Venty by Storz & Bickel

[ChooChooCharlie]

We were all speculating why out of stock, before the email

Last Monday I posted this bit I pulled out of my ass:

Saw a few more posts on reddit about ERR 04 codes, so it's not just mine. A relief, personally, but sad. Perhaps the current "out of stock" situation involves a frantic opening of sealed boxes, updating firmware one by one? No, that can't possibly be...

It's that ellipsis at the end to blame Edit: But must be a parts related issue, or they wouldn't ask for units to be returned. Instead they'd offer a new firmware to flash through app?

I RMA'd almost two weeks ago, so I get no $30 testing bonus, but I do get to keep my CU...Do'h! , just mailed it to @Delta3DStudios

 

[vapviking]

I RMA'd almost two weeks ago, so I get no $30 testing bonus, but I do get to keep my CU

Look on the bright side! They'll replace with a brand new deluxe full kit and you'll get.......a new orange poker tool!

I know Mike will take good care of your c/u, and return it good as new when he's finished with it. One would hope that @Delta3DStudios will send along one of those ss wpa's he mentioned!

 

[Strolling&Rolling]

We were all speculating why out of stock, before the email

Last Monday I posted this bit I pulled out of my ass:



It's that ellipsis at the end to blame Edit: But must be a parts related issue, or they wouldn't ask for units to be returned. Instead they'd offer a new firmware to flash through app?

I RMA'd almost two weeks ago, so I get no $30 testing bonus, but I do get to keep my CU...Do'h! , just mailed it to @Delta3DStudios

Did they ask for faulty devices to be returned?

Edit: Just curious as I'm debating whether to cancel my order and get a mighty plus instead.

 

[ChooChooCharlie]

@Vape_Or_Die420 - in email, they said run test through app, then they look at data, decide if your unit is faulty from that data. Then they will ask that subset of units to be returned. Let's hope it's a small subset

This CU vid shows how to separate CU without using knife edge as a lever

I still prefer to let the Venty base unit act as a holder while lifting upper CU shell off. They show it that way in the manual

I like the part around 3.30, struggling with orange locking circle. I struggled too. Slot needs to be vertical for the two locking tabs underneath to align with tab slots on lower CU, then inspect from under making sure o-ring around orange circle lock is secure and pushed down enough. When you turn the orange lock, don't force it, it turns 1/4 turn in only one direction

 

[Dr. G]

@Vape_Or_Die420 - in email, they said run test through app, then they look at data, decide if your unit is faulty from that data. Then they will ask that subset of units to be returned. Let's hope it's a small subset

This CU vid shows how to separate CU without using knife edge as a lever

I still prefer to let the Venty base unit act as a holder while lifting upper CU shell off. They show it that way in the manual

I like the part around 3.30, struggling with orange locking circle. I struggled too. Slot needs to be vertical for the two locking tabs underneath to align with tab slots on lower CU, then inspect from under making sure o-ring around orange circle lock is secure and pushed down enough. When you turn the orange lock, don't force it, it turns 1/4 turn in only one direction

Thanks for posting...I learned so very much just watching that. Thank you.

 

[RustyOldNail]

I’ve been cleaning the CU with just a couple of Qtips and 190 Ethanol. I leave the MP part attached, Orings left in place, and most if not all of the vapor path is accessible to the swabs. I’ll do this more often, to avoid a deep soak cleaning, as I get it 90-95% clean. Certainly easier than cleaning my Mighty.

Cleaner device….. better tasting sessions…

 

[Slartibartfast67]

I've been working out of town and inactive for a while, so I thought I'd share my experience with the Venty so far. I had long been planning to get a Terp Ready system as a reward to myself for all the fieldwork I did in October. When the Venty was announced, being a big S&B fan, I decided to order it instead, which I did. I have only had mine for less than four days, so this is all tentative.

First the negatives. Apparently they are having some issues with early units. I also got the same email others have about running diagnostic checks and participated as asked. I am honestly not that worried about this aspect because of the warranty. S&B already offers two years, and that is extended to three if you register the device on their website. The only problem I have had with any of my (many) S&B products is with my Crafty+, and they immediately replaced it with a new one. I figure if the Venty turns out to have a problem they'll replace it. Was it wise to buy the very first edition of a completely new device? Probably not, but I took the plunge.

