Discontinued The Firefly Vaporizer

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

Firstly, (and perhaps most importantly), I think my herb may be incompatable with the FF.

I'm also getting an entirely different high compared to Pax. But don't get me wrong, that's been kinda cool. The FF gives me this airy, uppity, (productive?) high.. But doesn't last but 30 minutes. A session with the Pax feels like a full body massage that can last for hours. Maybe that has something to do with the amount of flower used in each?

Some strains just won't work well in the FF, in my experience. Pineapple Express (mine, anyway) is particularly disappointing in the FF.

Also, the entirely different high from the FF is also the difference I feel when using the FF after using the Ascent. The Ascent, even at a lower temp, makes me feel fully affected, head and body, and plenty sleepy. It's likely the difference between conduction vs. convection, as well as the amount of herb you were using.

The only time the FF makes me sleepy is if I'm really pushing the material as far as I can later in the evening.

 

[fernand]

Isn't it wonderful that we can actually sample all this? During the previous peak of cannabism in the late 60s, we could speculate all we wanted on what the different cannabinoids did, but it took 50 years of brilliant horticulture to create this cornucopia of cannabis strains, with such different effects! thank you gardeners! and now we even get to control temperatures in real time fractionation! Coolio!

The more techniques the more variety. The more varieties the more discoveries. After years of bullshit herbs being foisted upon a naive public as "necessary optimizing supplements" and "antioxidants", now with medical cannabis we finally have an herb worthy of that name!

With vaping I'm very h
appy with not pushing the temp. I get a much less confused head effect, and way longer than half an hour. In fact it makes it possible to use cannabis as an adjunct to one's life rather than a dedicated state.

Now if only i could find a strain that REALLY attenuated sharp pain, not just distraction, without demanding couch lock or high orbit. Is there such a thing?

 

[realz]

Hey folks....
I own a firefly unit. Since i live in germany it was not that easy to come by.
As it came fully charged i was able to use it a little bit. I enjoyed that a lot, but when i tried to recharge it, i stumbled upon some issues. Since we got different power outlets than the states, i used a power supply which let's me control the voltage and has a max amperage of 1500mA. I put it on 9V and tried charging. For about five seconds the led of the Firefly started to blink blue and then turned green. I've let it charge like this for an hour but apparently it didn't charge at all. I also tried to use the original power source with a travel converter just to experience the same result. After five seconds the led changes from blinking blue to constant green.
Did anybody of you guys experience similar problems trying to charge?
Is anybody here not from the us and therefore has to use a different power supply as well?
And of course my most important question is does anybody have some advice about what i can change to charge the battery?

cheers realz

 

[euph0ric1]

People! Thanks for the feedback. And so quickly, too. Awesome.

I'm for sure going to experiment with humidifying my herb for use in the FF to avoid super-fine particles.. Either with the lemon peel, or those Humidipaks (which I have heard about, in passing) Ill set portions aside and try both!

I'd also like to clarify one point I made about the FF buzz lasting 30 minutes. Feeling the effects of an entire bowl (.1-.15g) definitely lasts longer than 30 mins. That first 30 is like the "woah..", more noticeably medicated phase, which changes and tapers off over the course of a couple hours. Now I say that from a mere observational standpoint, because sometimes that is EXACTLY the kind of buzz I'm looking for. And when I have that heavy, sedating Pax buzz Im usually not moving much, so thats maybe why I "feel" the same effect for longer.

All in all, If I can fluff up my bud some, I have a feeling my set up will be perfect, although a little peculiar. I say that because the FF will be my day vape, often traveling with me, and the Pax is my couch buddy. That's peculiar because the Pax is generally way more of a portable design (in weight, size, load capacity, stealth, etc.) but whatever! I'm a fan of making my "things" cater to my own preferences, rather than adhere to what the packaging or user manual recommends. (Within reason )

 

[mitchgo61]

Greetings people! Newbie poster here, long-time toker, switched to vapor 1 month ago. It's been awesome. No matter what vape I ever use for the rest of my life, I'm done combusting. Like, forever. Mission accomplished I'm here because I'd like to report on my experiences with the Firefly, after attempting to switch from the Pax.

That, is dry herb residue beneath the screen. I've taken the screen out several times to clean that stuff out, a quick scrape and blow seems to do the job.. But it happens after every single session. Ive even noticed some of those pieces turning to ash. Probably because they linger there for so long.

