Discontinued The Firefly Vaporizer

[invertedisdead]

Wha...?!? That's 7th floors' slogan, it's on their silver surfer t-shirts!
As much as I love my firefly they should be paying out royalties on that one.

I've got this exact one at home!

Ha whoops! This damn vaporizer has been on all day. Firefly's is "vapor surfing" I guess I mixed them up. Though they are pretty close!

 

[dirtdragon]

First FF worked great at first then starting to combust. Tried cleaning but that did not work. Sent back under warranty. Now new one out of the box combusts. Ready to give up on the FF...

 

[TrueVaper]

First FF worked great at first then starting to combust. Tried cleaning but that did not work. Sent back under warranty. Now new one out of the box combusts. Ready to give up on the FF...

Hmmm, I think it would help if you were more descriptive about the technique you are using with your Firefly.

The problem could be that your current Firefly and previous one ran a little on the hot side. If this were the case then you could probably preheat it for less time before you take your pull.

Also important to keep in mind with all Firefly models is to pack the bowl loosely. If you are packing the bowl too tight the heat will have trouble dispersing throughout the entire bowl of material and most likely over heat the bottom of the bowl leading to combustion on the bottom material.

Another tip would be to take long soft pulls from your unit as apposed to strong pulls. If you take a quick, strong pull from the firefly it could put too much heat all at once on your herb and possibly cause combustion.

So try: 1. Less preheat time
2. Pack your herb loosely
3. Long, soft, inhalation.

 

[mitchgo61]

First FF worked great at first then starting to combust. Tried cleaning but that did not work. Sent back under warranty. Now new one out of the box combusts. Ready to give up on the FF...

Well, technically, a properly functioning FF shouldn't combust under normal circumstances. Even if you used the most aggressive technique, the unit really shouldn't cause combustion...I would guess you have just had bad luck and are subject to yet another unit with a misaligned heating coil. (I've come to the conclusion that the coils have very little tolerance and can get knocked around, which may explain those units that work fine for months and then combust suddenly...)

But yes, if your unit is running hot, there are things you can do to minimize combustion.

So try: 1. Less preheat time
2. Pack your herb loosely
3. Long, soft, inhalation.

4. Don't hit the heat button more than once.
5. Don't add any extra metal, like a top screen.

I personally find a loose pack provides mediocre results in the FF, but if you are combusting it might help. Really, though, if you are continuing to have issues, send that one back, make FF pay shipping both ways for your trouble, and make sure you are happy with your FF. They are on the hook to provide you with a properly-working FF...don't stop till you are a happy customer!

 

[grokit]

Don't you guys find that the draw suffers a bit when you pack it tight?
This is the main reason I prefer a loosely-packed bowl, also because it browns the avb more evenly.

 

[letter never sent]

OK, I think I'm starting to make some progress with this thing.

So far, I've been a little disappointed in the flavor I was getting. The first hit is always super tasty and clean, but for many of my hits, often quite early in the life of a bowl, the flower was taking on a toasted, overcooked taste similar to what I typically get from a MFLB. Since I wasn't holding the button down for that long (5-10 seconds per pull), I wasn't sure what the problem was.

For this most recent bowl, I tried pulling faster and also "vapor surfing" as Firefly calls it. For each hit, I pulled moderately fast and only held the button down for around 3 seconds, followed by a few seconds of inhaling without pressing the button, then 3 more seconds of button pushing, etc. This has allowed me to keep the temperature down and preserve the tasty flavor for longer. I just got 5 or 6 hits with smooth, light vapor and very good flavor. At this point, the vapor is starting to thin out big time, so I'll probably have to extend the duration of my button pressing for the remainder of the bowl.

That can wait until later. The handful of hits I took has me lit.

Also, the ABV looks good right now. Lightly browned and evenly roasted. It seems like the heating element gets up to 400F rather quickly, so you need to be conservative with the button if you want to enjoy low temp vapor. At least that's the case with my unit.

