All my testing this weekend, just reinforced my original product review from Friday (which I am replying to here, so hit the re: link to review it.)
A few points to add, the heating makes a HUGE difference, it certianly promotes the release of something, if NOT the nicotine then the nanobeads. I suspect it is the nicotine based on the sensations experienced, that or we're gonna need to know what effects heated nanobeads have on the human body because there is a noticalby difference when you inhale with the LED lit.
The smokers who tried it the most, insisted that you can't require that quick hit first inhalation to trigger the heating element. It's irritating and they end up OVER lipping the filter. By the time they were done the filter looked like a mess, so the airflow and/or seal MUST be improved so a normal inhilation will light the element. I can see now after 3 days of tests on SMOKERS that this is critical.
That being said, I have given the unit to my son to use with the remaining filters. As he wants to quit and has tried a few other methods unsucessfully. He wants to give this a shot and due to his desire to quit he is not nearly as troubled by the inhilation technique alteration required. So he will probably be ordering more filters for this effort once they are available.
So in it's current form (agian read my Friday post for current form review) the product basically has failed my base round of testing with currently active smokers (all have been smoking for many years) YET each said it certainly has PROMISE. The biggest complaint, again, is the failure to heat easily on an intial normal drag in. They simply do not want to alter the way they have smoked for most of their lives. It makes sense and for us non-smokers to insist they learn a different way is going to fail. I see that already in my tests.
HOWEVER, if they are looking to quit (as is my son) I see a willingness to TRY and do this. So we look to have a possible market among younger smokers looking to quit who are less affected by the "old dog new trick" requirement of changing how to drag on these to get satisfaction. That being said, I don't see that type of market being big enough to catch on like it would need to in order to bring this company to the level I think it can acheieve if it starts to appeal to all smokers as...
An alternative for smoking indoors or when they would rather not "stink" like smoke. One of my most thorough testers was a lifelong friend who is in his early 40's. He said if they fixed a few things he'd consider using them while at work, especially before going to business meetings where he's even bothered that he smells like smoke. The two things that bother him most were 1. the inhilation required to get the heating element to light (which triggered the LED which oddly led to his other complaint.) 2. He is one of the few who liked the vapor idea, and the lighting tip on the end of other E-cigs, as he was looking for a sub-concious (all though technically he meant concious but just barely) confirmation he is accomplishing something. The vapor or light at the end did that for him with previous E-cigs. THOUGH he understood with SFI's product he could stay indoors with those others he probably could not. So what he recommended (and other posters in the past have also stated this) is moving the LED to the end of the battery, and at the very least the end of the heating unit furthest from him so he could see it and get that odd confirmation that his inhaling is accomplishing something. Simply a visual cue, and oddly enough he said the blue led is ok, but he actually would prefer it were red or orange as he thinks that would be even more mentally satisfying. I think the blue led is ideal, but I agree it should be moved so that it is easily visible to the user. (Long term, maybe various colors, as I know some would actually buy multiples for different looks. Laugh now, I am just telling you it will happen.)
As my reivew Friday mentioned, these points are not meant to say this product is a failure. To the contrary, these comments are from hard core smokers not actively looking to quit, who would find themselves suddenly giving it real thought to switch to these. We are talking very subtle changes to a product that could potentially lead to many customers. REPEAT ones too, those not looking to quit after using the product for a few months to ween themselves from smoking, but rather smokers who understand that not taking in carcinogens, and not taking on the smell of an ashtray would decide this is a good long term alternative. As one tester said, at the very least it is something he could use while at work (again if they did not make the inhaling such a chore to trigger the led.)
Also, someone mentioned the heating element does not re-heat if it is already hot enough, and that is a good thing. But the first pull to start the device can't require a difference from the standard drag they will be doing. So I really hope they tweak it to improve the devices ability to trigger on a normal inhilation.
We also need to know more about these nanobeads and possible long term risks with them if any. Perhaps there is already some information on this, please share it if you have any. I am especially concerned since I read a post saying the nanobeads dissolve into the air (I really hope that is false.)
So as an investor I am standing pat, for one this stock has a ceiling anyways based on the quantity of shares out there. Plus, they need to improve the product, I have no doubt about that now, if they are going to attract your average smoker. If they are only going after those trying to quit, that dramatically reduces the potential this company has to grow and become viable. It competes with too many other alternatives to just be an aide to quit smoking. I again am standing pat and not selling even if it dips, because I do think the supply chain will improve, I do think they will make the needed tweaks to the device over time (repeat over time, NOT over night.) Then and only then do I think they should start actively or at least aggressively marketing the product (they can start small grassroot efforts to get the work out, just don't go commercial advertising yet.) Doing it too soon could lead to far to many first impressions being LAST impressions and sink this thing before it gets a fair chance to float, then sail, and finally cruise into the marketplace.
There, I did all this free of charge for SFI. I am sure they have folks monitoring these boards, where lots of great reviews positive and negative should be helping them hone this device. It is close, but no cigar... cigarette replacement just yet. Soon though, very soon.