Your screen isn't in properly...that's why you are getting debris under it, if you are using it as shown. See the top left edge, around 11 oclock? That edge isn't under the bottom of the glass bowl. It needs to be. Try reinserting it so all edges slide under the bowl. That will fix that problem. Failing that put in a brand new screen, and ensure all edges are inserted correctly.

 

[Vitolo]

Don't forget pax is conduction, and can cook any herbal matter.
Convective vapes like medical grade herb best, and if the meds you are getting are filled with "shake"(less productive plant matter with few trichomes... leaf etc), then perhaps save the shakiest part for the Pax, and the more "bud laden" part for the FF.

Not saying your meds are not good.. am suggesting convection does not vaporize trim-like material well.
Are the meds basically all bud?

 

[euph0ric1]

@mitchgo61 , thanks, wow. I have yet to really examine the screen. It wasnt in there very well, it moves so easily. I was able to pry that one, and insert anew. When putting in a new screen I get it flush/under, finish the session with good pulls/mixing, no visible debris. But when I use brush the screen to empty, it offsets, and some little specks find their way into the breach. Should it move so freely? It would be nice if the screen was fixed, farther inside the bottom of the bowl.. But then how would we remove it?? Prying at the screen to remove it seems unfortunate. Dont these screens last a good while? Or are they thought of as more disposable? The life span is surely decreased when you pry and bend it out of there and out of shape.

How much life have yall been getting from a screen? Do screens deteriorate over time of use in vaping? I know that an open flame burns and hardens them out eventually.. But what about hot air? If you don't see a visible wear and tear, is it still good to go?

And how bout a lifespan of a screen inside a conduction vape? The Pax, for example. I'm using a regular, 3/4 brass screen. Same one for couple weeks of heavy use, seems fine still.

@Vitolo If by all bud you mean without stems or seeds, yep. Dusty greenbud. Im pretty meticulous in separating it. I find it.. Therapeutic lol.

Or if you mean do I mix with any other herbs? Well thats yes and no. I have some Damiana and Thyme on hand I may play with and conduct. But for now, all bud.

Im with ya, Im starting to understand exactly the kind of leaves the FF likes.. We'll see if I can fluff it up a notch.

 

[mitchgo61]

@mitchgo61 , thanks, wow. I have yet to really examine the screen. It wasnt in there very well, it moves so easily. I was able to pry that one, and insert anew. When putting in a new screen I get it flush/under, finish the session with good pulls/mixing, no visible debris. But when I use brush the screen to empty, it offsets, and some little specks find their way into the breach. Should it move so freely? It would be nice if the screen was fixed, farther inside the bottom of the bowl.. But then how would we remove it?? Prying at the screen to remove it seems unfortunate. Dont these screens last a good while? Or are they thought of as more disposable? The life span is surely decreased when you pry and bend it out of there and out of shape.

How much life have yall been getting from a screen? Do screens deteriorate over time of use in vaping? I know that an open flame burns and hardens them out eventually.. But what about hot air? If you don't see a visible wear and tear, is it still good to go?

And how bout a lifespan of a screen inside a convection vape? The Pax, for example. I'm using a regular, 3/4 brass screen. Same one for couple weeks of heavy use, seems fine still.

Lots of questions! Let's see....

1. Yes, the screen will move. It's just large enough to fit under the edges of the glass bowl. The bowl has a tiny space between its bottom edge and the plate below it, held in place by the pressure of the top steel plate. It won't move much but can move enough to expose the plate and get debris on it. I would try the dome method...dome the screen slightly to create a circumference smaller than the bowl. Place dome side up. Push down gently. It should slide the edges under the bowl. Now, you may find the screen has a slight rise to it. I mitigate this by packing a full bowl and compacting enough to create pressure. This'll flatten it. With this approach you may find it moves less. Also, again, try a NEW screen. Any frayed edges on your current will let debris in. (I had this issue with my Red FF, put in a new screen, problem solved.)

2. Yes, prying it and removing it a few times will shorten its life. Be gentle. They are not meant to last forever, but if you keep the FF clean the screen should last months, needing only an occasional brushing (once removed) to get rid of anything collecting on the outer edges. They aren't permanent, but they should be more robust than just "disposable". When you clean the FF, try blowing into the bowl with the unit upside down if brushing is causing problems. (Though if the screen moves when brushing, just make sure you re-slide it under the edges.) If you see wear and tear, yes, replace it.

3. I assume you mean "conduction" when you talk Pax...FF is convection. (Convection moves hot air over material...conduction cooks material in a heated oven or chamber, so the material will cook whether you draw or not.) I don't own a Pax. I do own other conduction vapes...screens don't last as long as they do in convection devices because the screen is constantly getting super-heated in conduction, which acts to break down the metal much faster.

