Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

No accessory in the bowl yet, I was waiting for the Sombrero or whatever solution DaVinci can come with. This might be the key yes.

I will experiment further this week, trying different starting temps and/or stages.

For the persons wondering if I'm not wasting a lot of things in my ABV: the herb quantity I put in half a joint gives me a 20min session that has 100x better taste and gives me a high that is way stronger and cleaner than anything I would have got if I had combusted the same quantity. So I feel I'm winning on all levels, even if I'm not extracting fully (and I didn't say what I do with my ABV afterwards anyways hehe)

Got my flowers, sent off my defective stealth today as well. how do I use the flowers exactly! How many? Then herb? Then flowers? How many do I use total and what is the best routine to use. I'm excited to get my new carbon fiber model, hopefully by next week!,!

chester222 said:

What do u guys do with ur ABV that comes outta the ascent?

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I'm going the tincture route.

That's also how I clean my stems.

KeroZen said:

It's just that when putting my device at max temp I can't get the ABV black, how hard I try....

I can raise to about 200°C/392°F ... and the taste starts to be less enjoyable... But this is where I have the problem I reported: from that moment (the 4th stage) I can only extract one, two or maybe three little hits max, then vapor stops.

So usually I stop at the end of stage 3, never reaching the 392°F "danger zone" as I like to call it (because it's the Benzene boiling point and past that point...well you know...),

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Lana, call Kenny Loggins... 'cuz you're in the Danger Zone.

What a delightfully thorough [EDIT for misspelling thorough] post. A few point I had you went ahead and made later in the post.

I will say, that I, personally, don't often venture above 392°F. Because benzene. But also because burnt popcorn. Okay... mainly burnt popcorn. Ick.

But I will ask why it is important to get near black ABV? I'm not sure I think (brown == still extraction left). Unless you are going after compound that have a high boiling point, you might well have boiled off everything you need to by that point.

The goal isn't the color of the ABV but the extraction you can do (for which the color may OR may not be an indicator).

But I will allow others to chime in here, as maybe I am well off base as I don't go that high and look to Everclear to get the last bits of goodness out of the ABV...

farcus2323 said:

how do I use the flowers exactly! How many? Then herb? Then flowers? How many do I use total and what is the best routine to use.

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I throw a couple in the bottom. (Don't know if this is necessary. Just habit.) A pinch or two of product. Then another layer of glass on the top.

I put enough glass on top to fill the bowl. In my mind, better glass than air. The very top layer I put stem down, like a thumbtack. But then I wind up breaking quite a few anyway, despite the thumbtack approach. I'm going to guess that I most likely use more glass than most people, and maybe that's why I break a lot more, but not too concerned as I'd rather have the thermal mass and those little guys are cheap.

@nigel : I think I see what you mean. If I forget the ABV color and just consider the amount of vapor I'm getting, then yes this device looks quite efficient.

I spent some time changing parameters tonight, started at higher temp, also tried various breathing techniques for the high temps part, including the cigar puff method etc. I managed to get a darker ABV this time, chocolate looking let's say, but it made me realize two things:

1) I get more at high temps when using a larger load and can get the ABV darker this way (larger = I'll have to measure, but still less than what I put in a single joint)

2) I dislike high temps (read 210°C+) on the Ascent as it gets really uncomfortable on my teeth (yeah I'm one of those guys that can feel this slight sensation...) so I realized that by reflex, when I reach these temps I'm not drawing like I should be to extract properly, out of fear of the sensation and throat discomfort.

The air path is pretty short and I think high temps are just not for me with this vaporizer.

EDIT: just weighted and I put around 0.15g per joint, so this week I've been using half of that per load in the Ascent and I still need to see what the minimum amount can be.

Damn I never made a tincture soak in 99% alchohol for 4 days and apply in drops below tongue?

