Discontinued Herbstick Deluxe

[Shit Snacks]

Yeah my usb is extremely airy, and after who knows how many burn offs it still reeks. Different smell at oven and top like KeroZen noted, but both terrible.

I can't seem to get the holes any bigger on my mouthpiece using a screwdriver, just stuck with safety pin size so I can't pull the silicone out but I'm sure its plenty gross by now.

Either way it doesn't matter I suppose, I'm not going to able to use mine at all, so maybe I'll stop bothering with the burn offs that seem to do little anyway.

Should I be contacting them about another sample? It was free so I figured its not a big deal if I can't ever use it, and another one will still have the mouthpiece unusable for me too...

 

[HillaryClinton]

Yeah my usb is extremely airy, and after who knows how many burn offs it still reeks. Different smell at oven and top like KeroZen noted, but both terrible.

I can't seem to get the holes any bigger on my mouthpiece using a screwdriver, just stuck with safety pin size so I can't pull the silicone out but I'm sure its plenty gross by now.

Either way it doesn't matter I suppose, I'm not going to able to use mine at all, so maybe I'll stop bothering with the burn offs that seem to do little anyway.

Should I be contacting them about another sample? It was free so I figured its not a big deal if I can't ever use it, and another one will still have the mouthpiece unusable for me too...

Hmm I really don't smell anything to off, if I shove my nose into it I smell metal and slight plastic from the surrounding plastic I suppose...nothing to off putting. Maybe its a fluke?

 

[KeroZen]

I did a session with mine, it was way better than the first. The improved air-flow is more to my liking, although I can now overwhelm the heater if I draw too fast (that was expected) But I prefer having to restrict my draw by myself, like on the Ascent. It requires more practice but gives a better "free flowing" feeling...hard to explain.

I didn't taste any obvious off-taste, and the low temps were actually pretty good. The new vape odor is now already masked by the plant smell. Anyways I tend to be sensible to that but I must admit it was not as bad as some other vapes.

The digital cell voltage display during charging is very nice. I was able to stop charging at 4.05V, it will increase battery life a lot. Anywhere between 4.0V and 4.1V will have a big impact on the max cycle count. Same for the discharge level, with the display it will be possible to enforce the <80% rule easily.

I triple checked the USB leak issue, by making sure I was not blowing air through the top of the device (there's a gap between the top plastic housing and the alu shell body) but only through the hole where the metal tube is (with mouthpiece removed) and I could once again feel air exiting the USB port.

You might say it's a minor issue, and it is to some extent yes, but we are testing this device and should not let pass this kind of things. If they can fix it directly at the factory, no DIY hacks will be needed.

@Shit Snacks : try with a slow twisting motion using the screwdriver, back and forth while applying moderate pressure. The bottom hole is easier to enlarge than the top one. For the top one I had to use two different sizes and insist a bit more, but it was worth the effort.

Please do contact them about your issues, I'll do the same later on this week.

 

[HillaryClinton]

Sent them an email about the usb air issue(I do find it concerning, breathing anything over electronics is a no no in my book health wise). Hope they fix it before release because honestly me and my friend who checked it out with me liked its functions better then the pax slightly(Screen, temp control, mouthpiece seemed a bit less an issue cleaning wise)...

Update from: Ludo zhu

"Thank you for contacting me and send me feedback, we much appreciated for that.
I have also read the discussion about the USB air in issues. as other testers did not meet this problem.
I think you and Kerozen have this problem according the discussion
the airpath is totally sealed as you can see the Pictures showed by
I am wondering when you inhale from the top where you cover you mouth? if you cover you mouth on Mouthpice there should have no air come from USB, but if you cover you mouth from the hole on the body itself, it will have air come in but not related with airpath as they are seperate.
Any way i will be glad to send one more for you to test it out.
also we will be gald to send to Kerozen regarding this.
please share my thoughts on the forum as i still not get the commercial account approved.
no idea why takes so long. if i have a commercial account i will be glad to join the discusscion .
Much appreciated."

