Discontinued The RBT Milaana (unregulated single 18650)

[Shit Snacks]

@IAmKrazy2 So now is it OK to use an ELB in an 18/18mm female adapter with the Milaana?

Last time I asked if this was OK to do because it's so convenient, I was told it could/would damage the heater and void the warranty if using an ELB in the Milaana.

Kick ass if it works without damaging the heater!

Awesome vape porn, Thank You for the video!!!

Yeah as Krazy said you can do whatever you want, its just a risk, and I personally don't think ELBs are necessary and found them a bit tedious. Too much fine mesh!

 

[Copacetic]

I'm thinking that maybe @Ed's TnT might make me a custom wood M-M in US standard?
We wanna see that .50 cal stem you've made for yourself too!

BTW Ed, how are you enjoying your Milaana?

 

[utekai]

Meaning if you have the unit in your pocket with the battery installed and the button is pressed accidentally it will heat up. That is why you store the battery separately. It is that simple. There is a heater, a button and battery connected by wire. If you complete the circuit the heater will turn on.

As mentioned many times this vape has no electronics. The electronics are replaced by that grey matter supercomputer between your ears.

MFLB went down the path of assuming a user would be smart enough and not lazy and remove the battery.

Reality is different than assumption in many cases.

After that last fact dawned upon the manufacturer of MFLB, they then provided a means to keep the battery from contact without specific and (forceful?) pressure applied.

Milaana is specifically meant to be portable and simple.

It can be simple and safe (hard to turn on in pocket/purse or accidentally) ... or ...
Simple yet dangerous (easy to turn on in pocket/purse or accidentally).

Manufacturer's choice out the door. But enterprising users may offer the reticent manufacturer assistance if there is a line of communication open.

With all the interaction with beta testers it's hard to believe this simple safety feature has been overlooked.

 

[anasrzi]

Can see the appeal of of elb for on the go vaping, no need to find somewhere to suck up some bud into the stem or stuff it up there whole, I mean it's each to his own but I'm happy to say I've got a couple of these elb's to try with mine and can see Krazy is using one in his vid on the other page, more so for on the go fun, when at home with time on my hands, no one watching etc I'll stick to the preferred and fully tested method.

As for carry cases I'll have to see what fits got a few to try out, ideally one will fit the whole vape warts and all

 

[Edric al-Fali]

With all the interaction with beta testers it's hard to believe this simple safety feature has been overlooked.

As far as it's been explained to me, this feature hasn't been overlooked, but outright discarded for simplicity.
That's also why the light has been done away with and there is no power knob.

The whole purpose is to have fewer parts to fail, a quicker production time and reduced costs for everyone.

 

[Copacetic]

..........
................With all the interaction with beta testers it's hard to believe this simple safety feature has been overlooked.

I'd consider it early days in the Milaana development cycle myself.
I mean there's only 3 or 4 of these things in the wild I think?
And they've not been out there long either.

My limited experience of these 'anti vandal' style buttons are that they have a fair amount of travel, and require non-trivial force to engage, so I'm not to concerned about this myself.

If I were going to have the unit in a pocket for any length of time I would either use the 'plectrum method'(sorry, can't find who mentioned this first, but I was thinking the same!...edit: @hippogriff ! ) or remove the battery.

I'd like to suggest a slight mod to the plectrum mod:
I plan to drill a hole about 1/8" size in the center of one plectrum, then glue it to another plectrum.
This would provide a double thickness plectrum with a small 'dent' for the central battery contact on the petal hatch to locate into, to stop it sliding out while in pocket/bag.

A small slot somewhere on the Milaana body could store the plectrum while we're vaping.

The totally minimal nature of this vape really appeals to me, I just hope I can drive stick as well as I imagine I can.

 

[Vapenvy]

Yes. I have a few guitar picks lying around also, and think that is the best option.

Assuming we have the ability, i think drilling a hole where the holding post is and mounting it directly beneath the petal hatch/contact, but held in place by the same mechanism/nut will be simplest for me. It's fixed in place so no need to store or lose. We can unscrew and remove/replace the battery cover and nut can't we?

