Tafée Bowle

[Medivapequeen]

My 400ml showed TB showed up today. I'll take it on a maiden voyage in about an hour.

Initial impression - the cup is surprisingly cheap feeling. They should have gone with a denser, harder plastic.

I agree the cup feels cheap although mine is very thick so I feel it will survive a good few falls etc I imagine this is why they didn't go the glass route and weight. I still think it's their way of getting around the vape laws but we will see.

The plastic grinder that comes with it might do the job - but it also feels incredibly cheap, I'll certainly never use it.

I've used it a couple of times but agree the magnets aren't strong enough. I mainly use mine to store the pots but find the plastic storage and pourer on top very handy for filling the pots on the go however the magnets won't keep the pots in place and I have dropped it a few times forgetting so a caddy is something I'm looking into. It did initially grind well though but doesn't work well with sticky herb.

Aside from that - no material complaints, it appears to be thoughtfully designed, reasonably ergonomic, and the quality of the components (save for the cup) rival the best in the business (Pax, S&B, etc) - the aluminum body has a "just right" weight to it, and the stem, pots, etc seem to be decent quality. I also bought the upgraded aluminum grinder/potter - and it's an impressive piece of kit. While I haven't used it to grind yet, the machining is solid, the blades looks/feel as though they'll be quite effective, the magnets are the perfect strength, the grinding action is smooth as butter and for $79 - assuming it works as well as it looks/feels, it actually offers a solid value, as it comes with 4 additional ceramic pots, which if bought separately would be $40, so the "cost" of the grinder itself is a mere $39. It may not grind as well as an SCS or the like (will find out soon), but if it does a good enough job and actually gets the herb into the pots effectively without making a mess or needing to clean the grinder each time to get the herb out/through, i'd say this is a well thought out accessory.

I was looking at the grinder myself as the additional pots would be useful but as I'm in the UK it would cost me a fortune. I'd be interested to hear how it goes with it though.

So far - the overall package slightly exceeds my expectations around design, build quality, fit/finish, thoughtful design, etc. Looking forward to firing it up shortly - hopefully it performs as well as it looks and feels.

Glad you're happy with it. I'm only enjoying mine more and more as I'm learning the draw techniques as I think you will. It's a fantastic addition to my vapes and no longer has me standing at my elev8tr in a panic. Time will tell how it goes although I do a quick swab after each session I'm already noticing quite a build up or resin in the base of the stem and have only run 12 or so bowls through it so I need to look into spare stems although this is another issue as not many places stock spares in the UK.

 

[JollyGreenGiant]

you will love it Jolly, hits so beautifully and cool

Thanks Med!

Just used it. Grinder is rock solid, pot system is efficient, easy to use, fast and mess free, the vapor is clean, the clouds thick, cool and MUCH tastier than the Mighty+ or the Volcano Hybrid and the heat up time is REALLY impressive. The heat up time on my Volcano Hybrid and Mighty+ didn't seem like a big deal.... but now I get it. I've got some cold black cherry sparkling water in the cup as a chaser - and so far, it's been my most enjoyable vaporizer experience. I like it enough, that I'm going to pick up a 250ml model as well, in case I run into any of the challenges/issues I've seen above - I want a backup. I'll take my official fanboy membership card now...

 

[Bad Dog]

@FlyingLow double check that your red o ring is in place.

 

[FlyingLow]

Appreciate the suggestions, but no luck... pots seated securely, reset was unsuccessful.

 

[Fogoff]

What is the reset procedure if my unit puts out no heat?

Green lights will turn on for a few seconds then go back to blue, the heater will not engage no matter what I try...

unfortunately this is what happened to both units I owned and this means its bricked. U need to send it back
I also suspect that a good part of theses units will fail over time the same way. Only time will tell

 

[cliffhanger1]

unfortunately this is what happened to both units I owned and this means its bricked. U need to send it back
I also suspect that a good part of theses units will fail over time the same way. Only time will tell

I had the same problem with one device but the reseller sent me a new Puck.
When i hear this I consider separating from another Tafee that is still new. They are too expensive for that. Maybe the technique is too sensitive.

 

[FlyingLow]

For what it is worth- mine was an earlier unit from before the retail launch.... I have worn the heck out of it, but it still sucks it bricked.

This is one of the few vapes I am willing to replace, with the only others being my P80, my MV and my Omni's.
I'll get another soon!

 

[letter never sent]

For what it is worth- mine was an earlier unit from before the retail launch.... I have worn the heck out of it, but it still sucks it bricked.

This is one of the few vapes I am willing to replace, with the only others being my P80, my MV and my Omni's.
I'll get another soon!

Have you contacted them about it? I assume they will replace for free under warranty?

 

[FlyingLow]

I just reached out, and am giving them plenty of time to respond.
I am not too hung up on it being free, I am more than willing to pay for repair/parts/labor... just hopeful I do not have to buy a new puck.

