Discontinued The Firefly Vaporizer

[fogbank]

The arizer basket screens fit the FF bowl fine?

Based on the post by @bumdiggy84 on p.71 I bought the "Arizer screen pack" from Vapeworld.

The baskets fit in the Firefly bowl, but not perfectly IMO.

They are slightly too tall, and the rim of the basket sticks out above the edge of the bowl a tiny bit. I have attempted to reshape one of the baskets, but the immediate result was that it would no longer sit flush in the bowl whatsoever, and none of my efforts to reshape it made it useable again.

I like using the baskets, despite the less-than-perfect fit. They don't seem to have any adverse affect on vapor production, flavor, or overall effectiveness of the vaporizer. They make cleaning the unit much easier. I find that loading the baskets takes a little more care and attention than loading the Firefly bowl directly.

My main motivation in acquiring and using the baskets is to prevent combustion. I am still stuck on the idea that misalignment of the Firefly heater/bowl components may allow material to get past the screen and the o-ring and make contact with the coil or other parts of the heater core. This is just a theory. I feel the basket is the ultimate protection against material getting into the heater core.

So far I have not experienced combustion when using the baskets, however I have not tried them in my "hotter" Firefly yet (the only one to combust so far). So the experiment is incomplete.

I have two Fireflies and am able to compare their relative "temperatures".

YES one of my Fireflies runs hotter than the other, but the difference is moderate, and both produce great results with similar technique (a little shorter button press phase with the hotter one). It took me a few days of using the newer unit before I even noticed that it was a little hotter.

 

[mitchgo61]

My main motivation in acquiring and using the baskets is to prevent combustion. I am still stuck on the idea that misalignment of the Firefly heater/bowl components may allow material to get past the screen and the o-ring and make contact with the coil or other parts of the heater core. This is just a theory. I feel the basket is the ultimate protection against material getting into the heater core.

So far I have not experienced combustion when using the baskets, however I have not tried them in my "hotter" Firefly yet (the only one to combust so far). So the experiment is incomplete.

I have two Fireflies and am able to compare their relative "temperatures".

YES one of my Fireflies runs hotter than the other, but the difference is moderate, and both produce great results with similar technique (a little shorter button press phase with the hotter one). It took me a few days of using the newer unit before I even noticed that it was a little hotter.

So have you experienced multiple uncontrolled combustion events, enough to be worried and use the baskets as a hedge? (I personally don't care for the basket...ruins the taste for me, seems to create a little conduction, somewhat obviates the charms of the FF...) If you experience more combustion, you could always get a replacement or have FF properly align whatever isn't right, assuming there's something not right...

As for the theory about particles hitting the coil...I've wondered about this. And yet I often get particles beneath the screen that must be cleared off the stainless steel plate. None of them seem to fall into the coil (or not that you'd notice, functionally). And the O ring seems to keep everything from falling laterally off the plate. (My personal theory is any uncontrolled combustion in various units is the result of an improperly-positioned coil. But that's based on a really small sample size...my one unit that I recently replaced.)

 

[Volteric]

Based on the post by @bumdiggy84 on p.71 I bought the "Arizer screen pack" from Vapeworld.

The baskets fit in the Firefly bowl, but not perfectly IMO.

They are slightly too tall, and the rim of the basket sticks out above the edge of the bowl a tiny bit. I have attempted to reshape one of the baskets, but the immediate result was that it would no longer sit flush in the bowl whatsoever, and none of my efforts to reshape it made it useable again.

I like using the baskets, despite the less-than-perfect fit. They don't seem to have any adverse affect on vapor production, flavor, or overall effectiveness of the vaporizer. They make cleaning the unit much easier. I find that loading the baskets takes a little more care and attention than loading the Firefly bowl directly.

My main motivation in acquiring and using the baskets is to prevent combustion. I am still stuck on the idea that misalignment of the Firefly heater/bowl components may allow material to get past the screen and the o-ring and make contact with the coil or other parts of the heater core. This is just a theory. I feel the basket is the ultimate protection against material getting into the heater core.

So far I have not experienced combustion when using the baskets, however I have not tried them in my "hotter" Firefly yet (the only one to combust so far). So the experiment is incomplete.

