Eleaf Istick

Status
Not open for further replies.

Bikenstein

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 9, 2014
5,759
19,510
The Lab
The blue istick 30W I ordered from evape.us on January 10th arrived in the mail yesterday.

It's just as spiffy as everyone says, but---unfortunately---mine is defective and will have to be returned for exchange.

I use Aspire BVC tanks (Nauti mini, K-1, and CE5S) on the three iStick 20W units I keep downstairs on my desk, each set to 10 watts. They perform beautifully. When I put any of those exact tanks on the iStick 30W, set to the same 10 watts, they vape for a minute or so, then the over-temp chip sensor kicks in and shuts off the iStick. The display shows a little symbol (presumably the chip) with the word "Protection," and the iStick won't fire until the chip cools (or the sensor thinks it has, anyway) to below 70° C, which takes about 20 seconds in my case. The iStick will then fire, but shuts off again after two or three draws.

Since many iStick 30W users will never see the over-temp chip display, I've attached a pic:


If I set the power to 6 watts on the iStick 30, this doesn't happen. Also, the iStick's case remains completely cool to the touch, so the problem could be actual overheating of the chip or faulty sensor circuitry. Doesn't matter which, though---my lovely new iStick has to go back to evape for an exchange. I've already sent a contact message through evape's site. Now the waiting begins for an RMA authorization.

Oh well, c'est la vie! I should get my Cloupor Mini from gearworst any day now, so all is not lost on the new toys front.
Sorry to hear that. Glad you have your Clouper coming. I probably wouldn't take it that well. Thanks for the pics.
 

aldenf

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 26, 2014
2,558
10,293
NYC, NJ, USA
It's possible there is supply available, with some companies not stocking yet until they blow out the 20w stock. For example, it is surprising to not see Mount Baker Vapor carrying it on day 1. Yet, the site shows the 20w still in stock. Since eleaf priced the 30w so low, they made it very hard for the companies with existing 20w stock - without having to lose money to move from the 20w to the 30w. That's what I think is holding some companies up.

And then of course there is my local B&M selling their 20w stock for $75.

Agreed. I think Eleaf might discontinue the 20watter shortly. Why would they leave a flawed 20W on the market, along side of a much improved 30W, both at the same price-point. I think we'll have to go with the Bous or Smart 20s shortly if we want the 20watter.

$75 for the 20watter? I bet they make their own e-liquid and sell it for $22/30ml too! Sad, really...
 

Stosh

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Oct 2, 2010
8,921
16,789
75
Nevada
If you're comfortable soldering to a standard 18650, you can drop one right in the iStick.

I also think a supply of these 1600 - 2600mAh LiPos in 18650 format will be available here in the States in the coming year. Should make things very simple for us.

It is not a big deal really, just use a quality iron & solder. Not your torch and silver paste. :p

If you really want to go that route, buy a 18650 with tabs, solder to the tabs. Applying heat to a sealed battery can cause bad things to happen to the internal structure of the battery, that's why tabbed batteries exist.....:)
 

aldenf

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 26, 2014
2,558
10,293
NYC, NJ, USA
I think the next big opportunity for the manufacturers is to ship iStick form factor/size, with replaceable battery, with first battery included. Whoever does that can, I think, steal some iStick thunder.

Well, Cloupor began the battle. No included battery...

Behold the Cloupor Mini 30W, currently selling for $40 - 45.
mini_011.jpg
 

Javamon

Super Member
Verified Member
Nov 29, 2014
617
1,143
Hudson Valley, NY
Yup - that's the start, and it's probably not far away. But, to match what I'm thinking, it needs:

- Similar size to iStick
- Colors of iStick
- Multiple really good reviews. [from what I gather reading, it sounds like there is some Cloupor fear out there]
- Ships with a great battery
- Matches the iStick 30w price point.
 

aldenf

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 26, 2014
2,558
10,293
NYC, NJ, USA
The blue iStick 30W I ordered from evape.us on January 10th arrived in the mail yesterday.

It's just as spiffy as everyone says, but---unfortunately---mine is defective and will have to be returned for exchange.

I use Aspire BVC tanks (Nauti mini, K-1, and CE5S) on the three iStick 20W units I keep downstairs on my desk, each set to 10 watts. They perform beautifully. When I put any of those exact tanks on the iStick 30W, set to the same 10 watts, they vape for a minute or so, then the over-temp chip sensor kicks in and shuts off the iStick. The display shows a little symbol (presumably the chip) with the word "Protection," and the iStick won't fire until the chip cools (or the sensor thinks it has, anyway) to below 70° C, which takes about 20 seconds in my case. The iStick will then fire, but shuts off again after two or three draws.

Since many iStick 30W users will never see the over-temp chip display, I've attached a pic:


If I set the power to 6 watts on the iStick 30, this doesn't happen. Also, the iStick's case remains completely cool to the touch, so the problem could be actual overheating of the chip or faulty sensor circuitry. Doesn't matter which, though---my lovely new iStick has to go back to evape for an exchange. I've already sent a contact message through evape's site. Now the waiting begins for an RMA authorization.