Mine did throw a dreaded ERR004 (i.e. device faulty) like the second or third time I used it. Obviously that was concerning. I did a factory reset (hold power button for 10 sec.) and everything has been fine ever since. Should I have just returned it immediately? Probably, but I didn't want to have to send back my new toy if I didn't have to, and the reset seems to have fixed it. I figure if it dies in a month or a year I'll just send it in for a new one.

I understand people are concerned that they have some issues with such an expensive product, but IMO it's understandable. No matter how much testing you do, you're never going to be able to fully replicate having a device in thousands or tens of thousands of peoples' hands at once, all using it in different situations and ways, using it while plugged in, etc. With the bluetooth in the Venty they can push software updates, which should be very helpful.

Another, albeit minor, negative, is the issue people have mentioned with the cooling unit not completely locking down so that it is juuuussssst a little out of line. As a person with mild OCD issues this kinda bugs me. I've been afraid to crank down too hard on it, at least until I can get a replacement cooling unit. I need to make sure no crumbs are anywhere. It's very minor, but irritating for a device with otherwise such excellent fit and finish.

The positives.
The adjustable airflow is a game changer. I keep mine wide open at all times, but your preference may vary. It's also nice to finally be able to close it off completely, as the Venty does just leak vapor when it's sitting there on and loaded, like the Mighty.

The new heater and flow meter that adjusts the heater is another game changer. The flow meter, along with the power of the heater, allow you to hit the Venty however you want. You know how a lot of vapes make you learn how to hit them properly to get a good hit? No learning curve withe the Venty. Just hit it. Long and slow, fast and hard, whatever. It just cranks out vapor.

I like the new form factor. It feels great in the hand, very natural. You just naturally hold it at the bottom, where it's never even slightly warm. Much more pocketable than the Mighty, and feels better in the hand.

The boost and superboost work like they do in the Mighty+ and Crafty+ (180/195/210C) but it only stays at boost or superboost for 90 seconds before reverting to 180. You can adjust these settings using the web app. Honestly, if you like 180 as a starting temp (obviously S&B's preferred temp), the boost and superboost make the thing very easy to use as a single button device. Turn it on, take a few hits at 180, boost to 195 for a few hits, and finish it off at 210. Easy peasy.

Note that apparently you can only use the web app with the Venty. The regular phone app doesn't seem to have been updated to include the Venty. Hopefully they will update it. The web app is useful in adjusting the charging options. After the first charge, I turned on both the battery saver options to preserve battery function as long as possible. I can wait a little longer for a charge and give up a bowl of battery life to get more life out of the batteries. It still charges really fast. I really like the screen brightness settings. Turn it all the way down and the display switches to a purple when heating (instead of orange) and a kind of aqua blue when ready. Very nice. One step above that (my preference), and you get a light purple when heating, but normal (dim) green when ready. Above that and it is just brighter versions of orange/green, but very nice attention to detail.

I get about 7 bowls from a charge, but you should note that I beat the hell out of each bowl. I hit it for a few minutes on 190 (which is where I usually set my start temp). Then, when it starts tasting beat I crank the heat up to 210 and have a few hits to finish it off. So I'm hitting each bowl quite a lot. If I was just hitting each bowl 6 or 8 times and dumping, I would no doubt get a few more bowls. Like I said, I use the max temp for a while at the end of each bowl. YMMV

So far I really love my Venty, but I am kind of a S&B fan boy, and I might be biased, so keep that in mind. For me this thing replaces the Mighty+; I haven't used mine since I got the Venty. As far as shopping for a new high end vape, if you were already prepared to spend the four bones for a Mighty+, an extra fifty for this thing is a no-brainer IMO. Time will tell but I think this has become my go to battery portable.

 

[Slartibartfast67]

Couple of things I forgot with my update.

First, I haven't received a response from S&B regarding the testing/data collection they did. The vape appears to be operating as specified.

Second, regarding the number of bowls per charge thing, I only really kept strict track the first time. The battery does last longer than the mighty+, which I usually get about 5 or 6 bowls out of, for reference. The crafty+ gives about 3-4. Venty definitely lasts longer than both.

 

[JoeMama]

For those that received the email, what’s your serial number? I haven’t received the email so my assumption is that only certain unit’s received that email? But you know what happens when you assume things lol

FWIW, I registered immediately after I opened the box, and got the email. I did the analysis but haven't heard anything back... I've stated that I've had a rare ERR04/05 code, and BTW since the reset (for the analysis), there's been no ERR codes thrown.

The serial numbers are obviously codified for only S&B to understand, so I don't know what good knowing any serial number can do...?