My biggest gripe so far is the heater button. It feels cheap and it's way too finicky. You would think a premium priced product like this one would have a better quality button, especially when it's absolutely essential to the operation of the device. You have to press it just right for it to click correctly. It's pretty annoying to be honest. They need to fix that.

EDIT: I took a bunch more hits with longer button pushes and harder pulls. I was pleased with the resulting ABV.

The way I've been using it, only the top third of the unit ever gets too hot to hold and that's after an extended session. However, I leaned on the button repeatedly for an extended period (no material loaded) and this thing is capable of getting extremely hot. Are people really taking hits while holding the button down for 20-30 seconds at a time? I mean, the mouthpiece never got hot enough to burn my lips, but the rest of the unit was pretty damn hot. Fortunately, it cools down pretty quickly.

 

[cawshook]

I love my firefly. I basically haven't touched my e-nano or any other vaporizer since I got it. I've got preground herb with some home made (a friend) hash that's really light and dry and looks like kief. So if you have kief laying around throw some in your bowl with some weed and be amazed.

 

[mitchgo61]

Don't you guys find that the draw suffers a bit when you pack it tight?
This is the main reason I prefer a loosely-packed bowl, also because it browns the avb more evenly.

Yes, it affects the draw a bit, but it doesn't bother me, much, and it helps generate bigger hits if I'm in the mood for them. You do need to stir a lot when you pack tight, but I kinda enjoy the stirring thing. Overall, I just cannot get good results from a loose pack...I never seem to get sizable hits.

For this most recent bowl, I tried pulling faster and also "vapor surfing" as Firefly calls it. For each hit, I pulled moderately fast and only held the button down for around 3 seconds, followed by a few seconds of inhaling without pressing the button, then 3 more seconds of button pushing, etc. This has allowed me to keep the temperature down and preserve the tasty flavor for longer. I just got 5 or 6 hits with smooth, light vapor and very good flavor. At this point, the vapor is starting to thin out big time, so I'll probably have to extend the duration of my button pressing for the remainder of the bowl.

My biggest gripe so far is the heater button. It feels cheap and it's way too finicky. You would think a premium priced product like this one would have a better quality button, especially when it's absolutely essential to the operation of the device. You have to press it just right for it to click correctly. It's pretty annoying to be honest. They need to fix that.

You do need to draw faster than you normally would with the FF, right up to the resistance point. MFLB type hits won't work well in my experience. However, it's interesting that you aren't getting hotter hits by pulsing the button...this tends to restart the heat cycle and make hits hotter than if you just hold it down the full 30 seconds. (It's a good way of generating heat on a unit that runs a little cool.)

Yeah, the buttons can be squishy. I've noticed on my red FF that it started a bit wonky and settled down over the course of a few weeks.

 

[TrueVaper]

I personally find a loose pack provides mediocre results in the FF, but if you are combusting it might help.

Let me clarify when I say "loosely packed" bowl... I fill my bowl nice and full and to the top, I drop all the material in without packing it down.

What I don't do is push it down tightly to fit more in, that's what I would consider a tight pack. And I would imagine doing that would effect the airflow of any Firefly and cause a build up of heat.

 

[mitchgo61]

Let me clarify when I say "loosely packed" bowl... I fill my bowl nice and full and to the top, I drop all the material in without packing it down.

What I don't do is push it down tightly to fit more in, that's what I would consider a tight pack. And I would imagine doing that would effect the airflow of any Firefly and cause a build up of heat.

I totally agree with you...it can cause a heat buildup, and, if you don't stir every few heats, uneven heating. But...for units that are working within normal tolerances (or even a tad cooler) I find it really works to generate larger hits. I wish I could get satisfying results from a looser pack but I have just not been happy using the FF that way. Just my personal experience.