Mostly it's personal preference. Change a screen when it's worn or not working for you. Don't use the FF without the screen, ever, or you will get too much debris inside the unit.

 

[Adobewan]

I agree with @fernand!Have you heard of Humidipaks from Boveda? The moment you get your herbs, put them in a jar with a humidipak and that's gonna take care of the moisture for you. It's gonna keep it steady for at least 3 months....

@natural farmer I've read suggestions regarding Humidipaks on the forum before and they seem like a great tool for those of us storing a bit. Does the number on the Humidipaks make much of a difference and can the small cylindrical Humidipaks that come in vitamin/medication containers be reused in our med storage jars?
Sorry if this verges on derailment!
TIA

 

[bellas]

Well my FF came last night. I plugged it in and left overnight. Have had nothing but HUGE clouds the whole time. I figure it must be the fact I've owned so many different vapes. Handed it to my wife. She blew HUGE clouds as well.
Testing the batteries today. I'm worried that two batteries may not be enough. I have a phobia with batteries just can't trust em, as I'm a pretty heavy smoker. Gave my wife the Solo and told her to not give it back to me for a few days. I'll report after I give it a good run. I'm pretty hard on my vape over the weekends!
Do other heavy smokers find two batteries enough to get threw the day?

 

[Vitolo]

@mitchgo61
@Vitolo If by all bud you mean without stems or seeds, yep. Dusty greenbud. Im pretty meticulous in separating it. I find it.. Therapeutic lol.

By all bud, I meant flowering tops, as opposed to leafy matter.
Compressed Comercial MJ, also sometimes does not produce prolific visible vapor while it does medicate well.
I found that with convection style vaporization, that there is a correlation to the THC content... lower content yellows rather than browns.
I meant by "all bud", whether your meds were grown for high THC content or was it average street meds.
I am not a "pot snob".. I use "mersh" if it is there.. but I do notice less tanning and less visible vapor.
That being said, Vaporization is the way to go with the commercial bricks also, as it enhances the flavors of all meds, and provides excellent effect.

 

[natural farmer]

@natural farmer I've read suggestions regarding Humidipaks on the forum before and they seem like a great tool for those of us storing a bit. Does the number on the Humidipaks make much of a difference and can the small cylindrical Humidipaks that come in vitamin/medication containers be reused in our med storage jars?
Sorry if this verges on derailment!
TIA

Not sure about the small ones you are talking about mate… There is a thread about them around here… It's those ones! I use the 8 gr ones and I put two for 100 gr jars or one for smaller ones. A connoisseur's best friend for ultimate taste and bud potency!

 

[fernand]

Hey folks....
I own a firefly unit. Since i live in germany it was not that easy to come by.
As it came fully charged i was able to use it a little bit. I enjoyed that a lot, but when i tried to recharge it, i stumbled upon some issues. Since we got different power outlets than the states, i used a power supply which let's me control the voltage and has a max amperage of 1500mA. I put it on 9V and tried charging. For about five seconds the led of the Firefly started to blink blue and then turned green. I've let it charge like this for an hour but apparently it didn't charge at all. I also tried to use the original power source with a travel converter just to experience the same result. After five seconds the led changes from blinking blue to constant green.
Did anybody of you guys experience similar problems trying to charge?
Is anybody here not from the us and therefore has to use a different power supply as well?
And of course my most important question is does anybody have some advice about what i can change to charge the battery?

cheers realz

@realz Look at the label on the power adapter you got with your FireFly. It says Input 100-240 volts AC. That covers 99.99% of the planet. It also says output 12 V DC. Your 9 volt setting is wrong. Honestly, people should READ the labels.

You do not need a different power supply, and you do NOT need OR WANT a transformer or travel converter - because the standard adapter works fine on 240 volts. In addition, power supplies vary enormously in what they call e.g. "12 volts", how they behave under load, etc. Good way to screw things up. What you DO need is a physical US to EU plug adapter, it just has different pins, they cost about one Euro to five Euros, so you have the EU round pins instead of the flat US style ones. If you are desperate and have tools, you can make a little adapter by a variety of methods.

@bellas I have 2 batteries and I seldom use the second one. All the more if I don't constantly recharge (which is the worst for such batteries). It charges quickly, so letting it run down and not charging obsessively there's easily a half hour slot here and there to charge it up (to not quite 100%). I wouldn't think many people would ever use a third battery unless trying to feed all their friends. If you are far from the charger for the whole day, then maybe.

