Discontinued The Firefly Vaporizer

[RxPlorer]

Once again I have to beat the dead horse of "how great is FF service?" But beat I will.

I returned my second (Red) FF to them because, since I've owned it (late March), it's always seemed to run a bit coolish, and require a lot more work to get full extraction than my Silver. They were kind enough to send me a FedEx label, so it was painless and free. They got it yesterday and immediately checked it out. I was told there was a fine residue of white ash on the coil, likely causing it to fail to heat all the way.

Two things I found interesting...1. Shelby said they can't repair it, so they're sending me a new FF...(isn't it odd that the coil can't just be replaced?)...and 2. this kind of ash buildup is consistent with using concentrates (and she reminded me the FF shouldn't be used with concentrates).

I was quick to reassure Shelby that I didn't use concentrates, in part because that would void the warranty, and mostly because I don't use them, wouldn't know how, and wouldn't know where to get them. It's just not something in my repetoire. But I really didn't want FF thinking I had voided the warranty through misuse. (But weird, right? Because the residue may have been there the whole time, since it's always underperformed since day one.)

Anyway, I certainly can't complain about their stellar service, or getting a new FF which should be arriving end of week. On one hand it's not a great track record that I've purchased two but will have owned FIVE since December once the new Red arrives, and on the other hand their amazing service goes a long way to mitigate any problems. Seems like nothing can replace great service and fast responses.

I'll report back once the new one arrives. The FF adventure continues...

I am also in contact with Shelby, but for the opposite problem - had a difficult time avoiding combustion on the first few uses. Now using hand torn method and her suggestions in hopes that mine does not need repair.

Since I purchased this one second hand, I'm surprised at the great level of service ff is providing, but happy they are!

 

[pifive]

Hello new owner here ! and I am a big on the disappointing side. For anything that I have tried I get no vapor. Also no clouds. I have tried small loads, big loads, hand grinding etc. etc. and still no good results. I am thinking this unit is another one running on the cooler side than optimal temp side. I have loaded 8 bowls and still I get same results. Most of my ABV is green with brownish..not fully brownish. I love the FF is a well designed piece and I and willing to continue to test the one that I just got today but does any one has any suggestions or this sounds like a typical unit not running optimal temps?

Pifive

 

[cawshook]

Hello new owner here ! and I am a big on the disappointing side. For anything that I have tried I get no vapor. Also no clouds. I have tried small loads, big loads, hand grinding etc. etc. and still no good results. I am thinking this unit is another one running on the cooler side than optimal temp side. I have loaded 8 bowls and still I get same results. Most of my ABV is green with brownish..not fully brownish. I love the FF is a well designed piece and I and willing to continue to test the one that I just got today but does any one has any suggestions or this sounds like a typical unit not running optimal temps?

Pifive

Is the unit getting hot to the touch? Also are you shaking to mix the bowl?

 

[Trogdor]

Hello new owner here ! and I am a big on the disappointing side. For anything that I have tried I get no vapor. Also no clouds. I have tried small loads, big loads, hand grinding etc. etc. and still no good results. I am thinking this unit is another one running on the cooler side than optimal temp side. I have loaded 8 bowls and still I get same results. Most of my ABV is green with brownish..not fully brownish. I love the FF is a well designed piece and I and willing to continue to test the one that I just got today but does any one has any suggestions or this sounds like a typical unit not running optimal temps?

Pifive

What's your draw speed like? I was initially drawing way too fast and got similar results to yours. Make sure you're not packing tight enough to obstruct airflow, and see how much you can slow down the draw without getting a popcorny taste.

 

[pifive]

Is the unit getting hot to the touch? Also are you shaking to mix the bowl?

it gets hot but not too hot... And he yes I stir the bowl every 2 hits

I do it slowly... I have yet to get particles on my mouth or anything like that. I have tried sucking hard too and nothing.

 

[cawshook]

it gets hot but not too hot... And he yes I stir the bowl every 2 hits

During use you shouldn't be able to hold it from anywhere near the bowl.

 

[pifive]

I am able to touch it. But.. I just had dinner so I am about to use the FF once again. I will bust out my temp gun and report temps below and around the bowl area.

BRB

 

[mitchgo61]

Hello new owner here ! and I am a big on the disappointing side. For anything that I have tried I get no vapor. Also no clouds. I have tried small loads, big loads, hand grinding etc. etc. and still no good results. I am thinking this unit is another one running on the cooler side than optimal temp side. I have loaded 8 bowls and still I get same results. Most of my ABV is green with brownish..not fully brownish. I love the FF is a well designed piece and I and willing to continue to test the one that I just got today but does any one has any suggestions or this sounds like a typical unit not running optimal temps?

Pifive

Even if your unit is running cooler than tolerance, you should still be able to produce big clouds and plenty of vapor, at least in the first half or 2/3s of a bowl. Let's see if some technique changes can fix your issue before we decide there's a problem with the unit.

Here is what I would try:

1. Start with a fully charged battery. PACK the bowl. Don't keep it loose...cram a good .1 grams into it. When you think you've crammed it densely, cram a little more in. (Don't push too hard on the steel plate at the bottom, but pack it good.) Keep the grind very medium, just torn by hand.

2. Hold the heat button for a four count before hitting. Make a tight seal with your lips on the mouthpiece.

3. Draw as fast as you can before you hit resistance...i.e. if you feel like you are pulling hard and having trouble, you're drawing too fast. The natural resistance of the FF should gate your draw speed. But don't draw too slow either. Just up to resistance.

4. Keep holding the heat button down until you feel like you are getting vapor, then release and keep drawing for a few seconds to carb out any lingering vapor. If you feel like you aren't getting vapor, pulse the heat button once or twice and continue holding it down...this starts the heat cycle again and delivers the hottest part of the cycle over and over again. (A perfectly functioning FF shouldn't be pulsed like this, but it's a good way to generate extra heat if you need it. It'll make the body hot, and run down the battery faster, FYI.)

5. Take three or hits in this manner in quick succession, without stirring. Let the FF get hot and let the material build up a thermal mass. You should be getting some big hits this way by hit three or four. After you pull a few big hits, then stir and repeat. Every time you open the lid you lose some heat, like an oven, so let it build up some thermal mass and get some good hits before you stir each time.

Pack the bowl, draw to resistance, hold the button and/or pulse it and hold longer, take hits in quick succession. This basic approach, for me, has yielded massive hits and plenty of vapor even on a cool-running unit. Give it a try and let us know how you are doing. Maybe we can get you up and vaping without any manufacturer intervention. Good luck!!

 

[pifive]

This is what I am getting for ABV

I just did that had the unit fully charged and packed a bowl. Nothing really happened but then i saw your post and I packed a bit more and boom and good took with great cloud. From there went downhill.

I think I am already holding the button for too long ..around 5 to 6 seconds. Tight seal on lips checked

3 and 4 done with same results. No clouds no vapor.

The only positive thing out this latest session was when I crammed more flower on the bowl. There ive got the best hit Ive gotten the whole day yet. I just feel half of my abv still can produce more but no.

Above pictures of it.

Also measure temps after 1 bowl usage. bottom got the hottest 113 F. With corners and top arund 99 - 100 F.

Will do another test shortly with heavy packed bowl. BRB

 

[mitchgo61]

I think I am already holding the button for too long ..around 5 to 6 seconds. Tight seal on lips checked

BRB

No, you're not holding it down long enough! Just keep holding it while drawing until you feel vapor. I often hold the button for north of 20 seconds while drawing, even early in a bowl. If you don't feel like you're getting vapor, don't let go of the button. It'll shut itself off after 30 seconds, but if you release and re-press you'll start a new cycle.

This is likely the culprit and why you aren't getting a lot of vapor, or why your FF isn't getting hot. You aren't holding the heat button enough. Get aggressive with that sucker. Don't let it off the mat till you get the vapor you want.

 

[pifive]

Alright! Will try shortly doing a full recharge again.

 

[grokit]

I hold the button longer than that before I even start inhaling, more like ~8 seconds.

 

[pifive]

Well this is awesome! huge clouds! and vapors! wooot! Thanks guys what an experience. My glass bowl is gone for retirement.

 

[mitchgo61]

Well this is awesome! huge clouds! and vapors! wooot! Thanks guys what an experience. My glass bowl is gone for retirement.

Nice! Glad you found success. This was an easy one. (Welcome to FC and the FF learning curve!)

 

[hodor]

How's the smell factor on this vape?

 

[fernand]

Yah! There's a lot there for the persistent. It's a damned good machine. And I love how the long path to the mouthpiece, being cool stainless steel, somehow always keeps the taste top-notch. I do think leaving a little sticky powder in the lid channels over the bowl best prevents any particles from escaping the sacrificial chamber.

@pifive - check out if this isn't true, that once it starts performing for you, all sorts of techniques that didn't work before now suddenly start working fine too. Everything from small pinches of well-ground stuff tornado'ing around like hot air popcorn, to an intact tip o' bud just sitting there. Very strange. It's like at first it's very picky, but once you know each other, any dance is good.

I'm floored at the psycho-social engineering behind its the stealth. Brilliant. How the FireFly blends in as an expensive-looking accessory, like an iPhone 5s, nothing in the least tactical like a black Solo, and certainly not a pipe. I swear, I've vaped in the most impossible places, just cupping my hand as if nibbling on my phone, ignoring it.

My only quarrel with the design, and I do understand the limitations, is that the battery just barely keeps up. Maybe my unit's on the cool side. Time for a full torx dismantling and cleaning.

I have 3 batteries now, that does it. But I'm still not sure if it's best to run them all the way down, recharge fully or part-way - all that conflicting lithium know-how.

