MiniVAP Vaporizer

[Smknbud]

For some reason vapefiend hasn't restocked! Kind of got the feeling they are giving up on it as well!?

Why is that? What's to give up on since they seem to have all the issues sorted out? New glass core model and updated Teflon core version as far as I know are all fine. Do you have information that contradicts this?

 

[bigmouth]

Contacted Vapefiend and they said send it back to them. I hoped VF would take a look at it and say "yep, obviously faulty, here's a new one, we'll sort this one out with Hermes ourselves" but before I sent it back to them they said they won't be able to replace it just like that, they'll need to send it to Hermes to get repaired. Didn't say how long that would take but somehow I doubt less than a week. Any ideas?

At least I have a pinnacle pro to fall back on.

Well, that's frustrating. Many people, myself included, have had the same problem and received replacements without any runaround (though not necessarily from Vapefiend). Did VF confirm what @I.b.vaping said about not restocking?

Also, did you already send in the device to VF? If not, I would consider just contacting Hermes directly (info@minivap.com) and dealing with them.

 

[stonevape]

For some reason vapefiend hasn't restocked! Kind of got the feeling they are giving up on it as well!?

Why is that? What's to give up on since they seem to have all the issues sorted out? New glass core model and updated Teflon core version as far as I know are all fine. Do you have information that contradicts this?

They have them in stock on their website. Maybe they don't like sending out stock as replacements and waiting to get their own stock from Hermes.

Well, that's frustrating. Many people, myself included, have had the same problem and received replacements without any runaround (though not necessarily from Vapefiend). Did VF confirm what @I.b.vaping said about not restocking?

Also, did you already send in the device to VF? If not, I would consider just contacting Hermes directly (info@minivap.com) and dealing with them.

Already sent it, and they've never offered to send out a replacement, always said they'd be sending it away for repair. Don't know why. Ah well, I'll just use the PnP for now.

UPDATE: VF emailed to say it would take up to two weeks.

 

[kimura]

my experience dealing with Hermes directly has been totally positive. better than any of my experiences with any of the miniVAP vendors. they even managed to ship my new teflon core to me here in the US, from Spain, in 3 days (for free).

speaking of which, between the GC and the TC I am in vaping nirvana. VAS is in complete remission. the GC has grown on me quite a bit... I'm not even sure which I prefer at this point.

 

[I.b.vaping]

Well, that's frustrating. Many people, myself included, have had the same problem and received replacements without any runaround (though not necessarily from Vapefiend). Did VF confirm what @I.b.vaping said about not restocking?

Also, did you already send in the device to VF? If not, I would consider just contacting Hermes directly (info@minivap.com) and dealing with them.

Don't shoot the messenger!
Vapefiend contacted me at least a month ago telling me that they had no mv singles in and only had a couple of black and a gold full kits left! Gcmv only!and that hasn't changed! Also vapefiend has always dealt with returns themselves! Why change now? I'm awaiting a reply from vapefiend to see if they are going to continue selling it!

Edit just had a reply and they ignored my question about mv stock! But answered my ps about when they are hoping to stock the grasshopper?

 

[Kommyknocker]

Well my TC unit was sent away to Vapefiend today so we'll see how this goes..
I have to say however, having my old SS solo original restricted as fuuuuuu#k as it is, it hits like a hammer. So much so I've convinced myself that my MV core has been in a state of perpetual Power loss for some time..the taste is bunk on the solo after first hit though.
Can't wait til I get my repaired/replacement as whichever version I end up getting back. I'll be ordering a single core of the alternative directly from Hermes.

 

[I.b.vaping]

Well my TC unit was sent away to Vapefiend today so we'll see how this goes..
I have to say however, having my old SS solo original restricted as fuuuuuu#k as it is, it hits like a hammer. So much so I've convinced myself that my MV core has been in a state of perpetual Power loss for some time..the taste is bunk on the solo after first hit though.
Can't wait til I get my repaired/replacement as whichever version I end up getting back. I'll be ordering a single core of the alternative directly from Hermes.

I think you'll definitely get a glass core version as that's all they stock..

 

[OnCloud8]

Following this thread with so much jealousy...although I'm glad most of you are having a good time, but it does seem like there are still issues...makes me nervous about my upcoming replacement unit, but what can I do? It's a great vape and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

At least I have my new e-nano to keep me warm , lovely, powerful little vape it is, but it's not the high tech miracle that is the miniVAP

 

[JJ Cool F]

As far as reliability goes, are there any FC Minivap owners who have had a fully functioning unit for 12 months or longer?

