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

[Hubs88]

I think a smaller size would be easier to hold onto. Or certain stickers might make it easier to hold.

Good idea, I have some vinyl stickers that should work. Nothing to flashy so I keep the stealth factor.

My Mini has this feature, it's only missing the led light in the bowl.

Good to know, this seems like a must have feature. I'll miss the bowl light but if it doesn't last long it's not a big deal.

Also, should I let the battery discharge fully before attempting to use it again?

Fully discharging rechargeable batteries is recommended before charging so they don't get a "memory" and no longer accept a full charge.

 

[jm1878]

Lol ya. I have a 5.0 and an imag plus and I just caved and ordered a mini.

Haha, well i intend on buying the grasshopper and pax 2 eventually when i can ever afford it but i think i will definitely need something to keep me going. I had the original Flowermate 5.0 but sold it and was thinking about the Imag Plus Copper from general reviews. But it costs almost $60 for a mere 2.5 grams in the country where I'm living so efficiency is a major factor. This is were I'm stuck

Imag Plus Copper tube or Flowermate Mini - Which would people think generally gets the most out of the herbs?

Thanks again lads!

 

[Solsticejk]

I have a Mini inbound on Saturday. Seems like a perfect relatively inexpensive option that can go anywhere as a "powerbank" . I don't have any experience with any other Flowermate, but I was thinking that an LED inside the oven seemed like a bad idea in terms of durability and also what you are ingesting, so I'm glad they left that out of the mini. I'll report back with general impressions when I try it out next week.

 

[sokesleezy]

Bah forget the bowl light, it was crap anyways: first version had it exposed in the bowl and it got gunked up so fast it was completely dim in no time. Then on my 5S the led was behind the silicone, but for some reason the end result was the same: now it's so dim it's basically useless...

Besides in the 5S as soon as you power on the device it starts heating up, so you can't really use the LED to fill the bowl like you expect...

IMHO it's really not that big of a loss if it's gone in both new models...

Thought it was just mine.

People with the Pro what has been your sweet spot temperature for flavor?

 

[OyVape]

Well, unfortunately, my experience with the Pro was very disappointing, in fact a Total Fail. At this point, I don't know if I just got a bad unit, or if the problems I had will turn out to be typical of this model. I hope not! On "paper", it sounds like it should be ideal, if it really works as claimed.

Before I go any further, let me say that Randy at Puffitup.com has been extraordinary in letting me return it. Risk-free shopping is important, and maybe especially important with certain manufacturers.

Anyway, here's what happened, as I told Randy:

After following the charging instructions & doing about 20 burn-off cycles (it really smelled), I loaded it up & tried starting at 350 F, bumping up 5 degrees every few hits. No matter what I did, I could not get any vapor, until about 400F when I got a couple very scant hits. Sometimes after a few back-to-back sessions, the temperature actually began falling, even with half a battery left. The variable temperature feature had appealed to me because I like to start at low temps. But this was barely producing vapor at high temps either. Also, it seems impossible to draw even lightly on the mouthpiece without it clogging up.

Anyway, after about an hour of this I got frustrated & gave up. I let the battery discharge fully, then recharged it fully & tried again, with the same unsatisfactory results.

At this point, I had already used a bit of herbal material & not wanting to waste any more, in my frustration, I foolishly inserted a basket stem from my eNano as a spacer into the vapor path. Then I couldn't get it out, & now it is stuck down in there, probably mangled. I really shouldn't have done that!


Anyhow, that is my experience. I'm really interested to see if others have a similar experience. I'm not writing this vape off completely just yet, could be I just got a bad one. I really wanted to love it. Maybe this is just not a low-temp vape. Time will tell...

 

[KeroZen]

Sorry mate but from what you say all I understand is that you did user error upon user error... :/

Now I guess it's too late since you returned it, but have you read the full thread? It's full of good advices that cover all problems you encountered...

We obviously don't have a similar experience with this vape. The Pro is the 6th vape I got from Smiss and I've been using it daily since I got it. And I'm a low temps flavor whore myself, so I can attest it definitely works as designed and it's in fact quite good at it.

