Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

Glass004

Consumer Advocate
Does anyone know how to pack the spongier stuff? I just got some new herb that won't produce much taste or vapor.

It is a really nice looking skunk, huge spongy bud. Seems like it needs high temps like 400F to vape. Is it not dry enough or is it a new packing technique I need to master? Or just the strain?
I use a cheap grinder first, then pack the spongy grind in bowl with flowers, compacting it with fingers using the last two flowers as thumbtacks to press down load in oven. It works at full temp range.
 
Thanks for the opinions on that, I'm gonna just ignore this particular strain until it seems better cured. I'll pull it back out in a week or so and see if it's any different.

COCOBOLO WONG UPDATE

So the Ed's Wong is still treating me very nicely after about a week of daily usage as my draw stem. From my perspective, as of this time, there is NO LOSS in the portability of the Ascent due to the Wong. It still fits perfectly in my pocket and I bring it along wherever I go.

There is perhaps a fluctuation in the stealth aspect, depending on opinion. It may look a little less like a cellphone device to the onlooker, but not really any less than with the glass stems. In case anyone hasn't checked out Ed's site, the Wong is much shorter than the DV Gong, therefore it sticks out of the Ascent less and conceals better. And if you have the burl wood model, the match is undeniable.

The woody flavor that the Wong imparts into the vapor seems to be getting stronger. I have noticed more and more of the wood, but for me it is a positive addition. I would suggest to others that are on the fence to try to imagine if their Ascent would be more enjoyable or not with the woody backdrop.

Note: the wood taste is more noticeable towards the later part of the session, when the terpenes have vaporized away.

I tried using the Wong last night to vape through my glass bong. It worked amazingly. I set the Ascent to 405F, a decidedly high starting temp I know, and received huge milky bong loads of vapor. I had two really long, tasty, and cough-inspiring sessions this way before I realized just how medicated I had become. I could also taste the wood, but with the added water element it made for huge smooth inhales.

Note: I detach the Ascent from the bong to clear each hit. Then I do frequent puck tamps due to the Ascent sitting upside down into the bong. I really need the Ratchett tamping tool for this, I burn my pinky finger tip pretty bad sometimes. I'm going for the pure brass with 22K hand polished gold coating. :cool: Fire up that printer boys!
Yup. I'm convinced lots of guys make it harder than it needs to be by not using very well cured bud. Any extra water robs the heat that would otherwise make vapor and stretches out the time it takes to exhaust the good stuff by lowering the rate (and "killing the clouds", which some seem to favor.....).

I don't think you want it 'crumbling dry' but you do want it very well cured. "Dank" is not there yet. Dry it more. Then I'm thinking grinding 'medium' or even to the coarse side is a good plan in that being a bit 'springy' (as opposed to 'dry leaves') the load resists 'cooking down' and losing the all important physical contact with the walls.

I've finally got an Ascent of my very own to poke around with. I've had it a week or so and am taking a fresh start. But thus far I've run a dozen or so loads (the last 2 with flowers) and have zero deposits in the bowl. Everything falls or very easily brushes out. Something I credit to dry loads. A lesson from MFLB.

OF

And congrats to OF on getting your own Ascent. Can't wait to hear about your new experiences.
 

adamm

Well-Known Member
Quick question on cleaning guys.. Tried giving the bowl its first proper clean today but seem to be struggling to get it back to its original gleaming white as there is a residue left behind from its usage. I'm using ISO, qtips and a cleaning brush but still no luck.

Am I expecting too much for it to be spotless again? Obviously it has removed a lot but I spent a good 10 mins with some still left behind.

It would also appear I have a slight hairline crack in the bowl, only a couple mm in length, looks like I may need to get a replacement fairly soon. Still works though but I'm not impressed.
 
adamm,

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
Someone suggested using the Mr Clean scrubbing sponge. I used it and it work really good at cleaning the bottom and sides of the oven. I don't know what the manufacturer would say about it though. It didn't seem to scratch anything.
 
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Amazingkaddycap

Well-Known Member
Someone mentioned warranty concerning the Massdrop deal, can find the post but for what it's worth, this was a reply to a question on Massdrop

"Thanks for your question. We get it from a distributor, the distributor gets it from DaVinci. If something happens to your unit you will be covered under DaVinci's standard warranty through us".
 
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nigel

And shepherds we shall be,for Accuracy & Discovery
Someone mentioned warranty concerning the Massdrop deal, can find the post but for what it's worth, this was a reply to a question on Massdrop

"Thanks for your question. We get it from a distributor, the distributor gets it from DaVinci. If something happens to your unit you will be covered under DaVinci's standard warranty through us".

