Mr. Gweilo 420
Dude
I'm also watching this one closely. I "thinned the herd" recently so .... lol. As if I need another vaporizer but they are just so much fun 
Discontinued Zion vaporizer
- Thread starter lwien
- Start date
fregglepops
Well-Known Member
Spoke to somebody last night and it does indeed take an 18650 battery. There's some really good high drain ones out these days. I use mxjo or purple efest 35amp batteries. I hope they're gonna include a wee note about batteries as not all are suitable
MrPeanut
Zion, stealing faces since 2015
Ryan is still awaiting approval from the forum to post here. He is watching. He is trying to get the information out to you the best he can. He added a feedback form on his website and is now actively monitoring FB and Twitter. A FAQ is in the works. http://www.rastabuddhatao.net/feedback
TheDudeNextDoor
Abiding
Has anybody gotten wind of what the price point might be on this rig?
@RastaBuddhaTao has been approved as a manufacturer and we welcome him to FC. The Zion is an attractive piece that should appeal to a lot of our members. As soon as it's available for purchase and a member reports having one in hand, we can promote this thread out of Candidates. I hope that won't be long.
Thanks for the kind words Pakalolo. I am honored to be a manufacture on FC and have read, understand and will follow the rules. In the midst of the development process you tend to focus on what is next so it's nice to hear that people see merit in the work so far. The RastaBuddhaTao team is one of the most talented teams I've worked with and I would like to thank them for the hard work and dedication to the Zion project.
We are patiently awaiting the go ahead from our patent attorney and working hard to finish the beta test units so that we can produce some videos. Until then we are updating the web page, FB and Twitter with the latest information.
We have intentionally went public as early as possible to maximize customer input so I ask that all be patient as the design is ever evolving. This was a conscience choice that was made to take advantage of the massive wealth and knowledge that is FC. So welcome to the mission to produce the ultimate vapoir and thanks in advance for all of your help and guidance.
lwien
Well-Known Member
Welcome aboard, Rasta.
A bit of a heads up. When new vaporizers are introduced here, they WILL be put through the FC gauntlet. That gauntlet will consist of members not only asking very detailed questions about the vaporizer in question, but will also offer their honest opinions, both positive and negative and those opinions will be presented in a variety of ways but in the end, the information that you will gain here can prove to be extremely valuable.
Again, we welcome you.
A bit of a heads up. When new vaporizers are introduced here, they WILL be put through the FC gauntlet. That gauntlet will consist of members not only asking very detailed questions about the vaporizer in question, but will also offer their honest opinions, both positive and negative and those opinions will be presented in a variety of ways but in the end, the information that you will gain here can prove to be extremely valuable.
Again, we welcome you.
stickstones
Vapor concierge
He brought the cookies!!
Yes, the fire button is rugged and nicely finished... As opposed to the temperature knob which looks like it was stolen off an old HAMM radio lol. I think a low profile aluminum or stainless knob would be slick... One that goes to 11 . We are also looking into a lighted fire button... What does every body think?
. We are also looking into a lighted fire button... What does every body think?
mixchu69
Well-Known Member
How about keeping it same color as the fire button? Stainless steel sounds good.Yes, the fire button is rugged and nicely finished... As opposed to the temperature knob which looks like it was stolen off an old HAMM radio lol. I think a low profile aluminum or stainless knob would be slick... One that goes to 11
lwien
Well-Known Member
Yes, the fire button is rugged and nicely finished... As opposed to the temperature knob which looks like it was stolen off an old HAMM radio lol. I think a low profile aluminum or stainless knob would be slick... One that goes to 11
I agree that there should be some indicator that the battery is charged and engaged but the current button is of such high quality, I'd hate to see it change. What about just adding a small green LED below the button to show that the battery is charged and engaged?
Of course, if the current button can be supplied with a ring (rather than the stainless ring that it currently has) that can glow green when the battery is charged and engaged and red when the battery is engaged but is running low on a charge would be great if it doesn't add too much to the cost and is just as reliable.
The tactile feel of both the power button and the potentiometer is important.
just for accuracy sake ... single "m" ... ham radio.
