Intro To The "3DFS ALPHA" By: Digitalciggz.com

[jimho]

[
Good questions: I'll try...

Jim how much does the load really vary as you vape? I know you're saying this is a 'differentiator' feature, but if the load varies by .1ohm as you vape, are you, the end user, really noticing the change? I'm just contemplating how much of an impact this will have on my vape?

It depends - you have to keep in mind, what we're really trying to do is regulate the temperature of the atty, not necessarily the power going to it. In open air, just the coil resistance varies by 10-15% in general as it heats up - less if you are using a custom kanthal device- the guys that provide nichrome wire provide detailed information about heating characteristics assuming they are in air and either straight wire or coiled..... it gets much more complicated to quantify the heat as your atomizer is imersed in juice, given it's a coil with a wet/conductive wick running through it, as it ages, and depending on its efficiency (how much heat is lost) through the atty walls etc

In all things I am NEVER an 'early adopter' purchaser. I hate spending money, I'm a saver. The EQ is the one exception to this rule and I have no plans to change that decision. (I've always been happy to be an 'early adopter' user - just not purchaser).

I only buy something after extensive research of the product and only if I think it adds value to my life in some way. I still thinks the EQ fits this qualification.

good- now you can contribute you opinion instead of waiting for mine

It may not have a program for fire-feeding, but it does fire feed without much effort.

correct ... sort of- it doesn't have a program that automatically fire feeds off the power button- you need to press the feed button and hold it to feed as you like or tap it 3 times while pressing the fire button to run the program. Not a big deal (sounds complicated but its not). Basically you need to be able to press 2 buttons at the same time...

It hits as well as or better than the ProVari (from what I've been reading), the provari has been an exceptional device for me (mine does not trip out @ 2.0ohm & 5V or 1.6ohm & 4.2V).

I'm not sure I'd say better- I switched back to my provari last night and this morning- I'm not ready to say that- but it seems close with room to argue which one might be better.

[*] It is a top-feeding, programmable pump device - this is enough of a differentiator for me at this point in time. Quite honestly I never really thought that constant sampling of resistance with voltage compensation would change my vaping experience enough to be a major consideration. Sure, technically, it's an interesting feature, but... Hey I could be wrong here! The EQ does constantly sample resistance does it not - how else would it cut out if resistance is too low for the voltage (could be wrong here too )?

I don't know if/what sampling resistance really means here- dare I say a bit of marketing spin - I=E/R is how Ohm meters measure resistance- they inject a small current and measure the voltage or apply a voltage and measure current... if the EQ sets the output to 4.9V and measures 4.85 it compensates to get the voltage up to 4.9V- that's all that's important to me- how they go about it (either adding current or raising the output voltage) is really not important because net-net it's the same thing.
What's also important is that it quickly detects and disallows the device to fire in a current overload situation - that could be a short circuit or an atty that drops below a certain ohm rating - effectively the same thing. That's done by either applying a small current or voltage and checking what you get back- its certainly fair to call that sampling resistance- the point being a little bit of data gives you alot of information to act on....

Granted, I don't have my EQ in hand yet to proclaim that all these things are oh so great, but the point is after reading everyone's first impression I still have confidence enough to PLAN to have an EQ in hand next week (hopefully) to make these judgments for myself.

good- I'm not trying to, and don't want to scare anyone off or convince anyone to buy it - the goal here is to identify kinks and get them fixed as well as to share some of the nuances that make up the eq's personality. I think it's important for this device to be successful because we need to encourage more folks to want to develop new devices.

I think in the end, people are going to decide on this device based on form factor and ergonomics (including the pump) and price- I expect once the kinks are out it will compete well with the other top end devices we know, love and argue about all day long.

 

[jimho]

So what really is the difference? One regulates power by adjusting the voltage and/or current while the other regulates voltage by adjusting the power and/or current, but the net effect is the same. Is this a valid assumption? If so, then why all the hoopla over power regulation?

You'll have to ask someone who's part of the hoopla- I think there is validity in some of the arguments - particularly that its conceptually easier to set your power level and let the device compensate, I think it's a novel idea but I don't think its the only way to skin the cat and I think some of the individuals who have become religious zealots on the subject have either chosen to ignore or are ingorant of the complexities involved. I'll be the first to tell you I do not understand the mechanics of what's really going on when you saturate a wick in juice and run it through your coil other than to say its there, by observation its significant, and its not being accounted for by any device.

 

[SimplyDraven]

I personally am very glad that there are people in the vaping community that ponder these things. Without questioning the how's and the why's, there is very little innovation and improvement. But bottom line for me is I don't give a rat's pa-toot about how the final results are reached, as long as I can push a button, inhale a big cloud of tasty, warm vapor every time, and do it all with a sturdy device that isn't going to light my face on fire. Sounds like my EQ will deliver. I'm excited to receive it and I am very pleased to see the great customer service that MX received regarding the repair. But again, thank you to those of you that don't get headaches when they see things like "P=E2/R=IE". People like us need people like you to continue the growth.

