Angrily Ranting (Smok AL85)

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Obsidia

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May 3, 2017
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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.
 

RainSong

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Obsidia

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No experience with aliens but you can get a Pico for just over $20 + free shipping at Rocky Mountain Vapor (coupon code "turkey" for 30% off) to hold you over while your alien is getting fixed/replaced. Now you know why everyone always says have backups! Hope you get back up and running soon! Eleaf iStick PICO Simple Kit - $32.00 : Rocky Mountain Vapor, The Mountain top of Electronic Cigarettes
Thank you, I'll look into the Pico; that's not a bad price at all. :) And yes unfortunately I had to learn the lesson of "always have a backup" less than a week in, but eh it could always be worse.

I'll update this thread with how the warranty on the AL85 works out.

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Topwater Elvis

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The Pico is a good device.

Since you're new I thought I'd mention one mistake a lot of new vapers make.
Be sure you're using quality name brand batteries with a sufficient CDR to support the power range you intend to use, best to select cells that allow full use of the power devices power range.
 

benley73

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Not a good start for you hopefully they will sort out quickly , but will need a backup electronics just go sadly its all to common especially on mass produced items of all sorts , lesson learnt on not having a back up beater mod. Hopefully you can pick up a cheap one to carry you till its fixed

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Obsidia

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Thinking on it again, how big is the baby beast? Picos are great, I have 4 of them BUT it will only accept a tank up to 23mm.
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. :)

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RainSong

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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
There is also the Pico full kit. The Melo III it comes with was ok, nothing to write home about but got the job done. Eleaf Istick Pico Plus Melo 3 Mini Full Kit - $44.00 : Rocky Mountain Vapor, The Mountain top of Electronic Cigarettes
 

Obsidia

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May 3, 2017
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The Pico is a good device.

Since you're new I thought I'd mention one mistake a lot of new vapers make.
Be sure you're using quality name brand batteries with a sufficient CDR to support the power range you intend to use, best to select cells that allow full use of the power devices power range.
Thank you. :) I'm using an LG HG2 18650 3000mAh (bought 2), I think that's a good fit but as I'm still new and learning I'd appreciate being corrected if I'm wrong.

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halbgott

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Sorry to hear it, it blows. But yeah backups, I'd even recommend a third, I take care of my stuff and have had two mods fail within two weeks of each other. Some should just come with d20 attached to the name :facepalm: A lot of people do like their picos it seems. Surprised too that no one that I've seen has made a program to mirror a screen from the usb for troubleshooting. I'd say too that if it was ordered some vendors have a 30 day window and it's not as many hoops to jump through.
 
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dbrandt01

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I had a similar issue with the Wismec Predator. 2 weeks after getting it, the screen randomly went out. Would fire 0 problems, but couldn't see anything. I was lucky this vape shop helped me out and got another one. Coming from a mechanical squonker that lasted 2 years with no problems, it was discouraging having a regulated mod go out that quick.

Had it made it 2 months it wouldn't have been bad to just replace it, but I'd hope the quality of today's products last longer than a couple weeks. I know it's not with the same device you have problems with but it's literally the problem with a different setup.

I'll be looking into that Pico also, so thanks to RainSong for posting that above.
 

Eskie

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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.

First, I'm glad they'll honor your warranty. Yes, it's not unusual to have to send them a cellphone video of "look it really doesn't turn on" but that's pretty common these days. There are better vendors, especially online, who will honor warranties and return issues themselves rather than through the manufacturer. Places like MyVaporStore and VaporDNA are just two I can point to, but there are lots of others.

Second, get some backups. Even if your RDAs won't fit something like a Pico, you can still vape with the BB from the Smok kit and not risk picking up a cigarette when you can't vape. There is a new version of the Pico being released which will take a 25 mm tank (finally) but it's not in retail distribution yet. It's also why they're probably selling out the earlier Picos at good prices. You might as well take advantage of the low price while you can.

Good luck!
 

niczgreat

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I have a brand new Blue Cloupor Mini that I won in a raffle. (Never Used) It does 50 Watts.
And takes 1 Battery and is small and cute.

Since you are tight on funds, I can just send it to you by USPS Priority Mail
PM me with your address if you are interested.

It will be my good deed of the month.
 
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JC Okie

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I have a brand new Blue Cloupor Mini that I won in a raffle. (Never Used) It does 50 Watts.
And takes 1 Battery and is small and cute.

Since you are tight on funds, I can just send it to you by USPS Priority Mail
PM me with your address if you are interested.

It will be my good deed of the month.
Very nice gesture. Vapers take care of each other.
 
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