Yeh wasn't sure on that lol. Wiki says ham was ment to be bad at something "ham-fisted"
I am torn on this one. In my use of the beta device it is pretty evident that the battery is dead as there is a Zener diode that does a hard cut out at 6 volts so it is pretty easy to detect. With RastaBuddhaTao's mantra of "design is complete not when no more. An be added but when no more can be taken away". We have eliminated all but the bare essentials... Less to pay for, less to brake, less is more.
With that said I can see the value in a battery indicator. For me, I have multiple sets of batteries so when in doubt I grab a Fresh set lol.
I'm thinking about this some it is a toss up between lighted bezel on the fire switch and LED. The button might cost a bit more but would be less added wires and penetrations in the box. An LED can be positioned for better visibility. We are toying with the idea of having optional switches and knobs so it could be a customer selectable option if the light was in the button. That way we could offer brass switch and I knob ... Would look so sweet on a walnut unit? What a great thing for the FC community to weigh in on as RBT wants to deliver what the customers want
The regenerative cooling is simply releasing the fire button several seconds before you end the draw. This maximizes the amount of heat that is utilized to produce vapor and removes it from the device so it doesn't get nearly as hot.
The CoolVape technology allows the heating element to run just above the vaporization temperature providing a vapor stream that is as cool as possible. Most convection vaporizers run upwards of 1200 F and then attempt to mix the air and drop the temperature in the short distance between the heater and the load. This can lead to hot spots and hot vapor.
You are correct! Those are initial solid models from a 3D CAD program. The 2x4 prototypes are made of oak. The final version will look much different as we reduce the size, add ergonomics and style features and incorporate all the great feedback from FC that is pouring in . Thanks!
Thanks for the great feedback! I have already dropped two stems on my ceramic floor so I hear ya lol. We plan to offer a spare with the unit. The use of wood can be tricky as the tip is in contact with the heater dispersion screen which can get hot. The borosilicate glass joints are precision ground for an air tight fit and the design team is concerned with warpage and surface finish with wood. What if we put a wood tube on a metal tip? We also plan to offer metal stems but these options will not be ready at time of launch
The unit is capable of using 50 watts but on average the unit works best at around 50%. The added power is there for margin due to design tolerance and use in extremely cold temps (unit has been tested down to 20 degrees F)
The batteries are Lithium high drain batteries. I have been using the Sony VTC's which are best hands down but are pricy. I will look for a more cost effective alternative but it's hard to find a battery that can reliably deliver over 15 amps of power instantly, safely and reliably so I hesitate to cut corners on the power supply. Best part is they are readily available at any ecig store which is convenient for our customer. I mean who would design a vaporizer in which the batteries are not replaceable and readily available
We are looking into the cost associated with planting a tee in the name of each customer. We think it's a great idea depending on the cost. What do ya think?
So wish I could comment on the NC thing but I must follow the rules of a manufacture lolNorth Carolina Sugar Maples? That sounds "sweet!"
If it's made in NC as well, I'll have to be all over this one - unless they decide to move to Colorado instead to build them.
Nice find, @lwien.
Interesting... Finally took a look at the bud toaster. Similar in that the inlet air passes over a heater except our heater is radically different
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paytonpenn
Level 30 Nature/Healer
I'd like to see glass bowls with interchangeable wooden sleeves.
Would be a sweet look but would still break / chip if dropped? Def another option to add to the list to evaluate... Thanks!
Shit Snacks
Milaana. Lana. LANA. LANAAAA! (TM2/TP80/BAK/FW9)
I am torn on this one. In my use of the beta device it is pretty evident that the battery is dead as there is a Zener diode that does a hard cut out at 6 volts so it is pretty easy to detect. With RastaBuddhaTao's mantra of "design is complete not when no more. An be added but when no more can be taken away". We have eliminated all but the bare essentials... Less to pay for, less to brake, less is more.
With that said I can see the value in a battery indicator. For me, I have multiple sets of batteries so when in doubt I grab a Fresh set lol.
I'm thinking about this some it is a toss up between lighted bezel on the fire switch and LED. The button might cost a bit more but would be less added wires and penetrations in the box. An LED can be positioned for better visibility. We are toying with the idea of having optional switches and knobs so it could be a customer selectable option if the light was in the button. That way we could offer brass switch and I knob ... Would look so sweet on a walnut unit? What a great thing for the FC community to weigh in on as RBT wants to deliver what the customers want
The regenerative cooling is simply releasing the fire button several seconds before you end the draw. This maximizes the amount of heat that is utilized to produce vapor and removes it from the device so it doesn't get nearly as hot.
