Discontinued Thermovape Luna

[Todai]

So the Luna arrived on Friday, and I've spent the weekend with her.

To me personally - and this is only my opinion - I'm not impressed.

It's pretty welll built, but the exterior stainless steel on the head is all scratched up, the core sits on the head crooked and looks like shit. The button was extremely loose, I had to tighten it myself.

But it vapes well. I really like how the core is built and how it functions, so I guess my complaints are cosmetic. But for $300+ you'd think they'd give it a visual inspection before stuffing it in the box.

So, yeah it works great, but I would not buy a product from them again. The shipping times are pretty bad also. Took about 8 days to ship, and at first, I thought this was due to them waiting on parts or something. But then I ordered a few accessories (smooth flow, batteries) and it's been over a week and those haven't shipped either.

For the same $300, I could have had a ZNA and a Kayfun Lite, but live and learn.

It does vape well - very well - and that's the most important thing I guess. Maybe I'm just being nitpicky here.

 

[kushcabbage]

Two weeks with my luna, I'm tired of her ditched it for the darts again

 

[coffinoff]

I wasn't nearly as blown away by Luna as I was when I first got the Cera but I'm still happy. I really wanted a non-ceramic body and a thumb switch and I got both. I already knew the core was awesome.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some "shifting" going on during shipping that's causing parts to loosen up. I gave mine a quick once-over with a couple wrenches the day after I got it and it definitely felt like it needed it.

I'm a little concerned about the body/core connection as there's a lot of repetitive push/pull/twist going into it. I'm not sure it's actually any worse off than Cera in that regard but the core seems far less exposed on that platform.

 

[warnerg54]

Two weeks with my luna, I'm tired of her ditched it for the darts again

Any negatives that stand out more tnan others? I am considering getting the Luna... Maybe I should wait a wee bit longer...

 

[kushcabbage]

My cart wiggles like an inch worn

 

[Todai]

A few other observations ...

It's small, but very heavy. Damn thing was pulling my pants down when it was in my pocket, lol.

Which brings up the next point - the outside of the core gets EXTREMELY hot in use. If you then put it in your pocket guess what happens? Yup, leg burn. They need to cover this somehow not sure exactly how, but people are going to burn their legs or fingers on it if they happen to brush against it. Preventable if you're being careful, yes, but when you're medicated ... you get the idea.

Next, the switch is very hard to press, and give no tactile feedback or 'click' at all, and looks to be made of cheap plastic, though it may not be. I found that wrapping my hand around the unit and pressing the button with my palm (hard to explain) worked out much better.

They included a Nitecore i2 charger as the 'standard' charger ... nice touch, I did appreciate that.

The delrin mouthpiece they include barely fits into the core, and slightly melted on the second day.

I was mostly disappointed in the lack of attention to detail and presentation of a device costing this much. The core sitting crooked on the head drives me nuts, and there is no way for me to 'unsee' it now.

Again, I will say this - if you can get past all of the negatives I've listed - when loaded correctly, this thing really is a beast. It just may not end up being for me, that's all.

 

[Sleepin in CA]

I have none of the issues you two have. My cart sits solid, and once heated is awesome! My mouthpiece has not deformed, though I use it with a silicone tip so maybe less pressure is applied by my lips or something? Still the MP does blow. They need a longer, nicer, more durable one.

Loading is a serious BITCH, but once you manage not to suck it all up (I use the modified persei loading tool method as well), it really performs with minimal to no learning curve. I did have to tighten my screw to the power button, but whatevs.

I would have preferred a 7.4 volt version though, as the 3.7v eats my damn batteries! I ordered some new AW 2000 mah's from W9Tech, so hopefully that will fix it. Think the old ones may be used up.

My only real beef is with an inability to disassemble , clean, and rebuild my own cart. Though I hear tale of a $25 service to have them cleaned by TET when the time comes.