 

[RustyOldNail]

Another, albeit minor, negative, is the issue people have mentioned with the cooling unit not completely locking down so that it is juuuussssst a little out of line. As a person with mild OCD issues this kinda bugs me. I've been afraid to crank down too hard on it, at least until I can get a replacement cooling unit. I need to make sure no crumbs are anywhere. It's very minor, but irritating for a device with otherwise such excellent fit and finish.

I saw this posted somewhere else, may Reddit, but couldn’t find it.
Honestly, even with a bit of OCD, I probably would not have noticed this, fit issue, if I didn’t read about it.

So, I noticed while in my hand I could gently push the CU with a bit of downward pressure to where it was PERFECTLY FLUSH, but when I let go it would move almost imperceptibly counterclockwise, a bit OUT of flush with the Venty BODY.
So, I began to suspect, the only thing that would cause this.
The NEW ORING!

TEST: Take the round “blue oring” OFF, from the device body, the one around the top of the heater.
You’ll see the MP top, mounts perfectly FLUSH.
With the soft Oring in place, it acts like a mini SPRING, while under compression, and keeps the MP from fully staying in the flush closed position. It pushes the CU back a bit.
Perhaps, this TIGHT TOLERANCE, between the bayonet mount and oring was not fully accounted for in the design phase? (does not happen on OG Mighty, but that mount is slightly different).

Personally, it’s not off enough for me to consider returning it, as they may all be like this, or maybe it’s just some of them. If I cared to, I’d shave a tiny bit off of the Peek plastic on the CU’s bayonet mount, these are replaceable so it’s not a huge risk. But, not making excuses here, you shouldn’t have to do any custom mods on an expensive new device. I’m not going to bother.

For me, after using the Venty for about a week, the oring seems to be breaking in (compressing) a little and is fitting better. Obviously, these kinds of fit issues, if you even have one, will bother some more then others. It does not effect operation of the device, and once they begin selling spare parts, I’ll be buying another backup CU, and can test further.

 

[Slartibartfast67]

I saw this posted somewhere else, may Reddit, but couldn’t find it.
Honestly, even with a bit of OCD, I probably would not have noticed this, fit issue, if I didn’t read about it.

So, I noticed while in my hand I could gently push the CU with a bit of downward pressure to where it was PERFECTLY FLUSH, but when I let go it would move almost imperceptibly counterclockwise, a bit OUT of flush with the Venty BODY.
So, I began to suspect, the only thing that would cause this.
The NEW ORING!

TEST: Take the round “blue oring” OFF, from the device body, the one around the top of the heater.
You’ll see the MP top, mounts perfectly FLUSH.
With the soft Oring in place, it acts like a mini SPRING, while under compression, and keeps the MP from fully staying in the flush closed position. It pushes the CU back a bit.
Perhaps, this TIGHT TOLERANCE, between the bayonet mount and oring was not fully accounted for in the design phase? (does not happen on OG Mighty, but that mount is slightly different).

Personally, it’s not off enough for me to consider returning it, as they may all be like this, or maybe it’s just some of them. If I cared to, I’d shave a tiny bit off of the Peek plastic on the CU’s bayonet mount, these are replaceable so it’s not a huge risk. But, not making excuses here, you shouldn’t have to do any custom mods on an expensive new device. I’m not going to bother.

For me, after using the Venty for about a week, the oring seems to be breaking in (compressing) a little and is fitting better. Obviously, these kinds of fit issues, if you even have one, will bother some more then others. It does not effect operation of the device, and once they begin selling spare parts, I’ll be buying another backup CU, and can test further.

This is good information, thank you. I'll wait and see if mine breaks in/compresses a little. I can deal with it even if it doesn't TBH. As you said it doesn't effect performance.

 

[RustyOldNail]

This is good information, thank you. I'll wait and see if mine breaks in/compresses a little. I can deal with it even if it doesn't TBH. As you said it doesn't effect performance.

I agreed with most of your well written review.
The 90 second “booster” timeout to “base temperature” is something I don’t see any logic to. I’ve posted my feelings on this, in this thread, agreeing with the same feedback that SneakyPete gave in is early Venty review, and this guy sells them, maybe S&B will respect his negative comments…

I’ve also found on my unit, I DON’T even get a haptic feedback BUZZ, before either Boost #1, or #2, decides to REDUCE the temp to BASE temp. Certainly fixable in firmware if folks wanted it, some don’t understand the lack of logic and the poor implementation on this…..

