The Magic-Flight Box

[chloe]

The biggest downsides for me so far is battery fit... beyond the stock batteries (which are a perfect fit), the 2 different brands I've purchased are loose and don't provide a good vaping experience.

I agree completely. It is unfortunate that the otherwise wonderful Box design doesn't allow for the large variance in thickness among different AA NiMh cells. The Eveready cells are all a little small, and don't make great connection to the negative terminal in the Box. The cells that Magic-Flight supplies fit perfectly.

I buy most of my AA cells from thomasdistributing.com, and my favorite cell for the Box, by far, is the Maha Powerex 2700 mAh AA cell. It is the same thickness as the Magic-Flight cell, so it fits perfectly. It has a very miniscule crimp at the top, which means it slides into and out of the Box without "catching" on the negative terminal. (The Eveready cells have the same tiny crimp, but as I mentioned, they're too narrow; the Magic-Flight cells have a much larger crimp, like most other battery brands). The plastic removes easily on the Maha cells, and the tiny insulator on the top doesn't fall off when you remove the plastic wrapper. An unlike some of the other 2700/2900 mAh cells I've tried, the Powerex cells really do provide the 2700mAh's they advertise. (The Belkin 2900mAh cells don't come near to providing 2900mAh's, for example, and they don't fit as well).

Haywood

ps If the little paper insulator on the top of your battery gets lost, you'll find that a "hole protector" used to protect the punched holes in a piece of paper designed to be held in a three ring binder, makes a great substitute for the one that orginally came with the battery.

thanks..I think I'm gonna try some of those powerex batteries when mine die....as for the hole protector..what is the importance of it...i've lost most of mine

 

[reece]

Hey, here are some low-discharge batteries that are the same size as the Duracells (not low discharge) that Chloe mentioned earlier in the thread. So, they should fit the LB nicely. They are supposed to arrive tomorrow so I'll let you guys know for sure.

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/s...html?SP_id=&osCsid=3cv2ef7stq87p9ljothcqgeh85

Got the batteries and they fit the same as the batteries that come with the LB. They are more expensive by a couple of bucks but they are low-discharge. The crimp does catch but I kind of like that. It feels like something extra keeping the battery from falling out while not fully inserted. Getting the label off is a bit messy but nothing major.

 

[Haywood]

The insulator on the top helps to prevent an errant piece of metal from shorting out the battery, and turning it into a pocket warmer instead of a weed warmer. Without the insulator, there is a much tinier gap between the top of the cell (the positive terminal) and the shell of the cell (the negative terminal).

Since everyone I know carries their cells in a container of some sort (most of us the plastic version, and one of us a beautiful homemade wooden version ), it really doesn't matter if the top insulator falls off.

Haywood

 

[chloe]

The insulator on the top helps to prevent an errant piece of metal from shorting out the battery, and turning it into a pocket warmer instead of a weed warmer. Without the insulator, there is a much tinier gap between the top of the cell (the positive terminal) and the shell of the cell (the negative terminal).

Since everyone I know carries their cells in a container of some sort (most of us the plastic version, and one of us a beautiful homemade wooden version ), it really doesn't matter if the top insulator falls off.

Haywood

ahhhh...that's why when i put a handful of batteries in my pocket it singed me

thx

 

[umpnum14]

The insulator on the top helps to prevent an errant piece of metal from shorting out the battery, and turning it into a pocket warmer instead of a weed warmer. Without the insulator, there is a much tinier gap between the top of the cell (the positive terminal) and the shell of the cell (the negative terminal).

Since everyone I know carries their cells in a container of some sort (most of us the plastic version, and one of us a beautiful homemade wooden version ), it really doesn't matter if the top insulator falls off.

Haywood

ahhhh...that's why when i put a handful of batteries in my pocket it singed me

thx

Haha ive done that a couple of times with my keys. Im sitting there and like WTF im burning then realize i had my keys in the pocket. I live by my battery holder now

 

[bluntfaced]

Has anyone used this in sub-freeziing temps? I wanna get one for skiing but I'm worried it won't heat up well enough

 

[Hippie Dickie]

Haha ive done that a couple of times with my keys. Im sitting there and like WTF im burning then realize i had my keys in the pocket.

Ah! you need a man purse - keeps all my stuff out of my pockets.

 

[jklasd]

so what is the consensus of best batties and best charger for this vape amongst you people?

