Tornado by Vestratto

[stonedBBer]

Hi guys
John here.

Wanted to give a quick update on the FORGE status.

First - let me apologize for not catching the condition that we are concerned about with the generation 1 boards and the TORNADO a lot sooner. As you know we have not released any additional units after the 4-20 launch because we wanted to allow enough time in the field to gather the intelligence to make the 2nd generation as close to perfect as possible.

Since APRIL we have experienced a 9 percent failure - all of them due to this one thorny problem.

It took us a while to figure the problem out but in general terms the failures occur with a rapid removal of the TORNADO - say on a click of the snap disc - from a fully powered core at just the right moment in the power control cycle. In that precise interval - a few milliseconds wide - the moving TORNADO stimulates a resonant energy absorption inducing a massive power flux that has no where to go once the TORNADO, being removed, is no longer absorbing it. Naturally that energy has to ultimately go somewhere so it overloads a couple of components on the way back to ground. It is always the same components so we are extremely confident that we understand the problem and the full extents of the damage.

Once we were able to identify and repeat the phenomena we were looking for (honestly after several thousand abusive heating cycles) we were able to create a test protocol and build an extremely robust fix. New boards are on the way as I write this for final verification of the fix. Importantly we have had NO OTHER UNEXPLAINED FAILURES since April. I'm so pumped to be able to unleash the full power of the FORGE with you guys. Thanks for keeping the TORNADO out of the induction mix for a little while longer. It may work perfectly well - but if it blows up just a week or two before an executable fix it would suck.

Here's what we are thinking - and I hope you understand its going to take a while so we need your patience. We are going to have a few different programs and we are pleased to support whichever you choose. We do NOT have all the logistics worked out yet but we are going to have to spread this out over several weeks. We hope to verify the new boards fully by the middle to end of next week. IF THE FIXES DON'T PROVIDE THE RESULTS WE DEMAND I WILL COME BACK TO YOU RIGHT AWAY. If things go as planned:

program 1) We will swap out a brand new FORGE for your unit. We will need to have your unit back in hand before we send out the replacement. We will coordinate with each of you but have adopted this new policy because, sadly we have found that some folks lost the motivation to send our stuff back once we provided the replacement. Once we are ready to go we hope to turn things around briskly because ultimately we really get a kick out of making a great vape / now system.

program 2) We will swap out the affected circuit board in your existing unit, verify the other boards are perfect, and include a compelling gift - something like a cold start bowl, TORNADO stem or TORNADO stem adapter.

Just so everyone is clear, if the refurbished units meet spec, we plan to sell them, clearly identified as re-furbished units, with a compelling gift at a kick ass price. Thist will help us recover our costs and provide super value to those lucky enough to score a unit.

Thanks for hanging in there. We are definitely keen to get this sorted.

Eta for stem and adapter?

 

[Dougmeister20]

The forge in reconditioned with an unbeatable price, you can count on me to buy one

For real I’d buy one to

 

[Roffa]

We will swap out a brand new FORGE for your unit. We will need to have your unit back in hand before we send out the replacement. We will coordinate with each of you but have adopted this new policy because, sadly we have found that some folks lost the motivation to send our stuff back once we provided the replacement.

You can bet I'm not too thrilled about being obliged to send back my Forge brick if you simply swap it for new. So that I understand: WE are obliged to send back our faulty unit so YOU will have it available to you to sell on refurbished "with a gift"?

Tornado is brilliant. But engineering and selling electronics is a different ballgame. Yet here you are. How's about just giving people their money back?

 

[Orvaxxx]

Has anyone tried using the Tornado with the Inductor?

 

[Smknbud]

We will swap out a brand new FORGE for your unit. We will need to have your unit back in hand before we send out the replacement. We will coordinate with each of you but have adopted this new policy because, sadly we have found that some folks lost the motivation to send our stuff back once we provided the replacement.

You should un-adopt this policy with regards to the Forge. As you pointed out the initial batch was limited in distribution so there aren't that many units out there (assumption on my part) and those of us that bought on 4/20 faithfully trusted Vestratto with our hard earned money and faith, for unknowns to be honest, with regards to the Tornado and Forge. I think you should return that same trust to us, your best and loyal customers.

 

[Zuhdj]

Got my nado ordered How would you say the torched experience compares to that of the current anvil model? I hear it's smoother but how? And does the dual heater system still work with the torch?

 

[electrokho82]

Got my nado ordered How would you say the torched experience compares to that of the current anvil model? I hear it's smoother but how? And does the dual heater system still work with the torch?

Here's a video comparison of both the Anvil and Tornado using a torch and the same amount of herb - 0.21 grams. Vapor production is very similar, but it's much smoother with the Tornado:

 

[leanpubpackage]

damn, i’m ready for the tornado USA…

 

[LordKahel]

Has anyone tried using the Tornado with the Inductor?

I am using it with the Inductor Right now till the Forge problem is fixed. It very fast heat up with the inductor , about 4-7 sec but you cannot trust the click . If you heat till the click , you will get combustion. But with the way the inductor works , it easy to apply more heat if it not hot enough .

 

[Bababouy]

Anyone else having issues with the wand? It worked great as others described the first few days but now I have to hold it just right for it to register and not throw an E01 code. The depth it is at when it chooses to heat is too high resulting in an early click and lackluster vapor. I have also experienced the same issue with the flare sans error code. It worked perfect the first few times but now it’s picky about registering, gotta insert slow and at just the right depth.


I think I’m done with the IH’s for now before I fry anything, almost sounds similar to what John is saying happened with the forge.