Oh well, c'est la vie! I should get my Cloupor Mini from gearworst any day now, so all is not lost on the new toys front.


I'm sorry to hear that, Bill. Let's hope this isn't a regular occurrence. We're all hoping that Eleaf has gotten on top of their quality control. Stuff still happens.

That's the symbol for the 10 sec. puff cut-off, no? I haven't even tried it yet.

Please be sure to let us know what your think of the Cloupor Mini!
 

billherbst

Vaping Master
Supporting Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Oct 21, 2010
4,239
9,486
Columbia, Missouri
www.billherbst.com
That's the symbol for the 10 sec. puff cut-off, no? I haven't even tried it yet.

Here's the display for the 10-second cutoff. It's the same on both the 20W and the 30W:

iStick 10-sec cutoff.jpg


Please be sure to let us know what your think of the Cloupor Mini!

Of course I will.
 

four2109

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
May 9, 2009
2,995
1,787
S. Indiana
I think the next big opportunity for the manufacturers is to ship iStick form factor/size, with replaceable battery, with first battery included. Whoever does that can, I think, steal some iStick thunder.

I don't think so. By the time you build a door it's no longer a $32 device. Contact springs increase the size. The manufacturer doesn't sell another one when the batt dies....
My rechargeables have all lasted well over a year if not 3, and I don't have to mess with chargers and switching and..... for under $50.
 

snow blind

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 12, 2012
910
916
PA
Well, Cloupor began the battle. No included battery...

Behold the Cloupor Mini 30W, currently selling for $40 - 45.
mini_011.jpg

It's the size of a VaporShark or slightly bigger than a 30W iStick. But more expensive. $40-$45 is some great pricing...but... it's from Cloupor, ugh. Even P.Busardo's review felt... strangely biased.
 

four2109

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
May 9, 2009
2,995
1,787
S. Indiana
I think the next big opportunity for the manufacturers is to ship iStick form factor/size, with replaceable battery, with first battery included. Whoever does that can, I think, steal some iStick thunder.

I don't think so. By the time you build a door it's no longer a $32 device. Contact springs increase the size. The manufacturer doesn't sell another one when the batt dies....
My rechargeables have all lasted well over a year if not 3, and I don't have to mess with chargers and switching and..... for under $50.
 

billherbst

Vaping Master
Supporting Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Oct 21, 2010
4,239
9,486
Columbia, Missouri
www.billherbst.com
Sorry it happened to you, Bill. The good news is that evape.us will probably have that squared away as fast as it possibly can be.

I'm too old to get bent out of shape by stuff like this. It's not like I'm a new vaper who has only one Vision Spinner and three juices. Nope, I've got a mind-boggling array of PVs and cabinets full of retail juices, DIY flavorings, and homemade extracts. Yeah, it's slightly aggravating to have to pack up the iStick and pay the $2.50-or-so postage to send it back, but that's just the karma of being a member of the Church of Consumerism. Like putting an offering into the collection plate. LOL.

I have no worries about evape. While there are a couple of vendors I simply won't do business with (after a bad experience), the vast majority of vaping vendors I've dealt with (and I've bought from hundreds of them) are upstanding and considerate.
 

Ricky Spanish

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Nov 20, 2014
1,651
2,680
The blue iStick 30W I ordered from evape.us on January 10th arrived in the mail yesterday.

It's just as spiffy as everyone says, but---unfortunately---mine is defective and will have to be returned for exchange.

I use Aspire BVC tanks (Nauti mini, K-1, and CE5S) on the three iStick 20W units I keep downstairs on my desk, each set to 10 watts. They perform beautifully. When I put any of those exact tanks on the iStick 30W, set to the same 10 watts, they vape for a minute or so, then the over-temp chip sensor kicks in and shuts off the iStick. The display shows a little symbol (presumably the chip) with the word "Protection," and the iStick won't fire until the chip cools (or the sensor thinks it has, anyway) to below 70° C, which takes about 20 seconds in my case. The iStick will then fire, but shuts off again after two or three draws.

Since many iStick 30W users will never see the over-temp chip display, I've attached a pic:


If I set the power to 6 watts on the iStick 30, this doesn't happen. Also, the iStick's case remains completely cool to the touch, so the problem could be actual overheating of the chip or faulty sensor circuitry. Doesn't matter which, though---my lovely new iStick has to go back to evape for an exchange. I've already sent a contact message through evape's site. Now the waiting begins for an RMA authorization.

Oh well, c'est la vie! I should get my Cloupor Mini from gearworst any day now, so all is not lost on the new toys front.

Sorry to hear that too, I hope it's just a rare anomaly.


Sorry it happened to you, Bill. The good news is that evape.us will probably have that squared away as fast as it possibly can be.

Their CS is top notch, I've been emailing back and forth over what appears to have been USPS tracking gremlins but he was prepared to resend the whole order.
 

Ricky Spanish

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Nov 20, 2014
1,651
2,680
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread