Venus Vaporizer

[villekille2]

Salutations VilleKille2,



Do you have some sort of JTAG setup on your test-bench which an eventual owner could consider duplicating?

Not really anything like that for the end user. Currently I have already some adjustable settings in addition to the regular boost and power adjustment like the warm up time setting for the user, similar way, using the two controllers on the front panel the user could change also the setting of the bulb type. But there is a limited amount of things I can implement this way as I don't want to make it too complicated. Currently it is very easy to use and I want to keep it that way instead of confusing the regular user with too much complexity.

I have a chance to get one of the leading embedded programmers in Finland to take a look at the firmware of Venus in 2 weeks. This guy has been developing many high tech products known worldwide and probably can do anything that just can be done with the hardware.

If there are some suggestions for some improvements/refinements or even new functionalities, I am interested to hear as I can make a list of things to do for him so these possible improvements could be reality in January 2013.

 

[Egzoset]

High again VilleKille2,

...I want to keep it that way instead of confusing the regular user with too much complexity.

I understand perfectly, nobody wants to fight with a machine while there's a precious load in place waiting to be consumed!

...in 2 weeks... If there are some suggestions...

Oh be careful what you propose here! Talk about it to the ThermoVape people...

It would certainly help if Venus owners could post about it and i'm curious to read all of it, as a matter of fact.

Personnally i'll refrain from going wild and simply refresh and old topic:

​

It was about swift tubing management, in days when still relatively little was know of this new product. Lets say i've lost track, any internal details that can be shared would do fine. It is the opportunity to get the facts directly from developpers which makes this board useful, after all.

The halogen heater makes sense to me as that appears to bring together convection, radiation and perhaps a bit of conduction. I'll always be optimistic about your dedicated thread i guess, have a good time during the Christmass season!!

I wish you success and prosperity in 2013!

 

[Tweek]

So do any members own one of these units?

 

[marduk]

Not really anything like that for the end user. Currently I have already some adjustable settings in addition to the regular boost and power adjustment like the warm up time setting for the user, similar way, using the two controllers on the front panel the user could change also the setting of the bulb type. But there is a limited amount of things I can implement this way as I don't want to make it too complicated. Currently it is very easy to use and I want to keep it that way instead of confusing the regular user with too much complexity.

I have a chance to get one of the leading embedded programmers in Finland to take a look at the firmware of Venus in 2 weeks. This guy has been developing many high tech products known worldwide and probably can do anything that just can be done with the hardware.

If there are some suggestions for some improvements/refinements or even new functionalities, I am interested to hear as I can make a list of things to do for him so these possible improvements could be reality in January 2013.

To keep things simple for regular users, you could set up two modes -- basic and advanced. The default would be basic mode, and everything could stay pretty much the way it is now. To use advanced mode, instead of just pressing the boost button to turn the unit on, you would have to press and hold for 3 seconds or so. The unit would turn on and flash the LED a certain way to confirm advanced mode, and all advanced functions would be operational. To keep it foolproof, whenever shutting down, the unit should always revert to basic mode.

Regarding my previous suggestion for hands-free operation: just like you now have the option to modify the preheating time, it would be nice to have an option to choose how long you want to boost per button push, and then be able to press the button just once to boost for that amount of time. So instead of having to press 3 times quickly for a 15 second boost or 6 times for a 30 second boost, I would only need to press once for a 15 second boost and twice for a 30 second boost (or even just once for a 30 second boost.) I also think there should be a 3 to 5 second delay before the boost kicks in after pressing the boost button in hands-free mode. (There should be an immediate LED confirmation though.)

I'm not sure after reading your first paragraph if the unit can already do this, but just in case -- it would be nice to be able to set the boost level. If I'm not mistaken, currently pressing the boost button adjusts the halogen bulb to maximum power. I'd like the option to boost to 3/4 power or whatever power level I want.

One last suggestion re the LED: it seems really bright in the videos I've seen, which is good during daylight and in well lit rooms, but it might be a bit much at night in a dark room if you're using the clear top. So adding the ability to adjust the brightness of the LED would be very cool.

Looking forward to seeing what you and this programmer can do!

 

[villekille2]

What a wonderful idea, to have this advanced mode. So I would not have to risk changing something that is already working well but still there could be interesting option to turn on the ADVANCED MODE to get more complex modes and always it would revert back to the Original Venus Vaporizer mode when shut down. This solved my problem as I was concerned how the user could know which mode is active but as it would be easy to activate when turning the vaporizer on, there would be no problems! Thanks!

 

[marduk]

Thanks to you for coming to the forum and asking for input and suggestions. And for acting on them!

 

[villekille2]

In my opinion the boost LED is not problematic even in the darkness, especially with the "smoke" colored glass, this is my favourite! You can see the vapor as well as using the clear class but it has a nice more stylish darker shade to it No problem making it less bright but more so figuring out a way to adjust all the things you suggested with this user interface I use. I have an idea how it could be done in the future to have opportunity to adjust everything but it requires some new hardware so now it must be left out.

Boost level cannot be adjusted. But it can be programmed to work this way though I don't see it very important. Maximum levels are nice to have and it doesn't cause combustion/darkening of herb when it is done while the user inhales. For handsfree operation someone might find it useful, I'm not sure

But the handsfree boosting is a good option, as well as adjusting the time for this automatic boost. Also one thing would be to have an opportunity to have the boost LED continuously on, so you could just relax without boosting and just adjust the power wheel to a position where it gives vapors without burning and just inhale a little bit slower to make sure the temperature doesn't get lower than what would be ideal. And since the boost-led would be on continuously there is no problem seeing the vapor.