 

[RedZep]

Anyone else having issues with the wand? It worked great as others described the first few days but now I have to hold it just right for it to register and not throw an E01 code. The depth it is at when it chooses to heat is too high resulting in an early click and lackluster vapor. I have also experienced the same issue with the flare sans error code. It worked perfect the first few times but now it’s picky about registering, gotta insert slow and at just the right depth.


I think I’m done with the IH’s for now before I fry anything, almost sounds similar to what John is saying happened with the forge.

Damn. That would be a blow for me. The supposed wand function was a big draw.

I can't see myself holding a torch for 50 seconds, nor shelling out for the forge. So this really cools my interest.

 

[electrokho82]

Anyone else having issues with the wand? It worked great as others described the first few days but now I have to hold it just right for it to register and not throw an E01 code. The depth it is at when it chooses to heat is too high resulting in an early click and lackluster vapor. I have also experienced the same issue with the flare sans error code. It worked perfect the first few times but now it’s picky about registering, gotta insert slow and at just the right depth.


I think I’m done with the IH’s for now before I fry anything, almost sounds similar to what John is saying happened with the forge.

I fixed this issue by adding a piece of cork as shown in the pictures below. I haven't experienced the error 01 since I did that:

https://imgur.com/a/yo09B7t

 

[coolbreeze]

w00t! About to get twistered:

Edit: that's one hell of a wake-n-bake.

 

[Bababouy]

I fixed this issue by adding a piece of cork as shown in the pictures below. I haven't experienced the error 01 since I did that:

https://imgur.com/a/yo09B7t

Is this just like a piece of coaster? How thick is it? I have some I can chop up later. I still feel like the clickers are too far in the IH that way. Best rip I had with it the clickers were inside the narrow end of the glass, felt like it got a better heat soak

 

[electrokho82]

Is this just like a piece of coaster? How thick is it? I have some I can chop up later. I still feel like the clickers are too far in the IH that way. Best rip I had with it the clickers were inside the narrow end of the glass, felt like it got a better heat soak

Here's the link of the product: https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOaRJQ0
The thickness is probably 2-3 mm max... It works very well, and I add a second layer if I am looking for a lighter AVB....

 

[SillyNotMe]

I’ve been blasting my Tornado with the biggest torch/flame I’ve got. I aim for 10-12 seconds of torching. The click comes in at the end or shortly after. This technique brings me closest to my Forge + Tornado experiences.

 

[eyevape]

This technique brings me closest to my Forge + Tornado experiences.

Which is more convection and less conduction?

 

[leanpubpackage]

Which is more convection and less conduction?

I was torching my thermocore with a bigshot, and got it to click in like 12s, giving more convection leaning hits. I’m going to brave torching the tornado with the bigshot tonight and hope for the best…probably going to start with 8s

The tornado doesn’t seem to require that much more thermal calories than it does with the thermocore…if at all

 

[alex91]

Has anyone tested the Camouflet Inductor with the Tornado? For my first IH I’m not sure I should go for it or the Forge.

 

[eyevape]

I was torching my thermocore with a bigshot, and got it to click in like 12s, giving more convection leaning hits. I’m going to brave torching the tornado with the bigshot tonight and hope for the best…probably going to start with 8s

The tornado doesn’t seem to require that much more thermal calories than it does with the thermocore…if at all

I agree, the Tornado accumulates heat much faster than the Anvil somehow. I also believe it’s more convection leaning even without the fast heat up. To me this is a reason to go smaller torch wise, as I like the conduction part.

@alex91 Yes, scroll back a bit.

 

[PossumMD]

I agree, the Tornado accumulates heat much faster than the Anvil somehow.

My physics knowledge is terrible, but a thought I've been having is that the new design may spread the energy throughout the cap better...?

 

[leanpubpackage]

12s from cold with the big shot aimed at the center of the oven is fantastic. The click follows 2 seconds after removing the heat and get a huge hit. Nice flavor. It’s crazy how hard this thing hits. I didn’t think any other torch device could beat the anvil, but here we are…

 

[letter never sent]

I got mine yesterday. Ran a bunch of bowls through it and so far it feels very similar to the Anvil to me. I’ve been using the same amount of weed I would normally use with my Thermocore XL bowl and the taste, signature, and effects all feel very similar.

Definitely need to hone my torch technique a bit more, most of my roasts have been on the darker side. I got a much lighter roast heating higher on the oven, but still searching for the sweet spot.

It certainly milks up effortlessly, even with a smaller loose pack. Heats up and cools down faster than I expected, really not that different from the Anvil despite the increased mass. Basically just feels like a larger Anvil to me, not sure I’m noticing as much of a difference as others here, but I’ll spend more time with it and do some head to head comparisons next.

 

[PrematureEvaporation]

I find it interesting how the general consensus is splitting into two groups as more of these are getting into people’s hands.

Seems like one group is saying it hits harder and for longer than the anvil, and another group saying that they’re pretty similar

I wonder why that is..

 

[RedZep]

I find it interesting how the general consensus is splitting into two groups as more of these are getting into people’s hands.

Seems like one group is saying it hits harder and for longer than the anvil, and another group saying that they’re pretty similar

I wonder why that is..

I think we are seeing some honeymoon effect. It's a big Anvil. People are trying to see magic where there is none.

My guess is because hardly anyone is filling the bowl. So they need to justify the need to own it to themselves. When in effect using a half filled Tornado is practically identical to just using the Anvil they already owned.

BTW I think a big Anvil is awesome. I don't need any magic to justify that.