Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

Quetzalcoatl

DEADY GUERRERO/DIRT COBAIN/GEORGE KUSH

Reflections

Well-Known Member
Charged up my unit again last night and turned it on this morning to do another burn off to see if i saw anything. Went to 430..sitting in a dark room after about 5 min i saw a few wisps come out of bottom. I wanted to open up the bottom part to see if could see anything when open..Couldnt open it!!! So i forced it...ugh snap there went the bottom screen piece smashed into a gazillion pieces all over the bowl..guess ill have to clean up real good...try another burn off later after clean and definately gonna remove the glass b4 i do it again. :(
 

thedanks

Member
Charged up my unit again last night and turned it on this morning to do another burn off to see if i saw anything. Went to 430..sitting in a dark room after about 5 min i saw a few wisps come out of bottom. I wanted to open up the bottom part to see if could see anything when open..Couldnt open it!!! So i forced it...ugh snap there went the bottom screen piece smashed into a gazillion pieces all over the bowl..guess ill have to clean up real good...try another burn off later after clean and definately gonna remove the glass b4 i do it again. :(
oy vey. :bang:
 

sxmokeUP

former combustionist
I ordered an Ascent from another website, so I should get a GREAT LOOKING and FUNCTIONING unit weeks from now.

DaVinci should be making a NEW checklist for QC based on these last 20 pages or so and sticking to it.

1) Checking the OLED screen for scratch / film defects
2) Checking the skin (stealth, croc, burl wood) for misalignment or bad fitting defects
3) Checking logo for misalignment or bad fitting defects
4) Checking ALL button positions and fittings for defects
5) Checking ALL silicone positions, Interior and Exterior
6) Checking All Glass parts for durability including scratch defects (can't have them breaking after one use)
7) Checking ALL edges or seams for peeling or excessive glue defects

ALL these are defects coming to users which could have all been avoided.

Where are the included Ascent glass parts being made?
I feel like DaVinci owes a good dozen people here glass parts due to durability defects.
For those that have broken glass, what thickness is the bottom part?
 

Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
I ordered an Ascent from another website, so I should get a GREAT LOOKING and FUNCTIONING unit weeks from now.

DaVinci should be making a NEW checklist for QC based on these last 20 pages or so and sticking to it.

1) Checking the OLED screen for scratch / film defects
2) Checking the skin (stealth, croc, burl wood) for misalignment or bad fitting defects
3) Checking logo for misalignment or bad fitting defects
4) Checking ALL button positions and fittings for defects
5) Checking ALL silicone positions, Interior and Exterior
6) Checking All Glass parts for durability including scratch defects (can't have them breaking after one use)
7) Checking ALL edges or seams for peeling or excessive glue defects

ALL these are defects coming to users which could have all been avoided.

Where are the included Ascent glass parts being made?
I feel like DaVinci owes a good dozen people here glass parts due to durability defects.
For those that have broken glass, what thickness is the bottom part?
I sent ezvapes an email requesting that they do a comprehensive quality control check before shipping my unit to me. I included a thorough checklist based on all FC member's reports. Don't know if ezv will want to go the extra mile, but I did apologize for the extra burden I was asking of them. I feel that doing so will greatly help to eliminate any possible product return hassles right up front. Also changed my order from croc skin (current production run not as advertised or aesthetically to my liking) to the wood burl. Finger's crossed. Luck to all!
 
Snappo,
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Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
Is there a photo of a current production?
111jbj4.jpg


Compare to the photo on the Davinci site and many others on the internet. The croc variant I preferred shows a raised round glossy texture, which is what DV assured me of in a response to my email inquiry. Oh well, mix-ups happen.
4t9387.jpg
 
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arf777

No longer dogless
Dang. I'm the guy who bought the used Ascent in the classifieds section. It was before I saw the off-gassing reported. Really, really hope the one on its way to me doesn't do it. This isn't for me, but for a Parkinson's patient I know who needs a good portable.
 

Reveen

Well-Known Member
Dang. I'm the guy who bought the used Ascent in the classifieds section. It was before I saw the off-gassing reported. Really, really hope the one on its way to me doesn't do it. This isn't for me, but for a Parkinson's patient I know who needs a good portable.


Hopefully its get a good unit. My stealth model has given me no troubles with off-gassing, silicon flavor, automatic temp lowering, nothing. I feel pretty lucky. Good luck, let us know how it works out!
 

lwien

Well-Known Member
I was reading the instructions and they say that medical grade silicone was used to make the ascent, so naturally I looked that term up on wikipedia.

