The Magic Flight Launch Box is a small hardwood dry-herb vaporizer with no circuitry: you load finely ground flower into a trench, press a rechargeable AA battery against a heating screen for a few seconds, and inhale gently through a short draw stem. It is cheap to run, quiet and pocket-sized, but it takes practice and holds only a small amount per load.
We first wrote about the Launch Box in 2011 after a couple of months of daily use, and the box has changed little since. We have no commercial relationship with the maker.
How the Magic Flight Launch Box Works
Magic-Flight, a small company in California, makes the box from a single block of hardwood. Inside is a narrow trench for herb, with a fine metal screen running along it. A sliding glass lid covers the trench so you can watch the material change color. At one end is a hole for the battery, and on the side a port for the draw stem.
When you push a charged battery into the hole, its terminal touches the screen and completes a circuit, so current flows through the screen and heats it. There is no switch, chip or temperature setting. You control heat with time: how long you hold the battery in. Heat reaches the herb by direct contact and by warm air pulled through the trench as you draw, a mix of conduction and convection.
How to Use It: Technique That Works
- Grind very fine. The trench is shallow, and powdery herb heats evenly. A good grinder helps; our homemade grinder guide covers a cheap option.
- Fill the trench level, without packing it down, and slide the glass closed.
- Insert the draw stem and press the battery in. Hold it in for about 5 to 10 seconds before you start inhaling.
- Inhale slowly and steadily. A gentle draw gives warm, thick vapor. Pulling hard cools the screen and gives thin hits.
- Pull the battery as soon as you see wisps of vapor in the trench or the herb starts to darken quickly.
- Shake or stir between hits. Tilt and tap the box so the herb tumbles and fresh material sits on the screen.
- Swap batteries as they weaken. Hits get noticeably thinner as a cell drains, so keep a fresh pair charged.
The learning curve is real. When the herb is an even brown, it is spent.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very small and light; fits in a pocket | Technique takes days to learn |
| No electronics to fail; simple, durable design | No temperature control; easy to scorch herb |
| Small loads stretch flower further | Small trench is a poor fit for groups |
| Quiet, with less smell than smoking | Batteries drain fast; not odor-free |
Smell and Discretion
Vapor smells less and lingers less than smoke, but it is not odorless. Heated cannabis has a distinct smell that can fill a small room. Use it with good ventilation, and if you share walls, a sploof helps. Remember that public use is illegal in Washington and Oregon, vapor or not.
Battery Safety and Care
- Use only the rechargeable batteries and charger the maker specifies, and follow its instructions.
- Do not carry loose batteries in a pocket with keys or coins, which can short them.
- Remove the battery whenever you set the box down, so the screen does not keep heating.
- Brush out the trench and screen regularly with a small brush. Resin buildup affects heating and flavor.
Is It Better Than Other Vaporizers?
The Launch Box suits a solo user who wants a simple, low-tech, portable device and does not mind learning technique. If you want precise temperature control, larger sessions or a device for sharing, a modern electronic portable or a desktop unit may fit better; our desktop vs. portable vaporizer guide compares the two. For what research says about vaping dry herb compared with smoking, see vaporizing marijuana.
Magic Flight Launch Box FAQ
How long do you hold the battery in a Magic Flight Launch Box?
Most users press it in for about 5 to 10 seconds before drawing, then inhale slowly and remove it once vapor appears.
Why am I getting weak hits from my MFLB?
The usual causes are herb that is not ground fine enough, inhaling too hard, or a drained battery. Grind finer, draw gently and swap in a fresh cell.
Is the Magic Flight Launch Box a vaporizer or does it burn weed?
It is designed to vaporize, but holding the battery in too long can scorch the herb. Pull the battery when vapor appears to avoid combustion.
Does the MFLB smell?
Less than smoking, but heated herb still has an odor in a closed room.
For adults 21+ in legal states. General information, not medical advice.