I have only had her for two days, but I think it may be my daily driver. Time will tell if it can replace my Persei/Kiss cart for ease of use/portability.

So far though, it's neck and neck.

=)

 

[MileHighLife]

I have none of the issues you two have. My cart sits solid, and once heated is awesome! My mouthpiece has not deformed, though I use it with a silicone tip so maybe less pressure is applied by my lips or something? Still the MP does blow. They need a longer, nicer, more durable one.

Loading is a serious BITCH, but once you manage not to suck it all up (I use the modified persei loading tool method as well), it really performs with minimal to no learning curve. I did have to tighten my screw to the power button, but whatevs.

I would have preferred a 7.4 volt version though, as the 3.7v eats my damn batteries! I ordered some new AW 2000 mah's from W9Tech, so hopefully that will fix it. Think the old ones may be used up.

My only real beef is with an inability to disassemble , clean, and rebuild my own cart. Though I hear tale of a $25 service to have them cleaned by TET when the time comes.

I have only had her for two days, but I think it may be my daily driver. Time will tell if it can replace my Persei/Kiss cart for ease of use/portability.

So far though, it's neck and neck.

=)

I think I'll be busting mine open periodically to torch the ceramic clean. I saw someone mention a standard .035 hex key to fit the cart screws but I've found a .9 metric key fits a little more snug. Neither is perfect tho and these are nice precision keys. I think I'll get the cart a bit warm then unscrew them and hope I don't strip em.

My cart sits nice and flush too but the cart is a bit scratched up. Doesn't really bug me ... you can only tell if you're looking closely and I don't think the finish should be polished perfect. The industrial look is where it's at

Edit: ya shoulda got the sony 18650vtc5s over the aws but hopefully they'll work out for you.

 

[Sleepin in CA]

@MileHighLife My cart is the same....with the scratches I mean. I dont mind.....but its still a litlle offputting. Now let me get this right....you CAN open the carts? I know it physically can be done, but TET wont shit a brick on me? Also is there a tutorial, or just fly by night? No worries either way, as I am adventurous!

EDIT... I'll buy the Sony batteries tonight!

Edit #2 do you need button tops or something special for those to work, or are the flat tops chill too?

 

[MileHighLife]

@MileHighLife My cart is the same....with the scratches I mean. I dont mind.....but its still a litlle offputting. Now let me get this right....you CAN open the carts? I know it physically can be done, but TET wont shit a brick on me? Also is there a tutorial, or just fly by night? No worries either way, as I am adventurous!

EDIT... I'll buy the Sony batteries tonight!

Edit #2 do you need button tops or something special for those to work, or are the flat tops chill too?

I am not sure what tet will say. Hopefully I won't strip the screws and Zeki will never check this thread again

To open you just unscrew the 4 exposed hex screws and the top piece should slide off the bottom piece/internals ... atleast from what I can tell. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Sleepin in CA]

@MileHighLife guessing you didnt catch my edits on the batteries. Do i need the flat tops? Will I need a spacer of some sort? Are there button top sony's? Link? lmao. All I can find are flats.

TIA

As for TET, probly just have to buy a new cart at worst I'd imagine.

 

[MileHighLife]

@MileHighLife guessing you didnt catch my edits on the batteries. Do i need the flat tops? Will I need a spacer of some sort? Are there button top sony's? Link? lmao. All I can find are flats.

TIA

As for TET, probly just have to buy a new cart at worst I'd imagine.

They only make the flat tops but you don't need any kind of spacer and they stack perfectly fine too if you want to use them in the double 18650 herc/persei combo.

 

[Todai]

Any negatives that stand out more than others? I am considering getting the Luna... Maybe I should wait a wee bit longer...

I'd hold off if I were you. They need some time to make some refinements to their manufacturing process I think. My unit was built pretty sloppy, but from other's comments here that's not always the case.

