Discontinued VapeXhale Cloud

[pakalolo]

Ok, so I've read every page of both VXC threads and am still curious about the whole preorder situation. I preordered a Cloud in Aug. 2011 and have been waiting patiently ever since, but when is the VXC crew going to stop taking preorders? I've been lucky enough to snatch a SG Natty King Stemline since then and have become less interested in a HydraTube. I know the Cloud won't be available to purchase by itself until all the preorders are fulfilled, but if they're still accepting preorders how will they ever catch up and have non-preorders?

It seems pretty obvious to me. They just have to keep the shipping rate higher than the order rate.

I think that it would be crazy to stop taking orders. That would be the kiss of death.

 

[VapeArts]

My Cloud in its home. I really had hoped a smaller case would work but this seems about right.

I left room to hopefully be able to slide a Hydracirc in there between the HT and the Cloud. Soon as I can buy one separate, we'll see how well my plan worked out.

The upside is foam for that case is pretty inexpensive.

I want to thank you for suggesting the Seahorse SE-520F! For $53 ("gun metal" color is the least expensive on Amazon) I now have a great case to carry my Cloud in. I found an instructional video on YouTube that worked great for me to help plan and pluck out the pre-scored foam in cases like these:

 

[nugghuffer]

can i have some of the stuff your smoking hahaha
pre-order get you in line to order. there is no non-preorders. does that make sense, i'm a bit medicated too

Haha I wish I was smoking some of the stuff you've got boobs (your videos pretty much convinced me to get in line for the HI), but I guess I need to rephrase my question. Pakalolo, I get what you're saying but it seems like they're going to have a tough time making shipments exceed all the orders since there are so many preorders and more new ones every day. I remember SM55 saying he thought that just Clouds would be available to buy later this year. I'm not too worried about it, just curious since no one has asked yet.

 

[Tstat]

Thanks to everyone who wrote encouraging comments about my son's hydra stand project! We will be working on a few different designs and a larger "station" that will accommodate the Cloud as well as a tube =)

Anyone else care to comment positive or negative? We are really encouraged by the initial comments!

 

[vape4life]

Kudos Tstat! I'd buy one and very fairly priced! I think it's awesome that your son is doing that! Maybe start making some quantity and sell to VXL for distribution

 

[oldiebutgoodie]

. . . So what do you guys think? I haven't run any of this by the VXC guys yet, but I don't see how they would object. Please give me any and all feedback. I think he has come with an awesome stand that everyone will love. They look great sitting next to the Cloud and offer the protection that is needed.

Cool idea? Would you buy one? Would you pay $15 or $20 for one? Are we crazy?

Tstat, I'm in. Maybe for two or even three.

 

[Tstat]

I just messaged SM about this. I want to find out if he is cool with it and what restrictions I would have if we created a website to sell them. Would be cool since I am a web developer and he is the craftsman!

 

[stickstones]

tstat...love the idea!

Now...as for the forum rules, this changes things a little bit. First off, I don't think it is appropriate to clog up this thread with it, so you will need to create your own thread. But before you do that, check with sm, then vtac. Your member status would change to that of a vendor, and we have different rules for them. So, I think it best to kill the discussion of this in this thread until you have gotten things covered with vtac.

 

[Purpl3_Haz3]

I just messaged SM about this. I want to find out if he is cool with it and what restrictions I would have if we created a website to sell them. Would be cool since I am a web developer and he is the craftsman!

Well I'll take one, sometime between now and when my order email comes such a great idea, and as another said, it'd be nice knowing that my money is going to a fellow patient; just like with the cloud, where the money goes to fellow Vape Heads!

 

[VapeArts]

Thanks to everyone who wrote encouraging comments about my son's hydra stand project! We will be working on a few different designs and a larger "station" that will accommodate the Cloud as well as a tube =)

Anyone else care to comment positive or negative? We are really encouraged by the initial comments!

I would want one and really prefer highly figured wood like burl, flamed, bird's eye, etc. Similar to what Ed is doing with his wood stems for the Launch Box and Solo. It looks like you may be using pre-cut and routed wood but if not I think that could increase your sales. At least is would for with me.

 

[Tstat]

Thanks everyone! But as stickstones said, let's not clog up SM's forum with talk about this. I wanted to float it out there to see what kind of response we would got. Now that I see it is overwhelmingly positive, I am going to talk to SM and then if all is cool, I'll get my status changed to a vender and start my own thread for discussion. I want to thank everyone once again and I'll let everyone know when we are up and running. Sorry if I broke any rules or strayed outside of this forum's purpose!

If anyone else wants to comment or make suggestions, etc. - please PM me!

 

[jackmormon]

Cloud and SGW Hydratube arrived about an hour ago. Woohooo..

First picky impressions:

The SGW(?) Hydratube has no logo whatsoever. The perc is thinner (height wise) on one side than the other. The slits look like a child made them they are so unevenly spaced. I have a couple of SGW pieces and I hate to say it, but I question whether the HT was actually made by SGW. On the other hand, everything else about it is nice and it percs nicely on a trial wet run. It seems like it will be great function wise.

