Pappy

shmaporist
:myday:
Perhaps Pappy is jaded? Air in shopping cart on PV -- now that price has dropped as anticipated -- but failed to pull trigger. Already have 2 Solos, 2 Clouds (including orange one SM gave me), but only have two arms and 24 hours per day. What to do? :nope:
 

olivianewtonjohn

Well-Known Member
:myday:
Perhaps Pappy is jaded? Air in shopping cart on PV -- now that price has dropped as anticipated -- but failed to pull trigger. Already have 2 Solos, 2 Clouds (including orange one SM gave me), but only have two arms and 24 hours per day. What to do? :nope:

Depends if you have a use for it? Its very portable so if you use your solos out and about. If you just want it for home use I wouldnt (solo gets hotter and can extract more goodies if you like high temp). Otherwise the two are very similar.

Since getting a home unit, my solo didnt fit my needs (kind of a inbetween model IMO). Air much better for portability. Also check out the elevape SV (sale for $175).

Lots of options
 

glenda

underground artist and musician
Fitst is ARIZERS response to my communication and attempt to ask why ARIZER refuse to recommend other batteries, followed by my response which has yet to receive a reply...

ARIZER:

"Hello Glenda,

Thank you for your email.

Arizer Batteries meet rigorous quality standards and should not be substituted for third-party batteries. We cannot verify the quality or safety of other batteries, and using third-party batteries can result in personal injury, electric shock, and damage to the Air unit which is not covered under warranty. For these reasons we cannot provide you with any information or advice that might encourage the use of any third party batteries.

Best Regards,
Kevin
Arizer Tech
Service@arizer.com"

MY REPLY THAT HAS RECEIVED NO RESPONSE SINCE SENT LAST WEEK:

"
Greetings Kevin

So your telling me that your batteries are superior to makes such as Sony and Panasonic that have a 3 year life compared to a year with yours besides the better power retention? Because your batteries are identified on the side as BAK batteries which are like most Chinese made and very cheap to buy direct from this manufacturer?

I previously owned a solo but because of its lack of portability I changed to an Ascent which never quite matched up, after a few months and you releasing the Air I'm glad I switched back but you really need to show people who invest in your products respect. Make you batteries cheaper to compete with batteries with better specifications and list 3rd party batteries that you recommend instead of voiding your warranty to users who see through this smokescreen. Also make your very over priced low spec charger the price that justifies its build, yours costs £36+ in the UK and I can buy a Nirecore one for £18 that charges multiple batteries, detects which battery it is and gives a digital read out, now that can't void a warranty if it's used to charge your overpriced approved ones.

Just show us respect, people are happy to pay more for your quality units but it's rude to them exploit them with overpriced spares like batteries you pay cents for

Best Regards

Glenda x"
 

OF

Well-Known Member
So your telling me that your batteries are superior to makes such as Sony and Panasonic that have a 3 year life compared to a year with yours besides the better power retention? Because your batteries are identified on the side as BAK batteries which are like most Chinese made and very cheap to buy direct from this manufacturer?

Thanks. It'll be interesting to see how they respond.

FWIW I don't think that's what they're saying at all. My take is this battery is best suited to the duty. "Superior" only has meaning after you define the qualities you value? I don't think they're saying their battery is the only one that will work, only that some others won't and they don't want to get into the business of guarantying suitability of batteries they have no real control of.

As far as BAK being typical cheap Chinese batteries, Centizen looked into that IIRC. He said, I think, he was quite impressed with them, and I tend to value his opinion in the area very highly. Perhaps he can shed some light here?

OF
 

glenda

underground artist and musician
I used the wo
Thanks. It'll be interesting to see how they respond.

FWIW I don't think that's what they're saying at all. My take is this battery is best suited to the duty. "Superior" only has meaning after you define the qualities you value? I don't think they're saying their battery is the only one that will work, only that some others won't and they don't want to get into the business of guarantying suitability of batteries they have no real control of.