I usually do a cycle where I'll start around 355f for the flavor, then I'll bump it up to 385f and et some pretty thick vapors then I'll either send it up to 430 right away to finish fast, or put it around 415. My avb gets so dark, very much like coffee. I thought maybe I was going too hot, but I've enjoyed the results.

chester222 said:

Damn I never made a tincture soak in 99% alchohol for 4 days and apply in drops below tongue?

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Yikes! No. First off, make sure it is the right kind of alcohol. (not really directing this at @chester222, but anyone else reading this that might make this mistake) If you are talking 99%, then you are most likely talking isopropyl? I think the max one can find for the good, happy alcohol (for most people... not talking lab supply here) would be 190° but some states (IIRC, California, Iowa, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Washington and West Virginia) the max one could sell is 151° so there are actually two Everclears.

And I'm not sure I'd put it under my tongue.
Let me restate that: I *have* put it under my tongue. Sublingual absorption is fine and all, but I'd dilute it a tad. It burns. And the natural temptation is to hold it there for maximum exposure.

Or some drops in a water/drink and you've got edibles absorption rates.

KeroZen said:

EDIT: just weighted and I put around 0.15g per joint, so this week I've been using half of that per load in the Ascent and I still need to see what the minimum amount can be.

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0.07g is about my normal load. In terms of the minimum amount, I'm sure you saw the posts with lwien and 0.025g. Pretty good efficiency for so little, but I'm sure you can go less... just don't know if your scale can.


EDIT:
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KeroZen said:

tried various breathing techniques for the high temps part, including the cigar puff method .

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Not sure I 100% get your "cigar puff" (I presume I do, but await further clarification to validate), but I do "cigar puff" -- if I have that right -- on the Ascent, but not on the Herbalizer. I just now thought about this difference in behavior. Hmmm... time to go investigate.

KeroZen said:

I dislike high temps (read 210°C+) on the Ascent as it gets really uncomfortable on my teeth (yeah I'm one of those guys that can feel this slight sensation...)...

The air path is pretty short and I think high temps are just not for me with this vaporizer.

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I honestly didn't notice this until I was traveling with the GF and only brought the standard draw stem out of simplicity. She was coughing after draw, and I noticed too that it was a bit harsher than I was used to. All the rest of the time I use the GonG as my draw stem. It has the advantage of not only feeling more heft and IMHO better in the hand and mouth, but of also cooling the vapor down (part due to length of airpath and I believe large mass relating to thermal dissipation).

So the two "hacks" I use with the Ascent are the glass flowers and the GonG as a draw stem.

I'm planning on buying one of these over the summer but I was curious if anyone has a comparison between this and the original DV.

I own the original and have found that it does both herb and concentrates extremely well. (Thick for concentrates at first but it dies fast)

It seems this one isn't as good for concentrate which is a shame but doesn't really matter for me anymore as I have picked up my Dr.Dabber and love it for that kind of stuff.

I am curious though, does this make bigger clouds than its predecessor?

How would it stack up in a bubbler or bong vs the PNP or Solo?

I love my ascent, the only thing that bothers me is the herb flying in my mouth.. I wish DV would of fixed this before hand..

Whats the best method for keeping herbs from flying up that keeps your loading time minimal + not having to deal with a bunch of other stuff. (glass flowers, moving screen, cotton)

Have people tried putting a screen into the actual stem?? that would not affect loading time and you wont have to handle the screen...IDK.. I draw slow but I have friends who dont listen and always eat weed when using the ascent.

That's my main gripe with the ascent so far, everything else seems perfect for my needs.. Great flavor, good battery life, feels like its worth the money and it gives me satisfying vapor.

When it comes down to it I might have to just use some cotton, I have a square glass bead but weed still flies up from the side.. and most the time I am not hitting it that hard..

Sonics420 said:

I love my ascent, the only thing that bothers me is the herb flying in my mouth.. I wish DV would of fixed this before hand..