On the scent, the fact that the vapor is cooler helps. If you keep the temp moderate, the vapor contains all the active compounds but isn't even visible like smoke, and it doesn't smell the same. Some strains are more obvious than others

The unit itself is well-sealed. Shaking to rotate the heated material doesn't require opening it. I keep it in a zippered eGO case, and IMHO the kit doesn't smell at all. If you toke no more at a time than you can inhale and HOLD, then exhale through some filtering material, like a hanky, or your shirt collar, that helps a lot. Never tried one of those charcoal filters to exhale through, but they seem like a great idea.

 

[Trogdor]

@fernand
You don't by any chance have a link for that case, do you?

 

[mitchgo61]

How's the smell factor on this vape?

Pretty much zero with the lid on. Small amount when you open the lid, almost nothing if you wait for the unit to cool. Least odor of any vape I've yet used, portable or desktop.

 

[InfiniteGreys]

Hey I was wondering if anyone has made any returns for repairs. Were the material used an issue?

 

[pifive]

Yah! There's a lot there for the persistent. It's a damned good machine. And I love how the long path to the mouthpiece, being cool stainless steel, somehow always keeps the taste top-notch. I do think leaving a little sticky powder in the lid channels over the bowl best prevents any particles from escaping the sacrificial chamber.

@pifive - check out if this isn't true, that once it starts performing for you, all sorts of techniques that didn't work before now suddenly start working fine too. Everything from small pinches of well-ground stuff tornado'ing around like hot air popcorn, to an intact tip o' bud just sitting there. Very strange. It's like at first it's very picky, but once you know each other, any dance is good.

I'm floored at the psycho-social engineering behind its the stealth. Brilliant. How the FireFly blends in as an expensive-looking accessory, like an iPhone 5s, nothing in the least tactical like a black Solo, and certainly not a pipe. I swear, I've vaped in the most impossible places, just cupping my hand as if nibbling on my phone, ignoring it.

My only quarrel with the design, and I do understand the limitations, is that the battery just barely keeps up. Maybe my unit's on the cool side. Time for a full torx dismantling and cleaning.

I have 3 batteries now, that does it. But I'm still not sure if it's best to run them all the way down, recharge fully or part-way - all that conflicting lithium know-how.

On the scent, the fact that the vapor is cooler helps. If you keep the temp moderate, the vapor contains all the active compounds but isn't even visible like smoke, and it doesn't smell the same. Some strains are more obvious than others

The unit itself is well-sealed. Shaking to rotate the heated material doesn't require opening it. I keep it in a zippered eGO case, and IMHO the kit doesn't smell at all. If you toke no more at a time than you can inhale and HOLD, then exhale through some filtering material, like a hanky, or your shirt collar, that helps a lot. Never tried one of those charcoal filters to exhale through, but they seem like a great idea.

More than 24 hours using the FF and I cannot be more than happy with it. I think one of the best investments of the year for me. Wondering why It took me so long to experience the vape revolution. Yes I am new to vaping and loving the flavors and the efficiency I am getting with this tool. The rewards are infinite it feels all high tech and stuff.

Regarding the battery I can see myself investing in the extra charger and battery but is not an emergency since I will use my FF only at home. 1 session is enough for me then I recharge so ill be ready for it. Drawback probably when ppl come over and wanna check it out I might need to be ready with a second battery.

Happy customer here and this thread gave me all I needed. Awesome! and Thanks again.

 

[mitchgo61]

Regarding the battery I can see myself investing in the extra charger and battery but is not an emergency since I will use my FF only at home. 1 session is enough for me then I recharge so ill be ready for it. Drawback probably when ppl come over and wanna check it out I might need to be ready with a second battery.

Happy customer here and this thread gave me all I needed. Awesome! and Thanks again.

You should consider getting an extra battery or two plus the charger. Worth every penny, and you'll find it comes in handy when you least expect it.

Glad you are enjoying the FF, and yes, you came to the right place with your problem!

 

[slick]

If there are any FF people reading this: I would love for there to be a "use outlet instead of battery" option. I understand this is ment to be a portable, but damn if I don't run out of juice at the worst times. I don't feel the need to recharge after every use because sometimes my session is 1 bowl, sometimes 3. Maybe a second battery would solve this, but my need is rare enough that I dont want to be juggling batteries.

My only 2 complaints about the FF are battery life and the mushy power button. Small complaints on a otherwise fantastic device.

 

[hodor]

Does the Firefly come packaged with screens or should I buy them separately?

 

[cawshook]

Does the Firefly come packaged with screens or should I buy them separately?

You get 4 or 5 screens.

 

[mitchgo61]

Does the Firefly come packaged with screens or should I buy them separately?

One is installed in the unit, and you get an additional three in the little cleaning kit they include in the box.

If you find yourself annoyed with the stock screen you might enjoy the 7 hole Wispr screens, which fit the FF quite nicely.

http://www.vapeworld.com/iolite-screens