The Cloud itself has a scratch on the front aluminum and there are several areas along the edges of the housing where the powder coating is scratched or chipped and you can see the metal underneath. It does have a slight smell but I am doing a burn off now.

So cosmetically, this thing is a bit of a disappointment. I will get to use it in about 2 hours and function is most important to me so I have my fingers crossed in that department.

I am probably just being an overly picky asshole but this product is not as "polished" as I was hoping for. Of course 2 hours from now I will probably not care and be an extremely happy camper

 

[8knots]

Cloud and SGW Hydratube arrived about an hour ago. Woohooo..

First picky impressions:

The SGW(?) Hydratube has no logo whatsoever. The perc is thinner (height wise) on one side than the other. The slits look like a child made them they are so unevenly spaced. I have a couple of SGW pieces and I hate to say it, but I question whether the HT was actually made by SGW. On the other hand, everything else about it is nice and it percs nicely on a trial wet run. It seems like it will be great function wise.

The Cloud itself has a scratch on the front aluminum and there are several areas along the edges of the housing where the powder coating is scratched or chipped and you can see the metal underneath. It does have a slight smell but I am doing a burn off now.

So cosmetically, this thing is a bit of a disappointment. I will get to use it in about 2 hours and function is most important to me so I have my fingers crossed in that department.

I am probably just being an overly picky asshole but this product is not as "polished" as I was hoping for. Of course 2 hours from now I will probably not care and be an extremely happy camper

jackmormom, thanks for your 'picky' review. I have the very same package arriving later today and remain excited at what I hope will be a smooth on my throat hitter. If all goes according to plan I'll be very happy with this unit and my rock zap log unit. I'll be covered!

 

[jackstraw62]

OK, so I am looking for some feedback on a product. First the backstory:

My 23 YO son was in a horrible crash right before Christmas. He almost lost his foot and has been re-habbing ever since. He can't walk yet so he can't go to school (except online) and it will a long time before he can work. He is also now a MMJ patient (as I am) because he will always have pain in that foot and ankle.

We received the Cloud a couple of weeks ago and we both love it. It controls his pain and my back spasms better than anything we have tried in the past. Anyway, we were talking the other day about how the Cloud is in desperate need of a stand for the hydratubes. He is very creative and a good wood worker, so I asked him to make a stand for the hyracirc. We talked about what it should look like, the functionality, etc. I went out and got him some raw supplies, and he came back with 3 very cool (IMO) stands!

Our idea is that we would like to sell these to Cloud owners, if there is an interest. This could help pay his medical bills (we have insurance, but still owe thousands), give him something to do and feel pride in, and to sell a product that is well made and very much needed.

Here are the first 3 hydra stands he created:

Black wood, handpainted

Perfect fit

Close-up

Clear stained wood

Clear wood closeup of the clear vinyl protector

Gold handpainted

OK, so there it is. If people are willing to buy these, they will sell for $15- $20. They can be painted any color, or stained natural. He uses 3 coats of paint and then a clear shellack finish. There are felt bumpers on the bottom that are glued on. There is a clear plastic sleeve that fits over the dowel and creates a perfect fit. You do not have to force the hydratube on or off- it fits just like on the Cloud and protects the joint. If this takes off, we are thinking about different types of wood, stands that hold 2 or 3 tubes, stenciling, etc.

So what do you guys think? I haven't run any of this by the VXC guys yet, but I don't see how they would object. Please give me any and all feedback. I think he has come with an awesome stand that everyone will love. They look great sitting next to the Cloud and offer the protection that is needed.

Cool idea? Would you buy one? Would you pay $15 or $20 for one? Are we crazy?

looks nice hope the bottom is weighted. I am sure some people would buy one maybe even me. Need a slightly bigger one to hold two ht's if it held two tubes 15 would be cool. still leaves plenty of room for profit.

 

[theamigo]

how long does someone have to register when it is his turn to order before he gets skipped?

 

[vape4life]

I am probably just being an overly picky asshole but this product is not as "polished" as I was hoping for. Of course 2 hours from now I will probably not care and be an extremely happy camper

Thanks Jack, for your unbiased honest initial impression and reporting. Why would you be an overly picky asshole? If you just bought a new car, would you accept scratches and chips all over the rims? I don't understand how someone can think NOT getting scratches is being too picky. I guess standards are going down the tubes these days. I work hard for my money, and if i'm going to buy something, I expect it to LOOK and WORK as it's supposed to. Anything less is unacceptable.

But all the early adopters already know this so in essence, kinda getting what we deserve. If you want it to be "right" apparently we have to wait.

PS. Is it possible that you received an in-house hydracirc HT?

 

[JohnDeere]

jackmormom, thanks for your 'picky' review. I have the very same package arriving later today and remain excited at what I hope will be a smooth on my throat hitter. If all goes according to plan I'll be very happy with this unit and my rock zap log unit. I'll be covered!

