Not saying this is analogous to your situation @
Baked55, but...
A friend of mine bought a Lotus per my suggestion (after I showed her several different vapes). After she had it for a while (and after I'd heard about some mild success, but had to suggest cleaning the screen as a way to improve airflow when trouble was reported), she admitted to me that she was having all kinds of problems. She wasn't getting enough heat. The herb wasn't browning. No vapor. No real effects. She'd contacted MT, and was afraid there was something wrong with her hot plate. She asked me to meet up and take a look, and try to help.
We met up. I brought my Honest torch, just in case, but luckily she brought hers as well. I engaged her lighter. We were in her car, in the sun, but I was pretty sure I should've seen more flame. I had to cup my hand around it to see it. She had a low, low flame. I immediately turned the dial and cranked that sucker up. She told me that she was trying to follow the official instructions of a "half-inch flame". I told her
no. Ignore that. I jacked the flame up to an inch or so and told her this would make things much, much easier for her. There is no reason to use a half-inch flame and I think that indication probably leads many people to frustration. I told her that I always use a bigger flame...you just have to make sure you start moving the torch as soon as you see a red spot (to which she said, "The plate doesn't turn red!") to prevent combustion.
Anyway, I loaded a fresh bowl (and advised her to only use 3/4 of a bowl, tops...for my test here I used not even half a bowl...and not to tamp it down at all) and applied her newly strengthened flame to the hot plate. Inhaled about 6-8 seconds. Exhaled a GIANT cloud of vapor into her backseat. Her jaw literally dropped. She said she'd never seen vapor like that come out of it before. I had her do a hit with the adjusted lighter and she went into a coughing fit, not having expected the difference.
Like I said, I'm not saying that this is your situation, Baked55. But for the benefit of others who are having trouble with their Lotus, I
am going to say that this is a really simple device and I can't imagine there are many ways in which it genuinely malfunctions. There have been more than a few Lotus users who have struggled with technique initially (I'm looking at you, @
ataxian) only to realize later that the vape wasn't the problem.
Whether this is a true defective unit or a matter of needing a better torch/flame or adjustment of draw/technique, I hope you're able work it out soon. I'm eager for you to experience the glory of the Lotus! I wish I could watch your technique...or better yet, give your Lotus a try...I can't imagine how in the world you could hold a flame (while drawing?!?) to the center of the plate for two minutes without achieving any heating of the herb...not with a decent-sized flame, at least!
The only thing I can think of is that your lighter doesn't go very high… It's the only way not to get a glow imho…