 

[Slartibartfast67]

I agreed with most of your well written review.
The 90 second “booster” timeout to “base temperature” is something I don’t see any logic to. I’ve posted my feelings on this, in this thread, agreeing with the same feedback that SneakyPete gave in is early Venty review, and this guy sells them, maybe S&B will respect his negative comments…

I’ve also found on my unit, I DON’T even get a haptic feedback BUZZ, before either Boost #1, or #2, decides to REDUCE the temp to BASE temp. Certainly fixable in firmware if folks wanted it, some don’t understand the lack of logic and the poor implementation on this…..

This is true. I wish the timer on the boost/superboost was adjustable, even if it can't just be permanent. It would be nice if I could finish on superboost for however long, and have it reset to my usual base temp after I turned it off.

For that matter I wish the general timeout on the device itself was adjustable, like it is on the app for the Crafty+. That's another slight negative that I can think of. Seems like an easy thing to let users adjust in the app if we want to make that trade off. As I said I hit mine for a while and often hit the timeout.

Mine doesn't buzz before going back to the preset temp from boost/superboost after 90 seconds either. I've taken to not using either and just manually going from 190 to 210 to finish the load off, which leads to be forgetting it's maxed until I turn it on for the next time. More adjustability on that front would be nice.

Maybe it's one of those things like the max 210/410 temp on their vapes. They have to know that the fans want the thing to go to 420 F for obvious reasons. However, S&B has decided that 180 is the most appropriate starting temperature, and 210 is the maximum temperature necessary, and by golly that's what you're getting ;-)

They may even be right about this. Like I said I like to start at 190 because I like a little heavier vapor, but I would start someone new to vaping at 180 for sure for maximum flavor while still getting strong vapor. Unless you are converting a smoker, then crank that baby to the max ;-)

 

[simba]

I understand people are concerned that they have some issues with such an expensive product, but IMO it's understandable. No matter how much testing you do, you're never going to be able to fully replicate having a device in thousands or tens of thousands of peoples' hands at once, all using it in different situations and ways, using it while plugged in, etc. With the bluetooth in the Venty they can push software updates, which should be very helpful.

I might not be an expert in S&B vapes, but I am an expert in the field of Testing. Whilst you're right that you can never replicate having the device in tens of thousands of hands, you can certainly do enough testing to avoid a situation like this.

I've been the lead Tester on a major bank's personal banking app, usage of over 150K people per day across iOS and Android. We got to less than 0.1% crash rate, and very rare to see any other errors. Did we see them from time to time, yeah sure. But they were triggered by such edge cases that hardly anyone could have accounted for.

No one has done anything special to trigger these errors, they've all come from standard usage from what I've read. I am struggling to see how this wasn't detected earlier if they have a comprehensive testing strategy. But another thing I've learnt in my years in Testing, companies rarely have a comprehensive strategy, it's often a box ticking exercise.

Whilst I'm glad S&B seem to be dealing with the situation, I don't think we need to treat them with kid gloves and make excuses for them.

 

[RustyOldNail]

This is true. I wish the timer on the boost/superboost was adjustable, even if it can't just be permanent. It would be nice if I could finish on superboost for however long, and have it reset to my usual base temp after I turned it off.

For that matter I wish the general timeout on the device itself was adjustable, like it is on the app for the Crafty+. That's another slight negative that I can think of. Seems like an easy thing to let users adjust in the app if we want to make that trade off. As I said I hit mine for a while and often hit the timeout.

Mine doesn't buzz before going back to the preset temp from boost/superboost after 90 seconds either. I've taken to not using either and just manually going from 190 to 210 to finish the load off, which leads to be forgetting it's maxed until I turn it on for the next time. More adjustability on that front would be nice.

Maybe it's one of those things like the max 210/410 temp on their vapes. They have to know that the fans want the thing to go to 420 F for obvious reasons. However, S&B has decided that 180 is the most appropriate starting temperature, and 210 is the maximum temperature necessary, and by golly that's what you're getting ;-)

They may even be right about this. Like I said I like to start at 190 because I like a little heavier vapor, but I would start someone new to vaping at 180 for sure for maximum flavor while still getting strong vapor. Unless you are converting a smoker, then crank that baby to the max ;-)

I’ve had great results using:
I keep my BASE TEMP at 360f, with my BOOST PRESETS set to +25f. This gives me:
BASE START = 360f
1st BOOST = 385f
2nd BOOST = 410f (Max)

My preference is NOT for heavy hits or black ABV, I still get those at my finish boost at MAX temp. For more flavor and sipping, at times I’ll start a session at 340f, and just temp step by 10f. Once the flavor is gone I’ll boost to finish or not. Using capsules at times, also allows for dumping capsule load early in the session, turning Venty OFF, and continuing session later. With the powerful heater, and fast get to temp times, there are a VARIETY of ways to use this device, more so then most in my collection!