The way I've been using it, only the top third of the unit ever gets too hot to hold and that's after an extended session. However, I leaned on the button repeatedly for an extended period (no material loaded) and this thing is capable of getting extremely hot. Are people really taking hits while holding the button down for 20-30 seconds at a time? I mean, the mouthpiece never got hot enough to burn my lips, but the rest of the unit was pretty damn hot. Fortunately, it cools down pretty quickly.

Oh I missed this part of your post first time round...yes, I often, in late stages of a bowl, hold the button for the full 30 seconds, and hell yeah, it can get hot to hold if you do that for a few hits in quick succession. I put it on a glass tabletop between hits and it seems to suck the heat right out of it. But that puppy can generate some thermal mass...

 

[letter never sent]

You do need to draw faster than you normally would with the FF, right up to the resistance point. MFLB type hits won't work well in my experience. However, it's interesting that you aren't getting hotter hits by pulsing the button...this tends to restart the heat cycle and make hits hotter than if you just hold it down the full 30 seconds. (It's a good way of generating heat on a unit that runs a little cool.)

Well, I'm still only pressing the button for a total of 10 seconds or less per hit. Perhaps inhaling without engaging the button is helping to keep the temperature down. All I know is I'm starting to coax awesome flavor out of this thing using the method I described.

 

[Henry81]

Don't you guys find that the draw suffers a bit when you pack it tight?
This is the main reason I prefer a loosely-packed bowl, also because it browns the avb more evenly.

I find that packing it in works best for dark abv. Meaning I do the same as mentioned above, but I then gently press and then top it off. I also i do not open and stir until the vapor quality starts to popcorn. I then open and stir. After that I get about four more draws and the abv is like brown powder.

 

[Trogdor]

You guys ever notice there's a particular sound that goes along with a good draw? Makes me wonder if each firefly has its own specific noise.

 

[mitchgo61]

You guys ever notice there's a particular sound that goes along with a good draw? Makes me wonder if each firefly has its own specific noise.

You mean me going "aaaaahhhhh"....yeah, I hear it on every good hit....

 

[fernand]

I was on a road trip and only took the FireFly and some e-cig type vapes. The reason for not taking the Black Solo was that it looks way too tactical. And the Magic Launch box clearly shouts hippy paraphernalium. The FF performed admirably on herb, and on erl on a stainless steel mesh puck. It has that iPhone type look so it doesn't attract attention, and the taste is SO sweet. The Solo is perhaps the more flexible device, but there's no comparison on cool vapor taste. With all the various draws and pulsing techniques, the lack of an automatic temp control isn't missed. I can still pick the fractions I want, I usually go for the lo-mid temp range alone, but no trouble vaping the down to brown nightcap either. The draw is getting stiffer, time to dismantle and clean out the particles under the oven. The only thing is, get yerself a car charger or you'll need several spare batterieS.

 

[Shroom]

Hello all, first time poster here. I have read through this entire thread and decided to buy a firefly about a week ago. First of all, thank you all for the information and opinions given here. It has made a significant impact on my choice to go with the firefly (which I like a lot). You all have been very, very helpful. Now, I have a few questions regarding cleaning as I feel firefly could have done better with it's cleaning guide. I know a few of you have already written cleaning guides but I'd ideally like an all in one guide if possible. Here are my questions: Which parts should I clean? Which tools (ISO dipped q-tips, wipes, etc.) do you use and/for which parts? Is there anything I should absolutely not be cleaning that isn't obvious? Any cleaning tips in general would be helpful. Also, isn't cleaning the vapor paths/bowl with ISO potentially harmful? Aren't you breathing it in when you draw from the device? I have a feeling I'm missing something pretty obvious here. There is no way to burn off the ISO that I can tell. I feel that all of this information, while a lot of work for anyone that answers my questions, could be invaluable for potential firefly buyers and new owners. I do not expect anyone to answer all of my questions, but for anyone to give a few questions a shot would be much appreciated. Have a fantastic day.

