Hello people,
This might be long. If it's too long, just let me know and I'll do shorter posts in the future (though most likely I won't have much more to say after this one).
First, just want to say thanks for the forum. It helped me make an informed choice to buy the Alternate. I did so after reading about the top cap melting/cracking problems, the possible fumes, and before the software/battery issues (though I guess I could have missed that whilst skimming earlier posts). A lot has been said. Though more probably doesn't need to be said, that has never stopped anyone - and if it did it would probably make this a much less lively forum. So, I'm going to throw my two cents in and, to mix metaphors, let the chips fall where they may.
I bought the vape from Vivant on 4/20 with the hefty discount including an extra top cap, screens, gaskets, and (I think?) stir stick.
My first experience was that the manual said it could be turned on with a single button long press. Nothing happened. I then tried the five clicks until it eventually turned on. I realized they must have changed it to 5 clicks or they were just unclear, but they haven't changed the manual. Well, no biggie, but a continuing problem is that the unit never seems to turn on with the first five clicks. Sometimes it takes up to five tries to get it to turn on, and up to three to turn it off. Usually, it's two or three. Not ideal.
After the first use (at 356F), the battery dropped about a third. After the second use, it was down to 33% remaining battery life. I charged it again and it was draining significantly without even using it. After trying different charging methods and different cables, I realized it might be the battery. I contacted Vivant. They handled it perfectly and sent me another battery. The replacement worked much better than the first; though, all things being equal, I would say the device needs more power and seems to drain pretty fast. I'm still testing the new battery. If I experience more quick draining of the replacement battery I will let FC and Vivant know.
If I could design a new device, I would consider another style of battery, or maybe just make a model that takes two 18650 batteries. Now, that won't solve the other glitches, but that's another story. I will also say that every aspect of updating the firmware could be much easier. I was able to, but it was a pain in the ass and I didn't notice any difference other than being able to adjust the session time (which was needed of course).
As for the interface, regular operation is ok (excepting the hinky 5 click off and on), but the method of changing settings is, putting it generously, unintuitive. Putting it more honestly, I would call it backward. Instead of making a simple tree interface, where you can just navigate to the setting you want to change, they came up with a "secret" button pushing method. Of course it's not secret, but it might as well be if you have to go back to the manual to remember what combination of buttons you have to press in what power state to get it to do what you want. I do not like it. To get really nitpicky, there is a plus button -- and two minus buttons! And naming them "regulatory" and "firing" buttons sounds cute and high tech, but it's not really helpful. But that's just nitpicking. Well, a little more nitpicking: the airflow adjustment is not that easy to adjust and the stir stick, while a great idea, is too loose and could be a little longer. Seems like fixing that wouldn't take much.
One more thing in my fantasy next model design: the bowl would be a little larger.
I'm not a heavy user and I haven't had a cracking or melting problem yet. I haven't turned the temp above 360F. I would like to go higher (haha) but I'm trying to be conservative and cross fingers that keeping the temp relatively low will lessen the chances of cracking and melting. I imagine that could make vaping waxes and such harder or simply a no go. I'm sure someone here will enlighten me on that front.
I was curious about the new top cap, so I sent Vivant an email. They sent me one right away. Couldn't ask for more as far as that goes. I do feel limited on the temp. but I'm seeing that as a trade off for the 4/20 pricing and good CS at the moment.
On the whole issue of people demanding new top caps yesterday from the minute the issues started cropping up. I understand, but I believe that (and people jumping to slander the company) may have contributed to problems with the new top caps. I know it's easy to feel betrayed and easy to be impatient, but proper testing takes time, and, well, you see the result. On the other hand, I'm completely willing to accept that in many respects they're risk takers and flying by the seat of their pants (and fundamentally, I feel shitty for buying anything made in China and it's impossible to respect any person/company who decides to exploit other for profit, but that is the boat we're all in, i.e., late capitalism, and we're all hypocrites, and that discussion is for other forums I'm sure). But back to the issue at hand: If they don't have their shit together from a manufacturing QC point of view, this may be their first and last model. I'm hoping the next model will solve all of the problems and incorporate ideas from this forum. The jury is still out on everything at this point. If Vivant hadn't responded to all of my problems so quickly and professionally I would have returned the Alternate and washed my hands of the whole thing, but they've done everything right so far (as far as CS goes) and I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. If new problems crop up and it ends up being more trouble than it's worth, I'll ask them to accept the return, but so far I'm willing to roll with their roller coaster and see what happens.
I'll end by shouting out all the DIYers here who solved all of the problems they could on their own and helped others do the same. It's clear Vivant has seen all of the mods, which should help with their designs down the road. Speaking of which, what is the best source for a Crafty top cap for the Crafternate mod?
Well, that my 2 cents. Sorry if it ran on a bit too long.
- Peace