FlowerMate Vapormax V/V5.0/V5.0S/V5 Pro

KeroZen

Chronic vapaholic
After the claims of thermal degradation in the FM5 (I assume original version? so "Vapormax V") by @Abysmal Vapor in another thread, I had to dis-spell any doubts. I took apart my FlowerMate 5-S, which has seen A LOT of use, including on the max "red" temperature setting, which is 5°C higher than in the original FM5.


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I inspected it thoroughly and the only "off" thing I found was a lot of fine ABV dust! There is absolutely zero signs of heat degradation on any part. The power and sensor wires going to the heater are all fine, same for the plastic holder and the polyimide tape around the rockwool insulation.


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The silicone part above the bowl is a bit sticky on the outside as if some vapor had condensed on it. The rest is perfectly fine. Please also note that the air intake as said previously was already relatively isolated back then (most air comes from the side vents and apart from the battery cells, the electronics are rather far away, one PCB at the very top and one small at the bottom for the charging jack and LED)


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I used a brush to clean the ABV dust and also took the opportunity to remove the polyimide tape that was around the battery pack (it has no purpose after assembly and is another source of parasitic smell)

The cells are LGABB4, apparently LG rewraps with 2600mAh and 10A continuous discharge, cf: http://www.staringpower.com/product/lgabb4-18650-2600mah/ It matches the specs on the box and what my Smiss contact confirmed. No problems here.

Conclusion: I stand on my positions, the FM5-S is engineered properly and is safe to use. Recent versions have a fully isolated air intake (from the mouthpiece compartment) so we can't even use that argument anymore. The only source of parasitic smell when the device is new is the glue on the polyimide tape around the heater and cells (which does eventually fade away after a lot of empty burn-ins with adequate ventilation. Note that this unit had me *blowing* inside the mouthpiece at max temperature for several entire battery discharges, and the plastic holder directly facing the bottom of the heater shows no signs of damage)

It's possible that earlier versions were not the same quality or that @Abysmal Vapor got a lemon, but I will continue to recommend the FM5-S and FM5-Pro as they have a great value for their price, and they are built like a tank and can withstand a lot of abuse.
 
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Abysmal Vapor

Supersniffer 2000 - robot fart detection device
Just for the record. My girlfriends flowermate was from the very first versions,it was ordered directly from the manufacturer :). Btw even at its very end it was functioning after two years of heavy use and multiple drops and left for weeks with drained battery,what failed was the button.First it fall off then i could still turn it on with a tooth pick,but then eventually the thingie soldered to the circuitboard failed too.
 
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arcwind

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,

Just ordered the 5.0s and dont have time to wade thru all these pages so i figured id just ask my questions.

Whats the best way to pack this unit? Ive owned a extreme q, da buddha, and iolite, so i assume a tight pack will help, should i use my pollen press or just tamp down?

Otherwise what else should i know?
 

Vitolo

Vaporist
5.0 seems to do best with a fillled chamber.. right to the top... but without tamping.
Fully filled, but not packed is how I use it.
If you "tamp down" at all, only do so lightly.
I have experimented with packing it looser.... but conduction vapes function better with closeness of weed.
I tried packing it tightly like the Adventurer and Pax, but was not happy with the draw or flavor, and found less dense clouds.
I fill it to top, and gently tamp it down.

dont have time
I am sure you will find time as you learn to enjoy the 5.0, to read back in the thread a bit to learn about some user's preferences, and hacks that various members have found to make the 5.0 more fun and productive.
 
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arcwind

Well-Known Member
I am sure you will find time as you learn to enjoy the 5.0, to read back in the thread a bit to learn about some user's preferences, and hacks that various members have found to make the 5.0 more fun and productive.

Anything specific? Sometimes wish these OPs were updated with links to things like that
 
arcwind,

Vitolo

Vaporist
Anything specific? Sometimes wish these OPs were updated with links to things like that
I can't be more specific.
I read it all, and when something pops up in either usage, or technique, at that time what I read comes back to me.
Same as with the lengthy threads of all vapes I own.... I can't recall specific tips and hints until the time pops up that I need them, then it comes to me.
I gave you what I have off the top of my head.
5.0 seems to do best with a fillled chamber.. right to the top... but without tamping.
Fully filled, but not packed is how I use it.
If you "tamp down" at all, only do so lightly.
That is the best I can do for you.
My suggestion: Read the information.
 