 

[cawshook]

Hey shroom ill try to answer as much as possible.
Clean the bowl with a cotton swab lightly soaked in ISO. Keep the unit upside down so no ISO drips downward.
Clean the mouthpiece as well. I just blow in it with the top part off to remove anything stuck in there. If your draw is too tight its probably because of that.
Don't worry about ISO. I've breathed it in multiple times. Its not really harmful in very small quantities. The way you get rid of any ISO is to heat the unit so it evaporates. If you're worried, give the unit a quick puff or two without inhaling after cleaning with an empty bowl, heat on.
Lightly soak a tissue in ISO and wipe the unit from the inside so its shiny again.
That's all I do to clean.

 

[letter never sent]

I've had my unit for a week now, still learning. I'm not 100% sold on it yet, but I do like it.

It's like FF combined a Solo and a MFLB, added more convection heating, gave it a swappable battery, and molded it into a more attractive, self contained form factor. Something like that.

I think the flavor hit is the best I've ever experienced in a vaporizer, let alone a portable. So pure and vibrant. The next few hits typically taste very good as well. However, the Herbalizer still wins in terms of overall flavor. I do think this unit has superior flavor vs. the Solo.

The ABV definitely resembles the Herbalizer more than the Solo. I haven't been able to get mine very dark, but I tried a bowl in the Herbalizer after vaping it in the FF, and I didn't get any visible vapor below 400F. Above 400F, I got a few more hits with wispy clouds. This tells me the unit is extracting fully within the stated temperature range.

The Firefly isn't perfect, but I'm not sure there's a better portable option for me right now. Plus, I'm still figuring out how to control the temperature to my liking throughout a session. I'm obviously spoiled by the Herbalizer.

Anyone else feel like the FF is the glass spoon pipe of vaporizers? That's the vibe I get at least. It has been excellent for nightcap sessions outside on my balcony.

@Shroom I've been cleaning it like this every few sessions:

(1) Damp cotton cloth with ISO, wipe down inside of unit and lid
(2) Dip cotton swab in ISO, scrub vapor path and glass window
(3) Use dry cotton swab on the same areas
(4) Blow into mouthpiece to clean, use pick to clear debris if necessary

I brush the bowl out thoroughly after each session.

 

[mitchgo61]

Now, I have a few questions regarding cleaning as I feel firefly could have done better with it's cleaning guide. I know a few of you have already written cleaning guides but I'd ideally like an all in one guide if possible. Here are my questions: Which parts should I clean? Which tools (ISO dipped q-tips, wipes, etc.) do you use and/for which parts? Is there anything I should absolutely not be cleaning that isn't obvious? Any cleaning tips in general would be helpful. Also, isn't cleaning the vapor paths/bowl with ISO potentially harmful? Aren't you breathing it in when you draw from the device? I have a feeling I'm missing something pretty obvious here. There is no way to burn off the ISO that I can tell.

As has been mentioned, don't sweat the ISO. It evaporates almost immediately, before you're even done cleaning. I use a lint free cloth to wipe the surfaces. Then, a slightly damp paper towel with iso on the main steel plate, squeeze it inside the mouthpiece (gently, don't rock it, it can get loose). A wipe inside the glass bowl again with a towel ever-so-slightly damp with iso. Take out the bottom screen, brush and blow out any debris. You can get the brush under the bowl edge, but be gentle...don't dislodge the o-ring under there. Do not let wet iso drip on the stainless steel plate with holes...wipe gently. (Try the 7 hole Wispr screens if you wanna avoid the fun of removing and reinstalling the stock screen.) Wipe the silicone seal on the lid very gently with only the slightest amount of iso. Wipe the steel vapor paths with iso. Wipe the port assembly with iso, GENTLY on the window...don't rub hard or in a circular motion...you can dislodge the gasket, which is a huge pain. Don't use iso on the painted exterior of the FF...just wipe with a cloth.

The ABV definitely resembles the Herbalizer more than the Solo. I haven't been able to get mine very dark, but I tried a bowl in the Herbalizer after vaping it in the FF, and I didn't get any visible vapor below 400F. Above 400F, I got a few more hits with wispy clouds. This tells me the unit is extracting fully within the stated temperature range.

