@OF: Glad you made the move, and even before I did any review on top of that! But let's be honnest, we all know my review will be as good if not better than for the previous models, as this is somehow a step up version of the Mini and they are not taking big risks on this one.
I'm still in the burn-ins phase... as I got already plenty of devices to use daily, it's taking longer than if this was my only vape obviously! But I can still do a pre-review:
KZ's FlowerMate V5.0 Mini Pro pre-review
First I would like to thank Amy @ Smiss who is always there to answer my numerous questions, and who gave me once again the chance to test one of their products in advance. The usual disclaimer applies here: I did not pay for this sample unit but I have strictly no vested interest in the company and I will do my best to be as unbiased as possible, even if it's against human nature (we're full of biases)
You should know by now after the FM8 reviews in particular that if I don't like something, I will say it clearly. So far I got almost nothing negative to say about this new model, and at least nothing that didn't apply already to the entire FM5 range.
The device I got is not a beta version, it's from the first production run, meaning what you see is what you get!
Packaging and contents
I've always been impressed by the quality of the packaging of Smiss devices, especially when you consider that they are all in the lower end of the price spectrum. It gives a premium product impression. This time it's even better: the top part of the box is slightly folded, origami-style, creating a shape similar to the "K" on the infamous white and red cigarette brand.
The print is gorgeous, with many layers including shiny and metallic overlays. There is a scratch code to deter counterfeiting. Smiss name doesn't appear anywhere on the box, only FlowerMate Technology LLC and the FlowerMateUSA site URL. Interestingly it reads: "Designed in California USA, Assembled in China". This should remind something to the users of the well known fruit brand.
I don't know whether they really have a R&D office in California or not, but I can't find any error in the english text (no more "engrish" like we see often coming from China) Those are small details I know, but they add up to give a good impression instead of a sloppy one.
The package contents are:
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V5.0S Mini Pro Vaporizer - yes
@OF, once again the naming scheme is almost hilarious, it's got everything, the V the S... haha, I suggest that we call it just the Mini Pro from now on it's simpler.
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Borosilicate glass mouthpiece - smaller base-piece and easier to clean than the V5 one, as noted previously the Mini mouthpiece fits on the larger versions but not the inverse.
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Water pipe adapter - a nice chunky piece of machined metal with one side that you can screw at either end... I won't be able to test it unfortunately, I hit all my vapes dry.
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Liquid / waxy chamber - filled with organic cotton, small metal capsule with screwable lid, very fne machining, again I surely won't test it anytime soon but it looks very interesting if it works.
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Medium stainless steel pod - another finely machined metal capsule with screwable lid, this one I will test to see if it keeps the bowl cleaner.
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5 stainless steel screens (that's 2+1 already in place for the mouthpiece and 3 for the bottom of the bowl, my bowl had no screen inserted when I got it.
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Packing tool and dabber - super useful to tamp the load if you do the "puck technique" like me.
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Cleaning brush - same model as all chinese vapes.
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USB charging cable - very nice cable made of soft silicone and not your usual PVC, it should greatly reduce the wear and tear near the plugs and it's conveniently small to carry in your pocket.
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Warranty card,
user manual - 20 pages color printed, quite substantial and complete, explains everything including the adapter and capsules.
There is also a "special note" card telling to insert a stainless steel screen into the ceramic heating chamber before using. I didn't and I still don't know if I will. The 5 holes in the ceramic bowl can be poked with a needle from the top if ever they clog. That being said the screen has never been a problem in my other FM5's... I'll decide later what I do.
Last but not least, the manual says that the device has a 1800mAh cell. This is a bit strange considering that others in the range are advertized having 2600mAh ones (most likely 2500 in reality, given what cells are on the market today) It's even stranger when you compute that 29.4W is only 7A at 4.2V (fully charged) and still under 10A at 3V, well below what good recent IMR cells can handle (for instance the Samsung 25R can do 20A continuous and is 2500mAh, same for LG HE2)
Physical inspection
This model is in direct competition with single cell vaporizers that are not "pen style" or "ecig" looking, including the S&B Crafty, Goboof Alfa, Pax 1&2, Herbstick Deluxe, etc. It's a very interesting form factor but it's the worst for the battery as the scorching hot bowl lies litterally next to the cell (and Li-Ions just hate high temperatures) The manual clearly states that and warns that battery capacity will go down over time. Here is a picture showing the Mini Pro, the 5-Pro, the Herbstick Deluxe, the Herbstick Eco and a 18650 Li-Ion cell for size reference:
The device itself is really cute. The OLED screen is gorgeous and not too bright, it gives a futuristic look. Tolerances are very tight, there's no play in the screen cover and very little wobble on the buttons. The logo and "V5.0 mini pro" are silk-screened on a single side of the aluminium shell (the word "flowermate" doesn't appear and thanksfully the "leaf" that was on the first V5 is long gone!) Overall it gives the impression of a premium product. There are just a few minor issues though:
- The sliding doors were a bit loose and this makes them feel cheap. I had to firmly pinch with my fingers the protruding lip of the aluminium shell to bend it ever slightly, making the doors harder to move, like in my other FM5's.
- I find that the mouthpiece rattles more when stored than in the bigger versions, there is more play making it somewhat noisier when you shake it. It could be easily fixed by inserting a piece of tissue in the storage compartment (but you would have to remove it as it's also where fresh air enters when in use) I don't think I will bother, but if you need to be stealthy and say pass the device as a mp3 player or something during a security check, the rattle could raise some suspicions.
-The device being smaller, I found that it is easier to burn your fingers on the mouthpiece metal base (that reads "caution hot") You have to be careful when holding it and don't forget to warn people when you pass it around or they could drop it out of surprise!
- The buttons have no marking on them, so you have to figure which is + and which is -, but it's not a big deal once you know it.
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