As far as BAK being typical cheap Chinese batteries, Centizen looked into that IIRC. He said, I think, he was quite impressed with them, and I tend to value his opinion in the area very highly. Perhaps he can shed some light here?

OF
I used the word superior to push my point that there are batteries out there that do the same job and of equal or better quality, they could release the full specs so an alternative brand can be used. I also think the price of their charger is cheeky considering it's basic nature.

I did not say they were not good batteries but that you can get them directly for a cheap price. At the prices they are charging they are making a lot of after sales profit from batteries...

FINALLY ARIZER REPLY TWICE:


Hello Glenda,
Thank you for your emails and sorry for my delayed reply.
Yes, the opinions about our products that are expressed online are of concern to us if they are valid concerns that we have not already address. In this case, we have already clearly address all inquiries about the Air batteries with literature provided with the unit and upon individual requests. What I have told you about our batteries is completely accurate and you can also refer to the battery safety instructions and warnings insert that comes with every Air unit for more information. Regarding other battery types, the battery market is flooded with counterfeits of most of the name brand batteries, and while authentic name brand batteries tend to be of a high quality, there are far too many fake / counterfeit batteries being sold to know what you're actually getting.
Counterfeit & Inferior-Quality Battery Warning:


- Customers are urged to be careful when purchasing batteries due to the flood of counterfeit and inferior-quality batteries for sale often found on online-auction and various websites.

- The use of counterfeit and/or inferior-quality lithium batteries can cause internal shorts leading to fires and/or explosions which can result in property damage and/or personal injury.

- The use of counterfeit and/or inferior-quality batteries could greatly reduce runtime and output performance, damage your Arizer Air, constitute a safety hazard, and voids all warranties.



If people are going to use third-party batteries in their Air unit we can't stop them, but we certainly will not be held liable for any personal injury, or damage to the unit or other property if people do so. Our polices and prices are actually all very reasonable, not priced for "inflated profit." We carefully source all of our products and use the highest quality suppliers, products, components, and thorough quality control processes to ensure that we're selling only the highest quality products possible, and we do so at the lowest prices possible.

Best Regards,
'Kevin'
Arizer Tech
service@arizer.com

AND:

Hello Glenda,

Thank you for your email.
Yes, I have seen the chart from citizen and FC members are lucky to have such a knowledgable person to provide them with advice. Also, from what I have read, Citizen always tells people that the best thing to do is follow the manufacturer's directions, and if you use third party batteries - do so at your own risk.
Best Regards,
Kevin
Arizer Tech
service@arizer.com
 
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Hi, first post.

I'm a long time smoker who has never vaped before. I decided a few months ago that I was going to make the switch, so I did lots of research on here & other places & I decided on the Solo. However, due to a a cash shortage I couldn't buy it.

Last week I was finally about to place my order... but I noticed the Air. I've been reading up on it since & I'm tempted! I'm only on page 46 so I've still got quite a bit to go, but I thought I would ask a few questions now so when I get to the end of the thread somebody will already have answered & I can order whichever vape I'm getting asap.

1) I noticed in the DV Ascent thread a lot of people had issues early on. Have there been any teething problems with the Air? As of page 46 everyone seems happy with theirs...

2) As a total beginner, would the Air or the Solo be best for me? Or are they both noob-friendly?

3) If I buy the Solo, do I need the PA? Has the PA received the FC seal of approval? My biggest concern with the Solo is running out of power & having to wait while it recharges. Therefore, the opportunity to switch batteries when needed is the biggest plus point for the Air when I compare the 2. Does the PA eliminate this concern? (I know this isn't technically an Air question, but its relevant when you get to question 4.)

4) Is the Air worth the extra money? While aforementioned cash shortage has eased, I'm by no means rolling in it. If I get the Solo instead of the Air, it'll save me a bit of money if I do need the PA. If I dont need the PA, it saves me a lot. If its relevant, I don't care about stealth, & whichever vape I get will be carried around in a the same case so the size difference isn't that important to me.