On screens. I was using the little basket screen (it fits perfectly) but ... I finally realized that THE BEST setup is nothing. I was worried that tiny loads would flap around, etc. Turns out it's meant to work that way. Then you don't have problems with more heat in the center/bottom. You don't need to stir/mix. I know this is contrary to the anal compulsive approach, but if you just leave a little sticky residue around the window, it catches even the finest dust. So in the end there is zero benefit from screens. And they all have unexpected effects on how the unit draws, cooks and tastes. Just use it as designed, and refine your technique. You'll find it just works.

 

[Mynameismud]

Well firefly wont charge or heat up anymore

 

[Adobewan]

t's those ones! I use the 8 gr ones and I put two for 100 gr jars or one for smaller ones. A connoisseur's best friend for ultimate taste and bud potency!

Thanks @natural farmer, does % matter, which do you recommend, and further apologies for continued derailment.
Hopefully others are benefitting from this knowledge as well.
Go Firefly! One of the sweetest looking portables on the market.

 

[natural farmer]

Thanks @natural farmer, does % matter, which do you recommend, and further apologies for continued derailment.
Hopefully others are benefitting from this knowledge as well.
Go Firefly! One of the sweetest looking portables on the market.

The link I posted is about the medical herb humidipaks and they are all at the magic 62% of moisture. Everyone should get some of these if they value their herbs. It completely changed the game for me! And the Firefly deserves them cause of it's fiiiine taste!!!

 

[fernand]

I ordered 10 of the 8mm (2.75" x 2.5" I think) at 62 which is what their blurb recommended.

 

[Adobewan]

Are 75%s a problem? I found them a bit cheaper.

 

[fernand]

@Adobewan Wow, what a cool paraphernalia gala in your sig! I dunno, someone said even 62 % humidity is a tad high. I can't believe it's THAT picky, I mean it's just a plant! But then again I don't know anything about curing or seasoning or aging cannabis. Where did you find them cheaper, pls?

Oh, BTW, I was looking for info on seasoning a Ti nail. Wow, there are some superstitious folk out there. They sacrifice like a gram or two to the Titanium god, burning it on the virgin nail. And this one dude says he heard it from experts, salt and then jam. Of course they start wailing on the concept. Jam? Ridiculous! Toxic! It HAS to be real cannabis resin. Well, I believe jam is great. It really doesn't matter what organic matter is used, because it will ALL combust down to a thin layer of carbon. No taste. No flavor. Just carbon. If the flash-caramelizing jam is swished around the hot plate like when dabbing, that carbon bites into the top layer of the Titanium, and that rough surface will break the surface tension of any wax/oil later applied, so you don't end up chasing a ball of boiling resin in your jeans. I believe that's the idea, once you've burned off any machining residue. Anybody have contrary info?

Those universal domeless Ti nails are great. They're like a transformer toy. I figured at 36 grams total weight, the top cup could be taken to glowing red without a massive torch. Not really. A too small torch sucks. Need something better. Now I'm REALLY worried. What will the kids think if they walk in on the big blue Bernzomatic Propane torch, the bubbler w/ the nail, the whole rig? They're in their 20s, and they know I was prescribed cannabis, but still ... there's something more therapeutic and fatherly about a bowl o' buds.

Good thing we're not at the "bag of butane cans, big vacuum pump, modified pressure cooker" stage. So we're back on topic. The FireFly. I got a Solo and I love it almost as much as the FireFly, it's different and useful. But the FireFly is my pocket vape. It's self-contained, no stem, load it up and close it, into a little eGo case. I can pull that FireFly out and vape in front of people. The Solo looks way tactical. The FireFly looks luxurious and just vanishes, like a fancy lighter or bling phone. People don't pay attention to it, unlike a Solo or (heaven!) a MFLB, or (really!) a Propane torch and an oil rig. A Firefly belongs. Fondle it and nibble a drag here and there.

 

[natural farmer]

Are 75%s a problem? I found them a bit cheaper.