The CoolVape technology allows the heating element to run just above the vaporization temperature providing a vapor stream that is as cool as possible. Most convection vaporizers run upwards of 1200 F and then attempt to mix the air and drop the temperature in the short distance between the heater and the load. This can lead to hot spots and hot vapor.
You are correct! Those are initial solid models from a 3D CAD program. The 2x4 prototypes are made of oak. The final version will look much different as we reduce the size, add ergonomics and style features and incorporate all the great feedback from FC that is pouring in . Thanks!
Thanks for the great feedback! I have already dropped two stems on my ceramic floor so I hear ya lol. We plan to offer a spare with the unit. The use of wood can be tricky as the tip is in contact with the heater dispersion screen which can get hot. The borosilicate glass joints are precision ground for an air tight fit and the design team is concerned with warpage and surface finish with wood. What if we put a wood tube on a metal tip? We also plan to offer metal stems but these options will not be ready at time of launch
The unit is capable of using 50 watts but on average the unit works best at around 50%. The added power is there for margin due to design tolerance and use in extremely cold temps (unit has been tested down to 20 degrees F)
The batteries are Lithium high drain batteries. I have been using the Sony VTC's which are best hands down but are pricy. I will look for a more cost effective alternative but it's hard to find a battery that can reliably deliver over 15 amps of power instantly, safely and reliably so I hesitate to cut corners on the power supply. Best part is they are readily available at any ecig store which is convenient for our customer. I mean who would design a vaporizer in which the batteries are not replaceable and readily available
We are looking into the cost associated with planting a tee in the name of each customer. We think it's a great idea depending on the cost. What do ya think?
So wish I could comment on the NC thing but I must follow the rules of a manufacture lol
Reading l this only made me look forward to this one that much more, really dig the manufacturing and design approaches your taking, seems like you're considering all options for what sounds to be a pretty stellar device (and agreed, every vape should have user replaceable batteries!)
I mean who would design a vaporizer in which the batteries are not replaceable and readily available
well ... i guess me, because i have found in a high drain situation (the BT is pulling 12 amps) that the electrical connection to the battery must be gas-tight/secure ... and this is a challenge with user replaceable batteries ... otherwise heater performance can be inconsistent ... even pure copper contacts can develop an oxide layer (or something) and limit current flow ... but i certainly can see the need.
You make very valid points. There is a lady that has a YouTube video where she compares the contact resistance of battery contacts and hard soldered connection and there is a difference so if the device requires the performance well the ya have too. I just didn't want create a situation the because the battery died the whole device needed to be disposed of. My main driver is being able to go camping and be able to have a stash of batteries to swap out. Also with a new device I like the option until I have solid reliability and life data I like to have the option of replacement although after heavy daily use for months my batteries still charge to 4.19 volts.... Gotta love them Sonys
KeroZen
Chronic vapaholic
Isn't 3V/cell super low of a cutoff? I know recent high capacities Li-Ions increase the available mAh's by allowing a lower discharge cutoff point but still... Also do you have some kind of balance charging in place? You can't just watch the summed voltage when charging and discharging unless you are using protected cells. If any of the two cells gets out of balance over time you can get dangerous situations (like 6V can be 2.50V+3.50V in which case when you cutoff a cell is already dead and 8.4V can be 4.40V+4V in which case you stop charging... well... when one cell explodes lol!)
But I'm sure you know your shit, just wanting to make sure.
If cells are protected we can live without, but ideally I would prefer if you respect the 90% < .. < 20% rule directly at your IC level: ie stop charging when a cell reaches 4.1V instead of 4.2V and stop discharging when there's 20% capacity left. These two rules maximize cell life and especially the charging cutoff, which can litterally double the number of cycles, at the expense of available capacity.
If your device takes care of the cells this way under the hood, then no battery indicator is needed. Otherwise users need to have a mean to stop using the device before it's too late (and keeping track of session time without an indicator is kindof a pain and lowers the experience...)
Also with user replaceable cells you have to take into account that some users could use lower quality cells that need a different cutoff point... Unless again if you use protected ones and force (how?) your users to do the same... Yet when the protection kicks in you are already way past the 80% discharge point...
Complex topic... sorry for nitpicking, you surely already thought about all these concerns...