For darker abv, try a. packing tightly and b. use a top screen in the latter stages of a bowl to raise the temps a bit. Also keeps it neater.

 

[spiff69]

Hey All,

I owe this thread an update as several if you were very helpful in helping me diagnose my combustion issues with the ff. As a brief recap, I was getting combustion on pretty much every load regardless of grinding and drawing technique.

After concluding that it just wasn't working right, I called ff and they confirmed I should send it back in. However, since I bought from a local shop, I had to go back to the distributor since they sold it to the local shop. That's Vape World. I find this pretty odd, but I did send it back to them and when they tested the unit, they said it was operating within normal parameters.

I have to admit, this got me pretty steamed. I consider myself a fairly capable person and I strongly disagree that a vape combusting so easily is working properly. I'm willing to admit to a bit of faulty technique, but I still don't think it should be that easy. I think the firefly is a pretty neat device, but there is clearly some inconsistency in how these things heat.

In my conversations with Vape World, I pushed to get the unit replaced and VW did one better by offering me essentially a store credit. They did not have to do this and I can't brag about them enough for being so great. I recommend them as a dealer without hesitation! I ultimately chose to just get a solo as I know it's not nearly as fickle as the firefly.

So, in the end, I loved the ff when it performed properly, but I think the unit is either too fragile or the manufacturing and testing/qc methods inconsistent and unreliable. I know there are many happy users in this thread. I wish I was one of them. Also, the support policy is pretty silly with some units being supported directly and some not.

Thanks for all the help and thoughts!

 

[grokit]

the support policy is pretty silly with some units being supported directly and some not.

Yeah, I hate that too. It just complicates things.

 

[mitchgo61]

After concluding that it just wasn't working right, I called ff and they confirmed I should send it back in. However, since I bought from a local shop, I had to go back to the distributor since they sold it to the local shop. That's Vape World. I find this pretty odd, but I did send it back to them and when they tested the unit, they said it was operating within normal parameters.

I'm confused. Who supposedly tested it...VW or the FF folks themselves? Because I agree with you...if it's combusting easily, it's not operating normally. I find it hard to believe the FF engineers would have come to that conclusion.

 

[spiff69]

Yeah, let me clarify a few points:

1. Vape World tested the unit. They said that it was heating to proper temperatures. If there is a problem in the test method, then the blame ultimately falls on Firefly since they are relying on Vape World to do warranty support.
2. I bought my unit from a local authorized dealer for Firefly. Vape World was not obligated to do anything other than warranty support. I'm sure they would have given me another FF if I really pushed for it, but I just didn't feel like putting up with more potential inconsistencies and decided to switch since they gave me the option.
3. I have no doubt that you will be fully supported through Vape World on the Firefly or any other product. Any hesitancy on their part was only because I did not buy directly from them. I experienced very good support and they were very friendly. The blame, in my opinion, should be put squarely on Firefly. They were friendly and helpful as well, but it's their policy that is causing any consistency in support.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

This one's for you, @mitchgo61 ... since you seem to enjoy rocks.

And no, I don't mean THESE kinds of rocks:

Now, I'm pretty certain I'm the first person to take a picture of his FF next to Judaculla Rock.

Hopefully, this will spark a whole new interest in petroglyphs.

This rock does have a lot of history, and is worth researching, if you're into that sorta thing...

 

[invertedisdead]

This one's for you, @mitchgo61 ... since you seem to enjoy rocks.


Now, I'm pretty certain I'm the first person to take a picture of his FF next to Judaculla Rock.

Hopefully, this will spark a whole new interest in petroglyphs.

This rock does have a lot of history, and is worth researching, if you're into that sorta thing...

Oh slant eyed giant, ever so high in the Balsam Mountains, may we sacrifice this sacred herb in honor of thou. Kush be with you (and also with you)