I don't like the idea of having to take the battery out for travel, but swivelling a guitar pick or piece of plastic back and forth...no problem.

 

[VegNVape]

So many folk seem to think that RBT tech is supposed to be something other than what it is.

Creating problems & difficulties which imo, don't even appear to exist when I just get on with life.

RBT knows what he is doing. Do you think that these are his only ideas? They are not. He is holding back on so much, and concentrating on putting together his current range to 'dip his toe' & further prove the concept of his heater design, in these very early stages of the company's life.

Remember, there are still only a very small amount of units actually out in the wild, so if you do decide to hop on board this sweet little locomotive, know that you will be getting in on the ground level of some very new & impressive, disruptive vape-tech. But, it is what it is, and we are still in the dawn.

Zi & Mi are just two vaporizers, they are not the be all & end all of RBT. This is the beginning, people. Organic development. And the way I see it is that this range will hopefully expand to eventually & ultimately provide an entire line-up of vaporizers to cover all of your vaping needs in almost any given scenario, & at multiple price points.

Buuuut, of course, if they do not meet your standards, try building your own.

Peace. Love. Respect. Faith.

Mad props to RBT.

 

[utekai]

As far as it's been explained to me, this feature hasn't been overlooked, but outright discarded for simplicity.
That's also why the light has been done away with and there is no power knob.

The whole purpose is to have fewer parts to fail, a quicker production time and reduced costs for everyone.

Providing a safe, user-friendly product doesn't necessarily mean more parts.

I'm sure there are lots of ways to keep that button from being pressed inadvertently. Just takes some purposed thinking is all. MFLB didn't change a single step of their manufacturing process to provide their safety mechanism, and it works well to this day, and is inexpensive and provides a benefit to the user.

Again, a manufacturer has the choice ... simple and safe or simple and dangerous.

A product that turns on easily in the pocket unless the user specifically removes the battery is not a simple and safe product.

The important thing though is what the manufacturer does next. Ignore this safety issue or act and correct. From a government viewpoint, safety is complex and expensive (think TSA). From an entrepreneurial viewpoint, safety can and should be expected to be inexpensive and easy, just ask the MFLB manufacturer.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Again, a manufacturer has the choice ... simple and safe or simple and dangerous.

A product that turns on easily in the pocket unless the user specifically removes the battery is not a simple and safe product....

The important thing though is what the manufacturer does next. Ignore this safety issue or act and correct

I personally don't think it is unsafe at all as is, certainly not dangerous, and i wouldn't say it turns on "easily" in the pocket...That is your own speculative opinion, maybe it will be considered for the future models though

 

[AJS]

Providing a safe, user-friendly product doesn't necessarily mean more parts.

I'm sure there are lots of ways to keep that button from being pressed inadvertently. Just takes some purposed thinking is all. MFLB didn't change a single step of their manufacturing process to provide their safety mechanism, and it works well to this day, and is inexpensive and provides a benefit to the user.

Again, a manufacturer has the choice ... simple and safe or simple and dangerous.

A product that turns on easily in the pocket unless the user specifically removes the battery is not a simple and safe product.

The important thing though is what the manufacturer does next. Ignore this safety issue or act and correct. From a government viewpoint, safety is complex and expensive (think TSA). From an entrepreneurial viewpoint, safety can and should be expected to be inexpensive and easy, just ask the MFLB manufacturer.

A company doesn't add a safety feature to a knife when sold to you. it is expected the user knows how to handle the product.

Edit: VnV, wonderful post. I look forward to seeing what RBT develops. Wouldn't surprise me if he stopped selling zions and only sells the Mi, as he works towards something with more tech.

 

[hippogriff]

Providing a safe, user-friendly product doesn't necessarily mean more parts.

I'm sure there are lots of ways to keep that button from being pressed inadvertently. Just takes some purposed thinking is all. MFLB didn't change a single step of their manufacturing process to provide their safety mechanism, and it works well to this day, and is inexpensive and provides a benefit to the user.