Whats the best method for keeping herbs from flying up that keeps your loading time minimal + not having to deal with a bunch of other stuff. (glass flowers, moving screen, cotton)

Have people tried putting a screen into the actual stem?? that would not affect loading time and you wont have to handle the screen...IDK.. I draw slow but I have friends who dont listen and always eat weed when using the ascent.

That's my main gripe with the ascent so far, everything else seems perfect for my needs.. Great flavor, good battery life, feels like its worth the money and it gives me satisfying vapor.

When it comes down to it I might have to just use some cotton, I have a square glass bead but weed still flies up from the side.. and most the time I am not hitting it that hard..

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Once u use it for a few sessions the glass rez's up and cuts down fly through by like 99%. Other choice is to not grind it too fine or stop using it once the herb is done. Once vaped it'll break apart easily and come through.

Sonics420 said:

I love my ascent, the only thing that bothers me is the herb flying in my mouth.. I wish DV would of fixed this before hand..

Whats the best method for keeping herbs from flying up that keeps your loading time minimal + not having to deal with a bunch of other stuff. (glass flowers, moving screen, cotton)

Have people tried putting a screen into the actual stem?? that would not affect loading time and you wont have to handle the screen...IDK.. I draw slow but I have friends who dont listen and always eat weed when using the ascent.

That's my main gripe with the ascent so far, everything else seems perfect for my needs.. Great flavor, good battery life, feels like its worth the money and it gives me satisfying vapor.

When it comes down to it I might have to just use some cotton, I have a square glass bead but weed still flies up from the side.. and most the time I am not hitting it that hard..

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Try experimenting with glass pipe screens, thats the glass flowers, beads and try some organic cotton. Some folks don't like using the cotton, I use it all the time. Cotton keeps your vape clean.

You could try putting a small bud on top of your ground up bud. Just a thought...

I will go the cotton route since nothings working for me that good.

The ascent feels like such a quality device I was scared of getting it scratched up.. I used some vinyl to wrap the sides to protect it.



I might get around to doing the bottom section but not sure how the vinyl would hold where all the heat is.. looks pretty cool anyway.

Cotton works well as a filter but I've found that it affects the draw and seems to decrease the vapor. Also I think it subtracts from the taste. Could just be me but that's the results it get. It's not a big difference but noticeable.

Norcalsun said:

Cotton works well as a filter but I've found that it affects the draw and seems to decrease the vapor. Also I think it subtracts from the taste. Could just be me but that's the results it get. It's not a big difference but noticeable.

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If it's affecting the draw you're using too much.

Just wanted to let everyone know I sent my stealth ascent off yesterday. I vacuum sealed the device and put it in the box. Sent it off around 4:30 yesterday and it's already in Vegas. I requested a carbon model back so hopefully I get it by next week. I'm sticking with my davinci for portable and AEQ for when I'm home. Puffing on a bag as I type.

Just my On some comments above. I feel like I've finally mastered how to hit the ascent, my gf certainly has. Basically the softer the hit and longer the draw, the better the results. Even good thick vapes on 360.

I've never gotten anything in my mouth while using the ascent, but my sharpstone grinder doesn't grind it to a powderey consistency. There also aren't any. Hunks either though, it's almost perfect haha. I haven't used glass beads or cotton I just pack it as tightly as possible. I usually use the back of a metal pen to push it down and it works great. When I'm with friends someone always gorilla lungs it and lifts the puck up. I can tell immediately when it's been lifted now, big difference. I have been staying in the ranges of 355-430. The freshness of the flowers dictates where I start.

@nigel I was wondering about this benzene. You've mentioned it a few times and I tried to look into it on here, but came up short. Can you explain what it is and why 392 and above is the danger zone? I'm guessing it's where it boils off, but I'm still very much an amateur.

I never got any bit in my mouth so far, but a few stuck in the lower stem yes. I grind by hand (allows to remove the micro twigs) then I pack the load surprisingly hard (considering what everyone says about getting a good airflow around the material, it's counter intuitive here)

I use the butt of a cigarette to pack it, I push until it makes a flat puck, having the shape of the bowl. After that nothing flies. It's either the entire puck and you notice pretty fast, or nothing. Note that I don't use the device upside down though.