I have two Fireflies and am able to compare their relative "temperatures".

YES one of my Fireflies runs hotter than the other, but the difference is moderate, and both produce great results with similar technique (a little shorter button press phase with the hotter one). It took me a few days of using the newer unit before I even noticed that it was a little hotter.

Interesting. I like that the Arizer basket is slightly taller than the chamber lip. To me it makes a nice seal and adds a little resistance that I prefer. Really the only way I use the basket is with a fine grind. If not a fine grind I see no good reason not to just put the herb in the chamber with no basket. Generally I find the basket system a little cleaner and a little quicker but once you master your technique you can take or leave the basket approach. Again, I'm finding the finer the grind with basket the more taste and more a convection/conduction sweet spot I'm preferring. I'd say my least favorite thing about the FF is the portal debris and it's a little bothersome and awkward to me to have stir the bowl every 2 hits with a 6 toke max (for me).

 

[Vitolo]

I'd say my least favorite thing about the FF is the portal debris and it's a little bothersome and awkward to me to have stir the bowl every 2 hits with a 6 toke max (for me).

I prefer my bowl shaken, not stirred.

 

[natural farmer]

I prefer my bowl shaken, not stirred.

The good thing about shaking is that the temp in the bowl doesn't drop so much and the vapor production of the next draw is faster. It also saves battery I guess...

 

[2 Paces]

No matter how hard I shake my FF, my goods do not move. At least not enough to redistribute the herb on the bottom of the bowl. When I just shook it between hits, the bottom would char while the top was still green.

So I always stir every 2 hits.

 

[mitchgo61]

No matter how hard I shake my FF, my goods do not move. At least not enough to redistribute the herb on the bottom of the bowl. When I just shook it between hits, the bottom would char while the top was still green.

So I always stir every 2 hits.

Plus some of us like to stir. Perhaps it's a fetish, but for me it's part of the ritual. However, on the FF it does, for sure, hasten battery drain. Like opening an oven while you're cooking...not recommended.

 

[Volteric]

No matter how hard I shake my FF, my goods do not move. At least not enough to redistribute the herb on the bottom of the bowl. When I just shook it between hits, the bottom would char while the top was still green.

So I always stir every 2 hits.

That's my problem as well. Our shit must be more resinous!

 

[fogbank]

So have you experienced multiple uncontrolled combustion events, enough to be worried and use the baskets as a hedge? ...snip... If you experience more combustion, you could always get a replacement or have FF properly align whatever isn't right, assuming there's something not right...

Yes, I posted before that I had 3 uncontrolled combustion events with my (hotter) Silver unit after I replaced the screen. I disassembled and re-assembled the unit and I have not experienced combustion with it since. I have not tried it with the basket yet though.

@Volteric - I'm not finding that I need the basket, more that I like the basket. And I also like the fit of the basket and I agree that the lip which sticks out above the bowl can be beneficial to create a seal.

My #1 criticism of the Firefly would have to be the screen. It is too small, and is not easy to keep it in place without gaps between the edge of the screen and the bowl. It still allows material to get trapped beneath it and on top of the metal plate.

I don't know if these issues actually impact functionality, but they bothered me enough to seek out a different solution. So far I am keeping the basket in my repertoire. We'll see if it becomes a permanent part of my routine.

 

[vorrange]

That's my problem as well. Our shit must be more resinous!

too much pine tree in your diet man. i only eat oak now and problem solved.

 

[Volteric]

too much pine tree in your diet man. i only eat oak now and problem solved.

Lmao! It took getting medicated to see the literal joke you made of my comment. Mary makes me a seer.

 

[mitchgo61]

My #1 criticism of the Firefly would have to be the screen. It is too small, and is not easy to keep it in place without gaps between the edge of the screen and the bowl. It still allows material to get trapped beneath it and on top of the metal plate.

I don't know if these issues actually impact functionality, but they bothered me enough to seek out a different solution. So far I am keeping the basket in my repertoire. We'll see if it becomes a permanent part of my routine.

The screen is too small, I totally agree. The tiniest increase in its size would make it much more effective.