 

[nanabols]

You'll have to ask someone who's part of the hoopla- I think there is validity in some of the arguments - particularly that its conceptually easier to set your power level and let the device compensate, I think it's a novel idea but I don't think its the only way to skin the cat and I think some of the individuals who have become religious zealots on the subject have either chosen to ignore or are ingorant of the complexities involved. I'll be the first to tell you I do not understand the mechanics of what's really going on when you saturate a wick in juice and run it through your coil other than to say its there, by observation its significant, and its not being accounted for by any device.

Thanks Jimho!

 

[BengalBacker]

What are you guys seeing on the LEDs with fresh batteries? I see LED's 7&8 lit up with batteries at 4.19V.

Same here.

 

[jimho]

I understand it is normal for there to be glitches in new technology. Especially in such an infant industry such as e cigs.
I worked in product development engineering & manufacturing for the largest luxury boat builder in the world for 20+ years. Beneteau USA We started each new model with a clean sheet of paper and followed the product all the way to final commisioning and christening with the champagne bottle at launch. The amount of electronics from navigational, radar, thrusters, docking, entertainment, engine management systems, etc. etc. are endless. A "glitch rate" of 2 percent was unacceptable. I've also purchased a fair share of old and "new tech" mods searching for the perfect vape and have done some beta testing of other "new tech" mods.
I guess my point being. This isn't my first rodeo.
For the EQ, unfortunately it appears it has more than it's fair share of issues from the technical side to communication/ information/ misinformation/ or user error.
I do hope all works out well for all.

I worked 15 yrs for a company that was infamous for getting it right the 3rd time.

 

[jimho]

Same here.

So what do we have so far for technical issues (leave features and subjective stuff out)?

1. 1 instance of pump locking on- unrepeated.
2. A few random resets that may be attributed to low battery condition.
3. A few instances of irratic behavior that may be related to unintentional contact with the touchpad.
4. Full charge not displaying full resolutoin on the EQ dial..
5. A few documentation improvements.
6. One unit sent back with QC issue repaired and on its way back to owner
7. short battery life

Did I miss anything? That's not at all bad for the first batch.

 

[Drumonron]

For all persons info, my EQ shows the 9th and 10th led illuminated at full charge.

1.) usb issue resolved

2.)sticking fire button issue resolve, not reoccurring

3.) learned from Jimho and Michael that it does keep a constant voltage

Everything is a go, Houston and it's a beautiful day.

Points of Interest:

While stating that it maintains a constant Voltage of what you select puts that question to rest, I still am curious and would like to know how it is doing this precisely. Sort of the Logic involved, if possible. I'm just that way.

 

[Lazerrred]

I worked 15 yrs for a company that was infamous for getting it right the 3rd time.

So one must ask the question. Are they still in business? . History / Beneteau - BENETEAU - Sailboats and motorboats - Official Website

 

[jimho]

So one must ask the question. Are they still in business? . History / Beneteau - BENETEAU - Sailboats and motorboats - Official Website

Very much so- and I'm sure you've heard of them and have used many of their products.

 

[Drumonron]

....and now on the lighter side...let's go to the Digitalciggz.com brick & mortar in the vapor neighborhood...

<Que the mister roger's neighborhood music....let's sing along...won't you be mine....be my neighbor>



Just kidding...great video, DC and Michael!

Wishing you the best and I'm here to open the East coast franchise!

 

[Friend of Atlas]

I understand it is normal for there to be glitches in new technology. Especially in such an infant industry such as e cigs.
I worked in product development engineering & manufacturing for the largest luxury boat builder in the world for 20+ years. Beneteau USA We started each new model with a clean sheet of paper and followed the product all the way to final commisioning and christening with the champagne bottle at launch. The amount of electronics from navigational, radar, thrusters, docking, entertainment, engine management systems, etc. etc. are endless. A "glitch rate" of 2 percent was unacceptable. I've also purchased a fair share of old and "new tech" mods searching for the perfect vape and have done some beta testing of other "new tech" mods.
I guess my point being. This isn't my first rodeo.
For the EQ, unfortunately it appears it has more than it's fair share of issues from the technical side to communication/ information/ misinformation/ or user error.
I do hope all works out well for all.

I worked 15 yrs for a company that was infamous for getting it right the 3rd time.

So one must ask the question. Are they still in business? . History / Beneteau - BENETEAU - Sailboats and motorboats - Official Website

Very much so- and I'm sure you've heard of them and have used many of their products.

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that Jimho worked for a company with a higher demand and lower price point for its products over sailboats and motorboats. One can get away with lower QC and the other can't.