Not to mention how easy it is with the AIRFLOW DIAL, to FLOW STEP, while I’m TEMP STEPPING.

 

[DadaBoo]

I've been the lead Tester on a major bank's personal banking app, usage of over 150K people per day across iOS and Android. We got to less than 0.1% crash rate, and very rare to see any other errors. Did we see them from time to time, yeah sure. But they were triggered by such edge cases that hardly anyone could have accounted for.

This is testing software for bugs on working hardware.

I'm guessing what's happening in the case of the Venty is that the Software is sound, but a hardware component is not. The software seems to be reflecting this fact with its error messages.

Could be a bad batch of components, as not every Venty is receiving these error messages (another sign the software is potentially sound).

I dunno, without more info, it's a piss in the wind scenario.

 

[simba]

Hardware is much easier to check than software, just saying.

 

[Grass Yes]

Hardware is much easier to check than software, just saying.

If it is a hardware failure I suspect they miscalculated the thermal envelope.

I worked on a device (not a vape) once that had no chip failures until they were out in the wild. It was pretty challenging to diagnose because it took a pretty specific set of circumstances to happen. And the chips were operating closer to that failure temperature than the vendor had originally claimed. We had the advantage that it was a popular device so a one in a million chance happened frequently.

 

[MonkeyTime]

I might not be an expert in S&B vapes, but I am an expert in the field of Testing. Whilst you're right that you can never replicate having the device in tens of thousands of hands, you can certainly do enough testing to avoid a situation like this.

I've been the lead Tester on a major bank's personal banking app, usage of over 150K people per day across iOS and Android. We got to less than 0.1% crash rate, and very rare to see any other errors. Did we see them from time to time, yeah sure. But they were triggered by such edge cases that hardly anyone could have accounted for.

No one has done anything special to trigger these errors, they've all come from standard usage from what I've read. I am struggling to see how this wasn't detected earlier if they have a comprehensive testing strategy. But another thing I've learnt in my years in Testing, companies rarely have a comprehensive strategy, it's often a box ticking exercise.

Whilst I'm glad S&B seem to be dealing with the situation, I don't think we need to treat them with kid gloves and make excuses for them.

Testing software is not the same as hardware much less manufacturing runs. Most often early manufacturing is small run, this is what is being evaluated and tested. It's approved and large runs are done, and things turn up. Not a fair comparison imo.

 

[DadaBoo]

Hardware is much easier to check than software, just saying.

A faulty batch of components might not immediately be faulty.

 

[justcametomind]

 

[Pukka]

A faulty batch of components might not immediately be faulty.

Things don't even have to be faulty. There are allowable variences in components that, when all combined together and things align up incorrectly, will fail. It's no one's fault, it just happens sometimes.

 

[Bonesvapechi]

FWIW, I registered immediately after I opened the box, and got the email. I did the analysis but haven't heard anything back... I've stated that I've had a rare ERR04/05 code, and BTW since the reset (for the analysis), there's been no ERR codes thrown.

The serial numbers are obviously codified for only S&B to understand, so I don't know what good knowing any serial number can do...?

If the case of true, in which one worker works and completes 1 Venty, wouldn’t it be specific to a unique serial number? I’m only saying this because again, my registration was approved on 10/26 and have not received an email about my unit. Could they just be looking at the Ventys they requested for now and then send a mass email?

 

[DadaBoo]

Things don't even have to be faulty. There are allowable variences in components that, when all combined together and things align up incorrectly, will fail. It's no one's fault, it just happens sometimes.

Absolutely.

That's why until we know more about the issues (if we ever do), its kinda pointless pointing fingers of blame. As it would be a guesstimate at best.

 

[WirtDog]

Absolutely.

That's why until we know more about the issues (if we ever do), its kinda pointless pointing fingers of blame. As it would be a guesstimate at best.

This will be a good test of S&B. Given the initial email composition I would expect them to be open and honest with the customer base as to the root causes of this current situation. That is always the best course of action. They may be more frustrated than we are? Nevertheless this is clearly a failure of S&B testing protocols! I hope more will come out about how vape companies go about testing new products before releasing them for sale to the public. S&B had to know that a completely new product was going to generate tremendous interest.