Plus, customer service is ... fair to poor, at least as far as communication is concerned. They take days to answer emails and even then good luck. I just got an email from them last night saying they are 'holding' my mouthpiece/battery order 'until my Luna ships'. Yeah, the Luna I got last week. LOL, no idea what's going on up there but it seems to be a mess. YMMV of course.

 

[OF]

I think I'll be busting mine open periodically to torch the ceramic clean. I saw someone mention a standard .035 hex key to fit the cart screws but I've found a .9 metric key fits a little more snug. Neither is perfect tho and these are nice precision keys. I think I'll get the cart a bit warm then unscrew them and hope I don't strip em.

You're call (it's your unit after all), I just hope guys don't follow your advice blindly......

BTW (since it's a SAE screw) the correct size is definitely .035 mm, it would not be metric (nothing else in Luna or Cera is). My 'official tool' (from TV) is so marked. It's the very tool they use in fact.

Now let me get this right....you CAN open the carts? I know it physically can be done, but TET wont shit a brick on me? Also is there a tutorial, or just fly by night? No worries either way, as I am adventurous!

Yes, you can take them apart, the next question should I think be "should I do this?"?

My educated opinion is, no. Your call as well.

There are not tutorials (AFAIK), nor should there be IMO as this is not advisable.

I am not sure what tet will say. Hopefully I won't strip the screws and Zeki will never check this thread again

To open you just unscrew the 4 exposed hex screws and the top piece should slide off the bottom piece/internals ... atleast from what I can tell. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Please consider yourself so corrected? TIA

You are (wrong). It's not trivial. I've said as much.....and I've been trained by TV to do it (and have actually built a couple LL cores under supervision, one of which I'm currently using). After instruction and supervision I was unable to make a good EO core in several attempts. I don't recommend unschooled guys mess with LL carts, let alone EO ones. Personally I don't (I send them back), even though I have the training, right tools and even a piece of the 'magic wire' I could wind a replacement heater with.

The screws thread into a very thin SS wall (less than a full thread in most cases), if you screw them in past the stop (very easy to do) you short circuit the heater part way up. Fatally. It calls for 'the right feel'. Start them crooked, and you destroy the threaded hole, calling for a full rebuild (and sleeve replacement). You can also crack the cores easily. Once contaminated badly, the factory replaces all the elements inside.

Simply removing the inner sleeve breaks the crimp connection on the ground end of the heater (it's crimped between the sleeve and body of the core for the necessary electrical contact). This contact works great if assembled correctly with a fresh heater, but once it's oxidized (as happens when it is heated and used) this connection cannot be depended on if disturbed.....which is why TV always replaces the heater element after they disassemble a used cart. Once fully heated and then disturbed (like disassembly), that connection cannot be depended on and must be replaced.

Lastly, no need to guess what TV might say, they've already published their policy:

"Do Not attempt to open Heating Chamber by removing screws and
internally clean. This will void warranty"
http://static.squarespace.com/stati...b0db0027e74b7d/1377902268644/User manual .pdf

This statement, despite the poor proofreading, seems pretty clear to me.

So that's my advice.......and theirs as well. Your call as owner what you do with yours, but IMO you should be careful with free advice that isn't based on education or experience (or better still, both?) that might be taken by some innocent as Gospel and cause him to goof up his gear. I'm a big fan of useful information and freely try to contribute there where and when I can (some insist entirely too much......), but I'd feel really bad if some of that advice caused serious problems for others. And I think that might just be the case here.

As a customer in a Capitalist system like ours it's your call and privilege to do with your purchase as you wish. Which is, I think, as it should be. I think, however, giving advice sometimes involves responsibilities not always considered?

Regards to all. By all means enjoy the EO cart, IMO it's a solid design and great performer used as designed.

OF

 

[warnerg54]

I'd hold off if I were you. They need some time to make some refinements to their manufacturing process I think. My unit was built pretty sloppy, but from other's comments here that's not always the case.