 

[Drumonron]

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that Jimho worked for a company with a higher demand and lower price point for its products over sailboats and motorboats. One can get away with lower QC and the other can't.

Ouch...let's keep it civil, there. Jimho has been a great supporter and provider of information for me.

 

[Friend of Atlas]

Ouch...let's keep it civil, there. Jimho has been a great supporter and provider of information for me.

Not trying to be uncivil Drum - most products have a higher demand and lower price point than boats and from my experience as a consumner most have a lower QC expectations than Laz's company... just making an observation.

 

[Drumonron]

Not trying to be uncivil Drum - most products have a higher demand and lower price point than boats and from my experience as a consumner most have a lower QC expectations than Laz's company... just making an observation.

Gotcha and now I see where your coming from and how it was meant. Peace brutha!

 

[retird]

So what do we have so far for technical issues (leave features and subjective stuff out)?

1. 1 instance of pump locking on- unrepeated.
2. A few random resets that may be attributed to low battery condition.
3. A few instances of irratic behavior that may be related to unintentional contact with the touchpad.
4. Full charge not displaying full resolutoin on the EQ dial..
5. A few documentation improvements.
6. One unit sent back with QC issue repaired and on its way back to owner
7. short battery life

Did I miss anything? That's not at all bad for the first batch.

Could you elaborate on item 7 (short battery life). THX

 

[Drumonron]

Could you elaborate on item 7 (short battery life). THX

For me, it's the shortest battery life I've seen from a device that utilizes an 18650, I vape heavily at about 4.2V mostly and I'm only getting about 4 hours. I can just throw it on the usb port and use it as a passthrough, though.

 

[Drumonron]

The importance of the EQ for me is it offers what no other Personal Vaporizer does at this point in it's evolution. There IS NO EQUAL and nothing that compares to this, NOTHING....PERIOD. The pumping action of the built in pump is flawless and amazingly executed, the Shadow feed adapter places the drip right on the atty's wick which brings succulance to your vape and to be able to program the auto feed....it was only in dreams until now....and that is the tip of it.

Where they go next and how they decide to further implement this pump is anyone's guess but, in my humble opinion, the pump alone is a game changer.

 

[Drumonron]

So....to summarize what Magnetron/Michael from DC says the following is, in fact true:

Specifications/Features:

Regulated Power delivery
Constant sampling of atomizer resistance values
Constant sampling of battery Voltage values

and....this is done by(as stated by Michael/Magnetron):

"The unit uses a (IC) variable resistor chip that is controlled by the micro processor to make voltage adjustments, as programmed by the code."

....so...

If one want 4.2V constant....The MP reads the Atty Resistance and computes the following equation:

E = I * R

...and...

using the Microprocessor controlled IC variable Resistor adjusts constantly to achieve that E(Voltage) which is desired.

Got it...Thanks and please correct me if I'm wrong.

BUT, now the only other question is the Frequency at which the MP is sampling the load....hmmm.??

 

[Drumonron]

at the request of a brutha vapuh

an updated list:

The Fraternal Brotherhood of the EQ

UN / order #
jimho 2196 ------------------------->shipped 08/01/2011----->1st one received!! on 08/04/2011
Drumonron 2197 - X2 ordered ------->shipped 08/01/2011----->received on 08/04/2011
mxbnw 2198 ----------------------->shipped 08/01/2011----->received on 08/04/2011
bengalbacker ????------------------->shipped 08/01/2011----->received on 08/04/2011
crippledbazooka 2200 --------------->shipped 08/01/2011----->received on 08/04/2011
mwa102464 2205 x2 ordered
rusty272 2206
Vtwin 2207
Friend of Atlas 2208
misterd 2210
cypresss 2211
A4tune8one 2212
Sacker 2213
NCC 2215
crazylegsnorthrup 2216
irukandji9111 2220
jifjifjif 2222
simplydraven 2231
eastman 2233
mspace 2237
Recht 2241
Cuseguy 2250
fenderbc 2253
Sponge Bobiwan 2260
dogtownvapster 2268
medman1234 2269
DTO 2274
Camp43 2277
Filthy-Beast 2280
Haadkoe 2291
ken729 2296
rockstarr 2561

33 units accounted for so far...

...nice!

The Original 100 placed orders beginning on July 1, 2011 @ 7:00PST
The Eclipse EQ's were all but gone in much less than a day's time.
We are bonded for eternity by this endeavor.

Points of interest:

1.)Shipping confirmation numbers started to be received on 08/01/2011
@ approx 02:24 pm PST / 05:24pm EST.

2.) First person to receive their EQ was Jimho!! on 08/04/2011 @ (see post for time)

Those listed are people who posted their order numbers....

....wanna be on the list? Post the order number.