 

[Old English]

Hi peeps, first post.

Been very interesting reading, here is my tuppence worth.
I have 2 5s's 1 5pro and a V8.
The first was a 5s and it was the first time I had used one and got to say it was fantastic from the get go.
Not a comment on it being a fantastic device compared with others, just that it was pleasant and did what it said on the box. My comparison references were a cheap box whip vape and a hebe titan 2.
On the strength of the performance of the V5.0s I got a V5.0pro. I did not get the same experience as the s from unboxing. Yes it has advantages in that you can take the temp right down and "tune" to your herb, but as it is a portable I found it a bit "vague" in use. It also heats faster, why?, as this to my mind introduces other problems. Not major but not as smooth an experience as the temp rises then seems to drop before levelling out. Yes it does the job and is more flexible, but for portable, load and go operation I prefer the s to the pro.
Maybe an idea to just increase the heat settings to 5 or 7 settings on the s instead of compromising things a bit as in the pro.
I have to say that is my opinion and choice. I would be happy with either but the S is my go to.

Right the V8

Just don't go there and you will be fine.
Clumsy, smelly and foul taste that I cant burn off.
Much cooler vapour but defeated utterly by the really icky taint.

Really interested to see how the mini pans out. Great on paper, but confusing. It claims the same power as the S but I don't think it is. Has it one or two batteries?

 

[OyVape]

Sorry mate but from what you say all I understand is that you did user error upon user error... :/

Now I guess it's too late since you returned it, but have you read the full thread? It's full of good advices that cover all problems you encountered...

We obviously don't have a similar experience with this vape. The Pro is the 6th vape I got from Smiss and I've been using it daily since I got it. And I'm a low temps flavor whore myself, so I can attest it definitely works as designed and it's in fact quite good at it.

@KeroZen, I realize shoving the screen in there was a no-no, but what other "user errors" did I commit? I respect your knowledge about this and other vapes.

And yes, I actually did read darn near most of this thread, especially the last 25 pages. In fact that is why I followed suggestions about charging and burning off first. I don't have a micro-drill setup to modify the mouthpiece and the internal screen but I don't think it's too much to ask that something new works properly when you buy it.

Please clarify. If the Pro works that well for you and others, perhaps I just got a bum unit and at some point I may try it again. At this point I think I will wait for some more opinions...

 

[weenstoned]

Draw speed, whether you pack your material down, how often you draw, and how much you pack in a bowl could all affect the amount of visible vapor. If you didn't pack your material down, and were drawing aggressively and often it wouldn't be surprising that you weren't getting much visible vapor especially down around 350. I would say that around 390-400 is when you start to see a lot more visible vapor anyways.

 

[Old English]

I am running the s and pro back to back for the first time.
Finding I need to turn up the pro long before the s needs it.
The pro does give darker abv material at top temps.
You will find if you use herb early and don't let it dry enough the material does build up on the upper screen.
I am still coming down on the side of the s though as it is, for me, more enjoyable.
The whole experience with the s was so much more instant and positive.
I can see that for some the lower temps will be useful and some will like that the pro can cook a little further.
I also have (uneducated) concerns that the way the pro uses its batteries will mean a shorter service life.

Anyone replaced batteries yet?

 

[KeroZen]

I found it a bit "vague" in use.

Please elaborate, what do you mean by that?

It also heats faster, why?, as this to my mind introduces other problems.

I fail to see the negative aspect here. Now that I have the Pro I find the 5S slow to heat... I wait impatiently for the LED to stop blinking, whereas with the Pro I just have enough time to set the desired temperature and a few seconds afterwards it's ready.

Not major but not as smooth an experience as the temp rises then seems to drop before levelling out.

This is just because the sensor reading is displayed but how do you know if the 5S does't have the exact same behaviour? I think their control loop algo and PID settings could be improved but their engineers think it's not really worth it as it's good already. The V8 exhibits the same "two stages" heat up curve, but it's true that in the Pro, the second phase can yield a rather strange transition where the temperature can sometimes drop a bit before stabilizing... Not a big deal though.