Sounds like they are trying to do right by this one, hopefully he gets approved quicker, anyone here know how to get approved a tad faster?

From the sounds the air usb issue isn't an issue as much as maybe it banged around a bit in shipping(Mine was slightly damaged, maybe to much bumping around, who knows, it did have a scratch/dent on the screen). I am fairly sure based on the photos here and his response that the replacement I get shipped wont have this issue, nor the finalized product.

If I ignore the USB issue I do prefer this to the Pax based on my little time with it, hope to have a full review up fairly soon after I receive and test the replacement.

 

[Abysmal Vapor]

Guys.... Why the fuck do you drill the mouthpiece ?Kind of wanting to say fuck you.. for giving that tip ... but i damaged only center holes (which actually improved airflow a bit..to find this out.. It can be easily opened.... LOL... I will add pictures later..BTW my new herbstick should be here later today. !!!
I can suggest two ways to open it..
You either put a pin trough top hole and hit it with smth.. You see that you can do that without damaging the silicon.
Second approach is to screw the tube and pul it out by moving it slightly up and down while pulling
Btw my came off really easy... no rambo powers were needed just some shaking up and down of the tube while pulling.
I think first method is safer/easier to try first..

 

[mrweed]

Thanks for all the great Input! I've choose you guys wisely

 

[paytonpenn]

The vape is nice, here's my first impressions.

Flavor isn't bad but the device itself adds a pretty off taste. My airflow isnt huge for the the USB port and I do think the vibration is nice but needs to be more suddle.

Vapor production is top, I have a screen placed in the bottom of the oven and another with a bigger screen to have the herb sandwiched. Capable of small bowls that way and extraction is great.

Easily wiggled off the mouthpiece and removed the silicone. It doesn't make a big impact but why was it there in the first place..

Vape is technically good but flavor is not. I can taste the vaporizer itself. That smell is greater than my herb and is really off putting. I haven't done any burn offs but i will today, doubt the flavor will leave.

 

[scottg402]

Mine is coming today. I also got a bunch of other new vapes this week so it's like Christmas at my house!

 

[Shit Snacks]

Guys.... Why the fuck do you drill the mouthpiece ?Kind of wanting to say fuck you.. for giving that tip ... but i damaged only center holes (which actually improved airflow a bit..to find this out.. It can be easily opened.... LOL... I will add pictures later..BTW my new herbstick should be here later today. !!!
I can suggest two ways to open it..
You either put a pin trough top hole and hit it with smth.. You see that you can do that without damaging the silicon.
Second approach is to screw the tube and pul it out by moving it slightly up and down while pulling
Btw my came off really easy... no rambo powers were needed just some shaking up and down of the tube while pulling.
I think first method is safer/easier to try first..

Can that bottom panel then be reattached? I really wanna get that silicone out and I've gotten nowhere

 

[HillaryClinton]

The two times I did use it the air flow was not any worse then a pax, silicone is pretty safe, its basically the safest plastic, I personally would not tamper with the mouthpiece, maybe I am missing the issue, I did only go threw two trenches, waiting for the replacement to do more. Is the air flow that bad for you guys?

 

[KeroZen]

Actually no it wasn't that bad, but I tend to taste/smell silicone so I thought that it could be contributing to the "new vape" smell I was experiencing. But my main concern (as seen on the picture posted above) is that it will gunk super fast and will be very hard to clean. It's a kind of sticky soft silicone so it will collect a lot of resin. At least with only metal in the mouthpiece I will feel safe to reclaim from it with ISO, whereas with silicone I would probably have tossed the ISO away.

I prefer the air flow as it is now, but it's a matter of personal taste.

I think the silicone was there as some sort of heat insulation maybe? Yesterday I noticed that the mouthpiece was getting warm after some use and it didn't strike me the first time.

As for being safe I don't know, once cured it probably is, but someone back then posted in the Ascent thread a list of chemicals that can out-gas from silicone during curing and it was frightening. Lotsof nasty shit can leach out for a while (it tapers down with a bell curve, meaning it will continue to out-gas minute amounts for a long time even when you can't really detect it with your senses)

Also not all silicone is created equal. There are so many recipes and variations it's hard to generalize. But I feel safer with bare metal vs metal + silicone, if I can avoid it.