I will let @nigel answer for the benzene part but there's a wiki page about that somewhere.

Tony Hemp said:

@nigel I was wondering about this benzene. .... Can you explain what it is and why 392 and above is the danger zone? I'm guessing it's where it boils off, but I'm still very much an amateur.

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KeroZen said:

I will let @nigel answer for the benzene part but there's a wiki page about that somewhere.

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"Would you say we'd be venturing into a.... zone? A zone of.... danger?"

"Well, yes... obviously."

"No, but I mean, how would you phrase that?"

"I'd......... the zone would be one of danger??"

"No, I mean.... *sigh*... not if you'd say the... forget it.... NEVERMIND... and *you* nevermind. And also: shut up!!"


That is the point for benzene. Can't argue with chemistry. What you can argue with is how much is ACTUALLY present. I don't think anyone disagrees with the boiling point... only how much one might be exposing one's self too....

nigel said:

"Would you say we'd be venturing into a.... zone? A zone of.... danger?"

"Well, yes... obviously."

"No, but I mean, how would you phrase that?"

"I'd......... the zone would be one of danger??"

"No, I mean.... *sigh*... not if you'd say the... forget it.... NEVERMIND... and *you* nevermind. And also: shut up!!"


That is the point for benzene. Can't argue with chemistry. What you can argue with is how much is ACTUALLY present. I don't think anyone disagrees with the boiling point... only how much one might be exposing one's self too....

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So you never vape over 392? I've read conflicting reviews about this, but I've often seen that the cbd and heavier couch lock highs are over 400. Is that true or just false claims? I want the science of it. Because I'm used to vaping over 400 in my ascent, so if it's harmful I'll have to cut back or cease to run those temps

No CBD is between 320 and 356°F. Above the benzene boiling point (392°F) you have 4 important terpenoids and two possible phytocannabinoids (plus one flavanoid that is above the combustion point so you never can get this one, Quercetin) but you also have Naphtalene (a toxin at 424°F) then tars @ 446°F then combustion @ 454°F (with carbon monoxide and all the pyrolisis byproducts then, all being likely or proven carcinogens)

When I say two possible cannabinoids, I mean you have no warranty they will be present, especially if the plant was grown under artificial lighting, as these two compounds (THCV and CBC) are the result of UVB and/or heath exposition, and for THCV it's only present in strains having a particular genetic lineage.

There might be a lot of other compounds that could be beneficial above 392°F, even if they are only in trace amounts. As @nigel said the debate for the benzene (and other toxins) is not about their boiling point, it's more "how much is there in your typical plant sample" and "are these carcinogens cancelled by the anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties of the other compounds". The debate is still open I'd say. We need more studies.

Tony Hemp said:

@nigel I was wondering about this benzene. You've mentioned it a few times and I tried to look into it on here, but came up short. Can you explain what it is and why 392 and above is the danger zone? I'm guessing it's where it boils off, but I'm still very much an amateur.

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This isn't the place for this discussion. See my post on this point in the thread no tar? so what temp? really...?

Davinci received my ascent today at 11:30 am. Anyone know how many days it typically takes them to send back a unit? Anyway familiar with the process and could give me an estimate? Also, do they work and process on weekends?

They are in Nevada, I live in WA state, it only took a week once they received my unit to get a replacement. I was very happy with DV customer service.

Ya I'm hoping to have it by next Wednesday

farcus2323 said:

Ya I'm hoping to have it by next Wednesday

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That's when I'm hoping to have mine. I saw last night it was in Nevada, but it hadn't left the sorting facility to go to davinci. I hope to have it before next weekend at the latest, but we shall see.

@KeroZen what temps do you normally run on the ascent? Nice explanation on those temps too btw. Certainly a factor as to why I inquire about the ascent temps.