Plus, customer service is ... fair to poor, at least as far as communication is concerned. They take days to answer emails and even then good luck. I just got an email from them last night saying they are 'holding' my mouthpiece/battery order 'until my Luna ships'. Yeah, the Luna I got last week. LOL, no idea what's going on up there but it seems to be a mess. YMMV of course.

Yeah...I have experienced Thermovapes Customer Service.... Or lack thereof... It took them almost a week to respond to my calls and emails.... I kind of knew at that point, that I should sit this one out for a wee bit.

 

[Todai]

@OF I just wanted to thank you for all of the help and advice you've given - both here and in all of the TET threads. You've taken a lot of time to answer a lot of questions from a lot of people, and it's great for the community to have you here.

Even though I was not happy with my purchase or the service I've gotten, I felt I needed to say thanks to both you and all of the other helpful folks for their advice and opinions.

I just wish we had a TET employee here on the forums to help quash some of these issues, but I can understand why they can't - their CS can barely keep up with email and phone messages as it is.

But the next time you see them, I'd like you to let them know some of our opinions here, if they are interested in hearing them of course. I really do want them to succeed long-term, and I think they can get there. My unit produces copious amounts of vapor and the taste can't be beat. It's the build quality/attention to detail and everything else that comes with the purchase that I would like to see improved.

Thanks again.

 

[OF]

@OF I just wanted to thank you for all of the help and advice you've given - both here and in all of the TET threads.

I just wish we had a TET employee here on the forums to help quash some of these issues, but I can understand why they can't - their CS can barely keep up with email and phone messages as it is.

But the next time you see them, I'd like you to let them know some of our opinions here, if they are interested in hearing them of course.

You're very welcome, glad to help when I can.

I get what you say about 'I wish XXX maker had a rep here' but IMO that's not realistic. Consider the shabby manners some of us have shown such guys in the past. We drove two such reps in the Iolite thread away with our catty little attacks.......including DEMANDS (yes, anonymous guys actually used that word, demanded response in public). Embarrassing to me, really. Some of our fellows are just plain old RUDE I think, being the center of the universe and very entitled no doubt.......

I sure can't blame a maker for not taking part. We've driven off almost all such maker outreach efforts, I cannot in clear consciousness recommend such exposure to be frank.

Be assured I do discuss just what guys are saying here, to the limit they wish to hear of course. They are aware. They are doing the best they can with such a small staff and so much on their plates. They want to refine Luna, release new products (like Cera thread adapters) and press on with their base agenda (medical applications of the technology, smoking cessation, dose control, and so on). Lots of irons in the fire, but IMO taking care of their CS responsibilities at a reasonable (if not satisfactory to all) manner. Their first priority I think. I've been there when the UPS guy come, all hand turn to to log stuff in and get it in process (suspending new unit construction). Guys complain about the price now, if TV increased their operating costs (and therefore had to raise prices) I doubt many would be happy, or even understand?

Still they are listening, for instance hopefully they've adopted the planned 'what we did' service report card with returns? If not, last I was told the cards were in process......it should be practice (one we asked for) soon.

OF

 

[Sleepin in CA]

Personally I have had no issue with their customer service. In fact, after ordering on a Saturday, I fired off a Monday email asking about shipping and/or if Luna's were back ordered..... I got a response within 24hrs! I never expected that. Beyond that... It was a PERSONALIZED response, and not a form letter. That felt good.

As to rebuilding my own cart, I think I have been successfully diverted from that course of action for the time being. Though..... One day.... Lol. I would neither advise voiding a warranty, nor pursue it uninformed. Thank you very much for that awesomely detailed explanation @OF.

As for TET placing an employee here.....I think we do fine on our own. Betond that..... It doesn't serve a huge purpose other than product feedback. Though they don't even have to log in or respond to see it, so who's to say Zeki isn't peeking in?

For my money I feel well compensated with a few shortfalls. Nothing that makes me feel upset or slighted. For you guys with the crooked/loose gear, have you contacted TET yet? I would be curious to hear the manufacturer response on these issues. Especially since they do not seem to be occurring across the board.

