I am an owner of the original shipment. iirc, I was the second one in the thread to receive a unit last July (after Dogman). I haven't posted in quite awhile but thought I would give a final update.
I still use the PUFFiT weekly, but not nearly as much as I did the first few months. The taste is certainly still faintly there but much less than it was when it was new. The taste is not really discernible on a fresh bowl, but gets progressively more noticeable the longer you vape the same product. I do think you get "used" to the taste with constant use. After getting used to it the first time I took a break for a week and when I went back to it the taste was as strong as ever. However, I picked it up after not using it for at least a month back in early January and it didn't seem nearly as bad as when I first got the unit and again didn't bother me nearly as much. That said, I pretty much always pop a breath mint or stick of gum after a session to get rid of that lingering aftertaste.
I haven't cleaned the vapor path at all but have ISO'd the bowl and mouthpiece areas several times. After catching up on the last 20 pages or so I'll give the syringe method shot once I get some syringes to do so. Part of me thinks that using it so long without cleaning may have covered up some of the taste, but I don't have any scientific basis for that statement. Others have said cleaning the tube definitely helps with the taste so I'll try it out.
I know OF doesn't believe it's a stealthy device because of the size and how it has to be used to be effective, but I have used in in many public places both indoors and out and have never had as much as a funny glance my direction. Some of the places I have used the PUFFiT include: Disneyland, Sea World, multiple zoos, movie theaters, concerts, standup comedy shows, several parks, several beaches, courthouse during jury duty (yes it went through the x-ray just fine). Realize though that I live in California and have a mmj card so my level of concern about getting caught and something significant happening is very low. OF is correct though in that it only takes once to cause you a lot of grief. If you live in a much less liberal area than I do I might be more concerned with it.
I just read here about people getting parts or their entire units replaced, but I wonder if it is worth it for me to try to do the same after hearing all the nightmare stories about dealing with GV CS. There doesn't seem to be a real consensus on if the "vapor enhancer thingy" works as advertised either. For those that have one is it worth it to get one? I wonder if I could finagle a free one from GV at such a late date.
I guess my final review after about 9 months of use would be a 7/10. A fun little unit, that for me, allows for medicating anywhere at anytime. If it wasn't for the taste and battery life it would def be a 10/10 for me. I have found that I am able to charge it in the car or with a portable power solution pretty easily though so the battery life is less of an issue if you plan accordingly. Remember that you don't have to fully charge it to be able to use it. After a session I immediately put it back on a charger and it's ready for me (green led still blinking though) when I want to have another session.
Any opinions on whether it's worth it to deal with getting replacement parts/unit from a newer production batch/spring thingy?
I lurked here for quite awhile which helped me buy my Da Buddah years ago, but didn't join until this thread popped up. Thanks to all of the knowledgeable and helpful people on this forum.
I currently only have the DBV and the PUFFiT. What should I add to my arsenal next?
mod note: This is the Puffit thread. Please don't steer the conversation to other models you may be interested in.