So far I am liking the Flowermate in most regards. This dog does hunt. I was really happy to see an absence of worrying fumes or phantom vapor when running the unit for several cycles while empty. Flavor is on the good side, vapor density on the acceptable side, bowl size is maybe 2x a well packed Solo stem which I do appreciate it. ABV consistency is very nice and ABV is a nice brownish hue - not as dark as I would personally like, which is my main issue with the unit. I would simply like another, higher temperature setting, or for the base one to be more aggressive - I acknowledge this is a matter of taste and that increase in temp would likely offend as many people as it would please. Heat up time is superb, with visible and tasty vapor being produced within 25 seconds or so. Don't wait for the light to turn green or you'll have already missed a bit of the nice low temp stuff. The build quality is pretty nice, with a sturdy metal chassis. I do not like the super-shiny, chromed-looking metal on the mouthpiece though, some part of me just thinks "cheap pot metal" when I see that.
Like many, I use the Solo as a yardstick by which other portable vapes can be measured. I do definitely prefer my Solo for vapor production, ABV darkness, and flavor. At the same time the Flowermate has a claimed superior battery life, is more compact, does not require a fragile and seperate stem, has a faster heat up time, and at this moment is just a bit over half the price of a Solo. Now that Smiss is claiming they will hike the price, that advantage will diminish somewhat.
Some are bringing up the Firewood, which I've only owned the V1 of. People tend to overstate the learning