The next 2 questions apply to whichever Arizer vape I buy...

5) As a beginner, I'll obviously be experimenting with how much medicine I put in the chamber. Do I need to order screens for when I only half fill it? If so, can I use any generic screen or I do need specific Arizer brand screens? Should they be domed or not? Where's the cheapest place I can get them? (Same place I'm buying the vape?)

6) Do I need to o-rings? In my reading I've seen a few posts saying the stem in the Solo can be a bit loose, so if I get a Solo should I get some o-rings just in case? I'm not sure if they're needed with the Air, but if I get an Air I'll also be buying a long Solo stem to experiment with, will an o-ring be needed in that scenario?

All advice is welcome.

Many thanks,
LoF
 

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
You don't need the PA with the 2014 Solo @leaf of faith and the Solo is cheaper. You can get one for less than $160. It depends on if you really need something stealth?

There has been very little problems with the Air on the FC Forum.

I have both the Air and the Solo. I use the Solo at home and I use the Air if I need stealth. I find I use my Solo more often.

You don't need a o-ring with the Air. The o-ring in the Solo just keeps the glass mouthpiece more snugly fit. The Solo stem is naturally loose, helps for large clouds. You can get them through Planetvape.

I would buy a GonG while your at it if your going to use a water tool. You either buy an 18mm or 14mm. I have the D020 bubbler it takes the 18mm GonG. The Pinnacle Pro Water Tool (tube style) I have uses the 14mm. I see that at Planetvape they have the FBomb with either 18mm or 14mm. Its similar to the Pinnacle Pro WT.

Use your own judgement whether you need a screen with either unit. Screens are cheap I would buy some. You can get the half inch screens fairly cheap on Amazon.

I usually use a grinder. I grind my meds to a medium grind for the Air and lately a medium grind for the Solo too. It cuts down on herb going up into the mouthpiece. I only use a screen if I have to.
 
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OF

Well-Known Member
I used the word superior to push my point that there are batteries out there that do the same job and of equal or better quality, they could release the full specs so an alternative brand can be used.

Thanks for the further information, I'd assumed as much. My point was how can you be so sure any battery is superior in this application without knowing the specifics of what's happening? Your characterization is not a fact, but a guess?

At any rate, I think I understand and support their policy here. Centizen has reported atypical usage in Air (in terms of voltages in charging and discharging) that would indeed make 'superior' batteries dangerous.

My advice remains 'use the factory battery'.

OF
 

rakka

Vaped
5) As a beginner, I'll obviously be experimenting with how much medicine I put in the chamber. Do I need to order screens for when I only half fill it? If so, can I use any generic screen or I do need specific Arizer brand screens? Should they be domed or not? Where's the cheapest place I can get them? (Same place I'm buying the vape?)

6) Do I need to o-rings? In my reading I've seen a few posts saying the stem in the Solo can be a bit loose, so if I get a Solo should I get some o-rings just in case? I'm not sure if they're needed with the Air, but if I get an Air I'll also be buying a long Solo stem to experiment with, will an o-ring be needed in that scenario?

Only answering 5 and 6 as I don't have an Air, only the Solo :)

5. You can experiment with or without them. Screens aren't absolutely necessary, but for one, they'll prevent bits of material flying into your mouth/airways :D Even lightly ground bud gets through. The newer solos have more holes (and maybe bigger? not sure) in the stock stems, 4 of them.. I used a screen from day one. Bigger generic screens (1/2 inch) will need to be domed which can aid in conserving your material and possibly improved airflow/taste. Solo specific screens are also everywhere. Personally I don't mind either way, domed or flat. You can still half fill it without a domed one no problem at all.