+1 on appreciating the review...I love SGW and use a 2 year old waffle bub as my daily driver, but I have bought and sold about 3 or 4 SGW pieces that had oval bases, tiny holes in the waffle percs, and other imperfections that didn't seem to match-up with Prestons other work.

Any pics on those SGW HT's? After a shipping snafu (my fault) my ELB's got here today, but my VXC package won't get here until Wednesday.

how long does someone have to register when it is his turn to order before he gets skipped?

I registered the day I got the email sometime in march...I then had no problem logging in when I was ready to purchase about 3 weeks later.

PS. Is it possible that you received an in-house hydracirc HT?

I believe it is easy to tell, if there is no reduction from the perc to the mouthpiece (44mm throughout) then it is SGW.

 

[RussyRoo]

Thanks Jack, for your unbiased honest initial impression and reporting. Why would you be an overly picky asshole? If you just bought a new car, would you accept scratches and chips all over the rims? I don't understand how someone can think NOT getting scratches is being too picky. I guess standards are going down the tubes these days. I work hard for my money, and if i'm going to buy something, I expect it to LOOK and WORK as it's supposed to. Anything less is unacceptable.

But all the early adopters already know this so in essence, kinda getting what we deserve. If you want it to be "right" apparently we have to wait.

PS. Is it possible that you received an in-house hydracirc HT?

From the first time I hit this thing I have not given a shit about the stamp that says HUT instead of HOT on my cloud. In fact I kinda like it. It makes me laugh every time I hit it because it reminds me that this thing performs so well at its primary function the superficial stuff is really not a big deal IMO. If you want a more refined product maybe just wait for the general release. I wouldn't bother.

 

[theamigo]

I registered the day I got the email sometime in march...I then had no problem logging in when I was ready to purchase about 3 weeks later.

i meant he hasnt even registered. he's only received the email and has not acted on it yet

 

[JohnDeere]

i meant he hasnt even registered. he's only received the email and has not acted on it yet

I got ya. I am saying that if he (who the hell are we talking about here, not you I guess, ha) registers he may get the 3 weeks or more I did. I can not comment otherwise. The email said something to the effect of "please purchase within 24hrs of registering...if you do not please understand you may not get your first choice of HT's"

From the first time I hit this thing I have not given a shit about the stamp that says HUT instead of HOT on my cloud. In fact I kinda like it. It makes me laugh every time I hit it because it reminds me that this thing performs so well at its primary function the superficial stuff is really not a big deal IMO. If you want a more refined product maybe just wait for the general release. I wouldn't bother.

I feel pretty much the same way as long as there are no functional defects. The spit and polish is for general release.

 

[Troi]

i meant he hasnt even registered. he's only received the email and has not acted on it yet

I just wanted to remind everyone, that may be wondering this, if you received an email, but have not been approved its because we are currently out of stock, once stock comes in your registrations will be approved, and the email address you used to register will receive a notification that that account has been approved.

We are hoping to get some inventory in this week, please check your email boxes for approval if you are waiting for one, we will also make announcements on FC as they are available.

 

[jackmormon]

Here are some pics:

The tube percs very well and no leaking. I pretty sure it isn't the same as the VXL Hydracirc.
On the VXC unit there is the scratch on the aluminum below the nob, missing powder coating on the edge of the left front fin, and missing powder coating on the rim close to where the dial is pointing. There is a similar amount missing on the right front fin in the same spot but my camera skills suck.

I am not upset about it or anything. I would not expect the same level of QC from VXL as I would from Subaru or another company with 60 or 70 years of QC processes and experience. They are a small group of folks who have put their heart and soul into this thing. I am 100% confident that they will start seeing some common QC patterns and will implement the necessary processes to prevent them. This is a necessary part of a product launch for a company without unlimited resources. (If it was otherwise we would all be waiting a couple more years!)

What is really important to me is performance. I have had a learning curve with every vape I own except maybe the Solo (retired.) My first experience with the Cloud was mixed. I followed the instructions and put the nob at the 12'oclock position and let it warm up until the light was green. About 5 minutes? Used my usual grind like I would for a log vape and loaded about 1/3 of the EZ Bowl. I got a couple of whispy hits but the taste was amazing. No more hits so I turned the knob up to the 2 O'clock position and got another whispy hit. The ABV was a light tan with some green bits. I would have gotten 5-6 dense hits and dark ABV from the same amount/grind with my Underdog or HI.

So---Big question for experienced users:

Does the VXL need heat up time past the green light to be at "full" vaping potential? Just curious because the instructions said 12 O'Clock was about 400F and that is about as high temp as I want to go.

 

[greystr0ke]

Yes. In my experience it paid huge dividends to wait additional time before you take your first hit . I had a similar experience to what you described and once I began waiting longer for it to heat up I began getting the "Clouds" I wanted.

 

[jackmormon]

greystr0ke,

How long do you let it heat up on average?

 

[ilovebOObs]

i don't think these vxc are powder coated since the paint is wearinf itself out on most of the edges on my vxc, sorry forgot to bring camera today.