Hi from the other side of the country.
A couple of quick comments, to everyone at once (sorry, I am fried from 7 hours in the plane, and too addicted to the forum to not answer, but multiple quotes are just too much for me now).
I am going to be sticking with the standard (6") rigid tube. I just like everything about it. For me, the best view of the vape, and the "rig" is just easier to handle. I will use the cut down version (3") when it is inconvenient to carry the full size one. I tried a clear flexible tube before I left for the airport, and while it's better than the frosted one, it still doesn't float my boat like the rigid FT tubes do. MF: I don't know your cost of the rigid tubes, but I would consider throwing one in even if you decide to include the flexible tube as standard. I bought two extras when I bought the two Launch Tubes, so I'm sitting pretty, and the 3" straight piece I have left over after cutting down one of the L tubes may prove useful.
Batteries. I use a MAHA MH-C9000 CHARGER for all my AA needs, which can tell you most anything you want to know about your batteries, and has a zillion charge modes, etc. It is NOT a super fast charger though, as it will only deliver a maximum of 2000mA (2 amps) to a given AA cell. This would make it a one hour charger for most NiMH AA batteries (or 1 hour and a half). Check out
http://thomasdistributing.com/ for everything you ever wanted having to do with batteries, including some really great
inexpensive cases to hold your charged batteries so that they don't short out against your keys and burn a hole in your pocket. They come in many sizes (4 batts, 8 batts, etc). The one on the left is less than a buck, and is barely larger than the 4 batteries themselves. The one on the right is four bucks, and looks to be pretty rugged and weatherproof. I have two like the ones on the left. They throw them in for free when you are buying batteries from them, but before you just run out and buy four 2900mAh batteries, check with MF about what they recommend. The batteries are NOT being used in the mode where cursory specs are relevant. You are drawing 5 amps from them, so the highest listed capacity may NOT be the best battery to use. MF should know what batteries are the best in very high current draw situations.
However, for my LT and LB, I use a 30 minute Radio Shack charger that I had lying around. (MF: which does work fine with the batteries you sent me, as well as the 2300mAH batteries it came with). I may test the RS 8 minute charger and batteries for the fun of it. I am just beginning to realize how much faster the LB eats batteries than the LT...
MF: Your description of what circumstances would lead one to prefer the LT over the LB is right on. (At least with my experience). I hadn't used my LT for a while, since I was testing the LB, I just set the LT aside. The LT is definitely better for one hit (or two) if you're in a situation where you can easily use it.
I agree that the coughing happens mostly when I am getting the last few hits from a load. I have to get over the fallacy that just because I can get more vapor out of a load doesn't mean I should. The "many small sips per hit" method is working the best for me.
Oh, and I forget who mentioned it, but to whoever said "try hitting out of the pinhole on the bottom while holding the main draw hole closed with your finger", umm, if you weren't joking, that has to be the most difficult way to use the LB that I've ever heard. Let's see, you lean your head all the way back, look at the ceiling, and pray the load doesn't fall out of the trough...
Vape is Good.
Haywood