Another option I have in mind is to have Boost LED / all LEDs disabled mode. This is nice for more stealthy operation when you don't want to get public attention as in darkness it must surely look interesting when one is boosting and vapors are seen flowing

 

[villekille2]

One more thing, I had some things in my mind regarding the LEDs. Now they are always 1 or 0, on or off. Both of them have PWM control so they can be dimmed. Someone suggested to me having a fade in effect on the boost LED when the user presses the button. This would be logical in a way, as also the boosting takes a second to really make the heating element hotter so the brightening of the glass top would effectively make this clear to the user. And when the boost button is released, the heating element still has more thermal energy than usual and one can still inhale and get thick vapor for a few seconds. So there could be a slower fade out effect to make this also more clear to the user and to show the vapors. Also as now the red LED glowing trough the silicone tubing is indicating preheating, as well as boost mode active and charging I thought it would be more clear to somehow make it clear when this light is showing the charging being active.

So I tried the "breathing LED" effect while charging, this could differentiate it from other signals. I don't know if the video works and it is a bad quality video made a long time ago while prototyping but here is the link to this effect:

http://vk.com/video_ext.php?oid=87251906&id=161461551&hash=962770afeb001ce2&hd=1

 

[marduk]

But the handsfree boosting is a good option, as well as adjusting the time for this automatic boost. Also one thing would be to have an opportunity to have the boost LED continuously on, so you could just relax without boosting and just adjust the power wheel to a position where it gives vapors without burning and just inhale a little bit slower to make sure the temperature doesn't get lower than what would be ideal. And since the boost-led would be on continuously there is no problem seeing the vapor.

Another option I have in mind is to have Boost LED / all LEDs disabled mode. This is nice for more stealthy operation when you don't want to get public attention as in darkness it must surely look interesting when one is boosting and vapors are seen flowing

Yes! Please do both these things.

edit: The breathing LED is very slick. Works for me!

 

[marduk]

I have a chance to get one of the leading embedded programmers in Finland to take a look at the firmware of Venus in 2 weeks. This guy has been developing many high tech products known worldwide and probably can do anything that just can be done with the hardware.

If there are some suggestions for some improvements/refinements or even new functionalities, I am interested to hear as I can make a list of things to do for him so these possible improvements could be reality in January 2013.

Any progress with updating the firmware? Only one week left in January

 

[Tweek]

Definitely eager to hear of any updates.

 

[FLskwat]

So do any members own one of these units?

Héhé, Do you know what was at my door today? 1 night of testing and I'm VERY IMPRESSED!

Will do a total review in a few days!

 

[marduk]

Hmmm... I just checked their website and the units all say "pre-order"... and the price went up by 10 euros. Maybe a firmware update is happening? villekille2, where you be?

 

[Mynameismud]

They are available now, not many though there is like 4 different version and qty available for each of them is 1 or 2. And price is 298.41. I remember stumbling upon this last year, didnt know it runs on batteries though has me highly interested...

 

[villekille2]

Hello all yeah products are in stock but demand is high so they don't have a lot of time to rest on the shelves but that is only a good thing. For the same reason still no updates as I lost the time I had scheduled for it due to illness and now all time goes for working on delivering as the demand is higher all the time here. I think the hands free operation is the main thing I am looking forward updating and this requires a new electronics board because I want to make it to work so that the vaporizer can be controlled fully without hands. And as this requires a rewrite of the firmware then the additional features we have discussed here about can be implemented same time. I am working still working on the hardware side and it will be interesting to see how long it takes to get it working but at least the basis is a good product to work with and of course the main thing is to be able to supply enough vaporizers but second priority of course is to make it even better.

 

[Grange Goreman]

Hello Villekille2 .......are you still here ?

 

[Lemon Curry?]

Can't speak on Villekill2's behalf, but they're probably still busy with the demand . I just got my Venus about a week ago, and I'm completely sold.

Also, a note on Venus' functionality.... After a week of near-daily use, fairly noticeable amounts of oil have accumulated on the inside surface of the glass. Could try and brew a tea or cocoa in it, getting all that sweet oil with it .

 

[u bwade wunner]

Welcome to the forum Lemon Curry? I imagine there are lots of members,myself included who are interested in the beauty that is the Venus.I am, and have been, intrigued by it for a while now, in both form and function.I contacted Ville ages ago but never heard back from him.
I like the idea of the glass bowl ,viewing vapor forming there must be neat,also the glass jar looks like the perfect reclaim vessel.nice and efficient.
Information,especially user usage videos are thin on the ground for the Venus.
Would love to hear your e thoughts on it if you have a moment

 

[Grange Goreman]

This device seems to be exactly what i'm looking for so I ve send an email .....no answer

Now I'm afraid of an another "wychwood syndrom".

 

[Lemon Curry?]

Yeah the glass bulb/jar is great, sometimes I shut off all the lights and put some strobe lights near the vape. The smoke is pretty trippy to look at .

Might do a report w/ pictures when i do the oil extraction from the glass bulb. Th e folks over at Venus told me the color pigment on the jar is on the outside surface, so a gentle boiling/brewing in it shoul be okay, in a "water bath" preferably.

 

[max]

The smoke is pretty trippy to look at

You mean vapor don't you?

 

[Lemon Curry?]

You mean vapor don't you?

Yeah of course. I'm uhh.... I'm up there .

 

[u bwade wunner]

I was thinking more like fill the jar with iso and reclaim that way.
That would be cool LemonCurry?.Any information regarding technique,load size,vapor density etc.would be nice.

have you connected the hose to a bubbler yet ?

Clicking on the Venus website on google takes me to a porn site.

 

[Grange Goreman]

The website has problems since monday .


edit: resolved

http://venusvaporizer.com/shop/index.php?route=common/home

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

That link sends me to porn sites?