 

[Medivapequeen]

Well update on my review. Disclaimer I don't know if my unit is faulty or not its being sent back to the vendor today they've been very helpful to see if it is faulty or I can be refunded because I'm having these issues constantly and wanted to know if this is normal.

The auto draw detection on the stem is really janky. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't and I'm not changing my draw technique so whether I press the button or hold it the unit is cutting off mid session and sometimes turning off (battery is full) when I turn it back on and try again. Edit also on auto draw mode its still staying green randomly after drawing that I have to power it off.

To get the draw detection to work I'm having to pull quite hard or it will cut out but even then this isnt a guaranteed hit. So after 2 bowls on level 3 (less than 6 hits) the battery is completely drained and I'm being told is entering low power lock out mode and won't charge past one dot so my usual way of using devices till they drain is impossible with the Tafee as I need it ready to go and I'm having to reset the Puck and let it trickle charge for 6 hours before I can touch it.

I've taken to just trying to have one bowl then putting it back on charge so I don't enter low power mode.

I'm just wondering is the battery really this bad? I'd done research and was expecting at least 4 bowls on full charge but the charging issue is the worst.

I'm using the supplied power cable with a UK plug converter.

It's a real shame because when the Tafée works I absolutely love it but being able to use it once maybe twice a day isn't good enough for my needs sadly.

 

[His_Highness]

I've had mine since December 2020 and its working like the day it arrived.

@Medivapequeen - The two symptoms you mentioned definitely point to the need for an RMA.
"Auto draw mode its still staying green randomly after drawing that I have to power it off AND less than 6 hits) the battery is completely drained and I'm being told is entering low power lock out mode and won't charge past one dot".

 

[Medivapequeen]

I've had mine since December 2020 and its working like the day it arrived.

@Medivapequeen - The two symptoms you mentioned definitely point to the need for an RMA.
"Auto draw mode its still staying green randomly after drawing that I have to power it off AND less than 6 hits) the battery is completely drained and I'm being told is entering low power lock out mode and won't charge past one dot".

Thank you I'm hoping it is as when it works I love it but it so inconsistent I cannot rely on it at the moment. I'm sending it back for an RMA hopefully the Puck is faulty. I do have that kind of luck.

Does your unit enter low power lock out mode at all? Even when down to one dot?

 

[His_Highness]

Thank you I'm hoping it is as when it works I love it but it so inconsistent I cannot rely on it at the moment. I'm sending it back for an RMA hopefully the Puck is faulty. I do have that kind of luck.

Does your unit enter low power lock out mode at all? Even when down to one dot?

I don't recollect my unit doing the low power lock out mode. Initially I used the unit as expected by unplugging it when fully charged but battery life being what it is .... I've taken to keeping it on charge, on my desk, at all times. I use it plugged in so I rarely drain it past 2 lights. Please note that using the unit plugged in can further degrade the battery life according to other vapes that work similarly (using it plugged in doesn't supply power for the draw and charges the battery and the battery supplies the power).

 

[Medivapequeen]

I don't recollect my unit doing the low power lock out mode. Initially I used the unit as expected by unplugging it when fully charged but battery life being what it is .... I've taken to keeping it on charge, on my desk, at all times. I use it plugged in so I rarely drain it past 2 lights. Please note that using the unit plugged in can further degrade the battery life according to other vapes that work similarly (using it plugged in doesn't supply power for the draw and charges the battery and the battery supplies the power).

Yeah see the problem for me is I don't mind keeping it plugged in as as long as it was semi portable for around the house but as it is 2 bowls and it needs to be on charge for well over an hour to charge it back up so if that's how it's going to be maybe it's not for me afterall. It's a fabulous device even with the battery all they needed was USB 3.0 and passthrough to make it workable really. The Puck is already heavy so I don't understand why they didn't go for a bigger battery.

Anyway I'm sending mine off for RMA tomorrow and if there is a fault I'll decide if it's going to be useful or not.

I know having it plugged it degrades the battery but with the lower power lockout mode I'm not able to fully drain the battery without having to wait 6 hours so ive been using it the same qay tbh.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Yeah see the problem for me is I don't mind keeping it plugged in as as long as it was semi portable for around the house but as it is 2 bowls and it needs to be on charge for well over an hour to charge it back up so if that's how it's going to be maybe it's not for me afterall. It's a fabulous device even with the battery all they needed was USB 3.0 and passthrough to make it workable really. The Puck is already heavy so I don't understand why they didn't go for a bigger battery.

Anyway I'm sending mine off for RMA tomorrow and if there is a fault I'll decide if it's going to be useful or not.

I know having it plugged it degrades the battery but with the lower power lockout mode I'm not able to fully drain the battery without having to wait 6 hours so ive been using it the same qay tbh.

Yeah that definitely doesn't sound right, even if you are keeping it plugged in, I mean especially then, it should be charging much faster, like if you use it then put it back on the charge it wouldn't be dead so it should be able to get a full charge back relatively quick? I don't know about this low power lockout mode, that sounds like a super annoying bug lol Good luck getting it replaced quick with a more functional one!