From the results of the 62% on the buds I have cured and stored, I'd say 75% is too much…

And they claim this: "While 3rd party testing has determined the ideal storage humidity at 59-63% RH based on maximizing color, aroma and flavor, we offer a variety of RH levels to suit individual preference." and many people have gone with it in the forum so it's your choice actually… The Firefly and Lotus as well as the Solo and Hot Pod loved the 62% ime. And I always have vapor from the get go. 62% is good for me. You should do your experiments as well…

So we're back on topic. The FireFly. I got a Solo and I love it almost as much as the FireFly, it's different and useful. But the FireFly is my pocket vape. It's self-contained, no stem, load it up and close it, into a little eGo case. I can pull that FireFly out and vape in front of people. The Solo looks way tactical. The FireFly looks luxurious and just vanishes, like a fancy lighter or bling phone. People don't pay attention to it, unlike a Solo or (heaven!) a MFLB, or (really!) a Propane torch and an oil rig. A Firefly belongs. Fondle it and nibble a drag here and there.

Good to hear the FF blends in nicely! The Solo is suited more for home use or for camping trips with more people. It's more of a party vape than a solo vape imo as it rushed me to finish the session before it cooked the load completely. It's also better for nightcaps maybe, since I have read that THC is converted to CBD or CBN with prolonged heating (have I mixed things up?)… Firefly is a better portable for solo use and for the connoisseur in me! The Lotus has both solo and party scenarios covered on the other hand… But it's missing on a few scenarios as well. My sig says it all!

 

[fernand]

Yeah, makes sense. I'm vaping FireFly, Solo and MFLB mostly in that order, but the Solo has a lot of great scenarios, many as yet undiscovered. (for instance I haven't vaped the little wildflower they give you with it, nor the Doritos that Planet Vape sends you, apparently to test out your adapter with). I've gotten very nice clear head vapes by just running the Solo at 3. The nice thing is you can easily change the temp both ways. And you need not regulate-toke, just set the temp. Different strokes.

With the Lotus, can I use a Bernzomatic propane tank ?

Oh, since you've used them humidipaks (BTW, why did they dump that great name and change to an arbitrary one that's hard to remember?). OK, say I have a number of gram baggies, and I buy more. Is there a good way to store multiple grams separately yet in a single humidity space? Make sense?

 

[natural farmer]

Yeah, makes sense. I'm vaping FireFly, Solo and MFLB mostly in that order, but the Solo has a lot of great scenarios, many as yet undiscovered. (for instance I haven't vaped the little wildflower they give you with it, nor the Doritos that Planet Vape sends you, apparently to test out your adapter with).

With the Lotus, can I use my Bernzomatic propane tank ?

I'l tell you at the Lotus thread… And post a pic of it!

 

[realz]

@realz Look at the label on the power adapter you got with your FireFly. It says Input 100-240 volts AC. That covers 99.99% of the planet. It also says output 12 V DC. Your 9 volt setting is wrong. Honestly, people should READ the labels.

You do not need a different power supply, and you do NOT need OR WANT a transformer or travel converter - because the standard adapter works fine on 240 volts. In addition, power supplies vary enormously in what they call e.g. "12 volts", how they behave under load, etc. Good way to screw things up. What you DO need is a physical US to EU plug adapter, it just has different pins, they cost about one Euro to five Euros, so you have the EU round pins instead of the flat US style ones. If you are desperate and have tools, you can make a little adapter by a variety of methods.

@fernand That is interesting news. My Firefly AC Adapter definitely says output 9V as you can see here:

And this is a pic of the adapter i used:

The description is in german but the values are still international.

I also have the physical US to EU plug adapter you are refering to. But the pins of the Ff AC Adapter are not long enough to actually reach inside of the plug adapter. I've also had a friend with a test unit measure the output of both AC Adapters and he found that both have the same output with the german adapter being a little more stable. Therefore i think it cannot be an issue with the adapters.
I also ordered a second battery to eliminate the possbility of having a faulty battery. But again i got the same result with this one when i tried to charge it. To be honest i don't have any idea left of what could be the reason for my problem.
So do you have any solution or idea?

 

[marduk]

So do you have any solution or idea?

Your adapter has an extra 300 milliamps on tap. It's possible that the logic circuits check the current draw to help determine the battery charge status, and are being confused by the mismatch. And (this might sound silly) is your power button in the OFF position? Because the LED being green should happen only if the unit is turned on.

 

[fernand]

First of all apology my mistake, I have too many adapters plugged in. Mine says 9 volts too. But let me check what it reads on a meter and on a scope without a load.

Sometimes a power supply will provide an unfiltered DC with enough AC element to confuse a circuit yet on an averaging meter you don't see it.

If I were you I would focus on one thing only: find some way to get the original adapter connected to the mains. Solder some bare thick wire to the flat pins, whatever it takes. Because running it with the original supply is the only way to be sure where the problem lies. On the physical adapter they are worth very little and you can usually take plyers or cutters to it and break off whatever is blocking.