6. Stems and gongs in the solo are nearly always loose. I'm pretty sure they were designed that way though, aids airflow etc. They're worth almost nothing anyway so maybe just get them and see what you prefer. PV sent a complimentary one when I ordered their PVHEGong, tried it and didn't like it. The top of the solo doesn't screw on fully with the O-ring installed and that annoys me. And on my particular unit the top cover pops off very easily with the O-ring on. For whatever reason should you be attempting to vape with the solo's ass end in the air then you can just hold the stem with your finger... I guess the wobbly stems are more of an issue when lying down? I pretty much only vape through water now so it's less of an issue, as the units just sitting on the water tool. When I need to remove it or clear I handle it via the Gong anyway, not to mention will soon be getting a claisen adapter to clear my hits
 

DJ Colonel Corn

The Vapor Ninja
Hey Air-Heads.
I forget and cba to find the post, but, I followed up on a poster's advice and ordered some perfectly fitting pre-domed screens for my Air aroma tubes.....
Yeah I'm spoiled. What the heck, they're perfect sized with no frayed edges and domed just right.
I find it increases airflow and reduces bowl load by 50%, which is great, because I noticed the lower 1/2 of my material wasn't getting vaped as thoroughly as the top half.
Here's a pic.

screens-.png

Pre-domed screens from Ebay.
So, click here to see where I got them for (eep) $1 each, from US Ebay. Oh well, they seem sturdy and will last a long time.
Once again FC Forum helps me out to better vaping ! Thanks everyone.
 

OF

Well-Known Member
Hey Air-Heads.
I forget and cba to find the post, but, I followed up on a poster's advice and ordered some perfectly fitting pre-domed screens for my Air aroma tubes.....

That would be Brother Sinclue's suggestion:
http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/the-arizer-air.16415/page-96#post-730350

Here's my post on the topic, with a photo of one seated in the stem:
http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/the-arizer-air.16415/page-101#post-732326

I agree, the best screen scheme I've tried (one of the few that stays put in the Air stem), highly recommended. Sinclue done good. Don't tell him, though.........

OF
 

olivianewtonjohn

Well-Known Member
3LV0YL3.jpg


Couldn't resist. It's so cool.. what's the max volts on these again? It charged up to 4.20v and then reduced to a trickle charge.

edit: sorry if that's a giant picture I'm on my mobile

A few pages ago I think OF posted his were stopping at 4.25V. Would be cool if it charges to the same amount, id definitely buy one if thats the case. Will charge one of mine in the air right now and take a reading (think it just needs to be topped off).
 

DJ Colonel Corn

The Vapor Ninja
what's the max volts on these again? It charged up to 4.20v and then reduced to a trickle charge.

..your D4 charger is doing its job, 4.20 volts is the maximum allowable voltage for those batteries.
Eventually that display will say "ALL" and both will be fully charged at that point. The end trickle is actually important, it's called battery saturation.

The D4 seems to be a great charger. Enjoy.
 

OF

Well-Known Member
..your D4 charger is doing its job, 4.20 volts is the maximum allowable voltage for those batteries.

While I agree it's the typical value, there are exceptions......I suspect the battery Arizer chose to use is one of them? I expect them to be using that battery within it's ratings. Centizen discusses this earlier in the thread and reports them pushing the envelope on the bottom end as well (no doubt in an effort to get more run time).

My guess is otherwise safe chargers will be OK but will not give 'full' run time? However, some random Li-ions could be beat up badly by the Air. And being unprotected otherwise it could get grim fast? For myself I'm sticking with the factory battery and charging in the Air.....and recommending same.

There are other charger termination voltages out there as well (although they tend to be not too popular for the obvious risks). I posted this photo of two I have physically identical to the photo from Arizer (near as I can tell) that demonstrate this. Identical on the top, significantly different in the nameplates. Perhaps the factory external charger is also 'non standard'?
k1v8WCJ.jpg

LL1zQxE.jpg


OF
 

SlightlyStonedSD

Active Member
I wouldn't risk using other batteries personally but after weighing my options I'm comfortable using this charger and maybe getting a little less juice per charge.