 

[letter never sent]

@Medivapequeen You should be getting way more than 2 bowls per charge. 6 hits total and the battery is dead? Something is definitely up. I live around level 3 as well and consistently get 4-6 bowls per charge. Like @His_Highness I was an early adopter and mine has worked great since day 1. Hopefully you can get a replacement under warranty as your unit must be faulty!

 

[staircase slight of hand]

You should be getting way more than 2 bowls per charge.

I’ve had my Bowle since last January, and two bowls per charge is about average for me. I might be able to coax a third bowl out of it, but at the cost of thorough extraction (and more likely than not, it’ll go chasing-lights before the third bowl is done). I asked Tafée about it and was told this was in the “normal parameters of operation”, so I basically just put it on the charger after every bowl.

Disappointing, to be sure, but it’s still one of my favorite vapes. Still, I’d have a hard time recommending it to someone else until the battery life issues are actually addressed.

 

[letter never sent]

@staircase slight of hand What’s your usage style like? Do you milk a bowl until the very last drop? That’s the only way I’d ever get less than 4 bowls with mine. I’m typically done with a bowl after 3-4 big hits.

That response from Tafee is disappointing for sure. 2 bowls per charge would be totally unacceptable for me, despite how well the device works. Really hope they can make a significant improvement in battery life at some point.

 

[staircase slight of hand]

I milk the bowls pretty heavily (typically two loooong draws on each heat level), but that’s largely because I’m accustomed to just popping it back on the charger after every use. Back when I was trying to get the best out of the battery, I could finish bowls in four draws, but still struggled to get full extraction on the third bowl before the lights did their shut-off sequence.

Honestly, it’s fine for my needs, which during the pandemic have pretty much boiled down to “desktop-replacement that I can tote around the house/yard”. What worries me is the fact that it’s been a year and we’ve basically heard nothing from Tafée about improvements to obvious Achilles heels like the battery performance.

With a better battery and a more conventional form-factor, this thing could rival basically any portable out there. Maybe Tafée are playing their cards close to their chest and are working on the 2.0 as we speak, but the lack of news (or even real marketing) from them makes me worry that they’re moving on to other [not necessarily vape related] things, which would be a shame.

 

[ChooChooCharlie]

Let's get relaxation started

 

[Medivapequeen]

I would if mine weren't boxed up ready to go back. I typically got 4 to 5 hits per bowl I wouldn't say I was milking it but if I could fully use it and plug it in that would be fine it's this bloody low power mode. It is a shame as its one of the most powerful vapes I've tried and I loved it but if I'm going to be tethered mostly I may as well get a desktop. I wanted to be able to use it off a few times.

The lack of updates worries me too. Its a fantastic vape that has so many missed opportunities it makes me wonder why the battery is so small for the sake of a few extra G weight etc.

I'll see what vapefiend say they've been really helpful but it's such a shame. If there was a V2 I'd buy it instantly.

 

[vapviking]

Our new Bowle arrived yesterday and it is all it's cracked up to be, instant and delicious.
I tried the grinder/filler and pretty much made a mess of it.

I'll be eating lots of Altoids so I can get a tin or two for pods. We have @ChooChooCharlie to thank for that tip, and I have a big thanks to him for letting me follow in his footsteps these past few years. Not wholly on his recommend, more by coincidence, but we've gone the Mighty route and the Grasshopper route, now landed over here for a while. With each of these he's been that one step ahead of me, which has really helped guide my purchasing. Big shout out for that....because,

"Chuba chuba, wooley booley....
Mr. Charlie told me, Mr. Charlie told me so"

 

[Mr. Me2]

Our new Bowle arrived yesterday and it is all it's cracked up to be, instant and delicious.
I tried the grinder/filler and pretty much made a mess of it.

I'll be eating lots of Altoids so I can get a tin or two for pods. We have @ChooChooCharlie to thank for that tip, and I have a big thanks to him for letting me follow in his footsteps these past few years. Not wholly on his recommend, more by coincidence, but we've gone the Mighty route and the Grasshopper route, now landed over here for a while. With each of these he's been that one step ahead of me, which has really helped guide my purchasing. Big shout out for that....because,

"Chuba chuba, wooley booley....
Mr. Charlie told me, Mr. Charlie told me so"

Welcome to the TB family, @vapviking !

 

[Timps27]

… all they needed was USB 3.0 and passthrough to make it workable really…

This is where I keep finding myself. Failures happen, that’s not really keeping me from buying a bowle right now. But USB-C and pass through are. If it had USB-C and passthrough I’d have one already.

 

[Mzsusanne]

I just got my tafee…I have a question.. when inhaling I hold onto the button…lights are green for about 3seconds then turns blue…I’m still holding the button….
I thought it would stay green until I let go off button