"Medical grade silicones are silicones tested for biocompatibility and are appropriate to be used for medical applications. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates materials implanted into the body. Medical grade silicones are generally grouped into three categories: non implantable, short term implantable, and long-term implantable. Materials approved as USP Class V and VI can be considered medical grade. Most medical grade silicones are at least Class VI certified. Silicone suppliers and some silicone prototyping companies provide guidelines for material use."

So the term medical grade silicone is still not very specific, as there are three different categories and at least six different grades of it, that have not been defined by davinci.

It is probably better than industrial grade silicone, but I have no idea really. Are there any polymer engineers around? Now would be a great time to weigh in!


On top of that, all of the "safety" issues above in regards to medical grade silicone had to do with implantation. In these statements, there is no mention of categories grouped by heat resistance or oxidation, so while medical grade silicone may be just fine at normal temps, do they fall out of "medical grade" when heated up to vape temps?
 
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max

Out to lunch
Silicone tubing is rated for 400 degrees F, and away from the heating chamber itself, the temps should be much lower. 'Medical grade' can also be misleading. It isn't always silicone nor does it always have the highest temp ratings.
 

lwien

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info Max, but in regards to the silicone seal or the silicone used in the oil jars, the temps in the Ascent could very well go over that 400 degree mark, eh?
 

Shrike

Flower Potted, Maxed, & Rio'd.
Second report on a Burl Ascent that seems to be working properly...

So...got to try my Ascent for the second time last night. My first time was with a half bowl of Blue Dream. This time, I filled the bowl almost to the top with 1/2 Ripped Bubba & 1/2 Time Wreck (interesting combo by the way), and just lightly tamped it down with my pinky. Fired it up and set it to 390. Took my first long slow pull immediately and had wispy clouds, but a fantastic taste! Figured the wispiness was due to pulling right away without waiting for it to warm everything more.

Okay...so I continued with my session switching between mouthpiece and straw and eventually moving to 400 and finishing at 410. The clouds got bigger and bigger...the taste remained great up until the last 2 or 3 draws at 410...then it started to taste a bit nasty...thinking there was still a little bit of something in there that needed to finish burning off plus the end of a bowl just doesn't taste great any ways.:)

And the reason I did not post this last night was because I was absolutely blitzed after that full bowl. Going to need to do a little bit less from time to time or not that particular combo.:o

Having now had two great sessions with this thing I will definitely be keeping it. The cosmetic thing with the screen does not bother me and I would not send it back for that unless Davinci wants or needs to exchange it .

Battery life seems good so far. Used it for those two sessions...plus 3 burn offs at 430 for 5 minutes each just to see if I could produce anything and I still have about a quarter charge left.

So...what can I say...mine looks to be a unit that is working the way Davinci intended. For those having problems...have faith...hang in there until Davinci can sort it out for you and themselves. When they're all working this well or better...should be a lot of happy campers out there.:2c::tup:
 

OF

Well-Known Member
On top of that, all of the "safety" issues above in regards to medical grade silicone had to do with implantation. In these statements, there is no mention of categories grouped by heat resistance or oxidation, so while medical grade silicone may be just fine at normal temps, do they fall out of "medical grade" when heated up to vape temps?

Exactly so. Guys fishing for 'documentation' to back up their guesses should be a little careful here. We're not talking about implanting the silicone or breathing the dust of the mica. But rather the fumes/vapors from them under heat.

Medical grades of silicone rubber are about the catalyst, not the basic polymer. Those interested in the idea might want to read up a bit. IIRC we want to use Platinum based ones, not the cheapest or easiest to use. NASA published some excellent stuff on catalyst outgassing (they're most interested as you might guess.....).

Basically, in all cases, after the rubber 'sets up' the catalyst that made that happen is 'left over' and is trapped in the bulk of the material. Over time most of it migrates to the surface where it 'comes off'. If we see something coming off it's leaving. That means there's less than before. It all 'gets better' it's a matter of degree and rate.

So, the idea is, I think, to first use a material that doesn't involve a dangerous catalyst. Some of them are toxic, some not (the big difference between 'medical' and 'industrial' grades). Then to do a curing routine that purges enough of it out so it's no longer questiontionable (a moving target at best).

Likewise with Mica. It's a traditional material for this. Look into a toaster or hair dryer sometime, chances of finding it there are high. It, too, can be safely and professionally used here I think. The 'fact' it (or Silicone Rubber) are there is not proof of anything other than it's there. Some cleaning products are toxic, someone using cleaning products is not necessarily using toxic stuff. Gasoline is toxic, that doesn't mean it's not good idea to put some in my car's fuel tank if I wish to drive to the dispensary for more goods.

