Angrily Ranting (Smok AL85)

[niczgreat]

Unfortunately, inexpensive consumer electronic stuff like this will have a failure rate sufficient to notice it. That is the very reason behind the "have backups of your backups" when it comes to vaping. Failures even occur in "higher end" mods, so they're not immune either.
Good luck!

Knock on wood in the past few years haven't received a DOA or one that has died on me in a short period of time.
The Wismec RX200 have been rock solid except I can't get them to vape TC on SS.
My new DNA250 is rock solid and vapes on SS.

My only bad experience is with the smok GX350. Just daily use and within 2 months the black paint where my Fingers press wore away.

 

[Carl2]

I have the Eleaf Pico and would recommend that also, I like there atomizers that give good flavor. I also like Myvapor store because I get products in about 2 days time.

 

[daviedog]

VTC mini, similar to Pico75.
No atty restrictions & control buttons on the side, not bottom..

 

[Smoke_too_much]

My Smok GS320 had the same problem within 20 hours of starting it up. VaporDNA took it back and gave a full credit on it no problem. I replaced it with an Alien 220 kit as the 320 was just too big for my liking.

If you can return it to the vendor do so rather than to Smok itself and yes return the whole kit. Then take Tom up on his offer because his price is right. Tomzgreat, for sure.

 

[niczgreat]

She never got back to me and I was still feeling altruistic so I started "The Hard Luck Thread"

 

[bobwho77]

Knock on wood in the past few years haven't received a DOA or one that has died on me in a short period of time.
The Wismec RX200 have been rock solid except I can't get them to vape TC on SS.
My new DNA250 is rock solid and vapes on SS.

My only bad experience is with the Smok GX350. Just daily use and within 2 months the black paint where my Fingers press wore away.

Yeah, I heard that. I've got an XCube II. I've had it for almost a year now, and it still works great, but after a couple of months, the black finish looks like it's 90 years old.

 

[zoiDman]

I'm glad you mentioned this, as I'm not sure if I'll have to send back the entire kit (baby beast included) or just the mod. The two RDAs I ordered will be here today but they're both 24mm, which would make them useless if I went with the Pico. I wouldn't mind not being able to use them right away but if I have to send the baby beast back I'm kind of in a pickle there..

Were any of the other starter kits on that website ones you'd recommend? (The overnight shipping is what makes it so attractive) Even if it's a bit more pricey. If you're unfamiliar with them don't worry about it, just figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

Starter Kits : Rocky Mountain Vapor, The Mountain top of Electronic Cigarettes

Thank you for your time.

Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

I have a eLeaf Pico. It is a Very Nice and Well Built Mod. I would recommend it to anyone who uses 22mm Atomizers.

eLeaf has also come out with a Pico 25 which can except Atomizers up to 25mm.

Eleaf iStick Pico 25 Starter Kit with ELLO Sub-Ohm Tank

I haven't seen any User Reviews. So I'm mentioning it for Information Only.

 

[gerrymi]

There are better vendors, especially online,

@Obsidia ...GREAT place to compare online prices...

(enter item => Search => "UP Price" button at top)...

Vapecrawler


..

 

[BigCatDaddy]

I really do hope that this is the right place for this thread; if not I'm sorry about that.

So as some of you may have noticed, I'm pretty new here. Ive gotten some wonderful welcomes on newbie thread, as well as some incredibly helpful feedback on my post asking for recommendations of best beginner RDAs. The community here has been great and I'm excited to enter the wonderful world of vaping.

I have a Smok AL85. I've been using it for less than a week. I ordered the kit with the baby beast, have been vaping in the 50-60 watt range, and have had no problems. I also ordered 2 RDAs, a coilmaster kit, and supplies to make my own juice. Everything to my vape startup budget came from me quitting the stinkies.

So yesterday my AL85's screen just went blank. Odd I thought, maybe the battery died. I get home and put a fresh battery in, the logo that pops up when you put a fresh battery in doesn't. Actually the screen shows nothing. I randomly click around and hope for something; lo and behold it fires.

I jumped online to find potential causes and resolutions. So it's probably in stealth mode I thought, nope. If it were in stealth the menu would show after 3 clicks of the fire button so I could turn stealth off.

Maybe the software needs upgraded? Plug it into my computer following instructions, my computer doesn't detect it. Get on Smok's website to see if I need software first, lo and behold there's nothing for the AL85, just the big Alien.

I press up and down to bring it to a comfortable vape, but can't really see what I'm doing/exact wattage or temp. I contacted the vendor and they said they'd handle the warranty return but they want me to troubleshoot (doing all I already tried but I tried it again because it couldn't hurt), it didn't fix the screen and I'm waiting to hear back from them for instructions on next step.

I'm just a little frustrated because i kind of irresponsibly dumped my vape budget into all the DIY stuff so I could maintain my newfound hobby easily. In my defense, I would never have expected an issue so soon. I've been using it for less than a week, and have handled it with care. Not once did I drop it, or hit it off anything, or mishandle it. I've treated this thing pretty well.

I guess I've got just a few questions for the community
1. Has anyone gone through Smok's warranty program? How quickly does your replacement arrive?
2. Considering I may need to get a new replacement on a budget if it takes forever to get the new AL85 (I don't want to go back to stinkies but I will if I have nothing to puff), what can you recommend? I comfortably vape 40-60 watt range.
And 3. Thank you for listening to me complain I'm just cranky about the whole thing.

Smoktech is excellent on returns. Go to their website for instructions on returning it.

 

[pfaber11]

I've had 3 Aliens the screen went off on the first one after one week and the second one lasted 2 and a half months and the screen went off on that one too. The shop it came from replaced it twice and I'm on my third that I've had nearly a week. Just hope this one lasts . Come on Smok sort your screens out .