I can't seem to wrap my head around the likelihood that a new unit will fail within 6 months of daily use. Seems crazy to accept that a premium-priced product doesn't really pass a prolonged stress test, unless it isn't intended to be used daily. Maybe it's a luxury 'special occasion' device, and a more robust unit is required as a daily driver.

There are Volcanoes out there still going strong after years of constant abuse.

 

[Tab]

Yes, exactly 1 year now daily use of my old tcmV.
No problems until this time, only a few known bugs so far...

 

[JJ Cool F]

Yes, exactly 1 year now daily use of my old tcmV.
No problems until, only a few known bugs so far...

That's reassuring!

Any others?

 

[OnCloud8]

As far as reliability goes, are there any FC Minivap owners who have had a fully functioning unit for 12 months or longer?

I can't seem to wrap my head around the likelihood that a new unit will fail within 6 months of daily use. Seems crazy to accept that a premium-priced product doesn't really pass a prolonged stress test, unless it isn't intended to be used daily. Maybe it's a luxury 'special occasion' device, and a more robust unit is required as a daily driver.

Well, the miniVAP is marketed as a high end, medical grade device, so I think that implies it is intended for daily use, since medical users have daily needs.

It's tempting to think that expensive devices = premium materials, iron-clad construction, & flawless customer service...but these aren't huge multinational companies we are dealing with here, these are very small operations (I think miniVAP team is 2 people), who do small runs of experimental products, so it's really a different scenario than what you might expect from "premium" priced products in other more established industries.

Also, failure of a certain % of products is always an issue, even with huge companies like Apple, and just like here, if you go look at Apple forums, they are full of complaints from people with broken devices, and yet many have Apple products that are rock solid for many many years. It's always those with the problems that shout the loudest online, that's why I don't trust yelp reviews

That said, I don't think anyone "accepts it", that's why those of us with broken units have *politely* demanded replacements.

 

[Kommyknocker]

Yeah, whilst it probably should be the case that a premium product more often than not reaches its warranty end without most units failing.. It simply isn't the case with the MV..
It'd be crazy to know the actual failure rate. Speaks volumes of the quality of a working unit though as people are willing to wait (patiently enough) cause they know how good it's gonna be when the repair/replacement arrives.

@I.b.vaping.. Like I said.. I'm Ok either way as I'll pick up the other version as just a single ACless or batteryless core. Fairly cheap too for the beastly efficient vape you recieve too.. Assuming you've already a way to power it.

 

[stickstones]

That's reassuring!

Any others?

Roger, the godfather of the MV, has had more than one unit for years and they are still humming along. You may have missed it, but the failures are due to a bad part a supplier sent them. That has been sorted out, but there very well may be some in the supply lines.

 

[JJ Cool F]

Well, the miniVAP is marketed as a high end, medical grade device, so I think that implies it is intended for daily use, since medical users have daily needs.

It's tempting to think that expensive devices = premium materials, iron-clad construction, & flawless customer service...but these aren't huge multinational companies we are dealing with here, these are very small operations (I think miniVAP team is 2 people), who do small runs of experimental products, so it's really a different scenario than what you might expect from "premium" priced products in other more established industries.

Also, failure of a certain % of products is always an issue, even with huge companies like Apple, and just like here, if you go look at Apple forums, they are full of complaints from people with broken devices, and yet many have Apple products that are rock solid for many many years. It's always those with the problems that shout the loudest online, that's why I don't trust yelp reviews

That said, I don't think anyone "accepts it", that's why those of us with broken units have *politely* demanded replacements.

It certainly is tempting to think that expensive = premium, but I concede that it's naive in some cases.

I also accept a percentage failure rate in all manufacturing, but what I'm trying to 'roughly' determine is what that percentage might be for Minivaps sold.

Perhaps this isn't the right place to poll, because I agree that people usually post problems on product forums, so the sample will be weighted more heavily with failing-minivap owners.. Still, I'd like to know roughly how many current FC MV owners have had their device work continuously for a year or longer.

 

[Kommyknocker]

Still, I'd like to know roughly how many current FC MV owners have had their device work continuously for a year or longer.

Not me!! First one died in three weeks if I recall correctly.. Second one lasted a month or so.. 3rd one (which I was ensured was NOT from the tainted batch) lasted a good 6 months continuous usage.
It did take a fall shortly before failing.. Though, it was not from high up(maybe a foot) and landed on a plush rug.. Wasn't even batted up.. Was in light as a feather muthapuckah mode.