 

[grokit]

Somebody must have screwed up somewhere and given me a perfect one.
Not too big, not too small, not too hot, not too cold, not too timid, not too bold

 

[Vitolo]

Same here.

 

[Vinman]

Is there a preferred FF "hashtag" for the social media sites? #fireflyvape and #fireflyvaporizer have each been used a only few dozen times.

 

[Meghan]

I just wanted to mention that I've now dropped my Firefly about 2-3 feet onto concrete two times, and it's still kicking. Both times, the lid and battery cover came flying off upon impact. The lid is nicked to hell after two drops, but the body isn't too bad off. Surprisingly, the glass window is fine. The worst injury is a nick to the mouthpiece (worst not because it impacts functionality, but because unlike the lid, it can't be easily replaced).

Anyway...I am not someone who normally drops things, but I have to say I'm impressed by the durability of the FF. Once I buy a new lid, you'll barely be able to tell how clumsy I've been.

 

[Mynameismud]

The screen is too small, I totally agree. The tiniest increase in its size would make it much more effective.

Go to a shop, get some screens a little bigger in size and use the FF screen to cut it down to size. For me the come out just slightly bigger and fit and stay perfectly in the FF

 

[ElPic]

I use a "wispr" screen in my 2 FF, it's the perfect size for the bowl of the firefly. It keep my unit clean. No more mess under the screen and I can use finely grind material. I post pic at page 81.

 

[mitchgo61]

Go to a shop, get some screens a little bigger in size and use the FF screen to cut it down to size. For me the come out just slightly bigger and fit and stay perfectly in the FF

I have some larger screens and have attempted this, but, alas, I'm such a spaz that I never seem to get a cleanly cut screen. I end up better off with the stock screens.

I use a "wispr" screen in my 2 FF, it's the perfect size for the bowl of the firefly. It keep my unit clean. No more mess under the screen and I can use finely grind material. I post pic at page 81.

I remember this. So this just sits evenly and correctly on the bottom of the bowl, and you remove the original FF screen?

 

[ElPic]

I remember this. So this just sits evenly and correctly on the bottom of the bowl, and you remove the original FF screen?

Yep, I remove the original FF. The wispr screen sit perfectly in the bowl and don't change the taste of the unit.

Modnote: Edited to fix quote tags

 

[Raskin666]

I remember this. So this just sits evenly and correctly on the bottom of the bowl, and you remove the original FF screen?

Yep, I remove the original FF. The wispr screen sit perfectly in the bowl and don't change the taste of the unit.

This is great information. Anyone have a link of where to buy these Wispr screens?

 

[ElPic]

http://www.vapeworld.com/iolite-screens
Don't use the clip, just the screen!
I never use the oem screen anymore.

 

[vapin baby boomer]

Just curious. Does anybody have what they consider a "hot" unit? Mine will work great, then after about a dozen uses, suddenly I have a session that seams to burn hot. producing combustion or close to it. Does anyone have a unit like this and if so, could that be considered a possible benefit because you can learn to control it and have more options in performance than a "cold" unit could provide? Am I crazy, or just high?

 

[mitchgo61]

Just curious. Does anybody have what they consider a "hot" unit? Mine will work great, then after about a dozen uses, suddenly I have a session that seams to burn hot. producing combustion or close to it. Does anyone have a unit like this and if so, could that be considered a possible benefit because you can learn to control it and have more options in performance than a "cold" unit could provide? Am I crazy, or just high?

There does seem to be a bit of a range within the "normal" tolerances of the FF's temp profile. But it's a little odd that you only get hotter sessions every so often. That may be due more to whatever material you are using at the time...I would think if your unit itself ran a little hot, you would notice it more regularly. (But yes some units seem to run hotter than others. As quite a few folks here have noted, if you are happy with your unit, it's working right. )

 

[vapin baby boomer]

Yes, I have a hot unit. I think it is a benefit once you learn how not to combust. The reason it does not happen but every so often may have to do with how you load it or maybe you let your draw get very slow or some other variable like very fine particles bursting into flame.

So does it ever combust on you, or are you able to control it every time?