USA-Canada
EuropeThe Boundless CFX bears a physical resemblance to the Storz & Bickel portables, being similar in size, looks and mouthpiece. But it is no cheap copy; despite being half the price of the S&Bs, but it actually improves on some key metrics such as heat up time.
The Boundless CFX looks really slick, with a solid feel and just the right amount of weight. The plastic outer shell has some textured lines that feel good in the hand. The flip-out mouthpiece has a wide, flat shape rather than the similar but more ‘straw-like’ S&B models.
Despite a predominance of plastic there were no glaring defects, seams, or odors when we fired it up, and the materials are food and medical grade where it matters.
A large, high quality OLED color display shows two dashboard speedometer-style readouts, one for temperature and one for session time, as well as a four bar battery indicator.
BUY Boundless CFX
The Boundless CFX bears a physical resemblance to the Storz & Bickel portables, being similar in size, looks, and mouthpiece. But it is no cheap copy;...
Easy & Slick
The Boundless CFX was the debut device from Los Angeles-based Boundless Technology that for some inexplicable reason escaped our attention on its release.
We’ve recently got our hands on a vape that’s still making waves, thanks to its design homage to Storz & Bickel’s Mighty portable – at a fraction of the price.
The Boundless CFX vaporizer (and its little brother the CF) bear a physical resemblance to the Storz & Bickel (S&B) portables, the big Mighty and small Crafty, being similar in size, looks and mouthpieces.
But it would be a mistake to dismiss the Boundless units as mere copies; as they actually improve on some things, like having a much quicker heat up time (20 seconds compared to 80 seconds), and a price point that is more than half what the S&B units cost.
Out of the Box
When you first remove the Boundless CFX from its packaging it looks really slick, with a solid feel and just the right amount of weight (7.3 ounces/206 grams). The plastic outer shell has some textured lines that feel good in the hand.
The flip-out mouthpiece has a wide, flat shape rather than the similar but more ‘straw-like’ S&B models.
So there’s a predominance of plastic used in the Boundless CFX. While we have not had any issues with high-end vapes that incorporate plastics, given the price of the CFX we could be forgiven for keeping an eye its quality and longevity.
However, from a manufacturing standpoint there were no glaring defects, plastic seams, or odors when we fired it up, and the materials are food and medical grade where it matters.
Biggest, Best Color Display
The next most noticeable feature of the CFX is its large (1.77-inch/4.5 cm), high quality OLED color display that shows two dashboard speedometer-style readouts, one for temperature and one for session time, as well as a four bar battery indicator.
It’s big, bright and easy to read, and by far the best display we’ve seen on a portable. Again, how it holds up over time or if the device is dropped remains to be seen. But for now we’re impressed.
BUY Boundless CFX
The Boundless CFX bears a physical resemblance to the Storz & Bickel portables, being similar in size, looks, and mouthpiece. But it is no cheap copy;...
Charge time
The Boundless CFX comes with two internal, non-replaceable lithium batteries that provide anywhere from 10 to 15 sessions from their 2500 mAh capacity, depending on the temperature used during the session.
The unit can be charged via a micro USB cable or the supplied wall adapter for a faster charge time (between 30 and 60 minutes; initial charging takes (4-4.5 hours with USB; 1.5-2 hours by wall charge).
Note: do not use while charging to avoid damaging the unit.
Easy to Use
The Boundless CFX is really easy to use. The mouthpiece cap twists off to reveal a good-sized ceramic chamber, good for at least 0.3 grams of herb. Pack your herbs, tamp them down lightly, and twist the mouthpiece shut.
You can pack this device any way you want; ground or un-ground herbs, small or large loads, well packed or loose, the herbs are always evenly cooked. A small negative note: the rim into which the mouthpiece twists to lock is a trap for crumbs of herb, so you do need to use a tool or scoop when loading.
Turning On
Flip open the broad mouthpiece itself, press the ON button 5 times in 2 seconds and the CFX gives a short trill and the screen comes to life.
Up and Down buttons adjust the temperature (40-220 degrees C.), or hold them both down for 2 seconds to toggle to Fahrenheit (100-430 degrees).