Again, a manufacturer has the choice ... simple and safe or simple and dangerous.

A product that turns on easily in the pocket unless the user specifically removes the battery is not a simple and safe product.

The important thing though is what the manufacturer does next. Ignore this safety issue or act and correct. From a government viewpoint, safety is complex and expensive (think TSA). From an entrepreneurial viewpoint, safety can and should be expected to be inexpensive and easy, just ask the MFLB manufacturer.

I feel like you're looking past the 100% solution already offered in the current design - take out the battery. It's not overlooked, it's well covered. Mechanical solutions, switches or recesses, never work out to be 100%, nature finds a way, even the MFLB solution is not failsafe. When I had an MFLB I always had extra bats close by anyway, so still had to store more things, and I didn't like pushing against the rubber washer so I didn't use it. Compromise. The next step up in serving our convenience is an interface - many good single button solutions out there to prevent accidents and add features - and that's easy to see is another level of complexity (and prevents Zion tech from leaving the US w/o lots of certification). The more I look at the details of how Milaana is being developed and how the company is being developed, the more I like it, lean manufacturing is the shit.

 

[vapen00b]

I realized by the third hit you can see my clouds with the indoor lighting vs the natural light i usually use. Not my best video but here ya'll go.

As always, great show Krazy! Thanks a lot!
Can't wait to see more. This is the vibe we like to feel!


Have a great day everyone

 

[AJS]

So it seems RBT is producing Mi units, but not sending them out, as he builds up inventory and interacts with the Beta team? Spent so much time reading the Zi thread, the Mi lost me.
Check this page so often hoping for an RBT update, haha. Not expecting one soon, but...doesn't hurt to check every 22 minutes

 

[Ed's TnT]

@Copacetic my man I am enjoying my Milaana reupping now to get back to use with it matter of fact! So much is happening just trying to figure where I fit in bro, time will tell, keep an eye out, more to come! Lol .50 woodie would be neat but haven't turned one yet, something to think about for sure, maybe when or if things calm down might do it!

 

[KeroZen]

I'm sure there are lots of ways to keep that button from being pressed inadvertently. Just takes some purposed thinking is all. MFLB didn't change a single step of their manufacturing process to provide their safety mechanism, and it works well to this day, and is inexpensive and provides a benefit to the user.

My alpha Zion has a recessed button but the production not anymore. I prefered recessed but apparently there were reports that it was a PITA to trigger for women with long nails... So now it's protruding and we had one beta tester with a mishap during transport, so contrary to what @Shit Snacks said I don't think it's unlikely to happen at all.

That being said you should get a plastic battery case with your purchase and removing the batterie(s) is super fast in both units. It's not ideal I agree but it's the way it will be at first.

 

[Copacetic]

My bad, Ed.
By .50 cal I just meant the 'big bore' stem you mentioned here:

Good morning, I made a wooden stem yesterday for the Milaana that has the exact same bore size as the draw through the glass, its a straight clean hole the whole length through. Its 18mm on one end and 14mm at the mouthpiece end............!

This sounds like exactly what I'd request for a custom stem from you, but I've no Zion/Milaana experience yet, and no vape, so I'm hoping for a peek?
How long did you make it?
What species?

 

[jojo monkey]

even the MFLB solution is not failsafe

Would you rather have a 18650 in your pocket or a AA? How many 18650 devices are there w/o an off switch. I think RBT vapes are the only ones.

 

[nondarb]

@nondarb you would be surprised what a mm here or mm there added or subtracted from a unit does to change it's ergonomics, functionality and shape.

Yeah, it would make it work without having to remove the battery or cobbling our own guard... If RBT is opposed to a change to the body maybe he would consider a piece of plastic (think guitar pick) on the post you could turn to interrupt the connection.

I'm familiar with exactly how much 1-2mm is, its certainly smaller than a battery or battery pack.

I do not know anything about the tech stuff of the batteries but I have been using several pairs very sloppily for a year. They have shorted out on my keys and been abused severely.