=)

 

[MileHighLife]

You're call (it's your unit after all), I just hope guys don't follow your advice blindly......

BTW (since it's a SAE screw) the correct size is definitely .035 mm, it would not be metric (nothing else in Luna or Cera is). My 'official tool' (from TV) is so marked. It's the very tool they use in fact.



Yes, you can take them apart, the next question should I think be "should I do this?"?

My educated opinion is, no. Your call as well.

There are not tutorials (AFAIK), nor should there be IMO as this is not advisable.



Please consider yourself so corrected? TIA

You are (wrong). It's not trivial. I've said as much.....and I've been trained by TV to do it (and have actually built a couple LL cores under supervision, one of which I'm currently using). After instruction and supervision I was unable to make a good EO core in several attempts. I don't recommend unschooled guys mess with LL carts, let alone EO ones. Personally I don't (I send them back), even though I have the training, right tools and even a piece of the 'magic wire' I could wind a replacement heater with.

The screws thread into a very thin SS wall (less than a full thread in most cases), if you screw them in past the stop (very easy to do) you short circuit the heater part way up. Fatally. It calls for 'the right feel'. Start them crooked, and you destroy the threaded hole, calling for a full rebuild (and sleeve replacement). You can also crack the cores easily. Once contaminated badly, the factory replaces all the elements inside.

Simply removing the inner sleeve breaks the crimp connection on the ground end of the heater (it's crimped between the sleeve and body of the core for the necessary electrical contact). This contact works great if assembled correctly with a fresh heater, but once it's oxidized (as happens when it is heated and used) this connection cannot be depended on if disturbed.....which is why TV always replaces the heater element after they disassemble a used cart. Once fully heated and then disturbed (like disassembly), that connection cannot be depended on and must be replaced.

Lastly, no need to guess what TV might say, they've already published their policy:

"Do Not attempt to open Heating Chamber by removing screws and
internally clean. This will void warranty"
http://static.squarespace.com/static/50a81e35e4b05bdedbd6e621/t/52211ebce4b0db0027e74b7d/1377902268644/User manual .pdf

This statement, despite the poor proofreading, seems pretty clear to me.

So that's my advice.......and theirs as well. Your call as owner what you do with yours, but IMO you should be careful with free advice that isn't based on education or experience (or better still, both?) that might be taken by some innocent as Gospel and cause him to goof up his gear. I'm a big fan of useful information and freely try to contribute there where and when I can (some insist entirely too much......), but I'd feel really bad if some of that advice caused serious problems for others. And I think that might just be the case here.

As a customer in a Capitalist system like ours it's your call and privilege to do with your purchase as you wish. Which is, I think, as it should be. I think, however, giving advice sometimes involves responsibilities not always considered?

Regards to all. By all means enjoy the EO cart, IMO it's a solid design and great performer used as designed.

OF

Thanks for the heads up. I saw a post over in the cera thread with a picture attached which is what gave me the idea. It seems he had no problem removing the outter sleeve from the cart, torching the ceramic clean then replacing the sleeve.

 

[b3team]

I have had the Luna EO for 3 weeks or so, and I have used it pretty much everyday. I have gone through ~3 grams. Overall, I'm very satisfied and I would purchase again if I lost or broke this one. There are some things I don't like about it:

• The mouthpiece is bad in my opinion. Should be much better at this price point.
• Plastic thumb button feels and looks cheap.
• It gets super hot. I have accidentally touched the cart after a session, and it is ridiculously hot. Someone could really hurt/burn themselves with this thing. Do not put this into your pocket after a long session.
• Loading the cart is not very elegant. I refer to this as 'drop and hope'.
• Cart does not sit square on base. Not a big deal at all.
• It is scratched all over. Not a big deal at all. Actually, this one isn't really a negative to me, but I can see how others may find it annoying at this price point. To me, it just looks industrial.

