it will be a litle loose.

I like how the mighty CU fits my crafty to, probaly becuae mine is borken.

Thats exactly what happened to mine and I just sent it in and received a new one. No fuss no muss. Not sure who you are speaking to at S&B but something does not seem right here. If the other side breaks it WILL render the vape unusable and it could happen without warning at any time.

 

[Michel]

@Astedra
Damn. There is really a big part broken of. Normally smaller parts of the housing are breaking just on the top, but they tend to brake exactly the same side where yours broke and diagonally to the other side, because this is where the notches of the CU are applying pressure.

It's hard to say if you dropped it or if it's the CU notches, but if your unit doesn't have scratches all over it from misuses or dropping several times, you should definitely fight for warranty!
Better write several emails or try to speak with an engineer or simply send it in. The lady on the phone I spoke to before sending in my unit was saying the same. Not covered by warranty. She didn't knew too much about vapes and physics, don't forget, she just answers the phone. It's a big company and she wasn't involved in the R&D or the warranty processes. Don't argue with her, she has no arguments.....

Let's see what others have experienced, but I'm sure even people who where responsible for their broken units themselves claimed warranty, even if this is bad for their karma. (Just have to be nice somewhere else and karma should be +-0 )

 

[t-dub]

There is nothing wrong with asserting your rights, you just have to speak "S&B". Its like ordering at Starbucks. There is no reason to call them. Just put the base unit in its original box with your invoice and a "nice letter". <----- very important!!! Of course if you do this and don't like their answer you might have to pay to have your vape shipped back.

The case failure is obvious and its not drop damage. The device will be rendered useless at a random time in the future due to material fatigue on the remaining piece. If S&B comes back with a repair bill for the case I would be shocked and disappointed. But either way I would want to fix it.

 

[Michel]

@t-dub
I dropped my Crafty violently while walking with the dog on the street. No foot save, I was to slow. Dropped directly on the CU, and guess where it broke? Exactly the same spot where the mighty broke on both sides one week ago without any hard and violent contact to the outer world...

@Astedra
Do it exactly like t-dub said! Fatigue break is a great word to use. Pressure cycles, brittle materials, dynamic thermal stress is what I said to the lady on the phone, stating out that that Mr. Storz and Mr. Bickel are engineers themselves and I will talk to them myself in person . Guess what she said? Plastic broke, not covered by warranty
I send it in with a very polite 2-pages long fanboy letter using all the enginering terms I learned so far, but saying constantly how nice designed it was and its the best S&B unit I own, no, even the best vape with minor drawbacks and so on. Quite sure the technician understood only half of it, that's way an engineer called me back. Didn't got his name, but he knows Mr. Storz himself very good by person what I heard while talking to him for quiete a long time. Was it Mr. Bickel and I didn't get it ?

 

[t-dub]

Obviously there are weak points in the case design, no doubt. There are places on the case that need to be reinforced. I would like to see a heavier "weatherproof" case for the Mighty and Crafty. Something that could go on a boat perhaps.

 

[DorianGray]

And lets not forget the Zion that is coming out!

I have come to the same conclusion with my Crafty. Battery is gonna be a big issue. When I have herbs in hand I vape nearly all day long, every couple hours. I got my replacement Crafty one and a half month ago and its already at 51 hours of use. And I can already notice a big drop in battery capacity… It also heats up very slow when it has 3 bars or less of juice left!

My last one died at 53 hours. Lets hope this one will last longer… Even though I am not sure I want this. I think I prefer to see it busted again so it can be replaced and then used sparingly when in need while the Vapman gets its place as my daily driver.

I really like the Crafty and I think its one of the most well thought vapes out there but unfortunately such power can not be supported by current battery technology the way I see it. And even if it had replaceable batteries the cost of changing them would still be quite steep! I am really thinking to replace it with a Grasshopper when it's out…

And a positive… I am out of herbs and needed to puff on something so I got into a pharmacy and got some nice cotton and then in an e-cig shop and got some VG Forest Fruit e-juice (0 nicotine). A little cotton in the oven and a few drops of the juice make for some very nice puffing. Not the clouds you get from an e-cig but much gentler on the throat… And the CU is doing a nice job at cooling the vapor as always. Much smoother than an e-cig but there is so much condensation going on in the CU that the mouthpiece just dripped VG on my tongue!! Maybe not such a good idea after all….

it saddens me to read this

but my sessions last between 8-10mins, which is how long it takes me to blow a full chamber. Then I recharge it until I need to use it again, which isn't for at least another hour usually. I'm at 44 hours and going strong.

 

[DoubleVanos]

Now I'm starting to think my unit is taking longer than usual to warm to 180 or default temp. Don't know if it's just paranoia from reading this thread as I dont really have a base line. It's taking my crafty 2:20 seconds or so to get to 180, almost a minute longer than the advertised 90 seconds. Anybody else have some warm up times ??

 

[DorianGray]

good idea, i just timed it, I'm at 44 hours and it takes 2:22 to get to 180'c indoors.

 

[biohacker]

Well thanks to @lazylathe I have had the opportunity to babysit his nearly brand new Crafty with only 4hrs on it! All I can say is, WOW!!! By far the most advanced and best portable I have ever experienced! I really love my Arizer Air too, and think it's a better value overall but the Crafty is simple in another league.

Love the app, and the temp control system, and ability to change and see different things. The vapour quality is awesome, and the ABV is the most even perfectly extracted i've practically ever seen, although it does vape pretty fast. The airflow is excellent, and the form factor is perfect for me. I haven't read every post in this thread, but now I really want to, although i'm almost scared to based on some of the things i've read.

The battery life isn't as good as the Solo or Air, and my only complaint is that the battery can't be swapped out, as that's too expensive of a repair at $50usd especially for us canucks with a shitty dollar. It's a pretty expensive device, and it's sad reading reports of plastic pieces breaking or falling apart, and crappy customer service.

If the Crafty is this awesome, I can only imagine the MIGHTY!

 

[t-dub]

Don't forget these devices use battery management so if you are down a couple bars there will be a distinct performance decrease as the software manages the system. As you go lower on the bars it gets worse but it happens at distinct intervals, not a smooth curve.