 

[Abysmal Vapor]

Can that bottom panel then be reattached? I really wanna get that silicone out and I've gotten nowhere

The new herbstick is here and it kicks ass.. Disassembled the moutpiece with no trouble. You just need to be concentrated.. Just screw the tube in squeese on the marks on the top part with two fingers and start pulling the tube while moving it up and down meantime. Don't worry you wont damage it just don't go too far up and down.. small fast moves and consistent pulling.
I am very happy with this unit.. I've tried pax and this tastes better IMO.. It is a conduction vape so it is normal to fuck up taste at high temps>
Soon i will make a video of operation it milks my bong like crazy...
Also this is one of the best airpath coolingwise in a portable i have experienced ,even at 225 C vapor is not hot to the mouth due the long metal airpath >
This Silicon is the same type underdog used to use for stems i think,you can bake cookies in it

 

[HillaryClinton]

Actually no it wasn't that bad, but I tend to taste/smell silicone so I thought that it could be contributing to the "new vape" smell I was experiencing. But my main concern (as seen on the picture posted above) is that it will gunk super fast and will be very hard to clean. It's a kind of sticky soft silicone so it will collect a lot of resin. At least with only metal in the mouthpiece I will feel safe to reclaim from it with ISO, whereas with silicone I would probably have tossed the ISO away.

I prefer the air flow as it is now, but it's a matter of personal taste.

I think the silicone was there as some sort of heat insulation maybe? Yesterday I noticed that the mouthpiece was getting warm after some use and it didn't strike me the first time.

As for being safe I don't know, once cured it probably is, but someone back then posted in the Ascent thread a list of chemicals that can out-gas from silicone during curing and it was frightening. Lotsof nasty shit can leach out for a while (it tapers down with a bell curve, meaning it will continue to out-gas minute amounts for a long time even when you can't really detect it with your senses)

Also not all silicone is created equal. There are so many recipes and variations it's hard to generalize. But I feel safer with bare metal vs metal + silicone, if I can avoid it.

I see, I was under the impression that silicone was always rather safe, my mistake, its at the bottom of my electric kettle, I looked into it a while back because of that and everything pointed towards safe, well I will have 2 mouthpieces once the new one comes, can use the damaged one I have as a test dummy, I hate to tear into things and possibly break them, even if its just a slight chance. Thanks for the info!

The new herbstick is here and it kicks ass.. Disassembled the moutpiece with no trouble. You just need to be concentrated.. Just screw the tube in squeese on the marks on the top part with two fingers and start pulling the tube while moving it up and down meantime. Don't worry you wont damage it just don't go too far up and down.. small fast moves and consistent pulling.
I am very happy with this units.. I've tried pax and this tastes better IMO.. It is a conduction vape so it is normal to fuck up taste at high temps>
Soon i will make a video of operation it milks my bong like crazy...
Also this is one of the best airpath coolingwise in a portable i have experiences ,even at 225 C vapor is not hot to the mouth due the long metal airpath

Glad to hear its working well for you now.

 

[Shit Snacks]

The new herbstick is here and it kicks ass.. Disassembled the moutpiece with no trouble. You just need to be concentrated.. Just screw the tube in squeese on the marks on the top part with two fingers and start pulling the tube while moving it up and down meantime. Don't worry you wont damage it just don't go too far up and down.. small fast moves and consistent pulling.
I am very happy with this unit.. I've tried pax and this tastes better IMO.. It is a conduction vape so it is normal to fuck up taste at high temps>
Soon i will make a video of operation it milks my bong like crazy...
Also this is one of the best airpath coolingwise in a portable i have experienced ,even at 225 C vapor is not hot to the mouth due the long metal airpath >
This Silicon is the same type underdog used to use for stems i think,you can bake cookies in it

Ah and then the panel snaps back in and stays tight? Nice! I'll try this when I get home tonight.