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Vitolo,
Hey guys,

Just ordered the 5.0s and dont have time to wade thru all these pages so i figured id just ask my questions.

Whats the best way to pack this unit? Ive owned a extreme q, da buddha, and iolite, so i assume a tight pack will help, should i use my pollen press or just tamp down?

Otherwise what else should i know?

I respectfully disagree with @Vitolo. I have both the Flowermate V5Pro and Mini. Both function best when the load is packed down to a puck. Conduction is most effective when the heat transfers evenly through the load. If it is not packed it will have air pockets. That's what you want with a convection vaporizer, but not with a conduction vaporizer. I also use cheap pipe screens on top of the load to prevent bits and pieces from clogging the mouthpiece - it helps to keep the load in place and in good contact with the wall of the ceramic oven. I pack anywhere from 0.05gm to 0.2gm per load, depending on how many sessions I intend to take with the strain used, or the number of people sharing.
 
I got a V5.0s a while ago and was curious about replacing the batteries when it comes to that time, have noticed a few tear-down videos etc. online (and the actual disassembly/assembly seems straightforward enough), but was wondering if anyone here:

Has an idea of how long the original batteries last?

Knows how to properly replace the batteries without messing up (the calibration of) the unit and possibly any other tips to keep this noble steed of a vape functional.

I'm handy with a soldering iron etc., but read something about 'tabs' on the battery pack somewhere and the potential to damage the unit when replacing, I also don't want to change them before it's needed, hence the question on original battery life.
 
MercurialVapour,

AtomicPB

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,

quite some time since my last post. I always liked my Flowermate v5.0s mini. Unfortunately I gave it to my GF for a while who never cleaned/maintained it ... which makes me consider buying a shiny new one (on discount at verdampftnochmal.de for 79€ ATM).

I like the small form factor and the longevity of the battery. Considering this, would you recommend another V5.0s mini or switch to a mini x or mini pro? Shorter batterie life of the latter makes me hesitant. Or is there another comparable cheap vape with similar form factor and batterie life which I shall look into?

I am also curious if anyone compared the FM5 to the new DaVinci IQ and the drawn conclusions (form factor seems similar and taste is supposed to be superior). :D

Thanks.
 
AtomicPB,

KeroZen

Chronic vapaholic
Has an idea of how long the original batteries last?

These cells are specified for about 300 to 500 cycles before capacity drops so much that they are considered spent. So it depends how frequently you recharge them (plus storage conditions and how deep you discharge)

If it's your only daily driver that could mean only a single year...

Knows how to properly replace the batteries without messing up (the calibration of) the unit and possibly any other tips to keep this noble steed of a vape functional.

No report of anyone performing it so far. But IIRC I asked my Smiss contact at some point and she said there would be no problem with lost calibration data. So either they are not calibrated at all or the data is stored in some form of non volatile memory (EEPROM etc.)

I'm handy with a soldering iron etc., but read something about 'tabs' on the battery pack somewhere and the potential to damage the unit when replacing, I also don't want to change them before it's needed, hence the question on original battery life.

I answered the exact same question recently here >> http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/f...attery-related-assistance.24679/#post-1140753

I like the small form factor and the longevity of the battery. Considering this, would you recommend another V5.0s mini or switch to a mini x or mini pro? Shorter batterie life of the latter makes me hesitant. Or is there another comparable cheap vape with similar form factor and batterie life which I shall look into?

I like the Mini Pro but the battery life is bad, sadly. I recommend the OG Mini instead for that reason. Don't know about the Mini X, if it has a 18650 like the OG Mini or a LiPo pouch like the Mini Pro.

Apart from Pax/2/3 and IQ, I'm not aware of other super small vapes like it. Maybe the Goboof Alfa?

I am also curious if anyone compared the FM5 to the new DaVinci IQ and the drawn conclusions (form factor seems similar and taste is supposed to be superior). :D

I didn't test the IQ but reviews were mixed in the thread.
 
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hillbill

Well-Known Member
Best display outdoors is my plain mini. Nice and bright. Minix is useable outdoors also and leds can be turned of for "stealth". My 5.0s sucks in bright light and the screen on my pro just looks black outside.