*sigh*

In my opinion it's pretty ridiculous that Massdrop's recent drop doesn't have a valid warranty. I was the one who posted in the comments after calling their customer service.
LOL, anyone see the comments on massdrop about the ascent? I guess massdrop just decided to have an unofficial sale of them because davinci claims they haven't and aren't sending them any units and wont cover the 2 year warranty on units bought.
 
I had the same experience. Then I remembered reading here that the glass jars do a good job of tamping, hot or cold. It's true. :)

Ratchett's tamping tool is like having the glass jar with a handle/stick to grab. I started using my pinky because it's much harder to try and fidget around with the tiny glass jar.


Without a handle, the jar is difficult to grab and maneuver in and out of the oven. It kinda gets super hot too if you use it as a spacer, and then blow it out into your palm. But if you let it cool down in the oven, it becomes stuck.

So now I have evolved towards the jar-free existence, using sipping control and sandwiching, and soon with the tamper tool- no more pinky burn. I still want to use the glass jars every now and then as intended with pure concentrate- but no longer as a tool or spacer.

When DV designed the Ascent, what did they imagine the user would do to pack the material down? Especially mid-session? Surely they don't imagine us all wipping out the jars from our pockets...:lmao:
 
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ConfusedVapeGuy

I hate Texas
I'm starting to regret not buying this vape first.

One question. Does the Ascent have any cracking plastics or other components that get damaged simply from use?

The reason i chose another brand was for the fact that it produces large vapor and is more stealth looking.
 
ConfusedVapeGuy,

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
The Ascent hasn't had any problems with any cracking plastic that I know of. The problems the Ascent had early on like air leaks and bad smells have been resolved for the most part. I use a gong mouthpiece with mine or the Eds Wong. It gives a better feel IMO. Helps with a tighter seal.

Every so often we hear a unit needs to be sent back to the the vendor. That's the chance you take with any vaporizer. Always buy from an authorized seller. Like the vendors on FC.
 

tom13

New Member
Hi , I have a problem , I got DaVinci one month ago . Today I tried to turn on but it does not working . I do not know what is going on ? The battery was almost full charge yesterday . I bought it on ebay, not from authorized seller , according to manufacturer I am not covert warranty , but I it ridiculous I is so expensive . I did not contact with manufacturer yet . Do you know about any Europe manufacturer service ?
 

hoptimum

Well-Known Member
Hi , I have a problem , I got DaVinci one month ago . Today I tried to turn on but it does not working . I do not know what is going on ? The battery was almost full charge yesterday . I bought it on ebay, not from authorized seller , according to manufacturer I am not covert warranty , but I it ridiculous I is so expensive . I did not contact with manufacturer yet . Do you know about any Europe manufacturer service ?

contact the seller
 
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OF

Well-Known Member
I can't speak for DaVinci, but seems to me like they didn't imagine it. :shrug:

Interesting answer.

Are you suggesting they didn't test the Ascent before investing a pile of bucks in bringing it to market? I think it's safe to assume they got some successful results (same as we do) so they must have found some solution to this perplexing problem?

Most owners, I think, learn to load and use it without burning fingers. All of my vapes have some sort of burn hazard associated if you don't give due respect and care, at least I can't think of one off hand that doesn't.

Whether a smart assumption or not, I suspect they expect owners to figure that out for themselves? IMO a quite reasonable thing to do, and surely very common with tool makers in general.

Today I tried to turn on but it does not working . I do not know what is going on ? The battery was almost full charge yesterday .

Bummer. Are you perhaps having a simple switch problem? Mine is very sensitive to how I push it, many times it clicks but doesn't make contact. I suggest you try pushing it carefully at different angles?

Good luck.

OF
 

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
Hi , I have a problem , I got DaVinci one month ago . Today I tried to turn on but it does not working . I do not know what is going on ? The battery was almost full charge yesterday . I bought it on ebay, not from authorized seller , according to manufacturer I am not covert warranty , but I it ridiculous I is so expensive . I did not contact with manufacturer yet . Do you know about any Europe manufacturer service ?
Maybe you could contact Davinci and see if they would replace it for you, even though you bought it through an unauthorized vendor? I'm sorry that this has happened $200+ is a lot of money to be out if you can't get the unit to work. I'm not going to say what you already know....:shrug:
 

Amoreena

Grown up Flower Child
... Are you suggesting they didn't test the Ascent ...
No. I stated my opinion based on the lack of any tamping tool packaged with the unit. Also, the User Manual's "How To Guide" (Page 7, Step 3) says "Load your vaporizer ..." without mention of tamping. Perhaps it's discussed in one of their "How To" videos?
 