Yes it does the job and is more flexible, but for portable, load and go operation I prefer the s to the pro.

Tried starting your pro at 195°C like the blue setting on the 5S? I don't experience any difference. You can use the Pro like a 5S but not the inverse.

Maybe an idea to just increase the heat settings to 5 or 7 settings on the s instead of compromising things a bit as in the pro.

What do you feel is compromised? In most other vapes in general the few settings provided don't suit all users. I find the Solo settings too high for instance, the Haze (v1) settings were completely awkward and too limited, etc. And let's not forget that I find the 5S settings to be poorly chosen in the first place: blue is too high and purple is useless because it's too close to the others.

(the Mini) claims the same power as the S but I don't think it is. Has it one or two batteries?

No my Smiss contact clearly told me it was less powerful. Don't know if their commercial speech is clear enough about that. And yes it has a single cell like you suspected. No magic involved here: less voltage and less amps available equals less power for the heater.

I also have (uneducated) concerns that the way the pro uses its batteries will mean a shorter service life. Anyone replaced batteries yet?

I don't think so but I didn't get any formal confirmation either. I believe that due to the constant progress and lowering prices, they are now using Li-Ion cells with a higher C discharge rate able to deliver more amps. They know what they are doing and they wouldn't draw more than what the cells can safely deliver, it would be too dangerous.

---

@KeroZen I realize shoving the screen in there was a no-no, but what other "user errors" did I commit? (...) If the Pro works that well for you and others, perhaps I just got a bum unit and at some point I may try it again

The possibility that you got a lemon can't be discarded indeed, shit happens... or this vape could simply be not for you! There are plenty of other choices, I'm sure you will find one that satisfies you better.

But like @weenstoned said you need to tamp the load usually in conduction vapes in order to maximize the contact surface area with the bowl walls. And you need to draw slow enough as to not move the load around (losing said contact in the process)

And when you say the temperature began falling, are you sure it wasn't just the time-out feature? You need to press the top button for 3+ seconds to start a new cycle otherwise it shuts the heater off and enters standby mode.

 

[Old English]

Please elaborate, what do you mean by that?

I fail to see the negative aspect here. Now that I have the Pro I find the 5S slow to heat... I wait impatiently for the LED to stop blinking, whereas with the Pro I just have enough time to set the desired temperature and a few seconds afterwards it's ready.



This is just because the sensor reading is displayed but how do you know if the 5S does't have the exact same behaviour? I think their control loop algo and PID settings could be improved but their engineers think it's not really worth it as it's good already. The V8 exhibits the same "two stages" heat up curve, but it's true that in the Pro, the second phase can yield a rather strange transition where the temperature can sometimes drop a bit before stabilizing... Not a big deal though.



Tried starting your pro at 195°C like the blue setting on the 5S? I don't experience any difference. You can use the Pro like a 5S but not the inverse.



What do you feel is compromised? In most other vapes in general the few settings provided don't suit all users. I find the Solo settings too high for instance, the Haze (v1) settings were completely awkward and too limited, etc. And let's not forget that I find the 5S settings to be poorly chosen in the first place: blue is too high and purple is useless because it's too close to the others.



No my Smiss contact clearly told me it was less powerful. Don't know if their commercial speech is clear enough about that. And yes it has a single cell like you suspected. No magic involved here: less voltage and less amps available equals less power for the heater.



I don't think so but I didn't get any formal confirmation either. I believe that due to the constant progress and lowering prices, they are now using Li-Ion cells with a higher C discharge rate able to deliver more amps. They know what they are doing and they wouldn't draw more than what the cells can safely deliver, it would be too dangerous.




Blimey, the above queries are mainly my opinion based on my own experiences.
One thing I can do is measure the temp independently from the system and see if either show a significant dip just after indicating they reach the same indicated temp of 196c.
Like I say I have no issue with either unit, it is just that they have different characteristics.

 

[archangelz001]

@Old English you should put your comments outside the quote from another poster . That way we know for sure what you are saying. Also, no need to quote the whole post. Delete everything except the part you are directly responding to. And welcome!