 

[reece]

so what is the consensus of best batties and best charger for this vape amongst you people?

I don't know if there is a consensus. You just need to find a battery that fits snuggly, if you care about that. Then decide if you want regular nimh or low-discharge. The batteries I linked to earlier fit well and are low-discharge. The "stock" batteries fit well and are not low-discharge. I believe Chloe posted a picture of some Duracells that fit well. The low-discharge Duracells don't fit well. Some Energizers fit well, others don't. Check through the thread. There's a bunch of info.

 

[jklasd]

i have once, but ill have to take a better look when my girl buys it for me. when i did it, i remember most of the battery talked died down and there were lacross as the changer but not much about batteries. i will also say that it was more quick reading to see people opinions on it to see if i wanted to buy it. so a more detail read is in order. i remember reading that batteries that dont fit snuggly seem to cause poorer vapor quality. i would assume those with low-discharge would be better, but im sure thats covered in the thread at some point.
ps: im very sorry for that terrible mispelling of batteries. i wasn't thinking straight apparently haha. i know how to spell it, just one of those days

 

[DeepFried]

I agree with Haywood. The Maha PowerEx 2700's fit and work amazingly well and are easily obtainable at just a bit higher cost than lesser brands. The best charger hands down is the Maha PowerEx C9000 WizardOne charger. I found some good prices on a combo deal in Canada from:
http://www.paulsfinest.com/Maha-Pow...A-Maha-Batteries-2xBH4-1xBH8-cases-p-572.html

Unfortunately 8 batteries and charger combo will cost more than the Launchbox itself, but ultimately you get what you pay for and you can use this excellent charger on all your other rechargeables as well. So in summary the best functioning and best fitting batteries are Maha PowerEx 2700's.

 

[Haywood]

I agree with Haywood. The Maha PowerEx 2700's fit and work amazingly well and are easily obtainable at just a bit higher cost than lesser brands. The best charger hands down is the Maha PowerEx C9000 WizardOne charger. I found some good prices on a combo deal in Canada from:
http://www.paulsfinest.com/Maha-Pow...A-Maha-Batteries-2xBH4-1xBH8-cases-p-572.html

Unfortunately 8 batteries and charger combo will cost more than the Launchbox itself, but ultimately you get what you pay for and you can use this excellent charger on all your other rechargeables as well. So in summary the best functioning and best fitting batteries are Maha PowerEx 2700's.

Note that http://thomasdistributing.com/, which is the US company that I buy from, has the MaHa PowerEx C9000 charger and eight of their 2700mAh batteries for $74.11, which is quite a bit cheaper than the $94 that paulsfinest charges. Still, as you mention, it's not an inexpensive charger, no matter where you buy it. (And it does indeed do more than the LaCrosse charger).

Haywood

ps As I recall, Magic-Flight uses the MaHa chargers themselves...

 

[chucku]

If the battery is loose I have found adding a small piece of cellophane tape (just enough for one layer) proivides just enough added girth for a good fit.

Also if you want to keep track of what kind of batteries are in your rotation, a tube cutter works very well at removing only the part of the label covering what is inserted. Make sure you only cut the label and not into the battery.

 

[magicflight]

If the battery is loose I have found adding a small piece of cellophane tape (just enough for one layer) proivides just enough added girth for a good fit.

Hi Chucku,

Please be aware that the tape cannot go completely around the battery -- the metal parts of the Box need to make electrical contact with the battery (this is why the label is removed) -- the tape can get in the way. If putting tape over only part of the battery, you may need to turn the battery to get good contact as well as a good fit. Best advice is for you to experiment to see what works.

-- Magic-flight

 

[Squeeky]

Well i went ahead and placed an order this morning for my LB. This will be a great portable device to compliment my E.

I do have a few quick question if anyone can help.

Will the supplied charger, charge any AA NiMH?

I am debating my add-on battery options. I can get 24 Tenergy batteries that are same as wat is shipped with unit for roughly 25shipped. It seems like a better deal then the same cost for 8 powerex.

I also have a ryovac cherger that will do 4 AA at a time thats 6 charged a day.