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OF

Well-Known Member
No. I stated my opinion based on the lack of any tamping tool packaged with the unit. Also, the User Manual's "How To Guide" (Page 7, Step 3) says "Load your vaporizer ..." without mention of tamping. Perhaps it's discussed in one of their "How To" videos?
Thanks for clearing that up.

I still suggest they can say 'load it up' without giving exacting details, there are any number of acceptable ways of doing that......many not involving burning your fingers.

I suggest it's not a matter of "they didn't imagine it" as much as 'they didn't see it as a big deal? I don't think there's a 'right way' to do this, notice how we can't agree amongst ourselves?

Most tools do not come with that detail of instructions. Most vapes have even less by way of instructions than Ascent I think? It's an evolving technology which doesn't help either.

OF
 

hoptimum

Well-Known Member
It is not so easy . I got it from privet seller . He was selling it as the new , and it was new . When it came there was no any sign of use , everything was in original box , sealed .

you have certain rights as a customer on ebay. have you tried explaining your predicament to the seller?
 
hoptimum,

virtualpurple

Well-Known Member
Since getting my Davinci back from the company, I have had nothing but incredible sessions.

I believe I mentioned in an earlier post that I cut a screen as close to size as I could given what I had on hand, with the intent for it to be a snug fit on the bottom of the ceramic bowl. I used part of a conduction screen from my Haze vaporizer. This screen works awesome for what I'm after. It never falls out of the bowl when I empty out my ABV and doesn't allow even finely ground material to fall through the bottom. If I want to take it out I surely can with the material pick or a pair of tweezers.

I have not yet experimented with a spacer...at least, not intentionally. I stole an idea from Carolking. After packing my material and tamping it down with the jar, I usually at a little more material and then put a piece of cotton on top of the material I use. The cotton that I use also comes from the Haze vaporizer in their wax and concentrate jar. It appears to be a compressed cotton. It width is slightly larger than the ceramic bowl, which is great because it can be pushed down with the pick or tweezers for a nice snug fit.

I hadn't realized until I tried it just what a great idea this was. All credit to Carolking and others who pioneered this method. I used to place a few Davinci Screens on top of my material, however sometimes I had trouble placing them without fluffing up the material I had just compressed, and it just didn't work as well.

Gone are those days. I don't feel that the cotton restricts my draw at all, and I have no worries at all about drawing material up through the stem into my mouth.

Carol, I believe that I have read in the past that you would vape the cotton afterwards. How did that work for you? I'm wondering when you determined the cotton was saturated enough for vaping and what temps you vaped the cotton at. If you could expand on that a little I'd be grateful.

I use the F-bomb water tool pretty much every time I vape because I don't ever vape on the go (I don't drive when medicated, not even a little). I get incredible amounts of vapor with the F-bomb and every hit is tasty and delicious.

I just discovered that I could take the whip tubing from my herbalizer and fit it into my 14mm gong, forming a nice seal. Look forward to experimenting with that later.

Ok folks , its miracle happen today . When I woke up I tried one more time to turn on , and everything seems ok , it is working :) .I am very happy now , but I do not know for how long .


You should still contact both the seller and the manufacturer. If your unit has troubles once, even if it spontaneously fixes, it will have those troubles again at some point, and you don't want to be left out in the cold.

If it were me, I'd see if Davinci will honor a warranty with this product. If they will not, you should return it to the seller and purchase it through either the manufacturer (davinci corp) or through an authorized reseller. I'm not sure what part of the world you live in, but the money you'll pay for shipping is paltry compared to the money you'd have to spend on a new unit.

Also, if you don't have a backup vaporizer, I'd invest in one. I think an easy choice for a backup vaporizer is the Flowermate V. It is dirt cheap, discreet, and incredibly simple to use.

Although I love my Davinci, I have had to send it back twice. However, I have never once had an issue with my flowermate, very reliable machine.

VP
 

Smknbud

Well-Known Member
My replacement arrived yesterday. Thanks for the quick 2 day ship @Davinci_vaporizer.

You know, despite having several other portable vapes, I really now appreciate more how much I like this unit despite the fact that it uses more bud, needs some type of glass beads/flowers for less than full bowls and has had some reliability issues, at least with the earlier units, mine included.

Bottom line for me is the taste and it's medicating ability. It hits those with very high marks for me. I love being able to 'sip' this unit. I have learned over a years time how to pack it perfectly so the draw resistance is exactly how I like it. I just plain enjoy this portable.

It's packed with some DNA Genetics LA Confidential and ready for this mornings golf outing.
 

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
When I vape with cotton I usually know it's full of resin when the cotton is very stiff. I vape with it then throw it away. I usually save up until I have about 3 pieces then I put it in the Ascent or vape it in the Solo. There is a sub thread vaping with cotton. To be honest it was stickstones that turned me on to that.
 
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