I love my Pro, my Mini, and my v5.0. All have different uses and since I microdose I usually get several sessions from each when loaded with 0.1gm or less. That way I have a sativa, a hybrid, and an indica ready to go, depending on time of day and situation.

Edit to add: I agree that the clouds I get with the v5.0 (415f), and the Mini set at purple(415) surpass what I get on the Pro set to 415 for some reason. I actually think my Pro runs cooler than what the setting says. But I still love the flavors with the Pro when set to 350, 365 and 380, even though the vapor is minimal or thin. The effects are still "there".

 

[hippogriff]

Very happy w a new mod on the FMMini (should apply to all V5 models); drilled out my whole mouthpiece and replaced w SS screen. Domed 1/2" screen, cut some scallops along the outside to collapse. Drilled out mouthpiece (bye bye 5 holes) leaving a couple mm for registration. Pushed screen thru mouthpiece w/ pen, squish dome down a bit.
- the dome replaces the piece of SS I was putting over the loaded bowl to reduce maint.
- no more flow maint issues, clogging doesn't happen.
- I came from a MFLB, I like the lowered resistance and greater control, still easy for novices.

This, combined w another screen pushed into the bowl, gives me a bowl customized to my use and super easy maintenance. Ground down the glass for tight connection (and so it'd still fit w the new dome) and my Mini is tuned. Happy.

 

[TheIslandGuru]

Anyone find out how many cycles the Mini can take before needing a charge? Looking to buy a first vape and I'm interested in the mini or the v5.0s, battery life and portability being the main factors.

 

[Old English]

@Old English you should put your comments outside the quote from another poster . That way we know for sure what you are saying. Also, no need to quote the whole post. Delete everything except the part you are directly responding to. And welcome!

I love my Pro, my Mini, and my v5.0. All have different uses and since I microdose I usually get several sessions from each when loaded with 0.1gm or less. That way I have a sativa, a hybrid, and an indica ready to go, depending on time of day and situation.

Edit to add: I agree that the clouds I get with the v5.0 (415f), and the Mini set at purple(415) surpass what I get on the Pro set to 415 for some reason. I actually think my Pro runs cooler than what the setting says. But I still love the flavors with the Pro when set to 350, 365 and 380, even though the vapor is minimal or thin. The effects are still "there".

Yes, my bad.

 

[Marcelvg]

Hello, this is my first post, from Utrecht the Netherlands. I just ordered a 5.0s from Aliexpress. I also have a Atmos Boss (because of no-combustion and a small herbchamber), but it doesn't vaporize. Also the top screen gets clogged. I hope i get a refund from aliexpress. I use a vaporite solo, but i want a portable model. I have a couple of questions:
- Is the FM5.0s suitable for small amounts of herb? I normaly use about 0,15 grams per session (I easely get midicated, 4 or 5 draws / hits is enough for me). What happends when I fill it with just 0,15 gram? Do i need to pack it?
- I did read something about the bottom screen gets clogged and need maitainance? Sorry, my English is not the best so i didn't understand all of it in this thread. I don't want to have to take it apart when I need to clean it.
- My vaporite leaves a brown, sticky resin in the glass whip. I'ts very hard to clean. Is that sticky residue bad for your lungs?

Thanks in advance for your replies!
Greetings from a sunny Holland!

 

[hippogriff]

Hello, this is my first post, from Utrecht the Netherlands. I just ordered a 5.0s from Aliexpress. I also have a Atmos Boss (because of no-combustion and a small herbchamber), but it doesn't vaporize. Also the top screen gets clogged. I hope i get a refund from aliexpress. I use a vaporite solo, but i want a portable model. I have a couple of questions:
- Is the FM5.0s suitable for small amounts of herb? I normaly use about 0,15 grams per session (I easely get midicated, 4 or 5 draws / hits is enough for me). What happends when I fill it with just 0,15 gram? Do i need to pack it?
- I did read something about the bottom screen gets clogged and need maitainance? Sorry, my English is not the best so i didn't understand all of it in this thread. I don't want to have to take it apart when I need to clean it.
- My vaporite leaves a brown, sticky resin in the glass whip. I'ts very hard to clean. Is that sticky residue bad for your lungs?