One thing that was surprising to me, coming from an ego-c pen vape, is that the vapor is not instantaneous with the Luna. You have to press the button for awhile before the vapor comes. With the ego-c, the atomizer creates an instant hit.

The good: pretty much everything. The taste, as others have mentioned, is great. It is awesome that I can determine how big of a hit I get. The Luna can produce crazy big clouds of vapor and it can make you cough your brains out. Or, you can take nice little hits. It is a small, hefty device. Well-made. I love that it is made in America. I like it a lot and I would be interested in purchasing a loose life core if it was available.

 

[OF]

Thanks for the heads up. I saw a post over in the cera thread with a picture attached which is what gave me the idea. It seems he had no problem removing the outter sleeve from the cart, torching the ceramic clean then replacing the sleeve.

You're welcome.

Not to worry, I know guys who smoke cigarettes, have unprotected sex with strangers and date married women and are still alive.....I don't recommend any of those, either.

I'm stating my opinion on the matter, along with the 'facts' as related to me by the maker and what he's published on the topic. In the end the call is yours. I just don't want innocents 'reading about it on the web' and diving in?

Turning a dirty Luna EO cart into a dead EO cart is not progress to most I think........

OF

 

[coffinoff]

I'd read about the stock mouthpiece melting before so I never even tried it. I have one of their moisture conditioner tips which seems to work well enough. They shouldn't even sell it with just the delrin tip if it's melting like that, IMO.

I've taken an EO core apart myself a couple times and even though I don't think it's nearly as complicated as OF makes it sound, it is fairly fiddly. The parts are small and the ceramic is especially delicate so it doesn't take much to make things worse rather than better. I don't intend to do it again if I can help it. Possible but not recommended is a good way to put it.

Regarding TET customer service-- I've had to deal with them a few times over the last couple years on various orders and rebuild requests and every interaction has been consistently positive. In fact, they've gone above and beyond for me more than once now to the point where I almost can't imagine that they'd just be completely unwilling to help someone else at all, that would just be so divergent from my experience.

 

[rasmundi]

if you are melting your mouthpiece you're doing it wrong. if you are burning your leg you're either too stoned (which would explain the over-heated core!), or you are just plain ******.

 

[kushcabbage]

if you are melting your mouthpiece you're doing it wrong. if you are burning your leg you're either too stoned (which would explain the over-heated core!), or you are just plain ******.

Sorry to bother quoting a trolling post, but the derlin mouthpieces do melt in the body of the EO cart. Mine also has been cut up from the sharp sides of the EO chamber. I have torn through multiple orings this way. It is possible to burn yourself. Some people chase clouds, and doing so will result in a hot core, I don't believe that would make anyone a ****** whatever your asterisks are hinting toward.

 

[Stu]

if you are melting your mouthpiece you're doing it wrong. if you are burning your leg you're either too stoned (which would explain the over-heated core!), or you are just plain ******.

Per our forum rules:

• All members must be treated in a respectful and adult manner. All members should respect and adhere to the promotion of harmony within the community. Do not attempt to disrupt the community in any way.
• No flaming. Please do not post any messages that harass, insult, belittle, threaten or flame another member. Be nice to newbies.

While you may have lacked the courage to type out whatever word you replaced with asterisks, it is clear to even a casual reader that an insult was intended. Warning point issued.

I suggest you take a few minutes to review our forum rules before posting in such a manner again.

Sorry to bother quoting a trolling post, but the derlin mouthpieces do melt in the body of the EO cart. Mine also has been cut up from the sharp sides of the EO chamber. I have torn through multiple orings this way. It is possible to burn yourself. Some people chase clouds, and doing so will result in a hot core, I don't believe that would make anyone a ****** whatever your asterisks are hinting toward.

Kushcababbage, you have been around long enough to know that you should not infer that someone is a troll. Please use the report button instead. Let the staff handle it.