 

[mixchu69]

i am not sure what happened, but I remember being able to fit the concentrate pad and large minivap basket in the flexicone nipple. Why am I no longer able to use the two simultaneously in the flexi? It must be user error? The concentrate pad stretches it too much.

 

[killick]

So who has two thumbs, a freshly unpacked minivap, and is really floaty right now?

Hint - it's me

I'm too bouncy to go through the entire thread again, so I'm just gonna see if there's a manual in there. What I did was find the first whip in the box, put the screen in straight, filled a large screen full of my fave Indica, put it into the clip, jammed the whip through the lid, and pushed buttons til it lit up. Didn't get huge clouds, did get lots of flavour, and the ABV was pretty lightly used. Just reloaded and am getting great taste, am definitely ripped, but still not huge clulds (on blue).

All our worldly possessions are in storage, but I think this think might be a great addition to my tool belt come renovation season

 

[stickstones]

i am not sure what happened, but I remember being able to fit the concentrate pad and large minivap basket in the flexicone nipple. Why am I no longer able to use the two simultaneously in the flexi? It must be user error? The concentrate pad stretches it too much.

I only did that configuration once and, while it worked, it was definitely stretching the boundaries of what the flexi was supposed to do.

 

[Smknbud]

Didn't get huge clouds, did get lots of flavour, and the ABV was pretty lightly used. Just reloaded and am getting great taste, am definitely ripped, but still not huge clouds (on blue).

@killick you are on the lowest (blue) temp setting. Move her on up to pink, green and if your feeling brave (assuming dry hitting here) go to red.....be near or on your favorite chair/bed. ​

 

[killick]

@Smknbud I just discovered I'm missing the piece of cable that fits between the brick and the wall, so havta go searching for one local. (hey! Waddayaknow! Canon printer power cables plug right in there - and Canon for the win!) (edit - and end panic mode - the right cable was in a pocket I didn't know existed!)

So the MV is attached to the battery, which is sitting on the dock. I have a slow flashing blue light - nope, it's solid. Bump to blurple/pink, it's solid. Cover me, I'm goin in!

Definitely some cloud on blurple - my fave colour! Now I'm not going to be able to tell how good the MV is on it's own as I've been reading the forums with my INH through water. I might need a nap, but I think I deserve one

PS - green is pretty nice, too! I don't want to nap til it times out, but I might not be able to wait that long...

 

[mmafighterthe25]

My minivap is running strong still loving this thing

 

[lazylightning]

Recently I've been working to create a new solution to condition MV vapor during outdoor adventures like hiking, backpacking, skiing, kayaking, etc. I've been using an f-Bomb on top of my MV but that requires two hands and is a little awkward to pass around.

After a lot of research on FC and elsewhere, I ordered a Vaporfection Aqua Vape inline vapor water cooler.

I received it yesterday and experimented with a number of different setups. The one that works best for me is to cut a flexicone+ so about 1" of silicone tubing sticks out of the MV lid. Then I slide a VB whip end over the protruding flexicone+. It's easy to get on and off quickly and creates a perfect seal.

I'm very pleased with the Aqua Vape. It's virtually spill proof even on its side and it conditions vapor amazingly well...better than almost any other piece I have. I cut my VB whip to 28" which allows me to walk around carrying MV and battery in my pocket while using the whip and Aqua Vape.

I have the standard size Aqua Vape but I already like it so much I just ordered the large size for home use. The standard size will now be my constant companion when I'm vaping on my outdoor adventures!

 

[killick]

@lazylightning That looks great! But I just used my Flexicone+ for the very first time, and I'm scared to cut it short, especially as we have just started dating... Any other way we might attach it without surgery?

Oopsie - never mind. It might simply be a matter of making the Flexicone cold in the freezer, while heating the Vaporfection whip in hot water - they might fit well like that... or it won't, and in a fit of godzilla-like common sense I can just duct-tape the two whips together

 

[lazylightning]

@lazylightning That looks great! But I just used my Flexicone+ for the very first time, and I'm scared to cut it short, especially as we have just started dating... Any other way we might attach it without surgery?

It'll slip on the end of your flexicone+ without cutting it. I just cut mine because I have a few extras and it makes it a bit easier.

To be clear, I'm using the Vapor Brothers whip and not the Vaporfection one. The VB whip is less flexible I believe and that makes it easy to get the friction fit between flexicone+ and VB whip. Results may vary for other whip types and materials.