So emailed Ludo to tell him about my how mine stinks, i guess we'll see if I end up with a new one as well...

 

[KeroZen]

I must admit that they show a clear willingness to do things right and improve their device. Interactions with Ludo were good so far, they are eager to get feedback.

I sent them some info about what I think could be the leak spot, they will look into it. For the silicone in the mouthpiece it can be removed but they can't enlarge the holes because they are made by the hardware factory. They will also try to address the buzzer and the diamond LED if needed, but do we all want that fixed? I'm not fond of the false diamond but others might like it? And the buzzer is too strong for me, but it has some usefulness...

I don't know what's holding their commercial account creation on FC but it would be even better if they could participate directly.

 

[Shit Snacks]

So @Abysmal Vapor your panel came right out pulling and moving the tube while it was screwed in? Just using two hands?

Haven't gotten anywhere with mine yet, doesn't feel like its moving at all and feels like my fingers aren't enough to do it, like I would need a vice or something which I dont have. Hard to grip such a small sleek object with both hands and wiggle and pull at the same time. I guess I'll keep trying

Also heard from Ludo after sending my feedback, he thanked me but didn't offer a replacement unit that might not have odor issue. I didn't demand or even ask for one, so I'm not mad or anything. Just thought I'd update that it seems I may never actually get to use this thing

 

[paytonpenn]

Mine popped out a little from falling. Had to press it back in.

Taste has improved but its still not great, I still don't feel like I taste only herb or primarily herb. I do have issues with the mouthpiece getting stuck if I don't clean it. At first I thought it was from not using and going to a cold device, I still have mouthpiece moving issues even though I've cleaned it, its stiff and doesn't glide anymore.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Ah I got mine. Had to hit it with hammer to loosen the joint then got it out. Then I was able to use small bits to make the bottom hole one big hole. I guess I will finally get to try this one (though it still stinks). Will update how it goes

 

[HillaryClinton]

Got one coming now, will keep you updated, you gonna use it if it stinks? Not sure I would, I didn't smell anything odd with my deluxe though...hmm, what smells? Isn't it a straight metal air path? Besides the MP silicone? Hmm...interesting.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Ah you have a second one coming?

It seems the smell is improving with herbal use, done 3-4 sessions temp stepping and i think its better than it was. I think the smell is primarily the silcones curing, so I may just be more sensitive to it but its likely perfectly safe. It even looks like theres an extra piece of silicone gasket that hangs over my oven opening a little so that may be why mine smelled worse, now its getting avb scent to cure it. There could also be silicone in the middle part like the ascent, but its hard to see exactly how the stems fit together. I still vote for non retractable single piece stem and mouthpiece more like indica for less frequent cleaning though.

Anyway using with 2 other people, early impressions are actually pretty positive in the end for this guy as of now. Its a twsit given my earlier struggles but with the mouthpiece clear of silicome and five holes made to one, the airflow is great to just sip on like the ascent. Not too tight and must slightly restricted at the mouthpiece opening like the indicas stock. Its oven is long and efficient like the indicas it seems, maybe just slightly less so as its a little shorter and wider, but it also has indica like tight magnetic door. Its like Pax with its current pop up mouthpiece for good and bad (I'm leaving mine popped up so I dont risk it getting stuck), and its form factor is Psx like, down to the upside down oven for food and bad there as well. Finally, its like Ascent with its digital screen and smart features, though its got the aforementioned vibration/motion sense/battery monitoring, and its temps go up in increments of five 347-437 (maybe lower?). Plus usb charging (use while charging? I dont know yet) and decent enough battery life I think so far?

The downsides are a cheapish build (wouldn't wanna drop it) and the flavor, even breaking in, is never going to be a pro of this vape I believe. But for $75 this is the official Pax killer in my opinion even as is, its like what a Pax2 would be bc you know a Pax2 wouldn't solve everything I'm sure. It would still have limitations like this does but its ease of use and style can make it popular despite them. Bc of that i remain an Indica advocate for best overall portable conduction, but theyre diffetent vapes/values. Ayway that's my take so far, total flipflop but I always kept an open mind.