I must be pretty basic kind of guy. Love Flowermates and using an aluminum vapor genie at the moment to sample new bud for taste and a plain maple Underdog is always on.
 
hillbill,
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TallCan

Well-Known Member
My plain mini is 3 years old. I have modded my mini completely. Removed the screen in the bottom of the oven with a pin. Drilled the mouthpiece out completely and replaced with a stanless steel FM 8mm screen with the hemp filter sandwich vapcap style( Lasts for 2 weeks with heavy use, with plenty of reclaim). Ed's Tnt 14mm mouthpiece(never gets hot and fits in the mouthpiece slot no problem) and a 5/8 ss pipe screen coned and place on top of each load. Sneaky Pete 14mm bubbler(dry mostly, but wet sometimes), I also feather the air hole. It hits like a desktop model. Zero draw resistance. Huge Tasty Clouds and so small i can palm it at the park and no one notices.

I have a large collection of vapes. Vapcap TI Glassy, Vapcap M, Vapcap OG, FM 1 temp, FM V05, Sticky Brick Jr., White Rhino Hustle Gang Pen, Vapor Brothers desktop.
 
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TallCan

Well-Known Member
@TallCan you should put instructions for your modifications online. Sounds really interesting.

Somehow I have always been fond of my Flowermate Mini.:love: :)
Most of the mods I did. I found online
1. Remove bottom screen
2. Drill out mouthpiece base
A. 8mm on bottom of mp
B. Hemp fiber filter
C. 10mm on top of that then connect mp. Should fit tight
3. 14mm mp from Ed's Tnt
I use the bubbler at home and just the mp on the go
4. Ss screen on top of the load. Pressed down tightly chamber 80% full. If i want more flavor i just put a slightly domed screen in the bottom of the chamber and still press down tightly.
 
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Killa $moke Ninja

Well-Known Member
My plain mini is 3 years old. I have modded my mini completely. Removed the screen in the bottom of the oven with a pin. Drilled the mouthpiece out completely and replaced with a stanless steel FM 8mm screen with the hemp filter sandwich vapcap style( Lasts for 2 weeks with heavy use, with plenty of reclaim). Ed's Tnt 14mm mouthpiece(never gets hot and fits in the mouthpiece slot no problem) and a 5/8 ss pipe screen coned and place on top of each load. Sneaky Pete 14mm bubbler(dry mostly, but wet sometimes), I also feather the air hole. It hits like a desktop model. Zero draw resistance. Huge Tasty Clouds and so small i can palm it at the park and no one notices.

I have a large collection of vapes. Vapcap TI Glassy, Vapcap M, Vapcap OG, FM 1 temp, FM V05, Sticky Brick Jr., White Rhino Hustle Gang Pen, Vapor Brothers desktop.
What do you mean by feather the air hole?
 

Killa $moke Ninja

Well-Known Member
I open the mouthpiece storage a quarter of the way on blue, all the way on purple and red. I then use my index finger to cover the hole a while say 8 secs and then i tap my fingertip on the hole to clear the chamber. All while drawing on the mp or bubbler.
Oh I see so you just use it like a carb. I just pulled my FM o5s out of storage. I've been using a glass vapor genie because I think it has better flavor but I think I want to upgrade to the arizer solo for the pure convection. The FM would have been better IMO if the heating chamber was upside down like the pax so the herb wouldn't try to raise up when you take a draw.
 
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TallCan

Well-Known Member
Oh I see so you just use it like a carb. I just pulled my FM o5s out of storage. I've been using a glass vapor genie because I think it has better flavor but I think I want to upgrade to the arizer solo for the pure convection. The FM would have been better IMO if the heating chamber was upside down like the pax so the herb wouldn't try to raise up when you take a draw.
That used to bother me to no end but once i started placing the ss screen on top of my flowers it didn't matter. I used to use the herb pod upside down without the lid, it works but can be extremely messy if you forget about it and turn the unit to store the mouthpiece.
 
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hillbill

Well-Known Member
I use a screen for a pattern to make my own SS wire screens from bigger pipe screens. I bought hundreds on eBay and I like the ones I make better. Tanks are great for vaping on the go. I have a dozen. Use more heat and no air leaks and it works fine. My 5.0x and MiniX are getting to be my most favored vapes.
 

TallCan

Well-Known Member
I use a screen for a pattern to make my own SS wire screens from bigger pipe screens. I bought hundreds on eBay and I like the ones I make better. Tanks are great for vaping on the go. I have a dozen. Use more heat and no air leaks and it works fine. My 5.0x and MiniX are getting to be my most favored vapes.
I have been looking at the minix for a while. Can you tell the difference in the V.05 and the V.0X. Is the a real difference between the two units.
 
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