 

[blazin]

im not makeing a post. just want to know if anyone is intersted in tradeing a mflb complete. only used it about 4-5 times. im wanting a vapor gene. please let me know. the mflb is in perfect condition

 

[max]

im not makeing a post. just want to know if anyone is intersted in tradeing ****

You are making a post. You mean you're not making a comment on the LB. This is the only place you can sell/trade - http://www.fuckcombustion.com/viewtopic.php?id=453

 

[dkavn]

HI all. I have been lurking awhile and just registered today. I didn't see any introduce yourself thread so thought I'd post here because I ordered a Launch Box this morning from Blisssville and am very excited about it. I also have a V tower, but the box will be for traveling.
Dave

 

[max]

Welcome to FC Dave. Good vape choices. Here's your intro thread- http://www.fuckcombustion.com/viewtopic.php?id=237

 

[bluntfaced]

So I really need to know if this thing works when it's cold as fuck out. Isn't there a rep on here?? Any snowboarders??
this would be the ultimate chairlift tool

 

[magicflight]

So I really need to know if this thing works when it's cold as fuck out. Isn't there a rep on here?? Any snowboarders?? this would be the ultimate chairlift tool

Hi Bluntfaced,

I am the rep at the moment -- Apologies for my delay in answering (I was hoping that someone else who perhaps had more cold weather experience would comment).

To my knowledge, the Box has been tested down to 40 deg ambient and seems to work just fine. However, although explicit especially cold condition testing as been a standing request for some time (at temps more in the range of 30 to -20 Fahrenheit), such tests have not yet been completed. The reason is simple enough -- our location does not have that kind of weather, and finding a walk-in freezer that we can rent for a week (ie, has no food in it) has been something of a problem.

Therefore, the best I can do for you is to state that, according to our calculations, the Box should operate just fine down to temperatures of about 5 degrees F (should work just fine on most mountains). Below that point is anyone's guess and must be left to real experiment. I must stress that this is a theoretical, rather than a fully evaluated and tested assertion. Actual testing has been done only for cool ambient, not definitely cold, conditions. If someone who has actually tried using the Box in a genuinely cold climate can add more information here, it would be welcomed.

-- Magic-flight

 

[magicflight]

Well i went ahead and placed an order this morning for my LB. This will be a great portable device to compliment my E.

I do have a few quick question if anyone can help. Will the supplied charger, charge any AA NiMH?

Hi Squeeky,

Yes, it will. The stock charger is not fast, but it should work for any NiMh battery. Higher capacity batteries may take proportionately longer.

If you are thinking of obtaining more batteries, I would recommend getting a charger that can take four batteries and charge them in an hour or less. We do not yet have the arrangements in place to be able to supply such chargers ourselves, but they are commonly available in any case. We ship the stock charger as a 'starter' option for those who do not already have a AA charger of their own.

-- Magic-flight

 

[bluntfaced]

So I really need to know if this thing works when it's cold as fuck out. Isn't there a rep on here?? Any snowboarders?? this would be the ultimate chairlift tool

Hi Bluntfaced,

I am the rep at the moment -- Apologies for my delay in answering (I was hoping that someone else who perhaps had more cold weather experience would comment).

To my knowledge, the Box has been tested down to 40 deg ambient and seems to work just fine. However, although explicit especially cold condition testing as been a standing request for some time (at temps more in the range of 30 to -20 Fahrenheit), such tests have not yet been completed. The reason is simple enough -- our location does not have that kind of weather, and finding a walk-in freezer that we can rent for a week (ie, has no food in it) has been something of a problem.

Therefore, the best I can do for you is to state that, according to our calculations, the Box should operate just fine down to temperatures of about 5 degrees F (should work just fine on most mountains). Below that point is anyone's guess and must be left to real experiment. I must stress that this is a theoretical, rather than a fully evaluated and tested assertion. Actual testing has been done only for cool ambient, not definitely cold, conditions. If someone who has actually tried using the Box in a genuinely cold climate can add more information here, it would be welcomed.
-- Magic-flight

Hey if you guys send me one I would gladly do some scientific testing for you.

That's good to hear though, it seems like it would probably work fine on a chairlift, the only thing I'd worry about is the windchill but I'm sure a glove/jacket could block that.

But yeah I know of a couple walk in freezers I could do some testing in.

 

[owin]

I will be testing this winter with my LB now that I am not in Florida anymore. Better be good as it is my goto portable.

 

[chloe]

I will be testing this winter with my LB now that I am not in Florida anymore. Better be good as it is my goto portable.

yeah I'm actually curious...we got brutal winters here in Canada...we'll see how it goes...still lovn' this vape