The ceramic bowl is heated below the herbs and the heat conducts up the ceramic walls of the loading chamber.
Even maximum temperature is reached within 20 seconds, a speed that means you can use the CFX as a session vaporizer (it has a 5 minute auto-shut off feature) or when you just want a quick inhale.
BUY Boundless CFX
The Boundless CFX bears a physical resemblance to the Storz & Bickel portables, being similar in size, looks, and mouthpiece. But it is no cheap copy;...
Hybrid Heating
The Boundless CFX uses a patented Cooling-Airflow-System (CAS) technology. While advertised on release as a convection vaporizer, testing showed it actually has a certain amount of conduction too, so operates more as a hybrid.
As your session progresses, the stainless steel heat exchanger below the bowl starts to warm the air before it gets to the herbs and convection heating kicks in, preserving the taste.
Bottom line: I don’t care how it does its heating – it just works.
Air Path
Contributing to this quality vapor is an air path completely sealed from the electronics (you can verify this by covering the air intake holes on the bottom of the unit).
Air enters at the bottom of the plastic outer shell and up through a stainless steel intake tube. The heated part of the air path is stainless steel and ceramic. The air path after the heating chamber is ceramic, silicone, stainless steel and plastic (all rated food/medical grade).
Substantial clouds, easy draw
The draw through the broad mouthpiece is very easy and the vapor given off is actually pretty good – somewhere between a pure convection device and the more common conduction-only devices.
The lid and mouthpiece do a great job of cooling down the vapor to a comfortable level even at the highest temperatures.
This hybrid heating means you can achieve very substantial draws at high temperatures with a full packed chamber.
Bear in mind that huge clouds mean the flavor is more ‘cooked’ and a little harsher. With a more reasonable 190 – 200 degrees C. you can still pull a satisfying lungful while maintaining decent flavor throughout the session.
Concentrate-Friendly
The Boundless CFX comes with a metal canister filled with organic cotton wadding for using concentrates (oil or wax). I didn’t find this feature that great; it takes a fair amount of huffing and puffing before the wax I used melted into the cotton wad and the draws were not great).
Size & Light Mean Low Stealth
The size of the unit is somewhere between S&B’s Mighty and Crafty – height: 5 inches (13 cm); width: 2¾ inches (7 cm); depth: 1¼ inches (3.2 cm) – not small enough to be concealed in your hand, and even a back pocket will be a bit of a bulge.
Add to this the brightness of the display in the dark and this may not be the model for you if stealth is required.
BUY Boundless CFX
The Boundless CFX bears a physical resemblance to the Storz & Bickel portables, being similar in size, looks, and mouthpiece. But it is no cheap copy;...
Easy Cleaning
Cleaning the Boundless CFX is simple, standard and really the only things needing regular cleaning are the oven and the mouthpiece.
- Use the supplied brush to wipe out the oven after every session while it is still warm and the unit won’t need anything further for a long time.
- Then, dip a Q-tip in isopropyl alcohol and rub the inside walls of the empty chamber while holding the unit upside down so the alcohol doesn’t leak down into the unit.
- Wipe down with a damp cloth followed by a dry one.
- If you find the draw becoming more restricted, or if the unit smells, it’s probably time to clean the mouthpiece.
- This comes apart, revealing an oil residue that can be reclaimed by scraping.
- Soak the pieces in ISO until they are clean as new, reassemble the mouthpiece and you’re good to go again.
Conclusion: Boundless CFX vaporizer.
The Flowermate vaporizers have led the way in quality and price in recent years, but I think the Boundless vapes perform better and quicker while keeping the price very reasonable.
The Boundless CFX vaporizer is a good buy if you’re just looking for a portable unit to use at home or to take with you occasionally, but because of the size it is not best suited as a daily portable unit.
Beginners will love how easy – dare I say foolproof? – it is to use. Experienced inhal-ists will love the quality of the portable vapor delivered at this price, with this quick a heat up time.
- We’ve heard this summer the CFX will come standard with a water pipe adapter. The Boundless team is also looking at making firmware updates possible, which might allow users to dim or turn off the display when they don’t want to draw attention.