I don't mind if they don't have quite as long run time because I can keep 2 charged spares with me. Convenience of charging on a daily basis is more important to me and digital readout is as convenient as it gets imo.
 

olivianewtonjohn

Well-Known Member
I wouldn't risk using other batteries personally but after weighing my options I'm comfortable using this charger and maybe getting a little less juice per charge.

I don't mind if they don't have quite as long run time because I can keep 2 charged spares with me. Convenience of charging on a daily basis is more important to me and digital readout is as convenient as it gets imo.
But is that the case? Arizer air to green was 4.17V. So if you disconnect when its green seems like thats really close with your result of 4.2V

Maybe im missing something here, im a n00b to 18650s and loose lithium cells. What could be different from arizer charger? Charge rate perhaps (stock unit charges at 800mA according to OF)? If they are terminating at the same volt what is the issue?

EDIT: Ill let my air sit on green for awhile and measure to see if it gets much higher
 

bluenavey00

Arizer Air Aficionado
For anyone interested in charging from USB.

After doing a bit of research and with much help from the guys on here I have found out that the pin type should be the same as the yellow tipped pin used to charge the PSP.

I currently have a PSP power to USB cable on order for just £2. Saves making your own or buying the only other cable I could find marketed as an audio cable that was £7.

I have confirmed the outer and inner pin size, as well as the pin length and it all seems to line up.

Does anyone have a PSP charger either wall or USB that they could test the fit? Probably best not to turn on if using wall version as output could be differnt.

Thanks :)
 

OF

Well-Known Member
But is that the case? Arizer air to green was 4.17V. So if you disconnect when its green seems like thats really close with your result of 4.2V

Interesting, sounds safe enough on the face of it. However, several of us have measured 4.25 or so. A small amount for sure, but IIRC Li-ions 'hit a wall' at the top end and typically past that each .1 Volt cuts the lifetime by more than half?

I'm able to determine the end of charge since I'm monitoring the actual input current (which normally tapers from about 800mA down to about 100 before dropping like the proverbial rock. I never paid much attention to the light. I suspect the others reporting 4.25 or so are using the light?

I'm surprised if yours is that much different. How much do you trust your meter? Assuming you're using a 20 Volt range, the typical specification for 'good quality' DMMs is about 1%, plus or minus a count or two. FWIW many times the displayed values on chargers are more symbolic than accurate. And, of course, as a practical matter you can't specify a 4.200 Volt charger and expect low cost. Since the voltage is fixed in the IC manufacturing process what you get is a 'window' of acceptable values, typically 4.15 +/-.05 Volts. I would not be at all surprised to find out the above charger was terminating at say 4.12 Volts (in range) but telling you it was 4.20. As a practical matter, in most cases, anything from 4.10 to 4.20 is a shippable product....but the customers would rather see 4.20 than 4.16?

Fun stuff, if it's the sort of stuff that interests you. Otherwise........

I have confirmed the outer and inner pin size, as well as the pin length and it all seems to line up.

Does anyone have a PSP charger either wall or USB that they could test the fit? Probably best not to turn on if using wall version as output could be differnt.

Interesting.....you're sure the length is right? Play station supplies were used (with some few problems) on Solo for PAs, the connector fits fine there and the voltage was right for Solo. However, many of those connectors are not long enough to work on Air, and those I have that do are doing so marginally. IIRC it's like .7mm. Not much. The 'factory' connector is a fair bit longer:
TxZzukM.jpg


At the top is the stock charger plug, in the center a typical USB to 4mm cable. At the bottom is my hatchet job on the connector to get it to work. Be advised twice now I've been unable to trim the shoulder back due to construction of the plug. Some types can't be cut back.

Bottom line is Air is atypically long for EIAJ-02 connectors......be advised?

Regards and best wishes.

OF
 
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