By the way where were people getting the $75 quote? Friends interested after today...

 

[paytonpenn]

I see a huge issue with mouthpiece design and believe the reason for bad taste is that the tubes for the air path and mouthpiece don't seal entirely, a version where they would needs to be made.

How much herb are you guys using in this? What temperatures are you playing at.

 

[KeroZen]

@paytonpenn : I wonder if you read my previous posts because that's what I've been saying from the start. It's exactly like on the Ascent, two telescoping tubes of different diameters don't make a seal. Fresh air can enter by that gap so it dilutes the vapor. But the problem is that at least with some samples, part of that fresh air comes from the device internals (cf the USB port leak) and thus can have a new electronic device taste.

Before using the device there was also clearly a smell coming from the bowl when hot, something more metallic, while the top of the device smelled more plastic. I'm not the only one having spotted that but some didn't notice anything. I think we all have different sensitivities.

But as I said, most new vapes have a smell and with enough burn-ins it tends to dissipate. Well, excepted the Firewood we both own, this one is completely neutral out of the box!

 

[Bvapst]

Wouldn't the taste come from around the mouthpiece since this is where hot air electronics can escape out ? Breathing and smelling that could influence the taste impression ? I haven't had time to use the Deluxe much, but I'll give another try when I'll have time. That supposition is only if the Deluxe is sealed like it's supposed to be, which I still have doubts.

I recall the taste not being the best in comparison to my other vapes ...but I'm not sure this would come from an unsealed path rather than that special conduction occurring with a large pack oven.
I remember coming back in my room 15 min after one of first session with the Deluxe, and I could smell something has been vaped. Something I have never experienced with my other vapes. Note I have been using the regular mouthpiece only 1 time, I might use it again when I'll mod that MP.

 

[paytonpenn]

@paytonpenn : I wonder if you read my previous posts because that's what I've been saying from the start. It's exactly like on the Ascent, two telescoping tubes of different diameters don't make a seal. Fresh air can enter by that gap so it dilutes the vapor. But the problem is that at least with some samples, part of that fresh air comes from the device internals (cf the USB port leak) and thus can have a new electronic device taste.

Before using the device there was also clearly a smell coming from the bowl when hot, something more metallic, while the top of the device smelled more plastic. I'm not the only one having spotted that but some didn't notice anything. I think we all have different sensitivities.

But as I said, most new vapes have a smell and with enough burn-ins it tends to dissipate. Well, excepted the Firewood we both own, this one is completely neutral out of the box!

Did not. But now read the post I believe you meant.

It seems we all agree its the unsealed air path. I think the herb itself taste great but I can taste the metal body and inners. I thought there was a flavor from the chamber, I gave it an ISO and now it seems better. The mouthpiece design is pretty inconvenient in my opinion. Mine can barely move now unless its really heated.
My impression of taste is clear, the device is off and taste like the device, when it is off it doesn't taste worse or more intense but its still there.

The silicone slip around the bowl came off when I inserted a screen and I don't think there is any putting it back in, doesn't seem to effect anything.


Firewood did have great flavor initially, it actually suffers the same issue but the effect is different. The Firewood airpath isn't sealed well so most users don't get as big rips as they should, luckily flavor is great until its been heated too much and there are easy mods to get the Firewood behaving more like an UD or Hammer.

 

[Abysmal Vapor]

Did not. But now read the post I believe you meant.

It seems we all agree its the unsealed air path.

I disagree that airpath is unsealed
Atleast from moutpiece to herb chamber it is .. I had mine apart and tried that... You can blow the herbstick however you like... lol..
Anyway how to check it for yourself..Try to blow trough the moutpiece and you will see that no air comes from usb port or whatever... If you remove bottom part and plug the herb chamber with your finger you can;t get any air trough when blowing from the mouthpiece...
Soon i will add my review ,i just need to finish a video of herbstick +waterfiltration, some really fat hits there..
The makers done better job with sealing the airpath than the x-max,imag and the flowermate guys for sure