This is strait up how you get hurt, robust or not lithium ion batteries can and will explode if mishandled. Another reason a safety should be considered.

It fits in an Ego case, but tough to do with stems and batts

Good to know, I'm sure most of us have a few of these handy.

it was a PITA to trigger for women with long nails

Let's nix good features for this demographic, since it obviously makes up the bulk of the market..

So it seems RBT is producing Mi units, but not sending them out, as he builds up inventory and interacts with the Beta team? Spent so much time reading the Zi thread, the Mi lost me.
Check this page so often hoping for an RBT update, haha. Not expecting one soon, but...doesn't hurt to check every 22 minutes

You'll be waiting a long time! He no longer checks FC, his updates are handled through the RBT website and twitter.

A company doesn't add a safety feature to a knife when sold to you.

I worked at a sporting goods place for several years, literally 95% or more pocket knives have a lock. The ones that don't are typically a very old style (case XX, schrade/old timer). This analogy simply doesn't work.

I don't understand the resistance people are having with the suggestion of a SAFETY feature that adds no electronics or physical parts save a possible addition of a piece of plastic/insulator to the post. We made a lot of compromises thus far, stem lock, stir stick and LED to hit the high points. Safety features should be considered.

 

[AJS]

I worked at a sporting goods place for several years, literally 95% or more pocket knives have a lock. The ones that don't are typically a very old style (case XX, schrade/old timer). This analogy simply doesn't work.

I don't understand the resistance people are having with the suggestion of a SAFETY feature that adds no electronics or physical parts save a possible addition of a piece of plastic/insulator to the post. We made a lot of compromises thus far, stem lock, stir stick and LED to hit the high points. Safety features should be considered.

Ah, I meant knives in general, not pocket knives...I probably should've realized that's what people would've picked up on....consider that's what's being discussed. my bad.

And it's not that we're opposed to it, it's that the manufacturer has already made the vape, and mentioning the concern multiple times won't fix anything. Ask rbt himself if you really want to know exactly why it was done.
I agree, anything would be better than nothing, but I'll take what I can get too. I assume he has his reasons.

 

[Copacetic]

I certainly didn't mean to imply that I thought that the safety aspects of vaping should be ignored.

Just that I don't feel the need for the addition of additional features myself.

The absence of these features you mention have allowed this vape to sell at a great price.
And although I'd like them too, I don't need any of them.

If the Milaana lives up to my expectations, then I'll be on board for whatever comes off the RBT drawing board next too, maybe it'll have these features.

 

[HD Springer]

When I receive my Mi I will follow the guidelines set forth already. I'll remove the battery when in transport. It's so easy to just take out and put back in when I'm gonna need it. I'll have a case for battery's and a little case for my meds. I realize we want this to be the absolute perfect vaporizer but it is what it is. It's an unregulated vaporizer in every aspect. I absolutely won't let a kill switch or on off switch keep me from this. However everyone is different with different wants and needs. I fully understand this. When I see a vaporizer that's not got everything I want and need I pass.

 

[mephisto]

^thanks @HD Springer you stated that a lot nicer than I was just about to......I am quite happy to take the RBT tech as it is offered.

 

[Fat Freddy]

So now it's protruding and we had one beta tester with a mishap during transport,...

A mishap with the Zion or Milaana?

 

[nondarb]

There is a difference between negativity and constructive criticism (usually pretty easy to differentiate, one provides potential solutions and the other whines about the problem). Not everyone is melodramatic enough to let these things hinder their purchase or leave them with a sore bottom.

I feel the need to remind folks that this unit is in beta and still in the unreleased section. If there is/was ever a time to offer constructive criticism (and proposed solutions!) then that time is now. If you're happy with the design then that's rad, but belittling others opinions because you're wearing rose colored glasses is ridiculous.

To be clear mines paid for and I'll use it if I have to PLUG the fucker in, but that won't stop me from pushing for a superior final product and offering solutions where I see fit. If you don't like it or if it makes you feel the need to post rude comments feel free to block me.