Thanks in advance for your replies!
Greetings from a sunny Holland!

When you get your FM, take a small piece of stainless steel screen and push it into the bowl. This will keep the bottom screen from getting clogged. Also, only push the screen down far enough so your 0.15 of herb reaches the top of the ceramic w/o packing, this will ensure you get productive vapor on those 4-5 draws. The tiny mouthpiece holes can get clogged during use - more screen on top of your herb is a fix, so is making the holes bigger.

On the resin, you can clean this up w/ 70% isopropyl alcohol, either by soaking or wiping. Some people collect their resin to smoke or eat.

 

[max]

When you get your FM, take a small piece of stainless steel screen and push it into the bowl.

That's certainly an option, but not necessary. I've used this design for years (it's taken, IMO, from the original DaVinci), and never used a screen in the bowl (although I do this with another model that clogs quickly and badly). If you replace the stock mouthpiece screen (mesh is too fine) with a standard ss 3/8" screen, air flow is improved and clogging of the screen is greatly reduced. You can just brush the screen off after a bowl with the supplied brush and keep going, with a thorough 'take apart' cleaning not needed very often (the more often you clean though, the easier it is).

The tiny mouthpiece holes can get clogged during use

This is true but it takes quite a while, since the herb hits the screen before the restrictor plate, where the holes are. I've only expanded the center hole on mine, and the other four holes are perfectly clear, after vaping many bowls. The holes in this model's plate are huge compared to those in the X-Max V2/Storm, and the plate holes there are in front of the mouthpiece screen instead of behind. They're also tiny, compared to the FM. Without an added screen to the bowl, that model(s) gets clogged to the point of being unusable in no time. The FM's design is great in comparison, although I do think their mouthpiece screen needs replacing with a standard ss screen.

 

[Marcelvg]

Ok tnx....i'll try it first without an extra screen. Do you need a mouthpiece screeen at all?

I have some extra screens from my vaporite, but it' s a shame that the flowernate needs these adjustments...

The term 'herbs' make me laugh......we all know what it's all about! Haha ;-)

Mod note: posts merged

 

[MrBigCheese]

Hey guys I need to decide today whether to buy the v5s ($80) or the v5 mini ($100). I'm mostly concerned about the performance of course but the regular size seems a bit too bulky to smoke outside inconspicuously? What are your thoughts, is it worth $20 more for the smaller size and less power?

E: I found the mini for $85 actually so I pounced on that

 

[Reflexion]

The mini is 85 at puffitup. Mine should be here soon. I have a imag plus, but I prefer the form of the mini. And The 5s version is a little too big in my opinion

Anyone know where I can pick up a car charger or power bank that will work and not damage the mini?

 

[hippogriff]

The mini is 85 at puffitup. Mine should be here soon. I have a imag plus, but I prefer the form of the mini. And The 5s version is a little too big in my opinion

Anyone know where I can pick up a car charger or power bank that will work and not damage the mini?

That's the other reason to get a Mini - USB charging, so really any USB charger will do, you likely already have what you need.

 

[Solsticejk]

The mini arrived today, and I'm not thrilled by what I see so far, though I haven't tested herbs in it yet. The chamber that holds the stem has exposed electronics showing in it, though this is more about fit and finish than a real problem. What does concern me is a visible piece of what looks like copper wire stuck in the screen on the bottom of the oven, which I have been unable to remove. I don't want to be inhaling copper. Also, I charged it up and ran it empty, and there is a strong glue or electronic smell/taste coming out of it. Anyone have similar experiences/advice? I love the size and the ease of use, but it will bother me if there are taste/health concerns.

 

[paytonpenn]

I just unboxed it 30 minutes ago and have ran 3 burnoffs and started vaping. Very pleased, I wish it was max temp of 230C but I have other vapes that are great in that area. The strong adhesive/electronic taste is present for me as well. This was an issue of the Flowermate and while it does degrade it honestly doesn't taste that great in general, I don't see that changing on this one.