OF
 

Reveen

Well-Known Member
So...what can I say...mine looks to be a unit that is working the way Davinci intended. For those having problems...have faith...hang in there until Davinci can sort it out for you and themselves. When they're all working this well or better...should be a lot of happy campers out there.:2c::tup:

I fell the same way. I must have just gotten a good unit. Besides the screen issue which mostly everyone has going on, I have had no problems and the Ascent is performing wonderfully. I really hope Davinci makes it right with the folks that are having serious issues. This really is an amazing vaporizer . . . sounds like just some kinks need to be worked out.


On another note, can anyone give me some battery and charging tips? Is it OK to leave the Ascent plugged in all night, even though it might be plugged in for a few hours while already at full charge? How low should I let it discharge before plugging it back in? I'd had to mess up battery by being ignorant and not knowing the rules.
 

C No Ego

Well-Known Member
I fell the same way. I must have just gotten a good unit. Besides the screen issue which mostly everyone has going on, I have had no problems and the Ascent is performing wonderfully. I really hope Davinci makes it right with the folks that are having serious issues. This really is an amazing vaporizer . . . sounds like just some kinks need to be worked out.


On another note, can anyone give me some battery and charging tips? Is it OK to leave the Ascent plugged in all night, even though it might be plugged in for a few hours while already at full charge? How low should I let it discharge before plugging it back in? I'd had to mess up battery by being ignorant and not knowing the rules.

the battery will benefit best if you charge it and then use it ( de charge) it and repeat. it should strengthen battery to get it ready for longer term use as you go.
 
C No Ego,
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lwien

Well-Known Member
On another note, can anyone give me some battery and charging tips? Is it OK to leave the Ascent plugged in all night, even though it might be plugged in for a few hours while already at full charge? How low should I let it discharge before plugging it back in? I'd had to mess up battery by being ignorant and not knowing the rules.

From everything that I have read about extending the life of lithium batteries, it's best not to allow them to totally discharge before recharging them, however, one total discharge every 30 charges is a good thing.

The last link is pretty technical, but really comprehensive.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-tips-for-extending-lithium-ion-battery-life/
http://osxreality.com/2009/07/18/4-tips-to-extend-your-lithium-battery-life/
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries
 
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Shrike

Flower Potted, Maxed, & Rio'd.
Thanks, Pappy.

I don't have a smart phone with camera (love computers---hate smart phones), and I lent out my vid camera to a friend...should have it back Tue. or Wed. and I will try and post up a vid or two subsequently...:)
 
Shrike,

OF

Well-Known Member
From everything that I have read about extending the life of lithium batteries, it's best not to allow them to totally discharge before recharging them, however, one total discharge every 30 days is a good thing.

I agree with the first part (don't run them flat) but not the second (you should do so once a month anyway). Can you please point to an example or two of "everything" that says so? TIA. Not only don't I recall this advice for Li-ions (although it's common for some classes of NiCds), but I don't understand how something you shouldn't do 29 days in a month is recommended on the 30th......

My advice remains fully charge before initial use, don't run them flat ever, and consider changing your routine (not over or under charging) if you want the maximum number of 'cycles' after educating yourself on these specific battery types. All batteries are not the same.

OF
 

Tweek

Well-Known Member
I agree with the first part (don't run them flat) but not the second (you should do so once a month anyway). Can you please point to an example or two of "everything" that says so? TIA. Not only don't I recall this advice for Li-ions (although it's common for some classes of NiCds), but I don't understand how something you shouldn't do 29 days in a month is recommended on the 30th......

My advice remains fully charge before initial use, don't run them flat ever, and consider changing your routine (not over or under charging) if you want the maximum number of 'cycles' after educating yourself on these specific battery types. All batteries are not the same.

OF

I have seen the once a month suggestion from Apple for their laptop batteries. It apparently helps reset the digital life display (percentage left), which can become inaccurate. Whether this is true or not, I do not know, but it is still suggested to this day.


Edit: Here is a link. They say every few months. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490
 

OF

Well-Known Member
I have seen the once a month suggestion from Apple for their laptop batteries. It apparently helps reset the digital life display (percentage left), which can become inaccurate. Whether this is true or not, I do not know, but it is still suggested to this day.


Edit: Here is a link. They say every few months. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490

Exactly so. It is not aimed at longest battery life. In fact, the cynical might say that they're quite happy if you want to buy a replacement? They just don't want a bunch of complaints that their 'gas gauge' doesn't work right......

Thanks.

OF
 
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